Audio | Imagination Works

Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610 – professional FireWire/USB/MIDI audio interface

Audio interface Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610

Among professional audio interfaces for large studio use there are devices, which can work through FireWire/USB/MIDI ports, for example, Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610; it can work with smapling rates up to 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample precision. On its front panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack inputs, able to work in instrumental Hi-Z and microphone modes, instrumental mode, compressor, +48 V phantom power and PAD function switch buttons and their LED work indicators and amplification level control knobs for both inputs ( to them MIDAS preamplifiers are connected ); 2 TRS 1/4″ jack headphones outputs with volume control knobs, stereo/mono and Direct Monitor function switch buttons with their states LED indicators; indicators of states of analogue inputs and outputs, FireWire, USB, MIDI, optical and coaxial inputs and outputs, digital connection selection switch, volume and mixing balance knobs and button-selector of channels for volume control. Back panel of card has : power adapter input; MIDI input and output; USB and FireWire ports; Kensington Lock slot; optical and coaxial inputs and outputs; 8 balanced linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs; and 2 linear balanced input connectors of the same type.

Audio interface Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610 ( back panel )

Connectors of Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610 have following characteristics : frontal inputs ( 102 dB dynamic range, impedance 1 MOhm in instrumental Hi-Z mode and 3 kOhms in microphone mode ), back panel inputs ( dynamic range 100 dB, 47 kOhms impedance ), outputs ( 200 Ohms impedance, 8 dB maximal output level ), headphones outputs ( 10 Ohms impedance, 22 dB maximal output level ); device can receive power from 100 – 240 V and 50/60 Hz power lines and consumes 20 W of energy. Audio interface sizes are 50 ( height ) x 241.3 ( width ) x 161 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.1 kg ( it seems, that its body is made from aluminum ). For it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with ASIO 2.0, WDM and MIDI interfaces support; in Mac OS X device works without additional drivers with support of Core Audio interface; through them device works with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others.

Package contains : Behringer FIREPOWER FCA610 external audio interface itself, USB and FireWire cables, power adapter, warranty card and user’s guide; after purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s website DAW Tracktion and VST/AU effects and instruments sets. Audio interface is great : with large amount of connectors and good characteristics, it is designed for professional studio use and has according price; for smaller sized studios there is ability to find audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production with smaller connectors amount, the same quality of components and lower price.

Focusrite Forte – external audio interface with 117 – 118 dB real dynamic ranges

External audio interface Focusrite Forte — External audio interface Forte

Among products of Focusrite company there is external USB audio interface Forte, having 117 – 118 dB real dynamic ranges. It can work with sampling rates up to 192 kHz and 24 bits per sample precision; to its microphone inputs Focusrite preamplifiers are connected. Its top side has LCD display and work indicators and combined knob-button control; frontal side has TRS 1/4″ jack headphones output. Its back panel has : power adapter input, USB port for communication with computer and powering, loom socket ( allowing to use different kinds of inputs connectors ) and analogue balanced left and right TRS 1/4″ jack linear outputs. Loom connector has XLR and TRS 1/4″ jack inputs for microphones and other signals sources; one of the device sides has Kensington Lock slot. To microphone inputs +48 V phantom power can be separately connected, it is available only with power adapter use; they also can work in instrumental Hi-Z mode.

External audio interface Focusrite Forte ( back panel )

Chips of Focusrite Forte, handling digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions work with 120 dB dynamic range; accounting analogue part values for them go down to 118 and 117 dB accordingly, these are very good characteristics for audio interfaces. Card’s ports have following characteristics : microphone inputs ( THD+N 0.0007 %, noise level -128 dB ); linear inputs ( SNR -116 dB, THD+N 0.003 % ); instrumental inputs ( SNR -111 dB, THD+N 0.003 % ); analogue outputs ( THD+N 0.0008 % ); headphones output ( SNR 116 dB, THD+N 0.0008 % ); channels isolation is 90 dB. Device is bundled with Focusrite Midnight plugins suite, having VST instruments and effects, and Forte Control application; for it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X with ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces support, accordingly, via which device can work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Device body is made from aluminum, its sizes are 170 ( depth ) x 116 ( width ) x 36 ( height ) mm and mass is 476 g.

Package contains : Focusrite Forte sound card itself, USB cable, loom connector, power adapter, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is great : it has high sampling rates, precision and dynamic ranges and compact analogue inputs connection; before purchase there is need to look on prices of this device and close audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite itself, Roland, M-Audio, ESI and other manufacturers production, choosing the most appropriate one for specific tasks.

