Mac and Music News

PreSonus is pleased to announce the new HP60 6-channel headphone mixing system is in production and will be shipping this month. Loaded with six independent, loud and clear headphone amplifiers, the HP60 features dual stereo inputs as well as external input, for each channel allowing you to mix between three stereo audio streams (mix A, mix B, and external input). Stereo output is also available on each channel to send line level headphone channel mixes to additional headphone amplifiers or monitor systems. Each channel features headphone level, mix control between A and B inputs, external input volume, mute and mono. The HP60 also features talkback via external XLR microphone input.

Features :

- Six independent ultra low noise, high output headphone amplifiers (150 mW per channel)
...

Universal Audio has announced the web release of v4.7 software for the UAD Family of DSP Cards & Powered Plug-Ins�. Version 4.7 includes 14-day fully functional demos of the new Neve 88RS Channel Strip and LA3A Classic Compressor.

Key Neve 88RS features include :

- EQ & Dynamics form Neve's flagship analog console.
- Four-band parametric EQ with High & Low -Shelf Filters.
- Highly flexible Limiter/Compressor, Gate/Expander Dynamics Section.
- Exclusively Neve-licensed, UA modeled, only for UAD DSP family.
- UAi: Proprietary UA Modeling Technology-Most accurate analog emulations.

Key LA-3A features include :

- Definitive solid-state optical compressor.
- Modeled from a "golden" vintage unit in UA's collection.
- Gain and peak reduction controls plus limit/compress switch. ...

Dexter, JazzMutant's new controller, will be released on the 5th of July. Like the Lemur it is a multitouch control surface, but this one automatically adapts to Cubase, Logic, Nuendo, Sonar or Pyramix.

For more information check this old news or the developer's page.

M-Audio has announced shipment of the Torq Xponent integrated hardware/software DJ performance and production system. This is a complete hardware/software system that delivers everything a professional DJ needs to perform with a computer. Xponent is both an advanced MIDI control surface for Torq DJ software and a four-output USB audio interface—including two stereo RCA outputs and a standard 1/4" headphone output with cueing. Every control on Xponent boasts the same rock-solid construction and rugged feel as traditional DJ hardware, making it an ideal way for longtime CD DJs to transition into the world of software.

Torq Xponent is currently shipping and carries an MSRP of $749.95 / € 679.00.

Source Elements releases Source-Talkback, an RTAS plug-in for Pro Tools designed to enable talkback functionality without requiring external hardware. It allows for an engineer to talk to talent either over Source-Connect and/or in a local recording space while not getting feedback through the monitoring speakers. Source-Talkback offers full functionality including talkback, listenback, selectable dimming, toggling, latching and is also compatible with any remote connection method, for example ISDN, regardless of where you get your signal.

Source-Talkback is priced at $95. Note that a full-featured 15-day demo is also available.

Ueberschall has just released a new product in the Liquid Instrument Series called Liquid Drums which is a flexible loop based drum tool. It includes a 2 Gb sample library offering more than 450 drum loop construction kits (over 2600 layered loops) including 100 breaks, intros and outros (over 640 layered tracks) in all styles and variations. Liquid Drums enables you to move, pitch, stretch or even delete any single note of the snare, hihat, bass drum, etc. loop without affecting the rest of the groove.

Liquid Drums is available now for Windows and Mac OS X (UB) in VST, AU, RTAS and stand-alone formats at a retail price of €174. For more details, please visit the link below.

Alesis announced today that they are now shipping the Trigger I/O, USB/MIDI, pad trigger interface. The Trigger I/O uses electronic triggers placed on traditional acoustic percussion sources (such as drum heads or cymbals) or electronic drum pad triggers, and converts them into MIDI note messages. With MIDI and USB 1.1 Plug and Play connectivity and ten inputs, an artist can expand performance options exponentially – playing sounds on synthesizers, drum modules, or even a computer.

Features :

- 10 TRS trigger inputs for single or dual zone trigger inputs (compatible with various manufacturer pad triggers, including Alesis, Roland and Yamaha)
- 20 programmable presets for storing and recalling various setups
- includes FXPansion's BFD Lite software drum module (Mac and PC) in stand ...

Forever For Now has released Reverse Sampler 2, the commercial successor to the original Reverse Sampler freebie. Reverse Sampler 2 is a real-time reverse delay which includes features such as :

- Real-time, zero latency processing for smooth live and studio performances.
- Integrated visual and MIDI metronome.
- Delay time synchronization via automation.
- Reverse delay times up to 12 seconds.
- Extensive user manual.

Reverse Sampler 2 costs $9.99 and is available in AudioUnit format for Mac OS X (UB). Note that a demo version is also available.