TURNTABLE LAB

Ableton
Ableton Live 8 Production Software

powerful and intuitive production software

OVERVIEW
Ableton Live has proved to be extremely popular with producers and DJs, making it easy to produce remixes on the fly, DJ, or do a live performance. Live 8 makes all those things even better by enhancing the Ableton vision of creative, real-time digital music with a wealth of new techniques, effects and most-wanted workflow improvements. These include a new groove engine, revamped warping techniques, live looping, five new effects (including the Ableton Vocoder), crossfades in the Arrangement View, group tracks and a reworked MIDI editor.

FEATURES
New in Ableton Live 8:
- New groove engine: new groove library, extract grooves from audio or MIDI, real-time groove quantize. Includes grooves from the legendary Akai MPC and E-mu SP-1200 machines

- New warping engine: warp audio events by adjusting the events on the timeline, updated Beats Warp Mode, new Complex Warp Mode, slice audio files to MIDI tracks based on transients

- Looper: classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of a hardware device. Record, overdub, undo and more without touching the computer. "First loop sync," simple loop management

- New effects: Vocoder, Multiband Dynamics, Overdrive, Limiter and Frequency Shifter

- Workflow enhancements: including real-time crossfades in the Arrangement View, enhanced MIDI editing, group tracks, multiple track selection, a screen magnifier and more

All the other great features from previous versions have been adopted into 8 and the box even includes a selection of loops to start with, Essential Instrument Collection 2: a wide range of sampled instruments for use with Live, and built-in interactive lessons so you can learn as you go.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / digital djing systems / ableton shop

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Ableton
Ableton Live Intro Production Software

Ableton Live essentials at a low price

OVERVIEW
Ableton Live Intro provides all of Live's essential production tools at a super affordable price. Write songs, make beats, record, remix, DJ and perform live with Live's fluid and intuitive workflow, real time audio manipulation and even an impressive 7GB audio content package of loops and instruments to get you started.

FEATURES
Think of Ableton Live Intro as the new and improved replacement for their LE versions. Intro features Live's renowned non-linear approach to songwriting and beatmaking with multitrack recording up to 32-bit/192kHz, powerful MIDI sequencing of software and hardware instruments, advanced warping, real-time time-stretching, nondestructive editing and unlimited undo. Intro has also added full ReWire support (runs as slave or master) and supports AIFF, WAV, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC formats. There are 500 built-in Instrument Racks and Drum Racks plus Simpler (a sampler) and Impulse (a virtual drum machine), 200 built-in audio and MIDI effects, a new groove engine, as well as full VST and AU support that automatically detect plug-ins. In addition, you also get 7 GB of loops, instruments and beats to get you started, built-in interactive lessons, and pactical construction kits. Intro provides everything you need to compose, record, and perform your tracks.

OUR OPINION
For under $100, Intro gives you everything you need to create and perform your tracks. Though it isn't as loaded as the full version of Live or Live Suite, the limitations in Intro do not affect the sound or quality of the music you create in Intro. The limitations are very reasonable considering the price (i.e. you're limited to 64 audio tracks, 2 effect sends, 12 Ableton effects at once, etc.). For a full comparison chart click here. Even with the limitations, this is still an incredible value for the price and an excellent way to get into producing with Live. Recommended.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / digital djing systems / ableton shop

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Ableton
Ableton Suite 8 Production Software

all-in-one production software loaded with extras

OVERVIEW
Ableton Live has proved to be extremely popular with producers and DJs, making it easy to produce remixes on the fly, DJ, or do a live performance. Live 8 enhances the Ableton vision of creative, real-time digital music with a wealth of new techniques, effects and most-wanted workflow improvements. These include a new groove engine, revamped warping techniques, live looping, five new effects (including the Ableton Vocoder), crossfades in the Arrangement View, group tracks and a reworked MIDI editor. Suite 8 includes all that plus a massive, inspired sound library and all the instruments a musician could hope for, including a wide range of synths, a sampler, electric and acoustic drums (new: Latin percussion), mallets (new: Collision), numerous sampled instruments and a new, even mightier Operator.

FEATURES
New in Ableton Live 8:
- New groove engine: new groove library, extract grooves from audio or MIDI, real-time groove quantize. Includes grooves from the legendary Akai MPC and E-mu SP-1200 machines

- New warping engine: warp audio events by adjusting the events on the timeline, updated Beats Warp Mode, new Complex Warp Mode, slice audio files to MIDI tracks based on transients

- Looper: classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of a hardware device. Record, overdub, undo and more without touching the computer. "First loop sync," simple loop management

- New effects: Vocoder, Multiband Dynamics, Overdrive, Limiter and Frequency Shifter

- Workflow enhancements: including real-time crossfades in the Arrangement View, enhanced MIDI editing, group tracks, multiple track selection, a screen magnifier and more

New Features Exclusive to Suite 8:
- World-class sound library: completely new sound library with real-world "Sound Objects", presets, grooves, templates and, above all, over 1,600 beautiful sounds

- Collision and Corpus: a unique physical-modeling instrument for authentic mallet sounds and creative percussion. Includes Corpus, a separate effect that reproduces Collision's resonator section

- Latin Percussion: a collection of acoustic percussion instruments from the worlds of Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and African music, plus a wide selection of clips and grooves for authentic usage

- Operator, Ableton's renowned do-it-all synthesizer, has been given a major overhaul. New filter types, more modulation routing options and additive wavetable synthesis with drawable partials make Operator more powerful and flexible than ever.

