PC and Music News

Digidesign has released Hybrid 1.5, which offers even more features and filters. Hybrid 1.5 features a new vintage sound filter for classic analog sounds, five new filter saturation modes, 336 all-new patches, and 256 revised factory patches. If you own a previous version of Hybrid, Digidesign is offering a free upgrade to version 1.5 from January 22 through March 22, 2008, after which it will be available for purchase from the DigiStore.

Strike Content Expansion
This new content for Strike offers 100 completely new drum and beat styles from all musical genres, plus two completely new electronic drum kits. Digidesign is offering Strike Content Expansion to all Strike owners as a free download through March 22, 2008 only, after which it will be available for purchase from the DigiStore.

The Naked Eye Roswellite features the same True Dual Voicing design and carefully crafted tone of the Naked Eye Classic, plus it adds the
power of the Crowley and Tripp nanocomposite ribbon material - Roswellite - that was first introduced in the el Diablo Mercenary Edition.

Adding Roswellite to the Naked Eye expands its capability into kick drums, snare, bass, and the rigors of live touring and sound reinforcement. There is no other 'foil' ribbon microphone at any price that can match its tone, sound pressure level handling and toughness.

Naked Eye Roswellite comes with a lifetime warranty, beautiful wood storage box, and low-diffraction rotary Monocle Mount. The Naked Roswellite is now shipping and is priced at $1,295.

Crowley and Tripp ribbon microphones are made in USA by hand.

Sonalksis unveils a new bundle called Sonalksis Mastering Suite which includes MultiLimit, a multiband mastering limiter ; Maxlimit, a maximizing mastering limiter ; StereoTools, a stereo imaging processor ; and Ultimate-D, the "Ultimate" dithering.

The release is scheduled for early Q2 2008 for native versions (Mac OS X / WIN, VST / AU / RTAS). TDM versions are planned for release during 2008, further announcements regarding this will follow later in the year.

Of course, it's NAMM time.
But, between two announcements, maybe could you take some time to have a look at our review of Reason 4.
Just click on the link below.

E-MU Systems has announced its new Tracker Pre USB 2.0 Audio Interface/Mobile Preamp.

Features :

-24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters (A/D and D/A: 112dB measured SNR performance)
- Preamplified analog signals are available before the A/D converters, allowing the Tracker Pre to be used as a standalone high-quality stereo microphone preamp (using optional power supply)
- Hardware zero-latency direct monitoring (mono or stereo) with continuously variable level control
- Plug-and-play operation with hands-on control of all major functions
- Independent ground lift switches for optimal audio fidelity/flexibility
- USB bus powered (can also be powered using optional 5V power supply)
- Cross-platform support (Mac OS X and Windows XP32/XP64/Vista32/Vista64) and compatibility with mos ...

Overloud has announced TH1, a new virtual guitar amp plug-in based on 4th-generation technology that "boasts unique features not found in other virtual amplifiers".

Modeled after a wide variety of amplifiers, one of the most unusual TH1 features is its ability to "morph" between amps, so the guitar player can "build" his own personal amp. TH1's Smart Control strip is a row of 8 soft buttons, pots and switches controlling the vital parameters of the current sound. The logic beneath these devices allows the user to control more than one parameter at once. The Smart Control strip and Preset Selection can also be controlled by host automation and MIDI control.

Features :

- 15 Amps, 15 cabinets, 15 mics.
- 3D-positioning of mics around guitar cabinets and in the room.
- Virtual Cabinets.
- In-line tuner.
- At-a-glance photographic view of the signal chain.
- MIDI pedal board support.
- User-oriented amp channel switching.
- Tons of ready-to-use sounds with up to 8 variations made to fit different song sections, or a full set.

TH1 will be released in Q2 of 2008.