Today's Top Stories:
 Edirol Goes 64
It's always a struggle to keep current with all the relevant updates for any product (or group of products) in your studio. But there's really no need to worry, because Sweetwater is always on the lookout for upgrades and enhancements to keep you up-to-date. Now Edirol has announced the release of Version 1.0 64-bit drivers for PCs running Windows x64. The company had released beta versions of these drivers earlier in the year.
With the introduction of 64-bit drivers, owners of Edirol products can finally take full advantage of their 64-bit hardware. While most 32-bit software applications will operate on a 64-bit computing system without a glitch, a true 64-bit driver is required for all hardware peripherals including audio and MIDI interfaces.
Kim Nunney, president of Edirol, comments: "The potential performance gains of 64-bit computer systems and the extension of the amount of useable physical RAM from 2 gigabytes to 128 gigabytes will provide users with a newfound potential for working with CPU and RAM intensive projects."
Now in Stock: M-Audio's Mighty MicroTrack
The M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 is a rugged, 2-channel portable digital recorder that records WAV and MP3 files directly to CompactFlash or microdrives. If you're in need of some pro-quality field recordings for your documentary on Venezuelan tree frogs or something as seemingly mundane as corporate meetings and training sessions, the MicroTrack just might be perfect, particularly when you see how affordable it is.
You can record via balanced line inputs or built-in mic preamps complete with 48V phantom power. Connect MicroTrack 24/96 to a PC or Mac via USB and simply drag and drop recordings to your computer for immediate editing or web posting. Power derives from a lithium-ion battery, and the unit can recharge via the computer's USB connection or optional USB power adapter. The MicroTrack 24/96 combines superb 24-bit audio quality with the convenience of a true mobile recorder.
Guitar Of The Day
Epitomizing Gibson's mid-century archtop guitars, the L-7C offered a big sound from its 17-inch body, a clean look, and easy playability due to its cutaway. Now check out this one-of-a-kind guitar from the Gibson Montana Custom Shop: The L-7C Customer Rockabilly. Features include a solid Sitka spruce carved top, solid maple arch back, sides, and neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. There's only one of these; don't hesitate or it will be gone!
| Recent inSync News: |
| · |
Tuesday, October 04, 2005 |
| · |
Monday, October 03, 2005 |
| · |
Friday, September 30, 2005 |
| · |
Thursday, September 29, 2005 |
| · |
Wednesday, September 28, 2005 |
| · |
View Entire inSync Archive |
|
|
 |
Sign up to receive the weekly inSync summary by email each weekend!
|
|
 |
| Quiescent Current |
The term given to describe the amount of current consumed by a circuit when it is not performing any work (sometimes referred to as standby current). This is a particularly important concept in designing battery-operated systems such as wireless beltpack transmitters. Battery life is determined by the total current drain composed of quiescent current and load current. Usually battery-operated devices are in standby mode more than in operation mode so the quiescent current consumption is the more dominant consideration. Quiescent current consumption should be as low as possible in order to prolong the battery's life.
Class A amplifiers have the general property that the output device(s) always carry a significant current level, and hence have a large quiescent current. The quiescent current is defined as the current level in the amplifier when it is producing an output of zero. Class A amplifiers vary the large quiescent current in order to generate a varying current in the load, hence they are always inefficient in power terms. |
 View the Complete Glossary |
| Using Tempo Maps to Create Feel in Sequenced Music |
In sequenced music, one of the ways we avoid a static, machine-like feel is to create a tempo map. Usually, this involves adding a few BPM to the choruses to create a little excitement. This follows our natural tendency to speed up when we come to a more exciting portion of the music (usually the chorus). However, not all forms of music benefit from tempo variations. An obvious example would be some dance-based styles, many of which require the metronomic pulse supplied by a fixed tempo.
That said, even with sequenced music written and performed only in a studio context, it can be worth adding a BPM or two to the chorus section to see what effect it might have. However, it is probably best to set up this tempo structure before any live audio is recorded (such as the vocals) &mdash although if the variations are kept subtle (a few BPM), tools for time-stretching and compressing audio included with most DAW software ought to allow such change to be accommodated after the fact. |
| View all 1,700+ Tech Tips |
|
