Mac and Music News

Ohm Force has announced the imminent release of its latest creation, Ohmicide:Melohman, in February.
Based on Predatohm's design, Ohmicide:Melohman is organized around up to four frequency bands, each of them coming with their own Noise Gate, Dynamic, Distortion, Feedback Generator and all mixing abilities with just a twist of pre- and post-processing (distort input, high shelf output...). But the DSP is 100% different from Predatohm: the compressor/expander works differently to fit well with both the very sharp Noise Gate and the huge amount of new distortions which are declined in three variations: normal, ampsim and odd. The "Odd" one gives you control over the harmonics frequency and allows for slightly detuned distortion.
Last but not least, Ohm Force has added a disto type that w ...

M-Audio has announced the KikAxxe from Way Out Ware, an emulation of the classic ARP Axxe synthesizer.

Features :

- authentic emulation of ARP Axxe > vintage 70s sound
- 16-step, analog-style sequencer > ideal for bass lines
- integral sample-based drums > classic drum machine sound
- easy and advanced modes > simple presets or powerful programming
- integral tape-based delay emulation > great for leads and effects
- stand-alone, RTAS, VST and AU support

KikAxxe will be available for Mac OS X (UB) at a retail price of $69.95.

TC-Helicon has announced that a plugin version of its realistic multi voice doubling and detuning processor, VoiceDoubler, will soon be available for the PowerCore and Pro ToolsHD platforms.

For more information, please visit TC-Helicon web site.

CME has announced the latest additions to the UF series: the new UF 50, 60, 70, and 80 with new MIDI features including a built-in USB plug and play interface, a MIDI in added to the expansion slot, and even a built-in full duplex wireless MIDI interface with error detection and 262 ft range. This wireless interface can be used with CME's WIDI wireless MIDI line of products for wireless connection of MIDI devices, remote control, and computer interfacing.

Specifications :

- 49, 61, or 76 key semi-weighted action keyboard with aftertouch (UF50 / 60 / 70)
- 88-key hammer-action weighted keyboard with aftertouch (UF80)
- Built-in duplex wireless MIDI interface
- Over 20 user template, non-volatile memories
- 8 assignable control knobs with preset functions
- 9 assignable cont ...

Roland has announced the V-Synth GT Synthesizer. By integrating a new dual core V-Synth engine, the V-Synth GT can combine Elastic Audio Synthesis, Vocal Designer Technology and AP Synthesis in real time. Roland's proprietary VariPhrase technology is also integrated into the V-Synth GT.

Features :

- Multiple forms of advanced synthesis under the control of a friendly, icon-driven interface
- lNew AP (Articulative Phrase) SYNTHESIS technology models the performance behavior and nuance of musical instruments
- Includes Roland's proprietary Elastic Audio Synthesis engine plus Vocal Designer, playable simultaneously
- Sound Shaper II offers incredibly easy and efficient user programming
- Futuristic, high-quality industrial design
- Color touch-screen display with wide viewing angle

For more information, visit Roland's web site.

Ueberschall has announced the availability of their 7th Liquid Instrument, Liquid Trumpet, a plugin for real-feel trumpets.

Features:

- Control audio material as simply as MIDI data
- Change notes within the phrase
- Adapt tempo and key
- Select from a wide range of musical scales
- Control all parameters in realtime
- Pre-screening with adapted pitch and tempo
- Easily generate your individual setup
- High quality Melodyne technology
- Multiple content management
- Edit start and ending
- Quick sound browser
- All parameters MIDI controllable
- Save audio of original and modified loops
- Export to MIDI
- Sync to host
- Great bandwidth of styles
- Highest quality recording equipment

Liquid Trumpet is available for $199.95 in RTAS, VST, Audio Units and StandAlone versions.

