Behringer PMP3000 1,200-Watt 16-Channel Powered Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We bought this powered mixer to replace a defective one at our church. Our sanctuary can seat 900 people and so it is a fairly large auditorium. The mixer has more power than the previous powered mixer and many more features. I especially like the individual channel mute buttons so we can kill a mic without having to move the gain adjustments. The only thing I did not like about this mixer is there was no block working diagram available. So we had to construct one for ourselves. To a trained eye, by using a block schematic diagram, it is easier to know how to set up the mixer for different applications and to troubleshoot a problem.
The actual steady state power output is more like 200 watts (each of the two stereo outputs)for our 8 ohm speaker system but still is greater that the old powered mixer. That is a total of 400 watts as compared to the (at first glance) advertised 1200 watts. We do not have to use the maximum gain on any channel so the output is fine for our use. There is also a headset output that follows the actual powered signal which can give you a better idea of mixed signal that is sent to the speakers and to our DVD and CD recorders.
The people at Behringer were able to answer all my questions without any problems so tech support was great. We did have a little difficulty in figuring out how to use the FX special effects (reverb, etc) generator but once we did figure it out, using it was just as advertised. You can probably guess that the instruction manual is not extensively done. But with a limited budget for an emergency purchase of a powered mixer, we are thoroughly satisfied with the quality and price.
The price is exceptional and caused a few doubting comments about how could we get what we needed for such a small price. We have been using the unit for two months now with absolutely no problems.
My suggestion is that before you purchase this unit, download the instruction manual from the Behringer site. You will see the output connection is not a 1/4 jack. If that is what you have, you will have to buy an adapter or convert the present cable connection to the new type. The adapters or connectors are not very expensive (Neutrik NA4LJX Speakon To 1/4" Mono Jack Adapter)and cost under $11 including shipping. You can optionally by the Speakon connectors and convert the speaker cable to the new connector type.

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If you need superior stereo sound for small club gigs, churches or speeches, but have to keep the outboard gear to a minimum, the 16-channel PMP3000 can deliver. This 1,200- Watt mixer has built-in mic preamps and an FX processor, as well as enough power to drive mains and monitors, thanks to dual onboard 600-Watt power amps.

Massive Mono or Stunning Stereo The PMP3000 gives you the choice of 2 x 600-Watt stereo, 2 x 600-Watt dual mono or 1,200-Watt bridged mono sound. Whether the center of attention happens to be a folk trio, a speech, or a synth-rock band with mind-boggling stereo patches, the PMP3000 can accommodate. This sonic versatility also makes it an excellent choice for churches, where vocals and stereo recordings often share face time.
Classic Control, State-of-the-Art Sound Leave the mic preamps at home, because the quality of sound that was once only available in the studio is ready to go wherever you do. Eight built-in, boutique-caliber mic preamps with switchable +48 V phantom power make it possible to use either dynamic or condenser mics with the PMP3000.
Built-in Digital Effects Processor The PMP3000 is also equipped with a 24-bit FX processor, giving you 100 mind-blowing digital effect presets such as delay, chorus and reverb. Apply them to any channel, as well as to the monitors and main output. In case you're pulling double duty as sound engineer and performer, the FX processor features a footswitch jack for remote on/off.
Changing the Channels The PMP3000 gives you excellent flexibility to accommodate whatever a performance requires. Channels 1-8 are for mics, guitars and other mono instruments. Stereo channels 9-16 are ideal for keyboards. All mono channels have 3-band EQ, switchable Low Cut filter for eliminating infrasonics, and Clip LEDs to indicate when the input signal is too hot.
The Ins and Outs Use the CD/TAPE IN RCA inputs to feed in external stereo signals from CD players or tape decks. The VOICE CANCELLER switch eliminates the vocals from pre-recorded music for karaoke applications.
CD/TAPE RCA outputs send line-level signals from the mixer to a recording device. Left and right output 1/4" connectors are there in case you need to connect more power amps. Connect your monitor power amps or active monitor speakers to the MON SEND output.
A STANDBY switch mutes all mic channels during breaks, preventing the microphones from picking up noise or interference. You can leave all faders untouched while you play a CD via the CD/TAPE inputs.
The FBQ Feedback Detection system automatically shows you which frequencies are causing feedback. Just touch the FBQ button and watch the red LEDs on the 7-band graphic EQ pinpoint which frequencies to adjust for optimized sound, without the feedback.
Speaking of Optimized Output The PMP3000's POWER AMP switch toggles between three operating modes: MAIN, MON/MONO and BRIDGE (the power outputs of A and B on the back panel are added and provided at OUTPUT B). Dual mono mode allows you to use Output A for mono Mains and Output B for monitors. This clever functionality powers both your mains and monitors without the need for an additional power amp.
What's in the Box Behringer PMP3000 Powered Mixer, Power Cable, User's Manual

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PYLE-PRO PMX1208 - 12 Channel 1000 Watts Powered Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)i own this mixer for the money it's actually a great deal, but it lacks some features. first off for a small band starting off you can't go wrong.
it has decent head room on the gain control, but with 4 speakers and 2 amps pushing 1000 watts you don't need a lot of head room. what it really needs is better effects to be honest they suck, and there is only 1 aux and you will need that if you want any monitors. 2 aux controlls would be better then you could add an effects processor by use of one of the aux controls.but like i said to start with for the money it's a great deal, just have a extra amp for your monitors and you can get by with the built in effects.hopefully pyle will add another aux send and return to this mixer or even better yet install some quality effects.

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12 Mono Input ChannelsUltra low Noise Stereo Digital Effect Mixer, Rugged Design Power Supply Ensures Superior Signal Integrity Channel MIC/Line 12 Mono Channel EQ : 3 Band Main Buses: 1 Stereo Group Buses: 1 Stereo Graphic EQ (MAIN): 2 x 7 Band Phantom Power: +48V Effect: 16DSP DJ Function Power Output: (4 Ohms) 1000 Watts 110/220 Voltage Switchable Dimension: 25.71'' x 17.72'' x 5.91''

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Marathon MA-CFX16 Flight Road Case Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This case has proven to be a great case. You can use the board while it is in the case. The locks are very strong, and everything fits like a dream. I would recommend this case and any of the others that Marathon makes based on this one. And the price is perfect for a quality product of this kind.

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Marathon MA-CFX16 Heavy duty mixer case for Mackie CFX16 Pro Mixer or other similar mixers. Made from high quality materials with outstanding reliability and all-around protection for your equipment. Specifications: Exterior Dimensions (closed lid ): 26" W x 19" D x 8" H. Interior Dimensions: 23" W x 12.75" D x 2" H. Weight: 15.5 lbs. Equipment shown in case not included.

