Mobile Recording Just Got Better with Roland Go:Mixer

Roland came up with an exciting recording device designed for portable recording using your mobile phone (Android or iOS). It's the Roland G:Mixer.

It's a pam-sized mixer/audio interface for connecting microphones, guitars, or other line-level instruments for your mobile devices and tablets. You can also use it on your laptop or desktop computer via USB.

For more info, visit the Roland website:
https://www.roland.com/us/products/gomixer/

Downgrade From MacOS Sierra to Yosemite

Last week, I was compelled to upgrade my system from Mac OS X Mavericks to MacOS Sierra because most of my new hardware and software no longer supports older operating system. It was also my opportunity to tidy things up on my computer, a fresh install would make my laptop faster and like new.

After I finished installing and running MacOS Sierra, I immediately installed Propellerhead Reason 8, Ableton Live Lite, and Native Instruments Maschine with Komplete Selection.

I also checked right away if my new audio interface, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) will be detected and easily configured on the audio input/output settings of my DAW. It turns out that I have to put up an aggregate audio device so that the record/line input form my soundcard can be used on Reason 8 and Ableton Live. I had difficulty recording guitar tracks and bass parts using real music instruments. I also noticed latency problems and the operating system hogs a lot of my RAM and CPU.

So, I decided to do another reformat. I installed Mac OS X Yosemite instead of Mavericks, the newer system meets the minimum system requirements of my music applications.

I might upgrade to a newer operating system in the future if my laptop will be upgraded with SSD hard drive and additional memory modules. MacOS Sierra seems to run flawlessly on faster laptops or newer machines. For now, I'll stick to what works best for me.

Ableton Live Lite: Taking The Challenge With Its Limitations

I just finished re-installing MacOS Sierra on my computer. Did a clean install. I am already in the phase of installing all of my music software and virtual instruments.

I am considering installing Ableton Live Lite (version 9) and see if I will be able to produce, arrange, sequence, and mix and entire song using the Lite version.

Ableton Live Lite has a limit of 8 tracks (audio and midi combined), and 8 scenes per project. It will be very limiting if you are producing electronic music tracks or other genres. But for producing a rock or metal song, it seems that the Lite version will get the job done.