Presonus StudioLive Soundboard and Recording Concerts

One of the purchases I have been dragging my feet over has been a digital mixer/sound board. I finally broke down this past school year and purchased a Presonus StudioLive 16.4.2 mixer.

This is a digital performance and recording mixer. That means that when we do our crazy variety show every year I can set the board for each group when we get the mix just perfect along with a good monitor setting for the performers, and then save all the settings. During show time I simply go through and recall the settings I saved during sound check. There are a ton of capabilities built into this board, compressors, limiters, EQ, low pass filters, great pre-amps and EQ’s for the main’s as well as the monitors. The list goes on and on.

Because it is a digital recording board the potential does not stop with being an awesome mixer. When hooked up to my laptop it becomes a digital recorder as well. With the push of two buttons I can be recording all 16 tracks (plus more) of our live performances. Then those recordings can be played back through the board later to do an actual mix-down, using all the built-in settings in the board. Plus I can run the recordings through my favorite DAW. That means more plug-ins and capabilities.

This past 6 months I have been able to use the board enough to run live sound and get comfortable with that part of the mixer. It has allowed for our sound during performances to take that next step forward, not to mention that I have no idea how we could have done our digital music ensemble performances this year. (Here is a link of our group – Melodic Fusion – of course it is from a parents phone (I guess I should get a better recording up on the web!))During a bunch of these performances I ran recordings as well. I am just now getting around to being able to play with this part of the mixer and software. I really have not much of an idea of what I am doing in this area though. It’s been fun though. I’ve taken recordings from a band and mixed up some recordings for them of their live performance. Of course we did not really have the miss we needed to produce a recording like we would have liked. There was only one mic on the drum set really – in front of the bass drum. The rest of the drums are simply from what was getting picked up from the drummer vocal mic, and other stage mics. The two guitar players ran a microphone in front of their amps (not what I would have done probably if we would have been doing the performance for recording purposes). We did run the bass player straight through the board. Then we had three vocal mics, a djembe mic and an acoustic mic line in. The recording of each individual track is fun to listen back to. Of course there are so many settings to learn on the board that it boggles my mind a bit.

It has been a blast working on these recordings and digging into the settings on the board. To give you an idea of what the sound is like on the recordings…  one of the songs from the concert is below – DISCLAIMER – Remember that I teach band and am not a record producer! If you like Matt’s music go to his web site and or go to iTunes download more. In fact book his group for a performance at your school! These guys put on an awesome performance that is full of energy!

SONG - Heart Wide Open - This is a bit of an experiment. I thought that I could upload mp3 files here on WordPress – it appears as though that is now an upgrade. So this file is shared from my dropbox. This also brings up another issue with sharing recordings like these. Since I have the song mixed down and want to share it over to Matt, who only has access to his iPhone (or my son on his iPad)… what is the best way to do that? I can’t just email it because the song actually does not even open in the iPad at all from the mail app! I can send them a DropBox link but that will only allow them to get the song into their DropBox app. Am I missing something here or is the only way to get a song onto an iPhone/iPad by hooking it up to a computer (or through iTunes wi-fi sync?)

Of course you must have known that there would be a way to tie in an iPad to this board! The main reason I finally jumped on this board is because I can use my iPad to remotely control almost every function on the mixer from anyplace in the room! That means I can sit with my wife and run sound for the choir. I can run sound for graduation from the back of the gym even though the mixer is sitting in the front of the gym. I can get up on stage and change monitor mixes while standing right in front of the monitors! It is very, very cool! Plus any of my kids with an iPod Touch or iPhone or iPad now have the ability to run their own monitor mixes and tweak them to their own liking right from their own iOS device! Since my board has 6 aux sends that means I can have 6 different mixes for my students while they are performing that they themselves can control!

If you are looking for a mixer I’m not sure why in the world you would want to buy any other mixer!

24 Track iPad Recording Studio for $49!

How about being able to record 24 tracks of audio at once? 48 tracks of playback! Being able to record on your iPad then move that session into another desktop recording software package like ProTools (LogicStudio?)!

The $49 is a bit mis-leading as you of course need an iPad as well as a USB audio interface. But the thought of what this adds up to in price and capability to what we were able to get 10 years is a staggering difference!