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Mackie Onyx 1220i FireWire Recording Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was recently looking into ways of kicking my podcasting setup up a notch, and settled on the Mackie Onyx 1220i FireWire mixer. I'm extremely pleased with this decision.
Obviously you don't need something this fancy if you're just getting started. And indeed I've been producing my show, Otaku no Podcast, for almost 4 years using just a standard USB microphone. But I was beginning to outgrow that setup. Adding a co-host was one factor that pushed me to upgrade. Having each host on their own mic just sounds much better than having everybody crowd around one mic "jazz singer" style. But what really made me upgrade is dealing with group Skype calls. I have been using computer-based Skype call recording software until now, which worked well enough when I only had one other person on the line with me. But things quickly degenerated when I had more than one additional Skype caller. The way Skype call recording software works is that it puts you on one channel, and all other Skype callers on a second channel. Which is fine if you only have one other caller on with you. But if you have two or three (or more) people on a Skype conference call, then they all get mashed into one channel. Which means that, if one person coughs or sneezes while someone else is talking, or somebody's Skype connection goes haywire, or an ambulance/police car screams by in the background of someone's audio, you're in a world of hurt. There's just no way to edit around that.
What I really needed was a way to put each individual Skype caller on their own channel. Which meant that I needed a multi-channel mixer. The Mackie 1220i's four XLR mic inputs means that I can have up to four "live" cohosts, each on his or her own mic. But its two AUX buses means that, using a "mix minus" type setup, I can have two Skype callers each on their own channel. Mix minus means that the Skype callers can hear everybody else, both myself and my "live" cohosts as well as other Skype callers, but they don't hear an echo of themselves (which gets really weird and annoying). And all of these channels get sucked into my Mac where I can individually tweak or fiddle around with them to my heart's content. Finally I have a Zoom H4n solid state recorder plugged into the mixer's "main mix out," which serves as a backup recording in case the computer recording fails for some reason (it's been known to happen). This has turned out to be a very flexible setup, and the Mackie has performed like a champ. It's well built and rock solid.
Unfortunately, the way "mix minus" works is that you need one AUX channel for each Skype caller. So with this setup I can have up to two Skype callers. If I wanted more, I'd need to move up to a bigger board with more AUX buses such as the Mackie Onyx 1620i, which has four of them. Maybe next year.

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The 12-channel Onyx 1220i delivers stunning performance in a size that is decidedly desk-friendly. Premium analog features like boutique-quality Onyx mic pres, smooth 60 mm channel faders and the proven tone-sculpting capability of Perkins EQ allows for performance that is unmatched in this category. The 16x2 built-in FireWire interface will simultaneously deliver all 12 channels, all auxes and the master L/R signal straight to your favorite DAW with zero routing. How easy is that? You can even return a couple of channels from the DAW right back into a channel strip for mix integration. It's easy, it's professional--it's the Onyx 1220i.

DAW-Friendly Doesn't Even Begin to Cover It Mackie-designed gear is more often than not the result of customer interaction and suggestion. After all, we are making gear for you. For years, our customers have been asking for the freedom to work with any DAW they choose. So when we designed the Onyx-i series, we took this suggestion to heart. We are very proud that Onyx-i mixers are more DAW-friendly than any other interface ever. Onyx-i mixers are qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8* Logic, SONAR, Cubase, and more. Now, dedicated Mackie customers can enjoy using their Mackie mixer with the world's most popular DAW. And Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users now have a variety of new--and different--tools to use with their favorite DAW. It's a win-win situation.

*Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users will need to purchase the Mackie Universal driver upgrade available at Mackie.com.

Deep FireWire Integration The Onyx-i Series features deeper FireWire integration than any other mixer out there and offers immensely powerful routing capabilities:

Wet or Dry?--Every channel on the mixer can be routed pre or post EQ to the computer, allowing you to choose whether to implement "EQ to tape" or not.
Studio Quality Effects--All aux sends are routable to the computer, allowing you to utilize your computer as a powerful FX engine by implementing your favorite plug-ins in a live scenario.
Preserve Your Mix--Master L/R is routable to the computer for recording your analog mix. Burn and sell CDs of the mix at the end of the gig!
Mix Integration--Stereo return from the computer can be routed to either the control room for instant monitoring or to a stereo channel for mix integration.
Latency-Free Overdubs--Having a "real" mixer has its benefits. Latency-free overdubs are simple since you are using an analog mixer. No more wasted time dealing with the complicated "DSP" mixers commonly used on standalone interfaces.

TThe 1220i delivers seamless, routing-free FireWire connection to your favorite DAW. All channels, auxes and (of course) the master L/R are simultaneously available to your DAW--with zero routing. The Onyx-i FireWire connection has amazing bandwidth, and the 1220i takes full advantage.

Premium Analog Mixer When it comes to the high pressure environment of a recording session or live performance, you simply cannot beat the stability and reliability of an analog mixer. With features honed over 20 years of design by some of the legends in the industry, the Onyx-i Series mixers are simply the best sounding full-featured analog mixing boards available to the modern sound engineer.

The 1220i has a plethora of analog features that are sure to please. First off, there are four Onyx mic preamps which have been proven as some of the best boutique quality preamps available today. That is, without having to re-mortgage your house in order to pay for all the inputs you need. Then there's the Perkins EQ, which offers highly musical Q filter without sacrificing the precise control that Mackie EQs are known for. Four mono mic/line channels feature 3-band Perkins EQ with a sweepable mid and the additional stereo line channels have 3-band EQ. So, regardless of the type of signal you need to input, there is sure to be a channel with the right EQ for the application. Other analog tools include two aux sends with pre/post fader assignment, allowing for monitor mixes, effects loops or additional headphone mixes. There are built-in DIs on the first two channels for direct connection of guitars or bass and a dedicated talkback section with a built-in mic that lets you easily communicate with band members while on stage or recording. With all these proven, great-sounding analog features, it is easier than ever to create a memorable mix.

Smacks of Quality The Onyx 1220i offers a tremendous collection of professional analog features and extremely deep DAW integration, but it is so much more than that. The sleek, modern design might even tempt you build a museum quality display for your engineer friends to admire. Plus, since it's a Mackie, you can be sure that it is "built like a tank" and will survive years of abuse.

