PC and Music News

Yamaha announces the new MM8 Music Synthesizer. Like the MM6, the MM8 features sounds from the popular Motif Series, real-time control, street-smart grooves, seemless computer integration, and adds an 88-note Graded Hammer action Yamaha keyboard.

The MM8 synthesizer not only features sounds from the Motif, but also its quick edit knobs and arpeggios for comprehensive real-time control of those sounds. Jamming over the built-in grooves in Performance Mode sparks creative ideas and is a great way to write songs. These grooves and keyboard parts can then be recorded directly to the on board sequencer, or for even greater flexibility, connect the MM8 to a computer via USB and use it as the center of a music production system with the included Cubase AI software.

The MM8 will be available in July, 2008 for a retail price of $1,299.99.

Arturia has updated Jupiter-8V to v1.1. This updates brings a lot of bug fixes but also some new features ;

- Added velocity and aftertouch modulation support.
- CPU optimization of several modules.
- Improved cross-modulation

Of course this update is free for all registered users and can be downloaded at :

Mix Rack is Digidesign's most affordable entry into the VENUE line, combining all stage, local audio I/O, and DSP processing into a single compact 11U rack enclosure.

The base configuration comes with two powerful Mix Engine cards (expandable to three for additional TDM plug-in processing), and a full complement of primary and ancillary audio I/O, including :
- 48 high-quality, fully recallable analog XLR mic/line inputs
- 16 analog XLR line outputs (expandable to 32)
- 8 analog TRS line inputs and outputs (assignable as discrete inputs/outputs, or insert pairs)
- 2-track analog and digital (AES or S/PDIF) inputs and outputs
- 1x1 MIDI I/O
- Word Clock I/O (with active and signal present LEDs)
- Com/Aux input (XLR/TRS)


It also comes with a built-in ECx Ethernet port, allowing you to gain complete remote control of all VENUE console and D-Show software functions through a connected wired or wireless Ethernet device, such as a laptop.

Edirol by Roland announces the newest addition to its line of portable digital recorders, the R-09HR.

Features :

- 24-bit/96kHz linear PCM high-resolution, low-noise recording
- Newly developed Isolated Adaptive Recording Circuit (I.A.R.C.)
- High-grade, high-sensitivity stereo condenser microphone built in
- Records to SD or SDHC memory card (Up to 8 GB)
- Compact, hand-held body for convenient portable use
- Wide view-ability on large OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display
- Preview speaker built in
- Wireless remote controller included
- High-speed file transfer via USB 2.0 connection to computer
- Cakewalk "pyro Audio Creator LE" wave-editing software included

AQ Interactive presents the Korg DS-10, a music-creation software for the Nintendo DS that combines the superior interface of the Nintendo DS and the design concept of the famous MS-10 synthesizer.

Highlights :

- sound sources come from KORG
- Two patchable dual-oscillator analog synth simulators
- Four-part drum machine that uses sounds created with the analog synth simulator
- Six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer
- Delay, chorus, and flanger sound effects available from the mixing board
- Three note-entry modes: touch-control screen, keyboard screen, matrix screen
- Real-time sound control mode via touch-control screen
- Exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units simultaneously through a wireless communications lin

The Korg DS-10 will be availible in July, costs 4,800 YEN (30 euro's) incl. VAT and is for Japan only...

MFB launches MFB-SYNTH 3, the semi-modular version of MFBs Synth-II.

MFB-SYNTH3 works as a stand-alone synthesizer without the need to patch any cable. The classic formation of VCO-VCF-VCA is pre-wired internally, complete with essential modulations. Therefore, you can play the SYNTH3 just like any other synthesizer using its MIDI-input. In addition, it may integrate into a full analog environment using control voltages – and benefit, unlike MIDI, from infinite continuous parameter resolution.

MFB-SYNTH3 offers a complete set for powerful and versatile synthesis: three VCOs with hard-sync, 24-dB-lowpass-filter with resonance, noise generator, ring-modulator, two envelope-generators, two LFOs and VCA.