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This program installed without any problems. I didn't have any kind of compatibility issues with mine. It was okay to configure - there was one confusing thing where you have to tell it what your inputs are, and this step wasn't clear in the manual. You have to let the program know where your audio is coming from in the Settings menu. The manual is overall okay, but again it did skip over this step.
I have a Dell computer with an Intel processor, 2 GB of RAM, and I use Windows XP and Cubase for software. Amplitube works just fine with those specs. It doesn't use that much CPU power, maybe only 5 percent which is good when you look at how powerful this software is. It also seems pretty stable, I don't think it has ever caused any crashes or other problems.
I have been using this software for about a year. There are really a huge amount of options for your guitar sound with this software. A short list of the things you can edit are amp head and cabinet, the mic used to mic the cabinet, EQ, compression and many other effects, stomp boxes, and there's even a "rack mounted" tuner! IK Multimedia provides a lot of good sounding presets to get you started on finding the tone you want. I found that this software stacks up very well with Guitar Rig 3, and it's less money. You can change your sound so much, it's hard not to be able to find what you need, and without it sounding overly harsh or digital. If I had to complain, I would say that the interface is a little but counter-intuitive. It can be hard to find what you're looking for. Say, if you select a preset and you want to remove reverb, that reverb could be coming from many places within the software, so it can be a pain to suss out problems. For the price, you are getting a great sounding, versatile amp sim though. I would definitely get this again.
These are small diaphragm condenser mics. They are quite commonly found in pairs, so you can do stereo recording with them. They are best suited for recording, but you could use them live if you needed maybe an overhead setup or something like that. They are cardioid pattern, so they have a good amount of off-axis rejection. Since they are condenser they are well suited to applications like drums where you need quick transient response, or violins where you need a lot of high frequency detail. Since they are small diaphragm, they are even better for these kinds of applications, because it takes less air to move the capsule. They require phantom power to operate.
I have had these for maybe 5 years in a stereo pair. I used them as drum overheads for a long time. Really, they are just kind of average microphones. They come with a pad connector, so if you are recording something very loud you can still get a usable signal. They do a pretty good job with transients, but I do wish they were a little brighter. Most things I recorded with them ended up needing some additional treble added to make them shimmer. Low frequencies were not well represented, but you wouldn't normally need them with the sources this is best suited for. They lasted a long time and were dropped many times, but sadly eventually one of them broke upon being dropped, so now I only have one. They served me pretty well for a long time though as a pretty cheap stereo pair of condensers. They were a good value for the price at the time, though now you may have better luck elsewhere. I probably would not get these again, because they were not as bright as I would have liked in a mic that is mostly suited for bright sources.
This plug-in installed without any problems. I didn't have any compatibility issues. The configuration is all automatic so you just install it and you can start using it after your DAW can recognize it. The manual is very thorough, so if you take the time to read it before starting up this software you should already be an expert except for hearing the effects.
I use this on my Dell computer which has an Intel processor and 2GB of ram. I also run this on windows XP and Cubase for a DAW. It works just fine in this configuration, I had no problems. I use it in the VST format, which is what most PC users will be doing as well. This plug-in actually doesn't use that much CPU power, unlike most other waves plugs. Waves tends to be known for high quality and high CPU usage. It has seemed to be very stable, I don't remember this program ever causing me any crashes or problems.
I have had this for over a year. It really does a great job at de-essing. Nothing can ruin a vocal recording with really harsh overly bright S's and T's. This plugin is like magic on those consonants. It requires relatively little tweaking, and you can start to tamp down on those sounds poking out so much. You do have to be careful though, because you can quickly turn a performance that is overly sibilant into one by someone who sounds like they have a lisp. That is my only real problem with this plug-in, that it can be easy to overdo it. If you use it right though, it can really make a vocal recording sound much better and smoother without a lot of fuss, since it works automatically over the whole track after you give it some guidelines. It is a great value if you do a lot of stuff with vocals that need to be right up front. I would definitely get it again, I use it all the time still.
This installed without any problems for me. Waves is pretty good about having easy clear installation and setup. I didn't have any compatibility issues. The configuration is all automatic to your system. The manuals are fairly in-depth and set up in an entertaining way, I have never seen a manual with such a sense of humor. Apart from that, they are clear and easy to understand.
I have a Dell computer with an Intel processor, 2GB of ram, and windows XP with Cubase. It works great in this format. Waves has VST versions of their plug-ins, so us PC users can enjoy them as well. Waves plugs are rather CPU intensive, so you should have a fast computer if you want to use these a lot. On my computer with a dual core intel, I can multiple instances of these without too much trouble. They have bugs now and then, but overall I would say this software is pretty stable.
I have been using this for over a year now. A lot of studios I had recorded in used waves for a lot of functions, and when I started making a home studio I thought this would be a good investment for a starting toolbox. It definitely was - these are really high end plugs. The compressor is really versatile and easy to set up, while sounding fantastic. The automatic release control it has is great. Another of my favorite plugs is the RBass one. I put this on almost all of the kick drums and sometimes bass guitar. It really helps to make them sound huge, the difference is almost funny. The EQ you get is very smooth and easy to get up and running quickly with its target dragging interface. The RVerb sounds great nad is very versatile, you can get anything from plates to springs to giant churches, all with editable parameters.I have used a lot of different plugins, and these are some of the best I've encountered. They also give you stereo and mono versions of each one to cut down on CPU usage, which is a nice touch. Waves is expensive, but if you pay for the best you get the best. To me, it's totally worth it. I would definitely get it again.