Roland Super UA – compact audio interface for sounds recording and playback with 352.8 kHz and 32 bits support

External audio interface Roland Super UA with additional module

Company Roland released compact audio interface Super UA for recording and playback of sound with support of 352.8 kHz sampling rate and 32 bits per sample precision. With such frequencies it communicates with computer, internal digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions are performed with sampling rates up to 192 kHz. On its frontal panel 1/4″ jack and 1/8″ mini-jack headphones outputs are placed; on top side : buttons for microphone inputs 1 and 2, linear input, headphones outputs and linear outputs work modes control, volume control knob and signal levels indicators. On device’s back panel there are : power adapter input, ground connector, USB port for communication with computer and powering, additional module connector, left and right TRS 1/4″ jack linear outputs and the same type left and right linear inputs. On additional module there are : 2 XLR microphone inputs with +48 V phantom power indicators and 2 XLR linear outputs. Analogue inputs and outputs of device are balanced.

External audio interface Roland Super UA ( back panel )

Ports of Roland Super UA have following characteristics : maximal headphones output power 200 mW + 200 mW for 40 Ohms headphones and 65 mW + 65 mW for 300 Ohms headphones; analogue connectors noise level is -96 dB; linear inputs have 112 dB dynamic range, microphone inputs 111 dB and linear outputs 118 dB. Maximal current draw by device is 1000 mA; sizes of main module are 115 ( width ) x 161 ( depth ) x 44 ( height ) mm and mass is 490 g, of additional module 136 ( width ) x 65 ( depth ) x 42 ( height ) mm and 360 g. For sound card drivers are released for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.8 and newer operating systems with ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces support, accordingly, through which it can work with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others; device can also work in DSD mode.

Package contains : Roland Super UA external sound card itself, power adapter, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is very good : high sampling rates and precision, balanced inputs and outputs and large amount of connectors; here is need to look on its price, quite possible, that audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, M-Audio, ESI and other manufacturers production are better money investment, because for small and medium sized studios 96 – 192 kHz sampling rates and 24 bits per sample precision are enough.

Pioneer SE-MJ751i – new stylish monitor headphones with 8 Hz – 28 kHz and 2 drivers in each cup

Company Pioneer released new monitor headphones SE-MJ751i, able to reproduce sounds in 8 Hz – 28 kHz frequencies range and having 2 drivers in each cup : 30 mm for high frequencies and 40 mm for middle and low frequencies. They have 104 dB sensitivity, 16 Ohms impedance and 1000 mW max power input; manufacturer does not tell which magnets are used for membranes movement, but the most probable neodymium. 1.2 m wire is detachable and connects only to one cup; in its volume control module microphone and phone control buttons, supported by Apple iPhone devices, are built; cable connects to sound source via 1/8″ mini-jack connector. Device’s mass is 200 g; package contains : Pioneer SE-MJ751i headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are very good and there is need to look on their price, at launch time they will cost 129 USD – this is big price for headphones and for smaller sum there is ability to buy high-quality devices; so, probably, they will be worth buying after some time after release, when their price will go down.

Behringer iStudio iS202 – iPad dock-station with advanced audio recording and playback functions

Among Behringer audio devices there is dock-station iStudio iS202 for Apple iPad ( 1, 2 and 3 generations ) with advanced audio recording and playback functions. Device can work from 2 A and 12 V power adapter or 8 AA batteries; on its top panel following controls are placed : buttons for phantom power +12 V switching for microphone inputs, Hi-Z mode switch for input 2 and AUX mode switch for inputs; separate knobs for amplification control of 1, 2 and AUX inputs; monitor mode switch for headphones ( 1, 2 and AUX inputs, signal from iPad ); volume control knobs of main outputs and headphones. On its frontal panel 1/8″ mini-jack output for headphones is located; on back panel there are : power switch button; power adapter input; composite video output; USB port ( probably, device can be used as external USB audio card without connection to iPad ); MIDI input and output; two TRS 1/4″ jack inputs for expression and foot switch pedals; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack main balanced outputs; ground connector; 2 RCA linear/AUX outputs; combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack output, which can work in microphone ( balanced ), linear and instrumental Hi-Z modes; another one such input, which can work only in microphone ( balanced ) and linear modes. On bottom side of Behringer iStudio iS202 there are batteries compartment and panel and holes for connection to instrumental stands.

