Mac and Music News

MXL (a division of Marshall Electronics) is pleased to announce the introduction of the MXL Studio 1 portable USB condenser microphone for the home recording market. The Studio 1 is the latest addition to the line of existing USB microphones from MXL.

Unlike other products that require mixers, preamps, or expensive studio gear, USB condenser microphones are "Plug & Play". The MXL Studio 1 does not require any special drivers and is compatible with any PC or Mac computer.

The Studio 1 features a large two-micron diaphragm condenser capsule with a 40 Hz-20 kHz frequency response. The digital section features a 16-bit Delta Sigma A/D converter with available sampling rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz. A red LED light behind the protective grill indicates that the microphone is active and correctly oriented toward the user. The Studio 1 also has an integrated headphone jack which provides zero latency monitoring and clear audio playback. This zero latency feature provides a more accurate recording when doing voiceovers and Internet recording such as podcasts, interviews, and personalized radio or playlists.

The MXL Studio 1 includes a hard black plastic carrying case, desktop microphone stand / adapter, 10-foot USB cable, user's manual, and application guide. The expected street price is $99.95 with a MSRP of $129.95.

Tascam has announced that they are ceasing development of Gigastudio products, which includes the GVI engine. An official statement from the company states, "TEAC America, Inc. will cease further development of Gigastudio and Gigastudio related products as of July 21, 2008. Product sales and technical support will continue through the end of the year."

This comes as sour news not only for GigaStudio users (especially those who have recently purchased GigaStudio 4), but also to software developers who have licensed GigaStudio programs for their own products.

It sounds like Tascam is getting out of the software business completely. If you check their web site, the product category for software is completely empty, and everything Giga-related is now in the legacy software category.

In response, a petition to pass on the torch and make GigaStudio code open source has been started at OpenGigaStudio.com. To sign the petition you just have to leave a comment.

Ableton Live 7 is now available absolutely free for 14 days. This is a great opportunity to test drive the new Ableton instruments or discover the new features and functions in Ableton Live 7.

The trial version includes :

- Ableton Live 7
- Sampler, Operator, Electric, Analog, Tension
- Extensive built-in step-by-step tutorials
- Localized software menus, tutorials, and PDF reference manuals

Try out all the features, including save and export, for 14 days by following the link below.

Note that each session requires connecting to the Ableton server to activate saving and exporting.

Puremagnetik has released Vector - a new collection of Live Racks that turns Ableton Live 7 into a wave sequencing instrument reminiscent of the legendary KORG Wavestation. Vector includes a library of wave sequences, attack transients and vector morphing as found on the original. Users can load up any of the 50 included patches and performances or create their own unique presets from the library of included waveforms.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Native Instruments has just released Traktor 3.4 and Traktor Scratch 1.3, free software updates that equip both products with refined functionality.

They both now offer full Unicode support, allowing for file names and tags in nearly any international script and language including Japanese, Mandarin, Hebrew, Cyrillic and others. Both versions are also based on a revised high-performance audio engine that offers many functional advantages including hot-plugging and instant switching for audio interfaces, WASAPI support for Windows Vista and more.

Other improvements include increased tracking precision for scratching in relative mode, a new intelligent "Tracking Alert" function that gives early warning for adverse conditions like worn-out needles, enhanced MIDI controller handling and a large number of detail optimizations and fixes.

Both updates are available as free downloads for all registered users. For more information, please visit their web site.

Massey Plugins has just released De:Esser, a new plug-in that "hate S's with a fiery paion !". The De:Esser come in both RTAs and TDM plug-in type and upport Pro Tool LE, HD, and M-Powered, version 7.0 and higher.

De:Esser i available now for Mac at a price of $89. Note that a Window verion will be available in Augut.

Mojave Audio, a company founded by David Royer (known for his work with ribbon microphones) is pleased to announce the introduction of the Mojave Audio MA-201fet Cardioid Condenser Microphone.

The MA-201 fet is a large diaphragm, phantom-powered, solid-state condenser microphone with a fixed cardioid pattern. Utilizing a 3-micron gold-sputtered capsule, high-quality Jensen audio transformer, military-grade FET and custom designed low-noise resistors, the MA-201 fet is designed to give warm, full-bodied reproductions of vocals and instruments, with none of the shrillness and high frequency distortion artifacts that are often encountered with modern condenser microphones.

The MA-201fet will become widely available September 1 of 2008 with a MSRP of $695.

Roland has also announced shipment of the new ARX-01 and ARX-02 expansion boards for the Fantom-G series. Each ARX board is a synth with its own processor, graphics, and DSP, powered by Roland's proprietary SuperNATURAL sound technology for "organic, emotional expression".

