3/31/2012

DD-502mkII Digital Drum Set Review

DD-502mkII Digital Drum Set
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I bought this set on sale as a local music store was closeing, I never heard of this brand before, but at 70% off, I couldn't pass it up. I figured at this price it would be ok to practice quitely at the house. I was very surprised when I set it up. it really sounds pretty good. I was used to a roland electric set, and it dosn't have as many bells and whistles in the computer, but we travel and play gigs with it, and it has played very well. a lot of the "voices" are just worthless jokes, but their are a few good sets programed in, and I have set up a couple custom sets I really like. I was looking at spending $15,000 on a roland set, but now I think I may just buy another one of these OSP set and put them together to have all the toms and cymbals I want at one time. I would highly recomend it for beginers to intermediate drummers.

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The OSP DD502 MKII is a powerhouse digital drumset that will blow you away - 215 voices, 50 preset songs, 20 preset kits. Set includes: Aluminum framework Digital controller module with LED Program Display 3 Tom Drums 1 Snare Drum 3 Cymbals Hi-Hat controller pedal Kick drum with pedal 2 drum sticks 110 Volt power adapter All necessary color-coded, labeled cables Operation manual 215 Voices 20 Preset Drum Kits, 10 User Kits 50 Preset Songs Connections MIDI OUT Hi-hat control Hi-hat Crash Ride Snare Tom 1 Tom 2 Tom 3 Kick Output (R & L/MONO) Aux in Headphone Specifications: Drum Pad: 4 drum pads , 3 cymbal pads ,1 hi-hat control pedal , 1 kick trigger Voices: 215 voices Drum kits: 20 preset kits, 10 user kits Song: 50 preset songs Controls: POWER SWITCH, START/STOP, SAVE, KIT, VOICE/VOLUME, SONG/VOLUME, DRUM OFF, CLICK, HI-HAT, CRASH, RIDE, HI-HAT CONTROL, SNARE, TOM 1, TOM 2, TOM3, KICK, VOLUME, + / -, TEMPO + / -, TAP Display: LED display Power Supply: AC adaptor (DC 9V) included

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On-Stage Stands Deluxe Heavy Duty X 2-Tier Keyboard Stand Review

On-Stage Stands Deluxe Heavy Duty X 2-Tier Keyboard Stand
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This stand rocks. I've had it for two years, throwing it around in our band's trailer and it is as sturdy as always. I leave the second tier on permanently and it still folds up quick and nice. The Quick-lok system never fails and the way you squeeze the handle at the top to unlock the middle of the X is convenient and sturdy. Couldn't be better for me

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Pro-level On-Stage Stands deluxe heavy-duty double-X keyboard stand is built with 2 tiers and styled for demanding musicians. Super heavy-duty tubing and welded construction support 395 lbs. on the bottom tier. Frame allows height adjustment from 27" to 39" and width adjustment from 11" to 30". The second tier supports 75 lbs. Uses ERGO-LOK technology for ease of use. The ERGO-LOK system includes an ergonomic trigger, an internal rod mechanism, and a solid steel spring-loaded deadbolt assembly. Uses dual sheer disk plates and heavy-duty deadbolt for superior stability. Assembling the 2 pieces: 1. Remove upper rear end caps from keyboard stand. 2. Take 2nd tier assembly and slide inner retainer into upper tube of stand. 3. Once second tier retainer is fully inside tube, then fully tighten 2" round OSS knobs.

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3/30/2012

Music for Little Mozarts: Flash Cards, Level 1 Review

Music for Little Mozarts: Flash Cards, Level 1
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I bought these flash cards for my 2 year old son and he loves them. He now knows how to count simple rhythms and is learning the names of the piano keys.

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Flash Cards reinforce concepts as they are presented in the Music Lesson Book 1. Each card contains a musical symbol or rhythm pattern for the student to identify. Included on the cards are musical terms, keys on the keyboard, notes and rests, rhythm patterns, notes on the staff, steps and skips, intervals on the keyboard, and melodic and harmonic intervals on the staff. The back of the cards contain questions to ask the student about the information on the front of the card. Answers are provided, making the cards easy to use for parents with limited musical backgrounds.

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Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Standard Version Review

Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Standard Version
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The only thing that beats this product is actually sitting at a recently tuned quality grand in a nice room.
I got so excited by this sample set that I bought a 3 pedal controller so I can feel even more like I'm playing an actual piano.
I only wish this had been available in the late 1970's when I got a big loan for a Yamaha cp70 electric piano before going on the road (and also hurting my back!)
There are other very good similar products but I really think this is top of the current heap.
The only thing I'm not sure about is whether there is an upgrade path from the standard version that I bought (16 bit with 2 mic perspectives) to the Pro version (24 bit with 5 mic perspectives).

