Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with digital Connection - Macintosh and Windows Review

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(More customer reviews)I looked at virtually every multiple mic interface on the market and couldn't find anything to touch this in features and/or price... so I bought it.
Wow!This thing rocks! I connected up 8 microphones for Kick, Snare, Hi-hat, Tom 1, Tom 2, Tom 3, Left Overhead and Right Overhead... all those mics plug into the 8 XLR mic sockets at the front of the unit. Got some really great 20ft XLR mic cables from Amazon for only $6.95 each (Whirlwind LowZ Microphone Cable (20 Foot) I then plugged in my bass guitar into one of 2 switchable line/guitar 1/4" mono inputs on the front.
Each of the 10 front panel inputs has a volume control knob and red/green led. The drummer hits each drum individually one by one so I can adjust each vol control so that it just occasionally clips red but mostly stays green.
After adjusting the six individual drum mics I now get the drummer to play the whole set and I adjust the left and right overheads mics so they don't clip (go red). That's it! The mics are setup ready to record.
I took the main output from the back of the unit to my monitors and there's a volume control on the front of the unit to allow you to turn down the monitor while recording... then you turn it up to listen back... so in effect, the unit has it's own monitoring control.
Two headphone jacks would've been nice, but I used a Y-adapter 1/4" Headphone Splitter to split the output allowing me to plug in the two headphones for me and the drummer.
I now setup recording on my laptop (HP TX2500z) using the supplied Cubase LE4 software which is really easy to use - buy yourself the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recording with Cubase. There's no specific book for version LE4 but this idiot's guide worked great for me.
A note about my notebook - It's a tablet PC laptop HP Pavilion tx2500z 12.1" TOUCH-SCREEN Notebook with a great touch screen - so you can arm/disarm or mute/unmute your record channels/tracks just by touching the screen buttons with your finger - it's just like a real mixing desk with real tactile switches - it's really cool!
You may need to tweak your laptop for audio recording to get the best results otherwise you will hear artifacts (odd noises) when recording if the laptop is struggling to find the necessary processing power. I tweaked my laptop and it was just amazing to see the difference in performance. You can Google "Tweak Vista for audio recording" to find the information on how to tweak.
I also replaced my 5400rpm drive with a 7200rpm drive Seagate 500 GB 7200RPM 2.5" Drive - it's real easy to do... Google "Upgrading laptop hard drive". As well as getting a faster speed drive I also made it a 500GB to replace the 320GB drive that I had - so lot's more space... and very low cost too!
RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Well... Let me tell you, I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the results obtained with this unit! The Tascam 1641 is an amazing piece of gear and Amazon's price is just out of this World at only $299...
It's like having a whole recording studio in a box - the mic pre's, the mixing desk (vol controls), the signal LED's, the monoring vol control, headphone controls, etc... AND the software - all for $299 - You can't beat that!
The actual sound that I got was totally professional - I couldn't have done better if I was in a top-notch recording studio. I am 100,000% satisfied!
GO FOR IT!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!



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Behringer 1204USB 12-Channel Mixer Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this mixer about 6 months ago. My friend and I do a weekly radio show on livevideo dot com every wednesday. We began by calling in on headsets with a mic, but I got this mixer and man is it great. I can have myself, and 3 other friends all on individual mics. I can control the volume and EQ for each mic, and mute them with one click. While thats all hooked up, I have a computer used soley as a music/sound effects machine. This mixer also has a total of 3 outs. So you can record on one out and still have 2 other usable outs. I did alot of research on mixers, and I'm 100% satisfied. I might suggest spending the extra money and buying the FX model. I didn't think I would need it, but I wish I would have the option to add effects to the sound. Even without that options is still a 10 out of 10!

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The XENYX 1204 is an analog mixer that brings old-school feel together with the endless possibilities of digital recording. Its included USB interface and energyXT2.5 Compact BEHRINGER Edition software will have you laying down your masterpiece in no time at all.

Channel Your Inner Guru The 8-input XENYX 1204 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 per channel ensures warm, musical sound. Two subgroups give you seamless transitions for backup vocals, drums or whatever the mix calls for.
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.
Two Aux Send Subgroups Add some outboard digital magic to your sound using the AUX send and return jacks. Simply connect an outboard device to apply effects such as reverb or delay, then use the control room function to monitor the effect signal via headphones and control room outputs. Two auxiliary send subgroups make it simple to assign multiple channels to outboard FX units.
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.
Separate Outputs The XENYX 1204 features balanced main mix outputs with gold-plated XLR connectors plus separate control room, headphones and stereo tape outputs.
United by USB The XENYX 1204 is built to become fast friends with your home computer. Commit your mix to digital perfection via the included USB/Audio Interface, then polish and archive your creativity with energyXT2.5 Compact music production software. You can download even more free audio recording and editing software at www.behringer.com.
energyXT2.5 Compact BEHRINGER Edition Included If you're ready to take your projects to an even higher level, XT Software's energyXT2.5 is just the trick. This amazing DAW (digital audio workstation) makes it easy to manipulate your audio and MIDI files, turning song ideas into stunning CD or web-ready recordings. energyXT2.5 includes built-in synthesizers, which can be accessed directly via an external controller or programmed by step-write mode. There's even a built-in drum machine and internal multi-FX processor.
What's in the Box Behringer 1204 Mixer, USB/Audio Interface, Power Cable, RCA Cable, Rackmount Bracket, User's Manual

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PreSonus ADL600 2-Channel High-Voltage Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp Review

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(More customer reviews)If you're thinking of purchasing this hi-end pre, I'm sure you have googled it. So, I won't bother with all the tech stuff. Many reviews say the ADL is great. It is. Everything that you read is true. If you record at home, it will breath new life into your rig. Truly amazing preamp!
If you haven't found this review yet, give it a read. It's long, but very comprehensive and well done.
[...]

