One of the new over ears headphones is a Stenn SH-750T – device with closed architecture, 40 mm membranes, moved by neodymium magnets, 20 Hz – 20 kHz reproducible sound frequencies range and 110 dB sensitivity for 14 USD. Their impedance is 32 Ohms and maximal input power is 100 mW; cable is attached to both cups, its length is 1.5 m, it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack nickel-plated connector.
Headphones are foldable for compact carrying and storage; package contains : Stenn SH-750T headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones do not have some extra characteristics, but they have very small price for 40 mm headphones, so, if there is need in device with neodymium magnets and 40 mm membranes, then these ones are adequate for the purpose. But there is need to note, that adding small sum to their price, there is ability to buy better 40 mm headphones; so, if there is need in real high quality music listening headphones, then it is better to invest more money in their purchase and acquire device with better characteristics.
Another one novelty of Audio-Technica company is a professional monitor headphones ATH-PRO5MK3 with microphone, 10 Hz – 25 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range, 1300 mW input power and closed architecture. Their impedance is 38 Ohms, Sensitivity is 101 dB and mass is 250 g ( without cord ); headphones can reproduce sound from both or only one cup for selective channels monitoring; powerful magnets and high input power provide uniform sounds frequencies reproduction. Detachable cables are connected to only one cup ( there are 2 of them in the package : coiled one and straight one with microphone and smartphones control button, their both length is 1.2 m ); they are attached to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. Microphone sensitivity is -41 dB ( this is a good value ) and perceivable frequencies are in 100 Hz – 10 kHz frequencies range.
Package contains : Audio-Technica ATH-PRO5MK3 headphones themselves, 2 cables, screw-on adapter to 1/4″ jack plug, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are great : they have wide reproducible frequencies range, high input power, large membranes, two detachable cables and microphone; they are oriented on professional studio use and have according price : around 100 USD – for professional monitor headphones this is an adequate sum. There is need to note, that for high-quality sounds and music listening by usual users consumer-level monitor headphones cab be used with much smaller price.
USB 3.0 audio interface PreSonus Studio 192 Mobile
Company PreSonus released new USB 3.0audio interfacesStudio 192 Mobile with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 110 dB dynamic range and large amount of connectors. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/instrumental Hi-Z/linear outputs; small screen with controls, including phantom power +48 V switch button; phantom power of inputs and levels with clipping of inputs and outputs indicators; main outputs volume control knob; TRS 1/4″ jack output for monitor headphones with volume control knob and power button. On back panel there are : power adapter input; USB 3.0 input, compatible with USB 2.0, for connection to computer and powering; optical digital ADAT inputs and outputs; Kensington Lock slot; coaxial digital S/PDIFRCA inputs and outputs; time synchronization input and output; left and right TRS 1/4″ jack main analogue outputs; 4 more of the same type analogue outputs; and 2 TRS 1/4″ jack linear inputs. All analogue inputs and outputs, except headphones connector, are balanced; it can be controlled remotely from smartphones and tablet PCs.
USB 3.0 audio interface PreSonus Studio 192 Mobile ( back panel )
Dynamic range of microphone inputs of PreSonus Studio 192 Mobile is 110 dB, THD+N 0.005 %, impedance is 1600 Ohms and noise level is -128 dB; instrumental Hi-Z inputs have the same THD+N and dynamic range, 1 MOhm impedance and 80 dB channels separation. Linear inputs : dynamic range up to 114 dB, the same THD+N, 10 kOhms impedance and 80 dB channels separation; main linear outputs of device : dynamic range is 112 dB, the same THD+N and channels isolation and 51 Ohms impedance. Monitor headphones output have : 150 mW maximal power, the same THD+N and channels isolation and 103 dB dynamic range. Digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions are performed with 118 dB dynamic range inside device. It can work in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X with support of ASIO 2.0 and CoreAudio interfaces, accordingly, via which it interacts with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. With device DAWStudio One Artist and program UC Surface for audio interface control are supplied.
Package contains : PreSonus Studio 192 Mobile USB 3.0 audio interface itself, USB cable, power adapter, disks with drivers and programs, warranty card and user’s guide. Interface is good, with large amount of connectors, high characteristics and support of USB 3.0; there is ability to anticipate, that PreSonus will set high price on this device, due to its novelty and support of this interface, so there is ability to look on audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and other manufacturers production, among which there are devices with similar or even better characteristics and larger connectors amount for smaller price.
