PC and Music News

This year Native Instruments has announced three new products at the Winter NAMM : Maschine, Audio 4 DJ and Guitar Rig Mobile.

Maschine combines a software sequencer and sampler with a performance controller. Audio 4 DJ is an USB 2.0 audio interface specifically designed for Traktor and other DJ software. Guitar Rig Mobile is a system which combnes an ultra-compact USB 2.0 audio interface with the Guitar Rig 3 LE software.

Maschine will be available in March 2009 for a suggested retail price of €599.Audio 4 DJ is available now for purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of €229. Guitar Rig Mobile will be available in April 2009 for a suggested retail price of €99.

CAD presents a line of new multi-purpose USB microphones. The CAD U37 Studio Recording mic, U7 Tabletop Recording mic, U2 Stereo Headset Mic and U1 Recording Mic are designed to offer computer users, gamers, musicians and home recordists more sophisticated performance at affordable prices.

The typically precise and uncompromising new CAD U37 USB enables users to easily "plug in and record" studio-quality audio directly into Windows and Macintosh-compatible computers. This versatile vocal and instrument mic can be used for creating podcasts over the Internet, audio for video and recording songs and soundtracks.

An accurate tabletop recording mic that also works well with laptop computers, the new CAD U7 USB is designed for home, office and music applications such as conference and legal recording, dictation of meeting notes, adding audio to slide presentations, and recording vocals, instruments and bands.

The U2 USB stereo headphones with microphone are designed for exceptional performance in VoIP use, language training, gaming, and podcasting. Light and rugged, the U2 features a comfortable headband with soft ear pads and gooseneck condenser microphone boom.

The U1 USB recording mic enables direct recording of vocals and instruments into any Windows-based or Macintosh computer for creating music tracks, podcasts and audio for video recordings.

MSRP for the CAD U37 Studio Recording & U7 Tabletop USB Mics: $79.00
MSRP for the CAD U2 Stereo Headset Mic & U1 Recording Mics: $49.00

Garritan has announced a new edition of its Garritan Personal Orchestra product. The company announced a 4th Edition of Garritan Personal Orchestra that now contains the Garritan ARIA sample engine and adds new features, new instrument sounds, updated programming and a lower price.

Garritan Personal Orchestra 4th Edition includes all the major instruments of the orchestra - strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion and keyboards plus quality instruments such as a Steinway grand piano, Stradivari violin (with new controllable vibrato), select Project SAM solo and section brass samples (new for this version), concert harps, celesta, concert pipe organ, and many other fine instruments. Personal Orchestra allows you to make ensembles of any size from the individual instruments, ranging from gro ...

Roland is pleased to announce the release of the latest system update for the V-Synth GT elastic audio synthesizer. Version 2.0 adds new enhancements to the V-Synth GT that include new effects and patches :

- New cutting-edge sounds
- 22 new multi-effects and 5 new reverbs
- Added chromatic-scale pitch bender function
- Improved File Import Function (Patch/Tone/Wave/Sample)
- Improved User Interface
- More USB storage functionality

SM Pro Audio releases the MC03 MK2 which offers the same functionality, warmth and detail engineers have come to expect from the original MC03 microphone with the addition of a secondary switchable vintage style circuit. The new circuit offers a smoother more classic vintage style sound typical from days gone by.

The alternative microphone circuit is engaged when phantom power is delivered to the external power supply. Engineers can simply toggle phantom power on and off from the mixing console in order to compare characteristics of the two individual circuits.

Features :

- Powered by a dedicated AC power supply
- 48-Volt ± 4 V Phantom powering
- Nine different selectable polar patterns
- Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB (A weighted)
- Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure 8
- Max SPL for 0.5% THD@1000Hz: 130dB
- Polar Patterns: 6 additional intermediate stages, all selectable
- Special multi-pin valve mic cable included
- Valve Model: 12AX7
- Size: F71mm x 183mm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
- Aluminium road case included
- Sensitivity: 12mV/Pa OR -38.5±2dB (0 dB=1V/Pa 1000Hz)
- Rugged Shock Mount included
- Impedance: = 200 ohms.

Tascam has released the DR-07 Portable Digital Recorder, a handheld digital recorder priced under $200.

Based on Tascam's DR-1, the DR-07 records to SD or SDHC Card Media, and a 2GB SD card is included with the unit. A stereo pair of electret condenser microphones captures great-sounding performances as 24-bit WAV or MP3 files. The DR-07 is powered by AA batteries and files can be transferred to computer using a high-speed USB 2.0 connector.

Musician-friendly functions of the DR-07 include the ability to loop and slow down playback without changing the pitch to learn new music. A mic stand mounting hole and included windscreen add recording flexibility.

The DR-07 is now shipping with an estimated street price of $199.