Pro Music Production - Pro Audio Hardware and Software reviews

Ableton Push

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 8 Dec 2014 23:28:00 -0600

In software development, it’s almost inevitable that there comes a point where adding more features leads to rapidly diminishing marginal returns. In the case of DAWs, how many of us can truly say we use all of the functionality of our software? We demand programs which can do absolutely everything and then quibble about missing features, but chances are very few of us are really pushing our music software anywhere near the limits of its potential.

Since the great DAW revolution which occurred some time around the turn of the millennium, most music software has been far more powerful than many big budget hardware studios. The challenge now lies not in pushing the limitations of the software itself, but in finding more efficient ways to get the most out of ourselves.

The most obvious solution is to use a hardware controller to provide easier access to options which may be hidden, complex or otherwise unintuitive in the software itself. The proliferation of hardware controllers is nothing new; from mixer-style control surfaces to pad controllers and knob-laden MIDI keyboards, there are now hundreds of options available. Push addresses the issue head on: designed from the ground up for use with Ableton Live 9, this is bespoke hardware designed specifically for seamless integration with the DAW.

AmpliTube iRig overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 09:37:00 -0600

IK Multimedia has made available the iRig guitar and bass interface adapter for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The new iRig interface allows guitar and bass players to plug their instruments directly into the headphone/microphone input jack on their mobile Apple device and access the new world of mobile guitar and bass tone — AmpliTube for iPhone.
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Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 6 Nov 2010 09:26:00 -0500

Time to exhale; the Traktor Kontrol S4 four-deck controller for Traktor Pro is here, and we have a full review. Native Instruments’ first all-in-one, 4-channel controller/soundcard for Traktor Pro comes with the specialized Traktor Pro S4 software, as well as some lofty expectations. Let’s find out where the S4 lives up to the hype, and where it may fall a bit short.

Reviewed: Native Instruments Kontrol S4 Price: $999 (MSRP), $899 (common retail price) Communication: MIDI over USB (requires power supply) / (Mac and Windows).
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SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Ambience Control overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:05:00 -0500

The Reflexion Filter is basically a portable device for recording live sound sources with reduced room ambience. It is an advanced composite wall which is positioned behind any microphone by means of a variable position stand clamp assembly which ships with the product. The main function is to help obtain a ‘dry’ vocal or instrument recording. This is especially useful in studios without proper acoustic treatment, but can also be used to help record takes in control rooms, where the performer also has to operate the recording device, or in rehearsal studios to reduce ambient noise.

Buy SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Ambience Control on Amazon

Rock House's Lead & Rhythm Techniques overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:03:00 -0500

Rock House released Lead & Rhythm Techniques, a two-DVD set featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Firewind guitarist Gus G. Learn the natural minor and Phrygian major scales, patterns, scale sequences and full neck runs he uses to form leads that rip into shred masterpieces. Learn diminished sweep and chromatic arpeggios, emotional bending techniques and how to create a minor 3rd harmony lead. Gus reveals the chords, voicings, syncopated, pivoting staccato, interval and clean-picked rhythms that enable him to take control of the fret board and form his style.

Buy Lead & Rhythm Techniques on Amazon

Alfred's The Complete Idiot's Guide for Guitar overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:55:00 -0500

Alfred Music Publishing introduced a way to master guitar with three new books for acoustic, classical and rock guitar inside the Complete Idiot's Guide series: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Acoustic Guitar, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Classical Guitar and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Rock Guitar. It offers a short refresher course in the basics of music theory and simple, yet authentic, arrangements of popular songs. The Complete Idiot's Guide series features hits by Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Harry Chapin, Plain White Ts and more.

Buy Alfred Complete Idiots Guide For Acoustic Guitar on Amazon

Fishman Loudbox Mini Amp overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 11:10:00 -0500

Fishman's Loudbox Mini Amp features a compact size and 60W power output. Weighing 20lb, the Mini is the company's lightest and most portable amp, delivering tonal quality. Equipped with two channels and Fishman's preamp and tone control designs, the Mini also includes 'high-quality digital reverb and chorus for the instrument channel," and reverb for the microphone channel. The Loudbox Mini also features an MP3 input and balanced XLR D.I. output. It is housed in a chocolate brown textured tolex enclosure with brown grille cloth and beige faceplate.

