M-Audio / AirMusicTech release IGNITE V.1.2

New version of IGNITE v.1.2 RELEASED

BUG FIXES // Support for some of the newer AKAI and Alesis controller keyboards

What's NEW in IGNITE v.1.2?

..or click on the link below - and choose the Documents LINK from the right hand side of the webpage.

http://www.airmusictech.com/product/ignite

HOWEVER - 

We are still waiting for the HYPERCONTROL for ProTools

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.hypercontrol&prod=axiomair

Supported DAWs

• Ableton Live - Coming Soon
  
• Pro Tools - Under Development
  
• Cubase - Available Now (click here)
  
• Apple Logic Pro 9 - Available Now (click here)

Studiospares S580 Dynamic Hypercardioid Vocal / Instrument Microphone

Some time ago, I was given a paper / printed edition copy of MusicTech magazine (http://www.musictech.net/)- which is a monthly specialist magazine for producers, engineers and recording musicians.

Over time, I had found myself reading the same issue over and over, each time learning something new;  it really is an enjoyable read.

This month, I decided to become a subscriber to the magazine - and looked into a 12 month sub.  Nowadays, often, magazine's offer some kind of introductory special offer / free gift etc.  and I was quite surprised to find that MusicTech were offering a nice vocal / instrument microphone*1 for anybody signing up for 12 months of magazine subs.  Namely, the Studiospares S580 Dynamic Hypercardioid Vocal / Instrument Microphone. *1 - UK customers only.

Was this some cheap gimmick?



Was the free gift actually any good?

Well according to reviews I've seen on the music forums - YES the S580 is a good mic !  I've personally not tried it out yet - as I don't have any spare cables...........  but will post my comments soon.

I don't currently own a vocal mic / instrument mic - but  I was contemplating purchasing one  for capturing the occasional acoustic performance, and some vocals;

Of course, I was looking at the "industry standard" SHURE SM58 - which [by all accounts] is the "go to..." unidirectional (cardioid) microphone..... and a top choice for vocalists.

Whilst the Studiospares S580 is deemed as a "CLONE" of the Shure SM58 - quality is comparable.......   I read a number of comments where SM58 owners had A/B'd the S580 / SM58 - and achieved the look and sound but at HALF the cost.

If you were to purchase an SM58 - they retail around £140 GBP - with the Studiospares S580 coming in at around 65% cheaper.  £50 GBP.

On both - the frequency response is tailored - with brightened mid range and bass rolloff.

Build quality seems excellent on the S580...................  and for my occasional use - it is unlikely to get abused.

Long story - short.......................GET A GREAT MAG AND A SUPERB FREE GIFT !  

1. you get a great magazine / printed copy and delivered to your door
2. you also get the "digital subscription version" to read on your computer / tablet / phone etc.................
3. PLUS you get a pretty damn good microphone - which is worth about £50.........

If you sign up for Direct Debit subs - the cost for 12 months is £53.90 - so with the *FREE GIFT* of the microphone - that makes your 12 x printed copies work out at £3.90 / 12 = which is around £0.33 pence per magazine copy.  #NOBRAINER

Some conditions apply - but if you are signing up for 12 months anyway - you get to keep the GIFT, and you get a great mag.

If you are interested in this offer - clicky LINKY below with the relevant promotion code filled in.  I don't work for the magazine,  but I did want to share this great offer with you all !  

http://anthem.subscribeonline.co.uk/home/music-tech-magazine?offerCode=GIFTWEB13

Would love to hear comments from owners of BOTH - SM58 / S580

How do they compare? Post your views.............

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure :-

S580 // Storage bag // Mic Stand adapter with standard 5/8" thread, but also includes a 3/8" thread adapter

No surprises - XLR cable not supplied.......

Package in the mail from Grovers !

My postman just turned up on my doorstep with a small envelope sent from the United States...

The envelope was marked "Grovers Tuners"............  so excitedly I opened the package.

As promised, the helpful chap from Grovers "honoured" his promise, and has sent me 11 x new / replacement screws for my locking tuners !  I only need six, but I guess there are a few overs just in case........

