PC and Music News

Sennheiser is launching the MKH 8000 series of microphones, which combine the company's exclusive RF condenser technology with a compact, modular form factor and a range of application-specific accessories for broadcast, recording and performance use.

The MKH 8000 series is available in three sets :

- MKH 8020 Set—omnidirectional pattern
- MKH 8040 Set—cardioid pattern
- MKH 8050 Set—supercardioid pattern

Each set ships with microphone, windscreen, clip, and aluminum transport case. Each set retails for $1299. For more information, please visit their web site.

The Audix Micros Series continue to evolve with the M1250 and M1280. The M1250 is 50mm (2") in length, 12mm (.5") in diameter and 17 grams (.6 oz) with a frequency response of 80Hz-20kHz, while the M1280 is 90mm (3.5") in length, 12mm (.5") in diameter, and 28 grams (1 oz) with a frequency response 40Hz-20kHz providing extended bass response. Each body is precision machined out of brass at the Audix factory, finished in a durable black (or white on some models) e-coat, and laser etched with model and serial number. Both of them feature 4 interchangeable capsules (cardioid, hypercardioid, omni-directional, and supercardioid (shotgun) and a newly designed circuitry with immunity from RF interference caused by cell phones and GSM devices.

For more information, please visit their web site.

AudioRealism has just released of AudioRealism Drum Machine (ADM) which is an 808, 909 and 606 emulator rolled into one combined with a 32-step internal sequencer and pattern controlled fx (PCF). ADM is also capable of triggering the user's own samples.

Features :

- Three realtime switchable drum machine models
- Internal 32 step sequencer with global accent per step, four prescale selections per pattern, flam and shuffle, 128 patterns per instance
- Pattern transformation functions: Expand, shrink, swap, duplicate steps, randomize pattern, randomize part, cut/copy/paste pattern and parts
- Undo function for pattern transformation functions
- Pattern Controlled FX (PCF) which can control any of the parameters for each step
- Various pattern transformation functions
- Full MIDI ...

As part of the celebration of the one year anniversary of Pianoteq, Modartt has announced three new inspiring historical instrument add-ons :

- Sébastien Erard, half grand piano (2 m) serial number 109 933 (1922)
- Carl Bechstein, half grand piano (2.1 m) serial number 79 676 (1896)
- François Etienne Blanchet, "Château de Thoiry" harpsichord (1733)

These add-ons are created in the frame of the non profit cultural project KIViR (Keyboard Instrument Virtual Restoration) which concerns historical keyboard instruments museums. For more information, please visit their web site.

Flux has just released Pure Limiter which completes the Pure Series developped by Flux to manage the audio dynamic. Unless you use it as a special effect, Pure Limiter is supposed to be the very last stage of your audio processing chain. It uses an exclusive algorithm allowing a dramatic level enhancement with no drawback on the sound quality. An automatic mode allows quick operations in most cases, but a manual mode and an advanced mode are also there to allow you a total control on the processing. To make the setting even easier, the Pure Limiter also features two display modes. When the mode A is engaged, both original and limited waveforms are displayed. The Mode B displays the limited waveform, the limiter action and the histogram of the release value which is especially useful when r ...

VertexDSP recently released MultiInspector v2.0, a frequency analyzer showing the spectral analysis of other plug-in instances in the same window. MultiInspector extends the usage of spectrum analyzers especially in multitrack environments by providing an easy way for simultaneous spectral analysis of several audio signals.

Beginning with version 2.0, MultiInspector provides an FFT analysis mode for spectral analysis with several options for FFT size (512 to 16384 samples) and FFT window selection (Rectangular, Hann, Hamming, Blackman, Blackman-Harris, Flat Top). There are different viewing modes for overlapping and stacked display, also available for the previously implemented 31 band third octave analysis mode. MultiInspector supports up to 16 instances at any sample rate from 32 kHz up to 192 kHz.

MultiInspector is available for Windows and Mac OS X (UB) in VST and Audio Units formats. It costs EUR 59 and a demo version is available.