Company Audio-Technica released new 53 mm professional monitor headphonesATH-PRO700MK2 with 5 Hz – 35 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range and closed architecture. Their sensitivity is 106 dB, impedance is 38 Ohms, maximal input power is 3500 mW and mass is 305 g. Removable cable is connected to one of the cups ( there are 2 of them in the package : coiled one and straight one, both have 1.2 m length ), to sound source they are connected via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts; device can be folded for compactness. Package with Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 headphones contains : adapter to 1/4″ jack connector, 2 cables, carrying and storage pouch, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are great : with very wide reproducible sounds frequencies range, large diaphragms for high-quality basses reproduction and high sensitivity; they are designed for professional studio use and have according price 100 – 130 USD, this acceptable price for professional headphones; but for simply high-quality music listening, consumer level monitor headphones can be used, for example, 50 or 40 mm ones for much smaller price.
Far Away from Misty Mountains Cold … ( Hobbit ) in DAW REAPER
Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold. … The pines were roaring on the height, The winds were moaning in the night. The fire was red, it flaming spread; The trees like torches blazed with light. …
Lets create today variation of composition “Far Away from Misty Mountains Cold …” from film Hobbit in DAWREAPER. MIDI notes I took from Internet, thank you goes to their original author; there was almost no need to change anything in them, I only made pauses in the beginning and at the end of composition. There were only 2 instruments : playing main melody and basses, I added 1 track with additional basses to enhance composition. Melody is played by instrument DSK Overture with french horm ( to this instrument I added band compressor ) and ESI Piano, their united sound is processed by reverberation. First basses party is played by instrument DSK Strings with violas section and cello and effects phaser and small reverberation; second basses part is played by DSK Brass with french horn and tuba instrument, the same way processed by phaser and small reverberation. Via this link completed composition in FLAC format and archive with project file and sounds can be downloaded : Far Away from Misty Mountains Cold … ( Hobbit ) in DAW REAPER.
MIDI keyboard emulator FreePiano 2
To mixed sound I applied compressor, which does not give to spikes to overflow dynamic range, and at the same time did not overcompressed it too much to leave a freedom for the movement; this way compressor touches only singular spikes areas and lets other parts to play freely. Also I increased its Release parameter, so that on the spikes following each other closely volume movement is not noticeable. Main melody instrument has one area, on which sounds with 1 – 1.5 kHz frequency are very loud; I applied band compressor to it, to reduce its volume, so that it does not cut the hearing. And made smooth automation of its Threshold parameter, so that it will not touch other areas of composition and descended to needed volume only on this part. Then, to make compositions parts more highlighted and differentiating from each other, without loose of interest and intensity, I smoothly switched off second basses track in the beginning of composition and enabled it only on the first and second strong parts, disabling it at the conclusion as well. Second part is stronger, than the first one, due to high intensity of composition, and is a culmination of the whole soundtrack, so I did not changed anything in them to increase their differentiation.
VST processor ReaXcomp and instrument DSK Brass in DAW REAPER
Also in the Internet I found MIDI keyboards emulator FreePiano 2, which allows to play music on usual computer keyboard and record MIDI notes; there is also ability to plug in to it different VST instruments, to hear sound close to the result, and there is ability to set layout in a convenient way. It allows to control different MIDI parameters of the track, such as sustain pedal signal, notes velocity, octaves shifting and others; after notes recording, there is ability to import them into DAW and perform more fragile notes tweaking in editor, for example, correct their timings or presses velocities. With it I made small addition in the composition conclusion, repeating basses notes, for more melodic epilogue.
VST instrument DSK Overture and effects ESI Phaser, Reverberation and Chorus and ReaCompressor in DAW REAPER
Before compressors application I also balanced volumes of instruments, so that they play in accordance with each other and do not silence each other; with compressors I only withheld volume’s peaks, leading to overflows, when all other parts play in composition. I also have MIDI notes of Song of the Lonely Mountain, it is very much like this one, but longer and more complex and melodic, I’ll make its variation next time, shaping it to my taste. This is all for today, look in the REAPER project for details and write your questions in the comments, see you next time.