Pioneer HDJ-500 Overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:29:00 -0500

Pioneer Electronics Inc.'s Professional Sound and Visual Division introduced its HDJ-500 series headphones, delivering fidelity, style and comfort. Available in red, black and white, the headphones suit any type of use, from DJing to casual listening. The HDJ-500 DJ headphones adapt the styling and performance cues of Pioneer's HDJ-2000 headphones. By combining 40mm diameter drivers, thick 19μm (micrometers) diaphragm and a copper clad aluminum wire (CCAW) voice coil, the headphones can reproduce the lower frequency audio range.

Buy Pioneer HDJ-500 Headphones - Black on Amazon

Buy Pioneer HDJ-500R Headphones - Red on Amazon

Avid Mbox, 3rd generation - Overview - (Avid, Digidesign, Pro Tools)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:19:00 -0500

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Avid recently released their new Pro Tools Mbox 3 Family (Mbox 3 Mini, Mbox 3, and Mbox 3 Pro). This is their first Mbox release since they changed their brand name from Digidesign to Avid.

While it is still project studio interface it has some major upgrades from the previous versions.

Click the pictures to get more information about each one of the new Avid Mbox series products.

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Native-Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 7 Oct 2010 10:35:00 -0500

We just received an e-mail that Traktor Kontrol S4 is coming out on November 1st. You can pre-order it now from Native Instruments' site!

Native Instruments has finally come up with their own DJ-style controller for their Traktor Scratch virtual DJ software. They've collaborated with Vestax to make VCI-100, a controller that came with Traktor Scratch. But when Native Instruments wasn't interested in making VCI-300, it was obvious that they are planning something else. And it's almost here, the new Traktor Kontrol S4. It comes with a lot of new features specifically prepared for use with the new controller. But for now that's enough. You'll familiarize yourself with the features once you get the controller.

Buy Traktor Kontrol S4 on Amazon

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Pioneer CDJ-2000 review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:16:00 -0500

Overview:

Everyone who has been in or around the DJ industry for the past 10 years or so should know that ever since Pioneer produced their first CDJ players, they have been known to the world as the Industry Club Standard. Almost all other DJ equipment manufacturers have tried time and time again to come up with a product that could match the versatility, reliability, and sales numbers of the Pioneer CDJ lineup and to this day; they have been unsuccessful. I’m not saying that in that ten year time period, there weren’t some very worthy (or even better) CD based decks out there, but none have come to live up to the same expectations as the Pioneer Series. Fast forward to 2010 and Pioneer is still providing DJ’s with club standard CDJ decks that promise to put the competition to shame. The new Pioneer CDJ-2000 is one of their newest decks on the market that is advertised as their flagship deck and greatest CDJ offering to date. For review purposes, the CDJ-2000 shares many of the same attributes and functions of the CDJ-900; therefore the reviews will be almost identical with the CDJ-2000 review having a bit more information pertaining to the additional features that the CDJ-2000 possesses. The CDJ-2000 enables playback of MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF audio files on CD, DVD-ROM, SD cards, and USB memory devices.

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1 Effects Controller review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:29:00 -0500

Overview:

The Traktor X1 is a device that allows DJs to control the Tracktor Software as well as other program such as Serato. Rather than use your laptop and mouse, core functions of the software are controlled via the buttons and knobs on the X1.

First Impressions:

The Traktor X1 resembles a very large TV Remote Control. It has various different buttons and knobs, each labeled with a primary and secondary function. The device is relatively light but it feels extremely sturdy. When plugged into your laptop the buttons on the device light up in different colors which makes it look like a high tech control pad. It certainly turned a few heads when I started using it. Also worth noting is that the X1 also comes with a cutout that lays over the device and re-labels the buttons to correspond with functions on Serato.

Setup:

For this review I am using the X1 along with an Acer AS1410 laptop, Traktor Pro Software, 2 Tech 1200s, and a Vestax Pro-5 mixer. The X1 can also be used with other software programs such as Serato. If you do not have your own decks, you have the option of using the X1 as a standalone with the software (using the software's internal mixer) or with any external mixer.

In my case installation was a breeze. I simply installed the drivers that came with the X1, plugged it into my laptop and it was ready to go. It took me about five minutes.

