Featured Equipment: Presonus Central Station with remote

Presonus Central Station with remote
Central Station is a pro quality monitoring solution for studios. Presonus packed in a ton of features into this single-rack mount unit. Passive master monitor controller with LED Metering, 5 inputs including digital options, 3 monitor outputs, 2 headphone outputs, and talkback. The included CSR-1 remote puts all the essential controls just where you need them on your desktop.

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With Central Station, you can easily switch between three sets of stereo, analog input sources with individual level controls. Two stereo S/PDIF digital sources connect via one coax and one Toslink optical port. You can audition these sources with up to three pairs of speakers, with individual trim pots for each speaker—recessed to avoid accidents. You also get a pair of line-level main outputs, a pair of line-level cue outputs to feed a headphone-distributions system (such as our HP60 or HP4), and two screaming-loud headphone amplifiers with individual level controls.

Finally, with the included Control Station Remote (CSR-1), you can remote-control the Central Station's main volume, input select, output select, talkback, mute, dim, and mono functions from your desktop. The CSR-1 wires to the Central Station via a DE15 connector, enabling you to keep the Central Station in your rack and control it from your work surface, providing maximum convenience with minimum wiring.

• Passive Audio Path - no op amps or IC's in main audio path
• Five stereo inputs (2 digital and 3 analog)
• 24-Bit/192kHz DAC (>117dB dynamic range) via SPDIF and TOSLINK
• Three sets of monitor outputs; each with passive volume control
• Talkback microphone with volume to feed headphone and cue output
• Accurate dual 30-segment LED for metering
• Two front panel headphone jacks with separate volume control
• MAIN and CUE stereo output have independent input source
• Included Control Station Remote (CSR-1) provides remote control of:
  • Main Volume
  • Input select
  • Output select
  • Talkback
  • Mute
  • Dim
  • Mono

Find out more and buy Presonus Central Station at Revolution Audio

Alan Parsons Master class recording workshop in Toronto

On May 26th at Noble St. Studios in downtown Toronto, a very cool event is happening. GlobalMusicDepot is putting on the Alan Parsons' Master Class and Training Session.

It's a one of a kind studio session with legendary producer Alan Parsons, a team of pro players in one of Toronto's top studios.

This limited seating event isn't free of course, GOLD level admission costs $400 and gets you a seat in the Noble Street lounge with A/V feed of the event. The PLATINUM level ticket for $800 you get into the control room with Alan as the magic happens.
Both ticket levels include the $150 value Art & Science of Sound Recording 3 DVD set.

Order GOLD level admission to Master Class
Order PLATINUM level admission to Master Class.

Global Music Depot is proud to announce the first Canadian Master Class Training Session with Alan Parsons, at the fabulous Noble Street Studios in Toronto on May 26, 2012.
Attendees of this incredible experience will have the rare opportunity to participate in a recording session with the legendary Alan Parsons in the producer’s chair. Session musicians for the event feature the acclaimed Toronto band, the David Barrett Trio (plus one).
This 1-Day hands-on session is suitable for those with some knowledge of DAW recording and experience as musician, engineer, or producer.  Also fitting for music production/recording students and home studio enthusiasts.  Live tracking; vocals and basic mixing will be covered.  Attendees get to witness all stages of a recording session with Alan Parsons, from tracking to overdubs (including lead and backing vocals) to mixing.
All attendees will receive a free copy of the Alan Parsons’ 3 DVD set – The Art & Science of Sound Recording (Retail Value $149.99) as well as a “By Invitation Only” ticket to the evening’s VIP “Meet & Greet” event. 
Alan Parsons has been conducting these Master Classes for the past 3 years and they consistently sell out!!  GOLD-level seating is extremely limited.  Don't delay!

Here's a video recap of the recent LA Master Class session

Featured Equipment Of The Week: Mackie 402-VLZ3 4x2 compact mixer

Mackie 402-VLZ3 4x2 compact mixer
An affordable, high-quality, problem solving compact mixer.

The 4-channel 402-VLZ3 delivers pure VLZ3 quality in our smallest form factor ever, making it ideal when your input counts are low, or when space is at a premium. In a sleek, small package, you get the signature VLZ3 high headroom, low noise design, complete with 2 XDR2 preamps, premium EQ, and modern mix bus architecture, for the best-sounding, mini-est pro mixer on the planet. And the price is mini, too—in fact, it’s our lowest price in recorded history for a VLZ3 mixer. At last, you no longer need to buy more mixer than you need just to get the quality you deserve.
Find out all the details: Mackie 402-VLZ3

 Top Features

• Ultra-compact 4-channel mixer featuring Mackie VLZ3’s signature low noise, high-headroom design
• 2 studio-grade XDR2™ Extended Dynamic Range mic preamps with:
  • Ultra-wide 60dB gain range
  • 130dB dynamic range
  • +22dBu line input handling
  • Extended low frequency response
  • Distortion under 0.0007% (20Hz
  • 20kHz)
  • Phantom power for studio condenser mics
• 4 high-headroom line inputs
• 2 selectable Instrument inputs – no DI box needed
• 2-Band Active EQ (80Hz, 12kHz) and Lo-Cut filter on mic channels
• Phantom power for studio condenser mics
• Dedicated Stereo Line Input and Tape Input channels
• High-resolution 8-segment stereo meters
• Sealed rotary controls to resist dust and grime
• Sleek, rugged steel chassis
• Includes Tracktion 3™ Music Production Software for Mac or PC 

