NEW PRODUCTS
Jan 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Doug Eisengrein
PROPELLERHEAD REASON 3.0
SOFT-SYNTH WORKSTATION (MAC/PC)
For Reason users, the long wait is finally over. Reason 3.0 (price TBA) offers a number of significant enhancements on the live-performance front as well as the inclusion of a new suite of mastering effects. Billed as an alternative to traditional hardware workstations, the program includes a new module called the Combinator. Along with a new line mixer, the Combinator allows users to create and keymap elaborate multi-instrument patches comprising any number of synth, sampler and effect modules that can all be saved and recalled as a single preset. This function is especially useful to live players who need to be able to quickly switch between instrument patches. The other major addition to Reason is the new the MClass suite of mastering effects, which includes an EQ, a stereo imager, a compressor and a maximizer. Additional tweaks and improvements abound, and the company is offering special upgrade deals.
Propellerhead;
www.propellerheads.se
GEM SOUND GEQ-256
GRAPHIC EQ/SPECTRUM ANALYZER
Gem Sound has upgraded its GEQ-255 equalizer and introduced the GEQ-256 ($159.95), a new 10-band stereo graphic EQ and spectrum analyzer that is rackmountable. The new GEQ incarnation features a large backlit display that boasts multiple display modes, and the LED-illuminated faders make operation in dim light easy. The frequency spread covers 30 Hz to 16 kHz, and each band has a boost or cut as great as ±12 dB. The 10-band spectrum analyzer is output on a bright-blue screen and can display real-time frequency activity in seven modes, including linear, cubic, peak hold, under peak hold, upper spectral, normal and auto-change. The GEQ-256 can go on the road, as it can be powered via 110 or 220V. Multiple inputs include dual stereo RCA line inputs and a separate stereo record input; a Mute button is found on the front panel.
Gem Sound;
www.gemsound.com
LIVID INSTRUMENTS TACTIC
VIDEO-MIXING HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
New kid on the block Livid Instruments unveils Tactic ($2,999), a first-of-its-kind combination hardware/software video-performance system. The beautifully hand-crafted hardware control surface, in conjunction with Livid's proprietary software, allows for real-time mixing and editing of computer-dwelling digital video files — perfect for providing interesting visuals at live events. Because the videos are created on the fly, they can be recorded to hard disk as QuickTime files. In addition, Tactic is capable of mixing live camera feeds with stored digital video files, and the hardware control surface is user-programmable, allowing it to play visuals live as if they were an instrument. The surface features a wide assortment of sliders, buttons, wheels and knobs, and 200-plus effects are in the operator's hands. As many as 4,000 digital video clips can be handled at one time with the software. Tactic has been designed with the emerging VJ scene in mind, so keep an eye out for it.
Livid Instruments;
www.lividinstruments.com
TAPCO SW•10
ACTIVE SUBWOOFER
The rebirth of Mackie's maiden name from the '60s, Tapco, brought forth the sweet-sounding yet inexpensive S•5 and S•8 studio monitors just over a year ago. Now, the company has supplemented the low frequencies of that line with the new SW•10 ($419) active sub. The sturdy chassis and industrial styling of the S•5 and S•8 monitors have been incorporated into the SW•10, which features a 10-inch low-frequency driver and a 120W continuous power amplifier. The built-in Linkwitz-Riley fourth-order 24dB/octave crossover is the secret weapon of the SW•10, as it boasts independent variable crossover points between 55 and 110 Hz for both channels, making the SW•10 a good base for a surround system. Inputs are provided via balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, as are stereo highpass outputs. Input sensitivity and polarity controls are found onboard, as well, which makes the SW•10 flexible for different-size environments.
Tapco;
www.tapcogear.com
BLUE 8-BALL
STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE
Following on the heels of its other orb-shape mic, the Ball, Latvia-based Blue Microphones introduces the 8-Ball ($279), another distinctively shaped cardioid condenser built for professionals, but with a slimmer price tag. Like the original Ball mic, the 8-Ball is designed to be versatile; according to Blue, it is equally suitable for vocals, drums or acoustic guitars. Blue mics are handmade, and the 8-Ball features ultra-low-noise discrete Class A amp circuits. The mic's frequency response is a nice, wide 35 Hz to 20 kHz, and it features a max SPL rating of 150 dB with a total harmonic distortion of just 0.5 percent. The mic has standard mic threads built right into the bottom on a swivel joint that makes for easy placement. A purpose-built shockmount is available as an accessory.
