February | 2016 | Imagination Works

Rave + Trip-Hop “Good night, babies” in DAW REAPER : FM synthesis and reverberation and phaser effects

Lets continue studying music creation and DAW REAPER learning and create Rave + Trip-Hop variation of Russian song “Good night, babies“, wherein we will use FM synthesis, reverberation and phaser effects and tracks automation. For melody and basses I used the same way hybrid VST synthesiser Xenobioz Funxion with the same presets and downloaded MIDI notes from internet ( thank you goes to original author ), removing bank selection signal from them. With tracks automation I set smooth volume increase and decrease at the beginning and end of composition, so that it does not start and end abruptly. Via this link you can download completed composition in FLAC format and archive with project file and sounds : Rave + Trip-Hop “Good night, babies” in DAW REAPER : FM synthesis and reverberation and phaser effects.

At the beginning we add MIDI notes to tracks of composition and plug in to them VST synthesiser Xenobioz Funxion with Exotic Flute and Pentagon presets for melody and basses. Then we will add to melody track built-in ReaVerb effect, which adds reverberation and makes it more volumetric, giving to it an atmosphere. It is better to not overuse it, so that melody will remain easy for perception and reverberation will not attract attention to itself. Then we add to basses track scripted effect Guitar/phaser, it is written on built in script language of DAW, so it works not so fast, as compilled VST applications, and it is better to use not much of them, so that composition playback would not lag. Phaser adds to basses “U-a-u-a-u-a-…” sound, this is especially noticeable on long basses notes and makes them not monotonous and constant, without addition of too much movement to basses. It is better to not apply reverberation to them, because basses should stay at the center of stereo picture and not jump here and there, otherwise this will draw too much attention and annoy. Then we add simple and hasteless drums rhythm with kicks and snares, characteristic to Trip-Hop music, let it accompaniment basses this time, and use syncopation, where needed, so that drums rhythm is not monotonous. Next : final strokes, and composition is ready.

This is it for today, next time I’ll create variation of other composition to continue growth in this direction. If you have any questions, then ask them in the comments to article. See you next time!

ZTE Blade Q Lux 3G – Android 4.4 smartphone with 4.5″ IPS screen, 2-cores processor and 512 MB of RAM

Company ZTE recently released new not pricey Android 4.4 smartphone Blade Q Lux 3G with 4.5″ multitouch IPS screen with 480 x 854 pixels resolution, 2-cores processor MediaTek MT6572M with 1 GHz frequency and 512 MB of RAM, which costs around 60 USD. In it also are built-in : 4 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger are, probably, also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support; it supports GPS satellite navigation system and proximity, lighting and acceleration sensors.

Smartphone ZTE Blade Q Lux 3G ( back panel )

In ZTE Blade Q Lux 3G two not bad for smartphones of such price cameras are placed : 8 MP main one with LED flash and autofocusing and 2 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 3.0 ( +EDR, +A2DP ) for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On its external panels following are placed : Micro USB port for connection with computer and Li-ion battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headset connector, microphone and speaker and power and volume control buttons. Battery charge is 2200 mAh, which is enough for 16 hours of talking or 308 hours of stand-by time; its body is made from plastic, its sizes are 67.5 ( width ) x 134.5 ( height ) x 10.3 ( depth ) mm and mass is 144 g.

Package contains : ZTE Blade Q Lux 3G smartphone itself, recharger, USB cable, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. For its price – this is a good smartphone, for approximately the same amount of money there is ability to buy entry-level Windows Microsoft Lumia smartphones and Android or Windows tablet PCs with larger screens, powerful systems and ability to be used as phone. So, among them there is need to chose, based on personal taste and convenience of use.

Iguanodon – a truthful story of iguana tooth

One of the first discovered and scientifically described dinosaurs is an iguanodon, which was first described by fossilized teeth, that look like iguana‘s, but much larger, in 1820ies in England by Gideon Mantell. First it were reconstructed as massive animal, that looks like iguana with elephant size and spike on a nose, later findings showed, that spike located not on the nose, but on the hands of reptile, on a thumbs, and was used for protection from predators and food gathering. Also, findings showed, that iguanodons are not so massive and they were placed in upright vertical position, with basement on back paws and tile. Researches of 20th century made it clear, that this reconstruction is also not right, because at such position tile would be broken; and now animal is shown with horizontal body position and straight tile, which mainly moves on 4 legs and sometimes goes to running on 2 back paws.