One of the USBMIDI keyboards of Alesis company is a device VI25 with 25 velocity-sensitive keys and 16 velocity-sensitive drumpads with back light. It has : 24 assignable buttons and 8 assignable knobs, small screen, transport control buttons and pitch bend and modulation control wheels. As well as : 1/4″ jack input for sustain pedal, MIDI output, USB port for connection to computer and powering, switch on button and power adapter input ( keyboard can be powered from it or from USB port ). Device works in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.7 and newer without additional drivers via Plug and Play technology, in which it interacts with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others, as well as their VST/AU instruments and effects.
USB MIDI keyboard Alesis VI25 ( back panel )
After purchase of Alesis VI25 there is ability to download from manufacturer’s site program AIR Music Tech Xpand!2 and DAWAbleton Live Lite. Package with MIDI keyboard Alesis VI25 includes : USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. Keyboard is interesting with its functionality and compact sizes, also it has power adapter input, which allows to use it with tablet PCs without load on their batteries. Wherein price of Alesis VI25 is on one of the lowest levels among compact functional MIDI keyboards.
One of the devices of Superlux company is a 40 mm closed dynamic monitor headphonesHD-440 with 20 Hz – 20 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range and 150 Ohms impedance. Their sensitivity is 96 dB, mass is 300 g ( with wire accounting, without accounting of it – 251 g ), to one of the cups not detachable cable with 2.5 m length is mounted with 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated plug for connection to sound source. Device’s headband adjusts automatically to head size, it has interesting design, enhanced basses reproduction characteristics and good outer sounds silencing. Package contains : Superlux HD-440 headphones themselves, adapter to 1/4″ jack plug, warranty card and user’s guide.
Superlux HD-440 are not foldable, each their cup has only 1 sound emitter; in place of connection to speaker cable is additionally reinforced with resin tube for increased durability and wear resistance during bending and tear-off forces application. Headphones has no active noise-cancellation function, as some other monitor headphones have, but they have good isolation from surrounding sounds; they are supplied only in black color variant. Their cable has no slider and clip for tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects prevention; also it has no built in microphone and smartphones and volume control buttons. Cushions and headband of Superlux HD-440 are covered with soft material for comfortable wearing during long time listening of audio.
All in all headphones are good, with wide frequencies range and large membranes, their price is around 30 USD, it is not too high for them, but there is need to note, that for such money 50 mm monitor headphones or for smaller money 40 mm ones can be bought. Also, these headphones have high impedance and to power them there is need in good sound source : players, smartphones and tablet PCs are not enough for this, there is need in receiver or good audio interface. If from device compactness and small mass are needed, then there is ability to look on in-ears headphones, which are oriented on use during sportive exercises and trainings, as well as everyday compact use. Besides this their cable often has slider and clip.
Superlux – is a company, which main office is located in Taiwan development and testing laboratories and facilities in Hong Kong and other China cities. This name is a brand of company Goang-Fann Co. Ltd., which in 1997 year acquired Tenlux – company-producer of microphones and started to release headphones, microphones and other audio equipment under this name. Company is known for production of very functional devices with very attractive prices; so, when according sound devices are being choosen, it is useful to look on products of Superlux.
Among new devices of M-Audio there is a USB audio interfaceM-Track 2X2M with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 2 inputs and 2 outputs. On its frontal panel there are 2 instrumental Hi-ZTRS 1/4″ jack inputs, phantom power +48 V switch button for microphone inputs and TRS 1/4″ jack output for monitor headphones. On top there are : 2 gain control knobs with levels and clip indicators; main outputs volume control; headphones volume control, their inputs selector Direct Monitor/signal from computer, switch on button and indicators of power, phantom power and MIDI input and output states. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, USB for connection to computer and powering, MIDI input and output, main left and right TRS 1/4″ jack linear outputs and combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack balanced microphone/linear inputs.
USB audio interface M-Audio M-Track 2X2M ( back panel )
For M-Audio M-Track 2X2M drivers are released for Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.8 and newer with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio, through which it works with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. With audio interface following programs are supplied : AIR Creative FX Collection ( containing 20 AU/VST effects ), AIR Strike, AIR Xpand!2, AIR Mini Grand and DAWSteinberg Cubase LE.
