Pro Audio Review - June 2008 - (Page 16) STUDIO | REVIEW er in frequency) can be added for audibility, if needed. Further, I carted the Mixcubes over to my local PBS affiliate (WTVI) to check them out ‘in their element;’ my judgements were confirmed. Perched atop WTVI’s Studer D-950 digital broadcast console, the engineer there surmised they “sound like Auratones” — mission accomplished. AVANTINE Continued From Page 14 result), these critical frequencies are trustworthy and honest, clearly affecting vocal and melodic instrument mix decisions. I fiddled around with some old dialog tracks and found the Avantones immediately helpful; balancing voices was easier here than on my mains. I tried the Mixcubes on some pop mixes and found this process to be a good bit trickier, of course. I always compare my mixes on multiple monitors and headphones, but the addi- I was rewarded with the focused, no-frills sound that Auratones are loved for — except the Active Mixcubes are more focused and less nasal than I remember Auratones to be. tion of the Mixcubes has benefited my ‘vocal to backup vocal’ and ‘guitar to guitar (or keys)’ balances the most. I also found the Mixcubes helpful in balancing multiple tom toms, focusing on their attack and their middle, without fooling me with their boom. Many people praise the value of using original Auratones to get ‘just enough’ kick and bass in their mix. This process will work on the Mixcubes as well; just dial in the kick on your mains and use the Mixcubes to check for mere audibility, not depth or fullness. Without changing the dialed-in bottom, a second EQ bump (high- | SUMMARY The bottom line is that these Mixcubes have so much usefulness in so many atypical ways that most any studio could use a pair. Combine all this utility with a reasonable price, professional construction and an impressive five-year warranty, and these little Mixcubes don’t need to be so doggone cute to earn a spot in your nearfield. They’re smart, good looking and affordable what a catch! Mixcube’s Rear Inputs Rob Tavaglione has owned and operated Catalyst Recording in Charlotte NC since 1995. Contact him at rob@catalystrecording.com. | REVIEW SETUP: Soundcraft Ghost console, Digital Performer 5.12, Mac Pro computer, JBL LSR4328 system, Lucid Gen X 6-96 wordclock PRODUCTPOINTS • Ideal second point of reference for fullrange speaker playback • Quality construction and thoughtful design • Reasonably priced, visually attractive and portable • Not adequate as a primary monitor • Built-in limiter for protection would be nice SCORE Active Mixcubes offer so much usefulness in so many atypical ways that most any studio could use a pair. 16 | ProAudio Review | June 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.equitech.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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