Iguanodons reached 12 m in length and 3 tons mass; wherein their maximal running speed was 24 km/h on back limbs; they lived at the beginning of a Cretaceous period 140 – 120 millions of years ago. Animal ate plants, in mouths they had 2 rows of teeth, which replaced each other, with which they chewed food; teeth located deeply in mouths, this tells, that they had some kinds of cheeks : muscular or completely from skin. For now there are no undoubted data on whether these animals lived in large herds or in small families; adult animals preferred to move on all 4 legs, when they obtained size and weight ( by this time length of their arms reached 70% of the back legs length ), while light-weighted juveniles ran mostly on back paws ( their hands was only 60% of legs length ). By this time lots of iguanodons fossils were found in Europe, North America and presumably in Africa and Asia; many of the subspecies, initially placed in relation to iguanodons, now are moved into separate species, part of the others changed their location inside iguanodons genera. To date iguanodons are one of the most studied dinosaurs species and, together with megalosaurus and hylaeosaurus initially formed this genera of ancient reptiles.

Nektar Impact iX – 49 and 61 keys USB MIDI keyboards with pedal input

Among classical USB MIDI keyboards there are Nektar Impact iX 49 and 61 with according amounts of velocity-sensitive keys and TRS 1/4″ jack input for sustain pedal. There is ability to use for keys one of 4 velocity sensitivity curves or one of 3 fixed values; devices have octaves control buttons, pitch bend and modulation control wheels, one 30 mm slider and 4 transport control buttons. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, TRS 1/4″ jack input for sustain pedal and USB port for connection to computer and powering. They can be connected to Apple iPad via optional USB Camera Kit module.

MIDI keyboard Nektar Impact iX ( back panel )

MIDI keyboards Nektar Impact iX 49 and 61 work in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, Mac OS X and Linux without additional drivers and allow to control modern DAWs ( FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others ) and their VST instruments and effects. Nektar Impact iX 49 mass is 2.2 kg and 61 is 2.7 kg. With devices DAW Studio One Artist is bundled. Package contains : MIDI keyboard Nektar Impact iX 49 or 61, USB cable, optical disk with programs, warranty card and user’s guide. MIDI keyboards are functional, have classical set of controls and adequate price; there is ability to wish for drumpads and powering from power adapter for work with tablet PCs, which are present in other MIDI keyboards models.

Philips Xenium V377 – new 5″ IPS Android 5.1 smartphone with 5000 mAh battery and 5 MP camera

One of the mobile novelties of the end of 2015 year – beginning of 2016 is an Android 5.1 smartphone Philips Xenium V377 with 5″ multitouch IPS screen with Full HD 1280 x 720 pixels resolution, 5000 mAh battery ( which is very good for smartphones ) and 5 MP main camera. In it are also built in : 4-cores processor MediaTek MT6580, working on 1.3 GHz frequency, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD and Micro SDHC flash memory cards with 32 GB max size ( larger, probably, are also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support; it has GLONASS, GPS and A-GPS satellite navigation systems.

Smartphone Philips Xenium V377 ( side view )

In Philips Xenium V377 two cameras are placed : 5 MP main one ( which is average for smartphones ) and 2 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 4.0 connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On its outer panels following are placed : USB port ( for connection with computer and battery charging ), 1/8″ mini jack headset connector, microphone and speaker and volume control and power buttons. Battery charge is 5000 mAh, which is very good for smartphones, it is enough for 29 hours of speaking and 1152 hours of stand-by mode; device’s body is made from plastics, its sizes are 74 ( width ) x 145 ( height ) x 10.9 ( depth ) mm and mass is 188.5 g.

