Behringer B2031P Ultra-Linear Reference Studio Monitor Pair

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High-Resolution, Ultra-Linear Reference Studio Monitor (price per pair, only sold in pairs)
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Technical Details

- Ultra-linear frequency response from 55 Hz to 21 kHz
- High-resolution, passive 2-way 150-Watt nearfield monitor
- Extremely high-resolution, ferrofluid-cooled tweeter
- Long-throw 8 ¾" woofer with special polypropylene diaphragm and deformation-resistant aluminum die-cast chassis
- Controlled dispersion characteristics and extremely large "sweet spot" through BEHRINGER's wave guide technology
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Mogami Gold Studio 15 Microphone Cable Quad Conductor 15 feet

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XLR Male to XLR Female microphone cable. Nearly every top recording studio is wired with Mogami cable. It is famous for neutral tone and dead quiet background. Gold Studio cables continue that tradition by combining the best Mogami Neglex Quad conductor cable, protected by Mogami's exclusive ultra-high density, 100% coverage spiral copper shield: The best combination of sound quality and noise rejection. Best of the best gold contact connectors, backed by a lifetime warranty. Made with 2534 cable.
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Technical Details

- Most accurate cable available
- Highest cancellation of hum and noise
- Ultra high-density spiral shield keeps noise out, maintains high frequency performance
- Top quality gold contact XLR connectors
- Lifetime warranty
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Lexicon Omega Studio USB Audio Interface

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The Lexicon Omega is the way to start recording TODAY - whether you are a guitarist, keyboard player, vocalist, instrumentalist or an audio engineer. Omega supports 6 audio channels, up to 4 at one time, as well as MIDI and S/PDIF, so, you get all the connections you need to start recording your own music quickly. Once everything is connected, you have up to 32 stereo tracks to get it just right. Lexicon's 30-year legacy of excellence in reverb can be found in the Pantheon reverb plug-in. With 35 presets and 6 different reverb types, Pantheon gives your mix that professional Lexicon sound found in studios world-wide. Lexicon Omega Studio Features 6 channels of 24-bit streaming audio via USB (4 record, 2 playback) 7 analog audio inputs 2 - XLR mic inputs with extremely low noise dbx preamps 20 dB Mic Pad 4 - 1/4 inch analog RF filtered TRS active-balanced line inputs 1 - 1/4 inch ultra-Hi-Z analog instrument input 2 - 1/4 inch analog TRS servo-balanced, active line outputs S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output 1/4 inch TRS insert on each mic input MIDI In and Out +48V phantom power 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, supporting sample rates of 44.1kHz and 48kHz Zero-latency analog record monitoring with adjustable balance between input and playback Stereo and Mono input source monitoring Power supply included Omega Desktop Recording Studio Includes Steinberg Cubase LE - More info coming soon. Lexicon Pantheon Reverb Plug-In: Infuse your mix with legendary Lexicon reverb. Designed by the same Lexicon engineers who created the signature Lexicon sound, Pantheon offers 35 factory presets featuring 6 reverb types (hall, chamber, plate, room, ambience and custom) controlled by an intuitive user interface with 16 editable parameters.
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Technical Details

- The way to start recording today
- Supports 6 audio channels, up to 4 at one time, as well as MIDI and S/PDIF
- Features 7 analog audio inputs
- Features 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, supporting sample rates of 44.1kHz and 48kHz
- Power supply is included
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Behringer Studio Condenser Microphone Set

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Behringer Studio Condenser Microphone Set
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Technical Details

- 2 professional true condenser microphones for studio recording and live applications
- Sold as matched pair - perfect for stereophonic recording
- Low-mass diaphragm for ultra-wide frequency response and ultimate sound reproduction
- Gold-plated 3-pin XLR connector for highest signal integrity
- Requires 48V phantom power
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ART Tube MP Studio V3 Microphone Preamp and Limiter with Presets

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The ART Tube MP Studio V3 has expert presets that get you started right!The Tube MP Studio V3 features ART's Variable Valve Voicing Technology - with optimized reference points to begin the recording process. The V3's presets were created & fine-tuned by top studio and live-sound engineers, along with ART's veteran engineering department.V3 allows you to select between a multitude of preamp settings designed for electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass guitars, drums, vocals and more. V3 gives you incredible presets for every instrument you record, so all your recordings will sound professional. Need to tweak the presets? Go right ahead -- hone your perfect tone! That's the power of ART V3.It also incorporates ART's OPLTM (Output Protection Limiter), which precisely and accurately controls and maintains the output peak signal. The OPL circuitry is crucial in protecting the next link in a signal chain - such as a hard-disk recording system or a sound card.The Tube MP Studio V3 can also function as a direct box - impedance matching, amplifying and improving the sound of any instrument.The design of the Tube MP Studio V3 allows it to add warmth and fatness to a signal while maintaining low-noise. Features include Phase Reverse, +48v phantom power, clip LED, a +20dB switch, as well as an analog VU meter for visual tracking of the signal. 1-year warranty.ART Tube MP Studio V3 FeaturesProvides superior preamplification for:MicrophonesInstrumentsLine Level SourcesV3TM - Variable Valve VoicingOPLTM - Output Protection LimiterHand selected 12AX7A provides over 70dB of gainSmooth, warm and fat sound qualityVariable input and output gain controlsExcellent as a tube DIXLR and 1/4' inputs and outputs+48 volts phantom powerPhase reversal switchTEC-Award nominated design1 year warrantyDesigned for years of continuou
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Technical Details

