Ask A Sound Guy

Cakewalk showed off some impressive new tech this year at Musikmesse. In fact, all they did is show off new hardware. And we all love some new hardware!

VS-700C V-Studio Console

Wow. This thing looks pretty great, right? The VS-700C is a fully integrated controller for Cakewalk’s Sonar 8 Producer software. It’s like what the Control|24 is to Pro Tools. The coolest feature about this (taking from what I was given) is the controller’s ACT technology. ACT stands for Active Controller Technology and allows you to remap the controls on this beast depending on what you’re using (like the Edirol DV-7 video editing system). So essentially, if it’s made by Roland, you’ll probably be able to map the controls on this desk accordingly. According to the press-release, you can also buy add-ons for this system (who would’ve thought?).

SONAR customers who purchase the VS-700C can later purchase the VS-700R I/O to experience the full benefits offered by the complete SONAR V-Studio 700 system, which includes hardware control of the VS-700R from the VS-700C, 19 input channels, 8 digitally-controlled mic pres with compression on each channel, and onboard Fantom VS synthesizer featuring 1,400 patches with ARX expansion board capability, among many other features.

This machine is available and shipping now, but prices may vary.

UA & UM Series Audio/MIDI Interfaces

The UA-1G is Roland’s newest audio interface. And talk about compact! It’s a 2×2 (2 inputs, 2 outputs) audio interface. It offers 24-bit/96kHz audio and uses ASIO drivers for PC, and Core Audio for Mac. It has stereo RCA inputs, a 1/4″ high-impedence outpute (for guitar/bass), and a headphone jack. The stereo outs are also RCA, so blah. It has SPIDF, though.

The UA-1G seems to be aimed more at hobbyists and not-so-serious recordists (and there’s nothing wrong with that). The portability is very appealing though. The 1G is available now for about $125.

The UM series of interfaces is all MIDI-centric. All of them have MIDI inputs and connect to a computer via USB. The UM-1G looks just like the UA-1G, except it has one MIDI in and one MIDI out that dangle from the unit like tentacles. The UM-2G has two MIDI ins and two MIDI outs, minus the tentacles. The UM-3G (pictured above) is…you guessed it: three inputs, three outputs. It’s more in the shape of a traditional interface.

Prices: UM-1G around $59 / UM-2G around $73 / UM-3G around $112

V-Studio 100

The V-Studio 100 is an all-in-one studio solution for Sonar-based studios. It’s a USB 2.0 24-bit/96kHz audio interface, DAW controller, digital mixer, SD recorder, and something called the VS Production Pack.

The interface is 8-in/6-out with two preamps (with phantom power) and a high-impedence output and a MIDI I/O. It supports all major sound drivers and is compatible with Sonar, Live, Logic, Cubase, and Digital Performer.

The DAW controller features the above-mentioned ACT technology and, again, is capable of being used with a bunch of major DAWs. It features 100mm faders, some encoders and buttons, and, well…you get the idea. You can use this thing with any DAW that uses the Mackie Control Protocol.

The “Personal Digital Mixer” seems to be a live-sound console aimed at small bands, small churches, and basically any other type of small-scale live setups. It’s got 8 inputs and 6 outputs (plus headphones), 4 types of reverb (WOW), and 6 channels of EQ and compression.

The Mobile SD Recorder is just what it sounds like: a mobile recording device. It relies on SD memory cards and records stereo WAV audio at…well, it doesn’t say. It would be nice to know at what quality it captures audio, right? Still, it has looping features and a built-in metronome.

The VS Production Pack is a software suite that contains VX-64 Vocal Strip, Rapture LE, Dimension LE, a bunch of Cakewalk virtual instruments, and the Sonar VS recording software (PC only), which is supposed to be Sonar 8 for entry-level recordists.

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