Mixers / DAW
YAMAHA MW10 USB Mixing Studio with CUBASE LE DAW Software
Yamaha have a long tradition in the manufacture of musical instruments and sound equipment - both for domestic and professional use. The company's recent acquisition of the music software company Steinberg now means that their mainly hardware range now includes software systems, and opens up new possibilities for products which combine hardware and software. This entry level system is the first of a planned range of systems combining these technologies promising exciting times ahead for anyone interested in creating high quality recoded product.
CUBASE LE DAW Software 'Digital Audio Workstations' are very popular in professional recording studios, home setups and education, allowing the user to combine MIDI and audio techniques whilst using sophisticated editing and processing tools within a standard computer. 'Cubase' has been around for many years now, and this 'LE' edition is the current entry-level version using the same technology as Steinberg's flagship 'Cubase SX' and 'Nuendo' packages, but with stripped-down facilities which shouldn't limit its effectiveness in the home or in NQF level 2 education.
Read more: YAMAHA MW10 USB Mixing Studio with CUBASE LE DAW Software
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
TASCAM DM BB-1000CD
TASCAM DM BB-1000CD – typical price £499.00
(Reviewed by John Verity)
The BB-1000CD is built to record virtually anything anywhere with CD-quality and is able to play music or speech with many options. Thus, it is the ideal tool for any musician, music teacher, composer, choirmaster, school, or conference room. Portable recorders seem to get smaller these days, with pages of menu to go through and very few physical controls to get your hands on – until now, that is! A welcome return to a familiar format for the classroom / rehearsal room, the BB-1000CD from Tascam brings things up-to-date with a welcome addition to its portable recording units.
