Electronics | Imagination Works

Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25 – MIDI keyboard with 8 drumpads and keys on 2 octaves

MIDI keyboard Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25

One of the Akai’s MIDI keyboards is a device Professional MPK Mini MKII 25 with 8 velocity and pressure sensitive drumpads with backlight and velocity-sensitive keys on 2 octaves. It also has : joystick with 4 movement directions for pitch and modulation control; 8 assignable knobs; built-in arpreggiator; buttons for octaves control, Note Repeat, Full Level and Tap Tempo; 1/4″ jack input for Sustain pedal; and USB port for connection to computer and powering ( it does not require power adapter ).

MIDI keyboard Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25 ( back and right panels )

After purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s website following programs : Akai Pro MPC Essentials, SONiVOX Wobble, AIR Music Tech Hybrid 3 and MPK mini MIDI Editor; device works in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.7 and newer without additional drivers and integrates with modern DAWs Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live and others and their VST/AU instruments and effects. Its sizes are 317.5 ( width ) x 181.1 ( depth ) x 44.5 ( height ) mm and mass is 0.79 kg. Package contains : Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25 MIDI keyboard itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all device is good with keys on 2 octaves, 8 drumpads and large amount of assignable controls, there is also ability to look on MIDI keyboards with close keys amount of other manufacturers and choose one, which suits the best for task, in design and in price terms.

Prestigio Grace Q5 – 5″ IPS Android 5.1 smartphone with 1 GB of RAM and GPS navigation

One of the new devices of Prestigio company is an Android 5.1 smartphone Grace Q5 with 5″ multitouch IPS screen with HD 720 x 1280 pixels resolution, 1 GB of RAM and GPS navigation. In it following are placed : 4-cores processor Spreadtrum SC7731, working on 1.3 GHz frequency, graphical chip Mali-400 MP2, 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 32 GB max size ( larger ones are, probably, also supported ) and 2 slots for SIM cards. It supports 2G ( GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support; it has GPS+A-GPS satellite navigation and orientation and acceleration sensor.

Smartphone Prestigio Grace Q5 ( back panel )

Prestigio Grace Q5 has 2 good for smartphones cameras : 8 MP main one with flash and 5 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n ) connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On external panels it has : USB port for connection to computer and bettery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, power and volume control buttons and microphone and speaker. Li-pol accumulator capacity is 3200 mAh – this is a good parameter for smartphones; device’s sizes are 70.9 ( width ) x 142.5 ( height ) x 8.3 ( depth ) mm and mass is 150 g.

Package contains : Prestigio Grace Q5 smartphone itself, USB cable, recharger, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is good : with large IPS screen, powerful system, good cameras and capacitive battery, its price is around 100 USD, which is quite adequate for its functions. There is need to note, that for smaller sum there is ability to buy less functional Android and Windows smartphones.

Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 – USB audio interface with 8 MIDAS preamplifiers

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820

One of the most advanced USB audio interfaces of Behringer company is a U-PHORIA UMC1820 – device with 18 inputs, 20 outputs, 8 MIDAS preamplifiers and support of 96 kHz and 24 bits work mode. On its frontal panel following are placed : 2 microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs; phantom power +48 V switch buttons for inputs 1 – 4 and 5 – 8; instrumental and linear work mode switches, PAD buttons, clip indicators and gain control buttons for each of 8 inputs with preamplifiers; outputs monitoring block with channels selection button 1-2/1-8 and mono/stereo work mode switch; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones, with channels selectors 1-2/3-4, ADAT/SPDIF work mode switch for digital optical connectors, MIDI input and output, power and phantom power indicators; as well as switch on button. On its back panel there are : power adapter input, USB port for connection to computer; MIDI input and output; optical digital input and output, able to work in ADAT and SPDIF modes; coaxial digital RCA input and output; 10 analogue linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ); and another one 6 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs.

