M-Audio IE Series Pro Reference Earphones
Tired of asking the soundman, “Can I get a little more organ in the monitors please?” M-Audio’s IE Series of Professional Reference Earphones finally let you hear your own playing. Equally convenient onstage or in the studio, the series utilizes the praised Ultimate Ears technology that has revolutionized live performance monitoring. The earphones retail for around $130 for a basic set, $250 for high precision with enhanced bass and $300 for high definition with dual-driver technology. m-audio.com
Boss Micro BR Digital Recorder
One of the frustrating aspects of recording music in a studio is its lack of spontaneity and mobility. With Boss’ Micro BR Digital Recorder, you can record wherever you want, whenever you want, without the discomfort of lugging around mixers, microphones and amps. Only slightly larger than an iPod at five inches wide, the Micro BR is perfect for capturing the fleeting muse, offering the ability to load, play back and manipulate MP3 files. Retailing for $229, it also features a guitar/bass jack, an onboard guitar multi-effects processor, 293 built-in rhythm patterns, a built-in tuner and microphone, 32 recording tracks (with four simultaneous playback tracks) and USB compatibility for data transfer. bossus.com
SaxRax Saxophone Stands
Hand-built in Britain, Sax Rax saxophone stands exist in a variety of sizes and styles, but the three best-selling ones-the Alto/Tenor Lo stand, the Baritone adjustable stand and the Alto-Tenor Combo stand-all come in classic black. New features include interchangeable heads, nylon-coated brackets, Tucker captive head rivets, Nylock nuts, soft-feel locking screws and carry bags (except for baritone and bass). The stands are also available in silver. saxrax.co.uk
ASK Video Pro Tools Tutorial DVD
Are you befuddled by modern computer technology and have no idea how to operate Pro Tools? Well, now you can master the constructive music program with ASK Video’s Pro Tools Level 1, a DVD tutorial encompassing all aspects of the music industry’s most prominent digital audio workstation. Based on Pro Tools 7, Level 1 is perfectly suitable for novices to the program, and features commentary and direction by Pro Tools expert Brian Hogue. It also includes more than two hours of instruction, from installation and preparation through recording and editing. The DVD is available for $55. askvideo.com
TASCAM LaunchPad Portastudio Accessory Kit
Recording music may be a highly intensive and time-consuming affair, but even the most prestigious engineers had to start somewhere, and the new TASCAM LaunchPad is as good a place as any for beginners. This starter kit sells for under $100 and includes a pair of TASCAM HP-VT1 headphones, cables and a TASCAM Fox microphone designed by MXL, making it an ideal accessory for musicians who use the TASCAM DP-01 Digital Portastudio, Cassette Portastudio or USB computer interface. tascam.com
