NEW PRODUCTS
Mar 1, 2002 12:00 PM, By Markkus Rovito and Robert Hanson
AXIS 8
DJ CD PLAYER
Like its predecessor (the Axis 2), the Axis 8 ($730) allows you to scratch CD audio with a 130mm jog wheel. It adds 12 onboard effects, which can be synched to the music's bpm with the Axis 8's bpm detection. DJs can also create two seamless loops with three “hot-stutter” starts. The Axis 8 can change a song's key or lock onto the key as you change the pitch, which has adjustable ranges of ±6, 12, 25 and up to 100%.
Additional features of the Axis 8 include 48 seconds of buffer memory, digital output, CD-R compatibility, and connections for remote fader start and stop.
Numark; tel. (401) 295-9000; Web www.numark.com
MPC4000
MUSIC PRODUCTION CENTER
New From NAMM
The MPC4000 (price TBA), Akai's latest addition to the acclaimed MPC line, is a full-featured sampler and workstation that combines the familiar and intuitive MPC control surface with the latest refinements in streaming sample playback and 24/96 fidelity. In contrast to most RAM-dependent hardware samplers, the MPC4000 streams samples directly from the hard disk, and the new Z-24 sampling engine and Intel CPU promise lightning-fast processing of files and 64-note polyphony (32 voices at 96 kHz). The unit also includes a 4-channel, 52-bit (internal) effects processor. Filter cutoff, resonance, pitch, LFO and other functions can be controlled in real time via four Q-Link knobs and two note-variation sliders.
The MPC4000 includes reference-grade mic pre's as well as balanced XLR and ¼-inch combination inputs (which are switchable to line-level to accommodate turntables, CD players and other devices). A USB host port and a standard SCSI connection allow the use of external storage devices. Four MIDI outs permit control of 64 independent channels.
Akai; tel. (817) 831-9203; Web www.akaipro.com
KONTAKT
MAC/WIN SOFTWARE SAMPLER
New From NAMM
Native Instruments' new software sampler, Kontakt (price TBA), is both Mac (OS 8.6 or higher) and PC (98, 2000, XP and ME) compatible. The program integrates with VST 2.0, DXi and MAS platforms, or functions as a stand-alone application. Features include real-time time-stretching and resynthesis; 14 filter types; graphical display and editing of modulation parameters; tempo-synched multistaged envelopes, LFO and step-sequencer; loop editor; and more. The program can handle a maximum of 256 stereo voices (depending on available CPU and RAM) and 32 discrete outputs.
Native Instruments; tel. (822) 232-6966; Web www.native-instruments.de
DJM-3000
PRO RACKMOUNT DJ MIXER
Pioneer's DJM-3000 DJ mixer ($1,099) includes a bpm counter and internal effects that provide beat-synched effects processing. On two separate LEDs, the bpm counter measures values of 70 to 180 bpm. The list of available effects includes those from the Pioneer industry-standard DJM-600 mixer: delay, echo, auto pan, flanger, pitch shifter, reverb, auto-transform, auto-frequency filter, and Zip and Roll, a new effect that creates a drumroll to the music's beat. Time and level/depth knobs control the effect parameters, and a Tap button lets you manually enter the bpm.
The rackmountable mixer also contains a slew of inputs: seven line, four ¼-inch and three mic (one XLR). Four input channels include 3-band, +12dB/-26dB EQ, and the mic input has bass and treble controls. A Talk Over switch mutes all input channels except the mic input, and headphone monitor split (auditioning) is available. Two digital outputs employ 20-bit, 44.1kHz A/D conversion.
Users can select three crossfader curves, and optional rotary dials are available. When used with Pioneer's CDJ- or CMX-series CD players, the DJM-3000 can begin track playback or start from cue point with the crossfader or a channel fader.
Pioneer; tel. (310) 952-2747; Web www.pioneerprodj.com
ORBIT 3 SUPER SYNTH
SOUND MODULE
E-mu's seemingly endless supply of new synth modules maintains its energy with the Orbit 3 Super Synth ($1,495), the successor to the Orbit V2. E-mu enlisted Rob Papen, who has designed sounds for Access and Waldorf synthesizers, to create an all-new 64MB sound set oriented toward electronic-dance-music producers. Among the fare are beefy analog-style synth patches, acoustic and electric drum kits and percussion, and a diverse palette of both bread-and-butter instruments and oddball sound effects.
The Orbit 3 comes standard with plenty of power: 32 MIDI channels, 128-note polyphony, six assignable audio outputs, digital S/PDIF output, and two 32MB slots for any of the 11 E-mu expansion ROMs. Like all of E-mu's recent 1U rackmount synths, the Orbit 3 has four real-time control knobs with three banks of parameters to control 12 functions, four of which are assignable. Another key feature is the Super Beats mode, in which users can tweak the multilayered sequences in real time by changing rhythms, muting patterns, adjusting envelopes and filters, bringing in new instrumental parts and more. The Orbit 3 contains new Super Beats patterns; all Super Beats information and real-time changes transmit MIDI to be recorded in an external sequencer.
E-mu; tel. (831) 438-1921; Web www.emu.com
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