Audio News

Shure has just released two of its first USB audio devices, the USB Mic and XLR-to-USB adapter at the NAMM show. These audio devices incorporate two studio style microphones and an XLR-to-USB signal adapter. The two side-address condenser microphones are PG27USB and PG42USB that support Plug n Play USB connection and the signal adapter is named X2u. It features a USB interface on one side and an XLR connector on the other.

You can easily interface a low-impedance professional microphone to a computer. Both the microphones and signal adapter offer zero-latency headphone monitoring and monitor mix control. You can use the X2u signal adapter with Windows XP/Vista/2000 and Mac OS X operating systems. The best thing is that it does not require any external drivers for you to connect to an XLR device like the  Shure WH20 XLR microphone headset. An integrated preamp with input gain control is also included. Apart from this a 1/8in headphone jack and monitor mix control are also provided to enable monitoring and bending the mic output.

The PG27USB and PG27 (the XLR one) are optimised for accurate reproduction of musical instruments. Corresponding to this, the PG42USB and PG42 produce excellent lead vocals. Both the products have large diaphragm capsules and integrated preamp with gain control. The USB-compatible recording microphones and the adapter are scheduled to hit the market this spring.