PC and Music News

SPL has announced a new recording channel and compact analog processing rack : the Frontliner.

This new channel strip combines Preamp, De-Esser, Compressor, EQ and Tube Output for a fully featured recording channel. But often the particular stages would also be a great addition to an engineers mixing tools arsenal – and that is why SPL has spent dedicated I/Os to each section of this unit.

Each stage can be used separately and for example be routed via a patchbay to insert the whole toolbox into a studio environment. The Frontliner features a hybrid, Class A preamp design with discrete solid state stage and a tube section with switchable drive settings.

Availability of the Frontliner is scheduled for October 2008.

Line 6 has announced the expansion of its online presence with the launch of its localized French and German websites.

"We strive to set the standard for websites by providing in-depth video, audio and interactive demos that enable musicians to explore and understand the depth and functionality of our products," stated Erik Tarkiainen, vice president, marketing communications, Line 6, Inc. "With the launch of our French and German sites, we are pleased to be able to deliver this experience to an even greater number of musicians around the world."

EKS unveils Otus, a 2-in-1 DJ controller. The virtual audio technology enables the use of multichannel soundcard inside Otus with different DJ software. This makes it possible for a DJ to play two audio channels simultaneously with just one controller.

Otus is equipped with a big, configurable 7.5" jog wheel and new features for effects control, including touchpad and two motion sensors. It also brings you an innovative switch key which enables the DJ to flexibly use two layers of controls. To add more show into the mix, the effect controls are placed to make performing more visual. With the advanced MIDI support and MIDI mappers it will be easy to configure Otus with just about any software application imaginable, be it audio, video or something else altogether.

Otus is expected to be released on June 2008 with a price around €700.

Musicrow has released Modular Dreams, a collection of 200 high-quality presets for the Arturia Moog Modular V.

Modular Dreams presents modular synthesis at its best, while it makes a full use of all the features that Arturia Moog Modular V has to offer (And it has a lot !). The classic moog tones are there, but you might be surprised by how innovative and up to date "grandpa" moog can sound ;-)


Modular Dreams is now available for EUR29/USD39. Note that a demo bank with 20 free presets is also available for instant download.

AnaMod presents the ATS-1 Analog Tape Simulator, the first product that uses the AnaMod process for modeling complex analog circuitry entirely in the analog domain.

Specially developed analog building blocks are 'coded' to emulate the behavior of a complex analog system. Unlike digital plug-ins or processor-based outboard gear, there is no latency, and no A/D or D/A conversions to compromise the sound. The result is a faithful recreation of the original response, without using the original analog hardware.

All of the important features of a two-track analog tape machine are found in the ATS-1, including speed selection, bias, LF record and HF Repro EQ, and the option of adding tape hiss, if desired. The reference 'record' level, as indicated on the illuminated VU meters, can be adjusted from 0 to +12 dBu in 3 dB increments.

The ATS-1 accurately models the behavior of specific tape machines and tape formulations, and allows the user to select from up to four machine and tape types. Optional machine and tape types are available on easy-to-install SIMM cards. Standard tape formulation cards shipped with the ATS-1 are the GP9 and 456. Standard machine cards are the A800 and M79.

The ATS-1 is available at a suggested price of $2995 / €2750.

SPL unveils a brand new product : Phonitor. The name already implies the key feature: SPL announces that with the Phonitor headphones now become a full alternative to monitoring speakers. To allow for control of sound impressions comparable to speakers in a room, the Phonitor offers new parameters such as Crossfeed, Speaker Angle and Center Level.

Based upon SPL's unique 120 V technology which was initially developed for their mastering product series, the Phonitor aims at high-end users to fulfill highest demands in sound quality. It is SPL's flagship of a new sort of headphone amps they call Headphone Monitoring Amplifiers. The company plans to launch further units in standard technology soon, e. g. a RackPack module.

Availability of the Phonitor is scheduled for May 2008.