NEW PRODUCTS
Feb 1, 2003 12:00 PM, by Markkus Rovito
DENON DN-S5000
ACTIVE CD TURNTABLE
Denon is putting a new spin on professional CD players with the DN-S5000 ($1,200). It not only provides authentic vinyl-sounding scratching of CD audio but also incorporates a motor-driven platter with a 7-inch diameter. To fully replicate the vinyl feel, the rotating platter holds a vinyl record, slipmat and slip sheet. With Denon Alpha Track innovation, jocks can play back two different tracks from the same disc independently and mix them as if from two separate records. Mirror Mix also allows the same track to play twice, with the second instance being played with a specified delay time of 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1/1 or 2/1 — as if there were two copies of the same record. Hot Disc is a 35-second memory buffer that can be used to eject a disc before the track has finished. Users can create loops within the Hot Disc memory to mix with a track from a new CD. There are also two 15-second samplers, and DJs can scratch the sampler audio, the main track or the Alpha Track. The DN-S5000 offers four seamless loops plus the unique A-B splice, which edits an unwanted portion of a track from point A to point B. Users can edit these points in real time with the Scratch Disc. Additional features include auto, manual-input or tap-tempo bpm; reverse play; ±100 percent pitch control; replaceable CD drive; and independent S/PDIF digital outputs. An X-Effect port can connect two DN-S5000s or a Denon DN-X800 mixer for extensive relaying of data.
Denon; e-mail contactus@denonnj.com; Web www.denon.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS TRAKTOR DJ STUDIO 2.0
SOFTWARE/AUDIO-INTERFACE BUNDLE (MAC/PC)
Native Instruments' quantum leap in DJ technology, Traktor DJ Studio 2.0 ($199) is now available bundled with the Ego Systems USB audio card GigaPort AG for a reduced total price of $349. Traktor 2.0 incorporates an entire DJ setup into one program. The program detects the tempo of audio tracks and aligns the phase in the waveform displays to make automatic beat matching possible. Manual beat matching is also made easier with the aid of the real-time waveform displays that show the audio ahead of time. There are also auto-fade settings and selectable sensitivities for the crossfader. The GigaPort AG has eight analog outputs and a digital optical output. This bundle is available only from NI's online shop.
Native Instruments; e-mail info@native-instruments.com; Web www.ni-traktor.com
AMERICAN AUDIO VELOCITY
DUAL-CD PLAYER
American Audio has taken its CD-scratching and mixing technology from its Pro-Scratch 2 players and added more features to create the dual-CD powerhouse Velocity ($1,699.95). Each CD deck on Velocity has American Audio's PowerTouch touch-sensitive jog wheels with the company's Digital Scratching 2.0. There are two scratch modes: Digital Scratch and Beat Juggle. All of the onboard effects — scratch, filter, echo, trans, skid, phase, flange, pan and bop — have six preset settings. A bpm counter aids in mixing but also synchs the effects to the music. Reverse play, seamless loop and tempo lock are onboard, as well as three sample buttons per CD deck.
American Audio; e-mail info@americanaudio.us; Web www.americanaudio.us
EDIROL PCR-30
USB MIDI KEYBOARD CONTROLLER
With software taking over many studios, musicians are demanding MIDI keyboards with loads of control, and Roland offshoot Edirol aims to please. The 32-key, velocity-sensitive PCR-30 ($225) is stacked with eight knobs, eight sliders and nine buttons, all of which are fully programmable to any MIDI message. Sustain- and expression-pedal inputs and a pitch-bend/modulation lever are also present. A USB connection not only provides a single-cable connection to PC and Mac computers but also can fuel the PCR-30 with USB power. Preset memory locations hold templates for major audio/MIDI sequencers with more presets available from Edirol's Website. The unit has 15 memories for software or hardware MIDI devices. There are MIDI I/O ports for hardware and a new Roland V-Link that connects to the Edirol DV-7PR (sold separately) to provide real-time control of digital video. Also available is the PCR-50 ($295), which is identical in capability to the PCR-30 but with 49 keys.
Edirol; e-mail sales@edirol.com; Web www.edirol.com
ABLETON LIVE 2.0
SEQUENCING INSTRUMENT (MAC/PC)
The spastic stepchild of traditional audio sequencers is coming of age as Berlin's Ableton releases Live 2.0 ($399). Live distinguished itself in 2001 for its use of “elastic” audio. This means that users can set tempo at any time during recording, performance or playback and drop in loops, clips or complete songs, which will play back from the hard disk at the master tempo and pitch. Live has been known as a sequencer that is playable like an instrument in live performance. With version 2.0, Live enhances its performance features and adds multitrack recording and editing with real-time effects, automation and unlimited undo. Ableton also optimized the software's time stretching, which the company claims produces cleaner rhythmic and melodic results. Users can tap tempo at any time and record and edit those tempo changes. In addition to DJ-like crossfading and other new features, the overall speed and flexibility for looping, improvising and recording has been improved to make the program faster and more intuitive. Upgrades from Live 1.5 are $89 for a boxed version or $69 for a download.
Ableton; e-mail contact@ableton.com; Web www.ableton.com
ACCESS VIRUS INDIGO 2.0
TDM SYNTHESIZER PLUG-IN
Synth gurus know that the Access Virus is one biological weapon worth inspecting. The latest mutation is the Virus Indigo 2.0 ($795) synthesizer plug-in for Pro Tools TDM systems. Like the original plug-in, it delivers the same top-notch analog-emulating sound as the hardware Virus. But Indigo 2.0 adds a third main oscillator; new FM modes; 96kHz support; an Easy Page mode; and effects such as reverb, phaser, distortion, lo-fi, groove delay and envelope follower. Polyphony is 20 notes per DSP on a Pro Tools|HD system or 16 per DSP on a Pro Tools|24 system. Registered users of Virus Indigo 1.x may upgrade for $95 from Digidesign customer service.
Access (dist. by Digidesign); e-mail prodinfo@digidesign.com; Web www.digidesign.com
E-MU VINTAGE PRO
SOUND MODULE
E-mu is back with a successor to its classic Vintage Keys, the new Vintage Pro ($795). Inside is a 32MB sound set sampled from the finest vintage organs, electric pianos and synthesizers of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Plenty of digital and analog synthesizers are represented, as well as Hammond B3 sounds selected straight from E-mu's B-3 module. The Vintage Pro's retro-style knobs and dials give it a vintage flare, and the four real-time control knobs tweak the filters, envelopes and assignable modulation parameters. It comes standard with 128-note polyphony, six analog outputs and a digital output.
E-mu; e-mail sales@emu.com; Web www.emu.com
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