In the Know
Apr 1, 2001 12:00 PM
SP-303 Dr. Sample
PHRASE SAMPLER
Boss's SP-303 Dr. Sample ($395) is a low-cost phrase sampler
designed for DJs, remixers, and musicians. Based on Boss's popular
SP-202, the SP-303 offers several improvements such as CD-quality
sound, 8-note polyphony, 26 effects, and a real-time pattern
sequencer. Sampling time is 31 seconds at 44.1 kHz (mono), and you
can increase it to 33 minutes using an optional 64 MB SmartMedia
card, which also lets you import WAV or AIFF files. The unit's
pattern sequencer stores up to 7,500 notes in internal memory and
includes a quantize function to correct timing. Onboard effects
include Reverb, Flanger, Delay, Voice Transformer, Distortion,
Filter, Slicer, Isolator, Lo-Fi, and Vinyl Simulator; you can use
them to process multiple samples simultaneously or to handle
external live input signals.
Boss; tel. (323) 890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com
ReCycle 2.0
DRUM LOOP EDITING SOFTWARE
Propellerhead Software has released a new version of its popular
ReCycle drum loop editing software. ReCycle 2.0 ($199) has
the added ability to work with stereo sample files and real-time
previews of most settings, allowing you to hear tempo and pitch
changes instantly. The software also lets you move and delete
individual slice points for even greater editing power.
Propellerhead has added several new real-time processing tools for
final loop mastering, including gate sensitivity, envelope,
transient shaper, and 2-band parametric EQ with high and low cut.
You can export edited files to a wide variety of supported samplers
or save them in WAV, AIFF, or REX2 format.
Propellerhead Software; tel. (468) 691-4500; Web www.propellerheads.se
KM-2 Kaoss Mixer
DJ EFFECTS MIXER
Combining a DJ mixer and a second-generation Kaoss Pad, Korg's
KM-2 Kaoss Mixer ($750) offers DJs professional-quality mixing with
built-in effects and sampling capabilities designed for live
performance. The KM-2's mixer section features individual Master
and Booth outputs; a Headphone/Booth monitoring switch; a
12-section LED output meter; a crossfader with three curve
settings; and two channels with 3-band EQ, input gain faders, peak
indicators, and line and phono inputs (channel 1 also includes a
mic input). The mixer comes with a built-in improved and expanded
version of Korg's popular Kaoss Pad. The new pad provides 80
effects programs, an FX Depth knob for blending the processed and
original signals, an auto-bpm function that locks effects to the
incoming signal's tempo, and a tap tempo function. Korg has
increased the Kaoss Pad's sampling time to 23 seconds at 44.1 kHz
and has included four dedicated sampling buttons for triggering
samples independent of the pad's effects.
Korg; tel. (516) 333-9100; Web www.korg.com
Tracktor
DJ MIXING SOFTWARE
Native Instruments' Tracktor ($199) is an MP3 and WAV file
player that brings professional DJ mixing capabilities to Windows
users. Featuring a modular design, Tracktor comes with two
audio players, a playlist section, a DJ mixer, a beat matcher, a
digital scratcher, a cue section, and filters. The software saves
five sample-accurate cue points for each track to allow you to set
loop or trigger points in advance, and it can record all control
movements and export a mix in a dedicated file format or as a WAV
file. Tracktor's visual interface displays waveforms in
real time, so you can view beat transients and cue points ahead of
time. Other features include 3-band EQ for both decks with kill
switches for each band; an 8-pole bandpass filter with variable
width, resonance, and cutoff frequency for each deck; and an
autofade function with adjustable time. Tracktor requires
at least a Pentium II/366 MHz PC with 64 MB of RAM, Windows
98/ME/2000, and a 16-bit sound card.
Native Instruments; tel. 49-30-611-0350; Web www.native-instruments.de
AN200
DESKTOP CONTROL SYNTHESIZER
Featuring DSP-based physical modeling of analog circuitry,
Yamaha's AN200 desktop control synthesizer ($629) produces the
dynamic, punchy sounds of vintage analog synthesizers. The unit's
front panel includes several knobs that give you real-time control
over sound parameters, and a built-in 16-step pattern-based
sequencer that plays one AN part and three rhythm parts per
pattern. You can program up to 128 voices and 256 patterns with up
to 5-note polyphony. The AN200 also provides four effects (Chorus,
Delay, Flanger, and Phaser) and a Free EG function that records and
plays back the movement of parameter knobs. Other features include
2-scene-per-pattern scene memory, two ¼-inch phone plug
outputs, MIDI I/O, internal-external MIDI Clock, and bundled
voice-editor software for Mac and PC platforms.
Yamaha; tel. (714) 522-9011; Web www.yamaha.com
XL-7 Command Station
MUSIC WORKSTATION
E-mu's XL-7 Command Station ($1,695) combines the synth engines
of the company's Proteus 2000 and XL-1 sound modules with a
multitrack sequencer for a complete music-creation workstation. The
XL-7's front panel has a touch strip, 13 velocity-sensitive
keypads, and a variety of control knobs, buttons, and switches for
programming sounds, patterns, and performances. The unit's 512
preset sounds are geared toward electronica and dance music, and
you can add more sounds using the unit's three expansion slots,
which accept ROM chips from the Proteus 2000 library (512 user
locations are provided for storing your own programmed sounds). The
sequencer offers 384 ppqn resolution, records up to 16 tracks, and
stores 128 songs and 256 patterns. The XL-7's arpeggiator can play
any 16 of its 300 ROM or 100 user patterns simultaneously, and two
24-bit effects processors provide a wide range of high-quality
effects. E-mu also offers the MP-7, which has the same features but
includes the hip-hop and R&B sounds of the Mo-Phatt module
instead of the XL-1 sound set.
E-mu; tel. (831) 438-1921; Web www.emu.com
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