PC and Music News

Yamaha Corporation of America is now shipping their new Audiogram6 and Audiogram3 Computer Recording Systems.

Coming as a complete kit, the Audiogram6 and Audiogram3 each bundle together a hardware interface that adds audio inputs and outputs to your computer, software for recording and producing music, and a USB cable for connecting the audio interface.

The Audiogram6 features 2 XLR combo inputs with preamps, two stereo inputs, one-knob compression for dialing in the desired sound from microphones and instruments, and a USB jack for connecting to a computer. The compact Audiogram3 features one phantom powered combo input switchable for microphones or instrument recording, a stereo input, a stereo and headphone output and a USB jack.

Purchasing an Audiogram 3 or 6 also qualifies you to register at MPSN to receive the X Factor DVD with over 4 GB of VST instruments from Sonic Reality, IK Multimedia, FXpansion and Arturia. In addition, the company is offering a $20 rebate on the Audiogram when purchased with a qualifying Yamaha keyboard, guitar, or bass.

The Audiogram Series are now available for $149.99 retail (Audiogram3) and $199.99 retail (Audiogram6).

Line 6 unveils its new line of USB audio interface : the Pod Studio line. Three models will be available :

- Pod Studio GX (1/4-inch guitar input)
- Pod Studio UX1 (1/4-inch guitar input + XLR mic input)
- Pod Studio UX2 (2x 1/4-inch guitar input + 2x XLR mic input)

Those interfaces comes with the Pod Farm plug-in which features :

- 18 immortal guitar amps with 24 cabs
- 5 thumping bass amps with 5 cabs
- 29 stunning stompboxes and studio effects
- 6 warm and colorful mic preamps

Other features :

- Over 100dB signal-to-noise, the lowest noise for recording guitar
- Exclusive latency-killing ToneDirect monitoring
- 24-bit/96 kHz compatibility for sonically superior tracks
- Includes Ableton® Live Lite Line 6 Studio Edition 8-track recording software and RiffWorks T4 recording software

For more information, please visit their web site.

Roland is pleased to announce a new patch download for its flagship synthesizer, the V-Synth GT.

"This new download contains hundreds of the most in-demand, classic analog sounds," says Vince LaDuca, Product Manager. "The download has been assembled as a GT project, so it's easy to load, and the patches are mapped to the V-Synth GT's real-time controls, including the signature time-trip pad. Users can add these patches to their existing GT projects with the GT's librarian software. We've also added new filter banks, so users can stream audio via the GT's analog, digital or USB audio inputs, and then use its array of COSM filters and effects to tweak and mangle sound."

The download adds a synth museum's worth of sounds to the V-Synth GT, with over 450 recreations of classic analog synthesizers from the '70s, '80s, and '90s plus a host of classic Juno, Jupiter, SH, 303 and D-50 sounds. There are also new filter bank patches specifically designed to control external audio sources.

All patches were designed using the V-Synth GT's powerful analog modeling technology.

Paul at ManyTone Music turned 44 this week so ManyTone is having a Birthday/Halloween sale: 44% off the regular price of any product for the next two weeks (Until October 31st, 2008).

To get these prices go to the ManyTone web site and check the latest news release. It contains the special prices and the links to purchase at these prices.

Happy Birthday Paul !

FanBand Software is a musician's tool for selling your digital music files at shows. Because the music industry has changed over the years, selling a CD alone at shows is not enough if a majority of your audience are buying digital downloads.

You may have digital distribution all over the internet, so why should you be limited to selling your mp3 files only online, when you are constantly performing at shows? What if someone only liked one of your songs you played at a show, and they rather purchase that one song then buy an entire CD? It happens when you sell music online.

FanBand Software works by allowing your audience to purchase songs directly from a laptop you provide at shows, and automatically sends your music file directly to their email address right from FanBand Software without the need for a credit card terminal, a merchant account, or even an internet connection in the venue at the time. All transactions are cash only, and you retain 100% of the profit. You also obtain the fan's email address, and MySpace address, so you can build a 'local MySpace list' to keep your new fans updated, right from FanBand Software.

FanBand is available now for Windows XP/Vista and costs $39.99.

Ultimate Sound Bank has released the USB Producer Pack, a massive library which features more than 26 GB of sounds, instruments and loops, containing more than 50 000 samples, and covering every aspect of music and sound production. So much for figures, here are the sounds that don't have to be introduced anymore, in full version :

- Plugsound Pro : the award-winning global library
- Xtreme FX : the most famous sound design tool
- Synth Anthology : 30 years of synthesis history
- Mayhem of Loops: thousands of useful loops

"These magic collections are the secret weapon for a lot of producers around the world. Now united in one single and easy package." said Alain Etchart, Founder and Director of Marketing at Univers Sons / Ultimate Sound Bank.

Available now for $299, the USB Producer Pack also includes the full version of UVI Workstation.