New Products
Sep 1, 2002 12:00 PM, By Markkus Rovito
DIGIDESIGN DIGI 002
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE RECORDING SYSTEM
Digidesign heard the call from FireWire advocates and responded. With the new Digi 002 system ($2,495), Pro Tools LE users get an audio/MIDI interface with an eight-fader, touch-sensitive control surface and FireWire connectivity. The Digi 002 supports 24-bit, 96kHz audio and eliminates the need for a PCI card with a single FireWire interface to the host computer. It includes Pro Tools LE 5.3.2 software for both Windows (XP Home) and Mac (OS 9.x), which ups the audio track count to 32.
Based on the Digidesign Control|24, the Digi 002's control surface features eight motion-sensitive encoders and 10 four-character scribble strips for individual track parameters. The surface even provides manipulation of the RTAS and AudioSuite plug-ins that come bundled with the system. When used as a stand-alone device, the Digi 002 control surface acts as an 8×4×2 digital mixer with onboard EQ, dynamics, delay and reverb. The box contains all the connections, as well: eight analog inputs (four with mic preamps, 48V phantom power and variable gain); eight analog outputs; eight channels of ADAT optical I/O; two channels of S/PDIF I/O; MIDI I/O (one In, two Out); and monitor, headphone and RCA outputs.
Digidesign; tel. (800) 333-2137; e-mail
prodinfo@digidesign.com; Web
www.digidesign.com
ROLAND MC-09 PHRASE LAB
LOOP-BASED PRODUCTION TOOL
The MC-09 Phrase Lab ($445) is part synth, part phrase sampler and part sequencer. The heart of the desktop tool is a four-part audio looper with volume faders. With that, you can sample external audio in loops as long as six seconds each. The Phrase Lab recognizes bpm to find the right loop points and to make sampling tightly timed loops easier. A Chop feature divides a loop into 16 Slices.
The MC-09 can also sample loops created with the onboard monophonic analog-modeling synth and 32-step sequencer. Specializing in beefy bass, lead and rhythm sounds, the monosynth has six real-time control knobs to tweak sounds. The sounds are triggerable from the 16 onboard keypads or from a remote MIDI keyboard. The sequencer uses the step sequencing popularized in Roland's vintage TR-series drum machines and TB-303 synth to create sequences of the synth sounds. These sequences can then be sampled into the audio looper.
The MC-09 also has four onboard algorithms: Filter, Isolator, Phaser and Slicer. The effects have three real-time controls each, and they can be set to effect any of the audio loops or incoming audio signals. A SmartMedia-card slot on the back panel is for storing audio loops, sequences and synth or effects patches.
Roland; tel. (323) 890-3700; Web www.rolandus.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS PRO-53
SOFTWARE SYNTH
As part of a Stateside expansion effort, Native Instruments, one of the giants of software synthesis, now distributes its own ever-developing products. One of its chief claims to fame, the Pro-52 software model of the hallowed Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 analog synth, received a major upgrade: Pro-53 ($199; free to registered Pro-52 users). The upgrade contains new sounds optimized for the many extended functions and supports VST 2.0, DXi, DirectConnect and MAS.
New to Pro-53 are redesigned oscillators that make the already impressive analog-emulation sound even warmer and more brilliant. A more ergonomic user interface includes larger knobs, switches and some new elements. Improvements to the filters include Highpass and Lowpass modes, as well as an invertible filter envelope. The LFO section contains MIDI and envelope trigger buttons that sync the LFO to MIDI Clock and that re-effect held notes with every pass of the LFO.
Additional MIDI improvements include MIDI Learn, which makes using Pro-53 with hardware MIDI controllers simple. Users can save custom controller maps or employ preset maps for use with hardware interfaces. Producers routing external signals into Pro-53's filter or effects can now use the Hold button to make programming easier and to eliminate the need for an extended MIDI note in the sequencer.
Native Instruments; tel. (866) 556-6487; e-mail info@native-instruments.com; Web www.native-instruments.com
PSP AUDIOWARE LEXICON PSP 42
TAPE-DELAY PLUG-IN
Anyone wanting the sound and functionality of a world-class tape-delay machine (who doesn't?) can now have it for a fraction of the cost. PSP Audioware received approval from Lexicon Inc. to produce the Lexicon PSP 42 ($149), a digital stereo-delay and phrase-sampler plug-in based on the famous Lexicon PCM 42. Designed for accurate replication, the Lexicon PSP 42 uses a precise tape-saturation algorithm and a delay line with variable sampling frequency that simulate physical properties of vintage tape-machine delays. It is available in VST and DirectX formats for Windows, and VST and MAS formats for Macintosh.
Characteristics of the Lexicon PSP 42 include up to 9,600 ms of delay time, depending on internal sampling frequency; support for sampling rates as high as 192 kHz; a lowpass filter; MIDI and VST automation; and Logic Control support.
The Lexicon PSP 42 can generate delay-based effects from tempo-locked feedback delay with high frequency absorption and tape saturation to flanging, phasing and lo-fi effects. A modulation section with three signal sources allows continuous delay time and pitch control for anything from subtle swing of the signal to unpredictable, alien sounds. The plug-in is also a simple phrase sampler that lets you capture a loop and process it real-time without clicks or pops.
PSP; tel. 48-60-196-3173; e-mail contact@pspaudioware.com; Web www.pspaudioware.com
VESTAX PMC-37 PRO
PRO MIXER
For the first time, DJs can assign one turntable to three mixer channels and, more specifically, assign three isolated frequency bands from the same source to three separate channels. Vestax continues its tradition of innovation with the PMC-37 Pro mixer ($1,599) designed for turntablists and DJs of all persuasions. The mixer has three channel strips with faders and four sets of stereo mic/line inputs (a total of eight RCA stereo inputs). Any of the three channels can be assigned to any of the four inputs, including two or three channels assigned to the same input if desired. In addition, each channel strip contains an Isolator section with faders for each of the low-, mid- and high-frequency bands. Switching on the Isolator and singling out a frequency band will provide better quality frequency isolation than traditional kill switches, according to Vestax. A separate mic channel accommodates two ¼-inch balanced inputs with 2-band EQ.
Another key feature of the PMC-37 Pro is a filter with a wet/dry fader and a Sweep knob found on each of the three stereo channels. There are also three selectable crossfader curves and two effects loops with Pre/Post-EQ switches on each channel. The mixer uses Vestax's PCV faders, which have been tested to two million passes without audible sound-quality loss. Remaining connections include two headphone jacks (top and front-panel), ¼-inch master and sub outputs and a pair of RCA cue outputs.
Vestax; tel. (562) 623-9881; Web www.vestax.com
SENNHEISER HD 280 PRO
STEREO HI-FI HEADPHONES
Designed to deliver exceptional isolation and precise sound reproduction, the new Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones ($199) combine high fidelity with a practical design for maximum efficiency and comfort. The form-fitting earpieces are engineered to remain comfortable and nonfatiguing during long studio and DJ sessions. The 280s feature a fold-up design making them easily stowable in a gig bag. In addition to the headphones' extra mobility, all of the internal components are easily replaceable, ensuring years of use. The HD 280s boast a maximum sound pressure level of 113 dB with a stated frequency response of 8 Hz to 26 kHz. A 1m coiled cable with ¼- and ¼-inch connectors is standard.
Sennheiser; tel. 49-51-306-000; e-mail info@sennheiser.com; Web www.sennheiser.com
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