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Software. With CD-ROM. 6.7x10.75 inches. 98 pages. Published by Garritan.
The Steinway concert grand piano chosen for the sample set is among Steinway's finest Model Ds - newly voiced, regulated, and meticulously tuned by a master Steinway technician. Recording was done in one of the finest venues in the world, the Troy Music Hall. The Standard Version includes only the under-the-lid perspective and 16 GB of sounds. Cross-platform.

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3/29/2012

Casio CTK-671 Portable Electronic Keyboard, 61-Note Touch-Sensitive Review

Casio CTK-671 Portable Electronic Keyboard, 61-Note Touch-Sensitive
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I am a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist working on my own project.
I did not have the money to throw into a Korg, Kurzweil, Roland, or Yamaha board. All I needed a keyboard/synth for was drum sounds and some keyboard/synth fill in. At first, this seemed like the model for me..
The touch sensitivity is nice.. most of the sounds are pretty decent, if not you can make all sorts of adjustments to just about anything for any tone... except the 'raindrops' tone, a common favorite on most keyboards/synths.. the raindrops tone for the Casio is a cheesy video game sound effect.
Otherwise, the sound and sound possibilities were surprisingly decent.
That is where the good review ends. 6 songs is not a lot of storage if you actually plan to compose with this thing.. no floppy. However you can save songs to your comp, and load songs from your comp to the keyboard.. if you have a good laptop and want to take it everywhere the keyboard goes, then this is not as much of a concern.
Don't buy it if you plan to use it with Cakewalk.. Casio does not provide the .ins (instrument definitions) file for it, and the manual is useless for creating your own. It works terribly with Cakewalk (and I would imagine other MIDI devices) for this reason.
If you just want to play, and never record anything, then this is the instrument for you, otherwise, go for something a bit more expensive. Do not go Casio though.. At present there are little to no .ins files for Casio boards anywhere on the web.
Also, it is certainly not an instrument to take on the road, partly for the limited storage, partly for its innability to interact with other MIDI devices to the extent it could and should be able to, and partly because it is very lightweight and flimsy, don't sneeze in its direction..
.. Look at the price, ask yourself if you can wait a while longer and buy something that is even just a little bit more expensive.. such as a Yamaha for a hundred or two more.
If you think it will help you on your home project... not unless you want to record and flatten to analog from track to track, or program everything into the keyboard and record analog.

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The Casio CTK-671 Portable Keyboard features 61 full-size keys, 32-note polyphony, and 348 tones. Built-in 2.5-watt per channel stereo speakers give you good sound quality, and a headphone jack and stereo lineout (to attach the keyboard to a home stereo) give you the volume options you need for big performances or late-night practice.
With the keyboard you get 128 general MIDI, 100 face panel sounds, 100 variations and 10 drum sets ready-to-use. Using the synthesizer functions, you can create and store 10 of your own sounds. Simultaneously use up to four effects, such as reverb or chorus, to produce your perfect sound. The 100 rhythm patterns give you everything you need to start making music.
Casio's Internet Data Expansion system lets you download new sounds, patterns, songs, and keyboard settings over MIDI from Casio's Web site.
Other features include three-song/six-track recording with real-time or editable step time, six drum pads, a pitch bend wheel, sustain pedal jack, and a backlit LCD. The LCD displays selection and status of tone, rhythm, mixer, keyboard functions, and tempo for complete control.
The CTK-671 operates with an optional AD-5 AC adapter or D batteries.

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M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-key USB Audio Interface MIDI Controller Music Keyboard Review

