Few effects define a musical era in quite the same way that digital 1980s reverb does. Although we’ve seen so many advancements in audio since then, those classic ’80s reverb sounds are still popular and sought after today.

There are numerous factors that led to this – and few of them are completely rational – so together we’ll look at digital reverb and how to go about using it in your production.

We know it’s not purely due to the sound because we don’t use the same techniques as we did when digital reverb was first introduced. It must be a combination of factors, including the interface design and the nostalgic sentiment of using retro-styled creative tools.

The story of digital reverb

It begins in 1976 with the EMT 250. Digital reverb provided a controlled environmental ambience with a low noise floor, which was revolutionary in the recording process. Until that time, the use of plates, springs, and re-amping had been some of the methods commonly used to add spatial characteristics to a sound.

Studios also evolved drastically due to the introduction of the SSL 4000 E series(and later G series) consoles. This provided unprecedented routing flexibility and when combined with the newly available tools of the time like analogue synthesizers and digital samplers, we got the magical explosion in the record industry that was the 1980s.

Digital reverb units like the AMS RMX16, Lexicon 224X, Yamaha REV-7, and the Sony DRE-2000 became icons of this era. They were used on so many of our favourite records and engineering superstars like Chris Lorde-Alge still use vintage reverb units or their software equivalents in every mix.

Using 1980s reverb in your studio

Like many effects we use for tonal quality, reverbs are available in several formats. The set-and-forget approach we take with leveling amplifiers is often used with reverbs too. This is due to the rather involved technical process that comes with designing your own reverb patches.

Good reverb units were never cheap, but you can get great-sounding reverb without the risk of buying a temperamental and astronomically priced vintage reverb. There are factors to consider like the advantages of software vs hardware, so we’ll check out some options and find something suitable for your setup.

Reverb software plug-ins

Having multiple instances of quality reverb plug-ins available in a single click is an incredibly powerful creative tool. Software provides instant gratification without patch cables, which makes it extremely convenient.

Remember though, that some vintage reverb units were one-trick ponies in the studio. So, unless you’re after the sound of a specific make or model, ensure you select something that has some versatility.

UAD AMS RMX16 Expanded

Developed in collaboration with AMS founder, Mark Crabtree, the AMS RMX16 Expanded plug-in is an authentic emulation of one of the most famous reverb units of all time. The no-nonsense UI gives you the classic controls without menu diving, which makes it a pleasure to use.

Like most UAD plug-ins, it sounds great, but it also has all the original patches so you get a realistic feel of using the RMX16 reverb in all its glory. All the famous algorithms are included, like the ambience and non-linear reverb settings, and it’s now available natively for any DAW.

• More from Universal Audio

Universal Audio Custom Bundle – Pick Any 3 Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 217.00 € at

Slate Digital Verbsuite Classics

Verbsuite Classics puts all the famous reverbs in one easy-to-use plug-in. The controls are simple but effective, and the EQ and chorus allow you to shape the sound according to your desired application easily.

What it lacks in looks and features, it makes up for with its sound. Even if you never deviate from the patches, Verbsuite gives you a wide range of reverbs to choose from.

• More from Slate Digital

Slate Digital Verbsuite Classics Download

Customer rating:

(12)

Available for 149.00 € at

Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle

The Lexicon PCM Native Reverb plug-ins have become an industry standard over the years. The bundle gives you seven different reverbs, each with its own patch library. The controls are reminiscent of the PCM96, providing detailed controls and visual EQ.

If you’re a lover of the Lexicon sound, this is an easy choice. Although it’s a considerable investment, it does offer a huge amount of flexibility and control beyond simply being a quality reverb.

• More from Lexicon

Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle Download

Customer rating:

(23)

Available for 269.00 € at

Audio Ease Altiverb 8

Quite simply, Altiverb 8 is the Omnisphere of reverb plug-ins and one of the most powerful reverbs available in hardware or software. If you work as an engineer or sound designer in games, TV, film, or music – you’ve probably used it before.

Among its amazing spaces and IR designing capabilities, Altiverb also offers astonishingly realistic vintage reverbs from AMS, Lexicon, Yamaha, and many others. It is pricey, but at least you won’t be needing another reverb any time soon.

• More from Audio Ease

Reverb Effects Pedals

Not all reverb pedals are exclusively designed for guitars. Some offer line-level I/O to suit other instruments like synths and drum machines. This is great for using them on aux sends from your mixer, just like you would with outboard rack gear.

Apart from that, they offer great sounding effects and some even allow you to stack multiple reverb patches and create more complex layered sounds. The creative immediacy of working with a live tweakable instrument also has its own appeal.

Meris Mercury 7 and MercuryX

Inspired by Vangelis’ shimmering, modulated Lexicon 224 reverb sounds from the Bladerunner soundtrack, the Mercury 7 is a pedal version of its 500 series counterpart. The Meris 24-Bit AD/DA with 32-bit floating point DSP engine combined with true analogue signal path means you get studio-quality sound.

In addition, the Mercury 7 offers two different reverb algorithms (Ultraplate/Cathedra) and extensive tone-shaping capabilities. Apart from the EQ, the pitch vector allows you to accurately shift the wet signal for whichever instrument you’re using.

