Alesis Usb Pro

How do the Podium Pro Audio PP1204CA Powered Speakers Stack UP?

As most musicians will tell you, finding good quality PA speakers without breaking the bank is no easy task. To make matters worse, many affordable products are either cheaply made, lack quality, or are totally void of important functions and accessories.  Well, I have discovered an exception to the rule; Podium Pro Audio's PP1204CA Powered Speakers with built in Mp3 Player.  Although fairly unknown to most, Podium Pro Audio provides very functional and cost effective products backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defect (something almost non-existent anymore in the music retail world). When stacked against other name brand items of similar caliber, the Podium PP1204CA not only held its own but outshined its higher priced competitors in some areas.

The PP1204CA is a powered 2 way PA speaker featuring a Class A amplifier that delivers 300 watts (RMS) & 600 watts (Peak Power) to a Deluxe 12"  woofer with a 75oz Driver with a 3" voice coil and wide dispersion titanium membrane tweeter. It also features an onboard MP3 Player that works with a USB thumb drive or SD card (a 4gb thumb-drive is provided), a very sensitive EQ with Master Volume, Treble and Bass Control Knobs. The PP1204CA powered speaker also offers two XLR or ¼ inch inputs, an additional XLR or RCA input, and an XLR or ¼ inch line level output to connect multiple speakers. The rugged ABS plastic housing features top & side handles, as well as wheels on the rear bottom for ease of transport. The rubber feet are also contoured so that they can be easily stacked on top of one another and can be elevated with speaker stands with the built in pole mounts.

Here are a few of the key ingredients that make this product a delectable delight. As I mentioned, the tone controls are very sensitive meaning the slightest adjustment makes a huge difference in the tonality of the speaker. Most on-board equalizers or tone controls make very slight changes in tone (ie: you turn up the treble and just get a tinnier sound but no added clarity), however these controls really work to sculpt and color your sound with very little effort. The built-in MP3 player is also great for all kinds of jam on the go type events (such as BBQ's, tailgating, sporting events, church camps, etc.) and makes it very convenient to just plug in a small memory card and have hours of music at your fingertips.

Ease of connectivity and portability make the PP1204CA great speakers to take on the road, considering the wattage and sensitivity for a pair would suffice for larger gigs or a single speaker for smaller gigs or functions. I see the smaller version of these used throughout a live band set-up as monitors. With the addition of a few small accessories like an Alesis LineLink cable and a Sendstation PocketDock, one can easily and safely hook up a laptop or iPod giving you endless musical possibilities! The only real drawback is the 50 lbs weight per speaker, but with the added top handle and rear casters the weight issue is offset by such conveniences.

So if you're in the market for an affordable PA system with great sound and tons of awesome features check out the Podium Pro Audio PP1204CA, available exclusively from www.OnlyFactoryDirect.com.

About the Author

Review written by Scott "SVH" Von Heldt, professional touring/recording artist, author, and journalist.

Various Ways To Interface Your Instrument To Your Pc

For those who're like me, you're obsessed with residence recording. I've spent a number of money and time figuring out the best way to attach my microphones and guitars to my laptop over the years. Listed here are the routes I selected and what labored best.

Platform

From the start I decided to go along with the Mac platform, just because I had performed with their iLife included software program "GarageBand" and was considerably happy with its recording capabilities. I do not suppose it has everything, however I got a Powerbook G4 in 2003 and now own a MacBook Pro.

Straight Line-In w/ Radio Shack Adapter

The first thing I tried was to use the constructed-in line-in on my Mac, which is a 1/8 inch female stereo port. So, I acquired a 1/four inch to 1/eight inch adapter from Radio Shack. This was the worst approach to interface my guitar to my computer. The half from Radio Shack didn't fit my instrument cable good, it triggered undue put on on my Mac's port, and the sound was super tinny.

iMic

The iMic is basically the identical because the Radio Shack adapter, only its acquired a short cable on it and it match my instrument cable better. I nonetheless acquired a fairly tinny sound.

M-Audio Fastrack USB Audio Interface

I had my first fruits of success with this $99 audio interface. Primarily it takes your guitar's or microphone's analog sign and turns it into a digital one. It sends the digital knowledge through USB to your recording software program, and voila!

This solution was my first experience of semi-skilled sounding recordings, paired with some GarageBand publish-manufacturing mixing and effects. There was nonetheless a problem with buzzing and suggestions, however.

I additionally borrowed a friend's mixer which would enable me to do some mixing, and balancing, and fairly quickly I used to be making stereo recordings. It sounded pretty good, however the interference increased. I had too many connections and cables and alternatives for sign loss and corruption.

Alesis 8-Channel USB Mixer

That is the answer that has labored best for me for a small home-grown finances whereas getting digital recording studio quality. This mixer was round $200, however acts as each a regular analog mixer, and a USB interface (both elements of which can be utilized independently of the opposite). This mixer/USB interface removes some of the seams of the rig, permitting for purer sounding, increased high quality recordings. The mixer also options 100 totally different pre-amp effects.

So, primarily, the signal goes from my guitar, by means of a cable to my USB mixer, by means of the USB cable straight to my computer. There are only a few analog connections involved.

Behringer iAXE 393

There is another possibility that has even less analog connections. The Behringer iAXE 393 has a USB port right on it, permitting you to plug it straight into your pc digitally. This is quite an unbelievable concept, permitting seamless digital recording. Hopefully extra guitar firms will jump in and add their own USB variations of their guitars.

I examined the iAXE, and I must say that although the motion was slightly high, the guitar sounded nice, pumping data straight into Garageband.

 

 

About The Writer

Andrew has been writing articles on-line for practically 4 years now. Not only does this creator focus on Computers and Technology, you can also check out his newest web site on how to convert MPG to AVI with MPG to AVI converter which also helps people find the best MPG to AVI converter on the market.

Alesis USB Pro Kit with GarageBand Test Run by Adam G

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