ALVA Nanoface

To celebrate the arrival of the latest ALVA Nanoface USB Audio Interface here at Millennium Music, we thought that we’d give our customers some insight into the Nanoface philosophy along with the company itself.

ALVA have been creating ‘complement’ products for their prestigious partners at RME for some time now, including breakout cables, a ‘Loopback’ tool for the RME ADI-6432 and a wide variety of reasonably priced accessories.

The Nanoface USB Audio Interface exemplifies ALVA’s passion for delivering great sound in an extremely eye-catching design, which as many of you can probably see is suspiciously similar to RME’s own Babyface 22ch USB Audio Interface.  Perfect for a wide variety of environments, including home, mobile and live, the ALVA Nanoface USB Audio Interface provides a wide selection of analogue and digital I/O connections and even sports 1 MIDI in and 2 MIDI out.

Similar to the RME Babyface, the ALVA Nanoface USB Audio Interface comes equipped with high-quality converters that easily compete with those found in interfaces twice the price.  Whilst it doesn’t come with software option dialogues or an integrated mixer, it does provide the vital ingredient of high-speed drivers that perform with minimal drop-outs and low latency.  This, along with low-noise Hi-Z and microphone preamps, ensures that users can get the most out of their recordings without fear of losing the vital detail that gives your performance an edge.

Designed from the ground-up for those that are looking for a simple, intuitive and incredibly stylish addition for their audio rig, the ALVA Nanoface USB Audio Interface is certainly one to watch out for.

Don’t miss out on yours and order now from Millennium Music.

You’d have to be living under a rock to not notice the impact Apple’s iPad tablet computer has had on day-to-day life, and I’m sure that most music technology enthusiasts have noticed that audio interface manufactures world-wide are embracing the iPad’s liberating functionality to bring new and exciting audio products to the market that promise to revolutionize the way we create music.

We here at Millennium Music pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the music technology world (since 1992 I might add) and thought we’d give our customers a roundup of the latest and greatest iPad audio interfaces available.  To make for easy reading, Part 1 of this blog will focus more on general iPad interfaces whilst Part 2 will concentrate on those dedicated for guitarist and bassists.

Tascam iXZ

Our first encounter brings us to the simple and incredibly affordable Tascam iXZ iOS Mic/Instrument Interface.  This small and extremely compact audio interface allows you to turn you iOS (iPod, iPhone and iPad) device into a portable practice, songwriting or live recording rig and comes equipped with a switchable mic/line/instrument input to suit a variety of needs.  The XLR microphone input found on the Tascam iXZ iOS Mic/Instrument Interface can even supply Phantom Power for those of us who wish to use our high-quality condenser microphones and also possesses a 1/8” headphone output for direct monitoring from your iOS device.

Our next item, the Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio, is something many of us in the music tech world already know and love thanks to its high-quality converters and rich manufacturing pedigree.  However, whilst it was originally marketed as an audio interface for computers, the geniuses at Lexicon have taken full advantage of Apple’s USB Camera Connection Kit and have ensured that the Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio is completely compatible with the latest generation of iPads.  With this new lease of life users are now able to record up to four channels of 24-bit / 44.1 kHz directly to their iPads via a wide variety of input connections and without the disadvantage of going through the iPad’s input jack connection.  As an added bonus, it even supports MIDI input to your favourite iPad music app.

Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder

Setting the trend once again for things to come, the Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder is the first device that turns your iPad into a powerful multitrack recording and mixing device.  With four XLR-1/4” combo input channels, each with trim, gain, pan and tone controls, along with switchable 48V Phantom Power for your condenser microphones and DI for recording guitars and basses without an amp, the Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder offers a comprehensive solution for those looking to get the most out of their iPad.  Separating itself from its competitors, the Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder also supports video output for connection to TVs and projectors making it perfect for VJs.  With a vast array of professional-standard connections, the Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder fits perfectly into any studio or live environment and even keeps your precious iPad safe thanks to its hinged door.

Alto-Masterlink-Live-24

Our last but far from least item is Alto’s own contribution to the iOS world of audio.  The Alto Masterlink Live Series, available in 24 and 16 channels respectively, integrates a feature-packed standalone console with iPad recording, processing and analysis facilities to provide a mixing experience beyond any other mixer in its class.   Equipped with industry-leading Alesis DSP processing, low-noise preamps, three-band EQ on all mono channels and individual channel compressors, the Alto Masterlink Live Series has everything you need for live performances and rehearsals with or without an iPad.  Incorporating an iPad into this console allows users to gain access to a mass collection of software-based plug-ins via Alto’s own Live Drive App and control them intuitively thanks to the iPad’s beautiful multi-touchscreen display.  Once you’ve got everything set and ready to go, you can simply record the Alto Masterlink Live Series’ main outputs directly to your iPad.  Versatile, elegant and incredibly powerful, the Alto Masterlink Live Series brings the best of both worlds to your fingertips.