• More from Meris

Meris Mercury 7 Reverb Pedal

Customer rating:

(30)

Available for 349.00 € at

Meris Mercury X Reverb Pedal

Customer rating:

(4)

Available for 699.00 € at

Eventide Space

The Eventide Space pedal gives you 12 signature reverb combo algorithms and 10 knobs to design the sound to your liking. Furthermore, you get 100 patches designed by top engineers and producers like Richard Devine, Alan Moulder, and Flood.

The Space is well built with a metal chassis, so it’s rugged enough for the road. Also, it has great features like MIDI sync via DIN or USB to combine it with other hardware in your setup or even your DAW.

• More from Eventide

Eventide Space

Customer rating:

(103)

Available for 457.00 € at

Empress Effects Reverb

Empress Effects are known for creating some of the most innovative designs when it comes to pedals and the Empress Reverb is no exception. Not only is this an amazing-sounding reverb, but it’s also a very versatile creative tool with 32 reverb algorithms and the ability to further update the firmware via SD card.

Overall, it’s a great combination of good build quality and simple effective design. You will, however, need a re-amping device for it to function optimally as a line-level outboard processor.

• More from Empress Effects

Empress Effects Reverb

Customer rating:

(60)

Available for 549.00 € at

500 Series reverbs

500 Series effects give you much of the same quality as 19″ rack gear, but the more compact format provides certain benefits. In studio, these are great units if you don’t have much space and they offer excellent portability for live use.

All it takes is the right 500 series chassis and you can put your own rig together. Be aware of the space requirements before you look at purchasing these units, as some are larger than others.

Meris Mercury 7 500

The Mercury 7 500 has all the same features as the pedal version save for the swell and bypass switches. The fundamental difference is that the 500 series version is a single-space mono unit with more expandability.

It is both stereo and surround linkable, which makes it extremely formidable considering the cost of high-end studio reverbs. Overall, the approach of the Mercury 7 500 is refreshing, as it encourages real-time sound-shaping rather than sticking to one patch.

• More from Meris

Meris 500 Series Mercury 7 Reverb

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 549.00 € at

AMS Neve RMX16 500

The RMX16 500 is AMS Neve’s rather recent reissue of the 1981 classic reverb. It takes up three spaces in your 500 series rack and has a very straightforward interface, making it a breeze to build and save patches.

Best of all though, it’s almost impossible to distinguish from the sound of the vintage RMX16. The character is captured in every way, with the I/O stages perfectly modeled and all the original patches maintained.

• More from AMS Neve

AMS RMX16

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 1,369.00 € at

Rackmount reverbs

This is where we get into the higher-end side of reverbs available. You certainly don’t need to spend $2000 simply to create a decent 80s reverb sound. However, it will get you a top-of-the-line reverb capable of creating reverbs for any application.

The great thing about high-end hardware reverbs is that they don’t seem to date, lose much resale value, or go out of style. Once you have one of these in your rack, you are far less likely to keep buying every newly released product as you would with software.

Lexicon PCM92

Lexicon’s PCM92 has all the features you’d expect from a professional stereo reverb. This includes 28 new and classic reverb, delay, and modulation effects and a library of over 700 presets to choose from.

The PCM92 supports up to 96kHz sample rate with its 32-bit floating point system. In addition, It’s equipped with pro-industry connectivity formats such as AES/EBU, word clock, and ethernet. This makes it easy to slot into just about any studio or live setup.

• More from Lexicon

Lexicon PCM96 Surround D No customer rating available yet

Available for 4,990.00 € at

Bricasti M7

Bricasti was founded by DSP engineer, Casey Dowdell, and Brian Zolner – who has 20 years of experience working with Lexicon. The Bricasti M7 was launched in 2007 and fast established itself as the industry standard professional reverb unit worldwide.

With the ability to produce huge reverbs, transparent chambers, and anything in between, M7 owners are unlikely to ever need another digital reverb. The M7 gives you 100 presets with 12 tweakable parameters and all the pristine DSP you’d expect for the price.

• More about Bricasti

Bricasti Design M7

Customer rating:

(17)

Available for 4,979.00 € at

Quantec Yardstick 2496 S

The German answer to AMS and Lexicon, the Yardstick 2496 S is based on the classic Quantec QRS digital reverb from 1982. It’s just astonishing how transparent an early 1980s reverb algorithm still sounds today when compared to other professional reverbs.

The Yardstick comes with a web app that gives you comprehensive control over its wide range of parameters and the ability to easily match the reverb to the dimensions of the original recording space.

• More about Quantec

More about 1980s reverb and vintage effects:

• All about reverb
• Everything vintage
• Dub delay plug-ins

*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

The post Why do we still use 1980s reverb? appeared first on gearnews.com.

Welcome to Live Deals with CC8 Stereo Set from Austrian Audio, and more products from Yamaha & LD Systems – a regular feature that brings you the hottest deals in live sound, streaming and podcasting gear. From mics to mixers, you’ll find the hottest deals right here!

Live Deals

Welcome to the first in a new, regular series of live deals, bringing you the best deals from our affiliate partners at Thomann. We take the time to skim through the very best deals on offer, to find you the biggest bargains.

Yamaha MG10 XUF

Undoubtedly, Yamaha is one of the big names when it comes to live mixers. From the mini to the mighty, you’ll find a Yamaha mixer to suit all situations. This week’s Live Deals brings you the Yamaha MG10 ZUF? It’s a superb compact mixer that’s great for small PA setups, live streaming and home recording alike

You get 10 Inputs: 4 Mono, 3 stereo with four “D-Pre” XLR mic inputs along with “one button” compressors on each mono channel. You also get an inbuilt SPX processor with 24 different programmes. Finally, you’ll find the inbuilt USB interface ideal for streaming, recording, or playback direct from computer.

