Tag Archives: SoundCard

Focusrite launches Forte, 24-bit / 192kHz portable audio interface (video)

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Focusrite launches Forte, 24bit 192kHz mobile audio interface

If you like your audio interfaces with added "on-the-go," then the new Forte from Focusrite might be worthy of your attention. The two-input four-output device has two remote control preamps with 24-bit 192kHz analog / digital converters. If you are worried that the pocket-friendly form means less space for meters etc, fear not, as an OLED display with on-screen buttons provides visual feedback, along with control over levels and even some software (DAW) parameters. There's a breakout cable included, and dedicated control software (PC and Mac) so even your devices with XLR connections will get a look in, while the aluminum casing should hold it all together nicely -- not to mention make it look pretty. How much you ask? That'd be £399 / $600 when it lands in stores in October. Promo video after the break.

Continue reading Focusrite launches Forte, 24-bit / 192kHz portable audio interface (video)

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Focusrite launches Forte, 24-bit / 192kHz portable audio interface (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video)

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops

There's a stack of different plugs, cables and connectors aimed at piping sound into your iPad, but when studio-stalwart Focusrite makes one, we pay attention. The iTrack Solo is a two channel interface compatible with the iPad, as well as your Mac or PC, offering mobile recording all the way up to 24-bit / 96kHz. The onboard preamp is the same as used in the brand's flagship Liquid Saffire 56 interface, and there's phantom power for microphones. As well as the mic-in there's a quarter-inch input for guitars etc., as well as a chunky volume control for monitoring. Front "halo" indicators change from green to red if your recording levels go too high, and the aluminum casing should prevent it from getting damaged at the bottom of any gig bag. Once you've created a masterpiece in Garageband (or other recording app), you can use the line-level phono outputs to run it through your sound system of choice. Sound like something you can get down to? You'll be able to get your hands on the iTrack Solo starting next month, and it'll set you back $160 at your local dealer -- in the meantime, you can jam on the PR after the break.

Continue reading Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video)

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video)

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops

There's a stack of different plugs, cables and connectors aimed at piping sound into your iPad, but when studio-stalwart Focusrite makes one, we pay attention. The iTrack Solo is a two channel interface compatible with the iPad, as well as your Mac or PC, offering mobile recording all the way up to 24-bit / 96kHz. The onboard preamp is the same as used in the brand's flagship Liquid Saffire 56 interface, and there's phantom power for microphones. As well as the mic-in there's a quarter-inch input for guitars etc., as well as a chunky volume control for monitoring. Front "halo" indicators change from green to red if your recording levels go too high, and the aluminum casing should prevent it from getting damaged at the bottom of any gig bag. Once you've created a masterpiece in Garageband (or other recording app), you can use the line-level phono outputs to run it through your sound system of choice. Sound like something you can get down to? You'll be able to get your hands on the iTrack Solo starting next month, and it'll set you back $160 at your local dealer -- in the meantime, you can jam on the PR after the break.

Continue reading Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video)

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Focusrite launches iTrack Solo, a two channel interface for iOS and desktops (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer announces DDJ-WeGO two-channel DJ controller, provides entry-level jams

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Pioneer announces DDJWeGO twochannel DJ controller, provides entrylevel jams

Remember that fancy-looking DDJ-AERO we saw from Pioneer recently? Well if that was a bit too "buttony," or perhaps just too expensive for your beginner DJ pockets, how about that which you see above? Announced today, this is the DDJ-WeGO an (or is that another) all-in-one DJ controller -- squarely aimed at the cheaper end of the market. With a suggested retail price of $399, it's Pioneer's cheapest controller to date, and comes bundled with Virtual DJ LE software. For your money, you get two platters and a mini-mixer, FX buttons, a choice of five colors (white, black, red, green or the pictured violet), as well as some built-in LED effects that help you learn to mix (the lights get brighter as the pitch of the two songs gets closer, etc.). On a more practical level, the unit is compact, USB-powered, and has a built-in audio-interface (no extra sound card required for headphone monitoring). You can get your spin on from next month, at the aforementioned quad-benjamin price-point, or tease yourself with the PR past the break.

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Pioneer announces DDJ-WeGO two-channel DJ controller, provides entry-level jams originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 03:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCI-Express sound cards, pumps up the volume

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Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCIExpress sound cards, pumps up the volume

Along with your first day at school, and (for the boys at least) growing your first peach fuzz mustache, many of you might also never forget your first Sound Blaster soundcard. In the present day (unless you're blessed with youth) only the Sound Blaster can be enjoyed again, and today Creative introduces its new Z-series. The latest PCI-Express cards use the firm's Core3D quad-core sound and voice processor and come in three variants: the Sound Blaster ZxR, the Zx and the Z. As you might have guessed, the more letters, the higher up the food chain it is. The flagship ZxR ($249.99) boasts a 127dB SNR, sockets for swappable Op-Amps, 80mW into 600 ohm headphone pre-amp, plus RCA / optical connectivity (via additional daughter board) and an external "ACM" control module for less fiddling around the back of your machine. You can save yourself $100 with the Zx model, if you don't want the ZxR's "DBpro" daughter board, and the Z edition saves a further $50 at the expense of the external controller. Want to dive into the full specifications? Plug in to the PR after the break.

Continue reading Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCI-Express sound cards, pumps up the volume

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Creative reveals Sound Blaster ZxR, Zx, and Z PCI-Express sound cards, pumps up the volume originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we’ve ever seen

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It's been a long, long while since Creative spruced up its Sound Blaster audio hardware, so a teaser for something new certainly has us intrigued. The page mentions little beyond an Axx name and that there will be a "whole new generation" of the technology uncovered on May 30th. There's a contest to win whatever the device might be if you're astute enough to predict the future name, but this may be a softball question given the not-so-subtle hints. Between terrible puns about the "axx-traterestrial" coming and winners getting to "axx-perience" the technology first, we have a feeling that any name that doesn't put "Axx" front and center is out of the running.

Creative teases Sound Blaster Axx with the most forced puns we've ever seen originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 17:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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