Showing posts with label inexpensive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inexpensive. Show all posts

2/22/2012

Behringer 1202 12-Input Mixer Review

Behringer 1202 12-Input Mixer
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I own the Behringer Xenyx 1202FX, which is essentially this model but costs about 20 dollars more for the FX (it comes with 100 set effects). I have been doing home recording with Cubase and Logic, using a Presonus Firebox audio interface, with both MIDI, vocals and instruments, and didn't use a mixing board, but eventually decided to try one out given that (a) they are making them at very reasonable prices and (b) I had more inputs and outputs than the Firebox could easily handle.
This mixing board didn't look that impressive to me when I first checked it out, but having set it up and used it, it operates very well and cleanly. The fact that it comes with four mic inputs and preamps is a plus. The fact that it does not have an on/off switch is a minus. But basically it works well, the EQ is useful, and it has a large number of inputs and outputs for such a small mixer. Behringer makes a range of models with less/more inputs to suit one's needs, so this is great. Also, having a dedicated mixer makes it easier for me, as I can leave all my inputs connected and just adjust things on the mixer depending on what I want to record. Another small thing that is mixing is a button that cuts out the line altogether -- you have to turn it down to zero. And, there are no faders (except the main); instead it uses knobs for everything. Well, I would have liked some of these things, but then I would have to pay more, and what I really wanted was functionality at a good price, and that is what the Behringer Xenyx has delivered thus far.
By the way, I am running the following through the mixer: an AT3035 audiotechnica condenser mic, an Alesis QS8.1, guitar via line-in (or mic'd), two KRK RP5 studio monitors, Presonus Firebox. Everything's been working and sounding great thus far. Since I'm using Logic, the effects are basically unnecessary, but if I ever want to use the board for live use, which I may do, they could come in handy. I'd say the effects are just so-so.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Behringer 1202 12-Input Mixer

The XENYX 1202 is built to give an intimate performance the tone it needs to sound great in the audience as well as on record. Lend optimum sound quality to small-scale performances easily and affordably. The XENYX 1202 provides incredible versatility at a price other mixers in this class simply cannot touch.

Perfect for Small-Scale Applications The 12-input, 2-bus XENYX 1202 has four XENYX mic preamps with +48 V phantom power, making it possible to use four dynamic or condenser microphones. The three-band British EQ ensures warm, musical sound every time. Simple, high-quality controls make it possible to create beautiful mixes with minimal technical expertise.
Play music between sets via the RCA CD/tape inputs (assignable to main mix or control room/phones outputs) and record your performance to an outboard recording device via the RCA outputs.
XENYX Preamps The microphone channels feature high-end XENYX preamps that compare well with costly outboard preamps in terms of sound quality and dynamics, and boast the following features:
130 dB dynamic range for plenty of headroom
A bandwidth ranging from below 10 Hz to over 200 kHz for nuanced reproduction
Low-noise, distortion-free circuitry for a transparent signal
Perfect for most any mic, with up to 60 dB of gain and a +48 volt phantom power supply

"British EQ" The equalizers used for the XENYX series are based on the legendary circuitry of top-notch consoles made in Britain, which are renowned throughout the world for their warm and musical sound character. Even with extreme gain settings, these equalizers provide outstanding audio.
FX Send Add some outboard digital magic to your sound using the FX SEND. Simply connect an outboard device to apply effects such as reverb or delay.
Each channel features a post-fader send for determining effect amount, and the FX to control room function helps you monitor effect signal via headphones and control room outputs.
Little Wonder Weighing in at just 3 pounds (1.35 kg), the XENYX 1202 is the sleek, smart way to make a small performance with multiple vocalists sound like a high-budget affair. Keep it simple, or use your outboard effects collection to take it to another dimension. The XENYX 1202 is with you all the way.
Built to Last The 1202's long-wearing 60-mm logarithmic-taper master fader and sealed rotary controls are great examples of Behringer's high-quality components. Rugged construction means you'll get a long life out of your board.
What's in the Box Behringer 1202 12-Input Mixer, Power Supply, User's Manual

Buy NowGet 60% OFF

Click here for more information about Behringer 1202 12-Input Mixer

Read More...

