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Although small in size, the MicroBook is huge when it comes to audio quality. The MicroBook is a USB-powered audio interface that makes studio-grade performance possible at a size of your pocket. Despite being small, about the size of a regular pocket, the MicroBook can turn your Mac or PC into a personal 4×2 recording studio all complete with the needed audio I/O and mixing features for professional recording.

View full specs of the MOTU MicroBook USB Interface.

The MicroBook lets you have a complete personal recording set up whether on a Mac or on a PC. It has four simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, a keyboard, or any other stereo line-level device. Its mic preamp produces nothing but the most neutral and most pristine sound possible, thanks to its condenser mics powered by a 20dB pad and a 48V phantom power. Not only that, the MicroBook also offers flexibility you can choose among a programmable analog, a digital, and headphone outputs.

Because the MicroBook is small, its mic input ins a balanced ¼-inch jack. If in case you would like to use a mic cable with an XLR plug, there is no need to worry because the MicroBook comes with a XLR-to-1/4-inch adapter. Its Precision Digital Trim allows you to control analog trim on all analog units digitally. This only means one thing you get to enjoy both worlds: the excellent signal quality of analog audio circuitry and the fine-tune precision of digital control. Plus, you get to save and recall the trim settings on your computer.

But the main feature of the MicroBook is its unparalleled audio quality. Its accurate audio quality is a perfect fit to the demands of any professional recording set up. And since the MicroBook is part of the royal family who brought FireWire, USB and PCI audio interfaces in the market, you can be confident that it is a product of decades of great engineering expertise.

Most of the audio interface brands that we see in the market today (even the expensive ones) usually cut corners with unbalanced analog inputs and outputs. Even the expensive ones compromise overall audio performance, making it fall below a balanced circuit. But the MicroBook has well balanced inputs and outputs that ensure only the best protection possible against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-creating environmental factors.

The guitar input of the MicroBook provides nothing but the appropriate impedance loads for guitars, letting you play through guitar-processing plug-ins in a host software knowing that you will get a natural feel and response. MicroBook’s “mini” eight-inch analog input can be connected to an iPod or any other stereo-level signal. This lets you mix an audio input with other inputs and route such inputs to any output device.

With the birth of the MicroBook, you can now have quality I/O recording, personal audio tracking, laptop-based DJing, among many other applications, on-the-go.

Read another review on the MOTU MicroBook.

The industry is about to feel the innovative prowess of Korg with its new compact Korg MIDI devices, particularly designed for music makers on-the-go!

Korg unveils its new series of MIDI controllers, the answer to every artist’s the nanoSeries devices. These MIDI series features three compact products the nanoKEY, the nanoPAD, and the nanoKONTROL.

Expected to be tough, the nanoKEY is no ordinary keyboard it is a 25-note, velocity-sensitive model. Aside from being very handy in recording chords and melodies, the nanoKEY can also be used to send MIDI data, further expanding its power. It boasts of an Octave Shift feature, giving you instant access to the entire MIDI note range. It also has pitch and modulation buttons, so every performance will have that natural controller expression, despite its size.

The Korg nanoKEY is also very small. In fact, you can put it right in front of your laptop, your recording station, on a recording console, or wherever you need a versatile control over your virtual instrument or DJ software. But although it is small, the nanoKEY has a gives you a handful of features when it comes to functionality without cutting corners that could affect its convenient operation.

The nanoPAD, on the other hand, has 12 highly-sensitive trigger pads complete with and X/Y pad, which makes it great for laptop DJs as well as for drum programming its roll and flam functions give a unique interface that projects realistic drum programming. It is USB powered, and is also capable of sending both notes and MIDI control data.

The nanoPAD also has a Chord Trigger function that lets you enter chords onto a single pad, which helps you to make the most of the work surface as you create. The pad also makes a great interface for soloing or muting tracks because it can transmit control change messages. You can turn objects on and off, or trigger clips during your live performances.

Finally, Korg finishes the deal with nanoKONTROL. It has 9 faders, 9 knobs,18 switches, and a full transport section giving you full control. That is why the nanoKONTROL is a great DAW and plug-in control; and with its input mode, laying down your next groove will not be a headache.

The nanoKONTROL has 4 programmable scenes, and each of them lets you set the controller the way you want it. That means you can send 168 different MIDI Control Change messages and MIDI notes using these switches. It has 6 transport buttons, and each can either send MIDI Control Change messages or MMC messages to control functions such as start, stop, loop, or record.

With the new Korg MIDI bundle, you can now have full control over the quality of music that you make. And the best part is, you get all three at the price of one. So what are you waiting for? Get the Korg MIDI Bundle, today!

Check out the Korg MIDI Bundle or browse for other Midi Controllers.

Making an entry into the music industry could be a tough nut to crack. You could be belittled by the prices of the extremely expensive branded gadgets. Equipments like the Marshall MXL V67G Condenser Microphone are thankfully much more affordable. Read more…

The durable and compatible structure of the Native Instruments’ audio interface delivers outstanding performance. The Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface, has been introduced to fulfill the requirements of musicians on the move. Read more…

The professional audio technician would be remiss if the Steinberg Wavelab 6 was missing from the editing suite. This is an industry-competent audio editing, CD burning, special effects manipulation audio software designed for a quality music creation. Mastering software is now fully available with these important features:

• one solution for mastering

• high res stereo

• multichannel audio editing

• audio restoration

• sample design

• complete CD and DVD creation feature

• New Spectrum Editor

• integrated outboard effect processors

• hardware remote controllers

• Loudness corrective SmartBypass System

• DIRAC time stretch technology

• Pitch shift technology

• Sample accurate audio editor

Click here for more information, as well as special financing deals. Read more…

Leading speaker manufacturer Alesis has recently released the M1 Active 520 USB Studio Monitors This pair is particularly designed for professional audio use, and more.

So why the distinct reputation of the Alesis M1 Active 520 USB Studio Monitors.

Aside from being a powerful pair, the M1 Active 520 is a team of active, bi-amplified, two-way reference speakers that provides genuine audio frequency from 20kHz to a simple 56kHz, practically allowing them to cover almost every frequency sensitive to the human ears. Read more…

Be prepared for almost startling results which might awe you completely when you bring home the KRK RP6 G2 Powered Monitor. You could be completely shaken. Blame it on the flat frequencies which play a major role in enhancing the sound clarity, quite akin to other regular variants. Read more…

An industry giant unveils compact MIDI devices for music makers on-the-go!
Korg unveils its new series of MIDI controllers, the answer to every artist’s the nanoSeries devices. These MIDI series features three compact products the nanoKEY, the nanoPAD, and the nanoKONTROL. Read more…

When it comes to music equipments, Focusrite is a name to reckon with. They have steadily created a niche for themselves in the music equipments market, and have always been bringing state of the art solutions. The same holds true of their new product, the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24, a cool gadget for people who love recording and mixing music. Read more…