Showing posts with label monster headphones review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monster headphones review. Show all posts

Casio PX150 BK 88-Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano with Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action

Casio PX150 BK 88-Key Touch Sensitive Privia Digital Piano with Tri-Sensor Scaled Hammer Action
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $499.99
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  • Keyboard: 88 keys, weighted scaled hammer action
  • Sound Source: AiR (Acoustic & intelligent Resonator)
  • Polyphony (maximum): 128
  • Tones: 18 Built-in tones, Duet Mode, Layer, Split, Octave Shift
  • Simulator: Hammer Response, Damper Resonance, String Resonance, Lid Simulator

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Let me start by saying that I picked this up primarily to use for silent practice. I am an adult taking lessons and have a Yamaha acoustic piano that I love. I wanted something that I could use without disturbing the rest of the family (or driving them crazy listening to the same piece a hundred times over). I'm not using any of the interface functions as of yet (and probably won't). I had picked up the Yamaha DGX-530 initially, but discovered a defect in the keyboard so returned it. I wasn't pleased with the "lightly weighted" keys of the DGX-530 (though all of the voices were fun to play with), so decided its replacement needed a more piano like action.

This Casio has a heavier touch than my Yamaha acoustic does, but makes it easier to transition between the acoustic and the Casio than the DGX-530 would have. It does have a few voices (eighteen I believe, some of which are piano variations) and the ability to do some dual voices with the strings, but again, my desire for this was primarily for silent (or at least quiet) practice. The speakers in the Casio are average, I tend to start out with the speakers but transition to headphones if I'm going to sit for any length of time, the sound coming thru headphones just sound nicer. I get some noise from the keys, but it is more thuddy than clicky. I am impressed with how the keyboard mimics the audio nuances of a piano, acting very much like an acoustic when you manipulate the keys with different pressures, quite realistic. The texturing of the keys is nicer than your typical digital keyboard (at least in this price range). The power adapter and a cheaper style sustain pedal are included. I picked up a Stagg KXS-A6 X style stand for it that works nicely, but be aware that the PX150 seems to be a thicker unit, as it sits a little higher on this stand than I'd like when sitting (and I'm a little over 6' tall, so that stand probably wouldn't be a good one for kids).

Overall I'm very pleased with the build quality and realism of the PX150. A better speaker system would be nice, but is an acceptable trade off for me given the other features and price. The PX150 has been a great unit for the purpose I was searching for!

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I decided to learn to play the piano after years of watching others.Since that time I have had 5 different digital pianos Casio CDP120(love the feel of this one but it didn't have an organ sound),KorgSP170S(loved the feel of this one as well but it didn't have a USB midi, conuldn't properly connect it to my computer with midi to usb cord), Casio px130(I hated the sounds of the keys on this model, the sounds were all bad), casiowk7500(this is a great system for someone other than myself although the drawbars are disappointing for someone interesting in true hammond sounds...nevertheless it was a great system. Not for someone who just wanted piano sounds and a few organs). Now on the to the PX150 I really like this system the keys feel and sound great not clicking sound not really plastic feeling with the new ivory touch. Overall it has everything I like although, I wish they could add fully functional drawbars for the jazz organ section that would be wonderful. You can't go wrong with this model. Also I bought mines from proaudiostar.com open box full warranty for 469....great buy.

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I am a piano teacher, I also accompany, and play for weddings, funerals, school plays, etc. I am always at the mercy of whatever piano is at a facility any time I want to have a recital or program. Sometimes I can get the venue to tune their piano but not always so I would have to pay to get that done myself. I have been jealous of other musicians, like guitar players, that always bring their own instrument, they practice on it, it is in tune, and they chose it. I purchased this a couple of months ago and used it at my Christmas recital. My students did not complain about playing on a keyboard since it feels and sounds like the acoustic in my studio. It is in tune and sounds and feels like a real piano. I did not want a synthesizer so other sounds are not all that important to me but I did have fun with the included sounds and may use them from time to time with my own projects. Again, I am not an instrument snob since I have played on broken down-stored-in-the-basement pianos and still have gotten the job done. But I think this is as nice a sound and feel of some of the nicer pianos I have played. Overall, it is a nice keyboard that delivers for a performance.

