Studio Equipment Recommendations August 2015

Review: The Prophet-6 is Sequential's tribute to the poly synth that started it all - the Sequential Prophet-5. But it's not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Sequential put it, "It's the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible." The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet - true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers - and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth.

Central to the warm, punchy sound of the Prophet-6 are its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice. Continuously variable waveshapes provide the tonal palette with triangle, sawtooth, and variable-width pulse waves. There are two discrete filters per voice - a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path.

The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus and phase shifter. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analog signal path. There's also an independent stereo distortion effect, which is 100% analog.

Also present from its classic predecessor is a Poly Mod section, with enhancements. True to the original, modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2 (both with bi-polar control). Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, low-pass filter cutoff, and high-pass filter cutoff. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. You can create sequences polyphonically, with rests, and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well.

The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all Prophet-6 functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs in 10 banks of 100 programs. In addition to these, you can create and save up to 500 user programs of your own. Toggling off the Preset button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the Prophet-6 switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. In this state, what you see is what you hear.

All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a four octave, semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch that's an ideal combination portability and power for the project studio or the gigging musician.

Review: A powered-up mini kaoss pad 2, the mini kaoss pad 2S ("S" for sampler) is a powerful DJ effect unit that fits in the palm of your hand. It includes the familiar KORG touchpad, which allows you to intuitively control 100 different effects, and a sampler function that makes it easy to load and trigger a variety of sounds. Whether you are playing or performing, you'll have more fun than ever with the powerful mini kaoss pad 2S.

The newly added sampler function let you prepare sound effects or voice samples, and use them in your DJ work or live performance. According to your needs, you can choose from three methods of playback: One Shot, Gate, and Loop. You can also change the playback speed (pitch change) and specify the playback start position (cue point). In addition, the sample recorder lets you capture sounds that are input via either the line in or the built-in mic.

You can also use the unit as a conventional audio player; save your favorite songs on a card and use the mini kaoss pad 2S to apply effects for fun. No other equipment is required.

You can intuitively control effects in real-time by stroking the touch pad with your fingertip. There are one hundred built-in effect programs, ideal for DJ mixing and controlling the sound.

Numerous other functions indispensable for DJ work are also provided:
-When you take your finger off the touchpad, the FX RELEASE automatically adds a delay effect so that the effect blends smoothly into your song or performance, and avoids abrupt effect dropouts.
-Excellent for DJ use and live performance, the mini kaoss pad 2S provides three Program Memories for instant recall of your favorite effects.
The Hold function freezes the effect parameters based on your finger's current location on the touchpad for hands-free operation.
Auto BPM detection syncs the applicable effects to the tempo of the song, so that everything continues to move in sync for a professional performance.
The built-in mic lets you apply effects to your voice.

Many convenient functions are now available for enhanced usability and enjoyment:
Record your mini kaoss pad 2s performances in WAV format using .the master recorder function.
Battery operation and a built-in speaker let you perform anytime, anywhere.
6 Preset audio demo loops are stored in the internal memory. These demo loops provide a handy audio source that can be used to immediately audition the various effect programs, without having to hook up an external audio player.

Review: Choose Your Weapon: Building on the success of the original, the feature-packed MPD2 Series gives you amazing creative musical ammo with Thick Fat backlit MPC pads, improved controls and new bundled software.

The MPD2 Series is a product of over six years of detailed customer research and user feedback. Akai turned it into the most capable and user-friendly line of pad controllers they've developed to date.

The MPD232 is a MIDI-over-USB pad controller perfect for producers, programmers, musicians and DJs alike. Its intuitive blend of MPC controls and technologies mesh with easy USB connectivity to bring the feel of classic beat making into the world of computer music production.

New, ultra sensitive Thick Fat MPC pads have been added, creating an amazingly responsive user experience. The MPD232 has an expanded control set featuring eight knobs, eight faders, eight buttons arranged in three banks for 72 total controls. This will enable you to maximize your sound and give you increased control over effects.

The MPD232 also boasts an all-new 64-channel, 32-step performance sequencer, which the MPD32 did not have. MIDI information is sent over its plug-and-play USB interface for use on Mac or PC, eliminating the need to install any drivers.

Along with the improved functionality we've added iOS compatibility using the Camera Connection Kit (sold separately) and included over $400 of free software. Titles include: Akai Pro MPC Essentials, Big Bang Drums and Big Bang Cinema from Sonivox, Ableton Live Lite, and Software Preset Editor.

The aforementioned Software Preset Editor allows you to enjoy intuitive control editing right from the front panel of the MPD232.

The MPD2 Series marks an important evolution of the pad controller. Many years of research and customer feedback has led directly to some of the most capable pad controllers Akai have ever developed. These MPDs are the perfect bridge between your creativity and your computer-based studio.