Studio Projects B3 Multi-Pattern Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This mic turned out to be pretty good! I was leaving my home town and moving to another Continent, but didn't want to loose my clients and VO jobs, so I decided to purchase home recording equipment. This was the mic I chose. I tried it out at one of the main professional audio studios I work with and the sound technician gave this mic a 2 thumbs up! Of course you do need the CEntrance MicPort Pro for it to work out properly, and that will be another review..
Very good Quality of sound, gives you all 3 patterns (omni, duo, and full).
VERY IMPORTANT! Just so you know, it comes in a very sturdy wood box, and it brings a shock mount and a wind-stopper (which works as popper stopper, too) ... I didn't realize this and bought and additional shock mount (that doesn't fit my mic!) and an additional pop filter, which i will eventually use.
Over all, very staisfied!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Studio Projects B3 Multi-Pattern Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

The new Studio Projects B3 is the ultimate in large diaphragm condenser microphones at this price anywhere. This microphone has all the technical refinements to be an enduring classic. With features you would expect in a world class microphone, the B3 offer's three recording pattern positions (cardioid, omni and a true figure eight)with pad and Hi-Pass filter.Equipped with a true 1" 3 um gold sputtered dual gold large diaphragm in a pressure gradient transducer capsule, the B3 will ensure the finest quality of recordings while offering linear response and a classic deep rich sound. The B3 can be connected to any external microphone preamplifier or mixing console which provides 48 volt phantom power or via any 48 volt external power supply.Type: FET 3 micron 1" large dual diaphragmPolar pattern: Cardioid, Figure of Eight, OmniFrequency response: 20~20000HzSensitivity: 14/16/18mV/Pa(Omni./Cardioid/Figure 8) (-37/-36/-35dB @1000Hz)Output impedance: 1000 OhmMaximum SPL: 132/142dB SPL for 1% THD @1000Hz(0dB/-10dB pad, 0dB SPL=0.00002Pa)Noise: 14dB-A (Cardioid)S/N: 80 dBPad: -10dBLow cut: 6dB/Octave at 150 HzPower requirement: 48 +/- 4VCurrent consumption:

Click here for more information about Studio Projects B3 Multi-Pattern Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Read More...

Sterling Audio PHP1 48V Phantom Power Supply Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a fantastic little unit. It makes my mic sound much better- not because of any crazy circuitry, but because the mic is fully powered. Many phantom power supplies are shared and weak (like USB powered audio interfaces etc), so this thing really gives it the juice it needs.
Built like a tank and cheap. Perfect combo. Thanks Sterling Audio!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sterling Audio PHP1 48V Phantom Power Supply

The Sterling Audio PHP1 Power Supply provides stable 48V phantom power for one condenser microphone. Meets DIN 45596 standard.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Sterling Audio PHP1 48V Phantom Power Supply

Read More...

iLife '11 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not sure how to review this: some people could potentially be buying this to upgrade a very old version of iLife. If I review this as a standalone piece of software, it's fantastic and quite a value. For less than $50 you get a world class digital music studio, one of the best photo organizing programs, and a remarkably capable video editing package. (Oh, and passable web editing and DVD authoring programs, but nobody cares much about those, least of all Apple.) Easily five stars.
However, if I judge this as an upgrade from iLife '09, it's extremely weak. Here's what you get of any substance: the ability to better edit audio in iMovie, slightly better full screen modes in iPhoto, really impressive time warping facilities in Garage Band to fix timing, and some very nice guitar and piano lessons which actually show you where you making mistakes. All great features, to be sure. But are these worth $50 if you have '09? Probably not.
The frustrating thing is that the most major feature in this upgrade is just plain silly: they added the ability to make cutesy little fake "trailers" in iMovie. This is apparently their big innovation. You can now replace your boring home movies with one of eight or so two minute jokes that I guarantee you will get old very quickly. Very quickly. They also added a fake news program theme, and a fake sports theme. All very gaudy and over-the-top, even for iMovie standards. And not at all useful beyond just playing with them once.
It's pretty clear that Apple's focus has shifted away from Mac OS X and iLife and on to the greener pastures of iOS: the iPad and iPhone. In fact, from now on we'll likely see features come first to their consumer devices, and then later to their desktop computers. I'm afraid the days of getting truly major updates to iLife every two years is a thing of the past.
So, as an upgrade from '09, I give this one or two stars at best. If you're upgrading from '09, I hope I've saved you some money. Otherwise, this is a great software package, easily five stars, just not much of an improvement from what you could get two years ago. As such, I'll split the difference and give the package three stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: iLife '11


