Control, record MIDI, digital, analog instruments

Roland U.S. is now shipping three new products to assist customers who need inexpensive stereo audio interfaces for recording analog instruments, as well as interface MIDI digital instruments to a desktop or notebook computer. The Tri-Capture UA-33 and Duo-Capture UA-11 USB audio interfaces that offer multiple connections and form factors, while the UM-One USB Midi interface offers a super-compact cable for controlling or recording MIDI devices.

The Tri-Capture UA-33 is a USB-powered interface with an XLR mic input (with phantom power), a 1/4th-inch input with Hi-Z switch intended for guitars, and a stereo AUX input with its own volume control. Output to the computer is handled through 1/4th-inch TRS jacks along with a headphone jack. The unit offers three recording modes (mic/guitar, all imputs or Loop Back for web streaming apps), and can record and play back 24-bit audio with sample rates up to 96 kHz. The unit sells for $159 and includes drives for both Mac and Windows computers. Cakewalk's Sonar X1 LE is bundled for Windows users.

The Duo-Capture UA-11 is a smaller unit intended for on-the-go use with laptops. It sports a 1/4th-inch mic/guitar input with impedence selector as well as a 1/8th-inch stereo input. Output offers both 1/8th-inch and 1/4th-inch headphone outputs, which are available simultaneously. Entirely USB-powered, the unit also has separate input and output volume controls and sells for $90.

Roland's UM-One is a bus-powered MIDI interface with one input and one output, featuring LED indicators for I/O signal monitoring and high-performance FPT processing for tighter clock timing and low latency. It's intended for use with hobbyists who want to connect a MIDI keyboard or other device directly to a computer. It can be used to record the MIDI device, or as a way to control a synth, drum machine, MIDI light set-up, master recording console or other devices. It sells for $50.

by MacNN Staff