PC and Music News

Allen & Heath will unveil two new additions to the ZED range of small-format USB mixers at the forthcoming MusikMesse. The ZED-12FX (6 mono + 3 dual stereo channels) and ZED-22FX (16 mono + 3 dual stereo channels) retain the same feature set as other models in the range with the addition of a comprehensive section of in-house designed effects.

ZED's effects are divided into 4 types: tap tempo delays, short reverbs, long reverbs and modulation. They are controlled by three buttons for easy navigation and editing, allowing the parameters of each effect to be quickly 'dialled-in' to, for instance, pinpoint the ideal delay time or amount of reverb.

The new ZED FX mixers have a responsive 3-band swept-mid EQ on the mono channels, with a 2-band EQ on the stereo channels, 100mm long throw faders, 4 aux sends (2 pre, 2 post fade), a USB send and return (for PC or Mac recording or playback), a unique dual stereo input capability, and advanced monitoring facilities.

ZED FX models will be shipping in March at the following price :

- ZED-12FX: £369+VAT
- ZED-22FX £535+VAT

Eiosis has announced that the E²Deesser is now available in all native formats for both Windows and Mac OSX. The update 1.2 now includes the VST version.

This new version supports Syncrosoft, and features the VST, RTAS and AU versions for Windows and Mac OSX.

A Syncrosoft demo version is available on our website, and now you can download the E²Deesser demo for both Syncrosoft and iLok.

Synful has announced the availability of Synful Orchestra v2.4.3 for RTAS on Mac OS X (RTAS on Windows support will follow). Version 2.4.3 also provides a number of bug fixes for all plugin formats (AU, VST, DXi, RTAS).

Rs-met has released beta versions of three free VST effect plug-ins for Windows - Func Shaper v0.5, Track Meter v0.5 and Signal Analyzer v0.5.

Func Shaper is a waveshaping distortion plugin based on a mathematical expression evaluator. You can enter an expression to create the function which will be used as waveshaping transfer function.

Track Meter is a plugin to display the current level of a stereo input signal separately for the left, right, mid and side channels and also to display the cross-correlation between the two channels.

Signal Analyzer is a combined oscilloscope / spectrum-analyzer plugin for inspecting signals in real-time in the time- and frequency domain.

Commercial plug-ins, including Mac OS X versions (VST/AU), are expected to be released later this year.

First Fx Plugin from d16 group "Silver Collection", Devastor is a simple but remarkable Multiband Distortion Unit. It is an enhanced version of the distortion unit from their synth Phoscyon.

Devastor consists of three blocks: dynamic-gain module, diode-clipper distortion and three filter sections. Each of the filters can process the signal before or after the diode-clipper. The filters are not the peaking EQ type which are used in classic multiband distortion They are like those found in analogue synthesizers (low pass, high pass, band pass and band reject)- with adjustable resonance and cutoff.

Features :

- analogue-like filters
- dynamics flattener
- presets organised into groups
- midi learn function
- pre/post processing mode for each filter
- 64bit internal processing
- low aliasing output

Devastor is available in VST and AU formats for Windows and Mac OS X (UB) at a retail price of €29. Note that audio examples and demo versions are also available.

Steinberg Media Technologies is pleased to announce that its unique new product for the English-language education market, Classroom Resource Pack, is now shipping. Written by teachers for teachers, the Classroom Resource Pack integrates up-to-the-minute software technology into a comprehensive music teaching package, and provides all necessary elements for educators to deliver a wide range of innovative, modern music lessons.

Classroom Resource Pack is available now through Steinberg's regional distribution network for $399.