Any audio company can cram a bunch of inferior components into a chassis and, believe us, a lot of them do. This is never the case with a Mackie mixer. Everything about the Onyx-i Series smacks of quality, because only the most quality, high-end components are used throughout the entire signal path. At the front end, you have the pristine signal boost offered by the Onyx mic preamps, which will likely get routed through the legendary Perkins EQ. The signal then passes through a series of sealed rotary knobs, which keep dust and grime out of the potentiometer. Then your mix hits the summing bus, which has been custom-designed to offer the highest possible headroom while preserving the sonic quality offered by the aforementioned components. Maybe you assigned the signal to stream across the FireWire outputs. If so, they had the pleasure of passing through the high-quality Cirrus analog-to-digital converter on their way to your computer. Or maybe you were overdubbing and streamed your backing tracks from your DAW and integrated them into the mix. In that case, you can thank the ridiculously high-end AKM digital-to-analog converter for the immaculate quality of the playback. These converters are extremely high-quality and easily rival the most esoteric (and expensive) interfaces out there today. From start to finish, no matter how you use it, the 1220i offers the quality demanded by industry professionals.

Software Requirements:For PC
Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64, Vista 32 / 64 RTM, or XP SP 2
Pentium 4, Celeron, or Athlon XP processor
512 MB RAM
For Mac
Mac OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6.2
G4 processor
512 MB RAM

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Mackie HD1521 15-inch 2-Way High-Definition Powered Loudspeaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just bought a pair of HD1521. I was going back and forth between the SRM450v2s and the HD1521s, reading many different reviews to help me choose the best speaker.
Last saturday i realized that i should actually hear how they sound...and then i decided => HD1521
They're much better than the SRM450v2. Deep bass, clean sound and loud as hell.

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The HD1521 2-Way High-Definition Powered Loudspeaker delivers class-leading 1600W of peak system power via ultra-efficient Class-D Fast Recovery™ amplification. The precision crossover, phase and driver time alignment circuitry and revolutionary patented acoustic correction algorithms provide true high-definition sound. Custom transducers and tuning by EAW with pole-mountable, all-wood cabinet construction complete this ultra-compact, high-power PA solution.

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Mackie Onyx 820i FireWire Recording Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This mixer is well built and works very well as the foundation for our home studio. The Onyx preamps are very clean and the integrated 8x2 firewire interface offers great flexibility when configuring the mixer for recording.
My unit also came with a basic bundle license for Mackie's Traction3 DAW software. This mixer, along with Traction3 make a very capable recording setup.

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The feature-packed and performance-optimizing Onyx 820i is the most compact and desk-friendly version of the Onyx-i Series. With eight channels, three Onyx mic preamps, two aux sends, talkback, flexible control room routing and a variety of Perkins EQ configurations, there is plenty of analog goodness to go around. Plus, FireWire I/O lets you route all channels, auxes and the master L/R to nearly any DAW for recording and return a stereo signal to the control room or into a channel for mix integration. The 820i packs a big punch in a very small package.

DAW-Friendly Doesn't Even Begin to Cover It Mackie-designed gear is more often than not the result of customer interaction and suggestion. After all, we are making gear for you. For years, our customers have been asking for the freedom to work with any DAW they choose. So when we designed the Onyx-i series, we took this suggestion to heart. We are very proud that Onyx-i mixers are more DAW-friendly than any other interface ever. Onyx-i mixers are qualified by Mackie for use with all major DAWs, including Pro Tools M-Powered 8* Logic, SONAR, Cubase, and more. Now, dedicated Mackie customers can enjoy using their Mackie mixer with the world's most popular DAW. And Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users now have a variety of new--and different--tools to use with their favorite DAW. It's a win-win situation.

*Pro Tools M-Powered 8 users will need to purchase the Mackie Universal driver upgrade available at Mackie.com.

Deep FireWire Integration The Onyx-i Series features deeper FireWire integration than any other mixer out there and offers immensely powerful routing capabilities:

Wet or Dry?--Every channel on the mixer can be routed pre or post EQ to the computer, allowing you to choose whether to implement "EQ to tape" or not.
Studio Quality Effects--All aux sends are routable to the computer, allowing you to utilize your computer as a powerful FX engine by implementing your favorite plug-ins in a live scenario.
Preserve Your Mix--Master L/R is routable to the computer for recording your analog mix. Burn and sell CDs of the mix at the end of the gig!
Mix Integration--Stereo return from the computer can be routed to either the control room for instant monitoring or to a stereo channel for mix integration.
Latency-Free Overdubs--Having a "real" mixer has its benefits. Latency-free overdubs are simple since you are using an analog mixer. No more wasted time dealing with the complicated "DSP" mixers commonly used on standalone interfaces.

The flexibility offered by the 820i allows you to work faster and more intuitively than ever before. Imagine a world where your recording sessions run smoothly, every single time. Dream of a live sound mix that is both archived for history and simultaneously recorded multi-track for later mixing. No need to dream, the 820i is here.

Premium Analog Mixer When it comes to the high pressure environment of a recording session or live performance, you simply cannot beat the stability and reliability of an analog mixer. With features honed over 20 years of design by some of the legends in the industry, the Onyx-i Series mixers are simply the best sounding full-featured analog mixing boards available to the modern sound engineer.

The 820i has a plethora of analog features that are sure to please. First off, there are three Onyx mic preamps which have been proven as some of the best boutique quality preamps available today. That is, without having to re-mortgage your house in order to pay for all the inputs you need. Then there’s the Perkins EQ, which offers highly musical Q filter without sacrificing the precise control that Mackie EQs are known for. Two mono mic/line channels feature 3-band Perkins EQ with a sweepable mid, the stereo line channels have 3-band EQ and (talk about flexibility) a unique hybrid channel features 4-band Perkins EQ. So, regardless of the type of signal you need to input, there is sure to be a channel with the right EQ for the application. Other analog tools include two aux sends with pre/post fader assignment, allowing for monitor mixes, effects loops or additional headphone mixes. There are built-in DIs on the first two channels for direct connection of guitars or bass and a dedicated talkback section with a built-in mic that lets you easily communicate with band members while on stage or recording. With all these proven, great-sounding analog features, it is easier than ever to create a memorable mix.

Smacks of Quality The Onyx 820i offers a tremendous collection of professional analog features and extremely deep DAW integration, but it is so much more than that. The sleek, modern design might even tempt you build a museum quality display for your engineer friends to admire. Plus, since it’s a Mackie, you can be sure that it is "built like a tank" and will survive years of abuse.