Package contains : Philips Xenium V377 smartphone itself, USB cable, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is good : with high-capacity battery, large 5″ IPS screen, powerful system and good enough for smartphones cameras, wherein its price is around 130 USD; for smaller sum there is ability to buy similar Windows and Android smartphones and the same way for smaller sum there is ability to buy Windows or Android tablet PCs with larger screen, powerful system and ability to be used as phone. So, here choice is between device’s compactness and battery size between similar smartphones.

ESI U22XT – new USB audio interface from German manufacturer with 96 kHz and 24 bits

Company ESI recently released new USB audio interface U22XT with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample precision. It has 2 inputs and 2 outputs and it is fully powered from USB connection, without need in additional power adapter. On frontal panel there are : combined microphone XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack input, gain control knob and phantom power +48 V switch for it; instrumental Hi-Z TRS 1/4″ jack input and gain control knob; inputs for use selector microphone/instrumental/both, clip indicators and mix control knob; main outputs volume control knob, power indicator and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output with volume control. On back panel there are : 2 RCA outputs ( left and right ), inputs selector frontal/back panel; TRS 1/4″ jack balanced left and right linear outputs; Kensington Lock port and USB 2.0 connector for communication with computer and powering.

USB audio interface ESI U22XT ( back panel )

Dynamic range of analogue to digital conversions of ESI U22XT is 102 dB, digital to analogue : 108 dB; for device drivers are released for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with support of ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound ( +DirectWIRE ) interfaces; in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers with support of Core Audio interface; through them it interacts with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. After device connection and its drivers setup its parameters can be controlled through U22 XT Control Panel program, which allows to set separately recording and playback channels volume levels and mute them, if needed. Also it can set latency ( buffer size ) and DirectWIRE connections, which allow to route sound signals between different analogue and program connectors and interfaces.

With device programs Image-Line Deckadance LE and DAW Bitwig 8-Track are supplied. First of them is a DJs’ console and mixer, which can work as stand-alone program and as VST plugin with connection to DAW or other program. Second of them is entry-level DAW, which allow to work with sounds and MIDI notes on up to 8 tracks with ability to record analogue audio and connect different VST instruments and effects. Also it has sounds and presets, selected from professional Bitwig Studio Library, and supports automation and built-in Open Controller Scripting API for advanced control and processing. Bitwig 8-Track is a simplified version of Bitwig Studio and takes 5 GB of disk space, it downloads additional modules from Internet during setup. ESI U22XT’s sizes are 17.5 ( width ) x 12 ( depth ) x 4.5 ( height ) cm and mass is 0.75 kg, its body is made from polished aluminum with beautiful and offbeat for ESI scarlet color.

Package contain : ESI U22XT audio interface itself, USB-cable, disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface is good with characteristics, ports and their amount on the level of small studio; there is ability to anticipate adequate price for device, because ESI usually does not overprice its devices, the same way as Steinberg and Behringer do; while Focusrite, Roland and M-Audio can set high price for their devices.

Company ESI was founded in Germany in 2006 year, mainly it produces audio interfaces, loudspeakers and other sound equipment. Its products are notable for high quality and acceptable prices, currently offices and facilities of company are located in a couple of countries of the world.

JVC HA-SR225 – new 30 mm on ears headphones with microphone and 10 Hz – 24 kHz sound

One of the novelties, released by JVC company at the beginning of year, are on ears headphones HA-SR225 with 30 mm membranes, microphone and ability to reproduce 10 Hz – 24 kHz sound. Membranes are moved by neodymium magnets, their sensitivity is 103 dB/mW, impedance 32 Ohms and maximal input power is 500 mW. To both cups 1.2 m cable is connected with 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector, in its volume control module with microphone remote answer button is built in, compatible with Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad, Android and BlackBerry. Headphones mass without cable accounting is 128 g, they are supplied in 4 colors variants : blue, black, maroon-pink and white; device is 2-ways foldable : compact mode and flat one. Package contains : JVC HA-SR225 headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are good, with wide frequencies range, neodymium magnets and built-in microphone, their price is 20 – 30 USD and it is adequate to their functions; however for approximately the same amount of money there is ability to buy larger 40 and 50 mm headphones of other manufacturers, so here is the choice between compactness and lightness from one side, and better basses reproduction from the other.