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I'm a professional keyboardist but not a pro piano player.

OK. This keyboard doesn't have any of the bells and whistles of the higher model Privias and Celviano digital pianos. It doesn't have an LED screen. It only has 18 voices. It doesn't have line outs. It doesn't have lines in. It doesn't have a USB flash drive input. It comes with cheap speakers.

But this keyboard has the same key bed and the same sound engine for its concert grand piano that the higher models have. So through headphones or through a stereo system, the PX-150 will sound just as good as Casio's highest model.

And let me tell you, this keyboard has a fantastic set of keys and a superb grand piano.

The keys are made to feel like ivory and ebony keys. They have a light grain to them. They feel like expensive piano keys, not like plastic keyboard keys. The keys are progressively heavier and slower as you go down and lighter and faster as you go up the scale like a real grand piano. The keyboard has wonderful resonance. On a real piano, if you play three notes with the damper pedal pressed, you will hear the sympathetic vibration of the strings that aren't being played. Casio has modeled this effect. A typical MIDI keyboard will transmit 127 different levels of velocity depending on how it's played. The Casio delivers 16,256 levels!

Only one voice on the keyboard has all of this detail, the concert grand piano. Through my $130 200W Logitech speakers that have a subwoofer and two satellites (keep the satellites resting on top of the PX-150 speakers) the Casio sounds just breathtaking. I can get thunderous fortes and the quietest pianissimos. There is balance throughout the keyboard's range. Casio's previous model had a quick decay in the midrange that frustrated me. The PX-150 has detailed expression. I am in love with this keyboard.

The other pianos and voices? They're very good. The electric piano is excellent. It has a great Rhodes sound.

Part of me wishes that I had spent the extra $200 for the PX-350 so that I could have the lines in and the USB flash input. The PX-150 does have a USB to host, and it can be used with some iPad apps. I would recommend that people buy the PX-350, but I was on a budget. And my PX-150 through these Logitechs sounds better than the PX-350 would through its onboard speakers.

All I can say is that I couldn't be any happier with the piano feel and the piano sound on this keyboard. It sounds just astounding through my $130 speakers. I can only imagine what it would sound like through an expensive sound system.

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I'm new to keyboards, and I got this one to tie me over untill I have space to unpack my piano.

My first impressions were dissappointing, as the keys were noisy and the sound quality was poor.

As soon as I got myself a decent pair of headphones my impression changed dramatically, the sound quality is excellent and you can't hear the key action anymore (at a high enough volume). Its not a piano-but I'll happily hang onto it even after I've got space for the real thing-It means that I can play when others would otherwise rather be sleeping ;)

If you are looking for a keyboard with good playability and sound then this is a safe bet. This and a good pair of headphones (or two).

Koolertron JOYO JA-03 Metal Sound Amp Mini Guitar Amplifier Silver

Koolertron JOYO JA-03 Metal Sound Amp Mini Guitar Amplifier Silver
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $9.39
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  • Pocket design, convenient to carry
  • Catch the feeling of hi-gain tone of metal sound through the headphone
  • Plug the CD or MP3 player in and play along
  • Easy to use, catch your inspiration anytime
  • Gain, tone, volume adjustment

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This is a nice, inexpensive amp sim. I have tried it through headphones, a Danelectro mini amp and an Egnater Tweaker. Sounds great, very lively, with a distortion character that's sort of like a Plexi, sort of like the old MXR Distortion pedals. Couldn't get into true high gain territory by itself playing single coils, but this unit does get very loud, and with the right settings can just be used as a clean boost/micro amp, or to push a dirty amp into overdrive. Outputs line level so you have to run it at the end of your pedals or use an impedance-matching cable to avoid getting terrible overloaded sounds.

I have never owned an Amplug to compare but these Joyo units seem to be significantly larger. The headphone jack and aux-in jack are 1/8" so you'll need an adapter to run this into an amp.

The unit housing and the power switch feel a little fragile, but I think they'll hold up with care. Build and sound quality are great considering the price. I'll probably pick up some more and have a look inside to see if any interesting mods can be done. I recommend it to any traveling guitarists or guys who just want an extra trick in the bag. Actually, for the price, I recommend it to any gadget-loving guitarist.