M-Audio KeyStudio 49i 49-key USB Audio Interface MIDI Controller Music Keyboard
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There are two kinds of uses for this controller. One is for someone who wants an inexpensive, portable piano to practise or teach with. The other is someone who is an amateur and wants to "fool around" making recordings or compositions.
Both are likely to be disappointed.
This works as a stand-alone digital piano. If you plug in a 9v power supply (not included) and a pair of headphones, you can use this without connecting it to a computer at all. In fact, there are TWO headphone jacks, so a teacher (for example) could listen to a student play without making any noise at all. While the keys are velocity-sensitive (hit the keys harder, and the sound is louder), they are not weighted. You can easily switch the keyboard two octaves up or down, and the quality of the Steinway sampling is quite good. What is disappointing, however, is that the volume from the headphone jacks is low - too low to use in a room that is not quiet. It is relatively easy to connect the outputs on the rear to a stereo for more volume, but that is added complexity and eliminates the dual-headphone feature. Unless you have a stereo with two headphone jacks, of course.
There are 2 RCA inputs, so it's fairly easy to connect a CD or mp3 player. This allows you play along with recordings, as the sound is mixed with whatever you are playing on the keyboard. Since the piano itself isn't very loud, the volume of the music you play along with must be kept accordingly low, unless you use some kind of external amplification.
What you really getting here is not just a piano, but an "audio interface". There are very generous audio input and output options: stereo RCA inputs AND outputs, 1/4" mono input, stereo 1/4" outputs, and a mono XLR input. If you don't know what "RCA" means, it is the jack that you find on the back of your stereo - not a 1/8" jack like you would find on an iPod. What this all means is that you can use your home stereo to provide the amplification by connecting standard cables (not included) to the input and output of your home system. This interface is flexible to allow you to play piano along with a recording, while others simultaneously play a guitar/bass AND sing through an attached microphone. And none of this would involve using a computer. The 1/4" stereo outputs are kind of useless, but you could use them to connect the keyboard to an instrument amp or to M-audio's powered monitor speakers.
This is where the potential for an amateur studio comes in. Don't get excited yet, though. The sample rate of the interface's output is only 16-bit, which is adequate for an amateur but not a professional. And, in order to do digital recording, you will have to connect the Keystudio 49i to your computer. The included recording software is Ableton Live Lite, which is not easy to use. You will probably have to spend a few hours with it before you can do even basic recording. Unless you just want to use the included Steinway grand piano, you will also have to install the included General MIDI (GM) software. GM, if you don't know, consists of 127 "voices" (various instruments) of the sort that you usually find on cheap Casio keyboards. If you want to do something more complex, like synthesizer, Wurlitzer, Hammond organ, etc. then you will have buy additional software. And you will have to configure that software to work with Live Lite, which is an ordeal in itself. The GM module is, I must say, high quality. It has somewhat steep system requirements, though.
Remember, this is an audio interface. All of the sound will go through your keyboard, even if you are connected to a computer. This also means that the system requirements are considerable, including the bus. Add to that the nightmare that M-audio PC drivers have become. If you have a Mac, then you will probably experience no trouble using this interface and keyboard with GarageBand, for example. If you are using Windows, however, expect difficulties. M-audio support has become essentially worthless over the past few years, and you will be expected to spend hours reading through the "Knowledge Base" before anyone will even talk to you - and the phone support is only available during weekday business hours. M-audio will not help you with the Live Lite software, either.
You can have a lot of fun with this, but trying to do anything moderately serious will probably lead to frustration and disappointment.

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The KeyStudio 49i takes the expectations of a compact and affordable MIDI controller and raise it a few notches by incorporating a built-in audio interface and on-board piano sounds. It delivers everything you need to start making and recording music today. Play a total of 128 sounds and listen to them from the keyboard's audio outputs. The built-in interface even lets you record vocals and instruments as well as listen to your sessions and mixes. Instantly transform your computer into a versatile music studio with KeyStudio 49i. The top panel sports controls that are commonly found on many affordable controllers: Octave +/- buttons assignable to alter Octave, Transpose, Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB, MIDI Channel, Master Tune, and Pitch and Mod Wheels. Plus, the MIDI is class-compliant, meaning no drivers are needed to access the MIDI functionality. the KeyStudio 49i acts as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface that also happens to be compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered. Plug into a computer via USB and you're up and running tracking 16-bit/44.1kHz audio straight into the computer through the KeyStudio 49i. Utilize either XLR, 1/4", or RCA jacks as a means to add analog sound sources to your projects and monitor through either a pair of 1/4" stereo line output jacks or headphone jacks. The included Ableton Live Lite software seals the deal by providing an incredibly easy- to-use music production solution. 16-bit, 44.1kHz (CD-quality)XLR microphone, 1/4 instrument and RCA input 1/4 jacks for stereo line output2 front-mounted headphone jacksHardware direct monitoringPro Tools M-Powered compatibleAssignable modulation wheel and piano volume controlPitch bend wheelOctave +/- buttons assignable to alter Octave, Transpose, Program, Bank LSB, Bank MSB, MIDI Channel or Master TuneEdit Mode button for advanced MIDI FunctionalityMIDI Out from USB mode allows the keyboard to be used as a MIDI

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3/28/2012

Pyle-Pro PKS30 Universal Keyboard Stand with Music Holder and Microphone Boom (Double Braced) Review

Pyle-Pro PKS30 Universal Keyboard Stand with Music Holder and Microphone Boom (Double Braced)
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I have my new 88 Casio keyboard on this and it works beautifully. I ended up not using the music holder or the microphone boom as the keyboard has its own holder and I don't need the boom. It is sturdy and unobtrusive.

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This classic and reliable "X-style" stand includes a music stand AND double-braced microphone boom. A slim folding position provides traveling and storage convenience. This durable stand provides fundamental stability and portability at an extraordinarily reasonable price. This is a must have for any singer, songwriter, or musician.