Vestax Typhoon DJ MIDI Controller review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:16:00 -0500

Overview:

The Vestax Typhoon is the newest Vestax all-in-one controller which allows DJ’s to create, manipulate, and mix audio files from their computer with one simple to use machine. I personally never had the pleasure of actually using a Vestax controller (i.e. the VCI series), but after viewing the unit on youtube, I had to check it out for myself! Vestax is marketing this unit as a super-affordable controller that is perfect for beginner DJ’s and people who just want to mix and play without all the extra gadgetry and money involved. (note: The Vestax Spin seems to be an identical unit that is only compatible with MAC while the Typhoon is compatible with Windows and MAC.)

Pioneer HDJ-2000 Reference Pro DJ Headphones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 8 May 2010 09:35:00 -0500

Pioneer has a real treat for DJs in the HDJ 2000 DJ headphones

Pioneer is nothing short of a DJ brand legend, with many of their DJ dedicated line of products being revered by working DJs all over the world. The best part is that this still happens as we speak, and Pioneer constantly comes out with new and improved DJ products, after which DJ equipment reviews will follow. This is the point of this post, which is going to be about the latest DJ product to join the Pioneer DJ headphones line, the HDJ 2000. The work that’s gone into the HDJ 2000 and the quality of the whole DJ product just oozes out of any DJ product review about them, and working DJs will be happy to know that even Pioneer, who came up with some great DJ equipment over the years, refers to the HDJ 2000 as the "ultimate professional DJ headphone".

Archos 5 500GB Internet Tablet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 7 May 2010 08:57:00 -0500

Overview

Media players have gotten a lot of extra functionality over the last couple of years; Bluetooth, touchscreens, better video support and even more recently apps or widgets through special SDKs or flash. Perhaps the single most advanced media player on the market today is the Archos 5 Internet Tablet which runs the Android operating system on hardware that has more specs than half a dozen other players combined and that can run thousands upon thousands of Android apps, compared to other apps capable non-iPod players that can only show for a few apps. However, a player's ability to work well can't be read from specs alone. Read on for a full, very long review of the Archos 5 IT.

Native-Instruments Maschine review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 6 May 2010 20:31:00 -0500

Although Native Instruments has produced hybrid hardware/software products in the past (notably Kore and Guitar Rig), Maschine represents an ambitious step forward.

With every feature of the software built into the impressive MPC-like desktop controller, it's easy to forget that the real power of Maschine lies at the other end of the USB cable within your computer. So, is Maschine hardware and software in perfect harmony?

Digidesign Eleven Rack

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 19:05:00 -0600

Series of videos about Digidesign's standalone guitar effects processor Eleven Rack.
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Digidesign Digi 003 Control Surface & Audio/MIDI Interface [Mac/PC] review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:32:00 -0600

Digidesign's LE range has received a comprehensive overhaul in the last year, and the new flagship 003 and 003 Rack incorporate many improvements over their predecessors.

After many rumors, Digidesign recently announced the replacements for their popular 002 and 002R interfaces. The new models are called, perhaps unsurprisingly, the 003 and 003R. As with the M Box 2, it's clear that these are not intended to provide anything radically different from their predecessors. There are some new features and many improvements, but the basic functionality or philosophy behind the products hasn't changed, and of course they still come with the highly respected Pro Tools LE DAW software. Like the 002, the 003 combines a multi-channel audio and MIDI interface with an eight-fader control surface, while its rackmount sibling includes the interface without the control surface. Most of the enhancements that have been made thus relate to the 003, as the 002 had more features than the 002R to start with! However, there are some improvements that apply to both models.

Pro Tools videos

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:44:00 -0500

A few days ago, I uploaded some tutorials, presentations and demonstration on Pro Tools to YouTube. Below you can watch those videos in the playlist I've created for you.
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M-Audio Torq review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:33:00 -0500

Reviewed using Torq Version 1.0.3

TORQ's Browser

The Xponent is what you touch- it's the tactile interface. What's under the hood is the Torq software. It's a beautiful thing, how well the Xponent is configured to work with Torq- the excellent match keeps you playing, and spending less time pecking a computer. Still, one way or the other, you are going to have to get to know Torq, the software. And you are definitely going to have to deal with Torq's browser.
Bluntly stated- Torq's browser is a pain. If you have a big song library and have spent the hours required to properly tag it, you'll find that Torq's browser will not see the key information. It is also commonplace to have the browser hang for several seconds while you search it. Not a huge deal at home, but on the job it will make you extremely nervous. All I can say is don't wait until the last second to choose your next track. Also, the browser isn't able to be customized. Say you don't care what album a song comes from, and don't need to see that info- well, you can't tell that column to hide. Torq is innovative in so many ways, offering features that even the most expensive units haven't implemented yet- it's a shame to see it fall short in an area as fundamental as a browser. Even with the headaches, Torq/Xponent does so many things well that I can put up with its bad browser. If they don't make the effort to improve it with software updates I will be extremely disappointed.