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After reading many of the reviews this sounded like it would be pretty handy. I really didn't have a lot of expectations. I first opened the package , installed the batteries and plugged in. I first noticed the sound level was all over the place. Then while playing with it I heard something break and found that the 1/4" input jack had broken away from the unit leaving it just hanging by the wires. There is a single small screw holding the plastiic cover of the jack to the unit. This had broken away from the screw so the only way to repair it was to superglue it. That seems to be holding ok but it still has the issue with the volume level. I realize that I did not have to shell out much coin for it so I have resolved to accept that you do get what you pay for. It reminds me of the cheap novelty junk that you would get out of a vending machine or claw crane game.

J

Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone

Casio SA-75 Keyboard with Headset Microphone
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
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  • On-screen music staff displays notes played while icons indicate the beat
  • 10 demo songs with a melody-off control
  • Four-note polyphonic with 100 PCM tones
  • 30 patterns include 10 rhythms, 10 free sessions, and 10 funny modes
  • Runs on five-AA batteries or AC adapter (not included)

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For just a little more than a toy keyboard you can get something that really works. This keyboard can do up to four notes at once, so children can learn about both chords and melodies. The sound quality is better than I expected considering the price, and it run on nice cheap AA batteries that can be bought in bulk. Battery changing is easy.

The one downside is that the lowest volume level isn't all that low. It's impossible to just play this quitely at a volume level low enough so that only the one playing can hear. Also, it comes with a microphone, and when that is plugged in, the sound can be heard all over the house with the volume set to it's lowest level.

Edit Jan 21 2011: And yes, it comes with a headphone jack just in case the volume won't go low enough. So, since that's my primary gripe with this thing, I changed my review to five stars.

So, it's a nice way to introduce children to music, but it's a loud way because it doesn't allow a truly low volume setting.

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This keyboard is just a decent noise-maker for kids. I bought it so I would have a portable musical reference for a college music theory course.

Two complaints, one small, one huge:

No big deal, but the "tones" you can select from sound pretty weak, although there are a bunch to choose from so it's not hard to find something that sounds okay.

But it really irks me that you can't play more than four keys at the same time! If you have any experience with the piano you're going to find this shortcoming completely unacceptable.

Two bits of praise:

There is a digital display showing both the treble and bass clef staves. When you hit a key the display shows you where the pitch falls on the staves. Ingenious! Perfect for beginners just learning.

Very lightweight and portable.

Conclusion: Great for kids, but don't even think about it if you have been playing for any amount of time.

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The Product Description recommends this for, "the young or beginning musician". I can also recommend it for a female singer who is NOT a pianist.

I wanted a small, lightweight keyboard just to learn vocal parts. This is perfect. The keys are too short for a man's hands and take a bit of getting used to, but the stated 4 1/2 pound weight is well worth it.

I love it!

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My wife and I are professional musicians and teachers, so we are quite discerning and expect a lot when it comes to musical instruments, even if they are inexpensive electronic keyboards. Although this keyboard does what it says and basically is as described, there are a few design quirks that could have easily been remedied which would have made this an exceptional keyboard, rather than just a mediocre one.

First--and I think this was mentioned in other reviews--the volume issue is extremely annoying. Even at the lowest setting, it is pretty loud. If you are planning on giving this to a child, watch out! Every time you turn it on, it resets to the loudest volume setting. Our son is two years old, and he's figured out the surest way to annoy us: keep turning the keyboard off and on, which resets the volume to full blast mode. He really enjoys this, of course, but it annoys us to no end. We are mystified as to why Casio didn't design this keyboard to reset a medium volume setting or even the lowest volume. The loud setting is too loud even for us, and we live and breathe music.

Furthermore, every time the keyboard is turned off and on, not only is it super loud, but it resets to a awful-sounding hip-hop version-sounding Beethoven's Ode to Joy. They could have easily designed this to stay on the last song selection. There should be an option to allow people to let it store the last song.

Our last main complaint is that it's not as easy as it should be play the keyboard along with the stored songs. Casio really expects you to only play a melody with the songs, hence the very limited four-voice polyphony (this means that you can only play four notes at once). If you want to play a full chord with a root, third, fifth and seventh (a V7 or MM7 chord, for example) or a 9th chord along with a melody, you are out of luck. It will only let you play four notes at once, so your chords (such as a left hand accompaniment) will be limited to triads. For a little more money, you can purchase a keyboard that has 16-note polyphony, which will allow you to play true accompaniment with melodic lines.