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Yamaha DGX200 76-Key Electronic Keyboard Review

Yamaha DGX200 76-Key Electronic Keyboard
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I have plyed piano professionally and have a degree in music. i have a very expensive Yamaha Clavinova (as well as a real piano)
i bought this thinking of it as a toy for my 22 year old who suddenly wants to play. it has a fabulous piano sound (better than the expensive triton). the built in piano lessons are really helpful. my favorite part is when i taught piano, i could never get kids to practice one hand at a time. this keyboard will play the left hand for you as you play the right and vice versa. my daughter loved that it would record and play back what she had just played.

i always discoraged parents from having their kids practice on keyboards but the touch of these keys is very realistic. i would recommend it to someone starting out in piano not wanting to make that huge investment until they were sure they would continue.
but, as a keyboard (not a tiny piano) there are enough sounds and gimics for a beginner in keyboards but not for someone who really is into all the synthesizer effects.
But, what is this? no power cord? and no sustain pedal. the pedal i can understand but no power cord - that is just too cheap. they should at least put a huge notice on the front of the box that you're going to have to buy one separately.
still, i was shocked at the quality considering the price.

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Yamaha DGX200 76-Key Electronic Keyboard

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3/27/2012

M-Audio Axiom 49 Advanced 49-Key USB MIDI Controller, 2nd Gen Review

M-Audio Axiom 49 Advanced 49-Key USB MIDI Controller, 2nd Gen
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This is a nice midi controller. A word of warning though if you are a Cakewalk, Sonar user.
Since this is a brand new version of the Axiom 49, the software writers at Roland have not had time to write code for all the functions it provides.
As a result, the Direct Link that M-audio is advertising does not work on Cakewalk Sonar up thru version 8.5.
This means you will need to hand map some of the controller buttons to your DAW if you want them to function.
It does auto-map in some DAWs like the latest versions of Pro tools, Ableton Live to name a couple.
I was unaware of this when I purchased it so I went thru a lot of frustration trying to figure out how the thing is supposed to work. Documentation is sparse so I relied on the internet especially YouTube to help me thru it.
I like the controller over all. It is solidly built and is of good quality. The keys and drum pads work very well.
It will be even better when the software technology catches up to it.


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The M-Audio Axiom 49 controller combines all the production power and performance you need to get the most from your music software and MIDI gear.More than just a "data entry" conroller, the Axiom 49 features piano-style, semi-weighted keys for a musically satisfying playing experience.Large dynamci trigger pads make it easy to program beats and trigger one-shot samples-while the encoder knobs, faders, and buttons deliver complete real-time control over your software.DirectLink mode provides easy, automatic access to common DAW functions including ransport, mixer, track pan, and virtual instrutment parameters-no complicated setup required.Axiom 49 also features a sleek, angled top panel for easy viewing in any enviroment.

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M-Audio SP-1 US65000 Sustain Pedal for Keyboards Review

M-Audio SP-1 US65000 Sustain Pedal for Keyboards
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The M-Audio SP-1 US65000 is a sturdy and solid pedal. The case is metal, not plastic, so it'll hold up well over time. The rubber pads on the top and bottom keep it from moving around, though the pads have a tendency to come loose.
The main reliability issue with the pedal is the low-cost construction inside. Instead of having the pedal actuate a switch inside, there's just a stiff bare wire that presses down against another bare wire to make contact. It works and is cheaper to manufacture than using a real switch. However, if the pedal goes unused for a few days, oxidation forms on the bare wire, which results in unreliable contact and flaky pedal response. Depressing the pedal a dozen or more times clears off the oxidation. If it doesn't, opening the pedal and cleaning the wire resolves any inconsistent/noisy pedal signals.
If you're handy with a soldering iron, replacing the pseudo-switch with a real momentary contact switch would yield a really great pedal.

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Compatible with all electronic keyboards, the SP-1 sustain pedal from M-Audio offers a simple, compact, and sturdy means of prolonging a chord or note. The pedal is particularly ideal for any application that requires a non-latching momentary switch. The SP-1 also works with tone modules and drum machines, and comes with a 5-foot cable with a 1/4-inch phone plug.
What's in the Box Sustain pedal, 5-foot cable (1/4-inch plug), user's manual.

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3/26/2012

Suzuki Cello School CD, Volume 1 & 2 - CD Review

Suzuki Cello School CD, Volume 1 and 2 - CD
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I bought this to use along with my Suzuki music book for cello. I'm an adult learning to play for the first time and thought that by hearing it played properly, I could then accurately mimic.
I only give it a "3" because the piano plays so loudly over the cello that you can hear it sometimes and you miss subtle nuances that would be nice for a beginner to hear.
Also, it's JUST the music from the book it goes with. There's no instruction or "teacher" on it.