As an added bonus- they also threw in a nice little credit card sized / die cut - 4 x picks.......

As I always say...........  you can NEVER have too many picks !

KUDOS to the guys at Grovers for replacing those ridiculously soft screws with new ones !

Setting up the AXIOM AIR 25

So there is nothing more satisfying than opening a box with your new "thing" inside it......

For me, yesterday was all about setting up the AXIOM AIR 25........  and getting hands-on with it.

..but before the FUN can begin - you have to do some work first.....

Namely.......

1) Register your Controller / Keyboard to obtain the M-Audio (AirMusicTech) IGNITE software Download.     REGISTER at http://www.airmusictech.com/download-ignite

When you have completed registration - the software download LINK is emailed to you.

The version of IGNITE that I received was Version 1.1.1 (This requires you to FIRSTLY update the Firmware of your AIR 25 to Version 1.1 Firmware).  IGNITE is quite a large download around 860MB.......  and supplied as a single ZIP file.

2) From the M-AUDIO website - you will also need.............

• Device Drivers for Windows (Version 1.0.2[PC])
• FIRMWARE Update (Version 1.1)
• NOTE : There are TWO versions x86 (32 bit) and x64 (64 Bit) Firmware Upgrading tools.  Make sure you download the right one for your OS.
• *OPTIONAL*
          - Any software updates (e.g. Hypercontrol for CUBASE);  this is not required for IGNITE or ProTools.  (At this moment in time, you cannot use the AIR with Pro|Tools easily - as there are no HyperControl bundles);  As of June 2013 - these are still "under development" with no release date.  http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.hypercontrol&prod=axiomair

GO TO the Download Page at M-AUDIO

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver&serie_ID=3&PID=d13006393e7d9f4fdfcede688c9448f4&x=8&y=11#tabs

As I'm using Windows 7 for my DAW - I downloaded the following (as shown in the PICTURE below).

So, the steps I followed.

1. Connect the AIR 25 to a *spare USB port*
2. Install the Windows Drivers
3. Run the FIRMWARE Update v.1.1 - and then follow these steps...
1. After the firmware update has completed, close the Firmware Updater.
2. Manually reset the Axiom AIR keyboard by following these steps:
3. a. Turn off the Axiom AIR keyboard power.
4. b. While simultaneously holding down both OCTAVE UP / DOWN buttons (located above Pitch and Mod wheels), turn on the Axiom AIR keyboard.
5. c. Continue to hold down both OCTAVE buttons until you see “Full Reset” on the Axiom AIR display, then release both buttons.
6. d. Wait for the Axiom AIR to cycle through a complete factory reset (this typically takes 7-10 seconds). The Axiom AIR display will briefly say “Done!”
4. Install IGNITE v.1.1.1

Run IGNITE and have fun !

There are some pretty good TUTORIAL videos available from the "HOME" screen of IGNITE...  click the BLUE ICON for Video Tutorials.

More to come soon !

Quick Update on the "soft screws" problem - Grovers Locking Tuners

Do you remember the problem I mentioned with the "soft screws" that were supplied with the Grover Locking Tuners?

...well, I finally had an email reply from a nice chap @ Grovers !

My initial email was not received (apparently, *cough*)

..anyway - I resent the email, and within a few hours - I had a reply from Grovers - asking me for my postal address.

So, fingers crossed - a nice set of replacement screws will be with me very soon !!

Will keep you posted.

M-AUDIO Axiom AIR 25 - released, ordered and delivered TODAY ! (UPDATED)

Wow, well my sources were right !  The AIR 25 came into stock at a number of UK based musical instrument, recording, production and DJ stores !!!!

I placed an order yesterday evening (21st May 2013) and the AIR 25 was delivered to me (TODAY) by courier.

After a little shopping around - I found the best deal at West End DJ - website -  

http://www.westenddj.co.uk/

£229 GBP + Free Shipping..........  that is a whole £20 cheaper than ANYBODY else !!!!

