Download PDF - Xlr8r

MAChiNeS
124
COMPONeNTS
ALesis photon x25 usb/
midi controLLer
MsRP: $299.00; www.alesIs.coM
What good is that endless list of plug-ins if you can barely control
any of them? Of the countless controllers out now, the Photon X25
is the best for its size (two octaves) and price range. It’s easy to set
up, powers off of USB, batteries or adapter, and is a solid piece of
pretty plastic. The 10 endless knobs (that can be assigned three
layers deep), 10 buttons and two wheels are easy to configure. It
also has an AXYZ Dome–which is great if you want to rock Absynth
with kitschy, hand-waving Theremin action. Marc Kate
the s.m.A.r.t. guide to
recording greAt
Audio trAcks
MsRP: $35.99; www.couRsePtR.coM
Part of a series of audio recording guidebooks designed with
the layman in mind, Bill Gibson’s The S.M.A.R.T. Guide
To Recording Great Audio Tracks–In A Small Studio
features chapters on just about everything needed for
independent recording. The instrumental sections are well
thought-out and immediately applicable, while the chapter
on acoustics avoids overly scientific language in favor of a
straightforward, “for dummies” approach. In addition, this
book comes with a huge bonus–a companion DVD with
page-specific audio and video references; you can observe it
applied exactly as it is described on paper. Alexander Posell
Logitech wireLess
heAdphones for mp3
MsRP: $129; www.loGItech.coM
Being chained to your MP3 player with a headphone jack and wires
is so Y2K. It’s 2K5, and wireless life is essential. Using a tiny plug-in
transmitter that fits atop most MP3 players, Logitech Wireless
Headphones for MP3 offer excellent sound quality within a range
of 30 feet. Park your player in the kitchen and go fix the car in the
garage. Put your Rio in your backpack and forget the wire-routing
tangle. Integrated controls on the side of the headphones allow you
to adjust the volume of your music directly from the headphones,
which take approximately 2.5 hours to charge. Happily, these work
with any MP3 or CD player that includes a standard 3.5mm headphone
jack. Devon Pierce
m-Audio drum & bAss
rig softwAre
MsRP: $125.00; www.M-audIo.coM
Combining a whole rack’s worth of music production tools into one
virtual instrument, M-Audio Drum & Bass Rig has more loops and
breaks than a Six Flags rollercoaster. Don’t let the name deceive you:
with ethnic percussion and instruments, and programmable bass
guitar and drum machines, D&B Rig will suit all kinds of genres and
tastes. When used within a sequencing environment like Ableton
Live, one-touch loop recording is at hand, using presets or your own
break creations. The oscillator unit offers a plethora of pattern-based
bass notes, and the built-in effects rack expands on your sequencer’s
tools. For the price, you’d be a fool not to add this to your arsenal.
Devon Pierce