NEW PRODUCTS
Aug 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Asher Fulero
TERRATEC PRODUCER AREA 61
EXPANDABLE KEYBOARD SYSTEM
This innovative new keyboard design from TerraTec brings together several recent keyboard concepts into a single package. Capable of operating as a controller for software and sequencers, the Area 61 ($759) expandable keyboard system is equipped with 10 LED-encircled knobs that also act as push buttons, making them extremely flexible and powerful for speedy knob twiddling. It also features a 24-bit/96kHz, USB 2.0 audio interface with stereo I/O. A discrete headphone amplifier and full MIDI In/Out/Thru round out the connectivity, and the LCD, dual Aftertouch Zones, rubberized pitch/mod wheels and MMC transport controls finish off the interface.
Area 61's real power, however, lies in its expandability. Under the hood, this aluminum beast can support TerraTec's optional Komplexer DSP synthesizer card or Wave XTable General MIDI card and even compatible third-party hardware cards. Such addons will make Area 61 a powerful stand-alone keyboard for use in a multitude of musical settings.
TerraTec;
www.terratecproducer.com
CREAMWARE PRODYSSEY ASB
TABLETOP/RACK ANALOG MODELING SYNTHESIZER
So far, Creamware's line of Authentic Sound Box classic synth replicas has created affordable digital hardware versions of the esteemed Moog Minimoog (The MiniMax), the powerful '80s Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 (The Pro-12) and even the ancient organ staple the Hammond B3 (The B4000). Now tackling '70s legend the ARP Odyssey, Creamware has released the Prodyssey ASB ($1,250), a wood-sided, knob-laden digital clone of the original that faithfully re-creates the Odyssey's tone-generation techniques and front-panel parameter flow. The addition of modern features like full MIDI, an effects section, expanded 12-note polyphony and USB integration only enhances what was already a powerful design. When connected to a computer, you can edit the patches via the front panel or by using the included remote software for Windows and Mac OS 10.4.
Creamware;
http://asb.creamware.de
GEMINI CDT-05
HYBRID TURNTABLE/CD PLAYER
With the demands on DJs for portability and flexibility increasing, many vinyl stalwarts have grudgingly given up their familiar turntables for CD players, which feature hot starts, memory locations, looping and other power tools that simply don't exist in the analog realm.
Gemini has found a solution, with its CDT-05 Professional Hybrid Turntable ($1,180). Featuring a solid vinyl turntable with a skip-resistant straight tone arm and CPU-controlled, high-torque direct-drive motor, the CDT-05 is smooth enough for the most sensitive record fanatic. The CD Player features all the usual tools but can also be manipulated via the silky turntable platter, which provides an option to disengage the motor for passive platter — style scratching for those used to the Pioneer CDJ's classic feel. The CDT-05 also features MP3 support, three DSP effects (echo, flanger and filter) and separate outputs for sending the vinyl and CD signals to a DJ mixer. Both decks may be used simultaneously thanks to Gemini's Mix Mode, which allows full performance from a single unit for true portability.
Gemini;
www.geminidj.com
GENELEC 8200 SERIES
DSP MONITORS
The Genelec name has long been synonymous with the highest level of audio reproduction. The new 8200 Series DSP Monitors, the direct result of years of research, feature Genelec's proven fidelity in a digitally controlled setting. Capable of operating in stand-alone mode as traditional speakers, these finely tuned monitors can also work with Genelec's powerful Loudspeaker Manager software for computer-based control, organization and setup using saved software presets. For detailed setup work, the included AutoCal calibration software makes it a snap to measure, analyze and adjust the minutest details of your system's tone. An included 8200A Calibration Microphone captures tones coming from the monitors placed in a room, and the system can then calibrate the networked monitors for proper response through their Ethernet connections.
Both 6.5-inch 8240A ($1,595) and 8-inch 8250A ($2,550) speakers are available, as well as compatible 10-inch driver 7260A ($2,950) and 12-inch driver 7270A ($3,650) subwoofers. The system can network as many as 25 speakers and five subwoofers. The 8200 Series accepts analog signals and digital AES/EBU at sampling rates from 32 to 192 kHz to quickly integrate into any studio environment with ease while providing the very highest fidelity tone, imaging and accuracy.
Genelec;
www.genelec.com
CME VX SERIES
KEYBOARD MIDI CONTROLLERS
A thorough set of studio tools comes in a single package with CME's VX Series MIDI Controllers. Models include the 49-key VX5 ($899.99), 61-key VX6 ($999.99), 76-key VX7 ($1,199.99) and 88-key VX8 ($1,299.99). Besides CME's time-tested semiweighted and hammer-action (VX8) keyboard designs, the VX series features nine 60mm fully motorized faders, 12 assignable velocity-sensitive trigger pads, 17 knob controllers (normal and endless), a ribbon controller, four MIDI outs, one MIDI in and a full USB audio interface with stereo line I/O, two microphone preamps, dual headphone outputs and a USB hub. Extensive expandability comes from a host of optional cards for an audio sampler/looper, FireWire audio and analog-modeling synthesizer cards. The VX keyboards also contain some innovative software features for the internal 32-bit CPU: PadStyle MIDI songs, Multi-Scales for ethnic tunings, interactive Game mode for educational purposes, USB firmware upgrades and U-Control templating for automatic controller-assignment updates while you surf between software applications.
