New Products
Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
ACCESS VIRUS TI SNOW
TABLETOP SYNTH WITH SOFTWARE INTEGRATION
Legendary Virus TI power is now available in a portable, keyboard-less version as the Virus TI Snow ($1,350; www.access-music.de). In a small tabletop box with a stylish wooden front panel, the Snow works with all TI-series patches. The synth engine sports 50-note playback with four multitimbral parts, multiple oscillator models, a Moog cascade filter emulation and a deep effects section. While the front panel offers full programming capabilities, you can also edit and store sounds using the included Virus Control plug-in for VST/AU/RTAS hosts that, among other things, offers an intensely cool Easy Edit mode that adaptively assigns multiple parameters to the three value knobs for quickly making sweeping changes with a single knob. With analog stereo inputs and outputs, MIDI I/O and USB, the Snow has Access Total Integration that can route sounds from a DAW to the Snow's filters and envelopes and back.
MOTU DIGITAL PERFORMER 6
DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION
MOTU Digital Performer 6 ($795; www.motu.com) should be a success thanks to a serious focus on user-requested features. In addition to a full interface redesign, subtle but powerful improvements include resizable tracks in the Tracklist, new “floating” Inspector palettes, window tabs and more. The powerful new Comp Track feature is similar to Logic's Quick-Swipe comping, and the new ProVerb convolution reverb is drastically more CPU-efficient and includes a cool Dynamic Mix feature that ducks the wet signal as the input level increases for a wetter mix without losing clarity. The new MasterWorks Leveler contains four LA-2A models (two classic, two modern) for smoothing out tracks beautifully. XML file import/export tightens up integration between DP6 and Final Cut Pro, making it easy to see changes to a new video edit from inside your DP6 session. DP6 also shows massive performance gains when using virtual instruments. Audio Units plug-in support has been expanded, now offering 100-percent sample-accurate timing, sidechaining and ramp-based automation. RTAS plug-in support, native AIFF and WAV file compatibility, support for interleaved audio files (stereo and surround), enhanced plug-in management and direct-to-CD burning all demonstrate MOTU's commitment to its users.
NOVATION NOCTURN
ULTRAPORTABLE AUTOMAP CONTROLLER
To accompany the new Automap Universal 2 software at the NAMM Show 2008, Novation announced the Automap-capable Nocturn ($199; www.novationmusic.com), the smallest device to support Automap. It sports a pro-grade 45 mm crossfader, eight rear-illuminated buttons and eight rotary encoders, each with bright 11-LED rings. There is also one of Novation's awesome Speed Dials, which can take control of anything your mouse pointer rests over, from DAW controls to other apps and OS controls. As you switch from DAW to plug-in and back, Automap automatically reassigns Nocturn's controls to the currently active program. Users can make their own MIDI Maps just as easily and then find them using Automap 2's browsing. Maps can be traded and shared, and Novation will undoubtedly have a growing collection on its Website to download. A side-mounted USB socket helps the Nocturn sit directly in front of your laptop's keyboard without a cable jutting out of the back.
AKAI MPC5000
MUSIC PRODUCTION CENTER
Akai has created a monster. The new MPC5000 ($3,499; www.akaipro.com) features big improvements to the MPC line, such as 8-track streaming hard-disk recording and a powerful 20-note synthesizer with three oscillators, an arpeggiator and a multimode filter. You now have the ability to create whole songs inside an MPC, mix them down and burn audio or data CDs to the optional optical drive. The all-new 990 PPQ (parts-per-quarter-note) sequencing engine offers tighter MIDI timing but still keeps the option for that famous MPC swing. Built-in 64 MB of RAM is expandable to 192 MB, and there's a built-in 80 GB hard drive. In addition to the 40 new effects and modular 4-bus effects processor, Akai includes a new Master EQ and Compressor with an Old-School mode for vintage sampling sound. A CompactFlash card slot accepting as high as 2 GB cards and USB 2 offer modern connectivity, along with two MIDI inputs, four MIDI outputs, RIAA turntable inputs, 10 analog TRS inputs, eight ADAT optical output channels and stereo S/PDIF connections. Chop Shop 2 slices loops into individual samples and auto-assigns them to pads, while new technologies such as Patched Phrases and Continuous Sample Track allow Ableton-style warping and sample-syncing. The screen is twice the size as on the MPC2500, and there are 12 Q-link controllers for writing automation (eight knobs and four faders). Beat-heads rejoice!
EUPHONIX MC CONTROL AND MC MIX
PROFESSIONAL SOFTWARE CONTROLLERS
Using its EuCon control protocol with eight times the resolution and 250 times the speed of MIDI signals (using Ethernet), Euphonix has brought the power of its high-end large-format consoles to incredibly thin and portable controllers. The MC Control ($1,999; www.euphonix.com) and MC Mix ($1,399) create a modular editing/mixing system capable of controlling any software — DAW or otherwise. The MC Control offers a unique customizable touch-screen interface with 12 assignable soft keys that can send keystrokes — and customizable macro commands — to the foreground application, auto-switching between banks of assignments as you move from program to program. Four touch-sensitive motorized 100 mm faders can control any number of tracks, and eight touch-sensitive, push-button rotary encoders offer even deeper control. The MC Mix loses the touch screen and Transport section in lieu of a set of eight faders, as well as eight rotary encoders. Both devices are compatible with EuCon, HUI and Mackie Control protocols, and can be chained for as many as 36 total faders (four MC Mix units and one MC Control). The included Studio Monitor Express matrix system controls your system's monitoring connections from the control surface, and there is full control integration for Apogee Ensemble, Symphony and Duet interfaces, as well as native Apple Logic Pro support. The MC units can control multiple applications and multiple workstations via Ethernet, a first for a small-format device. Like a full-size pro console in a tiny box, the MC Control and MC Mix can help you produce with speed and precision.
