NEW PRODUCTS
Nov 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS AUDIO KONTROL 1
The new Audio Kontrol 1 ($299; www.native-instruments.com) from Native Instruments is a USB interface with a twist. Although it contains all the usual elements (two pairs of stereo ¼-inch balanced outputs each with a dedicated knob, one balanced XLR/¼-inch mic-level input, one balanced ¼-inch line-level input, MIDI I/O, headphone output with a source switch, 48V phantom power, low-latency direct monitoring and a USB 2.0 bus power), the really interesting new feature is what lives on its top panel. Three buttons and one large knob turn an ordinary USB box into a hybrid controller for your entire system. NI created custom software that allows you to create individual assignments for each piece of software you use. Pressing different buttons in conjunction with the knob, Audio Kontrol 1's top panel actually allows for full control of 10 parameters per application, be they MIDI or Mackie Control commands for your DAW, tools in your graphic software's palette or launchers for your OS.
The Audio Kontrol 1 also comes with a sizeable bundle of software, including a ton of software preset files, Xpress Keyboard (pared-down versions of NI's B4, PRO-53 and FM7 synths), Guitar Combos (with presets from NI's Guitar Rig) and Traktor 3 LE, a slimmed-down version of NI's popular and powerful DJ software.
AUDIO DAMAGE REVERENCE PLATE REVERB SIMULATOR
Besides an ultralow price point, the new Reverence Plate Reverb Simulator ($39; www.audiodamage.com) from Audio Damage offers one big advantage over the more popular convolution reverbs. While its thorough emulation of vintage digital plate reverbs of yesteryear is its only trick, it uses significantly less processing power than the CPU-hungry convolution reverbs, thanks to a carefully tuned reverb algorithm created by Audio Damage. Available as a VST plug-in for Windows and as a Universal Binary VST or Audio Units plug-in for Mac, Reverence has a simple and intuitive vintage-style interface that makes it easy to dial in the classic reverbs and the unusual effects heard on vintage classics. Here's one way to get that crucial plate reverb sound without sacrificing number-crunching power.
M-AUDIO PROFIRE LIGHTBRIDGE
Continuing its mission to make all things computer audio simpler, M-Audio has introduced the ProFire Lightbridge ($499.95; www.m-audio.com), a half-rackspace LightPipe/ADAT interface for Mac and Windows computers. While the Lightbridge offers an impressive 32 channels of digital audio I/O at the traditional 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rates, it also offers 88.1 and 96 kHz operation at a reduced track count of 16. Stereo S/PDIF is available for digital retrieval, and the stereo analog outputs and dedicated stereo headphone output have dedicated volume knobs. An internal clock allows the Lightbridge to operate as a Word Clock master or slave to an external signal, and MIDI Time Code and MIDI Machine Control expand its ability to integrate. For frequently travelling producers, it offers a Kensington Lock slot for securely latching the Lightbridge to your rack.
KORG KP3 KAOSS PAD
It could be argued that the first two versions of Korg's venerable Kaoss Pad changed the face of performance effects forever, allowing artists to manipulate their sounds via an x-y touchpad for naturally moving sound control (or destruction). For the third installment in the line, Korg has added a bunch of killer new elements while retaining all the original functionality.
With a darker grey look and metallic knobs, one of the most noticeable new features of the KP3 Kaoss Pad ($460; www.korg.com) is the 64-LED grid under the pad that provides expanded visual feedback during performance and can also run custom text messages across the screen. The sampling/looping pads have been expanded to four, and loop points can be MIDI synced via the new BPM Looper patch. In a power move, Korg included a Secure Digital card reader and USB connection for saving, creating, organizing and transferring your loops via a computer. The new FX Release slider lets you control how long the effect continues after removing your finger from the pad, and the LED numerical display is expanded to give basic information on the effects patches. The synth engine from the Korg Radias was used to enhance and expand the synth and drum sounds, and the MIDI/bpm integration has been implemented throughout new types of patches.
SAMPLE LOGIC A.I.R.
An interesting combination of a carefully culled and organized sample bank with a deep plug-in synthesizer, the new Sample Logic A.I.R. ($299; www.samplelogic.com) delivers a powerful tool for producers. Divided into Ambience, Impacts and Rhythms categories, the two-DVD set includes more than 6 GB of loops, one-shots and ambient layers combined into performance groups covering the stylistic gamut, from freaky sci-fi and hardcore to light pop and spiritual. Operable in stand-alone mode or as an Audio Units/DXI/RTAS/VST plug-in using your favorite host, A.I.R. uses the Native Instruments Kontakt 2 Player as its power source, and from within Kontakt 2 itself, you can create your own patch groups and tweak parameters of the program's scripts for supreme customization.