Any audio company can cram a bunch of inferior components into a chassis and, believe us, a lot of them do. This is never the case with a Mackie mixer. Everything about the Onyx-i Series smacks of quality, because only the most quality, high-end components are used throughout the entire signal path. At the front end, you have the pristine signal boost offered by the Onyx mic preamps, which will likely get routed through the legendary Perkins EQ. The signal then passes through a series of sealed rotary knobs, which keep dust and grime out of the potentiometer. Then your mix hits the summing bus, which has been custom-designed to offer the highest possible headroom while preserving the sonic quality offered by the aforementioned components. Maybe you assigned the signal to stream across the FireWire outputs. If so, they had the pleasure of passing through the high-quality Cirrus analog-to-digital converter on their way to your computer. Or maybe you were overdubbing and streamed your backing tracks from your DAW and integrated them into the mix. In that case, you can thank the ridiculously high-end AKM digital-to-analog converter for the immaculate quality of the playback. These converters are extremely high-quality and easily rival the most esoteric (and expensive) interfaces out there today. From start to finish, no matter how you use it, the 820i offers the quality demanded by industry professionals.

Software Requirements:For PC
Microsoft Windows 7 32 / 64, Vista 32 / 64 RTM, or XP SP 2
Pentium 4, Celeron or Athlon XP processor
512 MB RAM
For Mac
Mac OS X 10.4.11 – 10.6.2
G4 processor
512 MB RAM

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Lexicon IONIX U42S 4-Input USB 2.0 Desktop Recording Studio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This device is solidly built, compact, and has great styling. Oh, and fantastic audio.
September 20, 2009 update: Better hope you don't have to deal with Lexicon's tech support. It is absolutely the worst ever anywhere. If you read through the comments to this review, another customer had extreme difficulties finding 64bit drivers. They weren't on the shipping CD, unlike my CD which did have the drivers. It took him weeks before anyone would respond to him. Ultimately, he bought another brand. The new 64 drivers were released a few weeks ago. I tried to install them on my computer and came up with total zero - the device no longer worked since the driver install failed. I emailed tech support, 2 weeks later I got a did you disable your virus software? Then I responded immediately, they are fools, of course that wasn't the problem. Then a week later I got another email that said and engineer identified the error code I sent (in the original email, but repeated for effect a second time)as the USB connection not working properly, and was the blue USB light on. Oh and by the way, please send them the information from the System Device control panel for the type of computer I have. I finally discovered that there was a problem with Windows 64 bit installers after Vista's SP2 update that makes it not work very well sometimes. I did this registration thing with a file. Reverted my computer to the old driver and then the software actually installed correctly - and I'm back in business. Sadly, absolutey no help from Lexicon.
If it were possible to change the star rating, or split the rating - Device / Hardware 5 stars; software not so great 3 stars; tech support for a Professional Product - absolute -100000000 stars totally blows chunks worse than most software companies I've dealt with.
Back to the Original Review:
Some physical description, this is a 4 input mixing, analog to digital, sound console. It uses USB-2 to connect to a computer, however a computer is not a necessity to use this as a mixer. The software included Cubase LE4, Pantheon II Reverb plug in, and Toontrack EZDrummer Lite (along with the required drivers and owner's manuals).
The inputs - 4 rear XLR / 1/4" combo plugs (allows either type of plug in); Midi IN; SPDIF - Coaxial - IN. There are two Instrument 1/4" jacks on the right hand side of the console.
The outputs - 2 1/4" headphone jacks on the left side. Two line level 1/4" jack audio outputs, Midi Out, and SPDIF - Coaxial -Out; and USB out.
There are also two buttons on the back for +48V phantom power.
The controls on the front, 2 headphone controls, the 4 input controls (inputs 1 and 2 can be made stereo pairs; as can 3 and 4). A large output level control. And a control to blend the amount of raw direct input sound, versus the amount of post processed sound.
Each volume control has a set of LED's above them to adjust levels.
The mass of this controller is just perfect, it weighs enough so that the thing will not slide around while plugging and unplugging inputs. The style is a bit like Harmon Kardon - black over silver. The control knobs just scream high quality. The whole thing is powered by a well designed A/C adapter with cords on both ends.
Computer installation. Plug the USB connector in. Insert the included software disc, select install drivers, and find out that only the 32 bit drivers are included. So it's off the Lexicon website to get the 64 bit drivers, my system is 64 bit Vista. After a ton of windows and separate installs, a reboot was necessary and all was happy with the connection.
Then came the pain and suffering:
Cubase was a major pain in the rear end to install. There must be 50 steps to finally get this program validated, registered, and authorized. It's frankly critical to open the installation instructions and follow them to the letter. Nothing but nothing is simple about this install, and it's just to complex to repeat here.
Once up and running - wow this thing is a total joy to use. I'm very new to recording (this is my first recording console). We plugged in an electric acoustic Laguna guitar, followed the instructions for getting started with Cubase, adjusted the volume on the console (the LED's on teh console helped get the levels right), hit record in Cubase; and voila a really great clear recording saved as a WAV file. Couldn't have been easier and higher quality.
The bit of surprise was playback. No matter what I tried, I could not get my Logitech Z-10 speakers to output a recorded track directly from Cubase. This is all probably by design, and it's just my inexperience. I had to use the left hand headphone jack to listen to the sound. This also worked as a monitor when we hooked up an electric guitar. The output quality on those headphone outputs was incredible. The only way I could playback the recorded track, once you press stop at the end of recording, the WAV file is written to the hard drive. That wave file can then be simply played through windows media player or any other player like a standard WAV file.
We did a few recordings and then burned the WAV files to CD. Played on a very nice stereo system, the clarity was absolutely amazing. Bass was solid, the highs were crystal clear. I loved those first recordings.
I've paired this with a Shure SM58 microphone for voice recording.
It feels like I have purchased a really fine solid piece of audio hardware. The sound recorded so far is nothing short of remarkable. For a pure beginner, I was able to get this set up and working surprisingly quickly and do a very decent recording. The Cubase learning curve is going to be huge, I can see that. But simple first out of the box, what a great experience.

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The I•ONIX U42S USB 2.0 Desktop Recording Studio offers the highest quality hardware and software to provide the user with exceptional recordings. All the necessary tools are provided to transform your PC or Mac into a professional 24-bit/96kHz digital recording studio including the U42S recording interface, Steinberg Cubase LE4 recording software, Toontrack EZdrummer Lite, and the new Lexicon Pantheon II VST/AU reverb plug-in.Brilliantly designed, the Lexicon I•ONIX U42S sits where it makes the most sense, between your keyboard and monitor. Now all the level meters and gain controls are at your fingertips when using your DAW. Everything from the metal chassis to the electronics inside is meticulously crafted to ensure superior recordings that live up to Lexicon’s standards of performance.Featuring newly designed dbx 60V high-voltage, ultra-low noise mic preamps on all 4 channels, the I•ONIX U42S is more than equipped to provide professional recordings that keep your music sounding its best. The preamps run on a high-voltage supply to guarantee stability and provide you with a superior recording across a wide dynamic range. Performance driven A/D – D/A converters ensure pristine 24-bit/96kHz audio to capture every subtle detail of your performance.The I•ONIX U42S can record four tracks at once and includes 4 combi-jack mic/line inputs with +48V phantom power, 2 TRS balanced line outputs, 2 hi-Z instrument inputs, 2 high power ¼" headphone outputs, S/PDIF and MIDI I/O. Dedicated knobs and meters offer easy access to input and output levels and locking combi-jacks make sure that a connection is not lost in the middle of a performance.The Lexicon name is synonymous with the world’s best reverb. The Pantheon II VST/AU reverb plug-in offers 6 reverb types with 35 factory presets, which range from Vocal to Live Sound and Special Effects. Lexicon’s exquisitely rich, full reverbs make it easy to complete your mix by adding depth and dimension to any track.