• Save up to 23% off on the Yamaha MG10 XUF now at $375.63
• Product Page for Yamaha MG10 XUF
• More from Yamaha

Yamaha MG10XUF

Customer rating:

(78)

Available for 349.00 € at

Austrian Audio CC8 Stereo Set

Without a doubt, it’s invaluable to have a pair of quality, small diaphragm condenser mics in your microphone setup. We’re big fans of Austrian Audio’s innovative, high quality and great-sounding mics; we’re chuffed to feature them as part of this week’s Live Deals. Now you can grab the CC8 Stereo Set for a great price (see our article here)!

Notably, the CC8 Stereo Set gives you a matched pair of the superb CC8 small diaphragm, cardioid, true condenser microphones. Additionally, you’ll also receive a stereo mic bar, windscreens and clip in a sturdy and attractive case.

Undoubtedly the CC8 Stereo Set is one of the best live deals on offer, and ideal for general-purpose instrument micing both onstage and in the studio.

• Save up to 23% off on the Austrian Audio CC8 Stereo Set now at $865.57
• Product Page for Austrian Audio CC8
• More from Austrian Audio

Austrian Audio CC8 Stereo Set

Customer rating:

(10)

Available for 799.00 € at

LD Systems Road Buddy 10 BPH 2

Finally, in this week’s Live Deals, we bring you this great combo deal from LD Systems. If you’ve ever needed a fuss-free PA system that will work anywhere, at any time, then this could be the system for you!

Notably, the Road Buddy 10 is a battery/mains-powered, self-contained PA system with a built-in mixer, media playback and wireless mic receivers. The BPH 2 bundle offered here, includes two head-worn mics.

• Buy the LD Systems Road Buddy 10 BPH 2 for just $953.51
• Product Page for LD Systems Road Buddy
• More from LD Systems

LD Systems Road Buddy 10 BPH 2

Customer rating:

(3)

Available for 888.00 € at

More About Live Deals like CC8 Stereo Set from Austrian Audio

• More about Live Zone
• More Deals

The post CC8 Stereo Set from Austrian Audio, Yamaha & LD Systems – Live Deals appeared first on gearnews.com.

Audio Networking is becoming an increasingly important part of live and studio setups. But what’s the difference between all the networking formats? Do you know your Dante from your AVB? And which networking format should you choose? Grab a coffee and let us guide you through the maze of audio networking protocols.

What is Audio Networking?

Up until a couple of decades ago, if you needed to send multiple channels of audio over long distances, you had few choices. Typically you’d be running audio over balanced line analogue cabling, using physical patch bays and distribution amplifiers. The analogue approach has some notable downsides though: cable cost, maintenance and limitations of cable length.

With the advent of digital audio it’s now possible to send multi-channel audio down a single Ethernet cable. You can even distribute those channels to multiple sources, format depending. Importantly, this means no more expensive, bulky multicore snakes, no loss of audio quality over distance and much more flexibility in routing.

Sounds great? Well, there are multiple audio networking formats and worse, they are not mutually compatible! So what are your choices and what should you be looking for when you buy your next digital mixing console? We thought it was about time we had a quick round-up of the most common audio networking formats. All have their own pros and cons but it’s important that you choose the format which suits your requirements… and budget!

Dante

If you’ve worked with or looked into network audio, it’s inevitable you’ll have come across Dante. Introduced around the mid-noughties, Dante has almost become the generic trade term for networked audio. Importantly, Dante is the only network system with which you could build a complete system from microphone to mixing console, to speaker system wholly on a single audio network.

You’ll find more pro audio gear offering Dante network support than any other audio networking format, either built-in or via accessory networking cards. Dante also runs over your existing Ethernet network as it uses IP packets for data transfer. The major downsides to Dante for you, the user, are cost and complexity. You’ll find Dante equipped hardware is expensive thanks to chipset licensing costs. Dante’s control software is also, how shall we put this… challenging to use! There are certified courses in Dante networking for example…

Focusrite Red 8 Line

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 2,929.00 € at

Pros

• Runs over standard Ethernet network
• Greatest support of any audio networking format
• Best prospects for long-term support
• The “Industry-Standard” for mid to high-end pro audio

Cons

• Dante-equipped hardware is expensive due to licensing costs
• Dante control software not easy to use with many stages of “certification” for those wishing to master the technology

AVB

Audio Video Bridging or AVB is another audio networking format you’re likely to have heard of. An open-source format under the designation of IEEE 1722, you may also have come across it branded as Milan in pro audio systems. AVB has many similarities with Dante in that it’s a way of sending network audio over an Ethernet network. Well, when we say Ethernet network, there are some caveats

The designers of AVB identified an issue with sending latency-sensitive information, such as audio and video, over Ethernet. As data is sent as packets, it can sometimes be “held up” in a queue of data. AVB uses the concept of time-sensitive networking which means your audio or video data carries special priority flags to reduce latency. (NB: since publishing this article, it transpires typical Dante latency can be as low as 125u seconds which is, in fact, lower than the 2ms of AVB)

One of the biggest issues with AVB is that it requires AVB certified Ethernet hardware. Whilst this hardware is 100% backwards compatible with regular Ethernet, it does add extra cost, complexity and incompatibility. On the flip-side, because AVB is open source, the hardware tends to be more affordable as there are no licensing costs.