iLife '11 helps you do more with photos, movies, and music than you ever thought possible. In iPhoto, you can browse, edit, and share your photos in stunning new full-screen views. Create epic Hollywood-style movie trailers from your home video in iMovie. And GarageBand gives you everything you need to make a great-sounding song—including tools for keeping your song in perfect rhythm and guitar and piano lessons.


The incredible new iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Get 12% OFF

Click here for more information about iLife '11

Read More...

M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm an amateur musician, and I always wanted a big keyboard, something close enough to a piano, but the big keyboards were always so expensive. In top of that, they always come with lots of knobs and features that I never wanted to learn or try. I just wanted a piano-like keyboard to play.
When I saw this keyboard for first time, I loved its 'minimalistic' style: no knobs, no screens, no buttons. Just the 88 keys and the minimum necessary controllers (3 buttons, 2 wheels and 1 slider), all in a beautiful and solid silver case. When I checked its price, I suspected maybe its quality was poor, but I had good references for the M-audio brand. So I decided to give it a chance and I'm still very proud of my purchase: just plugged it into the usb port of my PC and it was inmediately recognized. I was using FL Studio, but right now I'm trying Sonar and it works flawlessly. The keys offer some resistance to pressure, so it almost feel like piano keys.
If you're interested on this keyboard, I strongly recommend it. But if you don't to know that much of keyboards (and you don't want to, anyway), you have to know this keyboard is not a exactly a toy, nor is the kind that comes with lots of sounds and rythms. It is a controller, which means you have to use some kind of software or synth device for it to produce any sound. If you know exactly what you're buying, I don't think you will ever regret of buying this keyboard. It's great!

Click Here to see more reviews about: M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller

If you appreciate the full range of a piano keyboard in a lightweight package, the 88-note Keystation 88es is for you. You get great-feeling, semi-weighted action that's velocity-sensitive, to convey all the nuances of your playing to your computer and most popular music education and studio software. The pitch and modulation wheels plus slider and buttons make it a great controller for playing and programming synths, samplers, drum sounds and more. At just 22 lbs., the Keystation 88es is equally at home on stage and in the studio. Class compliancy with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), and Mac OS X ensures easy plug-and-play setup. It's even bus-powered, so one simple USB cable is the only connection you need.


88-Key Semi-Weighted USB MIDI Controller

88-note velocity-sensitive, semi-weighted action 88 keys means no constant hitting of an octave switch, an annoyance with smaller controllers. The semi-weighted action gives you a piano feel, and since it's velocity sensitive, your dynamic playing is accurately sent as data.
Pitch bend and modulation wheels These are ideal for controlling synths, samplers, etc.
Volume/assignable control slider Easily assign the control slider to different parameters of sound modules or software, for further control over your sound.
Advanced function button for programming When the Advanced Functions button is pressed, the keyboard goes into "Edit Mode." In Edit Mode, the keys on the keyboard are used for selecting functions and entering data. Black keys are used for selecting functions, while the white keys are used for data entry and channel selection.
Sustain pedal input (pedal sold separately) Add a sustain pedal, such as the M-Audio SP-1, for piano-like pedal control of your notes' duration.
Built-in USB MIDI interface Easily interface with most MIDI software using the built-in USB MIDI interface. The standard MIDI "out" jack routes MIDI signals from the keyboard or computer to your external devices.
USB Powered The 88es grabs power from the USB port on your computer. You can also purchase a 9VDC power adapter.
Mac OS X and Windows XP class compliant Enjoy plug-and-play operation with both Mac OS X and Windows XP. Ableton Live Lite music production software is included, so you can make music right away on either platform.
What's in the Box M-Audio Keystation 88es USB Keyboard, USB Cable, User's Manual

Click here for more information about M-Audio Keystation 88ES Midi Controller

Read More...