PC and Music News

Line 6 announces POD X3 Pro. Like all members of the POD X3 family, it offers two discreet signal paths. Split your single-input guitar or bass signal through two different amp and effect chains simultaneously to create new hybrids, or use its dual inputs to individually process two instruments—a microphone and a guitar, for example—at the same time.

Computer-based studios will want to exploit the USB 2.0 connectivity provided by POD X3 Pro for multi-channel recording as well as its S/PDIF or AES/EBU Stereo Digital Audio I/O for sending a direct digital signal to their DAWs. For additional recording and processing flexibility, it also includes software plug-in functionality for integration with DAW recording applications.

POD X3 Pro MSRP: $979.99

ArKaos has announced GrandVJ, an entirely rebuilt and redesigned replacement of the famous software ArKaos VJ.

GrandVJ is a live video performance tool that allows visual artists to trigger, mix and manipulate videoclips, animations or live cameras in order to run amazing video shows at clubs or other events. GrandVJ is an extremely potent application addressing the needs of novice and demanding VJs, as well as other people looking for a real-time video mixing and authoring tool.

Key features :

- Dual Synth / Mixer mode
- State of the art multi-threaded hardware accelerated graphical engine
- Real-time access to all mixing parameters
- Intuitive customizable user interface
- Full Midi / Keyboard mapping of all mixing parameters
- Multi-screen support
- Automated Video Generators
- High resolution output
- Upgraded Effects Library
- Support for a wide range of video/image formats: mov, avi, wmv, jpg, bmp, flv, ..
- Flash Text and Animations
- Multiple camera support
- Available on PC/Mac with cross-platform file compatibilit

ArKaos GrandVJ will be released late Q2 2008. A free version of GrandVJ will be offered to all ArKaos VJ 3.6 users who registered their software between March 1st 2008 and the release of GrandVJ.

Universal Audio has announced the web release of v4.10 software for the UAD Family of DSP Card's & Powered Plug-Ins(tm). Version 4.9 includes 14-day fully functional demos of both the new Precision Enhancer kHz and new VCA VU Compressor/Limiter.

For more information, please visit their web site.

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.