ECHO AUDIOFIRE2 AND AUDIOFIRE4
Echo was one of the early leaders in making multichannel portable audio interfaces a reality for computer-audio devotees, so it is only fitting that the company returns with the smallest, most portable new devices around. The AudioFire2 ($199; www.echoaudio.com) is a full-featured FireWire audio interface for Windows and Mac that delivers all the functionality you'd expect inside an incredibly small 3.5-by-4.25-inch footprint. Along with two FireWire ports, stereo headphone jack (with dedicated volume knob) and simple pair of ¼-inch outputs, the AudioFire2 also includes a removable physical dongle for MIDI I/O and S/PDIF digital audio, allowing the unit to be smaller without losing functionality. The two inputs on the front accept ¼-inch cables only for basic tracking and DJ work, and the whole thing can operate via FireWire bus power at a maximum of 24-bit/96 kHz audio fidelity.
The AudioFire2's larger brother, the AudioFire4 ($299), is similar but features an expanded set of tools, including two auto-sensing universal inputs with phantom power and trim knobs on the front for recording almost any type of analog audio signal. The ¼-inch outputs on the back have been expanded to four channels, and use of the physical dongle has been removed, with S/PDIF and MIDI I/O added to the rear of the unit itself. Both devices ship with a 12V DC power supply, Echo's Console software, low-latency drivers and a full version of Mackie Traction 1 DAW software, which includes more than two dozen plug-ins.
RAIN RECORDING EVENT DIGITAL MEDIA WORKSTATION
Audio-optimized computer manufacturer Rain Recording has created Event ($1,595.95; www.rainrecording.com), a palm-size yet full-featured computer system for Windows-based producers. About the same size as an Apple Mac Mini, Event features an Intel Duo Core 1.83 GHz processor with 1 GB of speedy DDR 667 RAM for fast number crunching. Video options abound; Event sports a 128 MB DVI video card and composite, component and S-Video TV outputs. Its 100 GB hard disk isn't speedy (5,400 rpm), but the dual-layer DVD burner and built-in optical S/PDIF output make up for it. Audio I/O is available on ⅛-inch headphone jacks that double as surround or subwoofer outputs for 5.1 monitoring, and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet card connects quickly to Wi-Fi. Two USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire port get you to and from your audio interfaces, and a silent power supply helps keep things quiet while using the included Cakewalk Sonar LE software. Rain Recording also includes phone, e-mail and Web support for its customers.
MIXMEISTER FUSION
The new DJ software from MixMeister, titled Fusion ($329.95; www.mixmeister.com), brings the idea of elastic audio to a DJ-specific application for Windows XP users, providing a horizontal, time-based approach to mixing tracks. Tossing out the two-decks paradigm for a left-to-right DAW-style arrangement, Fusion is designed for performance; by analyzing and syncing rhythmic points within the song's sample file, DJs are able to arrange and rearrange their sets on the fly while keeping everything in sync — as many as eight songs simultaneously. This more visual style of creating sets combined with elastic, automated beat matching allows the DJ much more room to think and perform. With all the features you'd expect a DJ to need — VST support, MIDI hardware control, extensive live-looping capabilities, external lighting control, ID3 file-tagging support and cataloging and Web-friendly file compatibility — Fusion also offers more modern amenities such as direct-to-CD burning, Web-optimized exports and podcasting, custom skins, 32-bit file support, independent pitch/tempo control and the ability to monitor and edit one section of a mix while performing another.
NEUMANN KM 184 D DIGITAL MICROPHONE
Relied upon in studios the world over for catching the most crucial performances, Neumann expands its vision of the future with the new KM 184 D digital microphone, part of a series also including the KM 183 D and KM 185 D. Sporting Neumann's own colorless and transparent A/D converters, the modular mic capsule offers swappable omni, cardioid and supercardioid patterns. The body houses an internal proprietary DSP system with gain control, a compressor/limiter with de-essing and a peak limiter, all of which can be controlled remotely through Neumann's RCS software. All standard sampling rates between 44.1 and 192 kHz are offered, and the converters and peak limiter are designed to operate throughout the dynamic range. The DMI-2 Digital Microphone Interface (sold separately) offers full-on remote control of the KM 184 D as well as extra DSP. Less pricey Connection Kits are also available, offering S/PDIF or AES/EBU output from the microphone without the need for the DMI-2. An optional battery pack makes outdoor use easier, and the whole package is available in either Neumann's classic Nickel finish or the company's newer black Nextel finish. The KM 184 D with a Connection Kit will carry a retail price of $3,495. See www.neumannusa.com for further details.
Neumann also released the more affordable KMS 104 ($849.99) handheld cardioid vocal mic.
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