Mac and Music News

Lexicon Pro has announced the MX400 & MX400XL Dual Stereo / Surround Reverb Processors. These new single rack-space, 4-in, 4-out units combine an intuitive front-panel design with Lexicon's Hardware Plug-In technology, a unique USB connection and VST/AU interface for use with software recording platforms. Featuring a wide array of reverb algorithms, delays, effects and dbx dynamics, the MX400 series is equally suited for the home studio or live use. The USB "Hardware Plug-In" format allows users to have complete plug-in control over their MX400 within any VST or Audio Units software environment, enabling users to control all automation and recall parameters exactly as they would with any software plug-in. While MX400 provides TRS balanced I/O and MX400XL XLR I/O, both products offer 4 channel surround algorithms.
The MX400 will be available at an estimated street price of $499.95 and the MX400XL will have an estimated street price $549.95.
More details on Lexicon's website.

U-he has released the long-awaited version 2.0 of Zebra. Zebra 2 offers many different types of synthesis (subtractive, additive, FM) and sound manipulation options, and you can mix them up in any way you choose. For instance, you can easily combine additive synthesis with phase distortion and frequency modulation. Or you can recreate the structure of your favourite analogue synthesizer. All this is done in an intuitive drag-and-drop fashion, without cluttering the user interface with cables.

Features:

* Modular architecture with up to: 4 oscillators, 4 dedicated FM oscillators, 4 filters (19 types), 4 VCA/pan, comb filters, wave-shapers, ring-modulators, noise-generators for each voice -- 24 audio modules, 28 modulation sources, thousands of parameters to tweak; accessible via an i ...

As you have probably noticed, there are lots of things going on at Sonalksis these days. Today Sonalksis released the Universal Binary versions of their plug-in range SV-315/SV-517 and Multiband Dynamics CQ1/DQ1. So now all your favourite Sonalksis plug-ins including the great filters TBK1 and TBK2 are available for Intel based Macs. With this latest release some technical improvements have been made as well; the VST versions now support double-precision floating point I/O on PC and Mac.

All existing Sonalksis customers can upgrade their plugins to "IntelMac Universal Binary" FREE of charge by simply logging in to the Sonalksis user area. The new Universal Binary evaluations can be downloaded from :

Built on its KM series of miniature microphones Neumann has announced the introduction of three new digital models with integrated DSP. The modular KM 183 D, KM 184 D and KM 185 D combine omnidirectional, cardioid and supercardioid capsules with the KM D output stage to offer three different directional characteristics. The integrated DSP functions - including gain, a compressor/limiter with de-esser and a peak limiter - can be configured and controlled remotely via the DMI-2 digital microphone interface and the RCS remote control software. The fully digital system permits the peak limiter to operate across the entire available dynamic range even in stressful recording situations.
For more information see Neumann's website.

Rupert Neve Designs has announced the 5088 console which incorporates custom-designed input and output transformers and is expandable in 16-channel sections (allowing for 32, 48, 64 or more channels). All input channels offer bus/line/tape input selections, transformer-coupled direct outputs, eight mix busses and eight auxiliary sends, and 100mm faders. The monitor/master section includes four stereo effects returns, switchable selection of three control room monitor outputs, six monitor sources, AFL/PFL solo modes, as well as talkback and oscillator functions, and 100mm stereo master faders.
For more information see the Rupert Neve Designs website.

Universal Audio has partnered with original Euphonix founders Scott and Rob to design a new line of DAW "expansion & enhancement" products under the Desktop Console System (DCS) family brand. The first two products in the DCS series (the Remote Pre & Monitor Master) combine a base station with a DCS-Link connected remote that puts every control within direct proximity to the user in a convenient remote format.

Key Features Of DCS Remote Preamp (Dual Pre & Cue Mixer):

- Dual Mono Or Stereo transimpedance Mic Pre/DI
- Mid-Side (MS) Recording with decoded monitoring
- Headphone amp with 3x Cue mix, Reverb & EQ
- Digitally controlled analog signal path via DCS-Link
- Remote up to 300′ from base station via CAT-5 cable

Key Features Of DCS Monitor Master (Speaker & Cue Contro ...

Developed by the Digidesign Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group, Velvet is a new RTAS instrument plug-in that delivers highly realistic emulations of your favorite electric pianos—from classic to modern—to your Pro Tools system. Velvet accurately emulates the nuances of the original instruments, both in sound quality and playing feel, and is based on four legendary electric pianos—the Fender Rhodes Suitcase, Fender Rhodes MK I and MK II Stage Pianos, and Wurlitzer A200.
Velvet will be available soon for $249 US MSRP.

For more information, visit Digidesign's website.

The latest version of the USB 2.0 Mac OS X Universal Binary drivers for the UA-101 and the UA-1000 audio interfaces are currently available for download on Edirol website.

Native Instruments has announced Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition, a software-only version of its digital guitar studio based on the upcoming 2.2 version of the Guitar Rig software, which will offer three additional components and will also include support for Intel-based Macintosh computers. This version offers the full functionality of the software without any limitations, with only the Rig Kontrol pedal remaining exclusive to the standard Guitar Rig 2 package.
Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition will be available in November 2006 for a suggested retail price of $339 / €299 from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

Tascam has announced its first condenser microphone, the LD-74. Designed by MXL, the LD-74 features a 1" gold-sputtered diaphragm, FET preamp, brass construction and a heavy-duty mic clip for attaching to a stand. This microphone is going to be available separately, or as part of the new TNT Bundle (a package containing the US-122L audio/MIDI interface, the LD-74 microphone and 48-track Cubase LE software) for a street price under $200.

ReKon audio has released VST Virus A Editor v1.1, a VSTi plug-in that offers advanced control of the Access Virus A hardware synthesizer from directly within your VST host application, including patch management and automation of all parameters.
reKon audio will also be releasing versions for the Virus B and C models, which will also support the Virus Rack and Rack XL models.

VST Virus A Editor is available for Windows and Mac OS X and costs $49.95. Demo versions will be available soon.