User Reviews: Computer Hardware

[Monarch]

Nice write up sureno!

I am surprised there were no templates for Logic..what templates did it have?

[sureno]

Originally Posted by Monarch

Nice write up sureno!

I am surprised there were no templates for Logic..what templates did it have?

it had most of the major ones such as
live
cubase
sonar
reason
gmedia
arturia

a few others too but no logic, weird hey
arp is the nuts with a nice percussion bank in battery

[Monarch]

Originally Posted by sureno

it had most of the major ones such as
live
cubase
sonar
reason
gmedia
arturia

a few others too but no logic, weird hey

That is very strange not including Logic. I have to assume they simply forgot. It would easily be one of the first names on any list of templates of that nature. Very strange. There might be a Logic Template download available from the manufacturers site.

arp is the nuts with a nice percussion bank in battery

Yeah arps can be put to very creative usage...that is certainly one of them, might try something similar myself

[sureno]

Yes put the arp on a random setting and with some hats or Congo it can sound cool, have a play about. Iv made a temp for logic but it's the settings inside of logic that are vital

[sureno]

1. Name of the product and current version:

Apogee Duet FireWire Audio Interface



2. When you bought the product: 02/02/09

3. Why you bought it: It was snowing

4. How much did it cost: £379.99

5. Installation / Setup: simple to rig, install driver off web, plug it in and follow on screen instructions

6. What do you like about it?: seamlessly integrates into Mac OS X. Build quality is amazing and sits beautifully besides my ali MBP, still yet to hear the convertors and pre's but reviews rave about them. the input/output led's rock as they indicate the level. i also like the mute function and the software integration is superb. Maestro lets you configure the Duet bespoke to your set up

7. What don’t you like about it: no midi ports

8. Any improvements: include midi ports in the break out

9. Comparison to similar products: Hard to really find a comparison but an M-Box springs to mind and the RME Fireface 400?

10.Would you buy it again: yes

11.Format (PC or MAC): Mac only

12. Pros and cons summary: great construction and integration into OS X but lacks midi in/out

13. Rating: 4.5/5

[EdRyan]

1. Name of the product and current version:

Native Instruments Kontrol 1 USB Audio & Midi Interface.



http://www.dv247.com/invt/36008/

2. When you bought the product: 04/07/09

3. Why you bought it: I was considering purchasing Battery3, but got a fantastic offer where it was included with the Kontrol 1...for less then the rrp of the Kontrol 1 on its own

4. How much did it cost: £150(ish)

5. Installation / Setup: Fairly straightforward. Insists on using NI's Service Centre which I particularly dislike considering its hardware. I've not run into many other drivers that work in this way.

6. What do you like about it?: Size and build makes it perfect for DJ-ing with. I'm loathe to take my Focusrite Saffire out to gigs (it already has some minor scuffs).
Features are designed for dj-ing. Wheel can have upto 4 control options when configured with the buttons below. Nice to have a monitor switch between the pairs of outputs, again excellent idea for djing.
Comes with download for free Kore pack and hopefully a free synth...I seem to be missing that voucher tho. Hopefully that will get resolved by NI or the store I bought from.
The bundled LE software is also good. Covers a wide range of potential customers. Software for mapping the controller is quick and easy, another plus point for using it live.
Most impressive...is the sound quality coming out of the headphone preamp. Amazingly clear of noise, detailed and revealing. Due to the device being USB, it's not prone to the Firewire issue my Saffire suffers because of my mac hardware. I could never do a fair A/B test for this reason, but I can safely say that for my headphone monitoring situation the Kontrol 1 takes the prize. The Cirrus convertors are pretty decent though, so I knew it wasn't going to sound terrible. Just wasn't expecting this much from them !

7. What don’t you like about it: Would have been nice to have 2 Nuetrik combo connections instead of 1. The installers reliance of NI Service Centre.

8. Any improvements: See first part of q7. Also:
Lack of digital i/o is a shame. I have my monitors hooked up via spdif on my Saffire, which is not possible on the Kontrol 1

9. Comparison to similar products: At this price point, it's in a crowded market. But the extra software and catering towards djs gives it quite a distinct selling point.

10.Would you buy it again: Yes

11.Format (PC or MAC): Mac & PC.

12. Pros and cons summary: Excellent 2nd soundcard. Useful, great value and generally all round quality piece of kit

13. Rating: 5/5