NEW PRODUCTS
Oct 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
ABLETON LIVE 6 AND SAMPLER
DAW SOFTWARE AND VIRTUAL SAMPLING INSTRUMENT
Perhaps the world's most popular software for DJs and remixers, and certainly the most commonly used stage-performance software, Live has always been unique. With the constant release of new versions with new technologies, Ableton finds creative ways of adapting all kinds of useful innovations to Live's inimitable approach. Now, with the release of Live 6 ($599/$499 download) and its new multisampling instrument Sampler ($199), Ableton has taken its biggest step yet.
Of the far too many new features to cover, one of the coolest is Sampler, a multisampling multizone version of the Simpler instrument (introduced in version 5) that can read Akai S1000 and S3000 discs, GigaStudio formats, Apple GarageBand and Logic .exs Files, SoundFonts and (nonencrypted) Kontakt sample banks just as easily as it reads the high-quality Essential Instrument Collection, a wide-ranging series of sample banks that comes included with the boxed version of Live 6. Another cool new feature of Live 6 is drag-and-drop support for QuickTime video in the arrangement view. Just drop in a movie file and immediately start lining up audio clips to points in the video for fast, Ableton-style scoring. There is a ton more on Live 6; for the full list of new features, video demos and a rich community of users, check out Ableton's revamped Website.
Ableton;
www.ableton.com
M-AUDIO CONECTIV AND TORQ
USB DJ AUDIO INTERFACE AND PERFORMANCE SOFTWARE
M-Audio's new Syncroscience Division focuses on creating gear for DJs in an attempt to bring laptops into more regular use by selectors of all kinds. Its first offering is the power duo of Conectiv ($299), including Torq software. This two-part system combines with a laptop and audio files to cue, mix and manipulate a complete DJ set. Conectiv is a 4 × 4 USB-powered audio interface designed for DJs. Two big knobs balance the laptop and input levels, three knobs provide cue and microphone control and two pairs of RCA jacks supply analog I/O. The new DJ-oriented Torq software allows cueing, beat-matching and mixing of many types of sound files (AIFF, WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC). It also integrates with iTunes, organizing your Music Library into a searchable database for quick access to your already-sorted files. With full VST support, you can bring in your favorite effects, and for those used to physical controllers such as Final Scratch, Torq can be fully operated via control vinyl or CDs. Torq also includes a 16-cell tempo-synced sampler for quick and easy on-the-fly looping and remixing, and it can use Rewire to stream its channels to any compatible host.
M-Audio;
www.m-audio.com
NOVATION XIOSYNTH 49
SYNTHESIZER AND MIDI CONTROLLER
Novation keeps releasing new lines of quality synths and MIDI controllers lately, with all sorts of subtle differences designed to give options to studio heads. Its newest, the XioSynth 49 ($599), combines a complete synthesizer, MIDI controller and audio interface in one nicely priced package.
The audio-interface section takes a simple 2-in/2-out approach: one phantom-powered XLR mic pre and one ¼-inch guitar jack for audio conversion, recording and playback using class-compliant USB (no drivers needed). The XioSynth also acts as a MIDI controller for software with 22 controls (doubled to 44 using the A/B switch), an assignable touchpad and an assignable joystick for thorough control and programming options. There are 16 onboard templates, 12 of which come pre-assigned with Novation's well-respected layouts, and the included Template Editor software can create templates to be uploaded to the unit. As a superpowered bonus, the XioSynth also operates as an 8-voice polyphonic synthesizer featuring a 32-step X-Gator sequencer for adding rhythmic gate effects to any synth patch. It comes prepared with 200 patches; producers such as James Zabiela, Roots Manuva, Rennie Pilgrem and others programmed 60 of them. All 22 knobs and the touchpad/joystick have internal synth functions for a load of tweaking possibilities, and the synth signal can be routed through the USB connection to record directly into a computer. However, don't overlook the XioSynth's ability to run off batteries in stand-alone mode for wire-free synthesis away from the studio.
Novation;
www.novationmusic.com
STEINBERG GROOVE AGENT 3
VST VIRTUAL DRUMMER
With its latest major upgrade, Steinberg Groove Agent 3 ($299) comes even closer to sounding like the real thing. Using complex new technologies together with a carefully prepared sample library, the VST plug-in operates as a virtual drummer, creating its own drum parts within your parameters and saving loads of time on programming. Version 3 brings in powerful new controls and functionality and a wide range of new groove styles and Agent Player Modules (like having a dedicated percussionist), as well as the powerful new Dual mode, which can combine any two Agent Players for a virtual jam session. The new version also allows users to import their own samples for grooves, beats and fills; additionally, multiple versions (Ambience and Dry, for example) can be imported for thorough drum-kit layout possibilities. An upgraded EQ and compressor give finer detail control, and the cool AutoFill feature intelligently generates varying fills, making Groove Agent a versatile improvisation/jamming tool.