ECLER NUO 2.0, NUO 3.0, NUO 4.0
DJ MIXERS
Ecler enjoyed a lot of success with its 2003 Nuo DJ mixers, which were known for their ease of use and sound quality. Their replacements, the Nuo 2.0, Nuo 3.0 and Nuo 4.0 ($TBA; www.eclerusa.com) aim to follow in the footsteps of the originals while enhancing the overall package. A new aluminum faceplate with etched graphics and lettering should last longer than the originals, and all three feature the larger VU meter from Ecler's flagship EVO5 mixer. The crossfaders are compatible with the popular magnetic Eternal crossfader for pros who want to customize their rig. With two, three and four main mix channels, respectively, the Nuos feature XLR mic inputs, 3-band full-cut EQs, effects send and return with PFL and fader/crossfader shape adjustments/reverse.
ROLAND FANTOM G6
KEYBOARD WORKSTATION
Composers looking for a single unit for writing, recording and performing can look to the quickly evolving keyboard workstations. To stay on top of the game, Roland updated its flagship line of Fantom workstations with the 61-key Fantom G6 ($2,899, www.rolandus.com). Featuring a brand-new audio processor, the G6 doubles the available wave-ROM space of previous versions and expands the color LCD screen to a luxurious 8.5-inch widescreen. ARX card slots for two of Roland's unique SuperNatural behavior-modeling emulator expansion boards come packed with sounds. A revamped effects engine offers as many as 22 multi-effect routings per multitimbral patch group, plus global reverbs, choruses and mastering effects. Roland's new Power Sequencer is capable of 128 tracks (24 audio tracks) inside a fully integrated environment with mouse support. Assignable performance controls include eight sliders, four knobs and 10 buttons, and the performance-enhancing arpeggiator, D-Beam and Dynamic Pad section with 16 velocity-sensitive drum pads afford you extended interaction with your sounds. The new line of Fantoms is also available in 73-key G7 ($3,349) and 88-key G8 ($3,999) versions.
STANTON SC SYSTEM
DIGITAL DJ DECK AND MIXER CONTROLLERS
Representing a natural evolution from Final Scratch, the Stanton SC System comprises the SCS.1m mixer and SCS.1d deck hardware controllers ($TBA; www.enterthesystem.com). Doing away with the glitchy timecode that can act wonky at slow speeds, the SCS.1d's new error-free, high-resolution tracking system measures more than 1,000 counts per rotation with a laser, so the real vinyl surface never wears out. Its 10-inch motorized platter is the same as on Stanton's T.120 and STR8-150 turntables, with 0.2-second start and stop speeds. The SCS.1d's 100 mm pitch slider is also motorized, and when switching between virtual decks it snaps to its new position.
Four rotary encoders have “scribble strips” for feedback, 360-degree LED strips and six banks for a total of 24 assignments. The four-pad trigger section below the platter offers more creative possibilities, and settings for the entire deck can be saved to patches and switched at any time, making it more like several turntables in one. The SCS.1m mixer offers a traditional 4-channel DJ mixer layout for use with tracks streamed from the computer or tracks from the auxiliary audio input. With TRS balanced main outputs, RCA booth outputs and ¼-inch headphone output, the SCS.1m is a FireWire interface, a DJ mixer and a software controller all in one. The channel strips (with EQ knobs), four volume sliders, crossfader, jog wheel and four LED-ring rotary encoders all control your software of choice. Compatible apps include Native Instruments Traktor Studio, MixVibes, Ableton Live and Image Line Deckadance, with more on the way.
MCDSP DE 555, NF 575 AND FUTZBOX
PROCESSING PLUG-INS FOR PRO TOOLS
Improving on classics, McDSP's three new plug-in offerings are not sold separately but as part of the vast Emerald Pack ($1,395 RTAS/$2,595 TDM and as an upgrade, $95 RTAS/$195 TDM; www.mcdsp.com). The DE 555 De-Esser, NF 575 filter and FutzBox distortion support Mac OS 10.4 Tiger and 10.5 Leopard, Windows XP and Digidesign's VENUE Live system. All three offer double-precision processing, ultralow latency and come with mono and stereo versions. The DE 555 uses intelligent signal analysis to perform de-essing at any signal level, negating the need for a threshold setting. The NF 575 is a high-resolution filter for surgically removing unwanted frequencies. Each of the five notch filters can be fine-tuned and linked harmonically to fight 60-cycle hum; there is also a detailed Analog Saturation model for realistic tone. Lastly, the FutzBox is a fidelity destroyer. Simulated Impulse Models (SIMs) offer convolution-style emulations of radios, cell phones, televisions and more in an extremely optimized format, so they are significantly less taxing on your CPU. A noise generator with ducking, a fast gate, and varying types of filters, EQs and distortion effects are all combined to help you futz with your sound in creative ways.
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