Week of October 17, 2004 Saturday, October 23 2004 | dmac Boss Introduces DR-880 Rhythm Machine The DR-880 is a rhythm-programming powerhouse that's loaded with drum, percussion, and bass sounds from Roland's SRX library. It also includes a collection of original waveforms. From studio drums and electronic kits to standard and exotic percussion instruments, the DR-880's sounds can be played and programmed as is, or customized with powerful tools such as independent compressors and EQs for the kick and snare, and a compressor and selection of COSM amp models for the bass. You can get microscopic with the DR-880, but you also have the option of taking the simple route with its three EZ Compose buttons on the front panel, which allow original patterns to be constructed without note-by-note programming hassles. Patterns can be taken deeper with the Groove Modify feature, where various groove and triplet feels can be applied. Ghost notes can also be added automatically. Guitar and bass players can join the action by plugging directly to the DR-880's Guitar/Bass Input jack. Guitarists can play through the built-in COSM Drive/Amp models and multi-effects such as chorus/flanger/phaser, delay, and reverb. For acoustic guitar, the DR-880 offers an Acoustic Processor, chorus, and reverb. Bass players can spice up their tone with the DR-880's compressor/limiter, chorus/flanger/phaser, delay, and COSM bass amp models. In addition to an array of analog audio I/O, the DR-880 also has a S/PDIF digital out and a USB port for MIDI interfacing and SMF Data import. For more information, visit their web site at bossus.com. Saturday, October 23 2004 | dmac Cubase SL3 Starts Shipping October 25 Steinberg Media Technologies announced Cubase SL3, the latest version of Steinberg's music production software for budget-conscious audio professionals that don't need all the features such as surround production and full score layout/printing found in Cubase SX3, which will ship worldwide starting October 25th 2004. Cubase SL3 offers an array of new features to make composition more creative and spontaneous. The next- generation Audio Warp engine offers import of ACID files and timestretching and pitchshifting in real-time that free Cubase SL3 from the limitations of tempi; audio can now automatically follow almost any tempo set for a project in real-time. The Play Order Track feature offers new tools for pattern-style composers, and also allows quick and easy checking of alternative song arrangements. The new Pre-Record feature makes losing great musical ideas almost impossible, by automatically recording up to 10 minutes of audio, even if record wasn't engaged. Cubase SL3 also offers a range of new functionality and improvements that make working more fluent, easy and efficient. The new Workspace concept allows layouts to be created for each step of the production process, and users can switch between these tailored workspaces with a single key command. Color coding also increases visibility by allowing colors to be specified for tracks and VST Mixer channels, essential for keeping an overview in complex projects. The Extended Freeze function offers quick, efficient "freezing" of VST instruments and audio tracks and their insert effects. Pricing and availability Cubase SL3 will ship on October 25th 2004, and will carry an MSRP of $399.99 (Euro 399 including 16% VAT). Cubase SL 2 owners can upgrade to Cubase SL3 for $99.99 (Euro 99.00) For more information, visit their web site at steinberg.net. Saturday, October 23 2004 | dmac Hercules Brings DJ Console to Mac Platform Top View Front View Rear View Hercules Technologies has launched their Hercules DJ Console for Mac with a special edition of Traktor DJ Studio. This portable USB device features a double deck for mixing two digital audio files, a multi-channel sound board for mixing stereo channels while monitoring the mix on another output and loads of controls enabling users to perform the most advanced DJ stunts. Hercules DJ Console for Mac enables users to control the mixing software via: 2 vinyl-style decks, 8 knobs, 3 sliders, 28 phosphorescent push buttons, 1 mini-stick, 16 button status indicator LEDs, These buttons control the DJ Mixing software by sending MIDI instructions through the USB port. As an audio interface, the Hercules DJ Console offers: 4-channel playback: stereo playback for the audience (on active speakers) via dual RCA output, stereo mini-jack and SPDIF output separate stereo output for monitoring (headphones and active speakers, either via dual RCA output or stereo mini-jack ) 4 selectable inputs: microphone, line in and SPDIF In (optical or coaxial) Microphone volume control Headphones