Recording - November 2012 - 10

New USB 2.0 Interfaces From Focusrite
The new flagship portable audio interface in the Focusrite line is the Forte. This 2-in/4-out USB 2.0 interface for Mac and Windows offers 24-bit/192 kHz quality with two remote-controlled mic preamps as used in Focusrite’s RedNet interfaces. A color OLED provides input and output level metering, mic preamp gain, and other data, and a single control knob and touch-sensitive icon buttons provide quick access to level and DAW control parameters. The unit can be powered from the USB bus or its own power supply; a supplied breakout cable offers XLR and TRS connectors for mics and instruments, but the unit itself has TRS speaker outputs and a headphone jack for portable listening use. Focusrite has also announced the iTrack Solo, an affordable new 2-in/2-out interface that works with Mac, Windows, and iOS. It offers 24-bit/96 kHz conversion, one mic preamp with phantom power, a 1/4" Hi-Z instrument input, green/red “halo” input level indicators, rear-panel phono connectors for speakers and a 1/4" headphone jack with direct monitor capability. Finally, the Scarlett line of interfaces now includes the Scarlett 2i4, an upgraded version of the Scarlett 2i2 reviewed in our September 2012 issue. The new interface adds two separate sets of stereo outputs, a headphone signal switchable between them from the front panel, and a blend control for Direct Monitor mix of DAW and input signals (with mono monitoring capability). Prices: Forte, $599.99; iTrack Solo, $159.99; Scarlett 2i4, $199.99 (all prices street) More from: Focusrite, www.focusrite.com

Solid State Logic Debuts Affordable A/D and D/A Converters
The Alpha-Link MX is the first of a new generation of affordable, superior-quality converters from Solid State Logic. Both units in the line offer 64-channel digital audio connectivity via fiber-optic MADI connections; the Alpha-Link MX 16-4 has 16 analog ins and 4 analog outs for 16-channel recording with studio monitoring, and the Alpha-Link MX 4-16 has 4 analog ins and 16 analog outs for 16-channel summing with 4-channel recording. Up to four units can be cascaded via MADI, and the converters offer a switchable reference level from +14 to +24 dB, simple front panel controls, up to 24-bit/192 kHz operation, word clock I/O, and more. Prices: $1449 each • More from: Solid State Logic, www.solidstatelogic.com/music/io

Genelec Offers Easy-To-Use App For Speaker Alignment
Genelec has released SpeakerAngle, an iOS app that allows users to easily adjust the angle (“toein”) of speakers for the best possible listening arrangement. The app uses the built-in gyroscope on later iOS devices (iPhone 4 / iPad 2 / iPod touch 4th Generation and later) to sense rotation of a speaker and help line it up with others in a stereo or surround array (up to 7.1). The user sets the iOS device atop each speaker and rotates it, with the app tracking the speaker’s movement and matching it with the angles of previously-adjusted speakers. This helps users optimize placement within industry recommendations and assure a totally symmetric listening environment. A built-in tutorial on speaker angling is included. Price: 99 cents More from: Genelec, www.genelecusa.com
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RECORDING November 2012
http://www.focusrite.com http://www.solidstatelogic.com/music/io http://www.genelecusa.com
Recording - November 2012

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