- Dimensions: 5.0"D x 5.5"W x 2.0"H
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Rugged all-steel construction
- Designed for years of continuous, reliable performance
- 1 year warranty
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Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone

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Designed for critical home projects, professional studio applications and live performance, the AT2035 delivers exceptional detailand low noise. With it's extended low-frequency response, the AT2035 provides rich, full sound reproduction and handles extremely high sound pressure levels with ease.
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Technical Details

- Large Diaphragm for smooth, natural sound and low noise
- High SPL- Handling and a wide dynamic range
- 80 Hz high-pass filter and 10 dB pad
- Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup from sides and rear
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Studio Projects B1 v2 Condenser Microphone

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The Studio Projects B1 v2 Condenser Microphone will enhance any professional or project studio application, and it will do it at an ultra low price!As a result of uncompromising dedication and today's advanced production abilities, Studio Projects has broken the barrier of quality vs price for today's recording studio environment. The B1 is a large diaphragm cardioid microphone in a pressure-gradient transducer employing high quality transformerless design and extremely low noise. Being versatile is the key in the recording arena, and the Studio Projects B1 is no exception. Equipped with a true 1-inch 3 um gold sputtered large diaphragm in a pressure gradient transducer capsule, the B1 will deliver the finest quality of vocal and instrumentation recordings in a wide variety of applications while offering a natural extended transparent high end, yet offer the thick bodied low end expected from a quality microphone. The new version of the B1 also offers a sleek new look along with a pad adjustment at both 10dB and 20dB and a 6dB high pass filter that is adjustable at 75Hz and 150Hz making the Studio Projects B1 more versatile than ever!ApplicationsA do-all general purpose recording MicGreat for close miking amplifiers, wind instruments, strings and percussion with high sound pressure levelsGreat for production, broadcast, and voice over workPerfect for the professional and home project studioA quality vocal mic suitable for all vocal stylesIncluded AccessoriesFoam wind screenZippered BagShockmount
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Technical Details

- Frequency Response: 20~20000Hz
- Sensitivity: -34dB,(0dB=1V/Pa)
- Noise: 12dB-A (IEC651)
- Power Requirement: 48 +/- 4V
- Current Consumption: <2.5mA
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 "Great LDC mic for price" 2010-03-06
By M. Morgan (Olive Branch, MS)
I bought a few LDC lately. The bluebird, the mxl 990, and this one and I must say for vocals this mic is better than the bluebird in my opinion. It has great clarity and it picks up hi's and low's great.... I would recommend to anyone but you must have a good preamp to get the full experience. I don't even use the pads so they probably make even more of a difference. very touchy gain and shockmount is pretty weak but the mic is nice!!!!

 "excellent LDC for the price" 2009-07-28
By G. W. Schumacher (New York City)
I have had my Studio Projects B1 for a little over a year now, using it often in my home studio and for location recordings. For the price this is probably one of the best large-diaphragm condenser mics available. I've never heard the kind of low- or mid-range muddiness that seems to plague the comparably-priced MXL or Audio-Technica condensers. The mic sounds clear and accurate through the (excellent) preamps in my Alesis iO|26 firewire interface.



I've been using the B1 primarily for vocals (singing), but it works for a lot of things: acoustic guitar, hand percussion, and as a room/ambiance mic. I've also used it on a guitar amp with satisfying results. To my ears the mids and highs have pretty good clarity and detail without getting harsh; and the pads and high-pass filter switches are handy things, offering more options for getting a better sound at the source rather than trying to "fix" things in the mix with EQ (which is a chore and generally doesn't sound as good).



While there are certainly microphones on the market that have better overall clarity and presence, they tend to cost much, much more than this. One day I'll buy an AKG 414, and I'm sure it'll be worth the $850 or whatever, but the B1 meets my recording needs right now. Therefore I have rated the B1 microphone 5 stars - superb, top-notch, highly recommended.



Five stars notwithstanding, a couple notes for people considering buying this microphone:

- You will need a pop filter if you will be using it for vocals. The B1 ships with a foam windscreen, but it colors the sound and to my ears it's unsatisfactory.

- The included shockmount has some shortcomings. For one, it is difficult to insert and remove the microphone - you have to pry the plastic open with a quarter or a screwdriver, break out the elbow grease, and grunt and cuss at it for a while before it finally works. With all that rough treatment the little bungee things get stretched out, although SP gives you a replacement set. Finally, the hinge is somewhat flimsy and unreliable. It needs to be tightened a bit past the point of sensible tightness, otherwise the whole thing will flop over unexpectedly, and your snazzy B1 microphone might plummet to the floor (this is bad).

