Studio Equipment Recommendations August 2013

Review: A synthesizer that lets you perform and create multi layered music in any style, with just the touch of a finger.

The Kaossilator series was the forerunner of unique instruments that made it easy for anyone to play musical melodies and phrases. The Kaossilator Pro was a highly evolved model featuring a rich variety of sounds and loop recording functionality that made it not merely a live performance instrument, but also a track making tool.

2013 brings us to the upgraded Kaossilator Pro+. With additional new sound programs and drum sounds Kaossilator Pro+ has been supercharged to offer even more variety and exploration.

The Kaossilator Pro+ offers 250 programs, based on intuitive control of multiple parameters by moving a finger across the X-Y touchpad.

Review: Some of our favourite studio headphones, suitable for mixing, sound design and critical listening. Open-backed design gives a more natural sound than the more common closed-back designs.

Supplier's notes:
For precision listening, mixing and mastering.

The K712 Pro's are reference, open, over ear headphones for precise listening, mixing and mastering. The over ear design guarantees maximum wearing comfort for fatigue-free mixing and mastering, while providing spacious and airy sound without compromise. Their precise powerful sound results from improved low end performance by 3dB. Being hand crafted in Austria, the K712 Pro's represent the high quality and legendary design AKG is internationally known for.

These headphones have a genuine soft leather headband for a lightweight and comfortable fit, and the carefully selected transducers ensure consistency and accurate localization.

The K712 Pro's come with a professional mini XLR connector for quick replacement of the cable. Also included is an additional coiled cable and a premium carrying bag.

Review: Load virtually any sample via standard SD or SDHC card and assign it to any of the MPX8's eight backlit velocity and pressure sensitive pads.

Use it in the studio. Use it live on stage or on air. MPX8 packs proven Akai Pro technology into a compact, durable design that's built to perform.

MPX8 also has USB MIDI plus standard MIDI inputs and outputs. Control everything from music software on your laptop to outboard MIDI gear. The included USB cable and 1/8" jack to MIDI adapter make it easy to connect.

With the included sample kit editor, you can easily arrange, tune, and add reverb to your samples on your Mac or PC before loading them onto MPX8. The editor's drag and drop functionality saves you time, instantly converting your samples to compatible .WAV files

MPX8 also comes with a free Loop Library download from Akai Pro, plus a large library of standard samples built in, which can be used for live performance in front of a crowd, on a radio show, or for in studio production.

It's compact, easy to load, and ready to go. MPX8 packs the sounds you need under great feeling pads inside a solid Akai Pro design. You get quick and convenient one touch access to a virtually unlimited number of sounds, shots, stabs, and drops. It's that simple.

***SD card not included***