Studio Equipment Recommendations September 2014

Review: Streichfett combines the best of the now extinct species of String Synthesizers of the 70s and early 80s. Its dual sound engine features a fully polyphonic strings section and a monophonic solo section, which is essential for recreating how adult movies sounded thirty years ago. The Ensemble Effect handles lubrication of the String Section, while the Effects section adds adjustable Phaser or Reverb. Alternatively, the Effect section can be used to animate the strings registration, allowing spectacular sound morphs.

The Solo Section offset presets named Bass, E-Piano or Clavi, and just like in your typical string machine, the sound has little to do with that name. Instead, these are shimmering and slightly percussive sounds that blend well with the string section.

Although the User Interface is simple and easy to comprehend, it controls a rather complex sound engine which is capable to delivers rich and creamy pads unlike any other instrument.

Twelve patches can be stored and selected in the Memory section, USB and MIDI are of course on board.

Review: The MFB-522 is a drumcomputer with a fully analogue sound engine that offers plenty of editing capabilities. It includes a step-sequencer with popular TR-style running-light-programming. Memory locations are available for 72 x patterns as well as for 8 x songs.

The step-sequencer allows programming of 72 x basic patterns plus 72 x fill-ins. The latter being associated to the basic pattern memory location, resulting in a two-bar-pattern when using the fill-in. Patterns can be combined to eight songs that each hold a user-definable sequence of up to 64 x patterns. In addition to the instruments, a global accent-track is available. When set, the corresponding step will be played with a higher or lower volume-setting in comparison to the standard level.

The MFB-522's sequencer offers three different steps of shuffling. A stereo output will carry all instruments minus those where individual outputs are in use (bass drum, snare drum/rimshot, claps and Hihat). Using the MIDI-In, drum-sounds can be played with a keyboard or external sequencer. Here, the sound sources act velocity sensitive. Finally, the MFB-522 can be synchronized to incoming MIDI-clock.

Review: The 1248 provides all the I/O you need for a well-equipped personal studio, including four mic inputs, two dedicated hi-Z guitar inputs, 8 x 12 balanced analog with separate main and monitor outs, 2 x 8-channel ADAT optical, and RCA S/PDIF (with sample rate conversion), for a total of 32 inputs and 34 outputs. Need more I/O? Expansion possibilities are seamless and virtually limitless.

The 1248 employs latest-generation ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters, known for their industry-leading performance, together with expertly engineered analog circuits that reflect more than three decades of pro audio engineering expertise. The result? The 1248 achieves actual, measured performance of 123 dB dynamic range (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz) on its balanced TRS analog outputs.

Every digital audio workflow has some latency. The only question is, how much? In the case of the 1248, the answer is, not much at all. In the 1248, latency is measured in a handful of samples, from the time an audio signal first goes digital to its arrival somewhere else (to an output, the mixer, or the computer). By keeping latency this low in the hardware, the 1248 helps minimize latency introduced by your host software.

Thunderbolt lets you connect displays, hard drives, and other peripherals to your computer, along with the 1248, and the Thunderbolt bus won't even break a sweat. But more importantly, Thunderbolt gives you an astonishing 256 channels of computer I/O (128 in and out). You can use them to route audio to the physical inputs and outputs on the 1248, plus the 48-channel mixer inside the 1248, plus audio network streams. The 1248 is the first and only interface to combine Thunderbolt I/O connectivity with AVB audio networking.

Don't have a Thunderbolt-equipped computer yet? Hi-speed USB 2.0 provides across-the-board compatibility with pretty much all laptops and desktops. The 1248 is USB audio class compliant, which means you enjoy OS-level USB compatibility and support, including iPad support (with a camera connection kit). Since USB 2.0 devices are compatible with USB 3.0-equipped hosts, your 1248 interface is a future-proof investment in your studio.