Auria App is from WaveMachine Labs and with the ability to play 48 mono or stereo 24bit/44.1 kHz tracks simultaneously, record up to 24 of those tracks simultaneously (through any supported USB multichannel audio interface), and edit and mix with familiar tools and full parameter automation, it’s clear Auria sets a new standard for iPad multitracking.

Here is a video of the software from YouTube

Of course there are other apps out there right now that let us record into our iPads – but the Auria App is the first to allow 24 tracks of simultaneous recording!

Now we just have to find a digital mixer – or at least a mixer that is compliant with the iPad camera connection kit! Of course if I’m recording 24 tracks of audio onto my iPad what am I going to use to read my music off from? I just might have to steal my original back from my wife iPad…. (anyone got any idea of how THAT’s going to go?) Maybe she’ll just let me by the iPad3!

If the thought of recording 24 tracks is a bit daunting to you – remember that there are several new iPad audio/midi docks/interfaces that are perfect for just recording several tracks at a time. The Alesis iO Dock is not new news but the Behringer iStudio  and the StudioConnect from Griffin are both new.

Apple’s GarageBand - which works on iPad/iPhone/Computer ,

Studio Track  from Sonoma WireWorks (8tracks of audio),

Amplitube 2 for iPad -(8 tracks of audio) (Really great for guitar players with all sorts of amp simulations and such),

MultiTrack DAW from HarmonicDog – (8 tracks simultaneous recording),

Studio.HD from SoundTrend LLC

New Mixers that integrate iPads

Are you looking for a way to incorporate your iPad into your live sound? Looking for new ways to mic up your Jazz Band or Choir? I know I want a new way to take advantage of the iPads portability and processing strength in ways I’ve not been able to. I want a great new way to use my iPad in conjunction with my sound system, both in the band room as well as when we are live. Live sound is always a hassle to some extent, trying to haul equipment and find someone to run it and then the sound board is in the back of the room and you, the director, are up front. Well,  NAMM 2012 has brought lots of exciting new gear announcements that incorporate the iPad and iPod’s. I have been looking at a new sound board for my band program these past few weeks and these announcements have caught my attention. There are several new sound boards that change the way we use sound boards. These sound boards utilize an iPad in one way or another.

I found information on two boards that did not include a release time or a price, those two boards are listed last. I did find one video review of the Mackie DL1608 Board (Find it here) that told me the price – $999, and they said the release time frame is quarter 2. For what this thing is doing that is amazing!
I could not find a price anywhere for the bottom two mixers.

The information from Mackie is the best put together of these three. A word of warning though, if you are not familiar with Mackie and the way they write their material, it’s going to be an interesting trip for you!

Mackie DL 1608 from Mackie  - go here for video and more pics from the Mackie website. Here is a video at the Mackie booth – the guy is showing it off and talking about it. He also mentions the price in this video – $999

Highlights - The Mackie DL1608™ redefines live mixing by combining the proven power of a full-featured digital mixer with the unmatched ease and mobility of an iPad.® With 16 boutique-quality Onyx mic preamps and the performance of 24bit Cirrus Logic® AD/DA converters, you have unparalleled sound quality. Seamless wired to wireless iPad control means you can mix from anywhere in the venue. This gives you the mobile freedom to control not only the mix, but also powerful plug-ins like EQ, dynamics, effects and more. The sleek DL1608 even supports up to 10 iPads.

What really is showing their innovation -

• Control the mix from anywhere with an iPad
• Great Preamps
• Great built-in Processing – like 4 band EQ, compression and gate plug-ins. Reverb, tap delay and 31-band graphic EQ and compressor/limiter on the main and aux outs.
• Suports up to 10 iPads – Give each band member the ability to adjust their own monitors.
• Total snapshot recall
• Chanel presets like kick drum, bass, guitar, keyboard and more.
• Record from the main mix right to your iPad
• Integrate music from any other app, like GarageBand without using up one of the mixers 16 channels while the iPad is docked.
• Channel Images – gone are the days of masking tape and handwriting who is on each channel!

