PC and Music News

Roland is pleased to announce the release of the latest system update for the Fantom-G workstations.

Features :

- Expanded capabilities added to the 152-track song recorder
- New functions added for selecting parts and patches
- Auto-Track function strengthens link between sound generator and tracking
- Input quantizing can now be changed in real-time
- New SMF export, as well as song and phrase edit parameters added
- Maximum RAM memory increased from 512MB to 1GB

To download the Fantom-G6/G7/G8 System Update v1.20, please visit the link below :

The EKS Otus, a strange DJ controller, is finally available through the EKS webshop.

Otus is equipped with a big, configurable 7.5" jog wheel and new features for effects control, including touchpad and two motion sensors. It also brings you an innovative switch key which enables the DJ to flexibly use two layers of controls. To add more show into the mix, the effect controls are placed to make performing more visual. With the advanced MIDI support and MIDI mappers it seems easy to configure Otus with just about any software application imaginable, be it audio, video or something else altogether.

The Otus is available now for €649 (excl. VAT).

Ohm Force has launched a new Cohmpetition called : "How the Minimonsta saved the world !".

From Ohm Force :

"We've made an illustrated novel telling the story of "How the Minimonsta saved the world !". Participants are challenged to create a track/song to be the original soundtrack of this illustrated novel, and the best 3 songs will get a free Minimonsta copy + other very nice Ohm Force plugins."

Submissions must be sent before Sunday December 7th. For more information, please visit the link below :

TC Electronic unveils Level Pilot, a stylish, high-resolution volume solution that fits into any active speaker set-up quickly and easily and with a minimum of clutter and wires.

Features :

- High-resolution analogue volume control - Level Pilot uses a renowned Bourns potentiometer to ensure accurate, high-resolution analog control over your monitors at all times.
- Exceptional clarity in the signal path - it uses components and circuitry that optimize signal-to-noise ratios. There are no buffers, batteries, transistors or other tone-sucking components in there.
- Compact, sleek and sturdy design - it comes with a brushed aluminum finish to give it a premium look and a smooth, ergonomic feel.
- Computer-independent operation
- Balanced and unbalanced compatibility
- 'Slip-free' rubberized base plate
- Quad-core fully balanced XLR connectivity - Level Pilot comes with its own discrete quad-core cabling to ensure perfect stereo imaging and left-right tracking - with no messy cabling to clutter up your workspace.

Level Pilot will be available next month for a fee of €99.

The SAE (School of Audio Engineering) has launched the SAE Store, a new service for their students. They've have teamed up with manufacturers such as Apple, Digidesign, Focusrite, McDSP, Propellerhead, RME, Ableton, BIAS, FadFilter, and more to enable students to get big discounts on hardware and software.

The SAE Store is open to students worldwide, and can be accessed through the following url where they'll be asked for their student ID and their birth date upon login.

MellowMuse has announced the availability of the EQ1A Equaliser, CP1A Compressor, IR1A Convolver and Mellowhead guitar and fx modeling plug-ins for Mac OS X in AU format.

CP1A Compressor ($59) is an all purpose stereo/mono compressor, capable of subtle dynamics taming to creative drum shaping. The CP1A utilizes a feed forward design with multi stage level detection/reduction to minimize distortion at extreme settings. Controls have been kept to a minimum for ease of use. The "Mix" control allows easy parallel compression of drums, by enabling the compressed signal to be mixed with the original.

EQ1A Equaliser ($49) is a smooth analog-style program EQ, with Hipass, frequency sweepable Low/High Shelf and variable frequency/Q Low/High mid controls.

IR1A Convolver ($69) is a general purpose convolution plug-in that can load 16-/24-bit mono or stereo AIFF or WAV files. Great for reverb, natural room ambiences. IR1A comes with a selection of IRs, including reverbs, room ambience and guitar cabinets, as it loads standard AIFF/WAV files its easy to create your own IRs or take advantage of the many free IRs available for download.

Mellowhead ($69) is a versatile tube amp and cabinet guitar-sim. The emphasis here is on creating the raw organic sound of a mic'ed tube amp. There are 10 convolution based speaker cabinets and 10 different pre-amp/tone settings, ranging from clean to brutal distortion, as well as 3 band tone controls.

MellowMuse has also announced that Auto Time Adjuster is now available as a native RTAS plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X and the VST version has been discontinued.