M-Audio Fast Track Pro - Great for working with audio on a budget

Advantages: cheap, reliable, portable, easy to use and intuitive
Disadvantages: limited ins and outs, not a lot of leeway for input levels

...The M-Audio Fast Track Pro is all round a fairly good piece of kit. I originally bought mine as my very first audio/usb interface to use with my Macbook and Logic Pro when I first started university, 2 years ago. I am now in my final year, and have progressed up to using Pro Tools (M-powered, as this is the only version supported by the Fast Track Pro.) I have to date used the fast track pro to create semi-professional projects. The sound quality is, I have to say, very good for a £120 interface, although I have had problems attempting to get a decent input signal strength, especially when using the built in phantom power. However, the integrated phantom power is effective, even when the unit is powered solely by USB, although the option for mains power is available, though the adapter is not included in the box. I got a universal...

mrt01983 24.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of M-Audio Fast Track Pro

M-Audio Oxygen 61[Midi Keyboard]

Advantages: Great Midi Keyboard/Controller.
Disadvantages: none

...As im a music Producer, I use a number of Midi Keyboards when i go to studios. M-audio keyboards are levels abouve the rest within the industry. I previously i owned the smaller version of this the Oxygen8 v2, which i loved, howeveras i was progressing as a musician, it was limiting me on the mellodies i was composing as there wernt enough keys. So i upgraded to the Oxygen 61 which is what im currently using. Im extremely happly with it so far, and feel that it meets all of my requirements not just as a Midi Keyboard but also as a Controller Interface for software like 'Reason'. The Modulation and Pitch Bend Sliders are very useful while recording to generate different effects. This keyboard includes everything you need as a producer to start making music of a high standard, Pitch & Modulation wheels, programmable buttons/panners/ 9...

Music_Maker 26.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of M-Audio Oxygen 61

M-Audio BX8s

Advantages: Great Clear Sound
Disadvantages: Slightly Poor Customer Relations

...A few years ago I decided to purchase some studio monitoring speakers and was reccomended these speakers by some professional producers, and as a result I bought these speakers The sound is absolutely excellent, the sound properties can be altered on the speaker units themselves to deliver a completely flat sound no matter their proximity to the wall or the height at which they are positioned. The sound is very crisp and the bass is very punchy without being overpowering, all in a all a great asset to have in a studio. They can also be purchased with an accompanying subwoofer which can add to the experience, but is by no means essential. I had a slightly problem with one of my speakers about 2 years ago where it simply stopped working and produced only a buzzing nosie from both the tweeter and the main driver. However, it was...

elude 16.08.2007 · Read review
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Review of M-Audio BX 8 A Studio Monitors

Good audio interface for serious recording

Advantages: good sound quality, zero latency
Disadvantages: if you expect a really out standing quality, this is not the one to go for

...I bought this M-Audio firewire last year. Have to say Im really satisfy with this audio interface. It has 2 input with 48V phatom power, from which you can plug in your condenser microphones. There are also 2 1/4 input for instruments. It works really well for my acoustic, although I would prefer to use the condenser mics to record, since they give a fuller tone. Supported with firewire connection, there is no latency, and it allows you to record up to 192Kb, which is satisfactiory for professional recording. The interface has a solid look, with white silver color and very stable. I've been using it for 1 year and I've never had a problem with the hardware. The software is well suported and run smoothly with my mac....

makemelaughTB 05.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of M-Audio FireWire 1814

Brilliant Bargain Bookshelf speakers

Advantages: Bass is deep and detailed, terrific presence, lively and engaging
Disadvantages: Mid range could be more open

...Before I bought these speakers I was somewhat new to the hi fi scene having only listened to a few systems and certainly hadn't heard of this particular manufacturer. All of that changed when a friend of mine took the plunge into hi fi speakers and demoed these speakers along with four other pairs including MA, B&W and Wharfedale. After a long listening decision it was obvious they were outstanding and my friend quickly snapped them up without a moments hesitation. Shortly afterwards I purchased these speakers to and was suddenly able to truly enjoy my speakers as opposed to liking the vocal range of my previous speakers but never feeling truly happy with other aspects of the sound.. The first thing that strikes you about these speakers visually is their design, it's very attractive and belies their price tag. However where these...

grandchamp 01.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Monitor Audio Bronze BR2

M2SS Individual Bookshelf Speakers

Advantages: High quality sound
Disadvantages: Not the best bass without a subwoofer

