Reviews | Imagination Works

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.

RAVE “Spruce Song”, cool FM synthesis and tracks automation in DAW REAPER

RAVE Spruce Song in DAW REAPER — RAVE “Spruce Song” in DAW REAPER

Lets create today RAVE variation on Russian song “Spruce Tree Song” in DAW REAPER, using FM synthesis and tracks automation. FM synthesis is a way of sounds generation, in which frequency of source wave is modulated ( continuously changed with periods ) with other wave, in FM synthesizers a couple of oscillators is usually built in, part of which generate base waves and others generate modulation waves. We will use for this free hybrid VST synthesizer Xenobioz Funxion, it has lots of different parameters and nice-looking interface; there are lots of other hybrid synthesizers, paid ones, as well as free ones, from them I also like Kruud of the same Xenobioz and Angular Momentum Freehand. All of them can be found in Internet with search engines on KVR Audio site or on authors’ sites. Also, we will use tracks automation : it allows to control parameters of tracks ( volume, stereo panning and other parameters ) and parameters of synthesizers and effects, that are applied to tracks and define curves for their automatic changes. Via this link there is ability to download : completed composition in FLAC format and archive with project file and drums sounds.

Hybrid VST synthesizer Funxion in DAW REAPER

For melody and basses I used completed MIDI file, which I found in Internet, do not remember on which site I took it, but thank you goes to the author :-) ; disabled automatic preset choosing for tracks and added FM synthesizer Funxion with slightly modified Exotic Flute preset for melody and Pentagon for basses. Added drums sounds in tact with melody, periodically using syncopation ( in simple words : this is when drums rhythm is different from what human anticipates to hear, for example, human anticipates to hear “thump” – “thump” – “thump”, but receives “thump” – “…” – “thump”, this attracts attention and stimulates human to listen for composition with higher interest; but this should not be overused, because, if everywhere will be syncopation, then there will be no rhythm anticipation and there will be no syncopation at all ). Then added simple tracks automation for melody and basses, with smooth volume increase in the beginning and smooth decrease at the end.

This is all for today, if you have any questions, then ask them in comments to article, I’ll try to answer on them as soon, as I’ll have free time for this. Next time I’ll imagine something more and will create variation of other composition for experience gaining and skills development, stay tuned!

JVC HA-SR50X – 40 mm over ears headphones with microphone and 8 Hz – 23 kHz sound

Company JVC at the beginning of year released whole line of new headphones, among them there are JVC HA-SR50X – over ears headphones with 40 mm membranes, microphone and ability to reproduce sounds in 8 Hz – 23 kHz frequencies range. Membranes are moved by neodymium magnets; sensitivity of headphones is 107 dB/mW, impedance 16 Ohms and maximal power input 1000 mW. To both cups 1.2 m cable is connected with 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector, compatible with Apple iPhone, and volume control module with built-in microphone and smartphones control buttons; cable mount is additionally reinforced for increased durability. Package contains : JVC HA-SR50X headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. Their price is around 40 USD, which is adequate to their functions ( some manufacturers would ask 5 – 10 times more for similar devices ); however there is need to note, that similar headphones can be bought for smaller sum and for approximately the same price 50 mm headphones can be bought.

ZTE Blade GF3 – Android 5.0 smartphone with 4-cores processor and 8 MP camera for 70 – 80 USD

One of the novelties among Android 5.0 smartphones is ZTE Blade GF3 – device with 4-cores processor Spreadtrum 7731G, working on 1.2 GHz frequency, 8 MP camera and 70 – 80 USD price. In device following are also built-in : 4.5″ multitouch LCD screen with 480 x 854 pixels resolution, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of on-board memory with ability to extend via flash cards with 32 GB max capacity ( larger cards are, probably, also supported ) and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Smartphone can work in 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without support of 4G LTE; it has only GPS satellite navigation and proximity, acceleration and lighting sensors.

In ZTE Blade GF3 two relatively good for mobile devices cameras are placed : 8 MP main one with autofocusing and flash and 2 MP frontal one; smartphone supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11b/g/n ) and Bluetooth 2.1 ( +EDR ) connections for remote data transfers without support of NFC. On its external panels following can be found : Micro USB port for connection to computer and battery charging, 1/8″ mini jack headset connector, microphone and speaker and power on and volume control buttons. Battery charge is 1850 mAh, which is not much for smartphones; device’s body is made from plastic; its sizes are 133.9 ( height ) x 67.5 ( width ) x 9.4 ( depth ) mm and mass is 155 g.

Package contains : ZTE Blade GF3 smartphone itself, USB cable, recharger, headset, warranty card and user’s guide. Smartphone is good : with powerful system, 8 MP camera and adequate price for its functions; manufacturer does not tell which matrix is used for screen, but, judging by angles of view on screenshots, this is not TN, maybe, it is IPS or OLED; so, before purchase there is need to look on angles of view and colors reproduction quality. Also, there is need to say, that for approximately the same price there is ability to buy Windows or Android smartphoes, in which for sure IPS screens are used.