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Lexicon IONIX U22 2-Input USB 2.0 Desktop Recording Studio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this one after looking at the cheaper products from M-Audio, Tascam, and Lexicon. I agonized for weeks reading product reviews and the conclusion I came to was: for under $200, I'm going to be disappointed. All were plagued with quality/longevity issues, and many had problems with pops/drops of the audio signal. I like a bargain, but you get what you pay for. The only other one I considered was the Prosonus, which I'd recommend for anyone who desires a firewire devices (which gives you the ability to chain devices together for expansion).
Pros:
- Installation was flawless: insert DVD, follow instructions.
- 9V adapter (instead of being USB powered) and supports the 48V 'phantom' power for high end microphones.
- USB 2.0, all complaints about drops and pops for the USB 1.1 products are gone.
- Sturdy construction, nice big dials. The less expensive Lexicon products had quality complaints; this one is built like a brick.
- Simplicity. It has only 2 inputs (the 3rd 'instrument' input disables the mic/line input #1 when plugged in) but that is exactly what I need.Cons:
- No power button? I'll need to put all my recording stuff on a switched power strip.
- Like most of these products, for some reason there is no easy way to use your PC speakers for a monitor. I'd figured there would be a way to send the digital output to the sound card, but instead I guess I'll connect the outputs to the analog PC line in. Ah well..

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lexicon IONIX U22 2-Input USB 2.0 Desktop Recording Studio

The I•ONIX U22 USB 2.0 Desktop Recording Studio offers the highest quality hardware and software to provide the user with exceptional recordings. All the necessary tools are provided to transform your PC or Mac into a professional 24-bit/96kHz digital recording studio including the U22 recording interface, Steinberg Cubase LE4 recording software, Toontrack EZdrummer Lite, and the new Lexicon Pantheon II VST/AU reverb plug-in.Brilliantly designed, the Lexicon I•ONIX U22 sits where it makes the most sense, between your keyboard and monitor. Now all the level meters and gain controls are at your fingertips when using your DAW. Everything from the metal chassis to the electronics inside is meticulously crafted to ensure superior recordings that live up to Lexicon’s standards of performance. Featuring newly designed dbx 60V high-voltage, ultra-low noise mic preamps on both channels, the I•ONIX U22 is more than equipped to provide professional recordings that keep your music sounding its best. The preamps run on a high-voltage supply to guarantee stability and provide you with a superior recording across a wide dynamic range. Performance driven A/D – D/A converters ensure pristine 24-bit/96kHz audio to capture every subtle detail of your performance.The I•ONIX U22 can record two tracks at once and includes 2 combi-jack mic/line inputs with +48V phantom power, 2 TRS balanced line outputs, a hi-Z instrument input, a ¼" high power headphone output, and MIDI I/O. Dedicated knobs and meters offer easy access to input and output levels and locking combi-jacks make sure that a connection is not lost in the middle of a performance.The Lexicon name is synonymous with the world’s best reverb. The Pantheon II VST/AU reverb plug-in offers 6 reverb types with 35 factory presets, which range from Vocal to Live Sound and Special Effects. Lexicon’s exquisitely rich, full reverbs make it easy to complete your mix by adding depth and dimension to any track.

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Mackie 1642-VLZ3 16-Ch. Compact Recording/SR Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not a professional engineer but I have a passion for recording music. I've been recording demos for my own bands and friends' bands on a shoestring budget for over 15 years, on and off. I've been using the smaller Mackie VLZ Pro 1202 since about 2003 mainly for recording to and monitoring Cubase for PC but it has been useful for other applications as well. (It's a dinky but rugged little mixer that squeezes into a backpack, takes some knocking about and still sounds absolutely amazing.)
Lately however I have been doing more live recording, location recording and I am upgrading my home recording setup from spare bedroom to big serious garage conversion and really needed more channels. I needed a mixer that was going to sound really neutral and noise-free with at least 10 respectable mic pre-amps, aux outs for foldback, group channels for drum pre-mixes and 8 direct outputs for recording to my 8-buss Delta soundcard or my Alesis ADAT 8-track recorder (it may be obsolete but it's still brilliant) and which could take any source that I plugged into it. I did my homework (I always spend weeks reading reviews and product specs before I lay out this sort of cash on anything) and found that the 1642 VLZ3 fitted the bill perfectly. Mackie again. (And I managed to find a ex-display bargain!)
When it arrived a few weeks ago I didn't have time to read the manual before my first live location recording job came up. It was no trouble at all to use, very intuitive and I was able to provide foldback and playback to the musicians as well as using the direct outputs to record the 8 individual mic inputs to tape. One thing that I was impressed by was the red overload light on each strip that lets you know if you're driving things too hard. When that red light comes on you better not ignore it!
Again, it is very rugged and despite being heavy it is easy to carry - the light aluminium rim at the front of the desk is actually a hollow metal handle.
I could bang on and on about the sound quality. The low noise floor and the expansive headroom. I cannot fault this mixer at all. My old Mackie VLZ Pro has already lasted over 6 years (including some international flights, a festival, some gigs) and still sounds perfect. Now Mackie say that the VLZ3 series is a major improvement on the VLZ Pro series for all sorts of reasons. I can't recommend this highly enough. This is a serious professional quality mixer for a few hundred bucks. Obviously different people are going to have different criteria and different budgets when it comes to choosing mixers, but I suspect you'd have lay out a hell of a lot more money to get even a small improvement on this sort of quality. It's absolutely perfect for me anyway, I'm a happy bunny.

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New from the people who created the world?s best-selling compact mixer line, the Mackie 1642-VLZ3 Premium 16-Channel/4-Bus Compact Mixer with premium XDR2? mic preamps and a rich feature set. It?s ideal for live sound or project and recording studios.