- The "leatherish" zippered case is okay (but unpadded) until the zipper breaks catastrophically, which will probably happen sooner rather than later.

 "Finally, a condenser I'm thrilled with. And the price was excellent!" 2008-09-22
By D. Fichtner (American in Seoul, SK)
I'm so happy with this mic. After going through two other condensers (an MXL990 and a Shure KSM27) which I got rid of, I'm finally content. The best thing is that the price is outstanding. This mic is priced far lower than what it should be.



The Studio Projects B1 has a wonderfully warm low end to it that still has detail. I have a midrange voice, and it fits me very well. The highs are not so overly "essy", as many other cheaper mics are. They are clear and just right. I barely feel a need to add much for EQ.



My previous experience with an MXL 990 was not a good one. I returned it in a day, due to the muddy lows and weird high end. I also had a Shure KSM27, which is probably better suited for high-pressure sound applications than VO's. I didn't care for its boxy highs sound, and sold that off.



The Studio Projects B1 is just incredible for the price. You can actually hear it if you do a web search on transom dot org mic shootout. It sounds better than mics costing thousands.



Really, an outstanding product. People say the C1 is better, but I just can't imagine myself needing it -- I'm so thrilled with this B1 for VO work.



The only con I'd say is the rather cheap basket holder. It comes with a free windscreen, though, which is a nice touch.



Remember, v2 of his mic has the extra -10 and -20 pad switch, as well as a two low-cut modes at -75, and I believe -150. Both work fairly well.



Get it!


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Samson StudioDock 3i Powered Studio USB Monitors with iPod Dock

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StudioDock: A Monitoring Milestone for the iPod Generation. Samson unveils StudioDock, a USB studio monitor specifically designed for today’s music production needs. StudioDock allows you to play or stream digital audio via USB directly to the monitors. And because the music stays digital, StudioDock produces remarkably high quality audio. The monitors also provide an onboard iPod dock so you can sync, charge and play music from your iPod. StudioDock makes life easy on musicians and producers that want to take their mix with them to listen on other consumer audio sound systems. It’s the perfect companion for today’s music producers who want true digital audio that sounds clearer and cleaner than a traditional analog cable with soundcard output.In addition to the USB functionality and onboard iPod dock, StudioDock offers studio-quality performance. The StudioDock offers 2 x 15 watts of internal power respectively, along with a 25mm silk dome high frequency driver. An all-in-one solution with studio-quality sound for the iPod generation was missing from the marketplace. StudioDock fills the void and provides an intuitive, comprehensive listening station for today’s musicians, producers and general music-lovers.
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Technical Details

- 3 inch magnetically shielded inverted cone copolymer woofer with butyl surround
- 25mm silk dome high frequency driver
- Bass reflex vented cabinet design
- 2 x 20 watts of internal power
- Front-panel 3.5mm stereo aux input jack, headphone output jack, and volume control
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 "great speaker for the iphone" 2010-04-16
By Charles (Coral Gables, Florida)
These Samson StudioDock 3i speakers are great. I use them in the living room, and do not use them w/ a computer - stricly w/ my iphone 3Gs. Sound quality is superb; crisp, good bass and capable of being very loud. I am not a "techie", but for the $91.66 range this is an exceptional product. - Phone will ring through on the speakers when someone calls, while the iphone is docked and playing music, so that's also great. They even seem to charge the iphone sometimes, but don't expect this.

 "Great speakers; not to be confused with monitors though" 2010-02-10
By Matthew Taylor (el paso, TX USA)
I use these sometimes as an iPod dock but mainly as remote speakers for airtunes. These speakers have lots of bass for their size and the sound quality is very good. They remind me a lot of the old non-powered Minimus speakers from Radio Shack.



However, don't think you can really use them as studio monitors. The low frequencies are there, but are not accurate. The mids are accentuated on the low end by the porting. On the plus side, these have a very good stereo image -- unusual for designs where the amp is in one speaker only. Things mixed to the middle appear to exist in between the speakers, rather than off to one side.



If you need cheap but quality powered monitors, I can recommend the Alesis 520s.



If you need an iPod dock that sounds probably as good as the $200 model from Bose, and certainly better than the similarly priced junk at the discount retailers, look no further.

 "Great speakers for a great price" 2010-01-25
By Jay Janssen
Got these a few weeks ago and I'm pretty happy with them.

Pros:

- Great sound, very full, good bass response for smallish speakers.

- USB integrates perfectly with my "docked" macbook... they plug into my usb hub, I plug my usb hub into my computer when at my desk. OSX auto-switches to use them as the main output (except for sound alerts, they still go out my laptop speakers.

- independent volume control on the speakers with *tons* of headroom. I run these speakers at about the 9 o'clock volume level. (they go up to 5 o'clock).



Cons:

- Isn't "compatible" with iphone... iphone causes the standard, annoying cell noise in the speakers when docked. Iphone complains that it isn't compatible with the device (I haven't found anything "compatible" with the iphone 3GS besides Apple's charger anyway). I blame the iphone /apple for this more than the speakers.