JVC HA-S520 – 36 mm over ear headphones with 10 Hz – 25 kHz support

Among over ears headphones there is novelty : JVC HA-S520 – headphones with 36 mm membranes and support of 10 Hz – 25 kHz frequencies sounds reproduction. Their sensitivity is 112 dB, impedance is 32 Ohms, maximal input power 500 mW, membranes are moved by neodymium magnets. To both cups 1.2 m cable is connected with 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector, compatible with Apple iPhone; headphones are foldable and their mass is 132 g; they are supplied in 3 color variants : black, maroon and white. Package contains : JVC HA-S520 headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. Their price is around 30 USD, which is quite good for such device; however, there is need to note, that similar headphones can be bought for smaller sum and for approximately the same sum there is ability to buy 50 mm headphones of other manufacturers.

ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG – Android tablet PC with Intel Atom and good cameras from well-known manufacturer

Company ASUS recently released new tablet PC Fonepad 7 FE171CG with 2-cores processor Intel Atom Z2520 with Hyper-Threading technology ( it can work as 4 virtual processors, performing different instruction on different modules of cores ), working with frequency up to 1.2 GHz, good ( for tablet PCs ) cameras and OS Android 4.4. In it following are built in : 7″ multitouch TFT IPS screen with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution and 170 PPI density; PowerVR SGX544MP2 graphical core; 1 or 2 GB of RAM ( depending on modification ); 8 or 16 GB of built-in memory with ability to store files on ASUS Webstorage Space remote cloud servers with 5 GB of free space and 11 more for first year of use; there is also ability to use Micro SD flash memory cards with 64 GB max capacity ( 128 GB are, probably, also supported ); and 2 Micro SIM cards slots. Tablet can be used as phone with support of 2G ( GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 ) and 3G networks, without 4G LTE support; it has satellite navigation systems GPS, A-GPS and GLONASS and acceleration and gravity sensor.

Tablet PC ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG ( side view )

ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG has 2 good cameras for mobile devices : 8 MP main one with autofocusing and Full HD 1080p video recording support or 5 MP ( depending on modification ) and 2 MP frontal one; device supports wireless Wi-Fi ( 802.11 b/g/n, Miracast and DLNA ) and Bluetooth 4.0 connections for remote data transfers and communications with other devices, without NFC support. On external panels of device following can be found : Micro USB port for connection to computer, Li-pol battery charging and external devices connection via OTG cable; 1/8″ mini-jack headset connector; memory cards slot; microphone and speaker. Battery charge is 15 W-h, it is enough for 11.5 hours of intensive work or 34 hours of speaking; device’s body is made from plastic; its sizes are 110.6 ( height ) x 196 ( width ) x 7.9 ( depth ) mm and mass is 280 g; tablet is supplied in 4 color variants : black, white, gold and red.

Package contains : ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG tablet PC itself, USB cable, recharger, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, tablet is good, with powerful system, good cameras for portable devices, IPS screen, ability to be used as phone and Intel Atom processor, allowing to setup Windows OS on it. Wherein there is need to note, that for smaller sum there is ability to buy 8″ IPS tablets with systems with the same performance, but without advanced cameras.

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 – very professional studio level USB audio interface

USB audio interface Focusrite Scarlett 18i20

One of the most professional studio-level USB audio interfaces of Focusrite company is Scarlett 18i20 – device with 18 audio inputs and 20 outputs with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits mode. On its frontal panel following are placed : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; phantom power +48 V switch for inputs 1 – 4 with indicator and the same for inputs 5 – 8; gain control knob, instrumental mode and PAD switches with indicators for inputs 1 and 2; gain control knobs for inputs 3 – 8; screen with outputs’ levels indication and USB signal and locking indicators; volume control knob and Direct Monitor and mute switches with activity indicators; 2 independent TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones with volume controls; and power on switch button with indicator. On back panel there are : line power input ( power from USB or adapter is not enough for interface ); digital coaxial S/PDIF input and output; MIDI input and output; USB 2.0 port; clock signal synchronization port; digital optical ADAT input and output; 10 analogue TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( 1 and 2 are balanced ); and 6 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs.

USB audio interface Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 ( back panel )

To all combined analogue inputs of Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 preamplifiers Focusrite are connected. Device has following characteristics : dynamic range of analogue to digital conversions is 109 dB; digital to analogue 108 dB; microphone inputs ( THD+N 0.001 %, noise level -122 dB ); linear inputs ( THD+N 0.007 %, noise level -105 dB, maximal input signal level +28 dB ); instrumental inputs ( THD+N 0.007 %, noise level -103 dB, maximal input level +8 dB ); analogue linear outputs ( maximal output level +16 dB, THD+N 0.001 % ). Fore device drivers are released for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OSes with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly, through which it works with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Device sizes are : 482 ( width ) x 265 ( depth ) x 45 ( height ) mm and mass is 3.4 kg. Following programs are bundled with device : DAW Ableton Live Lite, mixer Scarlett MixControl, Scarlett Plug-in Suite ( VST/AU/RTAS versions of compressor, reverberation, gating and equalizer ), AU/VST digital version of analogue synthesizer Novation Bass Station and 1 GB of free samples Loopmasters.

Package contains : Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 USB audio interface itself, USB cable, power cable, optical disks with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface is very professional, has large amount of connectors and functions and is designed for use in large studios, for them – it is one of the best devices. For small studios such amount of connectors is not needed and there is ability to buy devices with smaller price and the same level of quality of internal components of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production.

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