PC and Music News

Yamaha announces its rollout of six upgraded MG Series analog mixers, adding to the four models introduced earlier this year.

The new MG166C and MG206C mixers' deep feature sets include Neutrik XLR connectors, redesigned faders, an environmentally friendly finish and high-output LED metering that is legible even in daylight. They also include EQ, advanced circuit design and high-quality microphone preamplifiers.

The MG166CX and the MG166CX-USB mixers incorporate Yamaha's digital SPX multi-effect processor. As the USB suffixes on their model numbers imply, the MG16/6CX-USB, MG166C-USB and MG206C-USB include USB ports and are specifically included to simplify and enhance live recording. The three USB models come with Steinberg Cubase AI4.

The MG Series Mixers are shipping now. Prices are as follows : the MG166C at $449, the MG166CX at $499, the MG166C-USB at $529, the MG166CX-USB at $599, the MG206C at $729 and the MG206C-USB at $799. For more information, please visit their web site.

Since the launch of their new website in April 2007, MotionSamples.com has grown a rapid reputation among the online resources for audio samples and loops. Their site offers downloadable sample libraries in various urban and electronic genres and also features an online sampler/mixer to demo products.

Today they announces 6 new sample libraries :

- Hip Hop Pianos & Organs ($30) : over 200 loops of Hip Hop piano and organ melodies recorded live and from outboard keyboards.
- Proggy House Drum Fills ($40) : 450 drum fills for creating various styles of progressive house music.
- R&B Guitar Loops ($40) : Over 300 multi-loops of funky and glamorous melodies for producing R&B/Pop beats.
- Minimal Electro Loops ($25) : Over 200 micro-groove loops designed for creating that swinging rhythm found in minimal and electro music.
- Groove Theory Drum Loops ($35) : 400 groovn' drum loops recorded from 30 live drum sessions.
- Synergy Trance Loops ($40) : 350 multi-loops layered numerous times with harmonies and automated ambience.

To preview demos or for more information visit their website at :

Brauner has announced the Phanthera V microphone which looks like the Phanthera microphone released in the past year but with more features.

As common for all Brauner microphones, all components are of highest available quality and all microphones are entirely manufactured in Germany. The Phanthera V not only provides cardioid directivity but it also is capable of recording in omni or bidirectional mode with a simple switch and thus adapting it to different recording situations. An additional switchable attenuator reduces the output level of the microphone by 10 dB, providing further valuable dynamic range where necessary.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Waves announce the GTR Solo, the latest addition to their GTR Series of guitar and bass processing solutions. Featuring a number of "realistically modeled" amps, cabinets and stomp boxes, GTR Solo offers the GTR family's studio-quality sounds in an intuitive, highly affordable software package.

GTR Solo includes 10 amp models from Fender®, Marshall®, Vox® and more. It also features 10 cabinet models and 13 stomp boxes (OverDrive, Distortion, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Delay, Wah Wah, Spring, Pitcher, Vibrolo, GateComp, EQ and Volume).

GTR Solo is available now for Mac OS X and Windows XP / Vista in VST, AU, RTAS and standalone versions at a price of $140.

Rayzoon is proud to announce that 'BonzoPak', a sound/style expansion Pak for Jamstix 2, is now available. This is a meticulously recorded Ludwig Maple kit with head selection and tuning based on the habits of John Bonham.

Features :

- 990MB of Ludwig Maple drums and Paiste 2002 cymbals
- up to seven velocity layers with three alternate hits per layer
- five degrees of hihat openness
- recorded in a 17' high room for massive (but always adjustable) ambience
- includes stick-played kit as well as a mallet-played kits
- single output and multi-output kits with ready-to-go Jamstix EQ and compression settings
- can be used with any other Jamstix 2 style, e-drumkits or traditionally via MIDI by the host
- includes 10 new Jamstix styles modeled after famous rhythms of the 70s

BonzoPak is available now at an introductary price of $39 instead of $49.

112dB has announced that its virtual vintage sampler Morgana has been updated to version 1.2. This version introduces VST and Audio Units versions for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard).

The update includes both the retail and demo versions of Morgana and is available immediately. Of course this is a free update for all registered users. Note that an RTAS version for both Windows and Mac OS X is scheduled for Q1 2008 and will be made available free to all registered users.