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 ( back panel )

Dynamical range of Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 is a 106 dB, it draws maximum 20 W of energy; for it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers, with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly. Which allow it to work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others; its sizes are 46 ( height ) x 483 ( width ) x 130 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.8 kg; with it DAW Tracktion is supplied.

With Behringer U-PHORIA UMC1820 package contains : USB cable, power adapter, 3-years warranty card and user’s guide. All in all interface is good with large amount of connectors, high characteristics and quality inputs preamplifiers, it is suitable for large studios, for small ones there is ability to buy device with the same components quality and smaller connectors amount of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.

Pioneer SE-MJ502T – 40 mm monitor headphones with 11 Hz – 24 kHz and microphone

Company Pioneer presented new model of its headphones SE-MJ502T – device with 40 mm membranes, 11 Hz – 24 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range, microphone and closed-back architecture. Their sensitivity is 103 dB, impedance is 32 Ohms, max input power is 500 mW and mass is 104 g ( without wire accounting ). Cable is attached to both cups and has 1.2 m length, in its volume control module microphone and smartphones control buttons are built in, it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector. They are supplied in 2 colors variants : black and white, with Pioneer SE-MJ502T headphones themselves package contains : adapter to 1/4″ jack plug, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, Pioneer created good device with high characteristics, there is ability to anticipate, that it will not overprice its production, as well as some other headphones manufacturers do.

Archos 70b Helium – new 7″ IPS Android 4.4 tablet PC with 4G and 4-cores processor

Among Android tablet PCs there is a new device : Archos 70b Helium – tablet PC under 4.4 version of this OS operation with 7″ multitouch IPS screen with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution, 4G LTE and 4-cores processor Mediatek MT8732, working on 1.5 GHz frequency. In it following are built-in : graphical chip Mali 760 MP2, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 64 GB max size ( larger ones are, probably, also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Device can be used as phone with support of 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE networks; it supports satellite navigation system GPS+A-GPS and gravity and acceleration, lighting and proximity sensors are built into it.

Tablet PC Archos 70b Helium ( back panel )

In Archos 70b Helium two average for tablet PCs cameras are placed : 5 MP main one ( with support of Full HD 1080p video recording ) and 2 MP frontal one; it supports wireless Bluetooth ( +Bluetooth Smart Ready ) and Wi-fi ( +Direct ) connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On external panels it has : Micro USB 2.0 port for connection to computer, external devices plugging-in and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, power and volume control buttons and microphone and speaker. Device’s body is made from plastic, its sizes are 188 ( width ) x 109 ( height ) x 10 ( depth ) mm and mass is 278 g. Charge of Li-pol battery is 2500 mAh – this is a very small parameter for tablet PCs and with 4-cores processor it will be enough for maximum 2 – 4 hours of intensive work.

Package contains : Archos 70b Helium tablet PC itself, USB cable, recharger, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : tablet has 4G, 4-cores processor and not bad cameras; from the other : it has very small battery charge, 4-cores processor with 1 GB of RAM is not needed, 2-cores here is quite enough, and cameras of tablet PCs will not give high quality photos and videos due to small sensors and lens anyway. Wherein for much smaller sum there is ability to buy Android tablet PCs with 2-cores processors, 3G ( 4G often is not needed and previous connection standard is enough ), weaker cameras and much more capacitive batteries; also for much smaller sum there is ability to buy Windows tablet PCs with 4-cores processor Intel Atom, working on 1.83 GHz frequency, 16 GB of on-board memory and much more capacitive batteries. So, overall, it is better to not buy this tablet and look on other devices.

Samsung Galaxy S7 + Edge – new 5.1″ and 5.5″ AMOLED Android 6.0 smartphones with metallic body

Smartphones Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

Company Samsung presented new Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge smartphones with 5.1″ and 5.5″ multi touch AMOLED screens with 2560 x 1440 pixels resolution, OS Android 6.0 and metallic body. In them following are built-in : 8-cores processor, 4 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB of built-in memory ( depending on modification ) with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 200 GB max capacity and 2 SIM cards slots ( one of them is combined with flash card slot ). Smartphones can work in 2G ( GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 ), 3G and 4G LTE networks; GPS satellite navigation and lighting, proximity and Hall sensors, gyroscope, compass, barometer and finger prints scanner are added to them.

