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Tech Tips

inSync Tech Tips cover over 3,800 music and audio topics spanning 15 years of technological development. Look here to find answers to your tech questions, cool tips and tools for making music, and more.

Latest Tech Tips

Aug 8 2012, 12:00 AM

1176 Attack and Release

Quick Tip: Remember that the Attack and Release controls on the 1176 compressor/limiter operate in the opposite direction you might expect. Turn the Attack knob up for a shorter attack and down for a longer attack. Likewise, turn the Release knob up for a shorter release and down for a longer... Read more »
Aug 7 2012, 12:00 AM

Mountain Lion Updates: IK Multimedia, MakeMusic, RME

Updates on Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) compatibility: IK Multimedia IK Multimedia software is compatible with Mountain Lion, but does require authorization with the latest Authorization Manager, v.1.0.7. There are still issues related to sounds installers, which are not working properly on Lion... Read more »
Aug 6 2012, 12:00 AM

DD7, Tap Tempo, plus Expression?

Q: A while back, you ran a Tech Tip on using an expression pedal with a delay stompbox to control parameters. My favorite delay, the Boss DD7, can accept an expression pedal. But, I want to do tap tempo as well as the expression pedal. On the DD7, there's only one control jack, which can take... Read more »
Aug 3 2012, 12:00 AM

Mountain Lion Compatibility: Universal Audio

Universal Audio has announced that UAD v6.3.0 software (see item elsewhere in this installment of inSync) is not yet officially supported under OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Although preliminary tests indicate UAD software appears to be working well with the new operating system, complete validation... Read more »
Aug 2 2012, 12:00 AM

POD Firmware

Line 6 has released the free version 2.0 firmware update for the POD HD300 and POD HD400. The new firmware includes five new HD guitar amps, two new Plexi amps, an HD bass amp, eight new microphone choices, a vintage mic preamp, the Hard Gate effect, and the ability to bypass the speaker... Read more »
Aug 1 2012, 12:00 AM

Mountain Lion Compatibility

For the latest news on software and hardware compatibility with Apple's new OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) please visit our SweetCare article — and check back often. We'll be updating the article as more information becomes available.
Jul 31 2012, 12:00 AM

More Pedalboard Sticky Stuff?

Q: I want to mount my new pedals (purchased from Sweetwater, of course) on my pedalboard, but I've used up all the "hook-and-loop" tape that came with the board. Where can I get more? A: You should be able to find a variety of suitable "hook-and-loop" tape products (sorry, we can't use the... Read more »
Jul 30 2012, 12:00 AM

Avid and Apple Compatibility

According to our friends at Avid, the new Apple Mac Pro 12-core computers have been approved for use with Pro Tools 10.2 and Mac OS X 10.7.4 (Lion). This includes LE interface support as well as HD family (HDX, HD Native, and HD TDM) support. Compatibility testing and support for Mac OS X 10.8... Read more »
Jul 27 2012, 12:00 AM

MOTU and Mountain Lion

MOTU has stated that current versions of all their software and hardware drivers appear to be compatible with OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion). However, final compatibility testing is still on-going. Expect software updates soon to ensure 100% compatibility.
Jul 26 2012, 12:00 AM

Mountain Lion Arrives

Apple has released OS X 10.8, also known as "Mountain Lion." We're super excited; the new operating system is said to include over 200 new features and brings tight integration between the entire Apple family of products, including Macs, iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch), and iCloud... Read more »
Jul 25 2012, 12:00 AM

No Input with Guitar Interface and iPhone

Q: I have a little guitar interface box that I connect to my iPhone for practicing. It hooks up to the iPhone headphone jack with a 1/8" cable. It was working fine, but now I can't get the guitar signal to show up inside my iPhone. What happened? A: We're betting that you switched cables and... Read more »
Jul 24 2012, 12:00 AM

Getting Up and Running

Want to get up and running quickly with a new piece of gear or software? Our advice is to follow the "quick start guide" included with many products these days. (If there isn't a separate quick start guide, there generally is a "getting started" section in the owner's manual that serves the... Read more »
Jul 23 2012, 12:00 AM

Master Fader Preview

The buzz for Mackie's DL1608 iPad-powered 16-channel digital live mixer is huge! If you've been waiting to get your hands on the Master Fader control app to check it out, we have good news: a free preview of the app is now available for download from the app store! There's also a downloadable... Read more »
Jul 20 2012, 12:00 AM

Get Your Own Mic

Think you can get by using the mics provided by the venue? After watching these "public service" videos from our friends at Audio-Technica, you may change your mind! Get Your Own Mic Get Your Own Mic, Part Two
Jul 19 2012, 12:00 AM

iOS Reboot

Your iOS device is like any other computing device, occasionally it is good practice to shut it down and reboot it. This clears everything out and gives your device a fresh start. To shut down your iOS device, whether an iPad, iPod touch, or an iPhone, hold down the power switch on the upper... Read more »
Jul 18 2012, 12:00 AM

Passive Ribbons and Preamp Impedance

Some mic preamps feature switchable input impedances. Others, such as those from AEA, offer ultra-high input impedances. While passive ribbon mics can be used with a low-impedance input, for the best signal-to-noise ratio and the highest bandwidth, passive ribbon mics like to see high-impedance... Read more »
Jul 17 2012, 12:00 AM

iOS Resource

If you're an iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone user and you want to make music with your iOS device, then you must tune in to our new iOS Update series of videos hosted by our own editorial director, Mitch Gallagher. The iOS Update includes segments on apps and hardware accessories, as well as the... Read more »
Jul 16 2012, 12:00 AM

Glyph Warranty

Q: What is the Glyph 3-2-1 Warranty? A: We're huge fans of Glyph hard drives because they stand behind their products. Their 3-2-1 Warranty is the best we've found in the industry. It offers a 3-year parts and labor standard warranty, a 2-year free basic data recovery policy, and 1-year advance... Read more »
Jul 13 2012, 12:00 AM

Creation Station for “Regular” Computing?

Q: I'm just getting started with my studio, and I like how your Creation Station PCs are designed for music. But can I also use them for my spreadsheets and word processing and e-mail? Or do I have to have another computer for that? A: An excellent question! Sweetwater's Creation Stations are... Read more »
Jul 12 2012, 12:00 AM

Working at 96kHz in the Studio

Q: Should I be working at 96kHz sample rate in my studio? A: This is one of those questions that is difficult to answer, so we will reply: it depends. Technically, what sample rate determines is the frequency response of the recorded signal. Some listeners claim to be able to hear a difference... Read more »

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