Mac and Music News
Through Thursday October 15, 2009
| Oct 15 - 04:47 PM | Computer Hardware > Echo Digital Audio |
The AudioFire Pre8 is the perfect center for any professional studio, whether at home or on the road. In addition to the 8 universal inputs with Brilliant mic preamps, the AudioFire Pre8 features 8 balanced ¼ inch analog outputs, 2 channel inserts, phantom power, 2 stereo headphone outputs with volume knob, main output volume knob, ADAT (with S/MUX for 96 kHz support), S/PDIF and MIDI I/O. Inputs 1 and 2 feature premium preamps with options for phase reversal, low impedance, direct input, 80 Hz rolloff and pad. It is a single height, rack mountable unit. The AudioFire Pre8 supports 24/96 kHz playback and recording and ships with low-latency drivers supporting all major pro audio software. The AudioFire Pre8 is fully ASIO, WDM, WaveRT compatible with support for Windows XP/Vista/7 (both 32 bit and 64 bit versions) and Mac OS X (10.3.9 or later).
| Oct 15 - 03:01 PM | Virtual Instrument > audioMIDI.com |
Ultra Analog is a unique and powerful 32-voice virtual analog synthesizer driven by two super rich, alias-free oscillators featuring standard waveforms, sub oscillators, hard sync, and integrated pitch envelopes. Two audacious multimode filters with distortion are then applied to shape its sonic character. Finally, carefully chosen modulation options are provided by two syncable comprehensive LFO's, four loopable velocity-sensitive ADSR envelope generators and vibrato.
audioMIDI.com's Russ Jones says, "We're pleased to keep delivering affordable "no-brainer" deals, bringing great value and introducing users to killer software as well as the audioMIDI.com brand."
Ultra Analog is available for purchase via electronic serial number at this special price until 11/30/09, exclusively from www.audioMIDI.com.
| Oct 15 - 02:14 PM | Virtual Instrument > Ueberschall |
„Art Of Sounds" provides 69 construction kits between 60 and 136 BPM, seperated into :
• Single lines,
• Artificial ambiences,
• IDM illustrations,
• Unperfected loops ,
• Additional drum kits shots to generate your own loops with.
The 1.06 GB variety of content includes warm pads which conflict within thems ...
| Oct 15 - 01:25 PM | Plug-ins > Sound Performance Lab (SPL) |
Attacker is based upon the famous Transient Designer and provides its attack function. It's available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU and RTAS effect plug-in formats.
The Attacker give away promotion is running from October 15 to November 15, 2009. This plug-in normally retails for €59 excl. VAT.
| Oct 14 - 03:14 PM | Computer Hardware > M-Audio |
Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Oxygen keyboards feature full-size velocity-sensitive keys along with a complement of sliders, knobs and buttons for tweaking and performing with software instruments. With DirectLink, these same controls instantly map to a DAW's mixer, pan, and transport functions, providing real time control with a variety of DAWs including Pro Tools, Cubase, Reason, Live, Logic and Garageband.
The Oxygen 25, 49, and 61 are currently shipping and carry an MSRP of $149.95/€87, $189.95/€107, and $249.95/€141 respectively.
| Oct 14 - 02:16 PM | Music Software > Apple |
• Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly
• The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency measurement
• TDM plug-ins now behave as expected. (Only affects users with Pro Tools HD audio hardware.)
The update is recommended for all users of Logic Pro 9.
| Oct 14 - 01:11 PM | Audio Hardware > Lexicon |
Features :
• Lexicon studio-standard reverbs, delays, and modulation effects
• Comprehensive library of over 700 finely crafted factory presets, including recognizable classics from Lexicon's immense library of sounds
• Lexicon's flexible Room algorithm used to generate a vast array of room-related effects for music and post
• Multi-voice pitch shift to enhance vocals
• Mono and stereo versions of all algorithms
• Full system configuration and control with HiQnet System Architect
• 44.1 to 96 kHz sample rate, 32-bit floating point processing
• Two channels balanced analog I/O (XLR and ¼")
• Two channels XLR digital AES/EBU I/O
• External BNC Wordclock
• MIDI in, out, and thru
• Ethernet connectivity
• Foot controller inputs make it easy to change presets and adjust parameters during live performances
• High-resolution OLED display is easy to read in all light conditions
The PCM92 has a suggested retail price of US $2699 and will be available in November 2009.
| Oct 14 - 11:27 AM | Plug-ins > Elysia |
The RTAS/VST/AU trial versions should be available at the mid/end of October. Retail is planned for the beginning of November. The TDM version requires additional programming and will follow a bit later.