- Dock for my iphone didn't work well... I had trouble getting it to make a connection with my iphone unless I docked it and pulled the iphone forward, which didn't seem very good. Maybe fine for other ipods. Because of the speaker noise, I prefer not to dock my iphone anyway, so I'd be happy with these speakers w/o the dock.

- Power switch for speaker is on the back of the right speaker. It's a bit inconvenient to reach over and turn it off/on. Turning it off/on while plugged into USB will wake up your sleeping macbook.

 "Perfect for my subtitling project" 2010-01-24
By Arboleda Crisostomo (Honolulu, Hawaii)
I needed a set of speakers that would give me clear dialogs or narrations on videos for my subtitling project. These speakers made me hear subtle sounds that I previously couldn't hear in my videos and the voices of the characters and narrations became easy to understand.



It's true what they say that there's not much bass but, for my project, I don't need it. When listening to music occasionally, I simply adjust winamp's equalizer to boost the bass, while the highs and mids remain brilliant.



I also have a set of Altec 2.1 active speakers with subwoofer,but for my subtitling project, the Studiodock serves me better.

 "Good value but no Airport Express functionality and lacking bass" 2010-01-22
By Hereme (Seattle, WA USA)
The StudioDock 3i is a nice, inexpensive option for sturdy desktop speakers that you can plug your iPod or iPhone directly into (nice feature). They are also fairly powerful and come with a USB wire to connect your computer or laptop into.



The sound is a bit tinny and the bass is less than advertised and expected. But there is a subwoofer input; you just need to find and add your own. If you're an audiophile and enjoy music with strong bass, you may want to find another option. And strong, complex synth sounds don't come through fully. I think I'll be a lot happier once a subwoofer is added because the highs and midranges do seem decent.



These were purchased to replace a Bose iPod dock. The sound was much better on the Bose; I just didn't think it'd be as dramatic as it is.



And despite all the features, this product is not set up to work with Airport Express. So,you will not be able to play your iTunes library wirelessly. This was a big disappointment.



After comparing some 15 different desktop speaker options between ($80-$200), I thought these would be perfect. In retrospect, the M-Audio speakers may have been worth the extra money for better sound and bass.


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Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio

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The Lexicon Alpha Desktop Recording Studio continues the tradition of excellence established by its popular siblings, the Lambda and Omega desktop recording studios.Alpha Studio is a bus-powered 2x2x2 USB I/O Mixer packaged as a complete recording solution with Cubase LE and the Lexicon Pantheon VST Reverb plug-in. The Alpha Studio features one XLR microphone input, two TRS line inputs, and two TRS & RCA line outs. Alphas front panel features an ultra high-z 1/4-inch instrument input for direct to computer recording and a 1/8-inch high powered headphone output for use with professional or consumer headphones.Record anywhere you can carry your laptop! Studio quality hardware and powerful software that turns your PC or Mac into a 24-bit recording studio.FOUR INPUTS: RECORD UP TO TWO TRACKS AT ONCE!Stereo line inputs for keyboards, drum machines or analog output of a CD/MP3 player. RF-filtered TRS active-balanced inputs accept either balanced or unbalanced signals.Low-noise mic preamp with balanced XLR inputs.High-impedance front panel input for electric guitar or bass.PROFESSIONAL MIXER FEATURESSeparate mic and line level input controls with individual peak indicators.Monitor mix control for balancing an audio source between live input and playback mix level while recording. Can be switched to stereo or mono.High-powered headphone amp offers ultra-clear fidelity while delivering ample power for any type of headphones.RF-filtered and TRS balanced Line outputs for speaker monitoring.USB POWEREDConnect to your computer with the included USB cable and record with the included Cubase LE software. No need for a power supply... so you can record anywhere you can take your laptop.
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Technical Details

- Record up to 2 tracks at once
- 44.1kHz to 48kHz sample rates, 16-bit or 24-bit resolution
- One XLR mic, two TRS line, and one Hi-Z instrument inputs
- Two TRS and RCA line outputs
- Software suite includes Cubase LE4 and Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in
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 "Sweet box" 2010-05-20
By Jeffrey Wertz (New York City)
I'm an audio professional and radio dj for over 30 years. People who knock this unit don't seem to know what they are talking about.



Back in the early 1980's you couldn't buy any Lexicon box for under $2000. And those were 1980's dollars!



I use this unit with my Thinkpad, radio dj software and a Lacie external hard drive to have access to 50,000 songs while I'm on the air. Granted, I don't record through this unit (I use Pro Tools in my studio), but I can tell you this: for a mere $[...] bucks this unit has that famous pristine Lexicon sound quality that used to cost us at least a couple grand in 1980s bucks.



Great sound. Pro balanced +4 dbins and outs, just the right feature set and high enough reliability for live broadcasting.



I'm more than happy I checked around and selected this fine piece of gear.

 "Nice cheap upgrade from onboard audio" 2010-01-24
By G. Reagan
Contrary to what some think, this does work with Win7 x64 unless I just have an updated version. It will work as a WDM or MME device using the default Win7 drivers and shows up as a USB audio device. I'm using Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 PE so I didn't bother installing Cubase but the following method should work just the same if you want the better ASIO mode.



