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Driver version 1.1.0 (for Windows 7 and Windows 8) This release of the Balance audio driver is for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users only. Changes from 1.0.24: Added an ASIO control panel so that the buffer size can be changed in ASIO clients other than Reason. Minor stability fixes. Driver upgrade instructions: Disconnect the Balance unit. Propellerhead has announced that Figure is now available for Windows 10 PCs, tablets and phones. Previously only available on iOS but with a path to work on Figure creations in Reason, its a major shift, and perhaps signals amongst the first app developers to buy into the Windows 10 everywhere concept. Oct 31, 2012 2. How to use DriverMax to install Propellerhead Propellerhead Balance driver The most important advantage of using DriverMax is that it will setup the driver for you in just a few seconds and it will keep each driver up to date. If your a Reason user, or looking for a good hassle free audio interface I highly recommend Balance. It is pretty much a plug and play experience if you use OSX, and when on PC you just need to install some drivers from propellerheads. Before buying balance please be aware that it has problems with USB 3.0 ports, so do your research before buying!

Propellerhead has been releasing excellent software for years now and they have finally ventured into the hardware market. Balance is a full-featured USB audio interface and comes bundled with the Reason Essentials package.

So has this transition from the virtual to the physical been a success? I was lucky enough to get one of these sent through and have put it through its paces. Here's what I discovered...

First Impressions

As with everything produced by Propellerhead, Balance is very well conceived. Its purpose is clear and the whole concept is very uncluttered, leaving potential users with no question. If you are after an audio interface that works perfectly with Reason 6 then Balance is the clear choice.

The packaging is equally slick and is very compact for a desktop interface. In fact the un-boxing took me back to the last Apple product I unwrapped, certainly not a bad thing considering this is the first piece of hardware the company has shipped.

The packaging is pretty slick

Once out of the box I was presented with a very good looking, almost monolithic piece of kit with very minimal controls and an unusual form factor. There's no question that this will look very nice on the majority of desktops.

The packaging continues to impress

The control layout immediately strikes you as being very well thought out, everything is perfectly logical and I was immediately taken by the oversized volume controls. There is nothing worse than interfaces with fiddly volume controls.

A simple, monolithic slab of audio goodness!

The rest of the surface is populated by clearly labelled buttons to select recording inputs and a few more smaller knobs which take care of recording levels. The whole thing is finished in a rubberized black plastic which gives the whole thing a very nice feel and should keep the fingerprints at bay.

So what about connectivity, how does this thing work and how many instruments can we plug in?

The Ins And Outs Of It...

Balance is a two in, two out USB2 interface. Essentially this means that it is capable of recording two mono audio streams whilst outputting your stereo mix to your monitors simultaneously. Although this isn't hugely impressive in itself, Balance does have a few tricks up its sleeves to make sure it competes with interfaces with more impressive specs.

The way Balance is able to punch above its weight becomes apparent when you view the rear of the unit: it actually sports ten audio connections on its rear panel, plus a USB port. Instruments, record decks and devices can be plugged into any amount of these inputs at any one time.

Balance's many inputs

The input you record is then selected via the buttons on Balance's front panel. This is extremely useful as it not only means you can avoid constant unplugging of instruments but it also negates the need for an external mixer.

Amongst the inputs are two microphone preamps (of very good quality, I might add) and both of these feature 48V phantom power. This is ideal for setting up stereo microphone arrays and capturing an ideal room, for example.

Let's face it: in many home studio situations we only ever record one instrument at a time anyway, so this system can work very well indeed. If you are using guitars, vocals, bass, etc. you can actually record one microphone and one instrument at the same time. So in the end you shouldn't find this set up too limiting.

Perfect Integration

One area where Balance really scores points is the way it integrates with Reason itself. You wont find any complicated control panels or accompanying software here. Balance simply installs by being plugged in (on an OS X-based system) or with a simple driver installation (on Windows systems).

Although the Balance system works best with Reason, it is a class compliant interface meaning it will work with every audio application on your system. I tested it with Logic, Cubase and Ableton Live and it ran without a hitch.