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ALESIS MultiMix 6FX Audio Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Being an electronic musician that plays live gigs regularly, I was looking for a compact mixer with built in multi-effects - allowing me to bring less gear and have more options. In most regards this mixer does exactly what it advertises, and true to form it works great. Though the effects are preset, they sound decent and quick to dial up and work with. There is, however, one major problem I have with it.
After purchasing it (the day before a gig - not smart!) I realized that **you cannot monitor/adjust the headphone volume if you are not sending signal to the main volume(!!)**. If the main volume is off, you will not hear anything on the headphone outs. When you think about it, this 'feature' can be critically important when doing a personal sound-check before a performance. The way they've wired it, the sub-mix/headphone out volume is dependent upon the main-out volume - which, in my opinion, was a critical design flaw. This, to me, is very annoying given that every other aspect of the mixer is excellently designed and executed.
Consider this carefully before buying. If you need to monitor yourself through the phones or sub-mix bus and nothing else, you must physically disconnect the mains-out or you will hear everything through the main PA (as will everyone else). If this feature is not important to you, then this is an excellent little mixer and well worth the price/feature ratio.

Click Here to see more reviews about: ALESIS MultiMix 6FX Audio Mixer

Who said you can’t take it with you? Our MultiMix line combines studio-quality components and effects processing with rock-solid construction for the ultimate in compact mixers — all at prices wandering musicians will love.MultiMix FX mixers are the most compact, affordable, high-quality mixers with built-in 28-bit digital effects and choice of configurations.MultiMix FX mixers are perfect for musicians and engineers needing a portable, flexible mixer with digital effects for sound reinforcement, rehearsals, studio recording, sub-mixing, field recording, and digital audio/video computer workstation mixing.Embrace your multiple personalities: The Alesis MultiMix product line.

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Allen & Heath AH-ZED-12FX 12-Channel Mixer with USB Interface and Onboard EFX Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Great unit once I got A good one that worked right. Perfect size/features for a home recording, and live performance. I do some ripping/remixing for my radio show.
1st & 2nd machine didn't have a working CODEC. A&H knew exactly what was wrong when I called and had repair people lined up in my area to fix it!!!
I sent it back to Amazon 2X before I got a good one.
Amazon was very helpful in getting squared away.
Check all feature on arrival. JM

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Complementing the existing ZED series, the ZED FX has been developed around an FX chipset purely for the new model. Our DSP engineers have been working hard, crafting and refining beautiful reverb algorithms. The effects are available nowhere else - this quality and integration is only available from the ZED FX. The ZED-12FX is a 12 channel mixer with USB interface and onboard EFX. It has 16 essential time-delay effects which add to the already bulging feature set. The mixer is ideal for small groups who don’t want to carry around an effects unit with their gear but who still want great quality FX at their gigs and on their recordings.

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Mackie RM1402-VLZ Rackmount Brackets for 1402-VLZ Pro & VLZ3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)These rack ears by Raxxess are extremely heavy duty. That's not all good news if you have to carry your rack around, because you'll be cursing the extra weight. If you buy these for a Mackie 1402VLZ3, as I did, you better plan to spend some extra time and money finding and purchasing at least four screws and/or hardware to replace the chassis screws on the VLZ3 for mounting these brackets, as the existing screws won't even reach the threads through the thick metal of these rack ears. To me, the failure of Raxxess to provide necessary hardware to make the ears work out of the box is horrible customer service and support for the product. It appears when I'm done, the system will work in a standard 19" rack (unlike the other reviewer's comment), but I'm off to find the hardware, cuz' I can't install the VLZ3 in my rack until I do.

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Rackmount kit for the Mackie 1402VLZ Pro

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

Average Reviews:

(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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With sixteen inputs, the TASCAM US-1641 is the ideal choice for musicians to record the whole band to a computer. Eight mic/line inputs plus six line inputs gives you plenty of channels for a large ensemble, drumset, live recording or worship service. It includes Cubase LE4, Steinberg's latest version, for 48 tracks of 96k/24-bit recording power. Using the latest high-speed USB 2.0 technology, the US-1641 packs the interfacing power of a big console into only one rackspace.The eight mic inputs employ TASCAM Pro mic pres for 60 dB of gain and phantom power for studio-quality recordings. Two balanced TRS line inputs on the front panel are switchable to guitar level for direct-in recording of bass or guitar tracks. Four more balanced line inputs and outputs fill out the rear panel, along with MIDI and S/PDIF digital inputs and outputs for a total of 16 ins. A built-in power supply means there's no special wall-wart to lose, and connection to the computer is handled by USB 2.0 technology - 40 times faster than USB 1.1 and 20% more bandwidth than FireWire 400.The US-1641 comes with Cubase LE4, Steinberg's latest version of the 48-track, 96kHz recording workstation, so you'll be ready to cut tracks right away. Also included is TASCAM's Continuous Velocity Piano, a VSTi plug-in for Windows that uses Giga technology for totally authentic grand piano sounds. The US-1641 installs ASIO and Core Audio drivers for Windows XP, Windows Vista 32 and Mac OS X, with simple instructions for hooking up to Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, Digital Performer, SONAR, Reason, Live and nearly all other recording software. For musicians and bands always looking for more inputs, the US-1641 is the ultimate choice. Gather up your mics and head to your TASCAM dealer for more.

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Mackie Onyx 1620i FireWire Recording Mixer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)this mixer is amazing. if you have wanted to build a project studio or record your band in your rehearsal space, this is the mixer you need.
the pre's sound great. very quiet (even when jacked).
the eq is really fun to play around with. you can really find the sound you are looking for with a few tweaks.
i'm using Ableton as my recording DAW. it's really snappy and after a few tweaks, very hard to notice any latency.
the Firewire I/O also works with Pro Tools, which is great. the driver is available for purchase on the mackie website.
for this price, you won't find anything even close to the same ball park.

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Compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered 8; Mackie Provides Power Mixing to Your Stage or Studio! The Mackie Onyx 1620i Firewire recording mixer combines the benefits of a powerful computer interface with the tactile, hands-on control of a premium analog mixer. Equipped with eight premium precision engineered studio grade Onyx microphone preamps, the Onyx 1620i is great for live sound reinforcement or studio recording, all in a durable road-worthy package.