Steinberg;
www.steinberg.net
SAMSON VR88
VELOCITY RIBBON MICROPHONE
Samson has unveiled its most professional microphone yet, the VR88 ($499) ribbon microphone, a result of five years of intense research and development. Being produced in limited numbers, this boutique-quality ribbon mic comes handcrafted with all the fidelity of much higher priced models. It features a pure aluminum corrugated foil ribbon suspended within an intense Neodymium field, and its response is even from the top to the bottom of its range. Capable of handling as high as 138 dB SPL, the VR88 is just as happy on guitar stacks as it is on acoustic instruments or vocals. A lightweight aluminum case holds the mic, a yoke mount, spider shockmount and a custom XLR cable.
Samson;
www.samsontech.com
ZOOM H4 HANDY RECORDER
4-TRACK FIELD RECORDER WITH EFFECTS
One of the biggest frustrations with field recorders is being married to your mix when recording to a 2-channel medium. How often have you wished you could bring down the soundboard mix and bring up the room mics on a live recording? Zoom, best known for guitar and bass multi-effects pedals, has entered the palm-size, flash memory — wielding field-recorder market with the 4-track H4 Handy Recorder ($495), which aims to offer options when recording in the field. Dual 10mm-diaphragm electret condenser microphones are configured in an x-y pattern and can handle as high as 120 dB SPL. The H4 also has two combination analog input jacks, allowing either XLR input with optional 48V or 24V phantom power or high-impedance ¼-inch guitar/bass/synth input. Recording formats include 96 or 48 kHz (at 24-bit), 44.1 kHz (at 16-bit) or direct MP3 compression. It includes a 64 MB memory card but can accept a maximum 1 GB SD card, which would provide 190 minutes of recording in 16-bit mode. The H4 also features a library of classic Zoom effects settings for use during or after recording (compressor, EQ, mic modeling, guitar effects), and the unit comes bundled with Cubase LE, a windshield cover and a tripod attachment.
Zoom;
www.zoomfx.com
ALESIS IO/14 AND IO/26
FIREWIRE AUDIO/MIDI INTERFACES
The new iO/14 ($499) and iO/26 ($599) FireWire audio/MIDI interfaces from Alesis feature much of the same functionality as other FireWire units, but rather than the more common rack-ready design (with controls on the front and jacks on the back), these units rock a tabletop form factor. These bus-powered pieces offer analog inputs (on XLR/TRS combo jacks with inserts and optional phantom power), S/PDIF and ADAT digital inputs and 16-channel MIDI I/O. Some of the channels also include a Hi/Lo impedance switch for recording guitars or synths. When sending out, a simple stereo ¼-inch output is paired with two stereo headphone sources for detailed monitoring while tracking. For visual feedback, each input channel has a bright 5-segment LED meter for viewing signal level and clipping. With two FireWire ports for daisy-chaining, multiple units could increase track counts, and the package includes Cubase LE software for jumping straight into recording.
Alesis;
www.alesis.com
KEYTOSOUND NEXSYN
PLUG-IN SYNTHESIZER
The KeyToSound NexSyn ($TBA) virtual instrument is a flexible VST or Audio Units plug-in synth for Mac or Windows featuring an open design made to be tailored for individual programming styles. Much in the same way Reason allows you to build your virtual rack out of different devices, so does NexSyn allow you to build your own synthesizer into a virtual rack of components including vintage oscillators, filters, LFOs, envelopes, effects, arpeggiators and a modulation matrix. Oscillators 2 and 3 are really sample players, which access a 4 GB sample library by Big Fish Audio, allowing you to mix a wide variety of sampled sounds with classic synthesis techniques. One of the coolest features has to be NetNotes, which allows online sharing of sounds and settings with other users for Internet-savvy remixers and sound designers.
KeyToSound;
www.keytosound.com
SONY MDR-7509HD
HIGH-DEFINITION HEADPHONES
With the pervasive high sampling rates and audio fidelity in music production, the demand has finally come for higher resolution headphones. Sony's new MDR-7509HD ($265) high-definition headphones are designed to address this issue, featuring an unusually wide 80 kHz reproduction range for hearing the crisper high end and deeper low end associated with high-quality PCM and DSD recording types. Sony even designed these cans partly with the needs of hip-hop producers in mind, who would blow out other headphones with too much bass. Both louder and more comfortable, the 3,000 mW power capacity means hotter signals coming to the headphones while the Auranomic, circumaural design is tailored to the shape of the ear to reduce pressure on the ears after extended use. The high-powered neodymium magnets deliver a hot midrange signal from the drivers that is louder and less fatiguing on the listener.
Sony;
www.sony.com
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