June 30, 2023

First Look: Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

18 minutes

Podcasters, Musicians, Live Streamers – The Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation is a powerful tool for all content creators. At Geekazine, it’s replacing the audio interface I use in the studio. It’s really an all-in-one.

Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

$599.97

4 Channel Mixer

9 button Sampler Grid

Mac/PC compatible

Built in effects

About the Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

A 4-channel mixer with 10 built-in effects, and USB-C connectivity. The main inputs accept XLR or 1/4″ TRS plugs, for microphones or instruments.

The unit can connect computers and mobile devices via 1/8″ stereo input, and Bluetooth.

Key Chapters

00:48 Unboxing the Audio Workstation

01:42 First Look of the PC-02 (the tour)

03:10 Connections in the Back of the PC-02

06:01 Connecting the Microphone

06:53 First Look of Donner Connect Software

08:23 Adding Effects to a Channel

10:35 Checking out the 9×3 Sampler Grid

13:37 Pros and Cons – Donner PC-02

Outputs, Including Multiple Headphone Jacks

This is a plus for many podcasters. 4 separate headphone jacks with volume control for each person. It could also act as another output to a recorder or computer.

Other output options include the TRS balanced main outs, optical jack, 1/8″ line out, and USB-C to the computer.

10 Effects Available

Conditioning effects, such as Reverb, EQ, and Compression, to fun effects like Robot, Megaphone, and Autotune. Each effect can be applied to the individual channels – perfect for live performances.

9×3 Customizable Sampler Pads

Add in a soundboard for a podcast, or backing tracks for your music. You can even create easy on/off buttons for the voice changing effects through this 9 pad, 3 bank system.

Record, Stream, or Live Perform Through the PC-02

This device can be used as a stand-alone audio mixer. Connect up to powered amplifier for live concerts, or take it out to the park and record your original songs or shows. The unit does require a 12V power source.

Setting up Profiles

One of the fun things about this mixer is you can setup 3 profiles, then when you switch between them, the faders will move to the last known spot.

Check out Donner at NAMM
Check out RODE at NAB
Starter Drumset DED-80

Pros and Cons of the Donner PC-02

The interface is fairly straightforward, and they give you a guide card to navigate through the buttons.

Effects can be tricky to set up, especially since all controls are not on a single page. EQ needs more than 4 frequency points (I would like to see a 10 channel personally)

Setting up Sampler pads were a bit clunky. I couldn’t remove the effect pads in bank 2. When I imported sounds via the app, I had to do it 2-3 times to get them to stick.

As a Pro – side note on the buttons, I did like the fact I could truncate a sound, and it still remembered the whole audio file

As a con – audio files cannot contain spaces or other characters than “-” and “_” when importing.

Record option (especially for sampler pad) needs a 3-2-1 countdown before record. I can truncate ONLY if I send to the desktop.

Headphones are independent to main volume controls and I don’t see a way to mix for the headphone. Only option is volume up/down.

There are more than enough input channels, BUT fader E only controls the sound of the sampler pad. It would be nice if that could get reassigned by the user – especially since I’ll most likely have these effects pre-mixed.

Price and Availability

The PC-02 is normally $599, but at the time of this video, their website offers $100 off and free shipping. Go to Donnerdeals.com to get that.

Check out the Geekazine Merch, including "I AM AI " T-Shirt.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to Geekazine:

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Reviews: Geekazine gets products in to review. Opinions are of Geekazine.com. Sponsored content will be labeled as such. Read all policies on the Geekazine review page.

Reviews: Geekazine is also an affiliate of Amazon

The post First Look: Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation appeared first on Geekazine.

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By Jeffrey Powers

11 ratings

June 30, 2023

First Look: Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

18 minutes

Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

$599.97

4 Channel Mixer

9 button Sampler Grid

Mac/PC compatible

Built in effects

About the Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation

A 4-channel mixer with 10 built-in effects, and USB-C connectivity. The main inputs accept XLR or 1/4″ TRS plugs, for microphones or instruments.

The unit can connect computers and mobile devices via 1/8″ stereo input, and Bluetooth.

Key Chapters

00:48 Unboxing the Audio Workstation

01:42 First Look of the PC-02 (the tour)

03:10 Connections in the Back of the PC-02

06:01 Connecting the Microphone

06:53 First Look of Donner Connect Software

08:23 Adding Effects to a Channel

10:35 Checking out the 9×3 Sampler Grid

13:37 Pros and Cons – Donner PC-02

Outputs, Including Multiple Headphone Jacks

This is a plus for many podcasters. 4 separate headphone jacks with volume control for each person. It could also act as another output to a recorder or computer.

Other output options include the TRS balanced main outs, optical jack, 1/8″ line out, and USB-C to the computer.

10 Effects Available

Conditioning effects, such as Reverb, EQ, and Compression, to fun effects like Robot, Megaphone, and Autotune. Each effect can be applied to the individual channels – perfect for live performances.

9×3 Customizable Sampler Pads

Add in a soundboard for a podcast, or backing tracks for your music. You can even create easy on/off buttons for the voice changing effects through this 9 pad, 3 bank system.

Record, Stream, or Live Perform Through the PC-02

Setting up Profiles

One of the fun things about this mixer is you can setup 3 profiles, then when you switch between them, the faders will move to the last known spot.

Check out Donner at NAMM
Check out RODE at NAB
Starter Drumset DED-80

Pros and Cons of the Donner PC-02

The interface is fairly straightforward, and they give you a guide card to navigate through the buttons.

Effects can be tricky to set up, especially since all controls are not on a single page. EQ needs more than 4 frequency points (I would like to see a 10 channel personally)

Setting up Sampler pads were a bit clunky. I couldn’t remove the effect pads in bank 2. When I imported sounds via the app, I had to do it 2-3 times to get them to stick.

As a Pro – side note on the buttons, I did like the fact I could truncate a sound, and it still remembered the whole audio file

As a con – audio files cannot contain spaces or other characters than “-” and “_” when importing.

Record option (especially for sampler pad) needs a 3-2-1 countdown before record. I can truncate ONLY if I send to the desktop.

Headphones are independent to main volume controls and I don’t see a way to mix for the headphone. Only option is volume up/down.

Price and Availability

The PC-02 is normally $599, but at the time of this video, their website offers $100 off and free shipping. Go to Donnerdeals.com to get that.

Check out the Geekazine Merch, including "I AM AI " T-Shirt.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to Geekazine:

RSS Feed - YouTube
Twitter - Facebook

Tip Me via Paypal.me

Send a Tip via Venmo

RSS Bandwidth by Cachefly Get a 14 Day Trial

Be a Patreon: Part of the Sconnie Geek Nation!

Reviews: Geekazine gets products in to review. Opinions are of Geekazine.com. Sponsored content will be labeled as such. Read all policies on the Geekazine review page.

Reviews: Geekazine is also an affiliate of Amazon

The post First Look: Donner PC-02 Audio Workstation appeared first on Geekazine.

...more

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