NEW PRODUCTS
Jul 1, 2002 12:00 PM, By Markkus Rovito
KORG KP-2 KAOSS PAD
MULTI-EFFECTS UNIT
Korg's stand-alone KP-2 Kaoss Pad (price TBA) adds new effects, more powerful sampling and other features to the original Kaoss Pad. The KP-2 features 100 effect programs — including new drum patterns and synth, slicer and vocoder effects — in addition to the selection of standard programs such as pitch shift, distortion, filter, wah, tremolo, flanger, delay, reverb, pan, gate, phaser and ring modulator. Auto bpm detects the music's tempo and can sync the effects accordingly or sync them to MIDI Clock.
The beefed-up sampler provides up to six seconds of 16-bit, 44.1kHz sampling on each of the two sample pads, which can record from any of the KP-2's three inputs. Samples can be manipulated with Reverse, Time Stretch and Loop Time Modulation functions. Users can also record pad motions (as MIDI data) into an external sequencer for later editing and playback or use the pad as a MIDI control surface, particularly handy for surround sound applications.
The unit includes MIDI I/O, two stereo pairs of ¼-inch and RCA inputs and a stereo RCA output. A ¼-inch mic input on the front panel comes with a Trim knob, and the front-panel headphone jack has a Volume knob.
Korg; tel. (516) 333-9100; e-mail support@korgusa.com; Web www.korg.com
PROPELLERHEAD REASON 2.0
VIRTUAL SYNTH/SEQUENCING WORKSTATION (MAC/WIN)
One of the best-loved music software programs in the world has received a major upgrade. Propellerhead Reason 2.0 ($399) now includes an enhanced sequencer, tempo-synchable LFOs in every module, the new Malström graintable synthesizer, the NN-XT advanced sampler and an orchestral sound library. Improvements to the main sequencer include Zoom, Line and Eraser tools, and the Sequencer window can now break free from the rack to be expanded, resized or moved.
The Malström graintable synth module combines granular and wavetable synthesis to yield a wide variety of sounds, from ethereal pads to alien screeches. The NN-XT sampler is much more powerful than the original NN-19. New features include automatic pitch detection and sample mapping, graphic zone editing, loop editing, layering, zone-velocity switching, and crossfading.
For users who purchased Reason after March 1, 2002, or who have the new plastic registration card, the upgrade is free. To other registered users, the upgrade costs $89.
Propellerhead Software (dist. by Midiman); tel. (800) 969-6434; e-mail info@midiman.net; Web www.propellerheads.se or www.midiman.net
STEINBERG CUBASE SX
DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION (MAC/WIN)
Steinberg's heavyweight digital audio workstation and MIDI-sequencing software has been rechristened Cubase SX ($799). Steinberg says that SX will be the most intuitive Cubase yet, designed to nurture the creative process without having technology get in the way. Cubase SX will only be Windows XP and Mac OS X compatible.
New aspects of Cubase SX are graphic automation of all parameters; 5.1 surround mixing; Waldorf synthesizer technology; a Nuendo-based 24-bit, 96kHz audio engine; SPL de-esser; “intelligent” real-time MIDI processing; and unlimited undo, redo and edit history. A complete set of VST Instruments and effect processors, including the Quadra Fuzz by Craig Anderton, is packaged. Cubase SX also includes a new function that permanently applies effects to selected tracks, allowing users to better conserve DSP resources.
Updates to Cubase SX are available to registered users of Cubase VST/32 for $149, Cubase VST Score for $199 and Cubase VST for $299.
Steinberg; tel. (818) 678-5100; e-mail info@steinberg-net.com; Web; www.us.steinberg.net
SOUNDART CHAMELEON
24-BIT DSP ENGINE
What's better than a 1U rackmount studio tool that claims to be capable of any digital signal processing (DSP) task imaginable? One that lets you design your own programs from scratch, which is what Soundart claims the Chameleon (approx. $696) will do. The unit offers synthesis, as well as audio and MIDI processing, with 24-bit resolution. Soundart is also making the Chameleon a truly open system; the company is giving away the Chameleon's programming tools, license-free, to users whether they are professional or aspiring sound designers.
The Chameleon uses Motorola's DSP56303 chips to process all incoming and outgoing audio. These chips can process audio up to 56 bits. There is also enough 24-bit RAM to allow mono delay times of more than 87 seconds. All audio passes through A/D converters operating at 48 kHz.
The hands-on user interface includes 12 buttons, an LCD, an input dial, three programmable knobs, a volume knob and a headphone output. Developers, depending on experience, are eligible for discounts.
Soundart; e-mail info@soundart-hot.com; Web www.soundart-hot.com
ANALOGUE SOLUTIONS BLACK COFFEE
MONO SYNTH MODULE
The compact, fully analog Black Coffee ($399) mono synth includes an audio input to run external sources through its 24dB, 4-pole Moog-style VCF. Other synthesis parameters include white noise, one VCO (saw or square wave), an LFO (square or triangle shape), a VCA, a ring modulator and a Roland TB-303-style slide. Ten rotary knobs control functions such as LFO speed, LFO depth, filter cutoff and filter resonance. The front panel also has eight patchable minijack sockets assigned as follows: Pitch CV In, LFO Square Out, Audio In to Filter, Audio Out, VCF Cutoff In and so forth.
On the back panel, Black Coffee has a CV pedal input and a ¼-inch input, as well as the main audio output and audio input. The module is available in a self-contained box unit with MIDI I/O or as a module that will fit into Concussor, Integrator and A100 modular systems. MP3 audio examples are available on the Website.
Analogue Solutions; tel. 44-138-435-3694; e-mail info@analoguesolutions.com; Web www.analoguesolutions.com
NOVATION D-STATION
DRUM SYNTH
Novation's D-Station (price TBA) takes the classic analog rhythm sounds of Roland's TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines and puts them into an all-digital 1U rack module. The D-Station uses Novation's ASM method of analog modeling for some sounds (kick, snare, toms, hi-hat, 808 cymbals and congas), whereas the remaining sounds are sampled (rim shot, clap, cowbell, 909 cymbals, maracas and claves). Of the 40 drum programs in the memory, 25 are factory-preset and 15 are user-programmable. With eight notes of polyphony and eight total outputs, each drum sound in a program can be routed to its own output. Programs can also store individual distortion, pan and level settings for each sound. A pitch-assign feature transposes drums over one octave.
All of the D-Station's 21 control knobs transmit MIDI data that can be stored in a sequencer and played back into the module. The unit also responds to MIDI program changes and recognizes MIDI Note On/Off, which can be used for gating effects on the drum sounds. Back-panel sockets include MIDI In, Out, Thru and DIN Sync, which converts MIDI Clock into a DIN Sync pulse.
Novation; tel. 44-162-8 67-8520; e-mail sales@novationuk.com; Web www.novationmusic.com
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