New Products
Nov 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
CAKEWALK SONAR 7
DAW FOR WINDOWS
Cakewalk beefed up Sonar 7 (Producer Edition $619, Studio Edition $369; www.cakewalk.com), already one of the most popular Windows-based DAWs, in several ways. Included are a powerful new step sequencer (pictured) that offers odd time signatures, drum and MIDI mapping for triggering different sounds simultaneously, a global portamento and articulation switch and other unique traits. Smart new MIDI features include MIDI Magnifier, MIDI Colorizer, MIDI Meters, Drag Quantize and splitting, glueing and muting MIDI notes. New instruments and effects include the Z3TA+ waveshaping synthesizer, LE versions of Cakewalk's Dimension and Rapture, the new LP-64 Linear Phase Multiband Mastering Comp/Limiter and LP-64 Linear Phase EQ, and many of the older plug-ins have a new internal sidechaining system. Now you can right-click on the cursor to import audio or MIDI on the spot, and Sonar 7 now supports WAV files larger than 2 GB as well a Sony Wave-64, AIFF, CAF, FLAC and SDII file types. Additional new features include drag-and-drop EQ settings, automatic plug-in delay compensation, shortcuts, clip-based SMPTE time stamping and Roland V-Vocal technology with pitch-to-MIDI conversion. Also, the bundled Cakewalk Publisher 2.0 lets you attach URLs and album art to your mixdowns and to create customized Web audio players and XML code for copy/pasting right into your Website or MySpace page.
NOVATION REMOTE SL COMPACT
USB MIDI CONTROLLER
The newest portable MIDI controller from Novation brings the best of its ReMote SL series to a slightly more streamlined state. The ReMote SL Compact (www.novationmusic.com) features a single 144-character screen for displaying the intuitively Automapped parameters, and there are eight knobs, each with a separate LED-enabled button. The Compact also has eight Velocity-sensitive drum pads, transport controls and traditional pitch and mod wheels. Eight Group switches allow as many as 64 assigned parameters per device, and Novation's powerful Automap Universal software follows as you work, automatically reassigning the controls to the currently selected app or plug-in and displaying the results on the screen strip. Available in 25- ($399) or 49-key ($499) versions (both with semiweighted keys and Aftertouch), the unit ships with Novation's Xcite+ software bundle, which includes Ableton Live Lite 6, plug-ins, samples and more.
RAYZOON JAMSTIX 2
VIRTUAL DRUMMER VSTI
One of the more advanced virtual drummer plug-ins just got better in Rayzoon Jamstix 2 ($99, XL version $139; www.rayzoon.com). Packed full of innovations, this Windows 2000/XP/Vista VSTi uses real-time groove composition from modeled drummers with their own approach and tendencies. Hand movement-triangulation creates realistic playability and timing, and feel modeling can import MIDI grooves for use with the Jamstix drummer models. Power and timing variations push and pull the groove dynamically, and a real-time fill generator and other sorts of careful techniques can create realistic, unique drum tracks that don't resort to static patterns. Sub Hosting allows you to use the Jamstix interface with almost any other drum synthesizer to get the Jamstix feel on external sounds, and kits can even be mixed and matched with internal/external sources. Multiple Velocity layers and controllable ambience combine with samples that automatically vary slightly to avoid the machine-gun effect, and the streamlined editor includes a creative limb-centric sequencer. The package comes with 50 styles and 10 drummers and can be expanded with Rayzoon Paks. With a maximum of 17 outputs, live looping, drag-and-drop support and Play Rules for live jamming, Jamstix is ready to rock your drum world from within a computer.
VIOLET DESIGNS FLAMINGO JUNIOR
CARDIOID SIDE-ADDRESS MICROPHONE
Violet Designs' latest gorgeous-looking microphone, the Flamingo Junior ($929; www.violetusa.com), flaunts a voice-optimized side-address cardioid design that separates the single diaphragm into a space-age headpiece. That reduces the internal noise and resonance while optimizing the polar pattern (cardioid) and minimizing the proximity effect for a clearer sound less affected by surroundings. The body contains a 48V phantom-powered preamplifier with high output for low-noise connections and a custom-wound humbucking audio transformer that isolates the system and adds warmth to the mic tone. Available in the Standard violet body or the Vintage matte black body, the Flamingo Junior also comes in matched stereo pairs or surround-sound sets by special order. All the configurations will contribute to a pimped-out studio setting and even feature gold-plated XLR output jacks that are sure to impress.
