PC and Music News

Alesis announces ProTrack, an handheld digital stereo recorder for iPod.

Features :

- Sleek industrial design incorporates iPod
- Integrated recording to iPod (Classic and 5th generation) and iPod nano (2nd or 3rd generation)
- Pro-grade connections: two combo XLR - 1/4-inch inputs, 1/8-inch stereo output
- Supplies 48V phantom power to inputs when wall-powered
- Records 16-Bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo
- Two built-in condenser microphones for detailed recording
- Built-in microphones in XY configuration for optimum stereo image
- Switchable limiter ensures overload-free recordings even in unpredictable aural situations
- AC power adapter included
- Four AAA batteries provide four to five hours of operation
- Tripod stand mount for placing into ideal recording conditions

ProTrack will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Alesis unveils the MultiMix 8 Line, a flexible, affordable rack line mixer for stage, studio, boardrooms, conference rooms, health clubs, restaurants, houses of worship, and other installed sound applications.

Features :

- Eight-channel stereo line mixer
- Microphone/line input on channel one
- Stereo effects bus can be shared between two linked units
- Channel expansion feature for expansion to 16 stereo input channels
- Individual Pan and Effects Send controls on each channel
- Signal clip and overload LEDs on each input channel
- Stereo five-stage LED ladder for output level indication
- Stereo monitor out
- Mono input source compatibility for stereo output
- 1RU 19-inch standard equipment rack size

MultiMix 8 Line will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Tascam has announced the avaibility of the SS-CDR1, a single-rackspace CD recorder which also features solid state recording to Compact Flash cards for maximum flexibility and recording times. Audio can be recorded to Compact Flash card and then transferred to CD or vice-versa, and the recorder features standard Tascam features such as automatic track increment, balanced XLR in and out and RS-232C control.

The SS-CDR1 has balanced and unbalanced analog I/O as well as S/PDIF digital I/O. The unit can be controlled with RS-232C, parallel or a wired remote control. Compact Flash cards up to 8GB can be installed for hours of recording time at MP3 or WAV file formats.

Let me introduce you to Breverb, a high quality reverberation plug-in for Mac and PC which features four different algorithms modeled after several popular and very classic hardware units.

"Breverb claims to model some of the industry's most acclaimed classic reverb hardware, and though they do not mention what exact devices they are I doubt I would be far off the mark to say that the name Lexicon would be right at the top of the list. In fact the sounds remind me very much of Lexicon's now defunct Lexiverb but without the heavy CPU hit that made it available only for digidesign TDM users – certainly not the case for Breverb."

HV Synth Design has released the Acoustic Modeled Trumpet Collection which contains a Bass Trumpet, a Classical and Jazz Trumpet, a Piccolo Trumpet and a Cornet. The instruments are created with SynthMaker and based on a unique modeling method, called Eclectic Acoustic Synthesis.

Features :

- Realistic trumpet sounds.
- Like real Trumpets, you can 'blow' the models from very soft to very loud with an increment of brightness (the high frequencies become more and more prominent). This is done via modulation wheel or breath controller.
- Low CPU load.

Controls :

- Lip tention.
- Breath noise.
- Vibrato (amplitude and/or pitch).
- EQ.
- Mute.
- Fine tuning.

The Acoustic Modeled Trumpet Collection is available now for Windows in VST and Standalone versions at a price of $179. Note that audio examples are available.

Abbey Road Plug-Ins has just announced the release of the Brilliance Pack, a new bundle which consists in three EQ plug-ins providing authentic emulations of vintage EMI 'presence' EQs.

Based on the original modules built in the 1960s, the plug-ins bring these classic EQs to the digital domain. The original RS127 and RS135 EQ boxes were custom-built by EMI technicians in the early 1960s to supplement the limited EQ on the REDD mixing consoles. They were the predominant outboard EQs at Abbey Road throughout the '60s and were used on many famous recordings during this period, including almost every album made by The Beatles.