Info on pricing :
Native versions (RTAS/VST/AU)
• 293,28 Euro excl. VAT (for customers outside the European Union and EU customers outside Germany with VAT number)
• 349,00 Euro incl. VAT (for German customers and EU end customers without VAT number)
TDM version (including RTAS/VST/AU versions)
• 419,33 Euro excl. VAT (for customers outside the European Union and EU customers outside Germany with VAT number)
• 499,00 Euro incl. VAT (for German customers and EU end customers without VAT number)
| Oct 13 - 03:47 PM | Computer Hardware > Tascam |
The Track Pack X1 contains the new US-100 USB interface, dynamic microphone and set of closed-ear headphones for under $150. The Track Pack X2 features the new US-122mkII audio interface, TM-78 large-diaphragm condenser microphone and Cubase LE4 48-track recording software for under $200.
The new US-100 and US-122mkII interfaces are compatible with Mac and Windows computers, even Apple's new Snow Leopard operating system.
Tascam Track Packs will be shipping in time for holiday sales.
| Oct 13 - 02:09 PM | Audio Hardware > Great River Electronics |
The 32EQ is a new 500-series form-factor design of the EQ and filters from the renowned Harrison 32 Series consoles. The 32EQ incorporates the original specifications and with support directly from the original designers at Harrison Consoles it is guaranteed that the prized characteristics of the original are maintained in the new design.
Features :
• Low, Low-Mid, Hi-Mid, and High EQ bands with Gain and Frequency controls
• Low and High Band "peaking" switches
• EQ in/out switch
• Harrison's renowned High- and Low-pass filters with sweepable frequency
• Filter in/out switch
• An internal jumper provides selection of the "vintage" feedback design, or a non-feedback option
• Designed and built in the USA
The 32EQ will be priced at $775. Availability TBA.
| Oct 13 - 01:39 PM | Audio Hardware > Neumann |
Features :
• Large-diaphragm microphone with cardioid directional characteristic (pressure gradient transducer)
• Compact, characteristic but smaller-scale Neumann design
• Very high maximum sound pressure level (144 dB max.)
• Slight presence boost above 6 kHz
• Transformerless circuitry
• Available in black and nickel
• Stand mount included
The TLM-102 will be available in December at a price of $700.
| Oct 13 - 11:35 AM | Computer Hardware > Tascam |
The US-122mkII features improved audio performance along with a new, eye-catching compact design. The US-144mkII shares the design improvements, adding S/PDIF digital audio I/O for four channels of 96kHz/24-bit audio to and from a computer. Both interfaces use USB 2.0 technology for hiccup-free low-latency performance to Mac or Windows computers.
The US-122mkII and US-144mkII feature a pair of XLR microphone inputs with phantom power for recording condenser mics into a computer. Balanced line inputs and a guitar level in are also provided. MIDI in and out jacks allow for synthesizer and control messages to be passed to the computer, and the unbalanced line outputs connect to studio monitors. The US-144mkII has the addition of digital in and out, for a total of four channels, and a dedicated headphone level control means you don't need to switch off your monitors when recording on phones. A copy of Steinberg's 48-track Cubase LE4 is included to begin recording right away.
Tascam's US-122mkII and US-144mkII will be available in October. Estimated street price for the US-122mkII is $129, the US-144mkII is expected to sell for $149.
| Oct 12 - 04:41 PM | Music Hardware > Korg |
The new M3 XPanded upgrade is available for free in the box with all new M3 purchases, with a USB memory stick included containing the new OS and 640 MB of PCM (USB-PCM-04 is available for download only). The complete M3 XPanded upgrade is also available for download for existing users.
| Oct 12 - 02:11 PM | Audio Hardware > Tascam |
Based on the DP-004, the DP-008 adds four more tracks for a total of eight tracks with built-in mixing. The DP-008 has dedicated knobs for volume and pan for each track, plus a reverb send knob for the built-in reverb effect. The DP-008 has two XLR microphone inputs with phantom power, a guitar level input and even built-in stereo mics so you're ready to record anything. Tracks are mixed down to a dedicated stereo track and EQ is available on each track, but the Portastudio interface keeps it simple to use. It records to SD Card media, and a 2GB card is included with the unit.
The DP-008 will be available in October with an estimated street price of $299.
| Oct 12 - 12:29 PM | Computer Hardware > Mytek Digital |
Numerous features include: high end headphone amplifier, precision volume control with memory (separate for phones and main output), selectable upsampling to 192k and optional remote control.
The DAC will be available in Q1 2010, in both industrial and hi-fi 1/3 rack highly portable enclosure, at Mytek dealers worldwide. It's priced at $1595 for industrial version and $1695 for black or silver Hi-Fi version with RCA outputs.
| Oct 12 - 10:47 AM | Plug-ins > Waves |
Features :
• Intelligent adjustment of the vocal track based on the dynamics of the music
• Saves time doing the kind of automation you would have to do manually
• Writes automatic volume riding to the track as automation for fine tuning
More details will be available soon at :