Technics SL-1210 M5G

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:31:00 -0500

Summary:

It's my opinion that 1210MV5MG and its predecessors may be favored by DJ's around the world, but this particular version is a serious piece of audiophile gear. There's plenty of information on the web and specs, so I'm not going to focus on that, but I do have quite a few impressions of this refined beast.

I dare say it appears to me to one of the most technologically advanced turntables in the world that is within the reach of the average consumer. The motor and platter assembly are absolutely incredible. I don't know if this is accurate, but it looks to me that the motor and the platter are magnetically coupled, meaning the motor has no physical connection that I could see to the platter. If that's the case, that would put this table in same league as air drive systems. Hopefully other reviewers can shed some more light on how the drive system works.

It's also a very ergonomic and user friendly machine. Now I know lots of people love to fuss with their TT's, make adjustments, make it a somewhat of a ceremony to play a record, that's cool with me. I have no issues with people deriving enjoyment from spending their money and playing with their gear. But I have to say, this turntable is blast to use.

You're up in under 1 second and the speed is dead on. I'm even having fun playing with the slider and reviewing some passages at slower speeds. Back to perfect speed at the touch of the reset button and you don't have to account for stylus drag. Hell, you can brush the record while it's playing. The rubber mat is outstanding with a slight depression for the underside of the record label. I'm using a lighter stainless steel Clear audio clamp and set-up was also achieved with a Clear audio aluminum protractor jobber thingy.

The integrated lighting is a welcome feature. A red LED hitting the strobe mirrors is neat, but the blue pop-up LED that lights up the stylus is straight out of James Bond! Impeccably cool!

There's a lot of great tables out there, but I just couldn't pass this one up given it's most critical attribute: THE SOUND! Forget about price for a moment and ponder that to these old ears, the presentation in terms of sound stage, speed, decay, ambiance, and the void of space where sounds emerge from this machine provides is anything but entry level. I hope you'll agree and get one before folks here in the USA realize what they've been missing.

M-Audio Session Music Producer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:34:00 -0500

Session Music Producer is a USB microphone, designed for home music production. The fact it works via USB makes it more attractive to more amateur musicians, because there is no need for any audio interface. But it is USB, it works like any other device, like printer, digital camera, or flash drive. Microphones are supposed to work like microphones, through XLR cable.

Overall sound quality is pretty good, with the included drivers you can set gain of the main output on your computer. Another thing that is pretty good, is that there is headphone output on the front of the mic. No need to run cable for headphones from the computer. There are however few bad thing about the microphone, included with it is pretty short USB cable which does not allow you to record vocals or guitar far enough from the computer, so we can't hear the computer fan on the record. Buying longer cable will definitely solve this problem. With the mic, there is also included small mic stand (approximately 4 inches) which is enough if you put it on some sort of desk.

Microphone works pretty good even after a couple accidental drops on the floor. I really recommend to buy it if you are just starting producing music at home.

But M-Audio Session Music Producer with USB microphone on Amazon

M-Audio Fast Track PRO audio interface review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:32:00 -0500

M-Audio Fast Track PRO is better version of Fast Track USB, with more capabilities, but it is still designed for home or tour recording. It has 2 mic inputs on the front, either XLR or TRS, 2 line inputs on the back one S/PDIF input, 4 RCA outputs, 2 TRS outputs and S/PDIF output. You can also find MIDI In and MIDI Out on the back. Having 7 outputs you can mix in 5.1, or 7.1, which is good for film score production. It connects to computer via USB, and you can plug in your headphones via 6.3mm Jack plug. On the back you can also find ON/OFF switch.

