One of combined USB hubs and audio interfaces is a M-Audio M-Track Hub – device in small fully metal body. It has power adapter input and can supply energy to 3 USB devices simultaneously and play sound at the same time, this allows to connect to computer a couple of USB instruments and listen for the sound from DAW with 24 bits per sample precision ( manufacturer does not tell with which sampling rate ). On top it has large metal knod for main inputs volume control; on frontal panel there are TRS 1/4″ jackheadphones output, their volume control and 3 USB ports. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, power adapter input, USB input for connection to computer and 2 balanced main analogue TRS 1/4″ jack outputs ( left and right ).
Audio interface M-Audio M-Track Hub ( back panel )
Package contains : combined USB audio interface and hub M-Audio M-Track Hub, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : this is a convenient compact device, allowing to power 3 USB devices and connect them to computer and listen to the sound simultaneously; from the other : taking into account M-Audio‘s pricing policy, it is better to buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI or other manufacturers production and externally powered USB hub and receive much bigger functionality for the same or even smaller sum.
Among new devices of company Philips there are in-ear headphones SHQ4305 with 8.6 mm membranes, moved by neodymium magnets, support of 5 Hz – 24 kHz sound and built-in microphone. Their acoustic system is closed, impedance is 16 Ohms, sensitivity is 107 dB and maximal power input is 20 mW. To one their side 1.2 m cable is connected with 1/8″ gold-plated mini jack connector and microphone, built into volume control module; it additionally is reinforced with kevlar to increase break resistance at exercises and equipped with clip for mounting to clothes. Headphones have neckband, they are protected from sweat and moisture and have only 11.4 g mass. Package contains : Philips SHQ4305 headphones themselves, cable storage pouch, 3 pairs of interchangeable tips of different sizes, clip, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good : with neodymium magnets, 5 Hz – 24 kHz reproducible frequencies range, built in microphone and protection from sweat and moisture. Probably, Philips will not overprice them and there is ability to expect around 20 USD price. If they’ll cost more, then for the same amount of money there is ability to buy 40 and 50 mm monitor headphones or for much smaller sum in-ear headphones of other manufacturers. So, here is need to look on their price at shops, when they’ll appear in them.
One of the smallest devices of ESI company is a Dr. DAC nano – USB audio interface for analogue signal output or conversion into digital optical with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits per sample work modes. On frontal panel of device there is combined 1/8″ mini jack connector for analogue or digital optical S/PDIF signals output; on back panel there is Mini USB port for connection with computer and powering. In interface there are : DAC AKM AK4421 with support of 192 kHz and 24 bits internal work mode and 103 dB dynamic range; headphones amplifier Analog Devices AD8397; and solid tantalum electrolytic capacitors. Device works in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X without additional drivers with Plug and Play, also for it drivers are released for Windows with support of ASIO 2.0 interface, via which it can work with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others.
USB audio interface ESI Dr. DAC nano ( back panel )
ESI Dr. DAC nano can power headphones with 16 – 300 Ohms impedance; its sizes are 60 ( depth ) x 45 ( width ) x 17 ( height ) mm. Package contains : ESI Dr. DAC nano audio interface itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. For its purposes interface is very good, if it is bought only for compact high-quality audio playback or conversion into digital optical signal; but if it is bought for other purposes also, then it is better to add not big amount of money and buy entry-level studio audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI itself, M-Audio or other manufacturers production.
Legendary non-overbranded in headphones area company Philips released new model of its production SHL3850NC – 32 mm foldable monitor headphones with active noise canceling and drivers’ neodymium magnets. They can reproduce sounds in 10 Hz – 22 kHz frequencies range, have 16 Ohms impedance, 30 mW max power input and 105 dB sensitivity. Cups architecture is closed, active noise canceling removes up to 97% of external sounds and is powered from AAA battery, charge of which is enough for 50 hours of stand-by and 40 hours of music playback. 1.2 m cable is connected to one of the cups, it receives signal via 1/8″ mini jack connector. Package contains : Philips SHL3850NC headphones themselves, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good, have wide frequencies range, neodymium magnets and active noise canceling; there will be need to look on their price, when they’ll be available in shops : if it will be around 30 – 40 USD, then they can be bought ( however for the same amount of money there is ability to buy 40 and 50 mm monitor headphones without active noise canceling ), if it will be higher, then is there sense to pay such amount of money for active noise canceling?