The 1248 is equipped with a 48-channel digital mixer designed just like a large format mixing console. The 48 inputs can take signal from anywhere: the physical inputs on the 1248 interface itself, audio channels from host software on your computer, audio network streams, or even mixer outputs. The mixer provides 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, a reverb bus that can alternately serve as a 4th group, a Main Mix bus and a separate Monitor bus that can serve as a solo bus. In essence: capable and transparent mixing.

British analog mixing consoles and renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The 1248 meticulously models these classic EQs to give you the very same, magical EQ response found on there coveted desks. Each input channel also provides a classic compressor module with optional peak/RMS operation. Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU's Leveler, an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix LA-2A optical levelling amplifier, known for its unique and highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics.

With one click on the 1248's routing grid, you can route any source signal to any destination. Sources can be analog or digital inputs on the interface, computer channels, mixer bus outputs, or audio network streams from other devices on the network. Destinations include interface outputs, host software inputs, mixer inputs, or any other device (or computer) on the AVB network. You can even split any single input (or stereo pair) to unlimited multiple output destinations.

The 1248 network port includes AVB Ethernet, the new industry standard developed by the IEEE for professional audio networking. Add a second MOTU AVB interface (1248, 8M or 16A) with a simple Cat-5e or CAT-6 ethernet cable.

The software that you use to control the 1248 doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 1248's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from the web app software running in your favourite web browser on a laptop, tablet or smart phone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform - Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android - as long as it shares the same network.

Connect an Apple Airport or other Wi-Fi router directly to the 1248 with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 1248's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing.

The large backlit 324 x 24 LCD lets you view all signal activity at a glance with detailed metering for all analog and digital I/O. Access hardware settings from a simple and convenient menu.

Review: The emphasis with the Soundcraft EPM is very firmly on quality build and audio performance, with an easy to understand control surface uncluttered by unnecessary facilities, and Soundcraft have brought new technologies and ideas to this very cost-effective range. Surface mount technology is used throughout, using close-tolerance components for high accuracy and repeatable settings for EQ and gain controls. The highly-transparent GB30 Mic amp (designed by Graham Blyth for the company's 30th anniversary, and also used on the larger LX7ii and GB Series consoles) features high-resolution adjustment over a wide gain range of 55dB, and provides a stunning +22dB headroom through the console. True professional 48-volt phantom power caters for condenser microphones of all types.

A unique feature of the signal monitoring is the PEAK led. This uses multipoint signal take-offs to watch for overload in several parts of the channel strip, and the led lights more brightly as the signal approaches the peak point. For smooth and accurate channel control, the EPM has 60mm high quality faders as used on other Soundcraft desks. The monitor output and headphone output work in parallel so that performers can still listen on phones while an engineer is listening on studio monitors.

Features
2 configurable auxiliary buses
XLR-type and 14" metal jack connector sockets
RCA phono stereo playback inputs and record outputs
3-band EQ with a swept mid on mono inputs
2-band EQ on stereo inputs
TRS insert sockets and inserts on all mono inputs and mix output
Ten-segment LED output metering
Intuitive and comprehensive solo system
Headphone output
Easily rack mountable
The Soundcraft EPM will find itself in many applications including live music, recording, houses of worship and multi-speaker installations.

Review: The NT-USB is a highly versatile side-address microphone that is ideal for recording singing and musical performances in addition to spoken applications such as podcasting and voice-over.

It is fully compatible with all mainstream recording applications on both Windows and Mac OS based computers, as well as the Apple iPad using RODE Rec, GarageBand, or any other recording app that accepts an external microphone. Use on the Apple iPad requires a suitable USB connection adaptor, such as the Apple Camera Connection Kit.

The body of the NT-USB features a zero-latency stereo headphone monitoring (3.5mm) jack, which allows you to monitor the microphone input in realtime, along with dials to adjust the monitoring level and mix between the computer/iPad audio and the microphone input.

