Sweetwater®

Free Shipping with no minimum purchase. Learn more »
(800) 222-4700
  • Español: (800) 222-4701
Cart

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

Oct 29 2012, 12:00 AM

Dangerous Music D-Box and Universal Audio Apollo

Did you know that the Dangerous Music D-Box is the perfect companion piece for the Universal Audio Apollo Firewire/Thunderbolt audio interface? Check out this video for a complete guide to how to make the connections and put the two pieces to work together!
Oct 26 2012, 12:00 AM

Cool Tool: Native Instruments Maschine Stand

Position your Native Instruments Maschine at the perfect angle with this purpose-designed stand. The Maschine Stand works with both the original Maschine and the new Maschine 2, and safely holds the controller at a 15-degree angle — ideal for accessing all the controls, programming beats... Read more »
Oct 25 2012, 12:00 AM

Mackie DL1608 and iPad Mini/4th Generation

Apple has just announced the new iPad Mini and iPad 4th Generation, and Mackie is already evaluating compatibility with the popular DL1608. The company expects the Master Fader app to work perfectly with the new iPads, and that wireless control will work equally well. Mackie is at work on... Read more »
Oct 24 2012, 12:00 AM

Mini Humbuckers Versus Full Humbuckers

Q: What do the Gibson Les Paul Studio '70s Tribute mini humbuckers sound like compared to the 490R/498T pickups found on the Les Paul Studio '50s Tribute? I've never played mini humbuckers before. A: Mini humbuckers are tonally sort of a cross between a humbucker and a single-coil, in the same... Read more »
Oct 23 2012, 12:00 AM

Focusrite iTrack Solo Cable Extender

Q: The Device Link cable that came with my iTrack Solo audio interface is really short. Do they make a longer one? A: The iTrack Solo cable was designed specifically to adhere to Apple's rigorous testing of official iOS accessories. However, you can use a 30-pin extension cable to increase the... Read more »
Oct 22 2012, 12:00 AM

Cool Tool: StageTrix Pedal Riser

If you've got a loaded pedalboard, one of the problems can be that the pedals in the second row are hard to access without messing up the settings of the pedals on the front row. That problem is history with the StageTrix Pedal Riser, a simple device that elevates your stompboxes one inch, and... Read more »
Oct 19 2012, 12:00 AM

Spaces and Workflow

The Spaces feature in Mac OS X allows you to create virtual desktops for your computer that you can easily and quickly switch among using key commands or other methods. You can load a program into a particular Space, so that it's fast and easy to navigate from program to program without your... Read more »
Oct 18 2012, 12:00 AM

500 Module Compatibility

Q: Are all 500 Series modules really compatible with one another and with the different chassis from various manufacturers? A: As long as the module(s) in question adhere to the API-developed 500-series standard, there should be no compatibility issues. The vast majority of modules do stick to... Read more »
Oct 17 2012, 12:00 AM

Piano Mechanical Noise

Q: I'm miking a piano using a pair of condenser mics placed in the piano, back from the hammers, but I'm getting a lot of mechanical noise from the piano itself, which is audible in the track especially as the keys are released. How can I remedy this? A: Pianos, like all instruments, do make... Read more »
Oct 16 2012, 12:00 AM

Focusrite Forte Power Supply

Q: Do I have to run my Focusrite Forte interface with the power supply, or can it run off of bus power? A: You can power the Forte either way. However, if you run off of bus power, the outputs are limited to -18dB and phantom power will be disabled on the microphone inputs.
Oct 15 2012, 12:00 AM

Roland Integra-7 Front and Rear Inputs

Q: The Roland Integra-7 has two sets of stereo inputs, one set on the back and one set on the front. Does one take priority? In other words, if I plug into both, which one works? A: Both sets of input jacks on the Integra-7 are active all the time. If you plug external signals into both, the... Read more »
Oct 12 2012, 12:00 AM

Roland Integra-7 Inputs

Q: What can the inputs on the Roland Integra-7 be used for? A: Stereo external signals may be connected to the front and rear panel inputs on the Integra-7 and routed through the unit's Motional Surround processor for spatial processing and 5.1 surround output.
Oct 11 2012, 12:00 AM

Roland Integra-7 and USB

Q: Do I need a driver installed on my computer to hook it up to the USB port on the Roland Integra-7? A: The USB port of the integra-7 will provide MIDI input and output to your computer without installing a driver — just plug it in. However, to stream audio from the Integra-7 into your... Read more »
Oct 10 2012, 12:00 AM

USB Thumb Drive Not Mounting

Q: I want to update the operating system on my Roland Integra-7, which you do by transferring a file from your computer onto a USB thumb drive, then plugging the thumb drive into the Integra-7. The Thumb drive has to be formatted for the Integra. The problem is that my Mac isn't seeing the... Read more »
Oct 9 2012, 12:00 AM

Mac Colors Reverse

Q: I was trying some of the key commands on my Mac after reading your Tech Tip on adjusting contrast. But somehow I flipped my screen so that it is reversed colors. Help! A: You may have accidentally hit the key command for reversing black and white on the Mac screen, which is... Read more »
Oct 8 2012, 12:00 AM

COOL TOOL: Farley JP Deluxe Guitar Tool

There's nothing worse than showing up for rehearsal or gig and finding out that something on your guitar or bass needs to be adjusted, or you break a string and want to clip the end off or need to pull a bridge pin on an acoustic, or one of a million other scenarios occur where it sure would be... Read more »
Oct 5 2012, 12:00 AM

Adjusting Contrast on Mac Screen

To quickly change the contrast on your Mac's screen, use the key commands: Control+Option+Command+. — increase contrast Control+Option+Command+, — decrease contrast
Oct 4 2012, 12:00 AM

COOL TOOL: Overtone Labs Tune-Bot

Get your drums in tune the easy way! The Overtone Labs Tune-Bot clips onto your drum's rim and intelligently measures the pitch at each lug as well as the overall tuning. This makes it easy to tune your drums correctly and consistently. You can even save up to 80 presets with your preferred... Read more »
Oct 3 2012, 12:00 AM

Fretboard Conditioner

We're often asked what we recommend for cleaning and conditioning an unfinished guitar or bass fretboard (such as a rosewood fingerboard). Both Planet Waves and PRS make great products for this purpose: PRS Fretboard Conditioner Planet Waves Lemon Oil Planet Waves Hydrate
Oct 2 2012, 12:00 AM

Cool Tool: Gator G-ARM 360

Get your laptop, computer/video monitor, or iPad up and off your desk with the Gator G-ARM 360-Desktop articulating arm! The G-ARM clamps to your desk and allows you position your laptop, tablet, or monitor anywhere you like. It can clamp to just about any flat surface and can be adjusted in... Read more »

Get The E-mail!

Delivered every Friday. View sample

Please enter a valid email address.

Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe anytime

Sweetwater Sound Inc.
5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W
Fort Wayne, IN 46818
Get Directions »

Toll Free (800) 222-4700
Español (800) 222-4701
Local (260) 432-8176
Fax (260) 432-1758
E-mail us

Phone & Retail Store Hours:
9–9 Monday–Thursday
9–8 Friday
9–7 Saturday
(All hours listed are Eastern Time.)

© 2013 Sweetwater Sound Inc. All rights reserved. Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Links | Press Releases