volume control Traktor DJ Studio - Hercules DJ Console Edition features: 3 loop modes per deck 3 effects assignable to each jog wheel (enabling user to change playback frequencies) 3 playback modes (in addition to standard playback): reverse playback, fine scratching and fast scratching 3 cue points per deck 2 auto-beat synchronization modes - pitch change and master tempo 2 pitch settings - standard and pitch bend Headphone monitoring on 1 or 2 decks Hercules DJ Console Mac is available now at a suggested retail price of $295/Euro 299.90. For more information, visit their web site at hercules.com. Saturday, October 23 2004 | dmac Reaktor Electronic Instruments Volume 1 Returns Following the recent launch of Electronic Instruments 2, Native Instruments is now also offering an enhanced version of the first Reaktor instrument collection as a downloadable purchase. The Electronic Instruments 1 collection consists of the drum machine "Rhythmaker", the lead synthesizer "Titan", the bass synth "Grobian", the pad synth "Atmotion", the envelope controlled multieffects unit "EnFX", the dub delay "Longflow" and the filter bank "Anima". The reissued version is now optimized for Reaktor 4 and Reaktor Session, and contains various enhancements to the instruments. The revamped version of Electronic Instruments 1 is available now as a download in the NI Online Shop for $69 / 69 Euro. At the same time, download versions of FM7 Sounds Vol. 1, Absynth Sounds Vol. 1, and the B4 Tonewheel Set "Vintage Collection" are made available for $ 39 / 39 Euro each. For more information, visit their web site at native-instruments.com. Tuesday, October 19 2004 | dmac Voxengo has updated Pristine Space to v1.3. Changes: Minor fixes to the search paths mechanism implemented. Convolution processing optimized when short impulse is loaded. Fixes to built-in impulse resampling function implemented. Additional slot linking switch added. This switch links Length and Gain settings of a slot to another slot. More @ voxengo.com/pspace/. Tuesday, October 19 2004 | dmac Two New HALion/Kontakt Libraries from Precisionsound Precisionsound has released a pair of new sample collections for HALion and Kontakt users. The titles, Celtic Whistles and Privilege Flute, both offer 24-bit wav format samples and programs designed for HALion 1.1 and higher and Kontakt version 1.5.3 and up. Celtic Whistles contains 275 samples and 16 programs, and is available as a 59MB download (packed). All instruments have 4 articulations: Sustained, Legato, Glissando and Staccato, The Sustain, Legato & Staccato is sampled in three velocity layers. The Celtic low whistle has also a bonus staccato program. The Celtic low whistle is a Howard tin whistle tuned in D one octave lower than the thin whistles. You also get two Celtic thin whistles tuned in D and Bb. Celtic Whistles is priced at approximately $44. Privilege Flute contains Sustain, Legato, Staccato and drill samples recorded with up to four velocity layers. The collection contains 232 24-bit mono wav files (35MB unpacked / 30MB packed) and 7 programs. Privilege Flute costs about $37. (Subject to exchange rates). For more information, visit their web site at precisionsound.net. Tuesday, October 19 2004 | dmac Channel G Offers Stereo and Surround Processing for Pro Tools Support for Windows XP across McDSP Product Line Planned Channel G Dynamics Channel G Surround Designed for seamless integration with Digidesign's ICON, Channel G is comprised of four plug-ins featuring separate EQ and Dynamics sections, a Console Strip, and a 5.1 Compressor. The equalization section boasts 2 fully sweepable notch filters (or high and low pass filters with selectable slopes of 6, 12, 18, and 24 dB/octave) and 5 bands of parametric EQ with switchable shelving EQs with a gain range 15 dB. Channel G offers a suite of four compelling dynamic tools; an adjustable knee compressor, brick wall limiter, expander, and gate. In addition, the dynamics section provides a separate set of switchable filters (identical to those found in the EQ), which can be placed inline with the EQ filters for slopes up to 48 dB/oct. The EQ and Compressor have calibration modes specifically for music and post applications as well as modeled modes of the world's most popular analog desks. The surround compressor consists of four separate compressors grouped by LR, C, LsRs, and LFE channel sets. Each compressor within the 5.1 configuration can key from any combination of the surround channel sets (LR, C, LsRs, and LFE). The compressors can also be linked in a variety of ways to suit any surround application. Channel G is $995 TDM Mac OSX, shipping mid November 2004 with Win XP support expected by years