When using Balance with Reason you get quick and direct access to all the ins and outs as you would expect but you also get access to a few extra features. A multi-purpose display panel can be called up from the interface's front panel which performs a few very useful tasks.

The main section of the panel gives you a giant input level meter, perfect for recording sessions. A quick glance gives you a great idea of your current recording level. If you do manage to go over you can engage 'clip safe', a system which enables a sort of soft limiter to ensure your recordings are useable.

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The oversized level meter and guitar tuner

This large meter can also double up as a very good guitar tuner. This is all really great stuff, just a shame it's only accessible when using Balance from within Reason itself.

In The Balance

All in all Balance is an extremely attractive interface with all the right buttons in all the right places. Both its output and recordings sounded excellent to my ear (using Dynaudio and Genelec speakers in a treated room) and the design is very cool.

You also get a copy of Reason Essentials bundled with the interface which is basically a stripped down version of Reason 6 and gives you everything you need to get going. You will also get a special offer upgrade to the full version if you want it. As one of the Props wisely said: 'Reason Essentials is everything you need, Reason 6 is everything you want.'

The Reason Essentials package

The whole package is thoughtfully put together and should cater to a wide range of musicians. And, the fact that Balance works with just about any piece of audio software out there is a definite plus.

If I had to pick faults here I would say that the lack of metering on the unit is a bit of a disappointment and although you can monitor your inputs directly, a mix knob would have been nice. Other units at this price point do have these features.

That aside I have to say this is an excellent product and the fact it is the Props' first piece of hardware is very impressive to say the least. They seem to have struck a nice '˜balance' between form and function (Sorry I couldn't help myself!).

Find out more about Balance here.

Works perfectly well for me. Post Mon Apr 24, 9: Safe to say, it has become a vital and loved addition to my studio, I have never encountered a problem with it. Musicians no longer have to worry about losing a great recording because gain levels were too high, and can stay focused on creating that goose bump evoking performance. Post Sun Apr 23, 9:

Propellerhead Balance USB Audio Interface

It was bundled with software that the majority of the people who would-be or were interested in buying the product already owned. Post Sun Apr 23, 4: Post Sun Apr 23, 5: Aside from that, Balance has no functional advantages over a multichannel audio interface. Post Sun Apr 23, Post Sun Apr 23, 6: Anyone still recommend them? It was sold with Reason Essentials bundled with it. Propellerhead Releases Free Reason By using our websites you consent to this in accordance with the cookie section in our Privacy Policy.

Questions, answers, ideas, and opinions Post Sat Apr 22, 9: This forum is for discussing Propellerhead’s music software.

Is Propellerheads Balance still worth it? –

I have it, I probably got the last line of them before it was disconnected. Post Sun Apr 23, 2: Works perfectly well for me. Post Sun Apr 23, 7: Safe to say, it has become a vital and loved addition to my studio, I have never encountered a problem with it.

Validity Sensor For Windows 10

I have had it for about 2 – 3 years now and using the latest version of Reason. Post Mon Apr 24, 9: I wanted it so bad. It will blow your socks off.

The product itself has a notable failure rating as well as not being designed to exist with Win10 or any other new OS for any platform as its, yup, not supported any longer. Integration with Propellerhead products goes further.

I second the Focusrite recommendation. Technologies such ballance ReWire and the REX file format are de-facto industry standards, implemented in all major music software.

It was sold with Reason Essentials bundled with it For online press releases, high-resolution images and other media resources, please go to https: For me it is still working perfectly. Fully USB 2 powered with separate volume controls for monitors and headphones, it contains 8 input propellerheaf to keep all instruments, mics and devices connected and ready to record with the press of a button—without software pop-ups or control panels.

Post Sat Apr 22, There is a character limit. However in my experience aside from recording to tape I’ve never had to record audio at a level where coming close to clipping is ever necessary.

Propellerhead Balance USB Audio Interface | eBay

Didn’t even cross my mind. More information on Reason Essentials with Balance can be found here: I thought the clip gain function was cool when it came out.

They were spending time concerned with issues other than music making—riddled in installing software, managing cables, setting up control panels, setting gain levels, tweaking recording parameters, and more.