Monday, April 11, 2011

Yamaha's i-MX1-MIDI Interface for iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)


"To be able to control synthesizers that won‘t allow a wireless connection to the iPad, Yamaha now presents a MIDI interface that‘s connected to the iPad.
In a small, black device the i-MX1 carries the needed electronics and two connectors for the included adapter cables which represent the MIDI input and ouput (with the well known 16 MIDI channels each). It does not just connect to the iPad, but to the iPhone and the iPod Touch, too. Since these devices are much smaller, they are even more handy controllers.
The i-MX1 is compatible to the drivers provided by the iPad-OS (iOS, Core MIDI), there‘s no need for special drivers. So even third- party applications that are using the iOS drivers can use the i-MX1 as a MIDI-Interface."

Retrospec Juice Box - Tube D.I.




I've used the Juice Box on many projects. It's a great sounding D.I. that works well on guitar, bass, vintage keyboards and synths.

"The Juice Box's audio circuitry is class "A" from start to finish. That and the absence of a transformer explain the conspicuously low distortion spec. It also employs a low impedance high voltage power supply, and a D.C. filament circuit just to keep things nice and quiet.

Then retrospec took one significant step further and included enough gain and headroom to be able to drive a 10k input at professional line level. Now you can go from instrument to console channel line in or direct to tape machine in one sweet clean step!"
"The “-20” position is for a traditional direct box situation, intended to feed a low level signal, typically the signal from an electric musical instrument, to a microphone input. The “0” position turns the unit into a unity gain buffer; the musical instrument signal can be driven into a mic input or a low level line input. The “+20” position raises the signal to professional line level for those fans of the “direct to the tape machine” mode of recording. The “VARI” knob allows continuously variable gain adjustment between 0 dB and +20 dB".

Need a FW800 panel mount connector for your rack? $13.99 at Sweetwater Sound.





This Switchcraft EHFW800X2 FireWire 800 crosswired feedthru jack will fit any panel that's made to accomodate a standard XLR panel-mount connector. The EHFW800X2 is individually bagged and includes mounting screws.


Switchcraft EHFW800X2 Features:

  • FireWire 800 crosswired feedthru jack
  • Color: Black
  • Easy, quick connectivity
  • Built into an XLR housing to mount into standardized panels
  • Mounting screws included
  • Great for custom installations



GP2 BL99 Preamp


"Recording artist and musician and Robert Lanois designed the BL99 4‐channel Mic Preamp with the professional user in mind. As a result, the performance of the BL99 is unmatched. The unit is virtually hiss‐free while harmonic distortion is almost too low to measure. The sound is very robust and holds up under wild equalization. There is no mid‐range fog or harshness, as with other pre‐amps, while the entire mid‐range is well defined and allows for a whole new experience in the studio. The top end is smooth with “air” but no roughness and extends easily beyond hearing range. You’ll experience no bumping at around 8k or lack of air and headroom is exceptional."

Cost: $6950