Unfortunately, industry adoption of AVB has been minimal, with perhaps only Presonus and MOTU building their audio networking gear around AVB. At the time of writing, it’s an uncertain future for AVB in pro audio. Many manufacturers who originally championed AVB are now offering Dante interface solutions for many of their existing AVB equipped product ranges.

MOTU 112D AVB No customer rating available yet

Available for 1,599.00 € at

Pros

• Theoretically lower latency than Dante thanks to time-sensitive networking
• Lower cost as an open-source format
• AVB hardware compatible with existing Ethernet cabling and architecture

Cons

• Requires AVB certified Ethernet switches and hardware
• Low industry takeup and uncertain future in pro-audio

AES50 as a Audio Networking format

When is an audio network not an audio network? Answer: when it’s AES50! AES50 is an open-source audio networking format for multi-channel audio carried over regular CAT5 networking cable. Now, strictly speaking, AES50 isn’t an audio networking format as it’s inherently a point-to-point connection protocol. Think about a mixing desk connected to a stage box; that’s a classic point-to-point setup.

We’re including AES50 here as it’s one of the most commonly found ways of connecting multichannel audio gear over CAT5 cable. AES50 is also used extensively by Midas and Behringer, with consoles such as the X32, M32 and Wing offering Dante networking solutions. As a result of those desk’s ubiquity, you’re likely to encounter AES50 in most modern live venues and project studios.

Remember we said AES50 isn’t an audio network format? Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t create an audio network based around AES50. AES50 can be networked using specialised routers via centralised “star network’ topologies. It’s also possible to buy interfacing solutions to connect your AES50 gear to Dante networked hardware for example.

Music Group’s adoption and inclusion of AES50 has assured it a strong place in the live sound industry. We expect this open-source format to remain as the default connection for interconnecting consoles and stage boxes, for example.

Behringer WING

Customer rating:

(81)

Available for 3,345.00 € at

Pros

• Extremely low (practically nil) latency in operation
• Low cost as an open-source format
• Ubiquity thanks to Music Group adoption (X32, M32 ,Wing)
• Can be interfaced and networked with Dante via 3rd party hardware

Cons

• Doesn’t natively support networking
• Requires specialised hardware to create an audio network

Other Proprietary Formats in Audio Networking

You might be reading this and shouting at the screen, “But my mixing desk doesn’t use any of those networking formats!” Yes, there are audio networking formats aside from those we’ve already mentioned. Worthy of note are Allen & Heath’s gigaACE, and Waves Sound Grid which you’ll find on DigiCo, Yamaha and even Allen & Heath desks! There are also some older legacy formats such as CobraNet which is the granddaddy of audio networking formats.

We haven’t gone into detail on these formats, because in our opinion the future of things seems fairly clear cut. Allen & Heath, DigiCo and Yamaha all offer Dante networking cards for their professional range of mixing consoles. If that isn’t an admission that Dante is emerging as the dominant industry standard, we don’t know what is! None the less, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with these other formats, if only to be aware of what gear will work seamlessly together.

What Audio Networking Format Should I Choose?

Ultimately, your choice of networking format will be governed by budget, application and to some extent the mixing console you feel most comfortable with. Dante offers the only networking format which can be supported cross-platform. It seems almost every manufacturer is offering Dante plug-in cards or native Dante support nowadays making it a “future-proof” solution.

With that said, if all you need is a simple point-to-point connection from desk to stage box, AES50 is simple and affordable and may well be all that your application requires. AVB networking offers much on paper, but its requirements for dedicated switches and lack of wider industry adoption means this may well be the “Betamax” of audio networking.

What do you use in your day to day productions? Have you dipped your toes in the water of audio networking yet? Drop us a comment and let us know what format you’re using!

The post Dante, AES 50, AVB: What audio networking format is right for you? appeared first on gearnews.com.

Turntables are the essence of DJ-ing! Although digital media players now reign supreme in the DJ booths of most clubs and festivals, many DJs still maintain their vinyl collection and prefer spinning and scratching on real turntables. Here’s our list of some of the best DJ turntables available today.

Quick Facts: DJ Turntables

DJ turntables are still an important tool for many DJs. But what makes a good DJ turntable? One indispensable feature is pitch control for manipulating the tempo (BPM) of the playing record. In addition to this, the turntable should start and stop very quickly. Furthermore, when “nudging” and slowing down the record (important to keep the beat), you must be able to maintain full control over the vinyl.

In DJng, it is very important that the record continues to play smoothly after it is held and then released. Good DJ turntables are direct-drive (the motor directly drives the shaft) and maintain the selected RPM very accurately. Some models have a curved tonearm, while others feature a straight one. The shape of the tonearm determines which type of cartridge and needle must be used. Mixing DJs usually prefer turntables with curved tonearms, while scratch DJs often swear by straight arms.

In order for the needle to sit firmly in the groove, you need to be able to precisely adjust the counterweight on the tonearm. “Antiskating” is also important in this context – a counterforce that depends on the tonearm position. For techniques such as scratching, it’s essential that the needle doesn’t skip! Low frequencies and resonances also shouldn’t affect the needle and the tonearm too much.

Good stability is another requirement for a DJ turntable. The feet should have good shock absorption and ideally be height-adjustable. Some DJ turntables offer a built-in phono preamp and thus directly provide a line-level output signal.