Mackie has announced the Mackie Control Pro control surface series, the next generation of the Mackie Control Universal line of controllers. Comprising Mackie Control Universal Pro, Mackie Control Extender Pro and Mackie Control C4 Pro, Mackie Control Pro series controllers are designed to seamlessly work together to deliver ultimate hands-on control of mix and plug-in parameters, thereby making the user's music production software complete.

Mackie Control Universal Pro features :

- Proprietary Mackie communication protocol for seamless music production software integration
- nine 100mm touch-sensitive optical Penny + Giles motorized faders
- V-Pot control over software, plug-in effects and virtual instruments
- More than 50 dedicated push-buttons for fine control of software ...

Solid State Logic ships the XLogic Alpha Channel, a new analogue channel strip featuring a mic preamp, filter, EQ and dynamics.

Key features :

- Professional ultra clean mic preamp with line level & Hi Z instrument input switches
- 'Variable Harmonic Drive' circuit; a Time Machine of distortion characteristics
- High Pass Filter with selectable 40Hz, 80Hz or 120Hz cutoff frequency
- Built in professional quality Analogue to Digital conversion - as standard
- Auto sample rate sensing and self adjustment
- Three band SSL parametric EQ with mid freq Q control and dual LF curves
- Intelligent auto compression that maximises recording headroom and avoids DAC clipping

The XLogic Alpha Channel is available at a retail price of $1895.

IK Multimedia has announced Miroslav Philharmonik Classik Edition, an introductory version of the orchestral plug-in based on the classic Miroslav Orchestra sample collection.

Features:

- 16 part multi-timbral sample-based orchestral workstation.
- 250 sounds totaling 1.5GB of samples.
- 20 Classic DSP effects.
- 4 Insert effects instrument.
- 4 Master effects with separate sends.
- High-quality master reverb derived from CSR.
- Multiple synth engines including Stretch and Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch.
- Zone feature for accurate single sample editing.
- Full MIDI control of performance parameters.
- Part preset and Combi preset customization features.
- 256 notes polyphony.

Miroslav Philharmonik Classik Edition will be available in February 2007 with an MSRP of $249 / €199 (tax excluded) for Mac OS X (UB) in VST, AU, RTAS and stand-alone formats.

GForce has announced Virtual String Machine, a virtual instrument which aims to capture sounds from a small mountain of classic and rare string machines.

Features :

- The sounds from 17 classic and rare string machines
- Over 2.5Gb of data
- 66 individual sample sets
- 49 notes, each individually sampled and looped
- Dual Layer & Split Keyboard capability
- Vintage style Ensemble & Phaser effects
- Filter section with Lowpass, Bandpass & Highpass modes
- Two Envelope Generators
- Pitch LFO
- Dynamic control including filter aftertouch
- 500+ Patch library

Virtual String Machine will be available in March 2007 for Mac OSX (UB) in VST, RTAS and AU formats with a price of $149.99.

Great features to discover on the Korg Site :

3 keyboards are available
• 61-key, 73-key (Korg's new keyboard, semi-weighted),
• 88-key weighted action (RH3: Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 keyboard)

A large Polyphony : 120 voices, 120 oscillators in Single Mode /
and 60 voices, 120 oscillators in Double Mode and
256 Mbyte (when converted to 16-bit linear format) with
• 1,028 Multisamples
• 1,606 Drum Samples

Effects : 5 Insert Effects (stereo in/out), 2 Master Effects (stereo in/out), 1 Total Effect (stereo in/out) are available simultaneously, 2 effect control busses, 2 effect common LFOs
• 170 types (can be used for Insert/Master/Total)

Sampling :
• 1,028 Multisamples and 1,606 Drum Samples
• 16-bit, linear, 48 kHz mono/stereo sa ...

Solid State Logic has announced the newest component to the X-Rack modular rack system: the Eight Input Module.

Key features :

- Eight line level inputs configured as four stereo pairs
- Mono/stereo switching for each stereo pair
- Additional insert points for inputs 1&2 and 3&4
- Independent On/Off switches for each stereo pair