Focusrite ISA One Classic Single-channel Mic Pre-Amplifier with Independent D.I. Review

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(More customer reviews)This preamp is cleanish warm and can be nice and warm when stacked on tracks...Its a pro preamp and never think its not, The DI is very handy and can actualy be used for stereo recording with the preamp and di input.(input another preamp out to DI input to the optional a-d out)outs are now stereo...
Two recordings at the same time is a big deal if you have the a-d card, it has 2 xlr outs or the a/d card stereo outs with preamp and another input....again these preamps are used on professional recordings the isa 110's which this is a single version....
This unit does not include the a-d digital card, they run around $399 but are pro quality as well, not at all like Focusrite's cheaper pres a/d or the Behringer's a-d mess....

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Casio MIDI Cable for Musical Keyboards Review

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(More customer reviews)Neither this listing nor Casio's web site mention if this cable includes an opto-isolator. Without it, you could have problems communicating between MIDI gear and your PC.
Look around for MIDI-to-PC cables that have an opto-isolator. They aren't any more expensive, and they could save you a lot of time and headache.

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Universal Audio UAD-2 Solo/Laptop (1-Chip ExpressCard DSP Card) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been using this on a Win7 laptop (P8400 core2 duo, 2.26ghz), along with other "native" plugins. Without the UAD-2 Solo, my cpu would have been at 100% utilization a couple of dozen Fx instances ago. This card "runs" the plugins, freeing your cpu for your DAW software. Using just the laptop's CPU, each instance of a plugin processor or instrument sucks more CPU, at some point causing noisy artifacts (pops/crackles), dropouts, latency issues, etc.. This card is a GREAT BUY, and includes some prominent, highly rated processor plugins with purchase. It makes my laptop a far more powerful DAW than if I used strictly "native" plugins, e.g. Waves (which are mostly excellent, btw). I do have some Waves plugins as well. Before deciding to go with just your CPU, simply Google "UAD-2 SOLO review" and see what the many reviewers have to say about this new DSP Accelerator. Several forums will give an idea of the many users who are already using it, with Win XP and beyond (as well as OS/X).
Installation/Compatibility:
I know of MANY PC users still running XP sp2 that use the UAD-2 Solo card (or even earlier UAD PCIe accelerators who LOVE them!). The SOLO has been out for 2 years now, and been installed on MANY XP/sp2 systems. Pretty sure that some had to upgrade (ExpressCard) drivers, or their laptop BIOS. Even when using a new Audio interface (USB/Firewire), this is often required. Some call it "maintenance", and it's generally a good thing, to update the software that supports hardware as it get's "older" (1.5 - 2 years, let's be honest). Hardware drivers and bios' are upgraded (improved; bugs fixed), and installing these is, sometimes, as important as installing patches to Windows or any OS (esp. for a laptop in which the card slot was perhaps never used). Laptop manufacturers issue updates for the drivers for _fingerprint readers_, for SD Card readers, etc... It is normal. In a case where a SOLO card needs configuration mods, or driver updates in order to work, this would be an issue with the _laptop_, not with the new ExpressCard item you are trying to use. Nowadays, flashing BIOS or upgrading drivers is quite easy, and to be expected if adding hardware or peripherals to your machine. Even PC CHIPSETS (e.g. Intel 45 Express) have upgrades issued sometimes, allowing support for faster, more powerful CPUs, etc.. that didn't exist when the chipset was built. Bottom line: When adding/upgrading hardware, you may have to tweak, modify or upgrade software. This is the nature of the beast. :)
As for UAD software:
UAD plugins are among the most highly rated software plugins you can buy. Many are designed by, or in collaboration with, the designers of the ORIGINAL HARDWARE being emulated; The Neve console/etc plugins are endorsed by Rupert Neve; Empirical Labs' designer Dave Derr endorses the Fatso Jr (and other) UAD-2 plugins. Not that many plugin processor/emulator offerings have such endorsements.

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Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Sound Card (70SB006003007) Review

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(More customer reviews)I've read the poor reviews for this soundcard. However, I thought for the price of this card (30 bucks), I'd give it a try.
In other Amazon posts I've said, "When all else fails read the directions," and this installation is no different. I went through the installation procedure with my 12-year-old daughter. I did help her with lining up the card on the board, but after that we turned on the machine and booted into XP (we put the Sound Blaster installation CD into the CD drive before Windows fully loaded). The system found the card immediately and pulled the driver from the CD.
She said, "Is that it?" I said, "I believe so," and yep it sure was. Now we have pure, crystal clear surround sound from a thirty dollar card!! I also do not have any hissing or cracking noises out of the speakers others mentioned.
The Sound Blaster Live! CD also lets you install apps that work with the card and they were just as easy to install, but I did not install all of the apps.
Now I am not saying you will not have any problem (how would I know that?) as I have had some Creative issues with some other products, but I have always gotten around them.
Some tips:
1. If you are going to purchase this card online goto the Creative website and do some research. (e.g. is the card compatible with your Operating System? do you have any available PCI slots, how much memory does it require? THE BASICS!). Otherwise, just goto your friendly neighborhood office supply store and read the specs there (and be careful when the friendly clerk wants to give you a lesson in sound cards, you'll pay more in the end).
2. Consider which other devices you may wish to connect to the soundcard e.g. a mini disc player, microphone, etc.
3. Consider whether you need a full or half-duplex card. Full-duplex cards can record and play back sounds, while half-duplex cards can do one or the other, but not at the same time.
4. If you have onboard sound on your current computer, don't forget to disable that before you go installing this card or for that matter, any sound card.
Hopefully, if you do choose this card, it will work as seamlessly as it did for my daughter. Maybe she'll turn into a computer geek yet.


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Apogee Duet - Audio input adapter - IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the Duet to use with my Aluminum iMac and Logic Studio 8 and have had zero problems with the unit. The interface is very streamlined so you have to get used to using a single, multi-function knob for everything. The quality of conversion between analog and digital is head and shoulders above anything else near this price level. It sounds as good as units costing 3 times as much due to the designers' emphasis on quality sound. To get the high quality conversion at this price you are limited to the line outputs and headphone output levels being permanently linked. Some people find this a drawback, so be aware before you buy if this feature is something that is a deal breaker for you.
The small form factor is nice because as anyone with a home studio can attest to, space is not a luxury we have. I didn't pick this for its portability but as it is the size of a paperback book I can imagine it being very easy to tote around with a macbook/pro.
The included Maestro management software is straightforward and lets you set the unit up in seconds with a very easy to understand user interface. Configuring my iMac to use this as the audio input and output took less than a minute from reading the instructions. Making Logic label its mixer to match is equally simple. One thing I found convenient is how OSX lets you still use the iMac's built in speakers for the system alerts so that an error message gong sound isn't sent out through your 100watt studio monitors. You can set the output level of the system alerts separate from the duet's outputs.
The breakout cable is securely attached and the plugs are labeled with big, clear markings so changing hook-ups is easy. It has phantom power if your mics require it, which is set using Maestro.
Most audio interfaces in this price range try to win you over with more I/O channels or other add-ons instead of making the best sound conversion. They trade quality for quantity with predictable results. Apogee decided on doing a simple 2 channel interface, a single physical control and top shelf A/D/A converters so the result is the best 2 channels you can get. When you want more channels without sacrificing quality then you can step up to their Ensemble line.

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