Essentially a USB-powered 24-bit A/D converter device with two built-in preamps, the US-122 works very easily with any current computer setup, especially laptops.

Installation is easy, and the package also includes lite editions of popular software (including Cubase LE). Featuring phantom power, inputs for guitar-level instruments, and even an option for insert effects, this thing has all the makings of a powerful recording setup in a little package. With its sturdy metal construction, it's sturdy enough that you feel comfortable taking it into any kind of environment.

The preamps have a good sonic quality with a respectable signal- to-noise ratio at around 100 dB. Overall the digital converters by production partners Frontier Design perform admirably even operating at 16 bits and 44.1 KHz. With a good condenser mic, vocals and acoustic guitars track very well with very little ambient noise or coloration, so kudos to Tascam for taking care of all the sound aspects. Knobs are very smooth and the layout makes it easy to operate even in the dark! Electric guitars record nicely through the supplied jacks, as well, but you'll probably some type of amp simulator software to create the best sound.

MIDI and audio work fine together in this unit and you can easily get more than ten tracks of each going while still being able to play software synthesizers with very low latency (around 7 milliseconds). Thus, the drivers are certainly up to snuff and there is even a supplied tuner to keep your guitar in harmony with your recordings.

There are no 1/4" inch outs, just one pair of RCA outs, so you'll probably be using headphones while tracking and maybe a small pair of powered monitors for mixing. This is not really a device for recording orchestras or 7 piece bands, but for a singer/songwriter or a little group using keyboards and bass, the US-122 is an excellent solution for mobile recording or light recording around the house. Priced right, too, it makes a nice little tool for laying down ideas and maybe even making fairly polished tracks.

Est. Retail Price: $290 Cdn

Sound quality: 5/5
Chassis Design: 5/5
Bundled Software: 4/5
Audio Drivers: 5/5

- Alphonse Leong

The Solid State Logic (SSL) 4000 mixing console has been the mission control for countless hit songs in the last few decades. It is world-renowned for its fine craftsmanship and stellar sound, so it’s no wonder that plugin manufacturer Waves spent a year attempting to capture its essence in software form--nd they’ve succeeded in grand style.

Costing several hundreds of thousands of dollars (even in used condition!), the SSL 4000 series was one of the first boards to feature EQ and compression on every input channel. On top of that, it had a very distinctive master buss compressor that seemed to really glue all tracks together. The Waves team took their time to analyze the circuitry of these components and tested the results to make sure the results were as faithful as possible.

Three plugins came out of their research and development: the E-Channel, the G-Equalizer and the Master Buss Compressor:

The Master Buss Compressor surely is the most vital of the three plugins. It is very famous and highly revered by many sound engineers for its tasty and punchy way of finalizing a mix. The IC input and 2 VCA-reduction amplifier design has been faithfully recreated. You even have the option to switch off the noise artifacts that come with the analog emulation

The E-Channel is particularly useful for critical tracks like vocals and lead guitars. It features life-like recreations of the Black Knob EQ that was developed in conjunction with producer George Martin. The high-pass filter is fairly steep so range cutting and boosting and low frequency control is more pronounced and tighter. The compressor section features a soft-knee compressor/limiter and an expander/gate that is based on the SSL LS611E. Just as in the hardware version, there is a soft-knee compressor/limiter and expander/gate with automatic makeup gain.

The G-Equalizer is based on the EQ292 and is highly useful for creative eq-ing. A four-band unit, the G-Equalizer features a more dramatic gain change than the E-Channel EQ and is more suited for sound shaping.

Waves R & D really did their homework and the SSL 4000 bundle was developed with input and support from SSL. The SSL logo is proudly displayed on the software so you know it meets their high standards for sound quality. All-in-all, the bundle represents a great value for those looking to beef up their recordings. For those who have always wished to have a powerful, expensive SSL board in their home, the Waves SSL 4000 collections is like a dream come true.

- Alphonse Leong

For those who fondly recall the great pop and dance songs of the late 80s and early 90s, you’ll love the Korg Legacy Collection – Digital Edition. This meticulously crafted bundle recreates two of the great keyboards used during that time—the M1 and the Wavestation—all in a convenient software format.

The M1 is considered the best-selling professional keyboard synthesizer of all time (over 150,000 were sold) and it is often considered the first music workstation (combining quality sound synthesis, digital effects and an 8-track sequencer). Many will immediately recognize the famous compressed Korg M1 piano sound in many top hits. The software version faithfully brings back all the original M1 sounds and card sets while also delivering some fresh sounds that can be used for contemporary production.

The M1 software also updates some features such as adding a resonant filter and improved browsing and sound modification. It works seamlessly in your favourite sequencer and also standalone on your computer desktop if you feel like just noodling around without any encumbrances.

The Wavestation was a synth that followed on the success of the M1 and featured a unique joystick feature for altering sounds. This keyboard is also authentically realized in its software counterpart. Everything feels and sounds like the hardware original, right down to the joystick movements to the grayish chassis design.

Both pieces of software will also accept SYSEX patches that you may have or you may find on the internet. This makes it easy to create your own user sets.

All in all, Korg has done a fine job of bringing the M1 and Wavestation into the modern era, and the software is a very loving and proud nod to past glories.

- A. Leong

The M- Audio Keystations are ideal USB MIDI controllers for professional, intermediate, and entry-level users. Very practical and easy to use, without a lot of the extra bells and whistles on some of the more advanced MIDI controllers. There are three versions available: the 49e with 49 velocity sensitive keys, the 61es with 61 semi-weighted keys, and the 88es with 88 semi-weighted keys. The Keystations come complete with a USB 2.0 cable along with driver and music creation software. So that you can start using it immediately. Compatible with both Mac and PC. Installing the driver isn’t necessary if you have the latest operating systems such as OS X (Mac) and Windows XP (PC).

No external power supply is needed, when you plug the Keystation directly to your computer via the USB cable. As a plug-and-play device, it can function as a standalone MIDI interface, eliminating the need to connect to an external interface which would require 2 to 3 cables.

The Keystations features two octave buttons to transpose and extend the keyboard range, a volume slider, pitch bend and modulation wheels, an advance function button for programming, sustain pedal input, and a 9-volt DC power input. There is also a MIDI Out port that allows you to connect a sound module to it. M-Audio provides easy-to-read diagrams for connecting external devices.

The Keystations will work with other music software such as Garageband, Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Nuendo, ProTools, etc. The Keystation comes with Ableton Live Lite if you don’t have any software to work with.

It is not always necessary to have a full 88-keyboard in order to get a full range of notes. Most MIDI controllers will allow you to transpose the keyboard. Many people can get by with 25, 37, 49, or 61 keys. Weighted keys are an added bonus on some models but aren’t necessary and will have no effect on the sound quality. It depends on the user and how much space is available for the keyboard.

- J. Tam