The plug-ins were developed from original EMI circuit schematics, circuit simulation and digital modelling of vintage Abbey Road units. The plug-ins retain the operation and characteristics of the original hardware and essentially provide the complete range of presence EQs that were used at Abbey Road in the '60s.

Three plug-in modules are included :

- The RS127 Rack is modelled on the original rack-mount Brilliance Control.
- The RS135 recreates the 8kHz boost unit.
- The RS127 Box plug-in was created by modelling the standalone Brilliance Control with an EMI transformer used to connect it to modern consoles. The plug-in features an exaggerated response or 'transformer effect' at some settings, which is due to an interaction between the RS127 and the transformer.

The Brilliance Pack is available now in TDM, RTAS, AU and VST for Mac OS X and Windows at a price of $199. A demo version is also available.

Tascam unveils the TM-ST1 which is a stereo microphone with stereo pattern switching. The recordist can select between 90 and 120 degree pickup to capture more ambience or to reduce background noise. The mid-side design captures a wide stereo field while maintaining a solid center image.

It employs a back-electret condenser capsule for crisp response with a long battery life. The output cable terminates to a 3.5mm stereo jack for use with recorders like Tascam's DR-1. Also included with the microphone are a tabletop stand, wind screen and mic stand clip.

The TM-ST1 is available now at a retail price of $99.

Dear guitarists, Peavey has just announced the release of ReValver Mk III at Summer NAMM 2008.

Features :

- 64-bit amplifier modeling software
- 15 amp models, including Peavey 6505, JSX, Classic, ValveKing and Triple XXX.
- Modules in amp head, preamp and power amp formats.
- Two operation modes, with 64-bit and oversampling in HQ mode for hi-fi fanatics.
- FFT based convolution reverb, including sampled spring reverb.
- More than 150 speaker samples using real-time convolution and membrane modeling.
- Algorithm improvements from Mk II to enhance realism, especially in the tube and transformer simulation.
- Standard Tuner and Simul-Tuner with six independent tuners for tuning to presets.

ReValver Mk III is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and Standalone versions at a price of 299.99$. Note that a demo version is also available.

Wouldn't it be cool to have two recording systems? One set up permanently and one that you could throw in a backpack or gig bag for mixing and recording on the road?

PreSonus is pleased to announce the 'One for the Road Rebate' during the summer months of 2008. Buy any FireStudio Recording System (FireStudio, FireStudio Tube, FireStudio Project, FireStudio LightPipe), and receive a FREE Inspire 1394 mobile recording system ($229.95 value).

This rebate is offered world-wide on sales from June 1, 2008 – August 31, 2008.

Mackie adds 2 ultra-compact models to its VLZ3 Series mixers with the release of the 402-VLZ3 and the 802-VLZ3 Premium Mic/Line Mixers.

Incorporating the same technology as their big brothers in the series, the 402-VLZ3 and 802-VLZ3 feature the studio-grade XDR2 (Extended Dynamic Range) mic preamps, proprietary Active EQ, and modern summing bus architecture to ensure high-headroom, low-noise performance. The impressive ultra-compact, rugged, all-steel chassis houses switchable line/Hi-Z instrument inputs, phantom power for use with condenser microphones, and bright stereo LED meters.

The 402-VLZ3 features 2 mono mic/line channels, a dedicated stereo line channel and an assignable stereo RCA input channel. Mono channels each include an XDR2 preamp, switchable high-pass filter, 2-band EQ and a channel overload LED, and can be hard-panned for stereo applications.

The 802-VLZ3 includes 5 channel strips with 3 XDR2 mic preamps, the Alt 3-4 bus, a pre-/post-switchable aux send, a dedicated stereo aux return, plus a comprehensive control room section.

The 402-VLZ3 and 802-VLZ3 are now available world-wide. The 402-VLZ3 has a U.S. MSRP of $129.99. The 802-VLZ3 has a U.S. MSRP of $259.99.