PC and Music News

Lexicon finally started shipping their new PCM96 Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor. Featuring a wide array of rich, complex reverb algorithms with related delays and effects, the single rack-space PCM96 integrates seamlessly into the modern studio as a control-only DAW insert or FireWire streaming hardware plug-in.

Features :

• 28 legendary Lexicon® reverbs, modulation, and delay effects
• New mono reverbs and effects including Chamber, Hall, Plate
• "Hardware Plug-In" feature with Mac VST® and Audio Units software
• DAW automation through plug-in format
• FireWire streaming through plug-in format
• Two channels XLR balanced 24-bit I/O
• Two channels AES/EBU digital I/O
• Dual Ethernet and Firewire Connections
• MIDI IN, OU ...

California microphone manufacturer Josephson Engineering has announced a special anniversary model in their Series Seven studio microphone line, the C720. To mark our 20th year the C720 is being made in a limited edition of only 20 units.

The C720 features a variant of the dual-diaphragm capsule used in the C700 series of microphones. Each side of the capsule has its own dedicated audio channel. The front and back signals are brought out to individual 3-pin XLR connectors. The two signals can be mixed in different ratios to produce any desired directional pattern from omni through wide cardioid to cardioid, hypercardioid and figure-8.

A unique and patent-pending feature of the C720 is that the grille surrounding the capsule is made not of the usual perforated metal sheet or woven wi ...

Zaxcom presents Fusion, a high resolution audio mixer and recorder for reality television, surround recording and ENG.

Features :

- 8 Analog mic/line inputs with 48V phantom power
- analog input limiter
- 4 AES input pairs with sample rate conversion, allowing each input to have a different sample rate
- mix 16 inputs to eight output busses and records up to eight tracks on the internal Compact Flash card
- record simultaneously to two Compact Flash cards creating a 100% solid-state recording with backup
- Intuitive integrated color touch screen interface
- etc...

For more information, please visit their website.

Analogue Solutions has recently released the Leipzig monosynth, a self contained TRUE analogue synthesiser. The voice circuitry is entirely analogue, using all discrete and op-amp components. There is no voice DSP. Leipzig has a similar sound and specification to the classic Moog Prodigy/Rogue synthesisers, but with many improvements such as MIDI and more modulation paths.

Features :

- Pure analogue voice circuitry.
- Fat Moog style filter.
- 2 VCOs with Glide and Sub-VCOs.
- Plenty of modulation routing possibilities.
- Extra tone controls and circuits for more sound variety e.g. LFO, CrossMod.
- Rugged steel construction and 'vintage' wood design.
- MIDI In for software sequencer control.

The Leipzig is priced at £549 (€700) excl. VAT and Delivery. Note that audio examples are available on their web site.

IK Multimedia has just announced that its "Plug & Mix Madness" promotion has now been extended until May 31st. So customers can still purchase and register any of the qualifying IK Multimedia plug-in based music production software, hardware combinations or bundles and they will receive one FREE IK effect plug-in download of their choice.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Waves has decided to offer Producer/Mixer Jack Joseph Puig's personal presets for his favorite Waves tools as a free download.

Puig is the latest Waves user from its extensive roster of artists to serve up his own presets for download. He has worked with countless hitmakers, including Green Day, U2, Sheryl Crow, the Rolling Stones, Black Eyed Peas, John Mayer, Counting Crows, No Doubt, Mary J. Blige and many more.

In order to download those presets you just need to log on to the Waves website, enter your User Name and Password and then click on the JJP feature icon.

Dangerous Music has announced the shipment of their first units of the DAC-ST, a mastering quality, stereo digital-to-analog converter option for their Monitor ST controller. The DAC-ST is the first available option in the line for the new Additional Switching System (A.S.S) one-rack space expander which can house up to two banks of two cards each, adding four additional functions switchable directly from the ST-SR remote.

Offering mastering quality on-board stereo D-to-A conversion and digital source switching for Monitor ST, the Dangerous DAC-ST option delivers superbly accurate D-to-A conversion, instantly accessed from the Monitor ST remote control. Integrated digital source switching allows the user to monitor all digital sources through the same converter, which is crucial for critical listening, confidence monitoring and level matching.

The DAC-ST suggested retail price is $1199 / €925, and includes the integrated power supply unit and expansion chassis with an extra space for a second user-installable option.

Synapse Audio has just announced the release of version 7.5 fot its sequencer Orion. This major update introduces a completely new audio engine with improved stability and support for multicore processors, as well as many workflow enhancements and a reworked VST 2.4 implementation for optimal VST plugin support. Furthermore, it is compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista now.

New features :

- New engine with multiprocessor support and higher performance at low latencies, at any PPQ
- Auto-Tracking EQs to create high quality mixes more easily
- New effect: Platinum Limiter (modelled after 1176LN)
- New arpgeggiator with additional options
- New VU Meters with peak-hold option
- Last session can now be automatically restored (hold SHIFT on startup to bypass)
- Container Plugins (MultiFX, BandFX) can store presets now, containing other internal effects.
- Sustenuto and Soft Pedal support
- Full VST2.4 compatibility and major VST host upgrade
- Stream To File supports direct streaming into MP3 and OGG
- Ready for Windows Vista (run as administrator)

The update is free for all Orion Platinum 7 users. Orion PRO is discontinued with this 7.5 release and will not be updated further. However the upgrade to Orion 7.5 will be available to all Orion PRO customers for a limited period of time and costs only $49 instead of the former price of $99. Note that a demo version of Orion 7.5 is already available.