PC and Music News

Native Instruments has announced that during this summer you can get Traktor 3 for half the price.

Traktor 3 is available for $119 / 99€. This exclusive offer is valid for a limited time only and for as long as stocks last.

AMS Neve announces the 2254R mono limiter/compressor. This new unit is based upon the original 2254 mono limiter/compressor.

Features :

- Classic mono limiter/compressor made to the exacting late-1960's design
- Hand-made in Burnley, England using original Neve specification transformers
- Original Neve 2254 discreet, Class A circuit design
- Transformer-coupled circuits used in Input, Bridge-driver, Side-chain and Output stages
- Manual Fast Attack Time adjustment and transparent level control
- Independent Limiter In/Out and Compressor In/Out selection
- Total bypass switch
- Multiple units can be linked together to provide multi-unit side-chain control from a single unit
- Compatible with Neve Recall software, simply connect the 2254R using USB to a host PC or Mac running Neve Recall software

Price and availability to be announced.

Audio-Technica launches the AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone at this Summer NAMM Show. These new large-diaphragm side-address mics join the acclaimed AT2020, AT2010, AT2041SP and AT2020 USB as members of Audio-Technica's expanding 20 Series.

The AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone will be available August 2008 with pricing as follows:

AT2035 $249.00 U.S. MSRP
AT2050 $369.00 U.S. MSRP

For more information, visit their web site.

Yamaha today releases a new operating system (Version 1.10) for their Motif XS line of music workstations, adding new functionality and features and bringing more flexibility and creativity to their users.

New features :

- Support for USB ASCII keyboards.
- Saving of user name for network computers.
- Copy punch In and Punch Out from Locations 1 and 2.
- Holding notes while changing track or part in Song/Pattern mode

Yamaha has also released a new Voice and Multi-Part editor with enhanced Drum Kit and Utility features.

Based on the technology already proven with Octopus, genoQs Machines has released Nemo, their new MIDI sequencer.

Nemo is a highend machine, continuing their tradition of realtime everything MIDI instruments. With the interaction and function model of Octopus being adapted to a new interface, Nemo's particular strength lies in its compact, portable format.

Features :

- 90+ Tactile switches and 9 endless encoders for interactive access
- 93 LEDs (tri-color) used to display both numeric and quantitative data
- 64 pages (i.e. "patterns")
- 4 tracks per page, 16 steps each
- 4 concurrent pages, i.e. 16 concurrent tracks
- Page tracks freely chain-able to structures of up to 64 steps
- Per track velocity, pitch, length and start factors, MIDI channel and CC
- Individual clock multiplier/divisor per track
- Individual and editable runtime directions per track
- Polyphonic steps, of up to 7 notes (chords or multi-trigger)
- Track self modulation, via step events
- Cross modulation of tracks (via the Effector)
- MIDI note and CC recording and playback per track
- 32 MIDI channels via 2 dedicated MIDI ports

Nemo is available now for a fee of €1399.

Toontrack has just announced the release of its long awaited Superior Drummer 2.0.

Superior Drummer 2.0 has been re-developed for optimized use with e-drums with more effective use of sample layers and much improved loading times. It includes custom MIDI played by Nir Z accessed through the all new customized MIDI engine and arranger EZplayer pro, it also features stand alone capacity through Toontrack solo. From premium UK based software developer Sonalksis Superior Drummer 2.0 has been fitted with 5-band EQ, high and low pass filter, compressor, gate and transient designer filters.

The new interface is reminiscent of EZdrummer with its simple handling and lay out but gives its user layer upon layer of in depth features to create the "ultimate drum track".

Superior Drummer 2.0 is available now in VST, AU and RTAS formats for Mac OS X and Windows at a retail price of $349 / €249. Note that upgrade and crossgrade offers are also available. This first release contains the Superior Drummer 2.0 sampler engine and Vol.1 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series". Vol.1 contains extensive recordings from Avatar Studios in New York.

The second release, Vol.2 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series", is planned for Q1 2009 and will complement these recordings with sessions from the legendary Hit Factory and Allaire studios in New York city and upstate New York.