Peter Schips (CMS-Sounddesign)

The UAD Apollo 8 / 8p is an enormously good sounding and reliable studio tool. The converters are absolute top class and the DSP technology brings neat performance. Not a bargain, but the quality speaks for itself.

The RME Fireface 800 is still a reliable working tool for studio use. The versatile inputs / outputs and routing options make it highly flexible. The converter quality is good, if not more "state of the art". Anyone who uses a neutral-sounding workhorse for recording is always well served with the RME Fireface 800.

Although the Emagic AMT-8 series is now getting old, but who is looking for a simple, reliable and almost unbeatable midi interface with 8 inputs and 8 outputs, which runs clean on the MAC platform, is with the Emagic AMT 8 still well served.

The Samson S COM PLUS Stereo Compresser Limiter. Affordable, dual mono/stereo compressor/limiter, designed to control signal levels in a variety of applications. The Samson S COM PLUS is a powerful compressor/limiter, expander/gate, de-esser with peak limiter. Each channel features a wide range of variable control. A feature-rich Compressor section includes variable Threshold, Ratio, Attack and Release controls. Samson's SKD (Smart Knee Detector) circuit dynamically adjusts the compression curve to ensure a musical result. The AEG (Auto Envelope Generator) function simplifies optimum settings by constantly analyzing the audio input and automatically adjusting the attack and release parameters based on the changing level. Key Inputs and Outputs are included for externally processing the control voltage. The Expander/Gate features a variable threshold level and switchable release time (fast or slow). The Gate switch changes the downward expander ratio from "light" to "hard" gating for control ranging from subtle to an obvious effect. A dedicated Peak/Limiter with variable control provides protection against peak and overload independently of the compressor. When used in combination with the Compressor the Peak/Limiter offers even more precise control over dynamic levels. A functional De-esser improves audio quality by removing "S" from vocals and sibilance from overly bright signal sources such as cymbals. The Enhancer switch engages the EFR (Enhanced Frequency Recovery) circuit, which restores high frequencies that are sometimes diminished by heavy compression. Extensive metering includes Input/Output, Gain Reduction, De-esser Level, Gate Open/Close and Limit. A Spectra switch on the S com plus enables a special circuit for high frequency contouring.

Keyboard controller for all virtual instruments Fatar keyboard with aftertouch and 61 semi-weighted keys ergonomic pitch and mod wheels plus touch strip Pre-configured mapping for all KOMPLETE instruments and hundreds of NCP-compatible (Native Kontrol Standard) instruments from leading third-party vendors complete VSTi support Tag-based preset browsing: quickly find and instantly preview sounds Two high-resolution color displays for browsing, sound tweaking and more Light Guide: RGB lights above each button indicate drum cells, key switches, chords, keys, and more Smart Play: Recognize keys and inversions with the Light Guide, play chord progressions and arpeggios with single keys or any key only with white keys seamless integration with the MASCHINE hardware / software intuitive control of Logic Pro X, Ableton Live and GarageBand two freely assignable inputs for foot pedals MIDI In / Out Power supply via USB 2.0 Dimensions (WxHxD): 1006 x 84 x 297 mm Weight: 6.55 kg register your hardware to download the KOMPLETE KONTROL software and KOMPLETE SELECT for free (11 high quality software tools and effects: Massive, Monark, The Gentleman, Drumlab, Reactor Prism, Scarbee Mark I, Retro Machines, Vintage Organs, West Africa, Solid Bus Comp, and Replica)

USB DAW controller 9 touch-sensitive motor faders (8 x channel, 1x master) 8 endless knobs jogwheel illuminated transport buttons 2 illuminated track buttons 2 illuminated bank buttons Integrated iCon Quick Setup driver for easy Plug & Play installation in Cubase, Nuendo, Reason and Bitwig Mackie Control Protocol for almost every DAW Mackie HUI protocol for controlling Pro Tools iMap software for assigning keys and for firmware updates robust aluminum housing with Kensington lock Class-compliant with Windows XP, Vista (32 bit), Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), Windows 10 (64 bit) and Mac OS X (Intel Mac) Incl. power supply (12V / 2.5A) and USB cable matching display Icon Platform D: Art. 396647 (not included)

Cheap but does its job. After a few tests, the Real Time Analyzer display is absolutely precise,

Small but nice, with an immense computing power for complex plug-ins. If you are looking for the typical UAD sound and need more computing power for your UAD unit, the UAD-2 Satellite Octo Core gives you a huge boost in performance.

