In audio part today we will meet with IK Multimedia iRig Keys – MIDI keyboard, which is oriented on work with different devices : PC, Mac, iOS and Android. It has 37 velocity-sensitive mini-keys; pitch bend and modulation wheels; volume control knob, which can be programmed to control custom parameter; octaves control buttons, which can be programmed; 4 buttons for storing and restoring of parameters sets; and sustain or expression pedal input. MIDI keyboard is connected to devices via Core MIDI interface ( for iOS ) or via USB interface ( for PC and Mac ), it is powered from these connections. Also, it can be used with Android devices via OTG to Micro-USB adapter, which is bundled with controller. Keyboard is supplied with following software : SampleTank FREE iOS and iGrand Piano FREE for iOS ( they can be downloaded from Apple App Store ); iGrand Piano FREE and iLectric Piano FREE for Android ( they can be downloaded from Google Play or Samsung Galaxy Apps ); SampleTank 3 SE for PC and Mac ( they can be downloaded from manufacturer’s web-site after registration ); and The Grid plus 5 Beats and Elektronika virtual instruments for SampleTank 3 SE ( they are also can be downloaded from manufacturer’s web-site ). This is interesting MIDI keyboard model, which has small sizes and weight and ability to work with different devices; its minuses are : lack of drumpads, small amount of programmable buttons for DAW control and small keys size ( but this is the consequence of its compact sizes ). So, this device should be bought only if there will be no need in additional controls; but, if there is need to simply buy MIDI keyboard, then it is better to buy more functional device, which costs the same amount of money or not much more.
Lets review wide-angle photo lens Sigma 19mm f2.8 DN. It is produced in variants for Micro Four Thirds ( for Panasonic and Olympus cameras ) and Sony E mounts. Its focal length is fixed and equals to 19 mm, diaphragm can be set in f/2.8 – f/22 range with use of 7 blades. Minimal focusing distance is 0.2 m, field of view is 59.3 degrees for Sony E mounts and 1:7.4 maximal magnification. Lens supports auto focusing and internal focusing; motor, that moves optics, is quiet and lens is useful for videos recording. It has 8 lens elements in 6 groups ( 3 of them are aspherical for chromatic and geometric distortions correction ), all elements are coated with Super Multi-Layer Coating. 46 mm optical filters can be attached to it. Lens sizes are : 60.8 ( diameter ) x 45.7 ( height ) mm; weight is : 160 g. It is released in black and silver color variants. Package contains : Sigma 19mm f2.8 DN photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, storage and carrying case and user’s guide. All in all, this is a high-quality wide-angle lens, which is useful for photos and videos recording and which has optimal price. Its minus is relatively big amount of lens elements for fixed focus lenses, but most of them have around so amount of glasses.
Lets review in audio part external studio audio interface ESI Dr. DAC prime. It has big amount of professional functions and adequate price. Card works with 192 kHz sampling rate and 24 bits precision. Digital to analogue conversion ( DAC ) is performed by TI Burr Brown PCM1796 module, which has 123 dB dynamic range ( this allows to play simultaneously silent and loud sounds and makes sound picture more complete ); next signal is processed by 3 operational amplifiers LME49860NA, which are placed on PCB in sockets and can be easily replaced with others, if needed. Reverse analogue to digital conversion ( ADC ) is performed by AKM AK5386 ADC module with 110 dB dynamic range. Audio interface can playback signal, that it receives via USB port, digital S/PDIF audio connector or from analogue inputs, 2nd and 3rd variants requre additional power from power adapter. Frontal panel of card has : power switch; sound mute switch; upsampling switch ( if input signal has sampling rate less, than 192 kHz, then card can upsample it to this value for further processing or transmitting ); input signal selector ( USB, digital input or analogue inputs ); volume control for headphones; TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack and 3.5 mm ( 1/8″ ) mini-jack headphones outputs themselves; and LED indicators of card’s different functions states.
External sound card ESI Dr. DAC prime ( back panel )
Card’s back panel has : linear analogue RCA inputs and outputs; digital S/PDIF RCA input and output ( they can work with coaxial and optical signal, second variant requires special converter, which is bundled with card ); USB port; power adapter input; and analogue outputs mode switch ( fixed or variable volume level ). All RCA-slots are gold-plated, there is need to use gold-plated plugs with them, so that oxide film will not form in contacts places, which decreases connection quality. Sound card is automatically recognized by Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8 and 10 and Mac OS X operating systems; also ASIO 2.0 drivers are released for it for Windows, via which it can work with modern DAWs Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio and others with low latency. Card sizes are : 150 ( width ) x 104 ( depth ) x 38 ( height ) mm. Package contains : ESI Dr. DAC prime sound card itself, power adapter, USB cable, optical S/PDIF signal converter, optical disks with drivers and software and user’s guide.
