Studio Equipment Recommendations October 2014

Review: The 16A is one of several new high-performance audio interfaces from MOTU that combine superb audio quality, large console style mixing, and state-of-the-art features

Sixteen balanced/unbalanced TRS analog inputs and outputs, plus 2 x 8-channel ADAT optical ports, deliver a total of 32 inputs and 32 outputs. Use the 16A for expanded analog I/O for your computer, or as a flexible, capable patchbay and mixer. Or both!

The 16A employs latest-generation ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters, known for their industry-leading performance, together with expertly engineered analog circuits that reflect more than three decades of pro audio engineering expertise. The result? The 16A achieves actual, measured performance of 123 dB dynamic range (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz) on its balanced TRS analog outputs.

Every digital audio workflow has some latency. The only question is, how much? In the case of the 16A, the answer is, not much at all. In the 16A, latency is measured in a handful of samples, from the time an audio signal first goes digital to its arrival somewhere else (to an output, the mixer, or the computer). By keeping latency this low in the hardware, the 16A helps minimize latency introduced by your host software.

Thunderbolt lets you connect displays, hard drives, and other peripherals to your computer, along with the 16A, and the Thunderbolt bus won't even break a sweat. But more importantly, Thunderbolt gives you an astonishing 256 channels of computer I/O (128 in and out). You can use them to route audio to the physical inputs and outputs on the 16A, plus the 48-channel mixer inside the 16A, plus audio network streams. The 16A is the first and only interface to combine Thunderbolt I/O connectivity with AVB audio networking.

Don't have a Thunderbolt-equipped computer yet? Hi-speed USB 2.0 provides across-the-board compatibility with pretty much all laptops and desktops. The 16A is USB audio class compliant, which means you enjoy OS-level USB compatibility and support, including iPad support (with a camera connection kit). Since USB 2.0 devices are compatible with USB 3.0-equipped hosts, your 16A interface is a future-proof investment in your studio.

The 16A is equipped with a 48-channel digital mixer designed just like a large format mixing console. The 48 inputs can take signal from anywhere: the physical inputs on the 16A interface itself, audio channels from host software on your computer, audio network streams, or even mixer outputs. The mixer provides 7 stereo aux busses, 3 groups, a reverb bus that can alternately serve as a 4th group, a Main Mix bus and separate Monitor bus that can serve as a solo bus. In essence: capable and transparent mixing.

British analog mixing consoles are renowned for their musical EQ profiles. The 16A meticulously models these classic EQs to give you the very same, magical EQ response found on these coveted desks. Each input channel also provides a classic compressor module with optional peak/RMS operation. Groups and the Main Mix bus are equipped with MOTU's Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary Teletronix™ LA-2A™ optical leveling amplifier, known for its unique and highly sought-after Automatic Gain Control (AGC) characteristics.

With one click on the 16A's routing grid, you can route any source signal to any destination. Sources can be analog or digital inputs on the interface, computer channels, mixer bus outputs, or audio network streams from other devices on the network. Destinations include interface outputs, host software inputs, mixer inputs, or any other device (or computer) on the AVB network. You can even split any single input (or stereo pair) to unlimited multiple output destinations.

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

The software that you can use to control the 16A doesn't reside on your hard drive. It's a web app served from the hardware itself. This means you can control the 16A's on-board DSP, mixing, device settings, and network audio routing from the web app software running in your favourite web browser on a laptop tablet or smart phone connected by wire or Wi-Fi to your local area network. Use any web client on any platform - Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android - as long as it shared the same network.

Connect an Apple Airport or other Wi-Fi router directly to the 16A with a standard Ethernet cable and control the 16A's powerful mixing and DSP effects from your smart phone or tablet, without a computer. Great for live sound mixing!

Review: Designed for the performing musician or the conventional composer, APC Key 25 is the first Ableton Live controller from Akai Professional that is equipped with a high-performance keyboard. Uniting the power of a clip-launching panel with a keyboard interface, APC Key 25 couples real-time control of Ableton Live with traditional composition tools: create melodies, compose bass lines, and play chords with 25 synth-action mini keys. Plus, dedicated buttons for Octave Up, Octave Down, and Sustain expand the expressive capabilities of the keyboard, enabling you to tap into the full melodic range and perform with classic piano-style sustain.

APC Key 25 features a 5x8 multicolour clip-launching grid that's built for dexterous exploration: launch clips and create or perform your song from the ground up using 40 responsive triggers. Tri-colour lighting provides visual feedback and displays three clip statuses - loaded, playing, and recording - so you can intelligently perform without looking at your computer. Plus, you can use the Shift button and directional arrows to manipulate the scope of the 5x8 grid.

APC Key 25 comes equipped with eight control knobs that are laid out next to the clip-launching grid for easy tweaking. Users can change knob functionality with the dedicated buttons for volume, pan, sends, and device control: fade clips in and out of the mix; pan instruments to the left, right, or centre; raise the level of reverb or other effects to create fluid transitions; open and close filters for lush sweeps; and much more. Additionally, each knob is completely assignable for flexible mixing and mapping options.