With the interface M-Audio included Pro Tools M-Powered DEMO, Ableton Live 6 Lite, and a CD with drivers. Included drivers do not work with Windows Vista, so I had to download new ones form M-Audio's website. After installing the device you can choose what audio goes through it with ASIO driver, which is available for free download from ASIO4ALL.com.

One of the pros for this device is its price, only $199, and compatibility with Pro Tools. However, one of the cons is, that full version of Pro Tools is not included. But if you would like to buy DigiDesign's interface (which comes with full version of Pro Tools LE) with the same capabilities, you'd have to spend around $700.

If you have a condesner microphone - no problem - Fast Track PRO has 48V phantom power, which you can swith on/off with dedicated switch on the back. Fast Track PRO works great with applications I use (Pro Tools, FL Studio, Adobe Soundbooth, Adobe Audition), but after using it for a while, the driver crashes and no sound comes out of it. Usually restarting the device helps. Also, the driver is very easy to use. I really recommend it for everyone.

Buy M-Audio Fast Track Pro 4x4 Mobile USB Audio/MIDI Interface with Preamps on Amazon

M-Audio Fast Track USB audio interface review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:11:00 -0500

M-Audio Fast Track USB is the cheapest audio interface to be compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered, it costs $129 on M-Audio's website. It has one mic input (XLR, but in the manual it says it is only for dynamic microphones), and one line-in input on the back of the device, which is good for guitars. Also, on the back we can find 2 RCA outputs (left and right) for studio monitors, and USB connection to a computer. On the front, there is also headphone output.

Included software (Session) is not good for anyone, who creates beats. I'm sure some people who play guitar would find it useful, but not me. With the Fast Track USB also comes a CD with drivers, which in fact worked on Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit, but didn't work with Pro Tools M-Powered 7.4. I had to look for newer drivers on M-Audio's site, and I found out that there are two identical devices from M-Audio, one of them is said to work with Pro Tools, other one - no. It was Fast Track Session USB ($129, on the website it says it should work with Pro Tools) and Fast Track USB with Session ($99, didn't say the same), which is the one I bought. I doubted that this device could work with Pro Tools, but it turned out that both devices can work Pro Tools. I guess just the more expensive one already has drivers for it.

The device is working good, however it's lack of phantom power limits me to using only dynamic microphone. Fast Track USB is quite small, but it has what is needed for small Pro Tools users (like me).

Buy M-Audio Fast Track US44010 USB Audio Interface with GT-Player Express Software on Amazon

M-Audio Axiom 49 review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:33:00 -0500

M-Audio Axiom is a product series of affordable MIDI keyboard controllers. It comes on three version, each number indicates the actual number of keys on the keyboard: 25, 49, and 61. The one I'm reviewing is the 49 key version. I bought it, because 25 keys is too few to play with two hands, but if I would have to buy a 61-key version, then I'd rather buy an 88-key keyboard.

The keys on it are semi-weighted, but they don't feel as good, as more expensive models. On the top right corner of the keyboard we can find 8-pads, which are thought to be used for playing drums on the device. They are almost the same as the ones on Trigger Finger. There are also 8 endless rotary knobs, 8 faders, and obviously pitch adjustment and modulation. MMC (transport controls) are obvious to be in a MIDI controller of this type, but unlike the ones on Akai MPD24, these need to be set up correctly in order to use them with software. In order to make it work with FL Studio, I downloaded a FL Studio preset for Axiom 49, which was in .xml format. Then I had to download Enigma software form M-Audio's website (like couldn't they include it with the keyboard). It was a mess...

With the device you get USB cable (kinda obvious), Ableton Live 6 Lite software, and a CD with drivers. I'd have to say that the keyboard is a little bit bulky, and it wouldn't work good on gigs. Also, they use cheap packaging. You know what they say: "a good device comes from a good company. And good company does not save on packaging. "

There is many things about this device, that are not perfect. A couple buttons accidentally pressed is all it takes to get yourself a couple hours trying to figure out how to repair it. They should put those advanced options in the Pro version (M-Audio Axiom 49 Pro). The device itself is too complicated for an average user (let's say me). I don't need to control my sound module from within the keyboard. Why? The answer is pretty simple - I don't own a sound module. Who still does these days? I'm pretty sure some people do, but it's sure they'll buy the Pro version, or completely different device.

Buy M-Audio AXIOM 49 Advanced 49-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller on Amazon