Belkin TuneStudio Portable Digital Multitrack Recorder

by Belkin

Product Features

• uneStudio is an audio mixer that allows direct recording onto an iPod
• Four channels can be mixed simultaneously
• Records uncompressed WAV files directly to the iPod at 16-bit, 44khz
• Each channel has controls for 3-band EQ and pan and level
• Compact and rugged design makes it easy to transport

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 13.1 x 6 inches ; 4.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ZMZ8QE
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: F8Z109
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,976 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #78 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Portable Recorders

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Manufacturer's Review (December 2, 2008)
The Belkin TuneStudio is a unique four-channel mixer that lets you create high-quality digital recordings directly onto an iPod. This mixer allows the input of up to four different instruments or audio sources, and it records the audio onto your iPod for instant playback. With a compact but rugged design, TuneStudio is ideal for musicians who need an economical, compact mixer that can withstand the rigors of the road.

The Belkin TuneStudio offers: Four-channel audio mixer. Direct recording onto an iPod at 16-bit 44kHz quality in uncompressed WAV format. 3-band EQ and pan and level controls for each channel. Portable and rugged design.

The Belkin TuneStudio is a unique audio mixer that lets you create high-quality digital recordings directly onto an iPod.

The TuneStudio lets you record directly onto an iPod. View larger.

A view of the control panel. Larger schematic view.

A High-Quality Four-Channel Mixer
The first of its kind, the TuneStudio is a four-channel mixer allowing for digital recordings made directly onto an iPod at 16-bit 44 kHz quality in uncompressed WAV format for crystal clear audio. Recorded items can be played back instantly. Audio is streamed though the built-in USB interface to and from a PC or Mac. TuneStudio also works as an external sound card, allowing input and output of audio to a PC from its connectors.

Each channel has a 3-band EQ and pan and level controls. High-quality phantom-power-enabled XLR inputs provide up to 60 dB of microphone gain and a high-quality stereo compressor with makeup gain enhances audio dynamics and keeps audio levels within the recording limits of the iPod. Compression is controlled by a single knob. The TuneStudio features LEDs to indicate master audio level, power status, peak indications, and compression.

Record Jam Sessions While on Tour
The TuneStudio is compact and rugged, making it ideal for bands on tour as it can withstand life on the road. Jam sessions can be easily recorded by simply attaching instruments and microphones to the TuneStudio.

For those interested in a more portable recording solution, such as for interviews, the Belkin GoStudio also provides high-quality uncompressed recording directly onto the iPod.

The TuneStudio is currently compatible with:

iPod classic, 80GB and 160GB iPod nano (3rd generation), 4GB and 8GB iPod 5th generation (video), 30GB, 60GB, and 80GB iPod nano (2nd generation, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB

What's in the Box
TuneStudio, power supply, owner's manual, Cakewalk Music Creator LE Software, 3.5mm to 1/4-inch headphone adapter, and iPod adapter insert.

Product Description

4-channel audio mixer creates digital recording directly onto an iPod Input up to 4 different instruments or audio sources-records audio for instant playback on your iPod Podcasters can use this device to record shows in the studio or on location Compatible with iPod 5G with video classic and nano 2G 3GEach channel is equipped with 3-band EQ pan and level controls Phantom-power enabled XLR inputs provide up to 60dB of microphone gainStreams audio through built-in USB interface to and from a PC or Mac

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mixer/recorder - Easy to use & Good Sound Quality, May 14, 2008

By 

N. Schweitzer (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin TuneStudio Portable Digital Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

I was in the market for a cheap recording device that would let me record some conversations between two people, keeping each person's voice contained to a separate track. I also wanted something that would let me use XLR mics and would provide phantom power. I went to several stores and looked at several field recorders (from Sony, Tascam, Edriol & MAudio) and some desktop digital multi-track recorders (Tascam, Fostex & Boss).

However, I then came across this little mixer/recorder from Belkin, costing several hundred dollars less than the other devices I had been looking at. I already had an iPod that will work with the Belkin recorder, so I figured I would give it a try.