I like that it appears that you do not have to leave the iPad docked for the entire show.
XENYX iX2442USB from Behringer – There are 16, 24 and 32 channel versions of this one -

XENYX iX2442USB

Premium 24-Input 4/2-Bus Mixer with iPAD Docking Station, XENYX Mic Preamps & Compressors, KLARK TEKNIK Multi-FX Processor, Wireless Option and USB/Audio Interface

• Premium ultra-low noise, high headroom mixer with iPAD integration
• iPAD docking station seamlessly integrates hundreds of iPAD music apps for recording, system tuning and monitoring etc.
• 10 state-of-the-art, phantom-powered XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
• 8 studio-grade compressors with super-easy “one-knob” functionality and control LED for professional vocal and instrumental sound
• Ultra-high quality KLARK TEKNIK FX processor with LCD display, dual-parameters, Tap function and storable user parameter settings
• “Wireless-ready” for high-quality BEHRINGER digital wireless system (not included)
• Built-in stereo USB/Audio Interface to connect directly to your computer. Free audio recording, editing and podcasting software plus 150 instrument/effect

MasterLink 24 with dock for iPad – from Alto Professional

 

24-CHANNEL MIXER WITH DOCK FOR IPAD

 

• Seamlessly integrates iPad with fitted enclosure, 30-pin dock and exclusive software
• Works with iPad and iPad 2
• Process and record your main mix with Alto Professional’s Live Drive App*
• Dedicated analyzer/talkback microphone input
• 24 input channels: 16 Mono, 4 Stereo
• 16 high-headroom low-noise microphone preamps
• Three-band EQ with sweepable mid-frequency on all mono channels
• 16 independent channel compressors for dynamic control
• Built-in Alesis digital effects processor with reverb, delay, chorus and more
• Four aux sends with aux one and two configurable as “post” or “pre” fader
• Four-bus operation, offering main and monitor mix separation
• Real-time audio analysis*
• 12-band parametric EQ*
• Compressor/limiter*
• Two-channel audio recording capability*
• Built-in programmable SPL meter*

Go to Target NOW! USB mic and Keyboard on clearance!

Tonight, my wife asked if I would like to go with her to Target. I of course said yes, like any great husband should when asked this question!

My Target visits always start in the Bose Headphone’s section as I listen to the headphones I will some day buy. Then on to the iPad section a look through the headphones they have on sale. Then I headed over to the First Act Music section – I know, I know…. I go there because this is where the clearance section is as well! Tonight though I found two very exciting bargains for any music person! You too should be on your way to Target tonight or tomorrow because these deals are not going to last!

The first deal I found was a First Act USB Keyboard Controller. 54 keys, 128 Instrument Sounds, 100 play-Along Rhythms and then I saw it…..!  FULL USB-MIDI SUPPORT! At full normal price, $68, I would have looked but not been interested. But this is on sale right now for $20!

The second deal I found was the Q2U Recording Pak. This contains a USB/XLR Microphone with HP20 Headphones as well as CakeWalk Music Creator LE software, plus a XLR mic cable, USB cable and desktop mic stand! This set usually goes for $71.99. I had actually thought about buying this in the past – I mean this time we are talking about Samson not First Act! Tonight it was on sale for $21.99!  I grabbed it! In fact I think I am going to go to a couple of other Targets and see if I can one more!

Now the only issue that I was worried about was if these two items would work with my iPad. I knew they would work with my laptop. I wanted the keyboard so I could have something smallish to use for input into Sibelius. I have plenty of real full sized keyboards that I can use as well but I’ve been considering a smaller, usb powered keyboard for a year or so now. Quick and easy and smaller!

I got home, of course I had to sit and eat Taco Bell with the girls and Wife but that was fine, I mean I was hungry too you know! Found my camera connector kit that my wife had borrowed last weekend so she could load photo’s onto her iPad while at her Dad’s. In my office I unpacked the keyboard first. My first impression was – “Whoa! This feels VERY light and kind of cheap.” I kind of expected that though. Then I tried plugging it in, nothing. I had to go find 4 AA batteries. I finally persuaded my son to loan me 4 from their Wii controllers. I had hoped for USB powered but no such luck. After putting batteries in and hooking the USB cord up to the computer, I started up GarageBand. It Worked!!! Sweet. I then tried it with the iPad, GarageBand and the Camera Connector Kit. That worked as well!

Next, the microphone. My first impression of the mic was opposite of the keyboard. The mic felt pretty good, much better construction. The USB cord went into the iPad Camera Kit, and the headphones (that came with the mic – remember?) then got plugged into the bottom of the mic. As soon as the mic was plugged into the iPad the green light came on, I smiled! Even without the GarageBand App running I could immediately hear myself talking into the mic. There are little volume buttons on the bottom of the mic  - those only adjust the volume of the iPad though – not how much mic you hear in the headphones, unless GarageBand running. Then GarageBand takes over and those buttons on the mic change mic level as well.

