Review | Page 2 of 14UniqueSquared Pro Audio Blog

PRO AUDIO

Taylor
December 13, 2012

iPad Controlled Digital Mixing Console Comparison

The Apple iPad has quickly become more than just a tablet for reading books and watching video. It is now a fully functional tool for doing all sorts of things including controlling your home security system, creating music, or having control of your home entertainment system. The pro audio world has found new and interesting ways of incorporating the iPad as well. Keyboard controllers, audio interfaces, DJ controllers, and live sound mixers are all getting a tech facelift with the application of the iPad. One of the more practical and prominent uses has been the iPad’s ability to sync with digital mixing consoles to control everything from monitor mixes to EQ settings. We first saw this with the introduction of the Presonus StudioLive and the StudioLive Remote application.

Since we first saw this at Winter NAMM 2011, more mixing consoles have been showing up which allow for intuitive and wireless control …

PRO AUDIO

Taylor
December 12, 2012

Akai MAX 49 Keyboard Controller Overview

inMusic, the parent company that owns Numark, Alesis, and Akai, has been pretty busy this year. All three of their leading companies have been releasing much of the gear featured at Winter NAMM 2012 and teased through YouTube videos and company press releases. Gear like the Numark 4TRAK, the Alesis QX line of MIDI keyboard controllers, and the very popular Akai Synthstation 49 and MPC Renaissance. In addition to releasing tons of new gear this year they also acquired formerly AVID owned M-Audio to round out their line of professional audio equipment. We will likely see more from inMusic this year at Winter NAMM 2013 in January and we will have plenty to report from the show room floor.

We first saw the Akai MAX 49 almost a year ago at Winter NAMM 2012 and our first impression was that the MAX 49 was a collection of improvements …

PRO AUDIO

Taylor
November 20, 2012

Akai Synthstation 49 Review

We first saw the Akai Synthstation 49 at Winter NAMM 2011 and surrounding this keyboard controller was all the buzz about the future of production and the integration of iOS devices. The public has been waiting patiently, filled with questions and anticipation for the keyboard controller that looked to take the most advantage of integrating an iPad with a keyboard controller. We were finally able to get our hands on one, play around with some different apps, and take it for a test drive when performing and using it for production. For those of you that have been holding out and waiting for the Synthstation 49, here are the things you have been waiting for:

Layout and Features

As the name implies, the Akai Synthstation 49 is a 49 key controller with selections for recording and playback, selecting instruments, and selecting between sequences, octaves, and songs. There are 9 MPC style pads for …

PRO AUDIO

Taylor
November 15, 2012

Denon SC2900 Overview

Those of you who have been looking for an affordable professional CDJ you need look no further than the Denon SC2900. This multi source media player stacks up quite nicely when compared to the popular Pioneer CDJ 2000 but at a fraction of the cost. If you are familiar with the Denon SC3900 with its motorized platter, then you will be very familiar with all of the features on the SC2900. The main difference being that the platter on the SC2900 is not motorized, making it more like a traditional CDJ than a vinyl turntable. The basic layout is identical to the SC3900 and if you want to know more about the SC3900 then visit our overview of the SC3900.

The SC2900 has all the functionality you need to get up and running for your next DJ gig. Here is an overview of some of the features we found to …

PRO AUDIO

Taylor
November 7, 2012

Pioneer DDJ-WeGO Overview

Pioneer has certainly been busy in the past few months releasing a series of controllers that fit the needs of different DJ’s from the active professional controllerist like the Pioneer DDJ-SX, to the casual, mobile, bedroom DJ with the Pioneer XDJ-Aero. The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO falls into the latter category with all of the features that you can come to expect from an affordable DJ controller, but with the build quality and attention to detail that comes from Pioneer DJ products. Some DJ’s may scoffingly wave this controller off or wonder why Pioneer, the company responsible for the most used professional DJ equipment, would release a controller like this. Others will view this as a release from a company looking to capitalize on a flourishing low priced DJ controller market. The fact of that matter is that the DDJ-WeGO is made for the beginner or mobile DJ looking to pick up …