I was immediately very impressed with the quality and design of the device. As it happened, I was running late to my first recording session, so I didn't have time to work with the Belkin before I had to use it for real. Fortunately, the Belkin was extremely simple to use. The controls are intuitive, and the mixing board is well-designed and easy to read. (I should mention that several of the other recorders that I looked at were extremely difficult to use, with lots of menus and settings that didn't make sense.)

I then downloaded my recordings and started working with the audio. The audio is recorded as uncompressed WAV files at 1411Kb/s. The sound quality was excellent. There was no hum/hiss from the board, the control knobs did not create any noise when adjusted, and the on-board compressor did its job (there is an adjustable compressor that will keep the audio within the limits of iPod's recording capabilities).

Although I think I will still get a field recorder for true portability, the Belkin works wonderfully as a desktop mixer/recorder.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars quality recording - not fully compatible with ipod classic, June 16, 2008

By 

Audio Maven (Another time and place) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Belkin TuneStudio Portable Digital Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

Got this to do recordings without having to interface with computer. Does a good job of getting what you're singing/playing to digital audio. Easy to sync with itunes and then edit on your computer. So you still need a computer to edit your audio. Unavoidable unless you can hit record button, not make any extraneous noises and start playing, singing immediately. Also the file is saved on your ipod as wav file so it would need a computer anyway to be converted to mp3 which takes up much less space than a wav file. Also it is not a multitrack recorder. The 4 inputs are mixed together into one stereo track. The unit does require external power supply which comes in the package.

Didn't find out til I bought this that the recording button featured as being an ease-of-use feature of this unit doesn't work with the ipod classic. It's not a deal breaker but why don't they get it working or at least mention that it only works with 5th generation units? If you are releasing a product to record on ipods, you'd think it be fully working on current generation units.

Update - found that when using condenser mic with phantom power, I was getting some buzzing noise in one channel. I only used this 4-5 times, now I'm sending it back. I did like the mixer part of the unit and the compressor. It did make make good sounding recordings before the buzz started. And it was easy to get the recordings into the computer for editing as it was just syncing the ipod. I might purchase another in the future.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great four-channel gig recorder, April 4, 2009

By 

Mel Beckman (Oxnard not just a pretty name, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belkin TuneStudio Portable Digital Multitrack Recorder (Electronics)

I've been recording four-instrument live performances with my MacBook Pro and Logic Express for a couple of years, using an M-audio FastTrack Pro 4 and a Behringer 802 mixer. Great control, but it was a lot of stuff to set up and get cabled, and goofing with the trackpad and on-screen controls was always a little tedious. And then exporting tracks to get iPod or CD rips was an extra post-production task.

The Belkin TuneStudio changes all that. A single box I can take to the gig, patch into the house audio or our own mics, and record everything without messing with a Powerbook perched precariously on a music stand putting out a ton of ghostly screen backlight. The TuneStudio is way more convenient, and although the recording quality drops from 24-bit 96 KHz to 16-bit 48 KHz, that's plenty good enough for cutting CDs or iPod listening. (In fact, I can't tell the difference, which makes me wonder if the M-Audio was really giving me 24-bit).

The build-quality is pretty nice for a box this cheap -- a step up from the fit and finish of the Behringer and way cleaner audio than I was getting from the Behringer/M-audio combo. Pots are smooth but with minor fuzzing during motion -- common in low-end mixers. The compressor is just plain wonderful -- it's great at preventing distortion yet affects overall ambience very little. Separate headphone and monitor volumes are super convenient too for live work.

I haven't tried this hooked to a Mac yet, but I don't intend to use it that way normally. It's just refreshing to pull this one box out of a gig bag, plug in the inputs, and hit Record at the start of each set. Capacity will never be an issue -- the 30GB 5G iPod I'm using holds 400 hours. Post gig I sync the thing with my Mac and it slurps the tracks into iTunes, where I can easily slice, dice, and burn to disk -- or push to a web site or whatever. Way more convenient than Logic.

A few minor glitches: the "standby/recording" lights are three glaring white LEDs that I had to cover with black electrical tape (through which they shine with no problem but at least they're not so overpowering in subdued stage lighting). A couple of the knobs' center detents are off a notch. And as others have reported, the TuneStudio records only two tracks, despite having four inputs -- even when connecting to a Mac via USB.

For studio work I'll still use Logic, but my Macbook and its cable snarling interface entourage stays home from now on!