Get this and so much more in the Revolution Audio Online Store

Featured Equipment Of The Week: Radial MC3 Monitor Controller

Radial MC3 Monitor Controller 
The Radial MC3 monitor controller is a studio tool that enables the engineer to quickly select between reference monitors, sub woofer or headphones and compare how the mix translates via various playback systems. Unique to the MC3 is the ability to quickly sum mono for AM radio compatibility.
And while most monitor switchers are active the MC3 is 100% passive. This means that unlike active switchers that introduce a buffered electronic circuit in between your recording system and monitors, the MC3 delivers straight wire performance. This eliminates coloration and distortion for more accurate monitoring.
Find out more: Radial MC3 Monitor Controller

 Top Features:

• Passive studio monitor switcher with headphone amp
• Control two sets of monitors and sub woofer
• Mono sum for AM radio compatibility and phase check
• Individual 'set & forget' controls to fine tune levels
• 14 gauge steel chassis & outer shell, baked enamel finish 

The Radial MC3... passive, simple and effective monitor control for the masses!

Choosing headphones for the home studio

You've probably noticed there are several different styles of headphones out there, some go in you ear, some go over. Some are wireless and some cancel noise. Which is the best kind to buy?

Studio Headphones
There are three kinds of headphones most commonly used in studios. They look similar but there is one feature that distinguishes the three types, that is the vents on the back of the cup.

A headphone with no vents is called a closed-back design, sound from the speaker are prevented from leaking out and outside sounds are isolated. This type of headphone is great for recording because of the isolation they provide, greatly reducing extra noise picked up by your microphones. The problem with this design is that it is difficult to build an accurate and detailed speaker in a sealed box, so you can't really trust the sound from them for mixing.

Featured Equipment Of The Week: Presonus HP4 4-channel headphone amp

Presonus HP4 4-channel headphone amp 
 The Presonus HP4 comes in a 1/3-rackspace chassis. The HP4 accepts balanced/unbalanced inputs and outputs (1/4" TRS). It features four discrete headphone outputs on the front panel each with its own volume potentiometer and 250mW of amplification per channel.
Find out more: Presonus HP4 $149.99

Can you say quiet? PreSonus can with the HP4's -98 dB noise floor and wide frequency response. Also, the HP4 allows control over control room monitors with a separate volume potentiometer that can be muted using the MONITOR MUTE button.
 The HP4 is powered by an external wall mounted power supply. The input can either be set to stereo or mono. The mono selector button on the front channel simply copies both inputs to both sides.
Presonus HP4 4-Channel headphone distribution amplifier

Fixing Small Studio Acoustics Problems

This weekend I moved my home studio from one room to another. From a nearly 200 square foot living room to a 100 square foot bedroom. It's been a long time since I've thought about room acoustics and because this is a common situation for home studios, I thought I'd share my experience.
This article will help you understand and overcome the challenges of a dedicated studio in a small room. It will be most helpful to those with symmetrical rooms (no weird angles) and to those that don't need all the usual bedroom stuff, at the very least it will be a starting point to making the best of the situation.

Corner bass trap and broadband absorbers plus foam above.

 The Problems
Small rooms are more likely to have acoustic problems than larger ones, primarily flutter echo, room modes and early reflections that are too short. In my room, I knew there was a very bad flutter echo problem and room modes may be a problem but were predictable. The room is symmetrical also which was an advantage the old room didn't have. The measurements are approximately 11ft long x 9ft wide x 8ft tall. There is a door and a closed on the back wall and 6 x 4 window on the front wall.

Revolution Audio Indie Musician E-Mixing Service

Revolution Audio has been supporting Canadian Independent Musician for years by providing quality, affordable recording equipment; production classes; articles, tips and advice. Revolution Audio is proud to announce our new E-Mixing service. Coast to coast and worldwide, professional mixing is now available for your home studio recording.

The cost for this service is $100/song. This price will go up to $150/song at the end of summer.

For more information click here: Indie Musician E-Mixing

Featured Equipment Of The Week - AKG K240mkII Studio Headphones

AKG K240mkII Studio Headphones
The K 240 MK II is a newly updated version of AKG’s most successful headphones with Varimotion™ technology and XXL transducers. The K 240 MK II’s semi-open ear cups have around-the-ear coupling to deliver solid bass, accurate mids and crystal-clear highs.
Thanks to its lower impedance and improved sensitivity, it can be used with low-output audio sources to deliver its incredible sound.
The detachable OFC cable has gold-plated plugs for optimum audio quality and exceptional ease of service.

Read more about the AKG K240mkII

TOP FEATURES

• Professional hi-fi stereo studio headphones
• Semi-open, circumaural design
• Self-adjusting headband for optimum fit
• Patented Varimotion speakers
• Leatherette ear pads and velvet ear pads
• Single-sided, detachable 3 m cable and additional 5 m coiled cable

Read more about the AKG K240mkII