Best DJ Turntables (budget class)

Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB SV

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB offers a lot for its low price. It’s available in silver and black and comes complete with a cartridge, cables, and even a dust cover. The turntable can output a line signal in addition to the phono signal. This makes it easy to connect the turntable to a wide variety of mixers and amps. In addition, a USB port further expands the possibilities. The AT-LP120X USB SV makes quick work of digitizing your vinyl collection. This turntable is a good choice for bedroom DJs and vinyl beginners – if you’re serious about DJing, it’s probably best to invest a bit more.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB Silver

Customer rating:

(165)

Available for 299.00 € at

Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB Black

Customer rating:

(4)

Available for 319.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Audio-Technica

Pioneer DJ PLX-500

The PLX-500 from Pioneer DJ is a really good turntable in the $350 range with solid workmanship and a convincing sound. It’s a great all-rounder with features that rival those of some pro-level decks. The vibration dampening is excellent and the turntable comes with a cartridge and dust cover. An audio interface is also included and makes digitizing your collection a piece of cake.

• Product page
• More from Pioneer DJ

Numark PT01 Scratch

Portablism is becoming more and more popular! The Numark PT01 Scratch is a very special beast because it’s primarily designed for scratching vinyl singles on the go. For about 150 bucks, this portable and battery-powered player makes a great gift for any vinyl enthusiast. It even offers a USB output! If you think portable turntables made of plastic are for amateurs, just keep on reading.

Numark PT-01 Scratch

Customer rating:

(66)

Available for 134.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Numark

Reloop SPiN

Primarily intended for portablism, the Reloop SPiN is a worthy competitor to the Numark PT01 Scratch. Besides the features needed for scratching on the go (very good tracking, exchangeable crossfader, USB powerbank compatible), there are also some nice features for vinyl lovers.

The SPiN is also an excellent portable record player for singles and LPs. Besides an RCA output, it offers Bluetooth connectivity and can even record directly to USB. The price is a bit higher, but the features speak for themselves.

Reloop Spin

Customer rating:

(6)

Available for 259.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Reloop

Best DJ Turntables (medium price range)

Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP

The AT-LP140XP is a very puristic deck by today’s standards. The manufacturer has focused on implementing the most important features in high quality at a reasonable price. You get a height-adjustable tonearm, adjustable feet with decent decoupling, and three speeds as well as three pitch ranges.

In addition, the AT-LP140XP can play records backwards. The manufacturer’s AT-XP3 cartridge and matching headshell are included, as is a slipmat, dust cover, and RCA cable. The turntable outputs only a phono signal via its gold-plated RCA output, so it’s very traditional in this respect, as well.

Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Black

Customer rating:

(27)

Available for 459.00 € at

Audio-Technica AT-LP140XP Silver

Customer rating:

(19)

Available for 469.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Audio-Technica

Reloop RP-7000 MK2

The Reloop RP-7000 MK2 is a DJ turntable in the $600 class that offers great specs and many convincing features. Two start/stop buttons, a strong motor, a wide pitch range, adjustable torque and brake, stable quartz-controlled speed, internal grounding, a reverse button, and more are on the feature list of the RP-7000.

One small drawback is that the turntable comes without a stylus, headshell, single puck, and dust cover, which you’ll need to buy separately.

Reloop RP 7000 MK2

Customer rating:

(24)

Available for 529.00 € at

Reloop RP 7000 MK2 silver

Customer rating:

(9)

Available for 549.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Reloop

Reloop RP-8000 MK2

The Reloop RP-8000 MK2 builds on the innovative concepts of its predecessor. Besides the robust build quality, quartz-controlled motor, and wide pitch range, the controller features such as eight trigger pads and a built-in Trax encoder are what make this DJ turntable stand out.

This hybrid design is especially interesting for DJs who want to use turntables to control Serato DJ Pro. Another convincing detail of the RP-8000 MK2 is a second independent output.

Reloop RP 8000 MK2

Customer rating:

(6)

Available for 569.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Reloop

Best DJ Turntables (Pro Level)

Technics SL-1210 MK7

The Technics SL-1210 needs no introduction – it is by far the most famous (DJ) turntable of all time. Nearly all other decks on this list are inspired by this giant, at least in terms of the design. With the SL-1210 MK7, Technics offers a reissue of the classic with the needs of DJs in mind. And a legend like the SL-1210 doesn’t need a complete overhaul, but only a few small tune-ups here and there. The motor control has been improved and the direct drive runs more smoothly.

In addition, the tracking is now even more accurate and the housing is very well shielded against external interference. The extended pitch range and features like reverse play make the SL-1210 MK7 a highly desirable deck – even for owners of the original. And needless to say, the SL-1210 MK7 is also a great choice for playing your vinyl collection at home.

Technics SL-1210 MK 7

Customer rating:

(38)

Available for 956.00 € at

• Product page
• More from Technics

Pioneer DJ PLX-1000

With the PLX-1000, Pioneer DJ offers a turntable that is considered a serious alternative to the classic from Technics. With a robust and heavy chassis, the build quality is spot on. The PLX-1000 offers a high-torque motor, excellent vibration dampening, and an S-shaped tone arm with good isolation. The sound is great, the pitch range is very wide and there’s a convenient reset button for the tempo.

• Product page
• More from Pioneer DJ

Videos about DJ Turntables

This article was originally published in German on bonedo.de.