Behringer iStudio iS202 - iPad dock-station ( back view ) — Behringer iStudio iS202 – iPad dock-station ( back view )

Behringer iStudio iS202 connectors have following properties : microphone inputs ( gain in 25 – 55 dB range, maximal input signal level -7 dB, 2.6 kOhms impedance ); linear inputs ( gain in 0 – 30 dB range, maximal input signal 16 dB, impedance 40 kOhms balanced and 20 kOhms unbalanced ); instrumental input ( gain in 0 – 30 dB range, maximal input signal 16 dB, 16 MOhms impedance ); AUX input ( linear mode : amplification -infinity – 0 dB, +22 dB maximal input signal; phono mode : amplification -infinity – 52 dB, -40 dB maximal input signal; both modes : 47 kOhms impedance ); main outputs ( signal level -infinity – 6 dB, maximal output level 13 dB, impedance 240 Ohms balanced and 120 Ohms unbalanced ); headphones output ( signal level -infinity – 6 dB, maximal output level 16 dB, impedance 150 Ohms ). Device sizes are 305 ( width ) x 216 ( depth ) x 75 ( height ) mm and mass is 1 kg ( without power adapter, batteries and iPad ).

Package contains : Behringer iStudio iS202 dock-station itself, power adapter, 3-year warranty card and user’s guide. All in all device is interesting and has lots of audio connectors, part of inputs and outputs are balanced; however here is need to look on dock-station and external studio-level USB audio interfaces : it is possible, that such interface with similar ports sets of Steinberg, Behringer itself, Focusrite, Roland, M-Audio, ESI and other manufacturers production cost less. Their purchase is more suitable, because they can tightly integrate with modern DAWs ( FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others ) via specialized drivers with ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio support.

Pioneer SE-MJ503 – new 30 mm over ears headphones with 10 Hz – 24 kHz frequencies range and 100 dB frequency

Company Pioneer recently released new dynamic over ears headphones SE-MJ503, with 10 Hz – 24 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range and closed back acoustic architecture. 30 mm membranes, moved by neodymium magnets, are built into them, their impedance is 32 Ohms, sensitivity is 100 dB and maximal input power is 500 mW. To both cups detachable 1.2 m cable with volume control module and 1/8″ mini-jack gold-plated plug is mounted for connection to sound source. Mass of headphones is 126 g ( without cable accounting ), they are supplied in 5 color variants : black, white, green, red and blue, and can be folded for more compact storing and carrying.

Headband and cushions of Pioneer SE-MJ503 are covered with soft material for comfortable long-time wearing; each cup has only 1 audio emitter; they have no active noise-cancellation function, as some monitor headphones have, wherein they have quite good noise isolation. Device has no built-in microphone and smartphones control button.

Package contains : Pioneer SE-MJ503 headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. They cost around 18 Euros : for 10 Hz – 24 kHz and neodymium magnets – this is a great price; there is ability to find cheaper headphones, but their reproducible sounds frequencies range is narrower and they have ferrite magnets; so, these ones – are one of the best variants for high-quality sound playback.

There is also need to note, that for the close price there is ability to buy 40 mm monitor headphones, providing higher quality of basses reproduction. Adding acceptable amount of money, there is ability to buy 50 mm monitor headphones, providing even better basses playback quality and loudness. If from device compactness and small mass are needed, then there is ability to buy in-ears headphones, which do not provide the same quality of audio playback, as monitor ones do, especially in basses area, but they cost much cheaper, have small sizes, are light and comfortably place inside of ears. Which is especially important during sportive exercises and trainings; cable of such headphones often has slider and clip for prevention of tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

Pioneer Corporation – is a Japanese manufacturer of electronics, company was founded in 1938 year in Tokyo as service center for repair of radio and speakers. Currently this is one of the largest world wide corporations – producers of electronic devices; it participated in development of many electronics novelties, among them there are : cable TV, optical disks, DVD, plasma displays, Organic LED ( OLED ) displays and other devices. There is also need to note, that in the country of the rising Sun audio technics and electronics overall usually is developed and manufactured with high components and production quality.

M-Audio Transit Pro – external DAC with 384 kHz and 32 bits work modes support

Company M-Audio released new external DAC Transit Pro with support of work modes up to 384 kHz sampling rates and 32 bits per sample precision. It is able to convert digital USB signal to optical one and output analogue signal to headphones connectors with built in amplifier. On sound card frontal panel 1/4″ jack and 1/8″ mini-jack headphones outputs with their volume control knob are placed; on back panel : optical output, optional power adapter input and USB port ( for communication with computer and powering from it ) are placed.