Steinberg Cubase LE – is a simplified version of more professional DAW of this company, it allows to record, play, edit and mix audio and MIDI signals on 16 audio tracks, 24 MIDI tracks, 8 instruments and 8 physicsl inputs with precision up to 192 kHz and 24 bits. In it HALion Sonic SE instrument is included and set of 18 effects, among which there are modulation, delay, equalizer and others. AIR Mini Grand is a virtual piano instrument with 7 models of instrument and built in room simulation, in which it works. AIR Strike – is a drum machine with advanced sound engine, synthesizing drums sounds and rhythms from samples, recorded in WAV and AIFF formats; it allows to simulate surrounding parameters and virtual microphones, which perceive drums sounds. Also it has compressor with equalizer and 2 inserts on each channel and allows to export audio and MIDI signals. AIR Xpand!2 – is an advanced instrument with more than 25000 instruments presets, it can simulate up to 4 stereo instruments at the same time, contains 2 DSPs ( Digital Signal Processores ) and individual arpreggiator for each instrument. It supports many sound synthesis techniques : subtractive synthesis, FM synthesis, tone wheels and samples playback.
In the package with M-Audio M-Track 2X2M there are : USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all interface is good, but M-Audio can set high price on it, when it will appear in shops, due to its novelty, in this case there is ability to look on similar audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio itself and other manufacturers production. On the middle of Summer 2016 its price is set in the range 100 – 110 USD.
M-Audio – is a company, founded in USA in 1998 year, it produces audio interfaces, MIDI keyboards, synthesizers, loudspeakers, monitor headphones, DJs equipment, microphones and other sound devices. Company offices are also located in Canada, UK, Germany, France and Japan. Many popular artists use its products, among them there are The Crystal Method, Depeche Mode, Evanescence and others.
Company Pioneer widened its devices range with in-ears headphonesSE-E711T with closed acoustic architecture, microphone and 8 Hz – 22 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range. Their sensitivity equals to 106 dB, maximal input power is 100 mW, impedance is 32 Ohms and mass is 10.5 g ( without wire accounting ). Cable with 1.2 m length is connected to both cups, in its volume control module microphone and smartphones control button are built-in, to sound source it is connected via 1/8″ mini jack gold-plated connector. Headphones are protected from sweat and moisture and are supplied in red, white and yellow color variants; package with Pioneer SE-E711T contains : 3 interchangeable ear-tips pairs ( large, medium and small ), warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good : with wide reproducible sounds frequencies range, microphone, sweat and moisture protection and small mass, their price is around 20 USD; it is adequate to their functions, but there is need to note, that for the same amount of money there is ability to buy monitor headphones, so here is the choice between device compactness and sound quality.
Company Behringer also have Firewire audio interfaces, for example, F-CONTROL AUDIO FCA202 – device with 2 inputs, 2 outputs and support of 96 kHz and 24 bits. On its frontal panel following is installed : TRS 1/4″ jack output for monitor headphones and Firewire connection and power indicators. On back panel : power adapter input, Kensington Lock slot, 2 Firewire ports ( device can be powered from them or from adapter ), 2 TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( left and right ), which can work in balanced and unbalanced modes, and left and right TRS 1/4″ jack analogue inputs.
Harmonic distortions of Behringer F-CONTROL AUDIO FCA202 equal to 0.01 %, channels isolation is 100 dB, signal to noise ratio is 100 dB, device draws maximum 200 mA of current. For it drivers are released for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 with support of WDM KS, ASIO 2.0 and MME interfaces; in Mac OS X it works without additional drivers with support of Core Audio interface; through which it interacts with modern DAWs : REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar and others. With it DAWTracktion and other programs are supplied. Audio interface’s sizes are 155 ( width ) x 115 ( depth ) x 28 ( height ) mm and mass is 0.7 kg.
Package with audio interface Behringer F-CONTROL AUDIO FCA202 contains : 2 Firewire cables, power adapter, CD-ROM disk with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface have good characteristics and connectors amount for entry level audio interface for small studio; however, there is need to note that USB interfaces of the same level are excellently do their job and it is much easier to find computer with such ports, than with Firewire connectors.
