Best Digital Audio Workstation Controllers
Ableton Push and Live work seamlessly together to provide the best of both worlds: hands-on hardware to make something from scratch, and full-featured software to fine tune and finish your song. Hardware instrument for hands-on playability with Ableton Live 9.7.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've since been locked away in my studio, putting it to the test, and learning all the new features that this, and the Ableton 9.5 update have brought us. The Push 2 has not only added almost all the features I wanted in my version of "The Perfect Daw Controller," but also brilliantly fine tuned all the pre-exsisting ones. I should also mention that while I am an Amazon reviewer, I am in no way afiliated with, or compensated by Ableton, and I paid the full price + taxes + overnight shipping to get this controller. Same width, but it's slightly thinner, and a little longer/taller due to the new LCD screen, and repositioning of the options buttons. A very welcome improvement in my opinion is that the materials used for the front plate, as well as the pads are different, and it's no longer a dust magnet like the original Push. The touch strip (for pitch bend and mod wheel) also got a subtle, but appreciated makeover. The previous Push had this strip too recessed, and this made it difficult for people with fat fingers like myself to reach the vey top or very bottom of it without applying some pressure to make to make good contact with the ends of the strip. Now sliding up or down an octave or two on the strip, and hitting the last note correctly, and at the right time is a cakewalk for my fat fingers. The best thing about the screen is being able to see your sample's wave, and the ability to manipulate it in all kinds of ways right on the device and see the changes is everything I ever wanted. - Browser: You can browse your sample library, instruments, VSTs, projects, ect... and lauch everything right from your Push 2 controller. It shows you 8 channels at a time, with their respective left and right sound level meters. It's not flawless, I've encountered a couple of glitches and emailed Ableton about them hoping they get fixed in an update, but they're not that significant. This device looks sharp, performs incredibly well, helps me with my workflow, and inspires me to create music."
"I love it."
"I have owned push 2 for a couple months and find it to be 100%better without akai; and I am not anti-akai as I own one of thier most expensive products - MPC REN... Bottom line is Push 2 is BETTER. I will admit that MPC sampling is a lot better than push 2 sampling but if you put MPC vs PUSH 2 for "Finger Drumming" the push 2 wins in my opinion..."
"Great product."
"You can find some clips on my Instagram: JBlongz. Pros: - Solid build and well-placed function buttons/knobs, aluminum faceplate. - Color display. - USB-Powered mode. Cons: - No custom case. - No built-in tilt mechanism. - Comes with live Intro (Should include the standard version, but I already have the Suite)."
"It's a great controller / instrument."
The Fader Port 8 features eight 100 mm motorized, touch-sensitive faders; digital scribble strip displays; and a unique Session Navigator to make mixing and controlling your favorite DAW application quick and easy. Session Navigator provides quick control over Track Scrolling, Marker Navigation, Timeline Scrolling, and much more.OS X / Windows compatible with Native Studio One support and HUI and Mackie Control Universal emulation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You can get a lot more done beyond your current mouse driven functionality with this controller. Much of what is on the controller can be done on the qwerty keyboard however, unless you have remembered the keystrokes or have a DAW template or dedicated qwerty keyboard to control your DAW, the FaderPort will definitely speed things up especially if you have the controller sitting near or atop your MIDI controller keyboard. Cons: Transport and function buttons don't have the typical console button feel i.e. Yamaha AW4416 or some older Tascam products."
"Make sure you do the firmware upgrade on an older Mac computer, that has USB2, not USB3, and OS should not be newer than Mavericks."
"I had some issues installing it with the drivers provided in the CD, but after a quick search I found how to make everything work."
"Also, be aware that to get the automated fader to work you need to have the unit plugged into its dedicated power supply."
"Hands on fader, transport pan, etc., a boon for the iPad with Auria Pro, much more tactile, precise than touch screen, motorized fader is excellent."
"It only took about 5 minutes to set it up with the newest version of Logic Pro (10.1.1). Immediately its clear to me that this piece will greatly enhance my workflow and save me thousands of clicks every day."
"The only cons to me are the fact that I have to have that huge power adapter plugged in for the motorized functionality & the firmware has to be searched for online for this to work well with pc (in my experience)."