* This post about DJ turntables contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

The post Best DJ Turntables for Spinning and Scratching appeared first on gearnews.com.

Does the Mk.III Loop4Live Looper pedal make Ableton Live more appealing for guitarists or can anyone use this?

When my editor called me and asked if I’d like to review a guitar pedal, I was a bit taken aback! I haven’t picked up a guitar in decades. And even when I did, I couldn’t play it. So I checked to make sure he hadn’t called me by mistake. He assured me he hadn’t and then told me that, as a fairly new Ableton Live user, he’d like me to give it a go. So I did. Here’s what happened…

The unit arrived from France and I was greeted with a hefty lump of metal, a long USB cable and a small instruction sheet. The manufacturer emailed me plenty of links to videos to get me up to speed. And so I began setting it up.

Loop4Live – What Is It?

Essentially, the Loop4Live Looper Pedal is a heavy-duty guitar pedal that has Ableton Live functionality at its core. This is a full-blown Ableton Live controller that allows you to play and record clips within Live using the pedal to do all of your navigation. It features 10 pedal buttons, five of which have an illuminated surround. These change colour based on functionality. There’s a handy LED screen and 5 endless encoder/buttons that give you control over things like tempo, loop length, metronome and editing.

On the rear are six jack sockets. One is for an external switch, the other five for expression pedals. There’s a USB-B socket and the obligatory 9V DC power socket. Handily, the unit can be powered by USB alone, as long as it is a full 5V.

The nomenclature on the front panel largely uses globally accepted symbols which makes for easy navigation.

Getting Started

Before you can start using the Loop4Live Looper Pedal, some setup must be done within Live itself. Loop4Live provides you with all the Remote Scripts required on their website. They have scripts for Live 9 through to the forthcoming version 12. Placing these scripts in the default folder is simple enough. You then need to visit Live’s Preferences function to set up the pedal as a controller. All pretty simple stuff.

As soon as you’ve completed this, the screen on the pedal jumps into life and displays the four slots that you can populate with your clips. As soon as you drag a clip in there, be it audio or MIDI, the name is displayed on the Loop4Live screen. It also shows current tempo and clip length.

As for the pedal buttons, let’s cover what they do. There are four buttons to fire off clips. These occupy the first four locations from the left. On the top row at the left are the Play/Rec button and the Undo/Mute button. The next two are left and right navigation. Finally, the top and bottom buttons on the far right are up and down navigation.

The five, clickable rotaries in the middle of the unit are small but sturdy, the first of which allows access to tempo, time signature, clip recording length and metronome features. Next along, you have Project and scene settings and the ability to calibrate any attached expression pedals.

Loop4Live In Use

Once I got the pedal setup, it was very easy for me to load up a bunch of clips and start using the pedal to play individual clips and scenes. The display is clear, albeit a bit small. However, one very cool extra is the Max4Live plugin that allows the display to be extended to a tablet! Now that is a very cool and thoughtful feature.

I found the small rotaries a little difficult to use, but then I’m not a seasoned guitarist who is adept at kneeling down between songs to make adjustments. From my seated position, it was a bit hard. Not impossible, but not easy. But very soon, I was easily firing off clips at will, moving around scenes and getting on nicely with it, especially as a synth player.

I’m very much a person who looks for shortcuts and Loop4Live definitely helped me in this regard. It sat, immovable on my wooden floor and didn’t miss a trick at all. I was able to play and record loops and it didn’t take long to get in the habit of where to use my feet and not look away from the screen.

There is a lot to be said for tools that give you the freedom to focus on the detailed stuff and Loop4Live is definitely that. You may need to spend some time customising your own personal configuration but once you’ve done that, you will be flying.

I didn’t try the expression ports on the back of the unit as, not being a guitarist, I didn’t have any to try. However, I am told that they allow for clever control of effects within Live making Loop4Live a handy effects control device via a single USB cable.

In Conclusion

So I came at this from a different perspective than its intended audience. Loop4Live is first and foremost a guitarist’s tool, but as a MIDI controller, it definitely has uses across the whole band. Loop4Live even go as far to suggest that everyone in the band can use one. That way, each band member can have their own loops and clips within a single Ableton Live instance.

Loop4Live has a myriad use cases. Solo artists can use it to control their backing tracks, guitarists can use it for practising, and any musician can use it when recording in the studio. Some might compare this to dedicated hardware loopers but those devices don’t have the ability for detailed on-screen editing and control. The Loop4Live Looper Pedal will work with all versions of Live, including Lite.

What has really impressed me is that Loop4Live is just one guy. He has realised his vision and provided everything you need to get going. It’s not hard to learn how to use and is definitely NOT just for guitarists!

More Information

Loop4Live Mk.III is available now, direct from Loop4Live for €249.00 EUR. All required templates, scripts and files are downloadable for free from their website. My thanks to Aurélien at Loop4Live for providing the review unit and for his patience.

• Loop4Live Website
• More from Loop4Live

The post Loop4Live Mk.III – A Live Looper Pedal Just For Guitarists? appeared first on gearnews.com.

With the release of the new Zoom Essential series recorders, the previous Zoom recorder models are reduced in price by up to 45 percent!

If the specs of these models fit your needs as a musician, content creator, or field recording enthusiast, then this is a great opportunity to save. Remember, with the new models incoming, this offer is only available while stocks last!

