PC and Music News

RME presents the new MADIface, the world's first portable MADI solution for Laptops, providing 128 channels of audio with up to 192 kHz.

Consisting of the HDSPe ExpressCard MADI and a small breakout box, the MADIface offers full MADI power: 64 channels input and 64 channels output, up to 192 kHz sample rate, in MADI embedded MIDI transmission, complete TotalMix that is even remote controllable and has all features of the 'bigger' HDSPe MADI, as well as lowest latency and CPU-load. To make the usage as comfortable as possible, the power for the breakout box is provided directly by the ExpressCard, so no external power supply is required.

The MADIface is fully compatible to all devices with MADI interface. While many MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES line, the MADIface uses SteadyClock to extract the reference clock at lowest jitter directly from the MADI signal, making long-distance connections even more convenient. Although not available at the MADIface itself, word clock input and output are thus available when using another RME MADI device.

Included software: DIGICheck for Windows: Spectral Analyser, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 64 channels, Vector Audio Scope, Global record, various other audio analysis tools.

Drivers: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI).

Developed together by Steinberg and Yamaha and manufactured by Yamaha, here comes the CC121 Advanced Integration Controller.

Offering dedicated maximum-quality hardware controllers and an innovative and flexible new controller concept, CC121 provides full Cubase 4 integration and control.

Features :

- Ultra-precision Advanced Integration controller knob with 'point and control' support: controls any visual Cubase 4 parameter, internal FX setting or VSTi parameter using mouse pointer selection
- Instant plug and play with 'Cubase Ready' LED – no additional setup or parameter assigning required
- One motorized 100mm touch-sensitive fader
- Dedicated control of Cubase channel settings including solo/mute, record arm, 'e' settings button, automation read/write, pan and VSTi editor
- Full Cubase EQ section in hardware with 12 dedicated rotary encoders, with mode selection and bypass switches
- User-assignable section with Cubase-integrated presets for Control Room studio sends and monitoring setup.

CC121 will support Windows XP Windows Vista and Mac OS X, and will be available in Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Musik Messe 2008 sees the launch of the Focusrite's fourth Liquid solution, Liquid Mix 16. Combining the same pool of classic EQ and Compressor emulations with a control surface, Liquid Mix 16 brings the sound of the priceless and the historically significant, within reach of even the most modest studio owner.

Each of the sixteen mono channels (or eight stereo channels) provides Compressor and EQ emulations selectable from forty Compressors and twenty EQs. As with Liquid Mix, a hybrid seven-band 'super EQ' is available in every instance, built out of separate classic EQ sections. Each channel appears as a separate VST/AU/RTAS effect within the sequencer and will work within all major sequencers, including Pro Tools. Liquid Mix 16 launches with Liquid Mix v2.2 software, ensuring compatib ...

M-Audio unveils the Fast Track Ultra 8R, an 8x8 USB 2.0 audio/MIDI interface with 8 preamps and MX Core DSP.

Features :

- high-speed USB 2.0 interface - simultaneous 16 x 8* 24-bit/96kHz audio
- MX Core DSP technology - flexible channel routing, monitor sub-mixing, and effects processing
- 8 preamps with M-Audio Octane technology
- two completely independent headphone outputs
- compatible with Mac and PC > works with most audio production software

*when playing back 8 software return streams

M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R will be available at an MSRP of $629.95.

TC Electronic introduces the limited PowerCore X8 Sonnox Edition, a PowerCore X8 bundled with the highly acclaimed Sonnox Oxford EQ and Sonnox Oxford Dynamics plug-ins.

PowerCore Sonnox Edition will be available at authorized TC Electronic dealers in March 2008 at a suggested retail price of €1599.

Zplane.development unveils version 2 of the time stretching and pitch shifting engines Elastique Pro and Elastique efficient. Elastique stretching can be found as an integral part of numerous digital audio workstations and DJ applications such as Ableton Live or überschall Elastik loop player.

The new version offers many audio quality enhancements, including better transient preservation, increased bass resolution and improved high tonal frequency processing. Many optimizations and new interface functionality improve the performance, integration and handling of Elastique significantly.

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