PC and Music News

Frontier Design Group has just released AlphaTrack's v1.2 driver, which includes support for Ableton Live v5.2.1 or later. AlphaTrack is a compact controller with a high-resolution fader for DAW mixing and editing, which fits easily on the desktop and is also a great companion for laptops. It runs in Windows XP and Vista, and Mac OS X (including Intel Macs). AlphaTrack connects to the computer using a single USB cable, and does not require an external power supply.

Izotope has just released RX, a new audio restoration tool for Mac and PC. Available in standalone mode, RX is designed to clean up your audio files from every peak, click and noise. One must say that the audio examples available on their web site are pretty outstanding!

RX is already for sale at the price of 349$. A demo version is also available as well as a more advanced version named RX Advanced that offers an even better resolution and costs...1199$

More info

Lexicon is introducing its PCM96 Professional Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor. Featuring a wide array of rich, complex reverb algorithms with related delays and effects, the single rack-space PCM96 integrates seamlessly into the modern studio as a control-only DAW insert or FireWire streaming hardware plug-in.

Features :

• 28 legendary Lexicon® reverbs, modulation, and delay effects
• New mono reverbs and effects including Chamber, Hall, Plate
• "Hardware Plug-In" feature with Mac VST® and Audio Units software
• DAW automation through plug-in format
• FireWire streaming through plug-in format
• Two channels XLR balanced 24-bit I/O
• Two channels AES/EBU digital I/O
• Dual Ethernet and Firewire Connections
• MIDI IN, OUT, and THRU
...

At the AES RME has presented their new ExpressCard solution for modern PCIe Notebooks. The HDSPe ExpressCard is specified as an ExpressCard/34 and provides the same features as the successful PCMCIA version. The card comes with drivers for Windows XP (multi-client operation of MME, GSIF and ASIO 2.0) and brand new drivers for Windows Vista and Vista 64. Apple users are perfectly served with Power PC and MAC Universal (Intel) drivers providing Core Audio and Core MIDI support.

The HDSPe ExpressCard will be available in December 2007 for an expected retail price of $349. For more information, please visit their web site.

Cycling '74 announced Version 5.0 of its Max/MSP media development tools. This version represents a new era of Max programming, with a completely redesigned multi-processing kernel and a streamlined development environment built on a platform-independent foundation. With a new patcher interface, searchable database of objects and examples, integrated documentation and new tutorials, the new Max user will find a smoother learning curve while experienced users will see improved productivity.

In addition to a modern infrastructure designed to support today's multi-core processors and tomorrow's operating systems, Max 5 features a stylish new UI intended to aid in the expression of complex ideas in a fluid manner. As a result, Max's pioneering concept of interactive graphical programming ha ...

Solid State Logic is showcasing a new plug-in for the Duende DSP powered DAW plug-in platform at the 123rd Audio Engineering Society Convention (Booth #126).

X-EQ is an open and transparent sounding parametric EQ that provides the user with a comprehensive range of EQ tools within an intuitive user interface. X-EQ is exceptionally flexible with the ability to be surgically precise for mastering duties or to smooth and sculpt for everyday audio production and is particularly suited to real time manipulation for dramatic filter sweep effects.

Features :

- 10 band parametric EQ with individually selectable EQ type per band.
- Intuitive user interface with drag and move graphic control, on screen knob layout, mouse wheel (& fine mouse) control and numeric editing.
- Bands one & 10 are High & Low Cut Filters, each with five different selectable topographies.
- Bands two & nine are Shelving EQ's with proportional Q values.
- Bands three to eight are Bell Filters with 20Hz-20kHz range and nine individually selectable EQ types.
- Bands three to eight can be switched between standard series and parallel signal flow for classic graphic EQ style operation.
- Real time FFT signal analysis display.
- Stereo input and output metering with peak hold, separate RMS meter and dynamic range display.
- A/B facility for instant comparison of two different EQ set ups.
- Full parameter automation via any compatible host.

X-EQ costs £295 excluding VAT.