Zoom Recorder Deals

There’s a range of offers available, so let’s take a closer look to find out a bit more about which Zoom recorders have discounted pricing:

H1n

The entry-level Zoom H1n 24-bit 96 kHz recorder is ideal for interviews and for use as a digital dictaphone for recording voice memos. The built-in X/Y microphones capture at an astonishing quality in both WAV and MP3.

This ultra-lightweight device weighs only 60g and offers portable operation with two AAA batteries for up to 10 hours. Recordings are stored on micro SD and micro SDHC cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB.

Meanwhile, you can also use the H1n as a portable audio interface. With this function, you have access to the onboard mics and AD conversion, as well as the ability to edit audio quickly in your DAW.

• Save 45% on the Zoom H1n now at $53,40

Zoom H1n

Available for $53.40 at

H4n Pro

The H4n Pro is a 24-bit 96 kHz multitrack recorder, with adjustable integrated stereo condenser mics, as well as a pair of preamps and phantom power for additional mics.

In addition, the onboard audio engine includes a digital mixer with effects from the G5n. This enables you to create an ultra-realistic production sound for a podcast or interview using individual mics for capturing speech and built-in mics for ambience.

With this kind of setup, you can record four tracks to an SD or SDHC card, or use the H4n Pro as an audio interface to record directly into your DAW.

• Get 29% off the H4n Pro now at $179

Zoom H4n Pro (Black)

Available for $179 at

H5

The Zoom H5 has been a widely used recorder throughout the global film industry for years, preferred for its versatility and compact size.

Like the H4n, you can record four tracks of audio simultaneously. However, the H5 offers interchangeable microphone capsules so you can use the best microphone for your application in any situation.

In addition, the H5 provides features like mid-side decoding and it can be powered by a NiMH rechargeable battery. Meanwhile, the onboard effects include a compressor, a limiter, and a high-pass filter.

• Save 30% on the Zoom H5 now at $179

Zoom H5

Available for $179 at

H6

The larger Zoom H6 is an extremely flexible and expandable 6-track recorder and audio interface. The H6 uses interchangeable mic capsules like the H5, but it has an extra pair of XLR combo preamps, and you can expand the inputs with the EXH-6 module.

Not only does the H6 record to SD and SDHC cards, but it also supports SDXC cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB. For portable use, it requires four AA batteries, which are included in this offer from Thomann.

The H6 was the flagship of the previous line of Zoom recorders, and it still holds up as a versatile portable recording tool for applications like music, content creation, media journalism, location sound, and more.

• Get 34% off the Zoom H6 now at $207

More about Zoom Recorder Deals:

• All about Zoom
• More Deals

*Note: percentage discounts may vary according to your region and currency conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are guidelines only.

The post Zoom Recorder Deals: Up to 45% off Field Recorders! appeared first on gearnews.com.

If you’ve reached the stage where you’re ready to start rehearsing the music you write, you might have thought about adding a mixer to your setup. We’ve selected some of the best compact analogue mixers to expand the possibilities of your studio.

Whether you create music or produce a podcast, managing multiple live audio signals is part of the game. You might think you can simply get by running everything directly into your audio interface, but mixers provide some key advantages.

For starters, the preamp quality is often far better than what you’ll find on the average budget interface. What’s more, the added bonus of having channel strips at your disposal with faders, EQs, and sends provides a great deal of creative flexibility.

Choosing the best compact mixers (analogue)

Everyone has their own particular requirements when it comes to audio workflow. So we’re looking at a range of options that can become the central hub of your setup, no matter what that currently looks like.

While some mixers offer versatility with signal routing options, others provide excellent recording front end in the form of channel strips. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available.

Allen & Heath ZED-10

If you’re looking for a basic compact mixer for a podcast, or to connect the various pieces of gear around your studio, the ZED-10 is a good place to start. With 4 mic preamps, 2 stereo channels, 2 aux sends, and metering, you have just enough to get you started.

Moreover, the ZED-10 is light and compact, making it a perfect rehearsal or stage mixer. Adding parallel effects via sends or recording to an external device is a simple procedure, and you can also use it to set up a monitor mix.

• More from Allen & Heath

Allen & Heath ZED-10

Customer rating:

(212)

Available for 295.00 € at

Radial Key Largo

Radial Engineering is known for creating practical road-ready products with low-noise circuitry. The Key Largo is an impressive compact keyboard mixer, but it will also serve electronic musicians with drum machines or grooveboxes that don’t require mic inputs.

It provides 3 stereo channels and another stereo pair for USB input, so you can easily incorporate Apple Mainstage or Ableton Live. In addition, the FX loop allows you to add effects pedals into your rig. Overall, a great choice if you can get around the lack of metering.

• More from Radial

Radial Engineering Key-Largo

Customer rating:

(25)

Available for 533.00 € at

Soundcraft Signature 12 MTK

The Signature 12 MTK is an excellent budget recording desk with a wide range of connectivity options which makes it useable in many different situations. A compact mixer with assignable buses is surprisingly rare these days.

So, with the 3 aux sends and built-in effects you can easily rehearse and record small bands and ensembles. In addition, the integrated USB interface allows you to do multitrack recording or run channels out of your DAW and work with them in analogue.

• More from Soundcraft

Soundcraft Signature 12MTK

Customer rating:

(231)

Available for 525.00 € at

SSL SiX

If you’ve got a bit more budget to play with, the SSL SiX is probably the most powerful desktop mixer ever designed. The intelligent console-style routing options and a pair of SuperAnalogue channel strips with compression and EQ make it hard to beat.