If you need more computing power for the UAD plug-ins, you will get 8 Shark DSP processors with the Satellite extension and thus a lot of computing power for the UAD plug-ins. The Thunderbolt 3 system is also compatible with Thunderbolt 2. (A TB2> TB3 adapter is required)

The Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro (250 Ohm) studio headphone is a reliable and robust headphone that is great for recording drums & vocals. The frequency response is not linear and very bass-heavy. A headphone with "fun factor", but not intended as a reference headphone for mixing.

Apple's Logic X is still the ultimate DAW for the Apple Mac platform. Enormously powerful, with great features, lots of performance and first-class standard plug-ins.

The Luna Recording System is an ideal tool for all UAD hardware users. The "DAW" recording is constantly being updated and expanded, and it is also one of the best sounding DAWs at the moment.

The Yamaha Tyros 5 (76 Keys version) is a Yamaha Top Arranger Keyboard. With 128-voice polyphony and up to 2GB of sample flash ROM, the Tyros 5 is one of the top class Arranger keyboards. Meanwhile, he has received a worthy successor with the new Yamaha Genos, yet the Yamaha Tyros 5 remains an ultimate tool for the studio and the stage.

The Yamaha Tyros 1 (61 Keys) was the first model of the new Tyros model series from Yamaha. From 2001 the Arrangerkeyboard was produced, which for the first time had complex Multisamples (MEGA Voices) with different articulations. Unfortunately, Yamaha has removed the Sample Import / Sample Player feature on the first model and introduced it again to the successor model. The natural sounds were already very impressive, especially the new basses and guitars gave a completely new sound for an Arranger keyboard.

The Yamaha PSR 8000 was the top product of the Japanese keyboard scene in 1997. With a 64-voice polyphony and 16MB sampling capacity you could realize very interesting arrangements with the instrument.

The attempt to emulate the legendary sound of Roland Jupiter 8 has not led to the JP-8000 to success, but Roland has created a legend in the field of techno / trance scene. A fascinating synthesizer for modern music production.

The Wersi Atlantis SN3 was the top model of the Wersi CD series and is one of the last "real" Wersi organ series. Digital sound generation with analog components leads to this special (Made in Germany) sound. The tool of great artists like "Franz Lambert", "Curt Prina", "Claudia Hirschfeld" and many more.

Some features: Sound generation: DMS system Keyboard: OM and UM (splitable) with 44 keys each, velocity response, pedal with 13 keys (freely positionable) Polyphony: max. 20-voice Sounds: OM / UM 9-choir, 39 sounds (switchable to OM, UM and pedal), six Total Presets, 14 User Sounds Accompaniment automatic: Wersimatic CX 3 (freely programmable), Wersi-Chord Effects: Digital reverb with multi-level echo lengths and infinitely variable reverb, Wersi voice (Leslie), percussion, chorus, flanging, strain gage controls, transposer, pitch Mass storage: cassette drive Audio: line-out, headphones, tape, microphone input with separate controls for bass, treble, volume and reverb Connections: MIDI In / Out, RS 232 / V 24 (home computer interface), pedal and volume jack, power supply.

The legendary Roland D-50/550 is still a top tool for all sound fans of the 80s with a distinctive and distinctive sound.

The synthesizer is a bit forgotten, but still a powerful tool. I especially like it for its very own sound character.

The Beepstreet Sunrizer is a very special software synthesizer. The "JP-8000" emulation sounds very self-contained, but does not reach the typical sound of the JP-8000. The sound quality and, above all, the sound morphing make it a versatile tool.