There is no pedal jack, which might not be that big a deal for a beginner, but somewhat limits your learning how to play a keyboard.

Other than the previously mentioned quirks, the keyboard is somewhat well made. There are 100 "tones" (poor-sounding keyboard sounds, such as piano, electric piano, organ, etc.--the Amazon summary says "top notch", but they're not), 30 patterns (rock, swing, samba, waltz, etc.), and 10 songs. This keyboard supposedly allows you to turn off the melody, but apparently, will not allow you to do that with the all of the songs in the sound bank--just a few, such as the Skater's Waltz. When you turn off the melody, you can play along, but otherwise, you can't. This seems silly to us. The quality of the songs themselves is OK at best, as you would expect from a low-end Casio keyboard. (You can play will all of the patterns, however.) If you're expecting a real orchestral or rock band sound, you're in for a surprise. It sounds like a merry go round toy. Our son doesn't know the difference (and many consumers won't care), but we can tell.

The LCD screen is OK, but very tiny, and our guess is that most people will ignore it. The staff that the notes appear on is less than an inch wide, which is NOT at all how musicians read music. They could have easily made the LCD screen 3 times longer so you could see three notes at once, or even a whole phrase. After all, when you start to read real music, you will read off a whole page, not a tiny LCD screen, one note at a time.

It's not all bad: the keyboard includes a headphone jack and the batteries last a long time, which is great.

All in all, if you don't have a child, this keyboard might prove adequate for learning how to play a melody with a pattern or song, but there are certainly other options out there that are a LOT better than this one. If we could do it all over again--and we probably will--we will definitely purchase a different keyboard. As an educational tool, we have to give this "two thumbs down."

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The price is right and my children love it.

Regarding a power adapter, I found some really useful advice by another reviewer.

"I've noticed a lot of people here were having a hard time finding the right adapter for their specific keyboards, and I've got a solution. You don't actually need to buy a Casio brand adapter to fit your Casio keyboard (matching model numbers can be tricky online). Here's a foolproof method for finding the right adapter every time;

On the back or underside of your keyboard, there should be a voltage rating (which looks like a number followed by 'V'. For example, '9V' or '8V') and a milliamp rating (which looks like a larger number followed by 'mA'. For example, '850mA' or '900mA').

With those two numbers, you can find the exact adapter you need. :) For example, my keyboard is rated '9V 850mA', which looks like a bunch of gobbldeygook until you type it into a search engine or show it to a salesperson at any electronics or toy store. Almost all adapters are rated this way and regardless of the manufacturer (i.e. Casio, Yamaha), you'll always get the exact adapter you need when using voltage and milliamp numbers. Just be sure the other end of the adapter is the right fit for your input jack, and you're all set."

Behringer 302USB Premium 5-Input Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamp and USB/Audio Interface

Behringer 302USB Premium 5-Input Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamp and USB/Audio Interface
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $49.99
Today's Bonus: 17% Off
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  • Ultra-compact and ultra-low noise analog mixer with USB/Audio interface
  • Powered through USB or external power adaptor (included)
  • Built-in stereo USB/Audio interface to connect directly to your computer
  • Free audio recording, editing and podcasting software plus 150 instrument/effect plug-ins and ultra-low latency driver downloadable
  • State-of-the-art, phantom powered XENYX Mic Preamp comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps

Click Here to Read More Reviews >>

I've been playing around with my new Behringer XENYX 302USB Mixer and so far my impressions are positive.

I was nervous about buying it because there were no reviews at all, so I opened the box carefully and took out only the 302, using my own cable and on-line documentation. That way, if I had to return it, packing it back up would be easy.

I use Audacity (with a single core, Pentium 4 PC running XP Pro) to record, and the program recognized the 302 (as USB codex), no problem.

One thing I wanted to do is record from an iPod Touch 4G to Audacity, then play that Audacity track back and record another track against it from the iPod. I used a mono cable that is 1/4 inch on one end (plugged into the mic jack of the 302) and 1/8 inch on the other (plugged into the headphone jack of the iPod).

