ReviewsReviews
RYDER R3 semi solid guitar
RYDER R3 semi solid guitar £179.99
(Reviewed by John Verity)
Ryder guitars are new to the market. Designed in the UK/ built in China they are marketed initially through larger 'Sue Ryder' outlets, but there are plans to make them available in high street stores. I believe that direct sales to education are also in the pipeline.., Watch this space!
Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0
Toontrack Superior Drummer 2.0 - The New York Legacy Series Vol. 1
(Reviewed by John Verity)
What is it?
Superior Drummer 2.0 is a collection of multi-microphone drum samples designed for realism when sequencing drum tracks. Superior drummer works either as a stand-alone system, or as a virtual instrument/ plug-in inside your DAW of choice. For the purposes of this piece I used it inside Steinberg’s Cubase 5.
TASCAM DM 3200
TASCAM DM 3200 – typical price £2,499.00
(Reviewed by John Verity)
The DM-3200 is a 48-channel professional digital console. It offers sixteen busses, eight auxes, dynamics and effects, automation via motorised faders and USB connectivity. Its user interface includes 16 rotary encoders with LED indicators to display mixer settings at a glance’ DAW (Digital Audio Workstations) such as ‘Cubase’ & ‘Logic’ are a common feature in the studio, music lab, and classroom where BTEC Music & Music Technology programmes are delivered.They are, along with ‘Pro Tools’, ‘Nuendo’ and similar systems, the standard method of recording and editing across much of the industry which is why learners need to become familiar with this method of working. Whilst working ‘in the box’ is perfectly acceptable, many professionals prefer a tactile ‘control surface’ which communicates with the DAW and therefore removes much of the tedious mouse operation required when working with a DAW alone. Similarly, students will often be more productive and certainly more comfortable working with a hardware interface like the Tascam DM. Physically, the Tascam DM consoles are extremely impressive, with plenty of space around the controls to enable clear instruction to be given, and easy operation by the learner.
Steinberg Cubase 5
Steinberg Cubase 5
(Reviewed by John Verity)
(Typical Education price £219.00 with Studio 5 Educational @ £140.00 and Cubase 5 Essential @ £62.00)
Cubase 5 is Steinberg’s latest version of the popular Cubase music sequencing (DAW) software. The different packages become more sophisticated as they become more expensive – but the specifications would suggest that every one of the packages is capable of excellent results when recording both audio and MIDI files with even the entry ‘Essential’ package allowing up to 64 audio tracks. Many schools and colleges are now successfully creating all of their audio work using a DAW, rather than hardware/ tape/hard-disc multi-track recorders, and Cubase can perform admirably in this area – with the added advantage of being able to free up valuable recording studio space by allowing learners to take their newly recorded live track out of the studio, to a nearby computer lab or workroom suitably equipped with Cubase, thereby freeing up the studio for other learners to use. Files can be easily backed up and moved in this way to a suitably equipped, convenient location.
YAMAHA STAGEPAS 300 PA SYSTEM
YAMAHA STAGEPAS 300 PA SYSTEM - approx. £300
(Reviewed by John Verity)
Yamaha have a large range of PA equipment, from large concert systems to units suitable for smaller venues and rehearsal situations. Yamaha's portable Stagepas 300 and Stagepas 500 systems look ideal for the classroom and rehearsals so I took a look at the smaller, Stagepas 300 version. Stagepas 300 from Yamaha