This installed without any problems. I had no compatibility issues on my computer. The configuration and setup was very simple and straightforward. You pretty much just click Next a bunch of times. The manual is pretty big, so there aren't really many questions that they leave unanswered. It is also clearly written and easy to read. Definitely not a throw away manual.
I have a Dell computer with an Intel processor, and I use windows XP and Cubase for this program. It works very easily since you can get it in VST format. Auto tune doesn't really use very much CPU on my computer, so I put it on all of the vocal tracks in my home studio to get the pitch right. It can be a little bit buggy I have found, and has caused a few crashes, but it's not really a major problem.
I have been using auto tune for years. Obviously the benefit is improved pitch for singers, and really, most singers could use it. Unless you are Mariah you could stand to have a bit tighter pitch a lot of the time. If you are singing close enough, auto tune is even hard to hear. Of course, if used in an evil way you can make an effect out of it, like that famous Cher song. My least favorite thing is that sometimes it picks the wrong notes to try to tune to, and you have to tell it that it's wrong, which can be kind of time consuming considering how often this happens. The better the singer, the better this program works. You obviously can't record someone singing way off and expect this to solve all your problems. It can sound very digital and robotic if you have to tune it too far. Overall, it is very easy to use. There are advanced features for more time consuming, but more perfectionist editing. For people like me I just want a quick fix, and that's where auto tune shines compared to the competition. It is kind of pricey, but since vocals are so important it's worth investing in making them sound better. Considering that it's a fair value. I would buy this again.
This is an analog tube preamp. There are no effects, it just basically raises the level of the input signal. It does have a couple of features that are worth mentioning though. It has phantom power, so you can use condenser mics with this as well as other types that don't require it. There is also more than one type of input on this pre. There is the normal XLR microphone input, but there's also a 1/4" input for DI instruments. There is also a switch that lets you lift the ground, so you can help to eliminate noise in that way. Then there is obviously a pot for gain control, and a balanced XLR output.
The configuration and setup of this pre is very simple. There is really not much to it - plug in the power, plug in a mic or DI isntrument and you are pretty much ready to go. Editing the sound is as simple as turning the one gain knob, and deciding if you want to lift the ground or not. The manual is very clear and sufficient, and does a good job telling you what can be done with this pre.
The sound quality of this pre is great. It definitely helps with a duller mic, because this can help bring the sound to life. Since it's a tube preamp, it will add a certain coloration to the sound of most things you put through it. There isn't that much noise unless you really crank it up. It starts to get noisy then, but you also can get a very nice tube distortion at the same time. It sounds very crunchy and baked, in a good way.
I have had this for a few years. I really like the warmth you can get with this pre even with a sterile mic. It has a very unique and interesting tone. At the same time, that can be a bad thing, if you want a sound that is transparent. So that is a double edged sword to be considered. You do get a good amount of gain though, so if you have a quiet source this can help you out. The ground lift is also a nice feature if you have problems with your electricity. This is moderately priced, and really it is a moderate value. Other preamps in this price range are about the same quality. I do happen to like the particular sound you get from the brick though, so I would get it again.
I have been using this product for about 4 months. I had my eyes on the Mackie digital controllers, but the price of those was prohibitive. I soon discovered that audio on the cheap company Behringer had a product in the same vein. I have been quite happy with this since getting it. It is very easy to install, simply connect with MIDI, set your program to recognize it, and it works very well. The manual is unfortunately not that detailed, but you can find help online if you need it. You can connect more than one of these if you want more channels. It gives you 8 faders that are motorized, and with most programs you can write the fader automation on to your song. Then when it plays back, the faders will automatically move. You can switch which tracks are controlled by which faders as well, so you are not limited in that way. There is also a pan pot for every fader, so you can assign that to control panning or other things in your DAW as well. There is a limited amount of visual feedback in terms of display on this controller, but that is part of what you lose with the hugely lower cost of this when compared to the Mackie or Tascam controllers. In terms of sensitivity, it has worked totally fine. The feel of the faders feels no different from the Mackie one, which a friend has. There are also other handy functions. You can mute and solo the tracks that are selected for the faders. You can start and stop playback with it as well. One thing I don't like is that since it's cheaper components, it's a bit less durable. One of the caps on my faders has already come loose, and while some superglue fixed it that should tell you something about the craftsmanship. For the price, you absolutely can't get a product like this cheaper, so it's a great value. I am overall happy with it, so I would get it again.
This is another microphone in the vein of the Shure SM58. There are a lot of clones of that mic on the market, and this one doesn't really stick out that much. It is a dynamic cardioid microphone. Since it's a cardioid there is good off axis rejection. It works best for close mic'ing something, especially live vocals or a guitar amp. The sound quality leaves a good amount to be desired, so you wouldn't really want to use this for recording unless this is the best you can afford. It is a rather dull mic, so vocals can sometimes have a hard time cutting through guitars and drums that could be overpowering. A useful feature of this particular mic is that it has an on/off switch right on the handle, so if you start feeding back or you just want it off during quiet passages, it's easy to do without unplugging it or running over to the mixer.
I have had this for a few years. I don't believe they are made anymore but you see them on ebay and at used dealers. My favorite feature of this mic is the switch on the handle, that has come in handy a few times for me. Also these are almost as cheap as it gets for microphones, so if you just want something that works, it's hard to go wrong. The sound quality as I said is relatively poor, so you get what you pay for there. One other benefit is that this mic does seem resistant to feedback, so you can get a good amount of gain from it before you start having problems. Since it's so cheap, it's hard for this not to be a good value. But any serious musician should probably invest in something that sounds a little better. I would probably not get this again, but this is good for beginners.