First google the asio4all driver and install the latest which was the 2.10 beta version at this time. Plug the Alpha in, it will say error but that is probably just the missing Lexicon ASIO driver. Once that installs, go to the Windows sound device panel and set the USB audio device as the default for playback and recording. If the USB audio device doesn't show yet, unplug the Alpha then plug it back in or restart.



Now when you start a program that can use ASIO mode, the asio4all icon will show in the system tray and you can set which devices to use. Adjust the ASIO buffer size if there is any crackle in the playback caused from missing data. I was able to get half the latency compared to the Lexicon driver running in XP so I wouldn't even bother using their driver even when they finally update it.



As for the actual device, it's very solid and has a clean sound with low latency (30-60ms). The base is metal and the top is plastic but an industrial strength. There isn't really much of a choice in this price range for 24bit 48Khz so I consider this a good replacement for default on board sound more than anything. It's nice to have the monitor mix to have 0 latency when needed then switch back to standard playback. One thing I don't like is that the output level is linked to both the headphone and line out so you can't adjust them independently.



I'm pleased with it and give it 5 stars for myself but 3 stars for regular people. It can't really be recommended simply because of the extra steps needed for Win7 x64 which is becoming the default Windows install.

 "A Mac oriented review" 2010-01-21
By R C-R
The Alpha works fine with Apple's new OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard), but you will have problems installing the Cubase LE 4 software that comes with it -- the installer will stall at the "one minute remaining" mark & never finish. Steinberg has released a "hotfix" for this 10.6-only issue but it won't work with the Lexicon disc in the product box, probably because that disc has an old version (4.0.3) of Cubase LE 4 on it. That version also has other problems that will affect Leopard users too, so ultimately you will want to get Mac version 4.1.2 or better of the software. You can get the installer for 4.1.2 from Steinberg, but only by accessing its server using an anonymous connection to "[...]" as a guest, or by contacting Lexicon Pro customer support & asking that the updated disc be sent to you. The 4.1.2 installer will still hang if you run it under Snow Leopard, but after you force quit it, Cubase will be properly installed & work perfectly.



But it is definitely worth the hassle. Cubase LE 4 may be Steinberg's "lightest" version of this software but it still is among the most capable products of its type & is the only way you can use the Lexicon pro quality "Pantheon" VST reverb plugin included with the product. Price even Lexicon's cheapest stand-alone reverb unit & you will see why the Alpha is a bargain.



As for audio quality of the Alpha itself, I'm a pro sound mixer & I think it is quite good. Most users will not notice that it has fully balanced, +4 dB pro level line in & line out connections, but this makes a huge difference when used with other pro equipment. Just understand that it is a 2 in, 2 out interface -- those 3 conductor jacks on the back each take one signal apiece, & this is what you should use whenever possible.



If you are looking for a dirt cheap pro quality interface & software bundle, you won't do better than the Alpha at $80 from Amazon, even with all the hassles of getting the software installed.

 "Sorry, but this is not for me." 2010-01-18
By Mr. Vadim Permakoff (NJ, USA)
I needed a sound input / output device for my notebook, which is not that expensive and suitable for home recording. Not for professional recording - just to make a recording of my 6 years old daughter learning to play a piano. So... I was looking on Internet to find some inexpensive (but not the cheapest) USB PC Interface, and I found this device here on Amazon. I was quite impressed by the description of the Lexicon Alpha, which was all about 24 bit A/D converters and all the features, and included Steinberg LE, etc.



I ordered it directly from the Amazon (I mean it was sold by the Amazon, not the other company) a few days ago and received it as expected, no problem with that. I opened the box and I was somewhat disappointed by the cheap look of the device. The box is made from cheap plastic (this I knew from the previous reviews and was not surprised by that), but even connectors are made from plastic! Even nuts on the connectors are made from plastic and all this indicates that it would not last any long. Anyway, I thought, the convertors are 24 bit and they should produce some decent sound, and I don't need anything better.



So, I connected it to my notebook, and voila! - it worked right from the start! My Windows XP did say - new device is found, and did recognize the device as "Lexicon", even without installing the drivers. So far so good. But then I put on my headphones and tried to listen my Yamaha keyboard connected via the Lexicon - it did not sound right! It did sound like some cheapest Casio $20 toy. OK, let me listed the CD, I thought, but CD did not sound any good either, the sound was even worse then I can get from my notebook headphone output.



I thought, may be the problem is that I did not install the drivers. So, I inserted the installation disk and started the installation. The installation started as expected, I did all steps to unplug and plug back the device, and so on. After installing drivers I tried the sound again. Nothing changed. May be I need to restart the computer? I did - nothing changed. May be I need to reinstall drivers? I did - nothing changed. Apparently it was a sound quality, which this device can produce.