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Mackie PROFX12 12- Channel Compact Effects Mixer with USB Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)While researching this unit I was surprised at the limited number of online reviews available. Perhaps that's because until recently I didn't even know this mixer existed - Mackie does not appear to be promoting this product line as heavily as its Onyx series of mixers and its well-known VLZ-Pro line. That's a shame, because this really is a wonderful mixer that adds new features not found on their older VLZ series while maintaining Mackie's high standards of product quality and durability. I have owned a Mackie 1402-VLZ mixer for many years, and it's been a versatile, reliable mixing tool throughout that time. But I've pined at times (mostly when mixing live performances) for the convenience of a mixer with on-board digital effects. The ProFX12 is perhaps the ideal small ensemble live performance mixer. The similarities to Mackie's VLZ series mixers are numerous - the input/output section and channel strips are very similar, providing immediate familiarity for anyone who's used a Mackie before. A key difference worth highlighting: the level set/solo function of the VLZ series has been replaced by individual level set LEDs on each channel input. I prefer setting pre-fader gain with the benefit of a multi-segment LED indicator, but the single, channel-specific LED indicators are nonetheless perfectly serviceable. The mic pre's on the ProFX mixers are not Mackie's highly vaunted XDR design found on their VLZ-Pro mixers, but they are clean, quiet, high quality mic pre's that will satisfy just about any live sound reinforcement or recording application (unless perhaps you're an engineer in a professional studio mixing the next New York Philharmonic performance for a 64bit, 192kHz audiophile recording). One feature missing from the ProFX mixers is individual channel outs - if you are doing multitrack recording and need this flexibility, you'll need to look elsewhere. Also gone is the VLZ-series' ALT 3-4 routing for the mute switches. I never once used this feature in all the years I have owned my 1402, so I doubt it's a deal-breaker for anyone pondering this purchase. The real prizes on this mixer are those new features missing from the VLZ designs: on-board effects, a graphic EQ, and (drum roll) USB connectivity. Mackie really did their homework on their RM 32-bit effects chip. Ten of the sixteen effects are reverbs, and they are uniformly warm, articulate, rich-sounding 'verbs that add wonderful ambience to your mix. The only effect 'editing' here is more or less, so you pick the room size and turn it up or down. One nice related feature is a footswitch for turning the effects on or off during live performance. (And if you need the added flexibility offered by an external effects unit, the effects send mix is mirrored on a mono FX send that can be coupled with a pair of stereo returns.) The graphic EQ is another nice addition that offers more sound sculpting tools than Mackie's very musical 3-band channel strip EQ knobs. And finally, the USB connectivity makes this a fully modern mixer that can plug as easily into your computer as it can into a pair of powered PA monitors. Traction3 software can be downloaded for free if you don't already own recording software.
This unit is made in China if that matters to you. My old Mackie was made in Woodenville, and Mackie took pride in that fact. I do wish this unit was US-made, but I'm afraid it's virtually impossible to find a mixer in this price range with these specs and features that is built domestically.
I'll never get rid of my 1402-VLZ, but it's probably going to collect a lot more dust in the coming years now that I own the ProFX12.

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The ProFX12 is the perfect choice for smaller performing acts, solo performers or for small venues that don't have the budget or space for a ton of outboard gear. The ProFX12 has everything needed to make your gig sound great and is really easy to operate. Plus, USB I/O lets you record the show or stream music straight from a laptop. The ProFX12 is loaded with six Mackie high-headroom, low-noise mic preamps, 3-band EQ, a built-in DI for direct connection of a guitar or bass, integrated "Gig-Ready" effects, precision 7-band GEQ and more. All the right tools, housed in an ultra-tough enclosure with additional impact-resistant sidecheeks, protecting your investment from the rigors of the road.

Mackie's ProFX SeriesOn-stage or off, the ProFX Series Compact Effects Mixers with USB offer the most complete and professional feature set in the compact effects mixers category. Mackie low-noise, high-headroom mic preamps ensure pristine signal while LED metering and 60mm faders on each channel keep levels in check. Sweeten the mix using the 3-band active EQ and integrated RMFX 32-bit processor, which offers an arsenal of 16 "Gig-Ready" effects. Easily tune mains and monitors with 7-band stereo graphic EQ and capture the mix or stream house music from a laptop using built-in USB I/O. Also, in true "Built-Like-A-Tank" tradition, protective ABS sidecheeks offer additional impact resistance to the already rugged solid steel chassis. It's everything you need to get the job done well, every single time. Simply professional--ProFX.
Live Sound ToolboxSmaller performing acts typically play in places that may not have an engineer on hand. In fact, someone from the band might have double-duty as "The Sound Guy" for the group. If you are reading this, chances are that's you. Let us pander to your obviously higher intellect… you are a professional and you need the tools to get the job done perfectly each and every show. High-headroom mic preamps with great-sounding effects, channel EQ, a built-in DI, plus precision GEQ to tune-up the room or monitor mix. Sounds good, right? The ProFX12 comes with all these features—it is truly the perfect live sound toolbox.
"Gig-Ready" RMFX EffectsThe all-new RMFX (Running Man FX) 32-bit effects processor brings "Gig Ready," useable effects to your mixes.Why scroll through hundreds of bizarre effects, like "ghost ambience?" Yeah, like anyone even knows what that means. Or how about winners like "delay+phaser2", which you'll never use in a million years. Those other mixers will leave your fingers raw from all the scrolling you have to do. The RMFX processor features 16 solid FX that are known for their utility and usability.Small, medium and large room reverbs with a mix of warm and bright characteristics puts your mix in the right space. Simple, rich choruses and an array of practical delays enable you to create professional mixes without requiring a two-hour sound check.Basically, we've delivered the choicest parts of a full rack of gear, right at your fingertips, that is easy to master, allowing you to look and sound really good at your next gig. Really, really good.
Record and Stream via USBWith all the right tools for the job, the ProFX12 allows you to create memorable mixes, but even with all those features, portability is paramount and you can't be burdened with lugging around additional equipment. No worries, integrated USB I/O takes the pain out of recording. Just connect the ProFX12 to a laptop, start up your included copy of Tracktion 3 Music Production Software (or almost any DAW software out there) and you can record the whole mix. You can even stream music from your laptop during breaks. Once you get home, record more tracks or use the ProFX12 to playback some tunes during your next party. Unless you're anti-social, don't have the right kind of place for a party or are just sick of buying food and beverages for everyone. In that case, you can play back whatever talk-radio show you listen to when alone.
Not only that, the innovative "USB Thru" switch allows for an impressive live/recording setup when using performance software like Ableton Live or Reason. When gigging, stream the output of your performance software (or iTunes, for that matter) into the ProFX12. Combine that signal with anything plugged into the mixer, and send the whole thing back to the computer for recording. Archiving your integrated live performances has never been easier!
Legendary Mackie DurabilityMackie is known for building mixers that are "Built-Like-A-Tank," and the ProFX12 is no exception. All of its tender bits are securely encased in a solid steel chassis. Not only that, the impact-resistant sidecheeks are made of ultra-tough ABS, adding extra protection where it is most likely to fall…not that you drop things.
Budget FriendlyThe ProFX Series Compact Effects Mixers strike the perfect balance. They offer all the right tools to get the job done well, sport the popular compact footprint that Mackie is known for, and are also the most budget-friendly of all the Mackie sound reinforcement mixers. Our competition either doesn't have the expansive feature set of the ProFX Series, or they simply will not survive the test of time. You are investing in your mixer and the ProFX will be there for you at every gig, ready to roll.
ProFX12 Features
Professional 12-channel Compact Mixer with onboard effects and USB I/O
6 low-noise, high-headroom Mackie mic preamps with easy LED metering
32-bit RMFX processor with 16 "Gig-Ready" reverbs, choruses and delays
Precision 7-band graphic EQ for tuning Mains or Monitors
USB I/O for recording shows and music playback via Mac or PC
4 full stereo channels plus extra stereo return for keyboards, external effects or stereo playback devices
60mm faders for input channels, returns and Main/Monitor masters
3-band active EQ (80Hz, 2.5kHz and 12kHz) on all channels
Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar, bass and other instruments
Insert, 100Hz low cut filter, and 48V phantom power on all mic channels
Stereo RCA tape I/O with input level control
Headphone output with separate rotary level control
Balanced XLR and balanced/unbalanced 1/4-inch Main outputs
FX mute with remote control via footswitch
Break switch mutes all channels for music playback between sets
Built-like-a-tank steel chassis with rugged, yet stylish ABS sidecheeks
"Planet Earth" switching power supply for worldwide use
Includes Tracktion 3 Music Production Software for Mac or PC