Call or email our experienced sales team and we’ll find the perfect audio-capable companion for your iPad.

Click links below for more product details:

• Tascam iXZ iOS Mic/Instrument Interface
• Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio
• Alesis iO Mix iPad Recorder (link coming shortly)
• Alto Masterlink Live Series (link coming shortly)

Buy Avid's MBox or MBox Mini and get Avid's new Pro Tools Express included at no extra charge.

Built in mind for aspiring musicians and audio engineers, Avid's Pro Tools Express is perfect for those looking for premium sound quality along with the essentail features of Pro Tools that have made it a house hold name worldwide.

Call now for more!

The new Steinberg UR28m USB Audio Interface has arrived. Excellent control over multiple monitor setups and hi quality i/o on a usb 2 audio interface. Just what many  cubase users have been waiting for.

See it here on our website

we have a couple of Scarlett 18i6 now available at teh reuduced price of just £219.00 instead of the usual price of £249.00.

The Scarlett 18i6 is a USB 2 audio interface with 8 analogue line inputs with Focusrite Mic Pres on two of the channels. Plus 2 S/PDIF i/o and 2 line outputs. There's also headphone outputs and ADAT input too giving the total of 6 outputs and 18 inputs.

Click here to view the Scarlett 18i6 on our website.

Avid Special offer riunning until Dec 31st 2011 - Buy a Pro Tools or Pro Tools MP  bundle and get award-winning drums, keys, and guitar amp plug-ins FREE!

This offer is valid when you purchase and register any Pro Tools + Mbox® family or Pro Tools MP + MAudio  interface bundle. When you register your purchase with AVID you will receive a promo code to download three award-winning plugins— Eleven® LE, Strike®, and Velvet®—at no additional charge.

A fantastic offer this collection delivers ultra-realistic guitar amp modelling trusted by world-class guitarists, the ultimate virtual drummer instrument, and stunningly faithful emulations of popular electric
pianos. Offer ends Dec 31 2011

The Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 is the latest release in the incredible Saffire range of audio interfaces, offering a variety of inputs and outputs that lend themselves perfectly to project studios.

Focusrite have been consistently pumping out one outstanding product after another, be it high spec outboard gear such as the Liquid Channel, which revolutionised the outboard convolution market, or the workhorse that is the OctoPre, each product has always been at the top of its respective product group, offering incredible value but not skimping on the features. Through over 25 years of research and development Focusrite have become a company synonymous with quality and innovation, and for this reason, you will find Focusrite products in professional studios all over the world.

The Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 Firewire audio interface carries on Focusrite’s tradition of providing well thought out features at an attractive price point, often leading the pack in the price performance ratio. The Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 offers a total of 8 inputs and 6 outputs, including 2 award winning Focusrite Pre-amps, 2 Hi-Z inputs, providing the means to plug straight in without the need for additional DI boxes, and MIDI I/O, allowing you to control your outboard Synths/devices with your sequencer and vice-versa.

The combination of the 4 line outputs, a dedicated headphone socket, and the highly versatile Saffire MixControl software provides you with a variety of mixing and monitoring options that allow you to create several individual monitor mixes, or route hardware devices for outboard mixing purposes. These features come in very handy in both overdub and mixing sessions, making the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 a highly versatile device for both recording and mixing.

For more information on the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 Firewire Interface, give our high-tech department a call on 08455557070, or alternatively visit the Millennium Music website.

* no tricks, no catch, just a FREE upgrade to Traktor Pro when you purchase the excellent audio interface  that is the Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ, and a free upgrade to Traktor Duo when you purchase either the Native Instruments Audio 4 DJ or the Audio 2 DJ, saving you a whopping £165 and £85.99 respectively.

The Native Instruments Audio # DJ range of interfaces have been designed from the ground up to provide all the features required by the modern DJ, and to fit snugly into your gig bag.

The combination of high-end Cirrus Logic® AD/DA converters, Ultra low-latency drivers, hi-gain output levels (providing up to 9.7 dBu on both channels), and the ultra-wide frequency response confirm the AUDIO # DJ series's professional credentials. The uncompromising sound quality and clarity will reveal every detail of your music.

A Demo of the Traktor Pro/Duo software is usually included within these packages, but now you can get the full version for free.

Traktor Pro provides  four decks, 28 effects, 4 independent FX units plus the Advanced Mode and expanded syncing capabilities (Quantized Mode, Master Clock, MASCHINE Sync), this combination makes this software an incredibly versatile tool for the modern DJ, allowing you to take your mixes into uncharted territory, and, as previously mentioned, you can get it for free!