APC Key 25 comes pre-mapped to Live for an instant performance and production setup. When APC Key 25 is plugged into your computer, its hardware controls correspond 1 to 1 with Ableton Live's interface - no additional configuring is required. For APC veterans, all of APC Key 25's controls can be re-assigned on the fly for customized setups that change with your performance or production style. Plus, APC Key 25 can also be used as a general MIDI controller to manipulate other software applications such as virtual instruments, plugins, and DAW's.

For maximum portability, APC Key 25 is powered over USB and supports plug-and-play connectivity; no power adapter or drivers needed. APC Key 25 also offers a smaller footprint than its APC counterparts, enabling musicians to use APC Key 25 alongside effects controllers and other APCs.

APC Key 25 comes packed with a version of Ableton Live, two high-definition virtual synthesizers, and professional samples and loops for immediate out-of-the-box music creation. Ableton Live Lite enables musicians and producers to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise, and edit musical ideas in a fluid audio/MIDI environment. Hybrid 3, by AIR Music Tech, is a high-definition synthesizer for electronic musicians, DJs, sound designers, and music producers who love to get their hands dirty. Create anything from fat, retro synth sounds to edgy, modern leads and everything in between. SONiVOX Twist is a spectral morphing synthesis virtual instrument. Comprised of a dynamic interface, an advanced pattern generator, and onboard effects, Twist lets you create serious sounds using simple controls. Toolroom Records artist launch packs bring you the coveted sounds of electronic music with a premium collection of sample packs, produced exclusively for Akai Professional. Produce, compose, and remix with professional sounds curated by the world's premier electronic music label.

Review: 12 Step is a road-proof, portable keyboard controller for your feet. Each key is brilliantly backlit, has multiple functions, and can sense foot tilt and pressure.

12 Step is ready for the road with a build that you can trust to perform on stage after stage, night after night.

12 Step's keys respond to the velocity, pressure and tilt of your foot, giving new dimensions of expression to your performance.

No moving parts means you'll never accidentally break off a knob or button.

Perfect for triggering clips in Ableton Live, playing synth bass, swelling pads, organ stabs, or any other musical accents that fit your style.

The 12 Step Editor Software v2.0 was reprogrammed from the ground up, optimized for speed and ease of use, and given a snazzy new user interface.

Review: Always a Juno favourite, the DT770s are a bit of a modern classic at this point. Closed back design for good isolation, making them a great choice for most studio work.

Supplier's notes:
The DT 770 Pro is a closed dynamic headphone and has been designed for critical music and sound monitoring. The single sided cable makes the handling of the headphone easy. The cushion system allows the DT 770 Pro to be used comfortably for long periods of time.

The circumaural design with velour cushions and adjustable headband makes the DT 770 headphones really comfortable, even over prolonged periods. The DT 770 250Ohm version is designed for the studio, delivering a higher impedance and a slightly more accurate response than the 80Ohm versions. The higher impedance also means you can safely use multiple headsets from the same source.

The 2 most common complaints when mixing using closed back headphones are that they are uncomfortable and don't produce enough bass, leaving mixes overly compensated (see the FAQ further down for the reasons why). The answer to first problem is to buy open back headphones, but they are no good for recording purposes and may not solve the second issue of bass response. Fortunately, the DT 770 Pro tackle both these problems, delivering an impressive nominal frequency response of 5Hz-35kHz using their innovative bass reflex system with a very large cup and velour cushions that let air through but not sound, thus reducing pressure.

Review: The Rode M3 is a highly versatile condenser microphone powered by 9V battery or phantom power.

Featuring a heavy duty metal body and internally shock mounted 1/2" condenser capsule mounted for end-address, the M3 is at home in the studio, on stage or on location and is equally suitable as a vocal microphone, guitar microphone, drum microphone or presenter microphone.

A -10 dB and -20 dB level attenuation (or PAD), selectable from inside the battery compartment, allows recording of loud sound sources, such as a guitar amplifier or drum. A high-pass filter selectable on the microphone power switch introduces a filter at 80Hz to reduce low frequency sounds and handling noise.

The M3 also comes complete with windshield and a stand mount, and can be powered via a 9V battery or 24-48V Phantom.

The Rode M3 versatile multi-powered microphone is covered by Rode Microphones' industry leading 10 year warranty.

Review: The 440 has all of the quack, squee, squonk, chicka, mwomp, and weeeooow, that you could ask for. It works equally well on guitar, bass, and keys. Use out for funky chordal work, simulated wah, or trippy drawn-out filter sweeps. While 440 is a faithful recreation of the vintage 440, the addition of the up/down toggle gives it a modern sonic twist.

General Specifications
INPUT

(1) 14" Instrument
INPUT IMPEDANCE

1M Ohm
OUTPUT

(1) 14" Instrument
CHASSIS

All Metal
POWER SUPPLY

9V Alkaline Dry Battery; PS0913DC power supply
Dimensions
LENGTH

4.68" (119mm)
HEIGHT

2.25" (57mm)
WIDTH

2.63" (67mm)
WEIGHT

0.62 lbs. (281g)