Rave + Trip-Hop “Good night, babies” in DAW REAPER
Lets continue studying music creation and DAWREAPER learning and create Rave + Trip-Hop variation of Russian song “Good night, babies“, wherein we will use FM synthesis, reverberation and phaser effects and tracks automation. For melody and basses I used the same way hybrid VST synthesiser Xenobioz Funxion with the same presets and downloaded MIDI notes from internet ( thank you goes to original author ), removing bank selection signal from them. With tracks automation I set smooth volume increase and decrease at the beginning and end of composition, so that it does not start and end abruptly. Via this link you can download completed composition in FLAC format and archive with project file and sounds : Rave + Trip-Hop “Good night, babies” in DAW REAPER : FM synthesis and reverberation and phaser effects.
Reverberation effect in DAW REAPER
At the beginning we add MIDI notes to tracks of composition and plug in to them VST synthesiser Xenobioz Funxion with Exotic Flute and Pentagon presets for melody and basses. Then we will add to melody track built-in ReaVerb effect, which adds reverberation and makes it more volumetric, giving to it an atmosphere. It is better to not overuse it, so that melody will remain easy for perception and reverberation will not attract attention to itself. Then we add to basses track scripted effect Guitar/phaser, it is written on built in script language of DAW, so it works not so fast, as compilled VST applications, and it is better to use not much of them, so that composition playback would not lag. Phaser adds to basses “U-a-u-a-u-a-…” sound, this is especially noticeable on long basses notes and makes them not monotonous and constant, without addition of too much movement to basses. It is better to not apply reverberation to them, because basses should stay at the center of stereo picture and not jump here and there, otherwise this will draw too much attention and annoy. Then we add simple and hasteless drums rhythm with kicks and snares, characteristic to Trip-Hop music, let it accompaniment basses this time, and use syncopation, where needed, so that drums rhythm is not monotonous. Next : final strokes, and composition is ready.
Phaser effect in DAW REAPER
This is it for today, next time I’ll create variation of other composition to continue growth in this direction. If you have any questions, then ask them in the comments to article. See you next time!
Among classical USB MIDI keyboards there are Nektar Impact iX 49 and 61 with according amounts of velocity-sensitive keys and TRS 1/4″ jack input for sustain pedal. There is ability to use for keys one of 4 velocity sensitivity curves or one of 3 fixed values; devices have octaves control buttons, pitch bend and modulation control wheels, one 30 mm slider and 4 transport control buttons. On back panel there are : Kensington Lock slot, TRS 1/4″ jack input for sustain pedal and USB port for connection to computer and powering. They can be connected to Apple iPad via optional USB Camera Kit module.
MIDI keyboard Nektar Impact iX ( back panel )
MIDI keyboards Nektar Impact iX 49 and 61 work in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, Mac OS X and Linux without additional drivers and allow to control modern DAWs ( FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others ) and their VST instruments and effects. Nektar Impact iX 49 mass is 2.2 kg and 61 is 2.7 kg. With devices DAWStudio One Artist is bundled. Package contains : MIDI keyboard Nektar Impact iX 49 or 61, USB cable, optical disk with programs, warranty card and user’s guide. MIDI keyboards are functional, have classical set of controls and adequate price; there is ability to wish for drumpads and powering from power adapter for work with tablet PCs, which are present in other MIDI keyboards models.
Company ESI recently released new USB audio interfaceU22XT 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 DAWBitwig 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.
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.
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 DAWTracktion 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.
Lets create today RAVE variation on Russian song “Spruce Tree Song” in DAWREAPER, 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!