I used an app called Chordbot to play a progression on the iPod, which was recorded through the 302 into Audacity. I didn't care that the track was mono, but if I wanted stereo, I could have used the line input on the 302 with RCA cables going to an 1/8th inch stereo plug.

Once my chord progression was recorded on an Audacity track, I played that back by using an RCAs to 1/8 inch plug to connect the line input on the 302 to the headphone jack of the computer. By pushing the red button on the 302, which selects input from the USB (the computer), and the black button next to it, which sends the signal to the headphones, I could hear the Audacity track playing as I recorded a new track, this time using an app called Thumbjams on the iPod.

It worked very well. No hiss or other unwanted noise present.

The 302 assumes (incorrectly, in my case) that I want to hear the mic input through the earphones as I'm recording. I don't. I never monitor myself when singing or playing guitar, but listen only to the backing track.

I got around this by using the pan slider on the 302, panning my live performance all the way to the right. I then removed the right earphone from my ear. I panned the sound coming from the computer all the way to the left. This way I could hear the backing track but not my voice in the headphones.

My Audio Technica AT2020 microphone recorded fine--with no hiss or noise--with the 302's gain set at 12 o'clock, the mic volume maxed, and the main mix volume at about 2 o'clock.

I could generate hiss with the AT2020 if I cranked the 302's gain and volume all the way up, but I can do that with most any mixing deck.

I could not get as loud a hissless track using the 2020 and the 302 as I would like. A preamp is probably called for. But the signal was usable if I increased the gain a bit in Audacity after recording, or if I doubled a track.

In addition to the iPod experiment, I recorded a nylon-string guitar, then recorded a vocal track against it. Used the AT2020 for both tracks. Worked fine.

I have an old Radio Shack dynamic mic with a built-in TSR cable that I tried. It also recorded well, for what it is. (I sound terminally depressed when I record with this mic, so only dig it out for experiments such as this.)

All in all, I'm liking the 302 and plan to use it instead of the XENYX 802/UCA202 USB interface rig I was using.

WOWSERS. Important update. The USB codec that Windows installed when I first plugged in the 302 doesn't play nice with Audacity. Often when I try to play back or play back and record, there is no sound through the 302, even though I can see audio levels in Audacity.

I went to the Behringer website and downloaded the ASIO 32 bit driver. Now things are great. Except. Whatever USB slot you install the driver to is taken over by the driver and can't used by any other audio codec.

This means that if you unplug the 302 and plug another audio device into the same slot, it can only play--if it will--using the Behringer ASIO codec. Other slots are unaffected. It's possible to undo this by running the setup file again and choosing to uninstall the driver.

I'm willing to give up a USB slot to the 302 because I'm liking it so much and will probably use it every day. YMMV.

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I use this guy primarily with garage band as a simple guitar interface. It works perfectly! It's very intuitive and can be set up in minutes. My requirements for quality and features are pretty low as I am not a professional recording engineer, but I haven't noticed any poor quality sound. I've used it with Reason in Windows and GarageBand in OS X and it's very easy to use. Windows requires manual driver installation.

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PROS:

* Small. Easy to take with you or set on a small shelf.

* If using USB, does not need external power supply. Very convenient.

* Easy-to-use, accessible controls.

* Pre-amp power, works well with condenser studio mikes.

* Plug & play with Windows 8. Didn't have to install any kind of driver.

* Variety of input options. Dual track with low/high volume sliders.

* LEDs make it easy to tell whether in the green or red range. Easy to adjust.

* Awesome for those who need a mini-mixer-and costs the same as a USB-based preamp-only device.

* Free shipping-gotta like that

CONS:

* Only one power setting, 15v. That may not be enough for some, but works great with my studio mike.

* Line In / USB buttons somewhat confusing, non-intuitive. However the manual shows exact settings for computer use.

* As with other low-end Behringer mixers has a bit of a hiss that one has to balance out. Can take some fiddling to overcome it.

* It's pretty easy to overpower the computer's input and cause distortion. Start the sound levels at zero and slowly bring them up until it sounds good.

NOTES:

I purchased this for use with my studio mike, which I hadn't been able to use with my computer due to pre-amp power needs. Plugged it in, worked first time, no problems.