At this point I was quite disappointed, but still did not think to return the device. I thought, I needed it only for the simple home recording, may be it will work OK just for that. So, I tried to do some recording, only to realize that the background noise is so bad, that it is impossible to get any decent recording from this device. In other words - it was bad in all respects! I saw one review, where the reviewer did complain about horrible background noise, why did I not listen?



As a result, after several hours lost to make any use of this junk, I'm returning it back and I will probably never buy anything from Lexicon again.



I'm giving two stars to Lexicon Alpha only because it works and it has Cubase LE 4 in the package, but, really, it should be one star.



Updated: to be fair to Lexicon, I should mention that the background noise I got, while connecting my Yamaha to the Alpha audio input, and at the same time connecting Yamaha to the notebook to transfer MIDI using USB. This is what I needed. If you don't need to connect some of your equipment directly to the computer, you may be ok, because you will not have a loop, which will pick up all the noise. However, I should also mention here, that other devices have a ground-off switch (for example, like e-mu usb audio interface, which I got after returning Alpha, and which, I believe, is excellent), which will allow you to connect equipment exactly as I did and have no noise at all.

 "Nice looking paprer weight. Get two." 2010-01-16
By D. grindstaff (slightly off to one side)
I will tell you why people are downrating this worthless piece of junk. I have owned mine for a bit over a year and it has had multiple issues on two different systems. When it works, sure it is great but when it takes the hike , give up on it. Better yet save your money.



I have worked in pro studios with a 48 channel STUDER and a Mac, ran OTARI 8 track tape machines and fooled around with Synclavier so I doubt I am the type expecting "too much" from the Alpha. I wanted an inexpensive solution for a carry around break out box to my 24 channel mixxer and laptop or for taking to parties.



ONE look at the Lexicon Pro site says it all. FAIL. Not a single post praising the machine just a lot of deleted posts and a few asking where the Heck IS support.



[...]





I got the Alpha with an eye on Ableton LIVE which actually is awesome. The fully functioning Cubase LE 4 that comes with the Alpha is all I have to show for my 119$



Computer techs (more than one) agree it is not the computer, software conflicts .etc- it is the unit it's self.



I am sure at least some of the units are not defective, mine did not act up until it was off warranty.



The problem?



Slow or non-existant support.



Old drivers.



Independable and obviously of cheap manufacture.



I will quote a post on the Lexicon Pro site:





Sadly, after rebooting the Alpha is once again making the noises and is crunchy and pops like a burning fire.



I will set it aside for now and save for a better soundcard.



Good luck, I doubt I shall bother returning to this forum.



I remember when Lexicon was the KING of tech back in the day. We used Lexicon in the studio at the recording music production school and the reverbs and delays were exquisite. I advise Lexicon to discontinue this card and stick with audio effect devices and avoid the fails.



I see the list of "Sister companys" on this website and will avoid buying a single product again based on the issues here. I have owned or own at least 4 of those other products. This is like watching a Dr. pick his nose then asking us to ...say.....ahhhhh.



So go ahead and buy this, save your receipt and be ready to return. If and when you play Live through this and the audience heres a ceral commercial don't say you were not warned.


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Quiklok BS300 Quiklok BS300 Studio Monitor Speaker Stand (Adjustable Height)

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Now you can put even the largest near-field monitors on a stand you can trust to remain stable. No more "balancing act" on the top of your board! Strong, all-steel, arc-welded construction provides enough strength for a 100-lb. weight capacity rating. Its 3-point triangle base has adjustable leveling floor spikes for added stability. The stand provides 4 locking height adjustment positions from 32.7" to 45.3", and a 9" square metal top plate. Base size: 17.7" (each side).
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Technical Details

- Designed for home, project and recording studios
- Stable, three-point triangle base with adjustable leveling floor spikes
- Four locking height adjustment positions from 32.7" to 45.3" high
- All-steel, arc-welded construction - NO fiber or particleboard
- Attractive design incorporating cable management
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 "Does what a speaker stand should do." 2010-04-05
By L. A. Long (Long Valley, NJ)
I can see where the parts are not of the finest materials and machining available, the threads are a bit coarse, so take care lining it up, as to not cross thread the bolts. The drilled holes on mine lined up perfectly, which is usually the problem I run across with prefab stuff. No directions, but just a little of Ikea logic can get it done. It took all of twenty minutes to assemble. I would not recommend it for anyone who requires frequent adjustments, or reassembly.



It's holding a 30 pound monitor, on a carpet, at it's full extension, without using the carpet spikes and is plenty sturdy. It has pre-applied rubber pads to reduce vibration and holds the speaker, just like a speaker stand is supposed too. The biggest frill for me, was the price. I'm entirely satisfied and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 "Good stands for the money" 2010-02-11
By D. Contreras (New York, USA)
These stands are perfect for my home studio. They look great and they can hold from large size to small monitors.