Based on description and my experience of work with ESI devices, there is ability to say, that this is good card with adequate price, which is oriented for playback and recording of already completed signal, because it has no microphone and instrumental Hi-Z inputs and MIDI connectors. Its pluses are 192 kHz sampling rate and professional hardware, that is set in it. Wherein, it is worth purchasing, if it will be used for the purpose, for which it is designed, because there is ability to buy for the same price more universal studio audio interface, which will perform all professional functions.
Lets review mirror and lenses tele-photo objective lens Rokinon 500M-AI 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens. Judging by its view and description, it looks like telescope with Maksutov-Kassegrene scheme and for attachment to camera it uses astronomical device – Т-adapter ( these adapters are available for all cameras mounts types ). It has fixed 500 mm focus, fixed f/8 aperture ( it is not very light by photo lenses standards ), 1.7 m minimal focusing distance and 35 mm maximal optical sensor size. Lens does not support auto-focusing and there is need to perform it manually. It has 7 optical elements in 6 groups; there is ability to attach 72 mm optical filters to its frontal side, on the back side it has 30.5 mm thread for smaller optical filters ( 3 of optical devices of this type are included in package of lens ). Photo lens sizes are : 86 ( diameter ) x 100 ( length ) mm, weight is : 363 g. Package contains : Rokinon 500M-AI 500mm F8.0 Mirror Lens itself; optical filters ND-2X, ND-4X and Skylight; frontal and rear caps; carrying and storage pouch; and user’s guide. It is supplied with 1 year warranty of manufacturer. This is very good tele-photo lens, which can be used for land-based shooting of distant objects and for astronomical objects shooting, and its price is quite adequate in comparison with other tele-photo lenses. There is even ability to invent something and add telescope eyepieces to it and use it as stars gazing device. Its minuses include : small aperture by photo-lenses standards, but f/8 aperture is average for telescopes; also lack of zoom, variable diaphragm and auto-focusing can cause difficulties for novice photographers or in videos recording, but it has small optical elements amount and this reduces light dispersion, internal reflections and increases light strength of lens, so, experienced photographers will be able to make very good photos with it.
Lets review objective photo lens Opteka 12mm f/7.4 HDMC Fisheye Lens for Sony E mounts. As it is seen from its name, it has 12 mm focal distance; f/7.4 fixed diaphragm, because of this it is not very light; field of view is 167 degrees; and minimal focusing distance is 0.28 m. It has 4 lens elements in 4 groups, all of them are made from optical glass and are covered with protective and anti-reflective multicoating. Objective weight is 198 g, and sizes are : 65 ( height ) x 57 ( diameter ) mm. Also, there are variations of objective lens with f/8 diaphragm and 7.5 mm ( for Nikon 1 mount ) and 9 mm ( for Micro Four Thirds mount for Panasonic and Olympus cameras ) focal distances. Package contains : Opteka 12mm f/7.4 HDMC Fisheye Lens objective photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, carrying and storage pouch and users guide. All in all, it is a good photo lens with adequate price, low optical elements amount ( this reduces light dispersion and internal reflections on surfaces ) and variations for different mounts. Its light strength is relatively low, but it is inherent to all fish-eye lenses, because they gather light with the same input lens diameter for much larger field of view.
Yesterday I rode on my bicycle from Polevskoy to Yekaterinburg, then to Sredneuralsk on the shore of Iset lake and back home. There should have been performed bicycles tour with participation of many persons, but organizer of event was not able to participate in it due to technical reasons and we did not organized ourselves with other participants ahead of time ( this is the lesson to learn for next events ). At the morning ride from Polevskoy to Yekaterinburg was a pleasure itself : Sun was shining, dirt froze and road were dry; also, transport traffic at 9 – 10 a.m. is not so strong here. I rode to Ceramics station ( 40 km ) almost in the same time, as previous time : in 1 hour 50 minutes. Then I rode some circles in the city between bicycles shops Sportek, Velkom and Service Multi ( I’ll advertise them for a little : these are one of the best bicycles shops in Yekaterinburg ). I made some technical service of my bike at Service Multi and headed to Sredneuralsk.