...After deciding to upgrade my surround sound speakers, I had a look at a few Loud Speaker packages, and then at the individual bookshelf speakers to compare price with value for money. I first decided to go with the individual bookshelf speakers rather than the all in one package, as you only need to have good front speakers to get the high quality sound feeling, and can drop a few levels for your side and rear speakers, as they do not need to produce as many sounds. After a good few weeks of looking around I ended up at Richer Sounds, where I noticed a pair of Mission M2S speakers (the individual speakers from the M2S Loudspeaker Package Mission slowed and may have stopped producing as they upgraded) on sale for £49.95 a pair, which are valued at a normal price of £99.95 a pair. After seeing this good price, I instantly went...

Delboy001 02.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Mission M2S

Go Audio Made Up Stories

Advantages: great consistency
Disadvantages: erm none really

...Go Audio Made Up Stories Go Audio have a great talent which they clearly show in this album, I personally am in love with their material. Made Up Stories ***** This is a brilliant start to this album and obviously is the album title. This i would say is just a taster to this album because if you listen to it you would know that the tracks just keep getting better. The vocals in this track are brilliant and it has a simple but effective bass line which i like jamming along to. So Quiet You Were **** I'm only giving this a four because nearly every other track is a five atleast. It is a brilliant track which has amazing memorizable lyrics to it and it is worth taking the time to listen to. Brake! Brake! ***** I love the rhythm and drum beat to this track they get your foot tapping or fingers...

rockchick2k7 24.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Made Up Stories - Go:Audio

The revolution will not be televised - XMI X-mini II Mini speaker

Advantages: Great sound, bargain price, sleek look.
Disadvantages: The kids listening to happy hardcore at the back of the bus might find out.

...Revolutions: they aren?t usually very good, are they? Big promises by ego-crazed dictators, resulting in the butcher of millions of innocents. No, I?m not a massive fan of revolutions, so I was sceptical when the X-mini arrived on my doorstep, promising ?audio revolution in a box?. On the back, the big promises continued: ?Delivering on the promise of ?sound beyond size?, the X-mini II capsule speaker is petite in size but massive in sound?. By this point I was becoming very suspicious. The look of the thing worried me a little too. Not because it looks bad - it has a very slick look; the vivid red of the speaker poking out from the round, black casing like some demented 8-ball. It?s also very small, which is obviously handy. It?ll easily fit in your back pocket. The packaging too is very attractive (although if you lose sleep over...

Timi_Hendrix 15.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of XMI X-mini II Mini Speaker

Piano Action, full featured controller at minimal price! Perfect

Advantages: Hammer action, vast amount of controls and adjustability
Disadvantages: None to date.

...Not got room for a piano but want that feel? Maybe you just want the freedom for MIDI work and need those extra knobs, buttons and faders? M-Audio have pulled all of this out the bag with the Keystation Pro 88. This MIDI controller has 88 full size and hammer weighted action keys. For anyone whos not aware, hammer weighted keys are the equivalent of how a piano feel, compared to many semi weighted keyboards. In my own time as much as I love to write new music via MIDI and vst instruments on the computer, Im also a big fan of the piano and wanted something which I felt would actually represent the real deal. Ofcourse, with pianos being thousands of pounds and very big in size, I knew they wouldnt be what I wanted, so I searched for this product. Along with the great feeling hammer action keys, it comes with a big blue LCD screen, making...

McBeer 31.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of M-Audio Keystation Pro 88

Owners view on the Cambridge Audio A1 Intergrated amplifier

Advantages: great clarity, can recognise delicate sounds, for the price its unbeatable!
Disadvantages: it wont break any windows in terms of volume! it lacks any digital input!

...For a budget amplifier you get oodles of clarity! its punchy, and delivers the most delicate of high frequencies too.... i have paired it up with an old pair of Kef Cresta 3's and have used several diffent speakers and different cables.... the first lot of cable i tried was specially handmade gold in, silver out @ £600 per meter! and the current cable is cheapy £2 bell type wire, and to be honest, it made very little difference in the quality... maybe a tad clearer, but nothing vastly notable).. so as another plus, it will make a very low budget system sound very good! so positives are amazing sound quality, from bassy club music to delicate classical, it delivers all with a convincing realism, and thats using a standard cd player on my pc! its bass is very punchy if need be and is quite apparent even at low volumes!!! clarity is...

sentientphil 19.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Cambridge Audio A1