 "spend a little more money..." 2009-10-05
By Jeff Jones
In a word, these are "junk" stands. I bought two and the hardware supplied was either incomplete or mis-manufactured to the point it was unusable. I substituted my own (much nicer) hardware and got them assembled, but I would never trust them with anything heavier than about 25 pounds. The idea of using (a very cheap) 6mm bolt to support the entire weight of the speaker is laughable and the overall quality of the stand could be surpassed by a first year metal shop student. If anyone actually used these in a studio (which I doubt), it would only be long enough to buy new stands and get these sold on ebay. I blame myself since I was suckered in by the low price, but these are not suitable for any professional use. Save your money and buy a real stand from a real manufacturer.

 "Great sturdy stand." 2009-08-10
By Tristan Harward (Boston, MA United States)
I can understand the other reviews difficulty in assembling these due to the lack of step-by-step instructions, but it's honestly not too much trouble. Once you get them set up, they work like a charm, supporting small-but-heavy speakers with ease. Highly recommended.

 "Solid stand...if only it came with all the parts" 2009-03-09
By Andrew E. Dumm (Norfolk, VA)
These stands would be great if they came with all the correct pieces in the box. Add in vague directions and the result is mediocre at best. The seller on amazon has been very helpful, however, the actual manufacturer, Quicklok, has done nothing to resolve the situation of the missing parts. A good price and if you're willing to take the gamble of what might show up in the box, I'd say go for it. Otherwise, shell out a couple more bucks and buy a set from a more reputable manufacturer.


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Behringer MS16 Powered Studio Desktop Monitors

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The Behringer MS16 Speakers are a compact 2-way stereo speaker setup for home studio or multimedia applications!Two high-power amplifiers drive the 4-inch woofers and the high-resolution tweeters. The front-mounted volume control and individual bass and treble controls make accurate sound adjustments a breeze. Two stereo line inputs (RCA and eighth-inch TRS) allow simultaneous use of two stereo sources, so you can play back CDs, MDs or MP3s and use an electric guitar/keyboard at the same time. In addition, the quarter-inch TRS microphone input lets you mix vocals with a stereo track.Behringer MS16 FeaturesCompact stereo speaker system for home studios or multimedia applications4 inch woofer and high-resolution tweeter powered by two 8-watt amplifiersDedicated volume, bass and treble controls for more flexibilityStereo RCA inputs for sound cards, keyboards... etcConnect a CD or MP3 player through 1/8 inch TRS stereo inputSeparately adjustable 1/4 inch TRS mic input for vocal monitoring1/8 inch TRS headphone connector with auto-mute loudspeaker functionMagnetically shielded for placement near computer monitorsMagnetic shielding and compact size make these speakers perfect for placement near video monitors or computer displays.
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Technical Details

- Compact stereo speaker system
- Powerful 4 woofer
- Dedicated volume
- Magnetically shielded
- 1/8 TRS headphone connector
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 "Great For Personal Studio" 2009-03-31
By J Rozen (New York)
i Purchased these monitors in place of my philips computer speakers and now i can hear the music i play and produce alot clearer..i would recommend these to anyone looking for personal studio monitors..

 "Best deal for the money" 2009-03-02
By John C. Smith (DAYTON, TN USA)
This is the best deal for the money if you are looking for what it says it is, an Active(powered) Personal Monitor System. I just got this pair a couple days ago and set it up in about 5 minutes and hooked up my mic at the keyboards. It gave me a clear, good quality sound reproduction.



I have been in the music field for many years and while these may not be an ideal studio monitor set, they would do in a pinch. But again they are for personal monitoring, not recording. Behringer makes their "Truth" NF series for that. Again, for the money these are a good deal.

 "Great sound!" 2009-01-31
By P. Zollner (Sacramento county, CA)
I'm an elementary school teacher. With the system hooked up to a CD player, I take it outdoors at school, and use it to amplify the sound of dance tapes, so 60 second graders can hear the music that we dance to. I also added a mic so I can give instructions. I'm using it in the classroom to amplify the sound from the CD player as well. My students are practicing for a performance and they enjoy speaking and singing into the mic. I've even used it to amplify my voice when I had a sore throat. This system has a great sound and a great price.

 "Excellent" 2008-11-10
By G. Bleiler (CT USA)
Great speakers I use them in my Halloween maze for sound, These are the best I have found for the price to deliver crisp clear sound when the fright is trggered, it was very important for me to have a speaker that can be set to full volume and not have any distortion. GREAT SPEAKERS!!!

 "For the price: Can't be beat." 2008-11-01
By Midnight Owl (Wishful Thinking, CA USA)
I really appreciate the previous reviewers' detailed posts here. It helped me decide to take a chance on these. I wanted something that could provide me with accurate clean affordable sound from my desktop. Paired with some decent headphones, I can now send rough mixes to a pro happily. They sound great, and the price is right.