This unit is very sensitive. If used with a decent mike can pick up background noises from across a room. With a bit of tweaking, is fine for studio work. I use it for guitar/voice solo live Internet music shows.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the unit. The only reason I give it 4 stars rather than 5 is because it isn't perfect... but then it's only fifty bucks. For the price, overall quality, ease of setup, range, sensitivity and plug-and-play, I don't think one could find a better unit. Two thumbs up. I don't know how a Pro would rate this... but I definitely would recommend it to those doing recording on their computer with a studio-quality mike above the quality of the average "USB microphones" available on the market. You not only get a pre-amp but a duo-channel stereo volume mixer in the deal. Hard to beat at that price.

ADDENDUM: A few days after the initial review-I just used the device on a live guitar/voice webcast. No background hiss, very good, clear sound, crisp, no distortion, excellent transmission. Friend recorded a video and the sound was precise and identical to the original performance. Quite pleased with this little mixer/preamp.

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I use this unit to interface between my studio monitors and my Macbook Pro, which it does very well. It is indeed Plug and Play, and works nicely with both Logic Pro, Ableton Live and my Macbook's audio settings. So setup is painless and figuring out the audio settings on the unit itself is also an easy process.

However, I bought the unit after reading "Phantom Powered" in its description, and I was expecting it to work with my AKG condenser mic. Not being a real audio professional, it was an especially confusing process for me, because if you are using the unit's headphone out, you will be able to hear the condenser mic and it'll sound full, even if it's not getting the proper voltage of phantom power, but it won't transfer that fullness to the recorded sound. The label on this product makes you think you're getting true 48v power, and it takes, in my opinion, too much searching to find out that you're really not it's actually something in the range of 11v to 15v. This seems almost like false advertising.

After getting an external phantom power unit (accomplished for about $20 Nady SMPS-1X 1-Channel 48V Phantom Power Supply for SCM Series Microphones, I finally was able to record with my condenser mic and it does a great job clean sound that, with the right setup in Logic (which can take a little effort), doesn't have any delay/latency issues. I haven't gotten it to play totally nice with Ableton yet, but the sound quality is still good.

One more complaint if you are a sound amateur like me, don't expect the unit to be able to record your electric guitar directly from the instrument. Sound pros would probably read the last sentence and scoff with sound pro haughtiness at its ignorance, but I thought the included preamp on this unit might eliminate the need for an external amp before running your instrument cable into the mic input. Not the case you still need to connect your guitar to an actual amp first (as far as I know).

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I purchased this unit becaue I was just not happy with the quality of audio that I get while using Skype. I do some remote teaching via skype over the net with a school in Kenya East Africa. My video was incredibly improved when I purchased the Logitech 920 webcam, but I was still not happy with the audio. I have purchased several Behringer products in the past and have been very happy.

First, the unit came in and it was much smaller than I thought it was. I use a Behringer 12 channel mixer next to my computer systems to route audio to my amp and studio monitors that I have on my desk. I had been using a usb conversion device (no controls on it) purchased from Radio Shack and it worked ok, but I was never wowed by the vocal output. I am using a Sure SM58 and noise muff.

I expected this unit to sit side by side with my 12 channel output as an input device. It's barely 1/4 the size of the other unit. The moment I plugged it into the computer, it was recognized and installed. Skype immediately asked if I wanted to use it for output, then input. I declined the first, yet agreed to the second. I connected a Sure SM58 to the Multi connector and gave it a test... INSTANT CLEAR WONDERFUL sound. I then played and tweaked gain, mic level and tone controls to attain what I will call perfect audio input.

I am incredibly pleased. To anyone doing podcasts, remote communication or even just chatting with the family, this device will do WONDERS for the sound of your voice. I will be trying out the line input as well, but this was purchased to enhance my voice, and wow, does it do the trick.

I rarely write product reviews here on Amazon, but I really thought this one deserved some acclaim. Thanks for listening.