External sound card M-Audio Transit Pro ( back view )

M-Audio Transit Pro has following characteristics : signal to noise ratio 112 dB, THD+N 0.003 %, support of headphones with 16 – 600 Ohms impedance and support of Direct Stream Digital ( DSD64 and DSD128 ) modes. Audio interface is powered via USB connection, but can receive power via power adapter input, for example, when it is connected to notebook and there is need to save its battery. For it drivers are released for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.9 and newer operating systems.

Package contains : M-Audio Transit Pro external sound card itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. This audio interface’s main task is to convert digital USB signal to optical one with ability to output high-quality analogue signal via headphones ports. For its tasks it is very good; but if there is need in more functional external sound card for wider range of tasks ( high-quality analogue signals recording, MIDI ports support, high number of analogue outputs and other functions ), then it is better to buy one of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio itself or other manufacturers production.

Sven AP-010V – compact on ears headphones for 5 USD

Lets review today compact on ears headphones Sven AP-010V, which cost around 5 USD. 27 mm membranes are built into them and they can reproduce sounds in 20 Hz – 20 kHz frequencies range, have 32 Ohms impedance, 105 dB sensitivity and 2 m cable with 1/8″ mini-jack connector and built-in volume control module. They are designed in black and silver colors, have light construction with adjustable headband and soft ears cups for comfortable long time wearing. Package contains : Sven AP-010V headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are good and make their job, wherein their price is very adequate to their functionality and in value/price ratio terms they are better, than many other similar devices.

ESI PHONORAMA – external USB sound card for high-quality stereo sound recording and playback

Among ESI devices there are compact audio interfaces, capable to record stereo sound, for example, PHONORAMA, supporting sampling rates up to 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample precision. Its frontal panel has : 2 RCA inputs with gold-plated connectors for stereo sound recording; grounding connector; and Mini USB port for communication with computer and powering. Its back panel has : 2 TRS ( 1/4″ jack ) outputs for headphones and speakers connection or signal passing ( judging by ESI UGM96, only their outer rings are look like gold-plated, but connectors themselves are inside and they are nickel-plated ); and power and peak indicators for right and left channels. To card’s inputs preamplifier is connected for signal level increasing.

External sound card ESI PHONORAMA ( back view )

For ESI PHONORAMA drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with ASIO 2.0 interfaces support and for Mac OS X with Core Audio interface support, with which in modern DAWs ( Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others ) there is ability to use card’s capabilities to their full extent. Cards characteristics are as following : ( THD+N 0.0025 %, 10 kOhms impedance ), with Moving Magnet systems connection ( THD+N 0.03 %, 47 kOhms impedance ), with Moving Coil systems connection ( THD+N 0.08 %, 47 kOhms impedance ), linear outputs ( THD+N 0.0022 %, maximal output power 100 mW and 32 – 600 Ohms impedance ); analogue to digital conversions ( dynamic range 102 dB, S/(N+D) ratio -92 dB ), digital to analogue conversions ( dynamic range 108 dB, S/(N+D) ratio -97 dB, channels isolation 100 dB ). Devices usually consumes 1.1 W of power and 500 mA maximal current; its sizes are 6 ( width ) x 7 ( depth ) x 1.7 ( height ) cm.

Package contains : ESI PHONORAMA sound card itself, USB cable, optical disk with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio card is very good for its tasks and in comparison with similar Roland, Behringer and other manufacturers devices, it superior to them in sampling rate and bits per sample precision; wherein ESI devices usually cost less, than audio interfaces of other manufacturers.

Xiaomi Piston Youth – recently released in-ears headphones with built-in microphone

Company Xiaomi recently released new in-ears headphones Piston Youth with built into their volume control module microphone and smartphone remote control buttons. They can reproduce sounds with frequencies in 20 Hz – 20 kHz range, have 32 Ohms impedance, 98 dB sensitivity and 5 mW input power. To both cups 1.25 m cable is connected, reinforced with kevlar and with 1/8″ mini-jack connector with nickel-plated contacts. Headphones mass is 15 g. Package contains : Xiaomi Piston Youth headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are good and their price is adequate : around 12 USD, however, there is ability to find in-ears headphones with similar characteristics for smaller price.

Tag: Audio