CME;
www.cme-pro.com
FOCUSTRITE LIQUID MIX
MULTICHANNEL FIREWIRE MIX PROCESSOR
The first of its kind in any arena, the new Liquid Mix ($908) multichannel FireWire mix processor is essentially an external DSP card with hands-on control. Rather than simply providing a cast of proprietary plug-ins, however, the Liquid Mix offers 32 simultaneous Vintage EQ models and 32 simultaneous Vintage Compressor models for full channel-strip control of your software tracks, all within a remote unit designed for tweaking.
Using the patented Dynamic Convolution from Focusrite's Liquid Channel, the Liquid Mix's massive processing power offers more DSP than a computer's processor and makes its 32 channels available at all times with almost zero hit to your CPU. Taking after the popular Liquid Channel compressor/EQ modeling hardware, Liquid Mix emulates 40 classic compressors and 20 classic EQs, as well as a user-definable 7-band Super EQ, which can be built from modules of other EQs. Each of the 32 channels appears as an Audio Units/VST/RTAS plug-in for editing and automation within a DAW, or any of the elements may be edited directly from the unit's front panel using the endless rotary knobs and full-color display. An optional card that fits neatly beneath the unit expands the Liquid Mix to a greater number of channels at higher sampling rates. Bus powered via FireWire, the Liquid Mix is an ergonomic, straightforward and very portable way to introduce a staggering amount of mixing power to your system.
Focusrite;
www.focusrite.com
RME FIREFACE 400
AUDIO/MIDI INTERFACE
The RME Fireface 400 ($1,149) audio interface features all the usual elements found in FireWire audio devices but at very high quality. All the ins and outs operate at a maximum of 192 kHz for pristine sound, the RME-designed FireWire card is optimized for audio power and the MIDI I/O features RME's proprietary jitter-suppression technology for significantly smoother usage. The two Class-A microphone preamps are digitally gain controlled via the computer, and with six additional ¼-inch line inputs, eight line outputs, 8-channel ADAT optical I/O, stereo coaxial S/PDIF ports and Word Clock I/O, the Fireface 400 stands fully equipped to interact with a studio. Not one to miss the importance of software, RME's own TotalMix software is a powerhouse mixer, allowing full matrix routing of all ins and outs, as many as nine simultaneous submixes for flexible monitoring and hardware control via MIDI. The Fireface 400 can retain its software setups and work in stand-alone mode away from a computer as a format translator, a headphone/monitoring submixer, AD/DA Converter or even a high-quality stand-alone microphone preamp.
RME;
www.rme-audio.com
MACKIE QUAD COMP/GATE
RACKMOUNT COMPRESSOR/GATE
Part of a new product line for Mackie, the Quad Comp/Gate ($999) was developed in collaboration with Acuma Labs and SIA Software and offers four channels of 24-bit digital compression/limiting and gate/expansion. Besides the usual advantages of digital compression like faster attack times, the Quad Comp/Gate also features 99 instantly recallable user presets and adjustable stereo linking. The Key Filter allows for powerful frequency-based dynamics control and features a Key Listen function for monitoring the key signal. Other user-friendly features include high-quality XLR and TRS I/O, endlessly rotating knobs with circular LEDs for immediate visual feedback, a sidechain input and a Planet Earth international power supply.
Mackie;
www.mackie.com
NUMARK NUVJ
VJ SOFTWARE/HARDWARE CONTROLLER
The NuVJ ($499) from Numark represents a novel idea. Taking a cue from DJ mixers (pardon the pun), Numark produced a crossfader-sporting video controller that is as easy and intuitive to use as a DJ mixer and teamed up with Arkaos, one of the world's leading video-performance software companies, to provide accompanying VJ software. With an incredible list of powerful features such as live camera support; a wide stock of internal patterns, backgrounds and effects; full computer and video-card compatibility; and an impressively wide breadth of file-format support, the NuVJ could integrate fluidly into complex setups but is also visually intuitive and performance oriented. Two large rotary wheels provide scratch, scrub and pitch functions, and each of the two video channels (represented by the two sides of the mixer) has two banks of nine illuminated pads for tapping through video clips. There is a huge backlit LCD showing data sent from the computer and 12 endless rotary control knobs.
Fully compatible with Mac or Windows computers, the NuVJ uses your computer's video card to create its output, simultaneously offering higher resolutions and a significantly lower price than hardware-only VJ equipment. Other cool features include fade to black (or any color), tap tempo, Automated mode for hands-free playback, full MIDI control, editing during playback, A/B Fade for switching sides of the mixer and much more.
Numark;
www.numark.com
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