Rolls VP29 - Phono preamplifier

Rolls VP29 - Phono preamplifier
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $76.00
Sale Price: $49.95
Today's Bonus: 34% Off
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  • EQ Compensation Curve: The Rolls VP29 features RIAA standard EQ compensation. Counter-EQing during playback compensates for over accentuated high frequencies and low-end frequency loss
  • RCA and 1/4" Phone Output: In addition to the standard RCA L/R phono outputs provided, a single 1/4" stereo phone output is provided for added flexibility
  • Compact & Rugged Design: The Rolls VP29 sports a rugged, compact design that is both unobtrusive as well as lightweight and portable

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For the money, this product far exceeded my expectations. Providing two types of outputs and the amplification needed to convert those old albums to a output level that I could accurately recorded them with my computer's sound card. Converted 2 dozen albums now and people tell me they like the sound better then the original CD pressings.

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The Rolls VP29 hooked up easily and works great. The fact that it has RCA as well as headphone jack outputs is a great feature, and RIAA curve adjustment for optimal sound quality coming from your record player. I also liked that it has a screw for my record player to be grounded to a feature that not all preamps I've looked at had.

All together a failry good looking (in a techie way), compact design that most importantly sounds great.

*update* hooked up the VP29 directly to my line-in jack on my laptop (MacBook Pro) and got a clean, full digital copy of my vinyl beautiful. Great buy so far.

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This phono preamplifier worked well enough to allow me to access 33 LP records being played on my Dual record player. Since the Dual record player was just the player, i.e. no preamplifier, my record collection was virtually useless to me. The Rolls VP29 is a good product at a good price.

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I purchased this as an early xmas gift for my Grandmother who just doesn't understand how to use the full rack Denon Stereo my Grandfather purchased. A few years after his death she got a Bose Wave radio/CD player and likes it and actually uses it, but misses the vinyl in her collection. I chose the Rolls because it was small, had no dials or buttons to confuse her and I wasn't willing to pay too much for a better sounding preamp when she doesn't have the best hearing anymore (she's 84 now). It works well to connect her Denon turntable to the Bose and she seems happy with the simplicity. I personally found it to be a tad noisy and missing the clarity and depth of soundstage of my Cambridge Audio Azur 540p (phono preamp)linking my 1976 hotrodded Thorens TD 166 to my Cambridge Audio Azur 640a (amplifier)through NSM 5se's and Energy 15" sub. The Rolls is a nice solid unit that works well for the average user who occasionally pulls out a record now and then, and certainly superior to those "retro" looking oak radio/turntable combo's aimed at the nostalgic but tragically misinformed consumer, but I would not use this to pair up a serious turntable like a Thorens, Dual, Raga Pro-ject etc. to a serious receiver (and no, Sony doesn't count here.) This is for the average Joe, which is fine, because there are lots of Joe's and Joanna's out there that need to groove to their vinyl now and then, but this is not for the discerning listener and audiophile. I would give it one star more if all readers here understood beforehand that this is not a serious hi-fi unit, but I'm giving it three stars because it is in fact OK for the average Joe. If you're not too picky and just need to play some records now an then, go for it. But if you aspire to serious hi-fi and want a starter unit, I would save up another $50 bucks and go for the Cambridge Audio Azur 540p ore even $110 more for the 640p. Also, make note this Rolls is ONLY for Moving Magnet cartridges or perhaps some really high output Moving Coil cartridges like a Denon DL 160 (but then again if you're looking at a Denon DL160, you certainly want to be spending at least $150 on a preamp, period!) Hope that helps you in your decision.

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Just hooked up this preamp to my new 5.1 receiver that does not have phono inputs as do many new home theatre receivers. It sounds great and I'm happy so far. I had returned the Pyle PP999 that was only $15 because it didn't have the volume output like the Rolls. The only reason I subtracted 1 star is because the pic on Amazon clearly says "Made in the USA" under the Rolls product name. Mine does not say that on the preamp or on the packaging. It says in VERY small letters Murray, Utah on the packaging but I suspect that might just be the company headquarters. So I am inclined to think it's made in China but they choose not to put a sticker on it. Kind of deceptive if you ask me.

Audio Technica ATH-M35 Closed-Back Dynamic Stereo Monitor Headphones

Audio Technica ATH-M35 Closed-Back Dynamic Stereo Monitor Headphones
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $119.00
Sale Price: $69.00
Today's Bonus: 42% Off
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  • High power handling for tracking sessions
  • 40mm diameter drivers, neodymium magnet structure
  • Exceptional clarity and sonic accuracy for mixing

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Everybody recommends the ATH-M40fs phones in this series. So I bought a pair, and it's true: they're very comfortable and they sound great. However, they're not terribly portable, because they don't fold up. And they only come with a 1/4" connector. I got a clumsy adapter that didn't work particularly well with my laptop.

