LogocProX has several updated and new guitar effects and amp simulations. The best part of the latest version of Apple’s proffesional caliber recording software – the learning curve has been eased. Enhancements to the user interface have given a fresh look and feel to legacy visual style, which had origins in the Emagic version of the software. Now that’s going back!
All of these services offer viable access to your music on the cloud. Amazon and Apple’s services are the only ones that will allow you to back up your highest resolution audio files – albeit at a relatively step cost compared to local storage. Having the peace of mind knowing all your creations are safely stored off-site, as well as music on the go and at all your internet connected computers puts Music in the Cloud on our radar as a service we think you’ll find yourself using today and in the future.
The popular Euro based Spotify has just launched its music streaming service in the U.S. Spotify free is an ad based music streaming service, with Unlimited ($4.99 monthly), and Premium ($9.99 monthly) plans which cut the ads and give you wider flexibility in where and how you can use the service. The Spotify player lets you play your local music files, but does not allow uploading of your music.
Apple found great success with it’s iTunes music store. On the horizon looms Apple’s latest service iCloud a cloud based storage service comparable to Amazon’s cloud drive. iCloud is geared toward Mac OSX users though Windows users will also b able to use iCloud via iTunes and Apple i-devices they may use. Much of iCloud’s services tie directly to the latest Lion Mac OSX version which will be released very soon. The $24.99 (yearly) iTunes Match part of iCloud will scan and match your music to the vast iTunes music catalog, find matches and add them to your iCloud library in the iTunes+ 256kbs AAC format. iCloud has a entry level free 5gb plan on sign-up, with additional storage options starting at $20/10gb (which seems quite steep). Since iCloud is hasn’t launched yet we can’t test it, but we trust Apple’s description of the service is spot on, and knowing Apple’s quality standards will likely work very well. If you’re a mac user or want your iTunes set-up matched on your iphone or via other computers you use with iTunes; iCloud might be a good option. The price is slightly higher than the competition, and the inability to simply stream your music from the internet on the fly (playback requires a download to your local device) limit some of the usefulness of iCloud. The 256kbs quality level is good enough to back up your own music, but not a lossless format. However none of the streaming services played nice with true native quality (aiff/Wave/lossless) file formats.
The Zoom H4n represents the next generation of portable digital recorders. 96khz/24bit recording in the palm of your hand, with available multi-channel and multi-track recording capabilities. Guitar players will enjoy the host of instrument friendly features including a metronome, tuner, and effects with programmable presets.
Zoom H4n Main Features at a glance
The H4n comes with a plastic case, Ac adapter, USB cable, Mic Stand Adapter, 1 GB Sd memory card. Manual and foam windscreen. Also with the H4n is the recording application Cubase LE 4 bundled on disc to get you started recording and editing.
The first thing you will notice holding the H4n in hand is that it is feels sturdily built though slightly top heavy. The display is large and easily read with a orange back light and various red LEDs to indicate input, mic, track and recording functions.
The H4n has some heft to it, primarily due to the mic housing which is metal. The buttons have a tactile feel to them. The job dial/button is operated by rotating and pressing to select menu options. The power switch is slid down to initiate the boot-up and shut down. Sliding the power button up put the device in locked mode – great for preventing accidental recordings or setting changes. The rest of the buttons work as indicated. You can download the manual form the manufacturer to see all the functions.
The Mic Clip Adapter has a metal thread that fits the tripod mounting screw slot on the back of the unit. When screwed in it feels a little flimsy, extra care should be taken not to bump the adapter when in use as it would be very easy to crack the plastic H4n case. Also be sure not to try and use the Mic Stand adapter with the thinner pencil mic style mic stand clips – use only the larger Sure style mic clips. The smaller mic holders can let the stand adapter pop-out abruptly, potentially damaging the H4n if it should take a spill. This becomes and even greater concern if you attach external mics, headphones, and the power adapter to the unit while on a mic stand.