Have to say I'm impressed with the speed and efficiency with which my order was processed;  never used these guys before - and I'll definitely use them again............. first impressions are excellent !!!!

The AIR 25 arrived nicely packaged - in a large outer box;  with the M-Audio packaging / box inside of that.  Pictures below.

My working day is nearly over - so I can take the AIR 25 for a trial run.

The picture below does not show the full "beauty" of this unit;  it is a high-gloss white with a mirrored central panel (with the transport controls);  You can see the size of the controller keyboard - e.g. compared to the size of the included software on a CD (Ableton Live).

IMPORTANT NOTE : *You DO NOT get PROTOOLS EXPRESS with the AIR 25 (25 key) as was previously stated*.

According to the M-Audio website - only the 49 and 61 key versions will ship with PT Express;  the AIR 25 gets Ableton Lite !!!!

The other software wonder is IGNITE - which you have to download from the Air Music Tech Website (following registration).

http://www.airmusictech.com/download-ignite

Grover Locking Tuners Upgrade - Part 2

In part 1 - I had prepared my Yamaha Pacifica 112X (PAC112X) ready to start fitting the new GROVER tuners;

Grovers Mini Locking Rotomatic Tuners (6 in a line!) version....... (Website Link below)

https://www.grotro.com/Grover/2154a941-6e5d-484f-a28c-2640779e7038/LOCKING-ROTOMATICS/Mini-Locking-Rotomatics-406-Series

The Model is 406-C6.  

The first thing to notice about the Grover Tuners is that they DO NOT have any locating pins.

The original Yamaha Tuners have two "locating" posts which help align the original tuners with the pre-drilled holes on the back of the headstock - making removal / re-fitting easy;

Unfortunately, not so easy with the Grovers !!!!  See pic. below.

The Grovers are SINGLE SCREW MOUNTED......AND THE SCREWS ARE VERY SOFT!!!!!!!  

Also in the pic - you can see the provided WASHER and BUSHING (per tuner).

Firstly - I perform a DRY FIT of all 6 Tuners onto the head-stock;  using "finger tightened" bushings. 

Don't over tighten (finger tight only)

You only need the tuners to "hold" in place while you flip the guitar over to mark the screw holes (one per tuner).

With the holes marked - you can now remove the tuners again (remove all 6)

To drill the small PILOT holes needed for the screws - I used my MINILOR (Dremel tool) with a 1mm drill bit (this is a very fine drill bit) - slightly narrower than the screw width - and make sure you only drill to slightly less deeper than the length of the screw.

CAUTION : IF you drill too deep - you'll end up drilling out the front of the headstock.  Please take care.

The provided SCREWS in the Grover's set are approx

1.5mm (0.15cm) (0.060" INCH) SCREW WIDTH 

SCREW LENGTH is around 9.7mm (0.97cm) (3/8" INCH in old money!)

As the screws are still a little wider than the pilot hole - I  firstly coat the screw thread in VASELINE (White Petroleum Jelly) to help the screw into the wood.

Using a good quality screwdriver - and appropriately SIZED.........  you will need a Philips head - screw the fixing home !

JUST A WARNING - THE SCREWS ARE VERY SOFT!!!!!!!

To be honest - I'm not happy with the quality of the metal / material used for the supplied screws;  and I'll be complaining to Grover's about it.

Cheap screws make me soooooooooooo mad !!!

(REPEAT the process for the other tuners)

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

CLOSING THOUGHTS

As you probably noticed, I mentioned the supplied screws are VERY SOFT !!!    I intend to write to Grover's and ask them about it.

If you are worried about that - you may want to get some better quality screws from your favourite guitar store or luthier.

I noticed a few folks on the Stew Mac shop complained about the same thing....  and they used replacement tuner screws (which colour match the chrome, and are of a higher quality metal).

Have a look at user comments (link below)........

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Tuner_parts/Replacement_Tuner_Screws.html

Well - that CONCLUDES my Tuner Upgrade article.........  Hope you guys find it useful?

Leave a comment if you wish............