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Product summary
The good: The M-Audio Session Music Producer is an inexpensive, Mac/PC-compatible home recording package that includes a high-quality microphone and easy-to-use software.
The bad: The M-Audio Session Music Producer microphone can only be connected over USB, and the included desktop microphone stand does not isolate against noise very well. The included PC-only software will only work when the microphone is connected and does not export MP3 files.
The bottom line: The M-Audio Session Music Producer is an affordable, computer-based recording solution that is ideally suited for recording singing and spoken performances such as podcasts.
Price range: $99.99 check prices
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 11/08/2007
- Released on: 09/28/2007
Diving into the world of computer-based recording can be a scary and intimidating proposition, especially if you're simply looking for a basic way to record your voice. The Session Music Producer package ($99) is a one-stop solution for recording, editing, and producing recordings using an included microphone. While the microphone and software bundled in the Session Music Producer package are at the bottom end of professional grade, it is an exceptional value for podcasters, budding musicians, and voice-over actors. Beyond the appeal of its budget price tag, the Session Music Producer package is also a uniquely streamlined portable recording solution that combines a computer audio interface and a cardioid-type condenser microphone into a single, compact device.
Hardware
While M-Audio trumpets the quality of the included software and hardware equally, the real value of the Session Music Producer is the microphone. The Producer microphone measures 7.5 inches long and 2 inches wide. A desktop tripod stand is also included in the Session Music Producer package, which raises the microphone by 7 inches for better placement in front of your yapping maw. We found the stand to be convenient, but not very effective for isolating the microphone from the occasional rattle from the desk it was placed on.
Two things distinguish the Producer microphone from more conventional condenser microphones. First off, the Producer works strictly over USB. The benefit of the Producer's single USB connection is that it makes operating and connecting the microphone dead-simple. The downside is that if you ever end up upgrading to a more conventional recording studio, you will not be able to plug the Producer microphone into an analog mixing desk or microphone preamp. Luckily, the USB hardware built into the Producer microphone is both Mac and PC compatible, so at least you don't have to worry about a computer upgrade making your microphone obsolete.
The second distinguishing feature on M-Audio's Producer microphone is a built-in headphone jack located on the front. Because your computer recognizes the USB-connected Producer microphone as both an audio input and output, you can use the microphone's headphone jack to monitor your recording directly. The benefit of monitoring your recording through the Producer microphone, rather than listening through your computer's headphone jack, is the low-latency technology used by M-Audio to prevent the annoying audio delays commonly found in consumer audio cards.
Software
Along with the microphone, the Session Music Producer package also comes with an installation disc for their PC-only Session recording software (Mac users are encouraged to use Garage Band). Session is more of a music composition tool than a basic multitrack audio-editing program. Users looking for a quick way to knock out podcast recordings might have an easier time in a no-frills application like Audacity. Musicians, however, will prefer Sessions' built-in library of preset instruments and audio loops that allow songs to be constructed with a paint-by-numbers simplicity reminiscent of Apple's Mac-only Garage Band. From a podcasting perspective, one feature of the Session software we appreciated is the ability to quickly apply common vocal effects such as compression and chorus to a recording by simply selecting the desired effect preset from the track's drop-down menu.
One of the Session software's biggest drawbacks is its inability to export MP3 files. Instead, Session users must export their recording as either a WAV or WMA file, requiring a second application if conversion to MP3 is desired. The most criminal drawback of the Session software, however, is that it requires the Producer microphone to be connected in order for the software to boot up. If you plan on using the Session software to record at home and edit the recording on the go, you better plan on bringing the Producer microphone with you as a ridiculously large security dongle.
Final thoughts
The M-Audio Session Music Producer provides an extremely affordable entry point for people looking for an easy way to make reasonably high-quality recordings for singing, speaking, or acoustic instrument performance. Without an analog connection, however, the Producer microphone is not a piece of equipment you can really grow with if you ever plan on building up a full-fledged production studio.
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- USB
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