New Products, April 2008
Apr 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
MOTU 828MK3
FIREWIRE AUDIO/MIDI INTERFACE
The latest update to MOTU's popular and powerful line of FireWire audio interfaces has enough features to fill a book. Yet the 828mk3 ($795; www.motu.com) nevertheless retains its flexibility, dependability and ease of use. One of the most notable new features is the built-in 32-bit floating-point DSP chip that offers zero-latency monitoring and multiple mixes, complete with three new effects: the Classic Reverb, the Leveler (LA-2A modeler) and 7-band British EQ. The new V-Limit hardware limiter offers soft limiting on each channel, and each of the analog inputs is equipped with digitally controlled analog trim controls for better tone and less DSP usage. While you can access all operations via the front panel for complete stand-alone use, the incredibly flexible cross-platform CueMix software features a slick new GUI. With a total of 28 inputs and 30 outputs, the 828mk3 has added a second ADAT/TOSLink optical connection and switchable front-panel XLR inputs that can accept true Hi-Impedance guitar inputs. The DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) DSP-driven phase-lock engine offers a nearly jitter-free internal clock, even when operating as a clock slave. With complete operation as high as 192 kHz, MOTU stepped up the quality and comprehensiveness of the whole package, and it shows.
SONNOX OXFORD SUPRESSER
DE-ESSER AND DYNAMIC EQ PLUG-IN
The new Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser ($315; www.sonnoxplugins.com) is more than just a de-esser plug-in for RTAS, VST or Audio Units; it dynamically tracks and controls frequencies like a frequency ninja, using a creative and intuitive combination of linear phase EQ, live FFT (fast Fourier transform) spectrum-analysis readout and frequency-based compression/gating. In addition to the spectral analyzer, three listen modes (Mix, Inside and Outside) help you quickly zero in on the offending tones. First dial in a range of frequency on the graph, then set a threshold for the compression and watch as the SuprEsser keeps those aggressive EQ peaks in balance. For more flexibility, there is a fast-and-easy Simple mode designed for speeding up standard de-essing tasks and an Advanced mode for getting into more detailed dynamic EQ control. A Wet/Dry control just before the output lets you do the final balancing and get just the right response from a less-than-perfect recording.
SOLID STATE LOGIC DUENDE MINI
PORTABLE FIREWIRE DSP UNIT
Looking to improve on a good thing, Solid State Logic has released the Duende Mini ($799; www.solid-state-logic.com), a
AKAI XR20
URBAN BEAT PRODUCTION STATION
Somewhat akin to a small MPC without sampling, the Akai XR20 Beat Production Station ($500; www.akaipro.com) is a drum machine with benefits. It has 700 built-in drum, percussion and synth/bass sounds geared toward “urban” production to play from the 12 backlit pads. The 99 Factory patterns and 99 User patterns become even more useful when using the Pattern Play feature, which lets you trigger different patterns from individual pads. Akai's Drum Roll and Note Repeat from the MPC line are included, and the built-in effects engine offers EQ, reverb and compression for expanding the available palette. Transport controls, a Jog Wheel, numeric input and the pads themselves can all act as MIDI controllers or can be externally sequenced via the MIDI connections. Also, a mic input, main outputs, separate headphone output and output volume controls help make it flexible for stage or studio use.
Best of all, the whole thing can be powered by six AA batteries for beatmaking anytime, anywhere.
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS KORE PLAYER & KORE SOUNDPACKS
SOUND BANKS AND SOFTWARE INTERFACE
With 11 incredibly rich and detailed instruments included, Native Instruments' Komplete 5 packs quite a wallop. But if you feel overwhelmed with all the options and are looking to more easily explore the world of NI sounds (or simply a more processor-conservative approach to using NI sounds onstage), consider the new Kore Player (free download; www.native-instruments.com). Composed of the six major NI sound engines inside a single GUI and a very similar interface to the broader Kore 2, Kore Player lets you manage, perform and tweak some of NI's best patches (as well as new patches that combine engines) from a single window as either a stand-alone program or as a VST plug-in within your DAW. Kore Player's powerful patch browser has the same characteristic-based tag searching, full text searching and a rating system as in the larger programs. Each patch has as many as eight included “variations,” which you can morph to-and-from via the x-y pad, and every Kore Sound sports eight knobs and buttons that have been preassigned to the most important parameters, allowing you to tweak sounds without access to the full programs. A wide range of Kore Soundpacks ($59 each) are available to expand your free player, each focused on a particular element of NI technology and packed full of sounds that come pretagged for convenient use within the browser.