A premium pop-filter is included, which fits onto the base of the mic, positioning the filter the ideal distance from the capsule to minimise plosives (hard 'B', 'T' or 'P' sounds that produce a harsh sound) during singing or speech. Also provided is a high-quality stand mount with industry standard 3/8" thread, desktop tripod stand that allows the NT-USB to sit at a comfortable height on a tabletop, and a pouch for storage of the microphone when not in use.

Perfect for streamers and gamers, not just podcasters and voiceovers.

This product is compatible with the Rode PSA1 and the PSA1+.

Review: Powered by the same core technology as Antares' professional standard Auto-Tune 7, Auto-Tune EFX 3 is the quickest, easiest-to-use tool for real-time pitch correction and creating the iconic Auto-Tune Vocal Effect. Auto-Tune EFX 3's new variable Retune Speed and Humanize controls provide an entirely new level of natural, realistic pitch correction. And with our unique Auto-Motion Vocal Pattern Generation, stunning new vocal effects are only a mouse click away.

Designed to make almost everything automatic, Auto-Tune EFX 3 provides Antares' world-renown real-time pitch correction as well as the iconic Auto-Tune Vocal Effect. Just set the key and scale of your track, adjust the Retune Speed for your desired effect, and Auto-Tune EFX 3 does the rest. For songs with complex chord progressions or modulations, you can optionally set up custom scales or use your host's automation facility to allow the processing of virtually any vocal line.

New in Auto-Tune EFX 3 is a fully adjustable Retune Speed control that lets you fine tune Auto-Tune EFX 3's pitch processing for any performance. And its new Humanize function provides pitch correction that is even more natural and realistic.

Like Auto-Tune 7, Auto-Tune EFX 3's pitch correction works by continuously tracking the pitch of your vocal and comparing it to the notes in a (customizable) scale. The scale note closest to the input pitch is identified as the target note. If your vocal's pitch exactly matches the target note, no correction is applied. If your vocal's pitch varies from the target note, either sharp or flat, the output pitch is smoothly corrected to the target note.

The new variable Retune Speed control lets you fine tune the desired effect for your track, from subtle natural pitch correction to the Auto-Tune Vocal Effect.

The new Humanize function ensures that short notes are effectively corrected while sustained notes are allowed to preserve their subtle pitch variations for the most natural, realistic pitch correction.

The Auto-Tune Vocal Effect is what is technically known as "pitch quantization." Instead of allowing all of the small variations in pitch and the gradual transitions between notes that are a normal part of singing, the Auto-Tune Vocal Effect limits each note to an exact pitch, stripping out any variation, as well as forcing instantaneous transitions between notes.

Auto-Motion Vocal Pattern Generation is a unique effect that adds intricate musical patterns to a vocal performance. Patterns are selected from a built-in (and expandable) library in a variety of styles and can be synced to your host's tempo at various beat divisions. At any point in your vocal track, simply click the Auto-Motion Trigger button to send your vocal on a melodic adventure.

With Auto-Tune EFX 3, you're not limited just to our Auto-Motion patterns. Since Auto-Tune EFX 3's patterns are stored in standard MusicXML format, you can use any application that can open and edit MusicXML files (and there are free open source apps that can do that) to edit existing patterns and create entirely new patterns of your own. So your vocal tracks can always feature your own unique Auto-Motion effects.

Check out examples of Auto-Tune EFX 3 pitch correction, Auto-Tune Vocal Effect and a variety of Auto-Motion patterns here - http://www.antarestech.com/products/detail.php?product=Auto-Tune_EFX_3_65

Review: Manage multiple audio sources and sets of monitor speakers, track using illegally loud headphone amplifiers, and talk back to your drummer - all from your desktop

Switch quickly and easily between up to four audio sources with a selection of input types.

Audition your music with your choice of three stereo pairs of speaker outputs, each with separate level control - and four screaming-loud headphone outs.

With Monitor Station V2, you can evict the drummer from the main room, banish the guitarist to the bathroom, shove the singer into a closet, and make them like it.

The Monitor Station V2 offers powerful options that allow you to configure it for the way you like to work.