Comments on: Micport Pro from CEntrance USB Micpre.

By: Larry S.

Larry S. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:06:13 +0000

MicPort not as good as higher end analog mic preamps? Check this out from Tom Phillips in Post:

“I set up a test comparing it [MicPort Pro] to a Grace Design 201 preamp recording into Cakewalk Sonar 6 on my PC, and then replayed the same parts using the same microphones fed through the MicPort Pro and Garage Band. For microphones I used a Neumann U87 (condenser) and a Coles 4038 (ribbon). In general, I would say that the MicPort Pro compared incredibly well. At times it was difficult to hear any difference at all.”

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:33:09 +0000

I agree Ableton is a game changer. I think anyone who really learned the program would use it full time even long time Pro-Tools users. I used Studio Vision when I was at college (Suny Purchase)… it’s funny how attached we get to software. I guess I’m a true nerd.

In a few days I am posting a screencast on that program Harmony Navigator also in the top 10 gift list. I think when people see it in action and then what it can produce brought into Ableton they will jump on it.

By the way on the subject of old sequencers this was a post I made about the ancient Dr. T’s KCS: http://www.wiretotheear.com/2007/12/11/dr-ts-kcs-keyboard-controlled-sequencer/

By: Chris Breen

Chris Breen — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:10:55 +0000

Thanks. I should mention that I’m not really the EiC of Macworld, just a Senior Editor (which is largely a glorified title for Writer).

Nice job putting Ableton Live on the Top 10 gifts list. God that’s an amazing program. I’m a Vision guy from way back and I haven’t had this much fun with a DAW since those Opcode days.

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 08:49:09 +0000

Hi Chris,

It’s great to have you visit wire to the ear! You do a superb job at Macworld. I am a long time subscriber and have been visiting the url since the MacCentral days. I think the new re-design is very nice too.

By: Chris Breen

Chris Breen — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 06:54:27 +0000

I particularly like the MicPort Pro for those situations where I need to record something on my laptop while on the road (a podcast or quick vocal, for example). Note that in the MacBreak Weekly episode cited above I’m using a really good mic — an old AKG 414 — so credit where it’s due.

By: Oliver Chesler

Oliver Chesler — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:56:54 +0000

Hi Eric, Yes it's good. If you listen to the episode of Macbreak Weekly focus on Chris Breen's voice. He is using it: click here Of course it is not a high end Micpre but for the price and portability its cool. You may know this but a compressor, gate and eq on the vocal will do wonders also.

By: eric

eric — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:48:45 +0000

and how is the sound quality? is it suitable for recording vocals?