PIONEER SEP-C1
MP3 MEDIA CONTROLLER
Containing many of the newer features of its killer SVM-1000 DJ/VJ controller, Pioneer's SEP-C1 ($999 street price; www.pioneerprodj.com) brings a host of new features to the laptop DJ-controller world. The bright 4.3-inch Area-Color OEL (Organic Electroluminescence) screen and rotary selector help you navigate easily through large banks of tracks. Completely integrated with Pioneer DJS DJ software (for Windows only), which comes bundled, no mouse or keyboard is needed when connected. The SEP-C1 can also control Serato Scratch Live without control discs and can operate as a full MIDI controller for any other application. An auto-mix function makes it easy to set up and play automatically beat-matched mixes complete with fade options. Eight effects within the DJS software offer beat-syncing for enhanced performances, and Tempo Control and Pitch Bend allow more traditional DJ usage. Easy seamless looping offers loops from a single frame to an entire disc in length, and Hot Looping allows restarting the loop without interrupting the main playback. There is also a similar MEP-7000 ($1,799 street), which comes with a rackmount dual CD/DVD player with massive file compatibility and a USB stick input on the front.
VESTAX VCI-300 WITH SERATO ITCH
MIDI DJ CONTROLLER/AUDIO INTERFACE
Digging further into the computer-based DJ fray, Vestax has introduced the VCI-300 ($TBA; www.vestax.com). Created to integrate deeply with the new Serato Itch software, the VCI-300 features a one-to-one hardware-to-software controller setup, with every knob working immediately out of the box via the USB connection. Of course, it can also work as a regular MIDI controller. With an integrated 4-in/4-out soundcard and separate headphone cueing, the VCI-300 offers a simple and intuitive interface for any DJ, featuring two turntable-style acrylic control platters with adjustable feel and high-resolution pulse- and touch-sensors. The Itch software supports crates, loops and cue points from Scratch Live to help transitioning users and features full support for iTunes and its playlists, as well as AIFF, WAV, MP3 and AAC file support. All audio processing and mixing tasks are performed by the software in the digital realm, so the only analog conversion comes as the sound leaves the back of the controller via the ¼-inch or RCA outputs. Possibly the coolest feature, however, is the Emergency Thru switch, which allows an external input to keep playing through the device even after a computer freeze or crash. More Itch-compatible controllers are coming from other partner companies, but for now, the VCI-300 is the best way to discover the power of the Itch.
ALESIS M1 ACTIVE 320 USB
USB MONITORS/AUDIO INTERFACE
Shifting the paradigm a bit, the new M1Active 320 USB Monitors ($199; www.alesis.com) aim to make truly portable pro monitoring available for laptop producers. Small enough to carry in a handy carrying case, the 10W-per-channel speakers feature a 3-inch woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter that together deliver a frequency response of 80 Hz-20 kHz directly across the USB 1.1 connection (compatible with USB 2 ports). They also feature analog inputs (¼-inch or RCA); however, unlike other monitors, they also allow you to record those inputs via the class-compliant driver-free USB connection, making them as much a USB audio interface as monitors. On the front panel there is an ⅛-inch headphone jack and a convenient power/volume knob; on the rear, an ⅛-inch stereo input makes it easy to input MP3 players, and a Bass Boost switch helps emphasize the low end in less-responsive spaces. To help with use on the road, the M1Active 320 USB's AC Voltage selector switches from 100/120V to 220/240V.
DENON DN-HS5500
DIRECT-DRIVE TURNTABLE MEDIA PLAYER/CONTROLLER
Offering a versatile player/controller for DJs of all types, Denon conjured all its magic for the DN-HS5500 DJ ($1,199; www.denondj.com) player/controller. The classic Denon 12-pole high-torque brushless direct-drive spinning platter controller has instant full rotation speed with 2.5 kg/cm of start-up torque for genuine turntable feel and platter effects (Brake, Dump, Reverse). The 3.8-inch LCD offers an intuitively navigable interface. Users can install their own 2.5-inch laptop hard drive via the removable caddy for nearly any amount of capacity, and the unit can also support as many as four USB devices, including iPods or drives connected via a hub (MP3 and WAV are the supported formats). With a Burr Brown 24-bit DAC converter built-in, the output is always clean, and five powerful DJ effects with Dry/Wet control offer live remixing possibilities. The DN-HS5500 can actually operate as two players simultaneously, offering independent output and the full performance feature set on two different tracks; the awesome Mirror Mix function allows you to juggle two versions of the same file with an adjustable delay. D-Link between units, QWERTY keyboard input in nine languages, Hot Lists, File Transport and
complete MIDI controller capabilities make the DN-HS5500 a seriously powerful contender.
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