What’s more, it’s equipped with a simplified version of the famous SSL glue compressor which can be used so many ways. The SiX may be limited in channel count, but it’s certainly expandable and offers an incredible recording front end for your setup.

• More from SSL

SSL SiX

Customer rating:

(57)

Available for 1,169.00 € at

Dynacord CMS600-3

For those familiar with the old Mackie 8-Bus or Midas Venice mixers, the CMS600-3 offers a similar level of quality. The CMS range is pricey and primarily designed for live sound, but they still provide an awesome solution for home studios.

With 6 quality preamps, 8 3-band parametric EQ channels, and plenty of return tracks, you have the tools to carve your sound. Also, the onboard dual-stereo effects engine is extensive, which adds a new dimension to the overall value of the CMS600-3.

• More from Dynacord

Dynacord CMS600-3

Customer rating:

(35)

Available for 1,598.00 € at

More about the best compact analogue mixers:

• Mixing outside the box
• All about mixers
• More about home recording

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post The Best Compact Mixers (Analogue) for your Studio appeared first on gearnews.com.

The NAMM 2024 show is just around the corner, and we have the latest, breaking news on all the hottest releases. Bookmark this page to keep up with our rolling news coverage of the latest music tech releases, as they happen!

NAMM 2024 will be running from January 25-28 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California.

If you’re unfamiliar with the event, NAMM is a trade conference that has brought together manufacturers, professionals, and equipment dealers in the music, audio, and events sectors for over 100 years.

NAMM 2024 Rolling News Feed

As usual, we’ll be keeping a rolling news feed in the run up to, and for the duration of the NAMM 2024 show. Be sure to bookmark this page to keep up to date on the latest news at a glance!

Just to recap, let’s go check out some of the highlights from last year’s NAMM 2023 show:

• Yamaha DM3 live digital console
• WesAudio ng76 compressor
• Oeksound Soothe Live
• Warm Audio WA-MPX compressor
• Neumann KH 120 II studio monitor
• Hammond XK-4 portable organ
• Endorphin.es Ghost and Golden Master effects pedals
• ICON DAW controllers

What could we see at NAMM 2024?

From budget to high-end audio, we’ve had some exciting new gear releases recently like the new Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen range, the Focal Trio6 monitors, and the Rupert Neve Designs Master Bus Transformer.

That being said, NAMM 2024 promises to be one of the biggest shows in recent years. So in the meantime, we’re theorizing as to what we could see on the showroom floor.

Will the big synth brands like Roland and KORG have something in store for us? Or will Waldorf steal the show with an insane monster synth we didn’t know we needed?

What are your theories and which products are you hoping to see launched? Please let us know in the comments below!

More about NAMM 2024:

• Attend NAMM 2024
• Become an exhibitor

Video:

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. We appreciate your support!

The post NAMM 2024: The latest news on the hottest releases. Catch it all here! appeared first on gearnews.com.

The recently relaunched renowned DJ brand has announced the AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO and Wave-Eight, a new portable DJ console and a DJ speaker.

This week, after nearly three decades as the international industry standard DJ brand Pioneer DJ outlined its directives under its new guise, AlphaTheta.

Today, the manufacturer has followed up with the release of two new products: the OMNIS-DUO portable DJ console, and the Wave-Eight 8-inch portable DJ speaker. Let’s take a closer look:

AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO

The OMNIS-DUO is a 4.6kg / 10.1 lbs. portable DJ console with up to 5 hours of battery time. Like any modern entertainment device, it’s designed for compatibility with just about any platform or device you can think of.

Besides the main XLR outputs and booth RCA outputs, you can also stream over Bluetooth 5.2, and there are two headphones outputs for both stereo jack and minijack connectors.

When it comes to loading tracks, there is a myriad of ways to play including SD card, USB stick, and even load tracks on mobile devices into the decks via Bluetooth or WiFI.

What’s more, the WiFi connection means you can access tracks on the cloud and you can also connect your laptop via USB-C to use rekordbox performance mode. Meanwhile, Serato DJ Lite support will follow in a future firmware update.

Price: $1,499 MSRP

• Official Product Page

Wave-Eight

The Wave-Eight is a conveniently portable 8-inch DJ speaker fully equipped with wheels and an extendable handle. This tanky-looking speaker is built for the outdoors with an IPX4 rating and a lithium-ion battery that provides up to 8 hours of playback time.

One of the key features is the SonicLink wireless technology that allows you to stream low-latency audio directly from the OMNIS-DUO. With the included transmitter box, you simply connect the device via RCA you get a wireless range of up to 15 meters.

On the Wave-Eight’s rear panel, you have connectivity buttons and the EQ selector knob with six different presets. These include Music, Music (Low Cut), Flat, Flat (Low Cut), Vocal, and Subwoofer. Meanwhile, the Low Cut mode is designed to be used in conjunction with a Wave-Eight speaker set on Subwoofer mode.

In addition, the speaker also has the usual analogue connections like XLR, TRS, and minijack, and has a pole mount socket like any PA speaker.

Price: $899 MSRP

• Official Product Page

More about the AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO and Wave Eight:

• AlphaTheta Official Page
• Thomann’s Guide to DJ Setups
• More DJ Gear

*Note: This article contains advertising links that help us finance our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you purchase something through these links, we receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO and Wave-Eight: A New Dawn for Pioneer DJ appeared first on gearnews.com.