Blue;
www.bluemic.com
MOTU TRAVELER
FIREWIRE AUDIO/MIDI INTERFACE
Aimed squarely at mobile and laptop recordists, MOTU rolls out the next phase in its highly regarded FireWire-based audio interfaces with the Traveler ($895), an entirely bus-powered 20522 I/O. The Traveler is capable of a massive simultaneous operation of 20 inputs and 22 outputs, all while being powered straight from the FireWire bus of a Mac or Windows box. Power is switchable between bus and AC power. Drawing on and improving upon the company's 828mkII interface, the Traveler provides four combination XLR/¼-inch mic/line/instrument inputs, four additional balanced TRS inputs, eight TRS outputs and digital I/O in every combination most will ever need: S/PDIF is provided on both coaxial and optical connectors, and AES/EBU in and out are provided. Word clock and MIDI I/O are both present, as are dual FireWire connectors. As if that weren't enough, mic input gain is digitally controlled, and each mic input has discrete phantom-power switches.
MOTU;
www.motu.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS BATTERY 2
SOFTWARE DRUM SAMPLER
Fine-tuning is the name of the game with Native Instruments' newest drum sampler, Battery 2 ($299). With a refined user interface including a larger, customizable matrix, Battery is packed to the gills with sound-processing tools inside each sample cell. Each sound can be shaped with its own compressor, multimode filter, LFO, freely assignable envelope and more. A mapping editor enables control of a whopping 128 sample layers per cell. Version 2 includes a sample library, 3.5 GB deep, filled with drum and percussion samples such as acoustic drums, world percussion, orchestral percussion and electronic sounds. Battery is compatible with a wide variety of common professional sample formats, including EXS24, GigaSampler, HALion, Akai S1000 and S3000, REX I and II, AIFF, WAV, Sound Designer II, SoundFont 2.0, SampleCell, LM4 and all of the various Native Instruments formats (such as Kontakt). Battery 2 can handle a max of 16 mono or eight stereo outputs for use with multichannel soundcards, and it uses 32-bit internal resolution.
Native Instruments;
www.nativeinstruments.com
STANTON FINALSCRATCH 2
DJ HARDWARE/SOFTWARE SYSTEM
Technology is often tested and forged in the DJ booth, and Stanton's next generation of FinalScratch is part of the proof. FinalScratch 2 ($799), a hardware/software combination for laptop-toting DJs, now includes the FireWire-based, multichannel ScratchAmp 2. The new mixer and controller boasts 24-bit, 96kHz converters and I/O for all the gear that most DJs are likely to plug in, including two phono, two line, one mic and one aux input, as well as MIDI I/O. Stanton's partner in crime, Native Instruments, provides a brand-new version of Traktor FS that is compatible with Mac OS X and Windows XP, and this version keeps a close eye on solid stability. The package includes time-coded vinyl records, time-coded CDs and four RCA cables.
Stanton;
www.stantondj.com
MANIFOLD LABS PLUGZILLA
HARDWARE PLUG-IN PLAYER
A few short years ago, a little start-up saw the aching need of professionals for more processing power in computer-based DAWs and invented a hardware-based plug-in player. The new incarnation of Plugzilla ($2,995) features an additional four channels of audio I/O, boosting the unit to eight channels total. Plugzilla serves up four analog channels with 24-bit, 96kHz conversion; S/PDIF and AES/EBU digital out; word-clock, Ethernet and USB ports; and twin MIDI and footswitch jacks. The Linux-based unit comes bundled with hundreds of plug-ins, and you can install more.
Manifold Labs;
www.plugzilla.com
PRESONUS ADL 600
DUAL MICROPHONE PREAMP
PreSonus is drawing the curtain on the ADL 600 ($699.95), a handmade Class A high-voltage, dual-channel tube microphone preamp — designed by none other than world-famous engineer Anthony DeMaria of DeMaria Labs. Each ADL 600 contains an impressive array of six high-V vacuum tubes split across its two channels and all of the other goodies that gear connoisseurs drool over. The reported frequency range is nothing short of ridiculous: 5 Hz to 80 kHz. On top of that, the ADL 600 boasts 75 dB of preamp gain and more than 30 dB of headroom.
PreSonus;
www.presonus.com
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