Voicelive Rack

Reviews

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Review: Presonus AudioBox 22VSL


Is Presonus’s audio interface an ideal choice for your home studio?

Type: USB Audio Interface

Price: US $149, UK £112

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: The Presonus AudioBox 22VSL is a computer audio interface that features dual microphone pre-amps with phantom power and a MIDI input/output. Having two microphone channels means it will appeal to > read more

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Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)

Review: Toontrack EZ Keys

Need a piano part to accompany your singing? Then Toontrack may have an easy answer.

Type: Computer Audio Software

Price: US $149, UK £110

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: Toontrack EZ Keys is essentially a virtual piano player that works within the DAW software on your computer. It comes with a > read more

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Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

Review: The Shure SM48 Dynamic Mic


Should you go for Shure’s low-cost vocal mic or pay extra for something better?

Type: Live Vocal Microphone

Price: US $49, UK £55

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: The Shure SM48 is a unidirectional dynamic microphone that has a frequency response tailored for vocals. It is intended for > read more

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Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

Review: TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play GTX


Is TC-Helicon’s latest effects pedal the perfect device for singer-guitarists? -asks Chris Kennedy

Type: Vocal Effects Processor

Price: US $350, UK £289

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: VoiceLive Play GTX is an effects pedal for singer guitarists who want to process their vocals and guitar tone all within one simple unit; this is not to be confused with the VoiceLivelay which is only for vocals. It combines TC-Helicon’s > read more

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Rating: 0 (from 4 votes)

Review: MXL R144 Ribbon Mic

Is this low cost ribbon microphone a worthy investment for your home studio? Asks Chris Kennedy

Item: MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone

Price: US $99, UK £129

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: MXL’s R144 is a low-cost ribbon microphone designed for studio use. Unlike typical studio condenser microphones, ribbon mics produce > read more

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Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)

Review: Alesis VideoTrack – Portable Vid/Audio Recorder


A quick and easy way to record your gig – but is the quality good enough? Asks Chris Kennedy

Item: Alesis VideoTrack -handheld video and audio recorder

Price: US $89-140, UK £85-95

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: Alesis’ VideoTrack is a low-cost portable video and audio recorder that is aimed at musicians and fans wanting to capture live musical performances. It features two condenser microphones to allow for stereo recording and a digital video recorder with LED light for use in low light situations.

High Notes: The device is lightweight with rubbery case to make it easy to grip. It is fitted with a rechargeable battery that can be charged via USB and recordings are stored on a SD memory card. Included with the device is a 2GB memory card that enables up to one hour of video recording, however the dive can support up to a 16GB card if you need more capacity. The unit also has a standard tripod connector screw mount on its base and headphone output for monitoring your recording.

Off Pitch: Although the audio quality is good the video recording is more akin to what you would expect from a decent mobile phone and not a dedicated video recording device. It also only supports up to 640×480, so HD video recording is out the question.

A VoiceCouncil Reviewer Says: The VideoTrack’s video recording performance is primarily what lets the unit down. When combined with a tripod it can produce reasonable results, however it struggles to cope well with fast moving action or particularly shaky hands. On the other hand, its audio recording capabilities are alone worth the asking price of the device. If used in a well lit area, it could certainly make a pretty decent YouTube video. If you want to capture live performances and you care more about the audio quality than the video quality then the Alesis VideoTrack is definitely worth considering.

Manufacturer’s Website: http://www.alesis.com/videotrack

Other Reviews:
Review 1

Review 2

Review 3

Review 4

Review 5 (Video)

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Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

Review: The Audix OM-7 Microphone


Need a vocal mic that can handle loud stage levels without causing feedback?


Item: Audix OM-7 Dynamic Vocal Micropohone

Price: US $229, UK £165

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: The Audix OM-7 is a dynamic microphone that is designed for live vocals on stage. It has excellent gain before feedback – making it great for singers who > read more

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Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

Review: Vocal Rider Mix Tool by Waves


Can this plug-in keep your vocals clear and upfront in your mixes?

Item: Waves Vocal Rider Plug-In

Price: US $225, UK £130 (iLok device is also required for authorisation)

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: Wave’s Vocal Rider is a computer plug-in that is primarily designed for use in a recording studio when mixing vocals. It is capable of automatically adjusting the level of your vocals relative to the backing in real time so that they stay at a constant level and don’t get lost in the mix. Simply set the target range of the vocal level in relation to the rest of the mix and then Vocal Rider will > read more

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Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

Review: Blue Microphones Icicle


Is this simple device all you need to connect your mic to your computer and record great vocals?

Item: Blue Microphones Icicle, USB Microphone Interface

Price: US $59, UK £40

Mic Rating:

At A Glance: Blue Microphone’s Icicle is a small USB interface that enables a microphone to be connected to a computer for recording. It has an XLR input for plugging in a microphone and a dedicated > read more

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Rating: +3 (from 3 votes)

Review: Singer’s Guide to Powerful Performances

Can an e-book help you connect with audiences?

Item: Singer’s Guide to Powerful Performances by Jeannie Deva (e-book)

Price: 14.00-16.00 (USD); it is available on iBookstore/Kindle and many other eReaders – for pcs and macs. UK buyers can purchase a kindle edition at the US price.

Rating (see below)

At a Glance: Jeannie Deva investigates all of the areas she believes contributes to the goal of an unforgettable vocal performance. It appears that no > read more

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Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)