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The Suzuki Method® of Talent Education is based on Dr. Shinichi Suzuki's view that every child is born with ability, and that man is the son of his environment. According to Dr. Suzuki, a world-renowned violinist and teacher, the greatest joy an adult can know comes from developing a child's potential so he/she can express all that is harmonious and best in human beings. Students are taught using the ''mother-tongue'' approach. Suzuki Cello School materials include: Cello Parts (Vol. 1-10) * Piano Accompaniments (Vol. 1-8) * Cassettes (Vol. 1-3, 7, & 8 performed by Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Vol. 4-6 performed by Ron Leonard) * Compact Discs (Vol. 1-3, 7, & 8 performed by Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Vol. 4-6 performed by Ron Leonard). Suzuki Method® Core Materials available for piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, harp, guitar, and recorder.

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Ion Audio iPROFILE LP to iPod DJ Conversion Turntable Review

Ion Audio iPROFILE LP to iPod DJ Conversion Turntable
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I originally thought this would work with a set of powered speakers, but it does not. It only has the old phono output plugs, so it needs to go through an amplifier. That worked fine right away, but playing through a computer USB port took days to get working. One problem I found was that I had to unplug my webcam (which has audio input) to capture the turntable output on my PC. No settings on my PC worked until I unplugged the camera. Recording then worked fine. Integration with iTunes is great when recording.
Next problem was playing the iPod through the amplifier. ION help eventually explained that you have to set the turntable to LINE output instead of PHONO output (switch on the back) and then plug into the CD input of the amp instead of the Phono input. Then the turntable and the iPod both work. No mention of that in the manual though.
Would be 5 stars if manual explained configuration better.


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The PROFILE series of LP-conversion systems is designed with contemporary, low-profile looks and is finished in sleek, piano black. Each model is designed to capture the music from your vinyl records and turn it into portable, flexible, digital MP3s that you can enjoy at home and on the go.iPROFILE is an LP-to-iPod conversion system with a multi-speed USB turntable. You can play records and transfer them directly to your iPod thanks to iPROFILE's integrated Universal Dock for iPod. Record-to-iPod transfer works even if you don't have a computer.iPROFILE also has easy-to-use USB output that enables you to capture music from records onto your computer. ION's EZ Vinyl/Tape Converter software assists you in creation of flexible MP3 files you can listen to on your computer, load onto your iPod, or record to CD.When not converting records, you can also enjoy your classic vinyl records using iPROFILE as a standard record player. It has a standard, line-level output with built-in preamp so you can connect it to virtually any stereo system.

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3/25/2012

Yamaha SB79 Silent Brass System for Trumpet Review

Yamaha SB79 Silent Brass System for Trumpet
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This thing is great if you need to practice without bothering folks in the next room. I used this quite a bit in college. The echo effects are fun to play around with and the pickup doesn't distort tone as much as I had anticipated. This device produces a lot more back pressure than advertised; just a little more free blowing than say a strait mute. The times where silent brass comes in most handy is practicing with a canned track. This is easily one of the most useful tools for the modern trumpet player.

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The complete portable and soundproof system is the most innovative product from brass instruments since the valve. With Silent PracticeTM you'll hear a sound inside the earphones so rich and full you'll think you are standing on a concert hall stage. The Silent Brass system lets you play your horn anywhere you want, anytime you want, and with just the kind of ambiance you feel like. You can mix into the sounds of a CD player, a Silent Piano, an electronic keyboard or other Silent Brass, and output your playing into a tape deck or even an amp with speakers. Never again will you have to search for a practice room, have to 'stop because it's getting late'. The Silent Brass system includes Personal Studio, Pickup mute, and earphones. Separate Pickup Mutes are also available.

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Korg M50 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation Review

Korg M50 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation
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I really cannot offer any insight as to the positives and negatives on this keyboard. When you have this level of control and power at your hands then frankly only the musician can decide if the product is worth adding to their music set up. But I do feel the best way of showing a product like this is to just overview it and let you, the musicians, decide.
So rather than explain how amazing I think this keyboard is (and it is!) I have produced the quick video above. This is by far the best keyboard I own and I'll let the video demonstrate why. Ultimately every sound you hear was created completely live as shown, and that's despite the whole thing being recorded by the on-board mic of a cheap camera. So if you're after an amazing keyboard far surpassing your wildest desires then this is it.
Sometimes when viewing a user video showcasing a MIDI music product it's hard to make a judgment call as to whether the individual instrument is suitable for your needs when there's a lot of other equipment connected to it - all outputting great sounds at the same time. The attached video is pure M50, so please take a listen and see what you think.
Some things that I forgot or didn't have time to cover in video:
The sequencer can be played live or step by step, so if you're feeling a little rusty you can manually key in each note as you wish and change them easily.
The M50 accepted the entire pedal data from my Casio PX500L (which I also purchased on Amazon) which is shown underneath the Korg M50. That was without need for any MIDI changes or complications - it was MIDI plug-and-play as expected in this day and age of agreed midi channels. But I didn't use the pedals in the video deliberately so the recording would be pure M50, but they do work and can sustain/damper the Korg etc with ease through the Casio.
The MIDI triggers buttons, which I show on the modulation/pitch bend/joystick area can be set to ANYTHING - any MIDI trigger that you need and you can even trigger THEM with a foot switch pedal.
The song sequencer is totally editable. This may sound like a silly thing to say but it's worth stressing as it can act more like a song accompaniment than a mere playback of what you just performed. It's a recording of MIDI data of your performance and given the massive polyphonic nature of the M50 you could use the sequencer just to trigger events such as drum riffs or instrument changes and THEN play over it live. Or record multiple passes. It's not just a digital 8 track tape deck for your jamming tracks of old.
The COMBI MODE has lots of stunning string and voice combination patches. I didn't do them justice!
The M50 is much bigger than it looks in this video - in tandem with the wide angle lens on my camera, and my fairly giant-sized meat hooks, the keyboard looks quite small. It's not!
Finally there are no speakers the M50. You need an amp and speakers. I do welcome any questions in the comments section of this review and I'll do my best to answer them. Finally sorry the video cuts off so quickly - the amazon 10 minute time limit cut in quick and I was enjoying myself!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Korg M50 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation

The fiery new KORG M50 is ready to take on all contenders! Incredible new sounds; fat & juicy combis, splits and layers; a plethora of ace effects; dynamic Drum Tracks; enhanced poly-arpeggiators; classic sequencing tools, a solid, confident keybed; up-to-date SD storage; companion editing software and our famous TouchView interactive display - it all adds up to an invigorating and sexy keyboard instrument that could only come from KORG.Over twenty years of category-defining workstation expertise beats in the heart of the M50 Music Workstation. Just as the M3 borrowed elements from the legendary OASYS, the M50 captures all the sonic firepower of the M3, distilled into a performance instrument that is second to none. In a word, the M50 just may be the keyboard you?ve been waiting for. Sporting a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard, this new fast and responsive synthesizer keybed facilitates expressive and dynamic performing in addition to the intuitive and interactive TouchView screen for quick and easy navigation.

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3/24/2012

Arturia CS-80 V 2.0 Virtual Instrument Software Review

Arturia CS-80 V 2.0 Virtual Instrument Software
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Imagine the Hollywood star that for years has been your vision of a perfect mate. One day, decades later, you wake up, and she (or he if the shoe fits) is in bed right next to you, snoring with morning breath - still cute though. That's my assessment of the CS-80V.

I was a teenager in 1976 when I first heard about the Yamaha CS-80. In 1977, I started hearing it on records and seeing it on stage. I was in instant techno-lust. Unfortunately, the CS-80 cost as much as a Chrysler Cordoba with "rich Corinthian leather." I didn't have the money for a used car, much less a new top-of-the-line synthesizer.

About 25 years later, Arturia came out with their software version, the CS-80V. I don't remember what the initial price was, maybe $299.00 or so. Much more reasonable, but I'm just a noodler, not a musician, so I couldn't justify that. Fall 2009 Arturia started blowing out the last of the 1.x inventory at $99 or so. I pulled the trigger. Now here's my assessment. (Right now, the current version is 2.0. Read further for some discussion on the differences in versions.)

There's no question that the CS-80 was the ultimate synthesizer of its day in 1977. It's not just an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer, it's set up like two 8-voice synths in parallel. It has a lot of filter and modulation options. It has polyphonic portamento and glissando (a stepped glide). It has sample and hold, and an arpeggiator. The original keyboard had velocity sensitivity (which is standard today) and polyphonic aftertouch (which is rare today). It had a pitch-bend ribbon which is cool but which takes skill to use musically.

Enough history, what does the CS-80V sound like? It sounds good, but then again, in 2011, good-sounding soft-synths are a dime a dozen, or less, since there are actually hundreds of freeware VSTi softsynths. The on-screen sliders of the CS-80V beg you to point your mouse at them, click and drag them to see what they do. One of the great things about CS-80V is that it is cross-platform, Windows and Mac. Most of my time has been spent with CS-80V in stand-alone mode on a G5 iMac running OS-X 10.4. It runs great with no noticeable latency. I've also used it as a AU plug-in running in Apple Logic. It runs fine, but it's a little piggish hen it comes to processor cycles, more of a piglet than an pig. I ran it briefly on an 2.0 Ghz Intel iMac and a 1st generation Intel Macbook. It runs fine on those machines as well. On the Windows side, I installed it in my newish Dell XPS-16 laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium. It runs in Windows XP compatibility mode. It has a little latency using DirectX drivers. Getting it to run with ASIO under ASIO4ALL has been hit or miss. (If you don't understand all this driver gibberish, don't worry.)