GEMINI MM-3000
RACKMOUNTABLE DJ MIXER
Although not designed to change the world, the MM-3000 DJ Mixer ($249.95; www.geminidj.com) from Gemini instead delivers affordable, portable DJ-mixing power without sacrificing any of the expected sound quality. Each of the five channels is outfitted with two RCA phono/line inputs, a 3-band EQ and a volume fader. For the digitally savvy, the MM-3000 comes with an iPod connector, and the combo XLR/¼-inch mic input offers easy access for singers or MCs. Full cueing ability and balanced master outputs offer sonic class and user friendliness, and the unit comes with a user-replaceable RailGlide crossfader for upkeep and maintenance as it gets pounded by relentless fader moves. Put the MM-3000 in your road rack and get sturdy, reliable and unobtrusive access to your key mixing needs.
CENTRANCE MICPORT PRO
MINI USB MIC PRE
The first in a new line of portable USB products from design consultants Centrance, the MicPort Pro ($149.95; www.centrance.com) is a mini flashlight-size microphone preamp with a high-res 24-bit/96 kHz DAC and mini-USB port built-in. Simply connect any XLR cable to one side and run a USB cable from the other side into your host computer for phantom-powered, zero-latency preamplification that won't clutter your racks. The small unit also sports a built-in headphone amplifier and two knobs for I/O level control. It comes packaged with a 6-foot USB cable and a carrying pouch. The class-compliant device will work solo without drivers on Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista, but with the free Centrance Universal Driver, you can use multiple units to achieve stereo or even multitrack recording, all at less than 6 ms latency. The MicPort Pro is ready for fast, easy and reliable use in the studio or on the road.
SYNTHEWAY ELECTRIKEYS
VINTAGE ELECTRIC PIANO EMULATOR VSTI
Using a detailed hybrid of synthesis and sampling, Syntheway ElectriKeys VSTi ($35; www.syntheway.net) provides detailed emulations of four incredibly popular vintage electric pianos from the '70s: the Fender Rhodes MK1, Hohner Clavinet D6, Wurlitzer EP200A and Yamaha CP-70. These classic keyboard models come at a very reasonable price, and ElectriKeys has the all-important Tremolo section (which also includes auto pan), a detailed 5-band parametric EQ and Decay and Release controls for fine-tuning responsiveness. The Tremolo and EQ sections have 32 presets for keeping track of settings, and every parameter can be controlled via MIDI or automation for dynamic use. It's a lot lighter and a lot cheaper than the real thing, and unlike the originals ElectriKeys, it never needs re-tuning no matter how many bumpy roads you travel.
ROGER LINN DESIGN ADRENALINN III
GUITAR EFFECTS, AMP SIMULATOR AND DRUM MACHINE STOMPBOX
Like its two predecessors, Roger Linn Design's new AdrenaLinn III ($375; www.rogerlinndesign.com) is a combination of a guitar amplifier/cabinet modeler and a MIDI-synced effects processor with a built-in drum machine. This third incarnation adds stereo reverb and compression and a built-in guitar/bass tuner. The number of amp models has increased to 40, including four new bass amps, all with improved tonal accuracy and tube emulation. Four new mod effects include Auto-Pan, Wah Pedal, Fixed Filter and Sci-Fi, and a variable Amp Drive Boost and Stereo Modulation Width control offer a bit more fine-tuning. The MIDI features have been enhanced as well, with control of almost every setting via as many as 10 MIDI footswitches and two expression pedals (go crazy). The internal drum machine can be sequenced by way of external MIDI, and the guitar amps can now distort the drum sounds as well. AdrenaLinn III doubles the number of both user presets and drumbeats to 200 and is definitely a great way for any guitarist to find a more modern tone.
NUMARK iDJ2
iPOD DJ MIXER
A stylish, powerful way to DJ with an iPod, the Numark iDJ2 ($799; www.numark.com) features a Universal iPod Dock (complete with battery-charging power and height adjustment) and lets you scratch and mix two songs simultaneously from the same iPod. You can run two iPods or connect other USB storage devices via the two USB ports on the back. It plays MP3, WAV and AAC files, including iTunes Music Store protected AAC files (although those can only be played back, not scratched). The iDJ2 features a large, full-color backlit screen that provides a ton of feedback, including basic waveform views for track profiling. Pitch control of +25 to -100 percent, BeatKeeper bpm control with Tap override, Key Lock support for maintaining pitch while tempo-shifting, bpm-based looping and USB keyboard support are all high-tech options, but all the basics are there as well. Each of the two channels has RCA/Phono inputs and a 3-band EQ, and there is a dedicated microphone channel with XLR inputs and tone controls. The internal system also has a “crate management” system that allows you to gather songs to be played together for organizing your sets.
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