Mac and Music News

EastWest announces that Quantum Leap SD2 - The Next Generation virtual instrument, the sequel to Stormdrum is now shipping.

EastWest has given one of its most popular collections, the EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra, a turbo boost by upgrading the line (Platinum and Gold) to the company's Play 64-bit sampling engine.
Play-upgraded versions of Symphonic Orchestra will be introduced at NAMM 2008.

ESI will showcase the Firewire Audio Interface DuaFire at the Winter 2008 NAMM show, booth #6832.

Features :

- high-grade 24-bit/96kHz analog-digital-converter
- high-grade 24-bit/96kHz digital-analog-converter
- 2 channels of audio input with level controls
- microphone preamps and phantom power for XLR inputs (selectable)
- Hi-Z input circuitry for guitar and other Hi-Z devices
- selectable switch between line-level inputs phono pre-amps
- 4 line-level audio outputs on rear of unit
- direct input monitoring with level control
- bus powered via FireWire-Bus or with separate power supply unit (selectable)
- support for DirectWIRE 3.0
- supports EWDM driver: MME, ASIO 2.0, GSIF 2.0, DirectSound
- CoreAudio devices for Mac OS X
- Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS 10.3.6 (and higher) compatible
- 1 headphone output with amp and volume control
- world's first FireWire audio interface with EWDM driver support
- bundled with Steinberg Cubase LE 4.0 for PC and Mac

DuaFire is available at a retail price of €249.

Nomad Factory has also announced the Analog Mastering Tools (A.M.T.) bundle which consists in three plug-ins : the A.M.T Amp Leveling, the A.M.T Max Warm and the Multi Max.

The A.M.T Amp Leveling is a highly optimized look-ahead Brickwall Limiter and Level Maximization. Designed to be used for Mixing, Mastering, Tracking and Live use, it uses a new proprietary algorithm ensuring a very smooth-warm sounding with maximum loudness and no digital-over-clipping as well as low CPU consumption for lightening-fast processing

The A.M.T Max Warm is a highly optimized look-ahead Brickwall Limiter, Equalizer and Level Maximizer. What makes the A.M.T Max Warm process unique is the approach used for its dynamic signal analysis. Internally, it uses a special processing algorithm to accurately maximize the incoming signal level while limiting the ceiling peak levels. This approach tends to produce a more natural warm-sound, the A.M.T Max Warm also includes a two-band equalizer (Shelving/Peaking) with adjustable frequencies.

The A.M.T Multi Max multiband peak limiter is a highly optimized 3 band look-ahead Brickwall Limiter, and Level Maximizer. It uses a special processing algorithm to accurately spilt and maximize the incoming signal level while limiting the ceiling peak levels. This approach tends to produce a loud and clear natural warm-sound. The A.M.T Multi Max 3 band crossover with adjustable frequencies delivers sweet highs and punchy lows.

The Analog Mastering Tools will be available for Mac and PC in VST, AU and RTAS formats at a retail price of $249.

ESI will exhibit their new keyboard controller K.ON at the upcoming NAMM show. K.ON is ESI's new expandable USB controller keyboard with 88 hammer action keys.

Features :

- 3 digit LED display
- 9 endles dials
- 9 faders
- modulation wheel / pitch bend
- numeric keypad
- transport control buttons
- various editing functions for programming
- power supplied via USB or optional external power supply
- expandable via 4 expansion slots on backside
- Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Mac OS X 10.3 (and higher) compatible
- bundled with Steinberg Cubase LE 4.0 for PC and Mac

K.ON is already available and costs €599.

Access Music unveils Virus TI Snow, their new table-top synthesizer based on the Virus TI series of synthesizers.
Over a thousand sounds can be accessed with a maximum of 4 button pushes. With 3 programmable hardware knobs per patch and additional ones for filter and envelope control, performers can control the core of the sound without having to dive into an edit menu.
The TI Snow is 100% compatible with all patches for the TI series and plays back a maximum of 50 voices with 4 multi-timbral parts (64 multi performances, 512 RAM and 512 ROM patches). The oscillator models include virtual analog, hypersaw, wavetable and graintable types. The filter section features a Moog cascade filter emulation with 1-4 poles and self-oscillation among others. The FX section includes simultaneous rever ...