The ARX-01 is dedicated to drum sounds. Once each drum is crafted, you can further refine it with the built-in compressor/EQ, reverb, powerful multi-effects, and an onboard mixer for adjusting the volume and pan position.

The ARX-02 turns your Fantom G workstation into an electric piano. You can change the position of the pickup, and choose from five amp models with dynamic control. Volume and tone change smoothly and realistically, based on the strength of the keyboard performance.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Roland is pleased to announce the release of v1.10 system upgrade for the Fantom-G series workstations, adding powerful multi-sampling capability, a new "Favorite Play" screen, a BPM calculator function for samples, and new enhancements to Single, Live and Song modes.

To download Fantom-G6/G7/G8 System Upgrade v1.10, please follow the link below :

Solid State Logic is very proud to announce that the Matrix mixing console is now shipping.

Designed to be at the heart of your every day creative process, Matrix is built to meticulous SSL hardware standards, to withstand even the most intensive studio use. Fully equipped to partner your monitors, workstations and outboard gear, Matrix lets you shape your project studio around the way you work.

Key Features :

- 16 Mono Line channels with two separate inputs per strip
- 32 x 16 x 16 insert router for up to 16 external processing devices
- Stereo Aux Send and 4 Mono Sends per channel
- 'Input to Cue Stereo' doubles mixdown channel count
- 'In Line' DAW monitoring with 'SuperCue' headphone mode
- Dual Stereo Mix Busses with summing Inserts and reassign
- 4 Stereo Returns with full stereo mix bus routing
- Stereo digital I/O (S/PDIF, AES/EBU) with SSL converter technology
- Stereo monitoring with independent Main and Mini monitor outputs
- 3 External Monitor inputs with source summing
- iJack front panel Monitor input
- Artist Monitor output with independent EQ and monitor source selection
- 16 motorised faders with multiple layer DAW control
- General purpose MIDI controller mode
- Additional motorised 'Focus' fader for simultaneous DAW/Console control
- Programmable function keys for keyboard key strokes/macros
- New DAW-based MIDI Fader automation
- Ethernet MIDI connectivity and PC/MAC Browser Interface

SSL will be supporting U.S. dealers with a series of Matrix events through the month of July. Product specialists will be visiting local pro-audio stores with a full demo system of Matrix and SSL's other analogue and digital products.

For additional information on pro audio dealer tour dates and seminars, please go to the Solid State Logic website.

HowAudio presents a new bundle which offers 12 Hours of Pro Tools training in 2 DVDs. Whether you are new to ProTools, a casual user or a working professional, "ProTools LE: Essential Training" & "What's New In Pro Tools 7.4" will help make learning easy.

The ProTools LE: Essential Training DVD offers insight into all the ins and outs of Digidesign's industry-standard audio production software. In addition, this nearly 10-hour DVD is full of tips and tricks from engineer Jeff Dykhouse that will increase your efficiency and reduce your workflow. Additionally, you'll get What's New In ProTools 7.4, featuring expert training on the time-manipulation tool called Elastic Time or Elastic Audio as it's sometimes referred to.

The ProTools Training Bundle is available now for $63.92.

RØDE unveils the Procaster, a professional, broadcast quality dynamic microphone, specifically designed to offer no-compromise performance for voice applications in broadcast environments.

Featuring a tight polar pattern and with a retro inspired design, the Procaster combines a traditional aesthetic with advanced technology to create a broadcast workhorse perfect for every application where a great sounding, rugged microphone with superior ambient noise rejection is demanded.

The Procaster is fully compatible with the RODE PSA1 studio arm and PSM1 shock mount, for professional microphone mounting.

Features :

- -Broadcast quality sound
- High output dynamic capsule
- Balanced, low impedance output
- Internal shock mounting of capsule for low handling noise
- Internal pop-filter to reduce plosives
- Robust, all metal construction
- Designed and manufactured in Australia
- Ten year warranty

RØDE introduces the M2, a new condenser mic designed for live performances.

Combining sound quality equal to that of the finest studio microphones, the M2 features a tailored response to reduce feedback, as well as an integrated shock mounting system to minimize handling noise. A locking on/off switch located on the microphone's body provides the switching feature required by singers with self-operated sound systems, and yet can be locked off when used in larger, dedicated operator environments.

Features :

- Live condenser vocal microphone
- Feedback rejecting super-cardioid pick up pattern
- Locking on/off switch
- Heavy duty metal body
- High level of RF rejection
- Low handling noise
- Designed and manufactured in Australia
- 10 year warranty (online registration required)