On the shore of Iset lake
Sun shined even more on the streets, temperature raised above 0 degrees on Celsius and dirt started to unfreeze, but Serov highway is relatively clean and this did not caused any difficulties. By the way : it is very wide and roadside there is asphalted, so it is quite convenient to ride on the bicycle there. All in all, way to Sredneuralsk went on without problems : speed and freedom are the best feelings, ever. Near the city cold wind started to blow, proximity of lake felt there. Through the city almost direct road leads to its western part, only near lake there is need to turn to the south to go past plant. There is beautiful city area located on the shore of lake ( new living buildings should be insulated very well there, otherwise, despite beautiful view, there will be very cold under such wind or there will be high costs for heating them ). People walked on the shore, somebody trained themselves and made evening runs; only 1 small motor boat rode on the surface of water in this before-winter day. I made some photos and looked on these beautiful views and headed back to not stay under cold wind for too long.
On the shore of Iset lake
Snowfall and winter started above Serov highway, views are great, but there is need to be cautious, because road side is hardly noticeable under new snow, bicycle loses control on its edge and there is possibility to fall down. Which I made, then stood up, cleaned myself from snow and headed further to city. In all other respects way to Yekaterinburg went without problems. There is wholesale base at the entrance of the city, I wanted to buy some bananas in it, but at that time fruits shop was closed. Then I rode to the center of the city, there was ability to ride around city and save time on traffic and traffic lights, but I did not wanted to refuse myself in the pleasure to ride at the evening city with the street lights and buildings backlight, this time and city has some magic, in which I feel myself very calm and balanced and rest with my soul. Road through the city went without problems, only bike was covered with wet snow.
On the shore of Iset lake
At the edge of Yekaterinburg and closer to Mountain Shield village temperature abruptly went down from +1 – 0 degrees on Celsius to -2 – -5 degrees, it seems, that city produces lots of heat, which heats atmosphere, also, stars started to shine in the sky and heat, that was no longer held by clouds, went up and temperature by itself goes down closer to night. All wet snow froze, front shifter stopped to switch on the first gear from the second, initially it did not wanted to do so in the third gear respect, but I persuaded and moved back and forth it in Kurganovo village; back shifter worked only on 3, 4 and 5 gear; also, crust of ice formed under wings and on the frame. Two streams of fresh snow flew from under frontal wing and turned back; at the evening Polevskoy highway periodically is free from traffic and there is ability to ride alone with yourself for some time, but cars moved nearby periodically in caravans or alone. Sometimes black machines silhouettes in the glow of long distance lights of the cars, that move from the front, appeared.
On the shore of Iset lake
On the entrance into Polevskoy I rotated pedals up to my home. I froze, but was dry, so in some respect it was easier, than in previous time, and I received my portion of pleasure. Next times I’ll dress my self warmer, lower part is not purged, but arms near elbows are cooled very much. I sent messages to other tour members, that lost me, and said that everything is good. Placed my bike in the bathroom, so that melting ice would not flood floor. Ate food and went down to sleep. At winter time and up to next Spring I’ll ride only at distances below 100 km, so that I’ll not freeze and to not force others to worry about me. Just only competitions in Upper Ufaley ( if they will be held ), Shunuth mountain and maybe other above 100 km, and for the next times until next Spring only distances below one hundred kilometers. See ya on the next bicycles event!
Snowfall above Serov highway
Evening time Yekaterinburg, center of the cityWet snow, that froze to icePlastic does not withstand this for too long, so I set up aluminum
Lets review functional MIDI keyboard Alesis V61. It has 61 full-size keys, which react on pess velocity; octave up and down buttons; 4 programmable buttons and 4 programmable knobs; 8 drun pads, which react on presses velocity and applied force; and pitch bend and modulation wheels. All additional controls have variable back-light, which shows their activity degree. Controller is connected to computer via USB port ( through which it also receives power ) and is automatically recognized by Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, in which it can integrate with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. Alesis V61 is bundled with DAW Ableton Live Lite 9 and multifunctional instrument AIR Music Tech Xpand!2. There is also need to note compact design of MIDI keyboard and its adequate price ( 169 USD at the middle of Autumn 2015 ) in comparison with other MIDI controllers.