Arturia has just updated its Prophet V to version 1.2. This new version includes :

- VST 2.4 support, allowing for Cubase 4 compatibility on Mac Intel
- RTAS 7.3 support
- Correction of different bugs such as the cracks some would experience
when using several instances of the Prophet V in their sequencer

This upgrade is free to all registered users.

Just days before the 2008 NAMM show, ESI Audiotechnik GmbH finally announces the availability of the new external recording interface ESU1808.

This USB 2.0 Hi-Speed recording interface features 18 input channels and 8 output channels which can all be used simultaneously. The 1U rack unit features 2 microphone preamps with balanced XLR inputs, 2 direct instrument inputs (Hi-Z), and not less than 12 balanced/unbalanced line level inputs. There is also a digital input in S/PDIF format. In addition, there are 8 balanced analog line level outputs and a digital S/PDIF output as well as a MIDI I/O interface. ESU1808 works under Mac OS X as well as Windows XP & Vista. The interface is bundled with Cubase LE 4.0 from Steinberg.

The ESU1808 USB 2.0 audio interface will be priced at €499.

TC Electronic has finally released their new member in the PowerCore family, the PowerCore X8. Boosted with 8 Motorola DSP processors, the new PowerCore X8 comes with 14 plug-ins and a 500$ voucher for additional plug-ins.

PowerCore X8 is available now at a retail price of €1499. For more information, please visit the link below:

Allen & Heath will demonstrate a fifth model in the new ZED range of small format, USB-equipped mixers for live performance, recording, and production, at the forthcoming NAMM show.

The new ZED-24 stereo mixer provides 23 independent sources to the mix, 10 independent outputs, 4 aux sends (2 pre and 2 post fade), a USB send and return (for PC or Mac recording, playback and effects), a unique dual stereo input capability, and advanced monitoring facilities.

In addition to 16 mono channels there are 4 stereo channels, each with a main stereo input on jack sockets, and with the ability to take additional stereo inputs from phono sockets or from the USB audio input, enabling the engineer to control and route any source. It also features a responsive 3-band swept-mid EQ and the new DuoPre pre-amps. ZED's USB output can be configured to allow different signals to be sent to USB, from the LR master, the matrix or the aux busses, with the USB return signal available as a stereo return. Cakewalk's SONAR LE music production software is bundled with the mixer, to enable the user to perform many different tasks, for live performance, live recording, studio recording, or studio mixing.

For more information, please visit the link below :

Euphonix, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has announced two new products : the MC Mix and MC control.

The Euphonix MC Control control surface combines the functionality of motorized faders, programmable knobs and buttons, and an incredible customizable touchscreen interface for maximum control over your DAW. Designed as a compact "nerve center" for your studio, the MC Control fits between your keyboard and computer monitor. Its high-resolution touchscreen lets you easily access and set up functions, while four touch-sensitive motorized faders, 12 Smart Keys, and eight programmable rotary encoders make the MC Control a powerful, flexible DAW controller.

The Euphonix MC Mix control surface puts eight motorized faders and an array of programmable buttons and knobs at your command for maximum control over your DAW in a small footprint. Euphonix put some of the coolest features from its impressive full-sized consoles into the MC Mix, including touch-sensitive, responsive faders and multi-function rotary encoders. This well-designed box is ultra-functional, while sporting a decidedly uncluttered appearance. Now you can get the most out of your DAW with the compact, versatile MC Mix

Prices:

MC Control: 1499 euro
MC Mix: 999 euro

CEntrance has announced a new hardware product: the AxePort Pro USB Direct Box. Though more tubular than a traditional direct box, AxePort Pro offers 24-bit/96kHz performance and a USB interface for guitar and bass players. AxePort Pro is the complete package for recording with almost any DAW on Windows VP/Vista and Mac OSX. AxePort Pro is also bundled with Guitar Combos amp emulation software from Native Instruments, the CEntrance ASIO/GSIF Universal Driver, a handy belt clip, 3-foot guitar cable, 6-foot USB cable, and a velvet carrying pouch.