In short everything worked as I had hoped it would. The First Act Keyboard had a few notes hang on it…. but hey 20 bucks! The mic sounds really pretty good, the headphones work but they are not going to replace my regular headphones (even though my regular headphones are not Bose)

For the price – you can not loose. Here is a sample recording of just my voice using this mic. (I had to upload the sample to SoundCloud. I guess WordPress doesn’t allow for us free WordPress users to upload mp3′s – oh well. If you are not familiar with SoundCloud this will give you a chance to see a little of that.)

Oh yeah… One more thing… the software that came with the mic (actually both the mic and keyboard had free software) is I’m sure nothing even close to GarageBand but it has to be better than nothing! I’ve been using my band room computers to record 8th graders re-telling fairy tales. I have 3 macs – they all used GarageBand. We used my iPad and iPhone running GarageBand as well. I have one Dell computer though that I had no audio recording software on. I’m going to give this CakeWalk to the Tech Department and get them to load it up so we try using it the next time around. I have 4 or 5 students in that class who I think I’ve convinced to purchase iMovie so they can use their iPod Touches when we do the next round of story telling. The next round will be acting out a fairy tale as well as composing some music to put in their movies. It should be fun! I think I will use my new microphone too!

Now – go to Target and spend a few dollars – I don’t think you can go wrong on this mic – I’m pretty sure there is nothing else even close to this quality for $21.99!

iTunes Match Issues

I just ran into an issue with using iTunes Match and having tunes that are ineligible. I have a list of songs that for one reason or another are not being uploaded to iTunes Match Cloud. I’m sure Apple has a list of reasons why songs may not be eligible, I’ve seen it. That list explains a few of the songs on my list but not all. So at first I wasn’t concerned. No big deal, who cares if they are in the Cloud or not right? Well, the issue came in when I wanted one of those songs on my iPad to use in class. iTunes will not let you put an ineligible song on your iTunes Match enabled iOS device.

This could be a huge issue. For instance, I have songs that I have recorded accompaniment tracks for the choir for, using my keyboard and laptop at home in my studio. Those are songs that I would obviously like to be able to have on my iPad so that when I am at school I can use them. For some reason some of these accompaniments that I have created are in that list of ineligible songs.

The solution I found was easy enough. I simply put those songs into a playlist, burned a CD of them, deleted them from my library, and then imported that CD of songs back into my library. Issue gone. You could get into a pickle though if you need a certain song FAST and it is on your ineligible list though so it would be a good idea to make a SmartPlaylist of all songs that are ineligible for iTunesMatch and check through so you know what all is on that list.

Good luck with your conversion to the Cloud… it will be a journey full of twists!

iPad recording of up to 8 audio tracks at once!

Tonight as I was ALMOST ready to go to bed I read one more thing…. and it blew me away!

It is possible to record up to 8 tracks of audio at one time using an iPad! I had no idea we could do this! I knew that it was possible, using the Alesis i/o dock to get 2 tracks of input. Now we are at 8 though. Of course you have to have an audio interface that allows for 8 inputs and has USB output.  Here is a list of a few of the features from this app – it is call MultiTrackDAW….

More features

• Stereo Recording – up to 24 stereo or mono tracks
• Non-linear, non-destructive editing using Regions and Bins
• Fader, pan, mute and solo for each track
• Record up to 8 tracks at the same time on iPad with supported hardware(requires iOS5)
• Per Track EQ and Compressor (3GS or later)

and the list goes on. Visit their web site for more info… the app is $9.99

Here is a picture of the Tascam US-800 that allows up to 8 inputs at once… now I have to go to bed… (Leave comments if you have used this app and have opinions about it. I don’t own it yet and want to know if I should buy it.

UPDATE – I just went to look up more info on this Audio Interface. The Sweetwater sound web page says that it is no longer available. The Musicians Friend and Amazon web pages has it for sale at $99. Music123 and Guitar Center has it for sale at $249 B&H says they are temporarily out of stock.

When I’m not supposed to be sleeping and am more awake this requires more looking into!