While some of the CS-80s features have aged well, and some haven't been duplicated. In some areas the CS-80v is stuck with the baggage of its 1970s-era origin. First, 8 voices is nothing these days and can be somewhat limiting. You can install a 10-voice VST version under windows. Secondly, the CS-80's patch-selection was based upon two rows of buttons, with only one button being user-programmable. The CS-80V keeps this basic structure and supplements it with drag-down menus for patch (program) selection. This can be a hassle. The front panel graphics of CS-80v were good for their day, but they were designed fro a monitor size of WVGA or so. Now that monitors are twice the size as they were 5 years ago, it would be good to have more detailed front panel graphics. The original CS-80 uses nonstandard nomenclature. What we now know as the VCF or filter, the CS-80 calls "brilliance". Some of the controls are the reverse of current convention. Not a big deal, but something that requires adjustment.

Since the CS-80's claim to fame was its polyphonic aftertouch, I couldn't wait to try out this feature. I found a rare midi-controller with polyphonic aftertouch, a General Music S3. Sure enough, the CS-80 played with poly-aftertouch really shows off its unique character. It's too bad that more of the factory patches don't use this feature. ATTENTION MIDI CONTROLLER MANUFACTURERS, BRING BACK POLY-AT!

In CS-80V v 1.6, the version I have, the patches (instrument sounds) that have already been programmed are ok, but they are fewer in number than I expected. They don't cover most of the "famous" CS-80 sounds. The newer version 2.0, supposedly corrects this problem by coming with 400 sounds. I haven't tested version 2.0, though I supposedly get a free upgrade based upon when I bought my synth. Arturia also claims to have improved the basic sound of the instrument. I didn't see anything wrong with the sound of the earlier version. The biggest change with Version 2.0 is the change to Syncrosoft-dongle based copy protection. I can understand Arturia's desire to protect its intellectual property, and I want the freedome to load CS-80 on multiple computers even if I can only use it on one at a time, so I don't have any problem with the disc-based copy protection in verion 1.6 or the Syncrosoft copy protection in verion 2.0.
The CS-80V has a few tricks up its sleeve. The most interesting of which is a random voice assignment mode. In essence, in this mode every note you play can have play a different instrument sound. The randomness that this creates is unusual but musical.
Alternatives: The most direct competitor to the CS-80V is another CS-80 emulator, a shareware softsynth for Windows only called the ME80. The ME80 is by a small European outfit called Memorymoon, and you can only buy it from the Memorymoon site for about $40.00 or bundled with the Mixcraft Pro Studio 5 - a DAW (digital audio studio) application that costs $149-199 and is worth considering if you are looking for an easy-to-use but powerful DAW, especially because this version comes not only with a software version of the Yamaha CS-80 (the ME80) but also the Prophet V (Messiah) and the Moog MemoryMoog (Memorymoon). (Mixcraft Pro Studio 5 is available from several Amazon.com merchants.) I tried the demo of ME80. It's graphics are at least as good as CS80V, and ME80 has a more varied range of aftertouch-enabled sounds. On the other hand, ME80 is NOT cross-platform like CS80V. ME80 uses somewhat greater processor HP, and is embellished in different ways than CS80V. I don't know which CS-80 emulator is more like the real CS-80, but I suspect that individual CS-80s varied enough in sound to make the comparison impossible. Another alternative to CS80V is Arturia's own Analog Factory software which costs the same as CS-80V and is an alternative in "The One" packaging. This software is available in different versions with and without extra hardware, and with different numbers of preprogrammed sounds. All of the versions have several thousand sounds coming from all of Arturia's vintage analog softsynths, including the Minimoog, the modular Moog, the Roland Jupiter-8, the Sequential Circuits Prophet V in addition to the CS-80. Another alternative is Korg's Legacy Collection which is available for $99 as a download if you buy the Korg Nanokey or Microkey. I posted review of the Korg Microkey which I'm planning to update with more info on the Legacy Collection. I'll link it when I get the chance.
In summary, I'm giving the CS-80V five stars even though it's not perfect simply because I'm glad Arturia had the gumption to undertake the task of putting together a virtual CS-80. It's great that you can buy this software for less than it would cost to pay a professional to TUNE a real CS-80. Most of the imperfections actually come from the original 35 year old instrument and not the recreation. If you ever lusted after a CS-80, or if you simply read about the machine and wondered what it was like, check out the CS-80V. If you can't afford the CS-80V, or even if you can but want another perspective on the CS-80 sound, check out Memorymoon's ME-80.