The ATH-M35 is a better set of cans. They folds up and come with a drawstring bag. The plug is 1/8", and a nice screw-on 1/4" adapter is included. The sound is great. Basically, these are just like the Sony MDR-7506 phones at half the price. Excellent product.

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High quality construction, good sound, cool looking. Only complaint is the length of the cord (too long), but since these are professional quality it makes sense; plus it's an easy work around just loop up the cord and fasten it (I used the twist ties that were part of the headphones' packaging). If you're looking for bass heavy/very loud headphones these aren't for you they don't amplify anything in proportion to the overall sound, but instead provide a true and balanced listening experience.

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Just got these, so far they are great. my last headphones were audiotechnica m20's which I have used for 5 years. I can already tell that these are better quality. although these phones fold up, I fell like they fold up too easily and sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable. As a DJ I'm often taking my headphones on and off; on one ear is really convenient as the phones grip your head. when around your neck its a bit akward since they're practically choking you.

Overall I recommend these--as long as you aren't trying to look hip with these around your neck--superior sound quality for the price.

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Just got the ATH-M35 and tried them out on a mix of tracks from rock to classical vocals and string and percussion instrumentals. Was equally at ease in each genre and as many other reviewers have pointed out, nowhere is there any artificial boosting of low or mid ranges!

The subtle harmonics around main frequencies are also clearly audible. Coupled with the excellent isolation due to the enveloping earpieces, the perception of highly enhanced detail is something to be heard to appreciate.

Extremely comfortable too, my ears are average sized and the ear pieces completely surround them! Pressure is not too high either.

All in all, am very satisfied with the purchase and the choice I made with the M35!

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It started out simple: I need a new pair of earphone.

After some research I found ATH-M35,which has extraordinary high ratings/accolades among many sites and personals, so I decided to give it a try.

I am a casual listener with no professional musical background (merely know the different format between types of music files), however, I was astounded by the crisp sound coming out from this headphone. Put in the most modest term, I never thought the same music I have been listening to can be sounding this good.

Belkin PureAV 002 Earbuds / Headphones with Microphone and Extra Bass (White)

Belkin PureAV 002 Earbuds / Headphones with Microphone and Extra Bass
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $19.99
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The first thing I noticed about the Belkin Headphones is that they are super comfortable. Normally, I am aware that I am wearing earbuds, they shift or fall out or I fiddle with them to get them right in my ears or they feel uncomfortable, but the Belkin headphones with the standard buds they came packaged in fit my ears perfectly and are so comfortable that I forget they are even in my ears. The headphones are curved to fit inside the ear. I haven't had a pair of headphones that are curved for comfort and it does make a lot of difference in the feel of the buds in my ears. I like the buds that the headphones came with but there are 3 sets total of the silicone buds.

I like to watch videos on my Kindle since I can never find much interesting on TV. I like to watch old Twilight Zones and older shows quite bit and the audio sound with these headphones is perfect for me! I can hear everything and sometimes the audio for the older shows isn't that great but these headphones are wonderful for picking up all of the sounds. These headphones are emmersive and for me block out extraneous background sounds.

The Belkin PureAV headphones have a built in microphone on the cord for Skypers and recording. I am really happy with the quality of these headphones for use with my Kindle. These are my go to headphones for the Kindle for any type of video and they work great for gaming too.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Comfortable to wear and insert, and has a crystal clear sound. The cords do not get tangled easily, so that makes it a plus in my household where my kids try and pilfer my earbuds! The microphone is clear and when I have used it on the phone, people can hear clearly.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The sound is pretty good on these headphones. They didn't blow me away, but they do provide a good range.

I've used this on cell phone calls, and, the microphone is, as usual, the weak link. People tell me it sounds tinny and goes in and out.

The most annoying thing is that the cord is a bit too short. I tried to use these on my PC with Rocksmith, and it is not ideal.

So, depending on what you're using these for, these might work out for you. They're not, however, my favorite headphones.

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