Photo objective lens Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S.
Today in optics section we will review compact standard objective lens Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. It is attached to camera via Micro Four Thirds mount ( it can be used with Panasonic and Olympus cameras ). Its focal distances range is 14 – 42 mm; maximal aperture : f/3.5 – f/5.6 ( for maximal and minimal focal lengths, accordingly ), minimal aperture is f/22, it is controlled with use of 7 diaphragm blades. Minimal focusing distances are : 0.2 m ( for 14 – 20 mm focal distances ) and 0.3 m ( for 21 – 42 mm focal distances ); field of view : 75 – 29 degrees ( for minimal and maximal focal distances ). Objective photo lens contains 9 lens elements in 8 groups ( this is average value for zoom lenses ), 4 are aspherical, 2 are made of ED glass; all of them are coated with protective and anti-reflective Nano Surface Coating. It supports POWER O.I.S. ( Optical Image Stabilization ) and automatic Internal Focusing. 37 mm optical filters can be attached to it, its sizes are : 61 ( diameter ) x 26.8 ( length ) mm, weight is : 95 g. Package contains : Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. photo lens itself, frontal and rear caps, carrying and storage bag and user’s guide. This is quite convenient compact and light-weight objective photo-lens, with zoomable focal distance, many automation functions and adequate price. Its minuses are : small maximal aperture ( photos in low-light scenes will be dark ) and big amount of lens elements ( they disperse light and increase internal reflections ). So, it can be recommended to novice photographers or for video recording, where its light weight and automation functions are very useful.
External sound card Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX ( front panel )
Today we will review external studio audio interface Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX. It is equipped with configurable functions and is oriented on professional work. Frontal panel of card contains : 2 combined XLR/TRS inputs with professional VS Preamps, one of which is switchable instrumental Hi-Z/Lo-Z, second is microphone input, to which phantom +48 V power can be connected; amplification levels controls for them; volume control for main analogue outputs of card and for monitor headphones; TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack output for headphones themselves. Back panel of card contains : USB port for communication with computer and for powering from it; DC input ( it is not supplied with card ); MIDI input and output for instruments and other devices; 2 TRS 6.3 mm ( 1/4″ ) jack analogue balanced outputs ( they neutralize all noise signals, which are added to main signal, when it is transmitted in the cable ); sampling rate switch ( 44.1 or 48 kHz ); phantom power switch; instrumental input switch Hi-Z or Lo-Z; Direct Monitor mode switch for headphones ( mono, stereo, off ); power button; and ground contact. Card is powered via USB port, or batteries, or from electric line via power adapter; its built in power supply unit has low noise levels, which reduces unwanted signals levels in sound card’s internals.
External sound card Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX ( back panel )
It works with 24 bits precision; and supports following interfaces WDM and ASIO for Windows and Core Audio for Mac OS and iOS; through them it can work with modern DAWs : Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live and others. Audio card body is produced from aluminum, it weights 460 grams and has relatively small dimensions : 153 ( width ) x 119 ( depth ) x 47 ( height ) mm. Package contains : Roland DUO-CAPTURE EX sound card itself, USB cable, optical disks with drivers and software and user’s guide. In a whole, this is a good professional sound card : it has high quality preamplifiers for analogue inputs, balanced analogue outputs, and MIDI input and output. Its main weakness is only 48 kHz max sampling rate, but not always higher frequencies are needed, for example, if sound after recording will not be processed too much.
In optics section today we will look on photo objective lens attachment Goliton 58mm 2.0X Magnification Tele Converter Lens. When it is mounted to objective photo lens, it receives 2x magnification of image, wherein base objective photo lens should be able to focus on infinity for this attachment to work correctly. It is mounted on lens via 58 mm thread ( there is modification with 52 mm thread ); it has 62 mm thread on frontal side for optical filters. It has 4 lens elements in 2 groups, probably, it is similar to Plossl eyepiece for telescopes ( symmetrical eyepiece with 4 lens elements in 2 groups ), but there is need to look on its optical scheme in order to say precisely. Package contains : Goliton 58mm 2.0X Magnification Tele Converter Lens photo lens attachment itself, frontal and rear caps, storage and carrying pouch and user’s guide. As with all photo attachments : this is attractable solution in terms of price, but there is need to look in shop or read in Internet how it works with given photo lens; and it is desirable if base photo objective lens would have small amount of glasses in order to reduce optical surfaces amount.