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The Arturia CS-80 V 2.0 virtual synth is the reproduction of the legendary Yamaha CS-80, which was considered by many as the "ultimate polyphonic synthesizer," back in the late 70s. It was made popular by artists and groups like Toto, Jean-Michel Jarre, Keith Emerson, Stevie Wonder, Vangelis, Ultravox, and Peter Gabriel, just to name a few. More than twenty five years after its release, the time has come to rediscover a sound that has extensively contributed to the history of music.Sound MAP:Explore hundreds of sounds in this virtual instrument software using Arturia's revolutionary Sound MAP. Locate areas you like and pick a sound that will stimulate your creativity. Morph sounds on the MAP by clicking anywhere you like. Add filters to make your search easier, or get back to the traditional list of presets, by sound-designer or by type. Be creative, be funky, be a sound-traveler.The Arturia CS-80 V 2.0 virtual instrument offers all the features of the original, plus a new generation of innovative features, taking the original design to a new elevated level:• A modulation matrix to rebuild all circuits gives you a choice of 12 sources and 38 destinations for 10 additional modulations• A Multi Mode allows you to assign a different sound to each polyphonic voice. 4 different keyboard sections for "multitimbrality," with the possibility to direct each voice (4 polyphonic modes, and 3 unison modes from 2 to 8 voices)• An arpeggiator and a stereo delay The Arturia CS-80 V 2.0 virtual instrument comes loaded with more than 400 presets made by a selection of talented sound designers.A little history lessonIn 1976, Yamaha introduced the CS-80, a synthesizer based on the same circuits as the GX1. The price tag ($6900) put it out of the reach of most musicians, and the weight (83kgs with stand) made it sometimes hard to use on stage. But the qualities of this Yamaha synthesizer, considered Japan's first great synth, made it immediately famous in the music indus

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USB Microphone - Large Condensor Microphone Plugs Into Your Computer Review

USB Microphone - Large Condensor Microphone Plugs Into Your Computer
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Bought this for my daughter to make Podcasts with...she is very pleased with the sound quality...and the price was right!

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USB diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone designed to interface directly and seamlessly in computer recording applications. No need for external mic preamps! Simply plug and play! Great for recording your own music.The OSP CU-02 features a cardioid polar pattern for optimal source-only pickup and a 20Hz - 20kHz frequency response. Perfect for:Home Recording, Vocals /Instruments, Podcasting, Voice-overs, General multi-media purposes.

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3/23/2012

Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Symphony Orchestra Review

Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Symphony Orchestra
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The day before I ordered this Jam Pack, I had received an M-Audio 88es USB velocity sensitive keyboard from amazon (reviewed separately) Keystation 88es 88 Key USB MIDI Controller and sustain pedal M-Audio SP-2 US65010 Sustain Pedal Piano Style Sustain Pedal for Keyboards
The standard Garage Band 'Grand Piano' sounded just "OK", and there was no harpsichord. Those were my prime reasons for ordering this Jam Pack... and to have fun with the other sounds, of course.
The Steinway Piano in this pack is substantially better than the standard Garage Band piano. Neither is perfect - but this Steinway is great for the price. The difference is more than the soft hammer sound of a Steinway vs a hardened hammer sound of the standard piano. The velocity response and the behavior of sustained notes is much more realistic. The default settings have a fair amount of reverb - to simulate a concert hall. Adjusting that and other sliders can give a sound more appropriate to other settings.
It still does not sound like a real grand piano of course - there are no induced harmonics when the sustain pedal is depressed, for example. But, not bad at all.
The harpsichord is pretty disappointing in comparison. The lower register is amplified way louder than the upper - roughly everything below middle C as I recall. I haven't tried adjusting bass reduction effects etc to make it sound more 'correct'. Also, considerable reverb in the default 'Orchestra Harpsichord' to reflect a large hall. Lower that to get a chamber sound.
The variety of attack modes that are adjustable by keyboard control are pretty nice for instruments such as the strings and brass.
The huge quantity of loops (over 3 GB) will be of less use to me, but can be handy for making some quick transitions or tracks for videos - since Garage Band is basically THE sound editor for iMovie and Final Cut Express now. I had expected that the loops would be performances on real instruments, but many (most?) sound like sampled digital instruments to my ear.
If you want a better piano, a harpsichord and/or symphonic instruments, this pack is a great deal.
PS Not in the product description, so I just noticed: The Jam Pack comes with a selection of 'demo songs' reached from the File > Open Demos menu. (If shared, these reside on disk at Users > Shared > Symphony Orchestra Demo Songs.) Five symphonic themes as an orchestra of MIDI instruments and 8 loop (wave) compositions. Fun to mess with and good for learning purposes.

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With a symphony orchestra in tow, you just may have to spring for bigger quarters. But if you're planning to conduct your own orchestra, you'll want better acoustics anyway. Using Symphony Orchestra and GarageBand (or Logic Express 7, Logic Pro 7, or Soundtrack Pro), there are virtually no limits to the types of sophisticated music you can create. Taking advantage of the prerecorded Apple Loops (more than 2,000 in Symphony Orchestra), you can compose everything from classical music to movie soundtracks. Or you may want to lend some symphonic power to your pop, rock, or hip-hop arrangements.

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