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The ADL 600 is a high voltage two-channel original microphone preamplifier designed by world-renown analog tube circuit designer Anthony DeMaria. The ADL 600 utilizes a unique high voltage, Class A discrete design with three vacuum tubes per channel for maximum headroom and tonality. The ADL 600 is built by hand in the USA by PreSonus and utilizes the finest components in the world including switched attenuators, military-grade vacuum tubes, analog VU and LED meters, custom-designed proprietary transformers, and the list goes on. No expenses are spared with the ADL 600 down to the last polypropylene film capacitor. The ADL 600 is big, warm, smooth, and clear; a sound like no other.

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ART Tube MP Studio V3 Microphone Preamp and Limiter with Presets Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros:Great product for those who requires amplify a dynamic mic.
We use for vocals in a karaoke system with excellent results. It doesn't requires expensive microphones. With cheaper mics produces good sound.
Cons: The preamp doesn't has a power on/off switch so you must to plug/unplug the DC adapter. It is a little expensive but works fine.

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The ART Tube MP Studio V3 has expert presets that get you started right! The Tube MP Studio V3 features ART's Variable Valve Voicing Technology - with optimized reference points to begin the recording process. The V3's presets were created & fine-tuned by top studio and live-sound engineers, along with ART's veteran engineering department. V3 allows you to select between a multitude of preamp settings designed for electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass guitars, drums, vocals and more. V3 gives you incredible presets for every instrument you record, so all your recordings will sound professional. Need to tweak the presets? Go right ahead -- hone your perfect tone! That's the power of ART V3. It also incorporates ART's OPLTM (Output Protection Limiter), which precisely and accurately controls and maintains the output peak signal. The OPL circuitry is crucial in protecting the next link in a signal chain - such as a hard-disk recording system or a sound card. The Tube MP Studio V3 can also function as a direct box - impedance matching, amplifying and improving the sound of any instrument. The design of the Tube MP Studio V3 allows it to add warmth and fatness to a signal while maintaining low-noise. Features include Phase Reverse, +48v phantom power, clip LED, a +20dB switch, as well as an analog VU meter for visual tracking of the signal. 1-year warranty. ART Tube MP Studio V3 Features Provides superior preamplification for: Microphones Instruments Line Level Sources V3TM - Variable Valve Voicing OPLTM - Output Protection Limiter Hand selected 12AX7A provides over 70dB of gain Smooth, warm and fat sound quality Variable input and output gain controls Excellent as a tube DI XLR and 1/4' inputs and outputs +48 volts phantom power Phase reversal switch TEC-Award nominated design 1 year warranty Designed for years of continuou

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FMR RNC 1773 Compressor Unit Review

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(More customer reviews)This thing is top quality. If you check out reviews on the internet, the RNC is compared to compressors in the $1000-2000 range for a good reason. It's marvelous.
If I had to dig deep for a complaint, it would be that it doesn't power up in the "super nice" mode. I have to actually push the button. Boo hoo.
I use it strictly between my bass guitar and my preamp. The "super nice" mode is probably required if you're going to use it for bass guitar, but once that's engaged, it sounds great and does precisely what it's supposed to do. The case is solid, the power supply is included, and the knobs perform as labeled.
Of all my equipment, a lowly compressor isn't the most loved, but the RNC is definitely the most trouble-free, performs-as-advertised, trustworthy component I own.

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The Really Nice Compressor (RNC) is a compact, affordable stereo compressor with a high-fidelity audio path and compression scheme. Don't be deceived by the sub-$200 price tag; the RNC is a serious studio tool that easily competes with compressors five times its price. HOW IT'S DONEThe RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using evolutionary advances in digital technology, coupled with the best analog has to offer. Using digital controls and an all-analog signal path, the RNC offers accurate, precise controls and a clean tonal character. The RNC provides two modes of operation: normal and SuperNiceTM. Normal mode allows the RNC to be used for everyday compression tasks, like punchy snare drums or bass guitars, and is great for everything from gentle compression to serious squashing. SuperNice mode provides near-invisible signal compression for sensitive material where compression artifacts are less desirable (like vocals, acoustic guitar or the program bus). HOW IT SOUNDSIn a word: transparent. The RNC yields clean, airy compression with few artifacts and little high end loss, even at massive gain reduction.

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Behringer MA400 Monitor Headphone Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)i used to play drums in an electro-pop group and would use this to monitor the backing tracks instead of using the on-stage wedge monitors. no complaints at all. every engineer we worked with never had any problems getting the monitor mix to run thru them. and since every backing track was at a different volume, it was very nice to be able to adjust my personal monitor mix on the fly instead of flagging down the engineer with clumsy hand signals from on stage (especially hard to do while playing drums :-). its got a great sound and being able to switch from mono to stereo came in very handy at venues that didnt have a stereo set-up. i highly recommend it.

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