When Akai Professional’s original APC40 arrived in 2009, it set a new standard for controller design, revolutionized hardware and software integration, and proved to be an essential performance tool for Ableton Live users everywhere. Incorporating five years of user feedback, almost every aspect of the original APC40 has been deliberated, reworked, and improved to provide extended controller functionality, countless musical capabilities, and a smarter workflow. The included Ableton Live Lite 9 Akai Edition is supported and functions as expected. Since the APC 40 mkII is class compliant, and does not require a driver install, it is immediately compatible with all current Windows, and Mac operating systems. Compact Ableton Live controller powered by USB connection to computer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Really quick shipping, item as described, thank you!"
"it'a a well made controller for it's purpose.no complains about the functions and built quality.definetly recommend it."
"Good But Crossfader on this Item was Jumping back forth on the screen, once you moved the physical one."
"Great piece of hardware."
Best Computer Recording Audio Interfaces
Scarlett Solo Studio Pack includes the compact Scarlett Solo USB audio interface, a large-diaphragm condenser microphone, closed-back headphones, and all the cables and software you need to start recording with a computer. Includes Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack and Ableton Live Lite, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite’s Red Plug-in Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples, and monthly Focusrite Plug-In Collective offers, all available via download.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a satisfied owner of a 1st generation Focusrite 2i2, I was curious to see what changes they would make to the 2nd generation. The rotary controls for the headphone level and monitor level are now shinier, with black lines rather than grooves in the knobs to mark the levels, making it much easier to see the setting at a glance. As with the 1st generation 2i2, two of the best features of this audio interface are things you don't get. There's no power brick, because it's powered straight from the USB bus; and there's no driver disc, because it uses standard USB Audio Class protocols. Audio quality hasn't changed with the new hardware as far as I can tell, though I didn't do any double-blind tests. It's certainly markedly better than Apple's built-in audio hardware on my MacBook Pro, and the headphone output can easily drive a full-size set of headphones to ear-splitting volumes. Overall, an excellent entry level choice for any Mac or Linux user wanting to connect a musical instrument, or for use as a general purpose high quality audio interface."
"If you get a faulty item in your bundle, just return directly to Amazon for replacement unless you can afford spending hours exchanging emails with Focusrite and making sample recordings to prove you have a bad unit."
"I like that this device has a small footprint and rubber feet to prevent the it from sliding across the desk when adjusting settings or moving the mic. They also did a good job utilizing the led ring to show your signal level...very helpful."
"This is an excellent Audio interface for anyone who want to start any audio /video production , it is compatible with any profesional microphone as it has 48v Phantom power , in video. "I ment 192kHz / 24 bit". Pros : Compact : smaller than i expected. Simple design : no thrills straight to the point design. All in one - has all the necessary inputs/outputs needed to start. Cons. it could do with a second set of out puts for monitors , to have 2 pairs monitors and 2 head phone jacks so artist and you can hear audio in recording sessions via head phones (i believe they have other versions that have these , but it would be nice to see it at this price point)."
"I have watched YouTube videos on Focusrite products and have heard them compared to other brands and maybe 2 or 3 are in the same class as the Focusrite interfaces but none captured sound with the same level of clarity and crispness of the focusrite to my surprise not even the Apolo line. Focusrite reminds me of the Pro Tools HD sound, which is interesting because the 2i2 is way cheaper than the HD interface."
Best Computer Recording Software
Everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music. Make virtually any sound - FL12 includes over 32 software synthesizers covering acoustic/synthetic bass, electric guitar, multi-sampler tools including piano & strings, general sample playback and beat-slicing (With Rex 1 & 2 support). All customers who purchase FL Studio 12 Producer Edition receive Lifetime Updates, installer is included on the USB Flash Drive.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I’ve used FL Studio before and it rocks, I can’t wait to see what new fixtures the upgrade has in store for me."
"Addicted to this software."
"My son loves his new set up and software."
"Excellent price and quality."
"And I love the fact that the software came on a USB stick."
"my sons father loves this item he did a lot of reviews on it and is still learning how everything works but he is very happy with it."