Smartphone Samsung Galaxy S7 ( top view )

In Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge two good for smartphones cameras are placed : 12 MP main one with LED flash and 5 MP frontal one with light-strong f/1.7 lenses; they support wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n/ac ), Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices. On their external panels following can be found : Micro USB port for connection to computer, external devices plugging in and battery charging; 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, speaker and microphone and buttons for powering and volume control. Devices’ body is made from metal and glass, screen’s glass is tough and their bodies are water and dust proof; Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge sizes are 69.6 ( width ) x 142.4 ( height ) x 7.9 ( depth ) mm and 72.6 ( width ) x 150.9 ( height ) x 7.7 ( depth ) mm and masses are 152 and 157 g. Their batteries capacities are : 3000 and 3600 mAh, with remote charging support, these are good parameters for smartphones.

Package contains : Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge smartphone itself, USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphones are great : with large screen, powerful system, tough body and good cameras; currently they are available for pre-order and will show up in shops at 11 March of this year; taking into account their characteristics, there is ability to anticipate very high price on them : its is quite possible, that it is better to buy quality Android or Windows smartphone with not so advanced characteristics and good tablet PC or camera with interchangeable lenses, or them both, maybe even cheaper.

Focusrite Clarett 2Pre – Thunderbolt audio interface with 192 kHz and 24 bits and 119 dB dynamic range

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 2Pre

Among audio interfaces of new generation there are devices, working through Thunderbolt connection, for example, Focusrite Clarett 2Pre – interface with 192 kHz, 24 bits and dynamic range up to 119 dB. Thunderbolt – is a new connection standard, developed by Intel company and giving throughput 20 Gbits/s, thereby it releases limits of USB 2.0 connection on channels amount, sampling rate and precision per sample. On frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack connectors with gain control knobs with back light and instrumental Hi-Z work mode, AIR function and phantom power +48 V switches with indicators for both of them; main outputs volume control knob; power, Thunderbolt connection and device blocking indicators; and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output with volume control. On back panel there are : power button, power adapter input, Thunderbolt input, optical digital input, MIDI input and output and 4 linear TRS 1/4″ jack analogue balanced outputs.

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 2Pre ( back panel )

Inputs of Focusrite Clarett 2Pre in microphone mode have following characteristics : THD+N 0.001 % and noise level -128 dB; in linear : THD+N 0.001 % and dynamic range 118 dB; in instrumental : THD+N 0.001 % and dynamic range 116 dB. Linear outputs : THD+N 0.0007 % and dynamic range 119 dB, monitor headphones output : THD+N 0.0008 % and dynamic range 116 dB. With it following are supplied : Focusrite Control mixer, VST plugins Softube Time and Tone Bundle, TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay and Saturation Knob and AAX, AU and VST Red 2 and Red 3 plugins. Currently device works only in Mac OS X 10.9 and newer, manufacturer promises support of Windows in near time, in Apple‘s OS it works with support of Core Audio interface, via which it can interact with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. Its body is made from aluminum with beautiful scarlet color.

Package contains : Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 2Pre itself, warranty card and user’s guide; Thunderbolt cable should be bought separately. All in all interface is good, provides high dynamic range of digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions and small THD+N level; from the other side : in 2 inputs audio interfaces class there are great USB devices ( of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production ), which handle their tasks, work in Windows and cost less. So in entry-level audio interfaces class it is better to buy USB devices and look on Thunderbolt interfaces only in classes of middle and large devices.