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Line 6 POD Studio GX

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POD® Studio GX combines the stunning sound of POD Farm™ plug-in with a rock-solid and powerful USB interface. Essential to the success of countless platinum-selling albums, these immortal Line 6 guitar, bass and effects tones are now available for recording guitarists. POD Farm, The Premium Tone Plug-in POD Farm plug-in features the sounds of the sought-after vintage essentials and must-have modern monsters necessary for a pro-sounding recording. It includes 18 immortal guitar amps (modeled after* Fender® Deluxe Reverb®, Marshall® JCM-800, Vox® AC-30 Top Boost, Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier®, and more), 24 guitar cabs, 5 bass amps and 5 bass cabs, 29 essential stompbox and studio effects (modeled after* EP-1 Tube Echoplex, Ibanez® Tube Screamer®, MXR® Phase 90, LA-2A® studio compression, and more) and 6 crucial mic preamps (modeled after* Neve® 1073, Avalon Vt737, API® 512c, and more). Drag and drop any model into the signal flow, pre or post amplifier. The carousel-style gear browser, displaying each and every coveted model, provides an experience that’s a dream come true. Creating classic tones or imaginative hybrids is incredibly fast and easy. GX, the Lowest Noise for the Clearest Recordings GX boasts the lowest noise for recording guitar, 12dB more dynamic range than similar interfaces, for clear and dynamic recordings. Plus, exclusive Line 6 ToneDirect™ monitoring virtually eliminates latency allowing you to record with amp and effect modeling and without sacrificing tone or feel. Compact and powerful, GX features a 1/4-inch guitar input that allows for an immediate and no-nonsense recording experience. Start Recording Right Out of the Box POD Studio GX includes POD Farm plug-in and Ableton® Live Lite 8-track recording software, an ideal platform for guitarists. This collection of studio-standard hardware and software provides instant pro recording, right out of the box.
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Technical Details

- GX provides the lowest noise for recording guitar with 12dB more dynamic range than similar interfaces
- ToneDirect monitoring virtually eliminates latency and allows you to record and monitor a fully processed tone
- POD Farm plug-in provides 18 guitar amps, 24 guitar cabs, 5 bass amps and 5 bass cabs, 29 essential stompbox and studio effects and 6 mic preamps in Mac® AU/RTAS®/VST® and Windows® RTAS® /VST® formats
- Ableton® Live Lite 8-track recording software
- 1/4-inch guitar input; 1/8-inch guitar headphone/line output, 44.1/48 kHz 16-/24-bit recording (88.2/96 kHz with sample rate conversion), Compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0
- POD Farm plug-in provides 18 guitar amps, 24 guitar cabs, 5 bass amps and 5 bass cabs, 29 essential stompbox and studio effects
- 1/4-inch guitar input; 1/8-inch guitar headphone/line output, 44.1/48 kHz 16-/24-bit recording, Compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0
- POD Farm plug-in provides 18 guitar amps, 24 guitar cabs, 5 bass amps and 5 bass cabs
- Ableton Live Lite 8-track recording software
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 "excellent product and price" 2010-03-11
By Jack Murphy (ravenna, Ohio, US)
This little beast is so good I have'nt used my amp since. The presets are great you can play along to your favorite songs modeling the same amps and effects the original artists used.It comes with recording software(abelton live)and riffworks. The pod farm has all the amps and stomp boxes you need to have fun.

Musician's Friend had the best price plus I got another $30.00 off that by signing up for the Amazon.com credit card. This unit was worth every penny it cost.

 "Great Interface" 2010-03-06
By B. Norris (el monte, ca United States)
Easy to use with garage band, sounds great. Pod Farm software allows for some great amp and effect modeling!!

 "Doesn't work on all computers" 2010-02-25
By Jared Fantastic
I recently purchased the GX, hoping to record some music. I chose it because it seemed like a good piece of equipment. In fact, my friend, who is an audio and recording expert, was quite impressed with my latest acquisition. After figuring out the software (which took a while because there are no manuals included; they are only available online), I thought I was ready to record. Although the music I was playing was perfect, on the recording parts of it had increased in speed and there was a crackling sound and other noises.



Wondering if I was doing something wrong, I called Line 6. I spoke to a man who informed me that my laptop was not providing enough power through my USB port, and that everybody who had the same problem had an HP laptop with AMD Turion processor. He directed me to a document on their website with some "tweaks" that had resolved the problem for some people, but not everyone.



I tried almost everything, and nothing worked. The last thing to try is a powered USB hub. Now I have to buy more hardware just to get the GX to work, and the powered hubs aren't cheap. Nowhere on the product specifications does it say that the GX would not work on HP laptops with AMD Turion processors. I had a limited budget to spend on this, and if I had known that I needed to buy something else to get it to work I wouldn't have gotten it in the first place.

 "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT" 2010-02-09
By Joel R. Schmidt (Chicago,Il)
THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTION TO AID YOU IN ANYWAY AND I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE PRODUCT AT THE WEBSITE BECAUSE THEY SAID THE SERIAL NUMBER I HAD WAS NOT CORRECT. WELL AS FAR AS I KNOW IT ONLY COMES WITH ONE SERIAL NUMBER. THIS WAS ALL AN EXERCISE IN frustration. DON'T BUY IT!!!! I SENT IT BACK RIGHT AWAY!!!

 "line 6 studio GX review" 2010-01-30
By S. Gorse
Overall this product is great! For an entry level computer musical interface awesome. Great amp tones. I think i've spent about 20 hours a week using it since receiving. Highly recomended.


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