Traktor Duo provides two state-of-the-art playback decks, custom MIDI assignments and six pro-quality effects, easily enough to provide the versatility and creative options required of the modern DJ, and again, the full version of this can be yours for free!

Give Millennium Music a call on 08455557070 to take advantage of this incredible offer.

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS NEWS.

SPECIAL OFFERS AND DEALS FROM NATIVE INSTRUMENTS.

1     Audio 2DJ AND Audio 4DJ Promo for May & June - Supersize promo. Anyone purchasing these interfaces and registering in May or June gets a free download of Traktor Duo worth £80 when they register their product (direct from NI as an upgrade for included LE version).

2.  Audio 8DJ Promo for May & June - Customers buying the Audio 8DJ and registering in May & June get a free download of Traktor Pro worth £165 when they register their product (direct from NI as an upgrade for included LE version).

3.   Maschine 1.5 - COMING SOON - CALL FOR AVAILABILITY

4.      Kore 2 & Komplete 6 Bundle for an incredible £599! This is a new physical bundle of Komplete 6 with Kore 2 at a saving of £150 on the combined street prices of these two products.

Native Instruments are at the cutting-edge of music software technology. Now with their new range and lower prices there's never been a better time to go NI!

Call Millennium on 0845 555 7070 for details.

Recording your guitar can be a tricky thing to achieve and get good results from, even when you’re in an expensive recording studio with thousands of pounds worth of effects processors at your fingertips. Phil Spector is rumoured to have spent an entire week recording ONE guitar chord on the album he produced for the  Ramones!  However, with a couple of decent bits of kit, and sticking to some basic principles, you can get pretty good results these days recording directly into your computer.

Assuming that you don’t want to annoy your neighbours with huge amp stacks cranked up to eleven then you’re going to have to use some sort of effects unit that can give you the guitar tone you want without having to mic up your amp. You’ll also need an audio interface to connect to your computer that will record good quality sound with little background noise. The goods news is that there are some manufacturers that have put these two ideas together to create products specifically for the guitarist wanting to record to his or her computer.

Line 6 POD Studio KB37.

This is the all-in-one solution for recording vocals and guitars (and bass) onto a PC or Mac with a single USB connection. The device has Microphone and Guitar inputs and is also a full featured MIDI controller keyboard. Plus it ships with Ableton software so that you can use your computer as the multi-track recorder. This means that you can create drum beats using the keyboard and software and then record over with your bass, guitar and vocals. The KB37 ships with Line6 gearbox software which is guitar amp modelling software. It has “models” of all the best amps from the past 30 years or so and is incredibly realistic.

Line 6 POD Studio UX-2

Similar to the KB37 and has all of the connection features but without the MIDI keyboard. Still has all the great software so you can get the sounds you want!

TC Electronic Desktop Konnekt

This is one the best-sounding audio interfaces you can get for under £300. It has mic inputs and line inputs plus the all-important Hi-Z guitar input. The Desktop Konnekt ships with Cubase music production software. With this you can add virtual guitar effects to get your desired tone. It’s big feature is it’s control functions - a big volume knob plus easy to read displays and connections for studio monitors and headphones -  all in all the ideal hub of your personal home studio, ideal for recording guitars and vocals.

A few basic tips.

Always keep the gain on your recording interface as high as possible without over-loading - this will ensure you have the maximum audio signal to play with in the mixing process.

Always try and use a compressor of some sort when recording anything like guitar or vocal. Compressors “level” the signal to a certain extent making the audio source volume more predictable. Call us and we can advise on the best one for you!

If you’ve got tracks, use them. If you’re audio software has lots of tracks then it’s a good idea to make best use of them. Keep different instruments separate so that you can mix them individually later. Try and avoid lumping lots of instruments on to the same track as you won’t be able to add eq and effects to individual instruments later (some producers and engineers record the effects for one track on a separate track so they preserve the orginal "clean" recording of the instrument!)

If you’re recording vocals, get yourself a condenser microphone and a mic stand. Condenser mics have a natural compression and will pick up much more of the detail of your vocals than your dynamic mic. You’ll need the mic stand too as it will pick up the sound of you moving if you’re holding the mic!

Don’t add too many effects after the fact. Use effects sparingly when mixing as they can quickly swamp your sound and make it unnatural and swooshy! There’s nothing better than the sound of a guitar that makes you think you’re sitting in front of the guitar cab!

Remember - good recordings don’t just happen. Like anything else you have to practice. Try different things and experiment, eventually recording instruments and getting a good polished sound will will seem a whole lot easier!