Pioneer SE-MJ522T – 40 mm monitor headphones with 10 Hz – 28 kHz and microphone

Company Pioneer continues to rejoice with great headphones and presents SE-MJ522T – 40 mm monitor headphones with 10 Hz – 28 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies, microphone and closed back architecture. Their sensitivity is 105 dB, impedance is 32 Ohms, maximal input power 1000 mW and mass is 105 g ( these are light headphones ). To both cups 1.2 m cable is connected with microphone and smartphones control buttons, placed in volume control module, and 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector. Package contains : Pioneer SE-MJ522T headphones themselves, adapter to 1/4″ jack plug, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are great, they have large diaphragms, very wide frequencies range and good other characteristics, wherein they cost around 20 USD : all in all Pioneer is one the top and does not overprice its devices, as well as some other headphones manufacturers do.

Huawei MediaPad T1 7 – 7″ IPS Android 4.4 tablet PC and smartphone with metallic body and 4100 mAh battery

Among Android 4.4 tablet PCs there is a new device : Huawei MediaPad T1 7 – tablet PC and smartphone with 7″ multitouch IPS screen with 600 x 1024 pixels resolution, body from aluminum and magnesium alloy and 4100 mAh battery. In it following are built-in : 4-cores processor Spreadtrum SC7731G, working on 1.2 GHz frequency, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger ones are, probably, also supported ) and SIM cards slot. Tablet can work as phone with support of 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support; in it GPS + A-GPS satellite navigation and gravity and acceleration sensor are built-in.

Tablet PC Huawei MediaPad T1 7 ( back panel )

In Huawei MediaPad T1 7 there are 2 relatively weak for tablet PCs cameras are built in ( however they are slightly better, than minimal ones ) : 2 MP main and frontal ones; it supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 4.0 ( +BLE ) 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, external devices plugging in and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headsets and headphones connector, microphone and speaker and power and volume control buttons. Device’s body is made from aluminum and magnesium alloy, its sizes are 191.8 ( width ) x 107 ( height ) x 8.5 ( depth ) mm and mass is 278 g. Battery charge is 4100 mAh, which is a good value for tablet PCs.

Package contains : Huawei MediaPad T1 7 tablet PC itself, USB cable, recharger, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : tabler PC is quite functional, with metallic body and capacitive battery; from the other : it costs around 105 USD, for much smaller sum there is ability to buy similar Android tablet PCs and 8″ Windows tablet PCs, but with plastic body. So : is Huawei MediaPad T1 7 metallic body worth these money is quite a question.

KENEKSI Helios – 5.5″ IPS Android 5.1 smartphone with metallic body and tough glass for 120 USD

Chinese company KENEKSI introduced new Android 5.1 smartphone Helios with 5.5″ multitouch IPS screen with HD 720 × 1280 pixels resolution, metallic body and tough glass. In it following are built-in : 4-cores processor Media Tek MT6735 MP, working on 1 GHz frequency, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via Micro SD flash cards and 2 SIM cards slots. It supports 2G ( GSM 900 and 1800 ), 3G and 4G LTE networks and GPS + A-GPS satellite navigation, in it lighting, proximity and acceleration and gravitation sensors and fingerprints scanner are built-in.

Smartphone KENEKSI Helios ( back panel )

In KENEKSI Helios two average for smartphones cameras are placed : 8 MP main one with autofocusing and flash 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 external panels following can be found : Micro USB port for connection with computer and battery charging, 1/8 mini jack headsets and headphones connector, microphone and speaker, flashlight and power and volume control buttons. Smartphone supports FM radio broadcasts receiving; its body is made from metal, its sizes are 152.9 ( height ) × 77.4 ( width ) × 7.6 ( depth ) mm and mass is 153 g; it is supplied in 2 colors variants : black and gold. Li-ion battery capacity is 2650 mAh : this is enough for 300 hours in stand-by mode and 13 hours of talking, these are average values for smartphones.

Package contains : KENEKSI Helios smartphone itself, USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is good and is notable with its large screen, metallic body and tough glass in a first place, its other characteristics are also good, and with 120 USD price this is a very good and competitive device, which can occupy first places among other Android and Windows smartphones in value/price ratio respect.

Tag: Electronics