LG K10 K410 – 5.3″ Android 5.0 smartphone with 8 MP camera, 4-cores CPU and 1 GB of RAM

Company LG recently released new smartphone with slightly strange name K10 K410, with 5.3″ multitouch IPS screen with HD 1280 × 720 pixels resolution, 8 MP main camera, 4-cores processor, working on 1.3 GHz frequency, and 1 GB of RAM. In it also following are built in : 16 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via flash memory cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger cards are, probably, also supported ), 2 SIM cards slots and GPS and A-GPS satellite navigation. Smartphone supports 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G support.

In LG K10 K410 two relatively good for smartphones cameras are placed : 8 MP main one and 5 MP frontal one with support of photos and videos recording via hands gestures; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct ) and Bluetooth 4.1 LE connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On its external panels following are placed : Micro USB 2.0 port for connection with computer and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headset connector and microphone and speaker. Device’s body is made from plastic, its sizes are 74.8 ( width ) x 146.6 ( height ) x 8.8 ( depth ) mm and mass is 140 g; smartphone is released in 2 colors variants : blue indigo and white; battery charge is 2300 mAh, which is not much for smartphones.

Package contains : LG K10 K410 smartphone itself, USB cable, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all smartphone is good, its price is around 200 USD, mainly it is due to functional for smartphones cameras, large screen and powerful system. There is need to note, that there is ability to buy smartphones with simillar characteristics, but not so advanced cameras for much smaller price; and for smaller price there is ability to buy Windows and Android tablet PCs with ability to be used as phone, larger screens and powerful system.

Audio interface Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 – heavy studio artillery from Behringer

Company Behringer is one of the leaders in sound studio equipment production, as in overall quality level, so in value/price level, among its audio interfaces there are very professional devices, designed for work in large studios, for example, Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616. Device can work with 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample, supports connection with computer via USB and Firewire interfaces, it has 16 inputs and 16 outputs and to its microphone inputs MIDAS preamplifiers are connected. On frontal panel of audio interface following are placed : 4 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; gain control knobs and instrumental mode, compressor, +48 V phantom power and PAD function switches with indicators for all of these inputs; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones outputs with volume control knobs, mono mode switch and source selector for second input with indicators; inputs and outputs work lights, digital and analogue inputs mixing balance knob, outputs volume controller with channels selector for it with LED activity light; and indicators of power, USB or Firewire connection, digital inputs and outputs, MIDI input and output and work of coaxial, optical, ADAT and S/MUX connections with digital interface selector. On its back panel there are : power adapter input; Kensington Lock slot; MIDI input and output; USB and Firewire ports; digital optical and coaxial inputs and outputs; 8 TRS 1/4″ jack linear balanced outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ones ); 8 TRS 1/4″ jack Inserts ports; and 4 the same type balanced linear inputs.

Audio interface Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 ( back panel )

Dynamic range of frontal inputs of Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 is 102 dB, impedance is 1 MOhm in instrumental mode and 3 kOhms in microphone mode, with +18 – +60 dB amplification and maximal input signal level 14 dB; inputs on back panel has following characteristics : 100 dB dynamic range, 47 kOhms impedance, 14 dB maximal input signal; Inserts : 47 kOhms impedance and 21 dB maximal input signal; analogue outputs : 200 Ohms impedance, 8 dB balanced maximal output signal; headphones outputs : 10 Ohms impedance and 22 dB maximal signal level. Device has 20 W max power consumption; its body is made from aluminum, its sizes are 50 ( height ) x 482.6 ( width ) x 161 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.8 kg. For Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 for audio interface drivers are released with ASIO 2.0 interface support, in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers with Core Audio interface support, via which it interacts with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. After purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s site DAW Tracktion and large amount of VST instruments and effects and sounds samples.

Package contains : Behringer FIREPOWER FCA1616 audio interface itself, USB and Firewire cables, disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is great and it is designed for work in large studios, for them it is one of the best devices. For small studios such large amount of connectors is not needed and there is ability to buy audio interfaces with smaller connectors amount and price and the same level of components quality of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.

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