Yamaha Home Theater
CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 08/22/2008
- Released on: 09/01/2008
If you're a musician, amateur podcaster, or college student looking for a way to capture CD-quality recordings on your iPod, the Belkin GoStudio is an all-purpose solution with some impressive bells and whistles. The GoStudio is not without its flaws, but at $120 you're likely to take its shortcomings with a grain of salt.
Design
The Belkin GoStudio's relatively professional features and thoughtful design lay in contrast to its toylike construction quality. Fortunately, placing your iPod in the GoStudio's dock lends the accessory some classiness and reassuring heft. Molded dock inserts are included to provide a snug fit for your fifth-generation iPod, iPod Classic, or third-generation iPod Nano.
The GoStudio measures 4 inches wide by 2 inches tall by 7 inches long, making it small enough to hold in one hand, yet too large to fit in your pocket. The large dial on the face of the GoStudio provides a simple way to adjust recording input levels, which are indicated by dual LED meters above the dial. Around the GoStudio's main dial you'll find various switches for channel gain type (high, low, auto, off), mono/stereo modes, limiter activation, low-cut filter, and input source (internal mic, XLR/TRS input, 3.5mm input). A smaller dial for headphone volume is located near the bottom edge of the GoStudio, along with a 3.5mm headphone input, a power switch, and a built-in speaker.
If the GoStudio has one feature worth fussing about, it's the pair of professional XLR and 1/4-inch audio jacks located on the top edge of the device. The capability to directly record from an external microphone or mixing board over a XLR or 1/4-inch connection without needing bulky, awkward cable adapters is a feat few portable recorders can brag about in this price range. Connections for DC power (adapter not included) and 3.5mm stereo line input are also included on the top edge of the GoStudio.
For those moments when professional external microphones are overkill, a pair of omnidirectional condenser microphones are set into the sides of the GoStudio, which rotate 90 degrees to face forward or backward. The bottom of the GoStudio contains a battery compartment and tripod mount.
Features
The Belkin GoStudio includes a breathtaking array of features compared with most recording accessories made for the iPod. When held up to a standalone portable recorder such as the Zoom H2, however, the GoStudio is relatively crude.
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