The Sixth Annual Remix Technology Awards

Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Markkus Rovito

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so it's with the most heartfelt compliments that we have ended up imitating many of last year's picks for the 2008 Remix Technology Awards. It's said that success breeds more success, and that has been dead-on accurate for companies such as Apogee, Novation, Frontier Design Group, Allen & Heath, M-Audio, Native Instruments and JazzMutant, which are all taking home trophies in the same or similar categories as last year, many for products related to last year's winners. However, before you go crying “favoritism,” most of this year's winners bring hungry new faces to the celebratory banquet. Among the youngbloods, Remix — always a champion of the little guy — honors the software companies Sonalksis, Modartt and XLN Audio, whose small employee headcounts don't stop them from doing big things for musicians and producers.

To crown the winners of the RTAs, which are 12 times more important than the Grammys (and 12¹² times more important than the Tonys), the Remix staff polls its writers and selected editors from sister publications Electronic Musician and Mix, who vote only on products they know firsthand, based on performance, innovation, results and overall value of the products. When the votes are in, we deliberate, argue a bit, make empty threats, get a little heated and say a few things we don't mean, make up and become even closer than before, and then we have our winners. Of course, every year the real winners are the DJs, musicians and producers who get to enjoy the power, convenience and flat-out fun of the ever-advancing technology.

DIGITAL DJ SYSTEM

Native Instruments Traktor Scratch

NI's first hardware-plus-software system for DJs who want to play computer audio files with control vinyl provides rock-solid performance, a well-designed audio interface and an easy upgrade path to the full Traktor software.

MIDI CONTROLLER

Novation ReMote 25SL Compact

Son of last year's champ, the Novation ReMote SL, the ReMote 25SL Compact continues the family tradition of kicking butt as a MIDI controller. A chip off the old block, the Compact keeps portability in mind by streamlining the control and display surface, yet includes the full power of Novation's improved Automap Universal technology.

MOST INNOVATIVE HARDWARE

JazzMutant Dexter

Using the same technology as last year's open-ended standout, the Lemur, Dexter takes JazzMutant's impressive multitouch technology into the realm of dedicated DAW control over Cubase, Logic, Sonar and more.

AUDIO EDITOR

Izotope RX

Janitors at the 2007 AES convention swept jaws off the floor after the Izotope crew showed the stand-alone RX program removing a creaking door sound out of a recording. With its unique spectral analysis display, this audio restoration program is sure to amaze producers through 2008 and beyond.

MONITOR/SPEAKER

Dynaudio Acoustics BM 12A

Anyone ready to step up in price range for a new set of monitors will find out that they get what they pay for with the BM 12As. Highly accurate and impeccably detailed sonic reproduction, with a wide, seamless soundstage and pinpoint imaging made these our favorite of the year.

MICROPHONE

Blue Woodpecker

With its first active ribbon mic, the Woodpecker, Blue chipped away at some of the traditional ribbon mic issues. It handles high sound-pressure levels, delivers a high output and can be used with nearly any preamp. All that, and the wonderful tone matches its lovely design.

HEADPHONES

Audio-Technica ATH-M50

With the ATH-M50's accuracy, comfort and attractive price, Audio-Technica really hit the sweet spot with these professional studio monitor headphones.

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