11/02/2011

Logic Studio Retail Review

Logic Studio Retail
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I use to use Logic Pro back in the day of Atari Falcon and STE1080. then i went to PC and used Logic 4.7. Though i never used the audio with it back then due to the instability of the product. It was easier to use a Mackie HDR 24/96 with midi clock to sync.
Before obtaining Logic Studio i was using Ableton Live versions 5,6,7 and now 8. The reason i bring this up is that i am now back to Logic Studio Pro on a MacPro 8 Core. The major reason for this change back to Logic was for 3 main reasons that blow away Ableton 8:
* Midi control for external and internal instruments
* Clean, Tight, Dynamic Headroom, clarity of sound. Audio Engine is far better then Ableton even at 44.1 (though i use 96k)
* for the price and what you get, this software is incredible!
The new features of Logic Studio 9 is the Flex and Guitar suite. Though i have not been impressed with the flex (perhaps because i am not sure how to use it correctly yet) the Guitar suite is AMAZING. I have owned a Line 6 pro and a Line 6 bass pro and this Guitar Suite is amazing if you run it under 96k.
The Logic Pedal board has a great slew of guitar stomp pedals that sound amazing and better then most other emulations i have heard. the distortions are warm and tube like, unlike more software emulations i have heard. it rips just right even with a guitar straight into the A/D and processed by Logic. They have a Tape Delay that emulates the Roland 201 tape echo or EHX Memory Man Deluxe and it sounds sweet and mixes very well.
The automation features are tight and crisp as well. Though it takes a bit more time to get setup on Logic for controller setup then Ableton, it is tight once you get it there.
User friendliness is not as good as Ableton but then you are getting a more PRO engine then Ableton has thus been able to deliver. In Ableton it seems the 'warp marker' technology seems to 'fuzzy' then audio in such a degree that the clarity is not tight. the dynamic headroom and stereo separation is not there. I was wondering if i was loosing my mind, but it is not the A/D Presonus firepod it was the engine of the Ableton 8. Once on Logic Studio 9, the clarity and tightness of the mix returned. This proving this engine is far superior to Ableton for a studio mix.
NOTE: if you can handle the disk space and processing power required to run 96k, do it. It will tighten your mixes amazingly.
Should you buy this? here is my suggestion:
If you run a Mac it is worth the cost. for what you get for such a pro engine and features and plug-ins this blows away the competition. At now version 9.0.2, the system on Snow Leopard is stable. very stable. It runs cleaner and crisp on snow leopard with the 64bit processing. It utilizes all the cores effectively as well. With the new imac @ 4 cores, it really could be a mini pro monster for recording.
If you own a PC, you can't use Logic, so you have to consider Sonar, Cubase, Ableton, ProTools.
I have not tried protools due to the cost of upgrades and truly to use it as tight as the industry standard, it takes a year for upgrades to happen after a new OS and the cost is outrageous compared to Logic.
I have not tried Sonar. I have used Cubase. the engine is clean though cumbersome to use.
Hope this is helpful.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Logic Studio Retail


With over 200 new features and enhancements, the new Logic Studio delivers everything musicians need to write, record, produce, and perform on a Mac. The center of Logic Studio is Logic Pro 9, which makes it easier than ever to create your own compositions. Produce and play nearly any sound imaginable with a huge collection of effects, instruments, and loops, including the new Amp Designer and Pedalboard plug-ins. Use MainStage 2 to perform live with the instruments, amps, effects, and sounds you used to make your tracks. Logic Studio also comes with applications and utilities that expand your creative options into audio post-production and mastering, including Soundtrack Pro 3, WaveBurner 1.6, and more.

Logic Studio. A studio on your Mac as big as your ambitions.

Top Features New Pedalboard with an assortment of 30 virtual stompbox pedals inspired by the classics.

Buy NowGet 11% OFF

Click here for more information about Logic Studio Retail

Read More...

8/27/2011

QSC RMX1850HD Stereo Power Amplifier Review

QSC RMX1850HD Stereo Power Amplifier
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I received the Amplifier in good condition and in good time. I am now using it and am very pleased with it. Thank you for the good service.

Click Here to see more reviews about: QSC RMX1850HD Stereo Power Amplifier

QSC RMX series amplifiers give you clean, dynamic power with QSC's legendary sound quality and reliability that pros depend on. QSC combined their rugged, high-output designs with the latest circuit technology to deliver unmatched performance at a new breakthrough price. RMX amps have balanced XLR and 1/4' TRS inputs. Outputs include binding posts and Neutrik Speakon connections. These stereo power amps are only 2 rack spaces tall and 15.9' deep. Other features include ultra low distortion (.05% THD), a low-noise variable speed fan with rear-to-front air flow to keep your amplifier and racks cool, and selectable low-frequency filters to protect your speakers and increase headroom. QSC power amps are backed by a 3-year transferable warranty. The QSC RMX1850HD Provides improved thermal performance for higher continuous power in 2-ohm stereo or 4-ohm bridged applications (a RMX 1850HD exclusive!). Specs include: 360W per channel @ 8 ohms, 600W/channel @ 4 ohms, 900W/channel @ 2 ohms, 1150W bridged mono @ 8 ohms and 1800W bridged mono @ 4 ohms. The RMX Series amplifiers give you clean, dynamic power with the legendary QSC sound quality and reliability that pros depend on. The RMX Series deliver unmatched performance at a new breakthrough price. Muscular Power Plant The power supply is the heart of an amplifier, converting raw AC power from the wall to clean DC for the audio circuitry. The RMX uses a powerful high-current toroidal transformer and ample filter capacitance to ensure generous energy reserves. This makes a critical difference in sound quality, allowing the amp to effortlessly punch out high level transients, even when driving abusive 2-ohm speaker loads. Superior Performance RMX amplifiers deliver true studio-quality sound. A full complementary output circuit using the highest-grade linear output devices delivers ultra-low distortion (

Buy NowGet 18% OFF

Click here for more information about QSC RMX1850HD Stereo Power Amplifier

Read More...

7/29/2011

Samson Servo 200 Stereo Power Amplifier, 200 Watts Review

Samson Servo 200 Stereo Power Amplifier, 200 Watts
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This amp has a cooling fan, unlike the Alesis amp I was replacing. Fans make noise, and noise is bad.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samson Servo 200 Stereo Power Amplifier, 200 Watts

The Samson Servo 200 Stero Power Amplifier is perfect for installation sound and ideal for powering small to medium sized speaker chains, as well as playback and studio monitors.The Servo 200 amplifier features large 10-segment 3-color level LED meters and independent channel volume controls. The rear panel includes 1/4-inch balanced and RCA input connectors, as well as 5-way binding post and 1/4-inch speaker outputs.The Servo amp line also feature a 4-stage power protection circuitry that ensures optimal performance and protection of connected components.

Buy NowGet 21% OFF

Click here for more information about Samson Servo 200 Stereo Power Amplifier, 200 Watts

Read More...