Plus these existing Ableton instruments: Sampler, Electric, Tension, Analog, Drum Machines, Session Drums and the Essential Instrument Collection

All other great features from previous versions have been adopted into 8 and inludes built-in interactive lessons so you can learn as you go. Ableton is extremely versatile, professional, all-in-one software that will suit all your production needs.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / digital djing systems / ableton shop

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Avid
Avid Recording Studio (M-Audio Fast Track USB Interface + Pro Tools SE Software)

affordable recording + production solution

LAB POINTS
- record vocals and instruments via USB with the Fast Track interface
- includes Pro Tools SE to record, edit and produce
- over 100 virtual instruments
- extensive library of templates and loops


MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW
Powered by the same technology behind many of today’s greatest hits, Avid® Recording Studio instantly transforms your Mac or PC into a full-featured studio. Capture guitars, instruments, and vocals in pristine, 24-bit/48 kHz quality with the included Pro Tools® SE recording software and M-Audio® Fast Track® audio interface. Then fatten your guitar sound, deepen the groove, and get clean, pristine tones with Pro Tools SE. You can also add backing tracks with loops from the huge included library, then polish your songs and share them with the world. Avid Recording Studio makes it easy to create stunning audio projectsâ€"even if you’ve never recorded before.


MORE DETAILS
For more details, please visit the manufacturer's website.
reviewed by the mgmnt


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Avid
Avid Vocal Studio (M-Audio Producer USB Microphone + Pro Tools SE Software)

affordable vocal studio setup

LAB POINTS
- complete vocal recording system
- includes Producer USB mic
- includes Pro Tools SE to record, edit, and produce
- over 100 virtual instruments
-extensive library of templates and loops


MANUFACTURER'S REVIEW
Avid® Vocal Studio transforms your computer into an easy-to-use recording studio. Powered by the same technology behind many of today’s greatest hits, the system includes a streamlined combination of Avid software and hardwareâ€"the Pro Tools® SE music creation application and M-Audio® Producer USB microphone. Simply connect the studio-quality mic to your computer, fire up the software, and record stunning vocals for use in songs, soundtracks, podcasts, or voice-overs. Then use Pro Tools SE to polish your performance, add effects, and more. Whether you’re singing the next radio hit or narrating your video production, you’ll sound great with Avid Vocal Studio.


MORE DETAILS
For more details, please visit the manufacturer's website.
reviewed by the mgmnt


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Griffin
iMic USB Audio Interface + Software for Recording

This the most inexpensive option for transferring vinyl audio or recording audio into your Mac. Just plug your mixer into the iMic; and plug the iMic into your USB port. Features ultra compact design with no drivers to install and no power brick to attach and a side mounted selector switch to choose between mic and line input. In addition to having better audio quality than most built-in soundcards, the iMic also comes with a free download of the Final Vinyl recording software which allows you to custom EQ and add CD-readable tracks before you record (saving you lots of time). A quality alternative to expensive I/O devices.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
all - digital djing / vinyl to digital transfers - digital djing / vinyl to digital / and more

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Native Instruments
Maschine Groove Production Studio

complete music production system with hands-on control

OVERVIEW
Maschine combines the flexibility of computer-based music production with the ease of a groove box into one powerful creative tool. Utilizing onboard samples or your own audio files, Machine’s unique combination of hardware and software not only ensures a fast and fun workflow, but lets you easily turn your ideas into professional productions.

FEATURES
With the Maschine package you get:

- intuitive hardware/MIDI controller
- built-in effects
- browser, sequence, and sampler

The hardware unit is both instrument and MIDI controller in one. Sixteen illuminated, velocity-sensitive pads form an interface to intuitively make beats, tweak sounds, create patterns and sequence whole songs with the powerful Maschine software. Two large, high-resolution displays with eight corresponding rotary encoders, buttons, and transport controls also integrate perfectly.

Maschine connects to your Mac or PC via USB 2.0 and comes loaded with over 5GB of production-ready sounds and patterns. Everything from fat drum kits to state-of-the-art synthesizer sounds and pristine acoustic instruments have been sampled, sliced and tagged for your convenience. The unit also features studio quality effects ranging from dynamics processors to beat-mashers and even mastering tools, all tweakable in real time via the hardware controller. You get 300 drum kits, 280 multi-sampled instruments, 400 sliced loops, 6,500 one shots, 50 complete projects, and 100 effects.

Maschine's pattern-oriented concept frees you from the limits of linear arrangement. Build song "scenes" by layering patterns, and re-arrange the scenes on the fly. It also offers external sampling through your computer’s audio interface as well as internal re-sampling, precise editing and slicing, auto-mapping, effects and an ultra-convenient browser â€" all perfectly attuned to the hardware controller.

please check the Native Instruments site for more details.
reviewed by the mgmnt

file under:
samplers + effects

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