What's in the BoxMackie ProFX12 Mixer, USB Cable, Power Supply, Software CD, User's Manual

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PreSonus AudioBox USB 2x2 USB Recording Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Brand New Review for Nov 2010:
I recommend this only if: 1) you are not recording a guitar with high output pickups through the instrument-in, because it will clip even with the gain turned all the way down on the AudioBox, 2) you are not using an SM57 or some other dynamic mic that requires more than 35dB of gain, otherwise it will be too quiet, and 3) your headphones have an impedance above 100 ohms, otherwise the USB-powered Audiobox can't keep up with the current draw and will have no bass in the headphone monitoring out.
If you meet those conditions, then this is a great, affordable, stable recording interface. On my Mac it's plug-n-play, both on my older G4 powerbook with Tiger and newer 2010 Mac Mini with Snow Leopard. On the Mac, no separate software or drivers are needed. The construction of the AudioBox is very good. All metal box, and metal knobs. The blue metal looks great.
The mic preamps sound pretty darn good, crystal clear if you're using a condenser mic. For recording vocals on condensers, this interface is great. If you're on an old system, however, recording direct guitar and running it through a virtual amp simulation will give you latency problems. Not as much on Core 2 Duo systems and above. Be advised that the zero-latency monitoring is for a clean signal going in, not the processed sound from your software plugin, thus you can't do zero-latency distorted guitar recording that way unless you listen to yourself play clean while recording.
Now officially this does not have line-level recording ability. So you can't take the headphone output from a walkman, guitar amp, or mp3 player into this. But actually that does work as long as you carefully keep the line signal volume low and plug it into the instrument jack on the AudioBox. I've done this and it records just fine. But if the line volume gets turned up too high, you risk burning out the chip inside the AudioBox, since it wasn't engineered with safety mechanisms for that, thus Presonus says it doesn't do line-in.
It gets 4 stars for what it does well, and minus 1 star because of the caveats / exceptions listed at the beginning. As with all gear buying, my honest recommendation is to save up and get something 1.5X the cost of what you thought you could afford. If I could do it all over again, I would get an Echo Audiofire 4, Focusrite Saffire Pro 14, or Apogee Duet and call it a day. But, my Audiobox has served me well for over two years now, made some great clear recordings, right up until I got new headphones with too low impedance and the bass dropped out.

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Capture your ideas wherever you are with the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2x2 USB recording system. The AudioBox USB is a USB bus-powered audio recording interface featuring 2 microphone/instrument inputs with 48V phantom power, 2 balanced TRS outputs, MIDI in/out along with Steinberg's Cubase LE 4 48-track recording and production software giving you everything needed to get started recording and producing your music.

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Behringer UFO202 Audio Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Over last few years we replaced all desktops in the house by laptops. One day I decided to convert an old audio cassette into MP3 like I used to do on my desktop. I realized that it was not going to be possible as the 'line-in' input which was available on desktop was missing in all the three laptops in the house. After some futile tries of trying to record through mic-in, I started researching. I somehow stumbled upon this device and decided to give it a try. All I can say is this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Here is what you need to do if you wish to convert audio cassette into MP3 -
You need -
1. Audio cable with one end 3.5 mm jack and other end with red & white L-R audio. You may have a spare A/V cable which comes with camera or dvd players etc. (W R and Yellow ends, you do not need to plug the Y end as it is for video)
(With 'line-in' on desktop, you simply needed an audio cable with 3.5 mm on both sides)
2. Boom box or tape deck (I used boom box)
3. U-Phono202 device
Plug the 3.5mm end of the cable in 'headphone out' of the boom box. Plug the L-R inputs in the L-R inputs of the U-Phono202 and plug it into a USB port of the laptop. Play the audio cassette. You cannot hear the sound through laptop speakers, you have to plug in the headphones in 'headphone out' of the U-Phno202 in order to hear the cassette playing.
If you are using Vista, right click on the speaker icon in the bottom tray and select 'recording devices', change the recording device to the '2USB Audio Codec' (at least that's how it shows up on mine).
I haven't yet used the packaged software. I useed Audacity instead. Open (or download if you have not) Audacity. Go to 'project', select 'new stereo track' and hit record. Whatever is playing on your boombox is now being recorded on your laptop. Hit stop when your recording is done. Export the project as 'Mp3', save it in your desired location.
I suggest making some few minute test recordings to make sure your recording sounds fine or you need to reduce/increase recording volume etc.
It worked exactly as above for me and worked perfectly too. The boombox gave a terrible hiss and an extremely annoying constant background noise while playing the cassette, however the U-Phono202 filtered almost 99% of it and the final MP3 sounds extremely clean.
I wrote detailed review as I had all these questions in my mind before I began searching for the right product. Hope this helps in case you are also looking for a solution to convert your cassettes to Mp3s. Thanks for reading.
UPDATE : UPhono202 is working perfectly fine! Just wanted to mention that if your recording appears over loud and there is jarring even after reducing boom box volume and the PC volume very low, here is what you shall do - Keep the boombox and computer volumes at decent levels but reduce the microphone input 'level' - Rightclick on the speaker icon in the tray. highlight the Uphono device. Click on properties. Select 'levels' tab and reduce the level all the way to 5 or 7 and then record your clip.

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