PRODUCTION
Aug 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Doug Eisengrein
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS ELEKTRIK PIANO
SOFTWARE INSTRUMENT (MAC/PC)
Software emulations of classic instruments seem to be all the rage these days, but few companies do it as well as Native Instruments. NI now offers four timeless vintage electric pianos under one soft-synth roof with its latest creation, Elektrik Piano ($229). The Fender Rhodes MK ITM and MK IITM, the Hohner Clavinet E7TM and the Wurlitzer A 200TM are the four favorites that have been re-engineered for the computer, using meticulous sampling of each key of every instrument at different velocity levels in order to capture a full range of expressiveness. Native has even sampled the key-release sounds for extra hardware-duplication authenticity. Appropriate effects for each instrument are present, including chorus, reverb, phaser and tremolo. Each instrument also has a large array of presets, which can be altered and saved as new custom presets. Live musicians will appreciate that presets can be stored in different performance sets for speedy access, and they can be called up using hotkeys or a MIDI controller.
Native Instruments; e-mail
info@native-instruments.com; Web
www.native-instruments.com
VIOLET AUDIO UPM88
ANALOG/DIGITAL PATCH MATRIX
Violet Audio has covered seemingly obvious, yet largely virgin, territory with its combo analog- and digital-signal patch bay. The UPM88 ($1,145) is designed for simultaneous routing of both balanced analog signal paths and S/PDIF and AES/EBU-format digital signals. Besides its pristine audio pathways, perhaps the coolest feature of the UPM88 is the ability to connect it via USB to a Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP machine or a Mac running OS X and then remote-control the patch matrix. A simple set of buttons on the front panel allows manual switching, as well, with no patch cables or flipping of cards required. If you choose to control patching virtually, you can save and recall different patch-matrix designs for different studio applications. Analog signals travel through all-analog circuits and are not amplified in any way, thereby preserving pure signal integrity. The UPM88 can route digital signals side by side with analog signals. One UPM88 houses an eight-in, eight-out matrix and features all balanced XLR connectors. Users can also link two units together to create an 8-by-16 patch bay.
Violet Audio; Web
www.violetaudio.com
PRESONUS FIREPOD
AUDIO INTERFACE/MIC PREAMP AND SOFTWARE BUNDLE
PreSonus takes its quality hallmark mic preamps to the FireWire computer-audio-interface market with the new Firepod ($799). The Firepod is a complete recording package that features a 24-bit, 96kHz — capable hardware interface with eight PreSonus mic pres, along with a copy of Steinberg Cubase LE 48-track recording software. The hardware includes the mic preamps with rotary gain pots on the front panel for easy individual input level control. Inputs 1 and 2 can be switched between mic and hi-Z instrument level whereas inputs 3 through 8 can be switched between mic and line level. Channels 1 and 2 include TRS insert jacks for outboard processing. The output section is equally robust with eight balanced TRS outputs, two TRS main outputs and a pair of cue outputs. Stereo S/PDIF and MIDI inputs and outputs are also provided, as well as a frontmounted stereo headphone jack.
PreSonus; e-mail
info@presonus.com; Web
www.presonus.com
ADOBE AUDITION 1.5
DIGITAL AUDIO EDITOR (PC)
Making an already formidable digital audio editor even slicker, Adobe has released Audition 1.5 ($299), adding its spin to the product formerly known as Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro. Audition 1.5 offers multitrack audio mixing, audio editing and effects processing alongside video soundtrack viewing and editing and integrated CD burning. Audition includes third-party VST plug-in compatibility, and version 1.5 features ReWire support. Taking a hint from apps like Ableton Live, Audition contains a cool video feature with the ability to drag the edge of an audio clip to fit any length on the timeline. The included pitch-correction tools can be used in automatic mode or manual mode for fine-tuning. The frequency spectral editing view allows you to edit sounds according to frequency and time.
Adobe; Web
www.adobe.com
SONY VEGAS 5
DIGITAL AUDIO/VIDEO PRODUCTION SOFTWARE (PC)
Vegas 5 ($699.95) is the latest overhaul to this DAW software package that is beloved by users for its combination of ease of use and powerful features. Vegas has been and still is a Windows-only affair, which may explain its comparative quality. Version 5 comprises A/V production, multitrack recording and mixing, audio editing, surround-sound production, titling, scoring and finishing. It delivers results in a wide range of formats, including NTSC and PAL, RealVideo, QuickTime and Windows Media. Vegas provides an unlimited number of audio tracks, as well as 26 master and aux outputs, 32 assignable effects, real-time punch-in recording and full support of as high as 32-bit resolution and 192kHz sample rates. As for video, Vegas 5 sports the tools needed for 2-D and 3-D transitions and 3-D composites, credit rolls and text animations, key frame track motion, Bézier masks, filters, real-time playback of effects and more. Version 5 supports HD and HDV editing and rendering and includes native support for 24p digital video.
Sony Media Software; Web
www.mediasoftware.sonypictures.com
APPLE POWER MAC G5
DESKTOP COMPUTER
Apple has unleashed three new models of the brand-spanking-new Power Mac G5 ($1,999-$2,999). The three in line are dual 1.8GHz, dual 2GHz and dual 2.5GHz machines, respectively. Each model includes a standard SuperDrive (a combo DVD-R and CD-RW) that operates at 85 speed. The new G5s feature connectivity that many have been waiting for: one FireWire 800 port, two FireWire 400 ports, three USB 2.0 ports and two USB 1.1 ports. Three PCI-X slots are capable of speeds as high as 133 MHz and throughput as great as 2 GBps. Apple is definitely getting the message of who its users are: Standard on the new G5s are both analog I/O and optical S/PDIF I/O, as well as a DVI connector and frontmounted headphone jack. In addition, the G5s incorporate a liquid cooling system, and according to Apple, the G5 internal fans spin at extra-low speeds, making them twice as quiet as the G4s.
Apple; e-mail
info@apple.com; Web
www.apple.com
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