end. In other McDSP news, the company has Windows XP support for Pro Tools TDM, RTAS, and AudioSuite systems. McDSP's full product line will be available on Windows XP as a free downloadable cross-grade from mcdsp.com by the end of 2004. Mac OSX and Win XP versions will use the same iLok authorization for hassle-free session interchange. Also, Massive Pack 3 users can now upgrade their FilterBank and MC2000 TDM only versions to include RTAS and AudioSuite support for $95 through mcdsp.com. Upgrade authorizations require a valid ilok.com account. For more information, visit their web site at mcdsp.com. Sunday, October 17 2004 | dmac Orion Added to AirTools Studio Matrix Line Symetrix adds a new product to its AirTools Studio Matrix series of modular audio DSP. Dubbed Orion 8x8 Analog I/O DSP, it is targeted at specific applications within a broadcast facility. Its release coincides with the version 2.0 upgrade of the Studio Matrix Designer application (WIN) for design and real-time control of audio systems. Units are now shipping. The Orion hardware is equipped with eight line-level analog inputs and outputs. This design provides significant utility when approaching applications such as gain control of satellite chains, equalization and filtering of telephone hybrids, news and production room applications, and management of multiple microphone signals in a talk studio environment. The 8x8 form factor lends itself to a variety of scenarios. Orion employs a pair of Analog Devices 66MHz SHARC processors to create virtual audio pathways and processing modules that replicate dedicated hardware devices in the physical world. The Studio Matrix Designer application is used to create these signal routes and processing chains on a Windows PC. Parameter settings can be assigned to any of the 1,000 onboard preset locations and recalled on demand via RS-232 commands from the station's automation package. Orion units can be used singly or in groups. Larger processing systems can be created by networking multiple units together. Audio routing between units is handled via the SymLink bus. This proprietary interconnect supports the free exchange of up to 64 channels of audio and control over CAT5 cable. Based on SymNet technology, all Studio Matrix devices offer a set of tools to handle a variety of audio processing scenarios. Available processes include automatic gain control (AGC), compression, filtering, equalization, mixing, and many more. Also included are over sixty processing modules for logic and dynamic logical control. For more information, visit their web site at symetrixaudio.com. Sunday, October 17 2004 | dmac Drum Werks Volume V released Drum Werks Volume V: New Drum Loops and Samples for Rock, Alt and Modern Rock, and Power Pop "Power. Control. Versatility. Drum Werks Volume V is the latest addition to Beta Monkey's hugely popular Drum Werks series. Featuring over 700 acoustic drum loops in twelve different groove genres -- from meaty 75 BPM rock grooves and popping 100 BPM funk-rock grooves to driving 150 BPM power pop beats and blistering 180 BPM rock shuffles -- this release is a complete drum loops and samples collection. Drum Werks V will quickly become the 'go to' disc in your acoustic drum loop and sample library." For musicians writing rock, alt and modern rock, or power pop, Beta Monkey's Drum Werks Volume V offers: Cohesive Sounds, Versatile Loops: All grooves, groove variations, fills, and one shot loops are taken from a single recording session. Users can mix and match all tempos, feels, and styles from twelve distinct groove folders for unlimited versatility. 738 (578 MB) license-free, 16/44, stereo, acidized drum loops total. Complete Multi-Velocity Drum and Cymbal Sample Section: Multi-velocity samples of all the drums and cymbals recorded are included. We have given you samples of the entire kit: from the softest taps to the most powerful slams, you have it all. The Drum Werks V sample kit can be used to build grooves from scratch or augment track construction with any of the 700 loops. 196 (105 MB) matching multi-velocity drum and cymbal samples total. Hi-Hat and Ride Cymbal Patterns: Stand-alone HH and RC patterns, time-keeping with and without snare backbeats, are included. Use for time keeping or for full track construction with the provided samples. The Finishing Touches/One Shots: Cymbal swells, ending ritards, and more. The "little" things most loop CD's don't include but are vital to realistic and natural drum tracks. Free sample previews from Drum Werks Volume V are available exclusively from Beta Monkey Music at betamonkeymusic.com. All Beta Monkey disc orders come standard with free same-day worldwide shipping.