In the Know
Feb 1, 2001 12:00 PM
TS-22 PENTODE FILTER BANK
Metasonix's TS-22 ($999) all-tube filter bank boasts four bandpass filters, wired in parallel, driven by a special optocircuit for simultaneous sweeping. The filters sweep a 1-octave range and are offset from one another by one octave, starting at A 55. Each TS-22 filter has an individual tune knob calibrated in equally tempered intervals from A to A, as well as a separate resonance control that allows you to disable each filter or crank it up to oscillation. You can also use the final output tube as a VCA. Enclosed in a 2-space rack-mount cabinet, the handmade and point-to-point handwired TS-22 also works in conjunction with the TS-21 and the soon-to-be-released TS-23 to build a complete, all-tube synthesizer voice.
Metasonix; tel. (818) 993-0772; Web www.metasonix.com
PMC-07-ISP SCRATCH MIXER
Vestax's PMC-07-ISP scratch mixer ($1,399) includes all the features of the Vestax PMC-07-PRO but adds quadraphonic outputs that use Q4 joystick controls for panning among four speakers — front to back and left to right. Other new features include an effect-send jack and volume for each program, dedicated 2-band EQ on effect return, and a master trim volume control that allows DJs to perform crab techniques on the master fader. The mixer also offers a reverse (hamster) switch and curve adjustment for the crossfader and each channel fader, a program-reverse switch that reverses inputs 1 and 2, a session-mix input for daisy-chaining several units without losing an input channel, 3-band EQ on every channel, 2-band EQ on the mic channel, an improved dynamic range, and a headphone amp.
Vestax; tel. (954) 926-6622; Web www.vestaxdj.com
Planet Earth SOUND MODULE
E-mu's Planet Earth ($995) is a 64-voice expandable sound module that features an all-new 32 MB world and ethnic sound set — a collection that uses authentic rhythms and traditional instruments for realistic ethnic-music sounds. Planet Earth uses Proteus 2000 expansion ROMs for expanding the sound set; you can also create custom ROMs using an E4 Ultra sampler. With a powerful synthesis engine for creating unique beats and sounds, Planet Earth features E-mu's SuperBeats Mode, a powerful rhythmic tool that lets you effortlessly trigger, latch, and unlatch ethnic beats and rhythmic variations from your keyboard.
E-mu; tel. (831) 438-1921; Web www.emu.com
Absynth SOFTWARE SYNTHESIZER
Rhizomatic's Absynth ($150), a MIDI-controlled, 64-voice polyphonic software synthesizer for Power Macintosh computers, features 68-breakpoint envelope generators with loop and retrigger modes for creating cyclic patterns, as well as a waveform editor with many drawing and transform functions (including direct editing of the harmonic spectrum). The oscillators, LFOs, and distortion functions can employ user-created waveforms, and Absynth provides up to six oscillators per voice with FM and Ring Modulation modes and user-editable waveforms. Each voice accommodates three Ring/Amplitude Modulation modules and up to four filter modules with a choice of eight filter types. Absynth's MIDI functions allow smooth, expressive continuous-control processing. An audio output recorder with overdub capability lets you save Absynth's output in AIFF. Currently, the program uses Apple's Sound Manager for audio output and OMS for MIDI; support for other audio and MIDI protocols is under development. The application, documentation, and more than 100 presets are available for download.
Absynth; e-mail info@absyn.com; Web www.absyn.com
UK Garidge & 2-Step Grooves SAMPLE CD-ROM
Produced by some of the finest garage and two-step programmers in the United Kingdom — including Shane Meehan, Neil Pollard (aka Subphonic), and Dave Spiers — GMedia's UK Garidge & 2-Step Grooves sample CD-ROM ($49.95) offers a variety of WAV and AIFF audio loops and individual hits, MIDI loops, and Creative Labs SoundFonts. The disc features various instrument samples such as bass, Rhodes piano, and organ; instrumental loops and riffs; and drum hits and loops — perfect for programming your own R&B-, disco-, and swingbeat-inspired U.K. garage tunes. UK Garidge & 2-Step Grooves is compatible with PCs and Macintosh computers and is available from retailers or directly from the GMedia Web site.
GMedia; tel. (888) 767-4963; Web www.gmedia.com
Echo Farm TDM PLUG-IN SOFTWARE
Digidesign and Line 6 have teamed up to produce Echo Farm ($495), a new vintage-style echo-effects processing TDM plug-in for Pro Tools/24 Mix and Mixplus systems. Using the modeling technology of Line 6's Amp Farm, Echo Farm emulates classic tape echo, old-school analog delays, and filter-swept echo-phonic modulations, while adding the advantages of modern TDM processing, including extended delay time, bpm and note-value delay time setting, tap tempo, and complete automation. Echo Farm even allows you to control tape wow and flutter, bit resolution, and more. The software models its patches after classic boxes such as the Maestro EP-1 Tube Echoplex, the Roland RE-101 Space Echo, the Boss DM-2 analog delay, and many other units. Effects include sweep echo, ping-pong delay, and reverse playback.
Digidesign; tel. (650) 842-7900; Web www.digidesign.com
Club Tracks WINDOWS REMIX STUDIO
Cakewalk's Club Tracks multitrack remix studio ($49) allows PC users to produce original loop-based music projects and remixes, which they can save as stereo WAV or MP3 files or burn to audio CDs. Club Tracks features a drag-and-drop audio editor, a multitrack mixing console, a complete PowerFX audio loop library, and the Fruity Loops Express loop generator. You can build additional layers of tracks by recording samples from CDs or by adding your own vocal or instrumental tracks. Club Tracks makes it easy for scratch DJs to record performances while other tracks play back. By controlling an onscreen console, you can mix tracks in real time using Chorus, Reverb, Echo, Delay, and Flange effects. The application supports DirectX-compatible audio plug-ins, providing a way to expand effects capabilities as needed. Club Tracks imports AVI and MPEG files, which allows you to sync digital video to audio and create music videos.
Cakewalk; tel. (617) 441-7870; Web www.cakewalk.com
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