PC and Music News

Alesis announces that TapeLink USB, a digital-archiving cassette tape deck, is available now.

TapeLink USB is a dubbing and playback deck that connects directly to a computer via USB. The plug-and-play USB-audio interface requires no drivers for use with most computers. TapeLink USB's CD-quality 16-bit, 44.1 kHz audio output accurately captures tape recordings for secure digital archival. Normal and high-speed dubbing modes save time when copying music, while dynamic noise-reduction circuitry and Alesis' software suite assist in cleaning up aging tapes. TapeLink USB works with metal and CrO2 tapes and contains an LED level-meter for visual level reference. Full auto stop saves irreplaceable older tapes from breaking.

TapeLink USB comes with a software suite containing three applications. EZ Tape Converter makes transfer simple and convenient, Audacity audio-editing software enables musicians to edit their audio files once they've been transferred and BIAS SoundSoap professional noise-reduction software removes hiss, room noise, rumble, hum and other background noise.

TapeLink USB is available now from musical instrument and pro audio retailers at an MSRP of $299.99 and an estimated street price of $199.99.

Waldorf unveils Largo, a virtual instrument offering the same powerful synthesizer engine as found in the Waldorf Q-, MicroQ- and Blofeld-synthesizers.

Largo offers three fat oscillators, two of them with sub oscillators. These oscillators include models of classic analog waveforms as well as a selection of waves from the PPG and Waldorf Wave stored in two Wavetables. All these run through two Waldorf multimode filters with steep cutoff, resonance up to self-oscillation and a drive stage to add even more punch and grainyness to the sound. Ultra-fast envelope generators and flexible LFOs as well as an easy to understand, yet extremely versatile modulation matrix make for a sound designer's dream.

Largo contains a flexible arpeggiator with 16 freely programmable steps as known from the exclusive Q synthesizer line plus an array of high quality effects such as Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Overdrive, Delay and Reverb.

General Features :

- up to 256 voices per instance (depending on available CPU power)
- up to 4 layers per sound
- 4 stereo outputs (alternatively 1 stereo sum)
- host automation of almost all parameters
- MIDI Controller automation of the most important parameters

Largo works as a VST and AudioUnit instrument. Pricing and availability TBA.

Pete's Place Audio is taking advantage of the NAMM Show this year to introduce another exciting product to its lineup, a 500 Series compressor module known as the BAC-500.

Designed by Brad Avenson of Austin, Texas-based Avenson Audio, the BAC-500 (BAC being short for Brad Avenson Compressor) is a feedback-style FET compressor built around two discrete op amps and a custom wound output transformer.

From the top down, the BAC's faceplate features a large silver rotary input knob, smaller pots for attack, release and ratio, and a large output knob at the bottom. Additional features include a three-position sidechain contour switch, eight-LED gain reduction meter, and pushbuttons for distortion and bypass.

For more details, please visit the link below :

Access Music is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the Virus TI2 series. The successor of their range of totally integrated synthesizers adds 25% more calculating power and sports a redesigned housing and front panel. Access also used new materials to bring down the weight of the keyboard versions. On the software side of things, a major feature update, OS3, will be available by the time you read this. The new operating system adds several new FX such as a Tape Delay, Frequency Shifter and several new Distortion algorithms along with a new feature called Character.

Character allows you to adjust the overall tone of a preset reminiscent of several vintage and well-known synthesizers. In addition you can emphasis certain aspects of the patch to allow it to cut better through the mix, or fade it into the background with an extra-wide stereo field. The new distortions were built from scratch and feature an extreme dynamic range along with sophisticated controls to tailor the sound to your specific needs. They can add everything from warm, tube-like overtones to complete sonic deconstruction more reminiscent of circuit-bending. The new algorithms also include a revamped bit and sampling-rate reduction, allowing you to change the quality and cutoff point with precise, continuously variable control.

The stereo Frequency Shifter and the new Ring Modulator are state of the art algorithms modelled with old '70s stomp boxes in mind.

The Tape Delay goes way beyond the possibilities of the real Tape Delays in the '60s and '70s. It smoothly syncs to tempo, lets you decide if a Doppler effect takes place when changing the tempo, and even switching the delay time between presets is all smooth, making it perfect for performers. Last but not least, a modification to the main "VCA" algorithm enables OS3 users to design gating FX known from electro and minimal influenced music.

Virus Control has received a completely redesigned user-interface thanks to various improvement requests over the last years. The plug-in now features a side chain input allowing you to mangle audio from a sequencer track with the FX and sound engine of the hardware Virus (for selected hosts only).

The best news, however, is that OS3 is compatible with all legacy Virus TIs and the Virus TI Snow, thus enabling Access' vast user base to update their existing instruments with all the new software features totally free of charge.

OS3 will be available immediately. The Virus TI2, which comes in the following flavours will also be available shortly after NAMM.

Virus TI2 Desktop 19" desktop synthesizer with wooden front application.
Virus TI2 Keyboard 61 keys (semi weighted) keyboard model with wooden side panels.
Virus TI2 Polar 37 keys (synth action) keyboard model with alloy and wooden side panels.

MOTU presents a complete rhythm production center for Mac and Windows : BPM aka Beat Machine Production.

BPM combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80's and 90's. It comes with a 15 GB library and it can sample too.

Overview :
- Complete rhythm production center for Mac and Windows.
- Combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80's and 90's.
- Provides complete creative control, from recording and programming individual samples to building and arranging entire songs.
- Includes a comprehensive, expertly produced urban sound and loop library for urban, R&B, pop, rock and other music styles.
- Combines drum machine programming, sampling, loops, synthesized drum sounds, multi-sample instrument sounds, mixing, effects processing, song arranging and asset browsing in one streamlined window.
- Plug-and-play support for hands-on pad controllers such as the Akai MPD32 controller.
- Exclusive SP1200 Emulation mode faithfully reproduces the unique characteristics of the classic sought-after E-mu SP1200.
- State-of-the-art environment for laying down beats as quickly as your mind can "hear" them.
BPM will be available for Windows (XP or Vista; 32 or 64 bit) and Mac OS X (10.4 or higher) in VST, AU, RTAS, MAS and stand-alone formats. Pricing TBA.

For more details and mp3 examples, please visit the following link :

Max for Live is a new product, co-developed by Ableton and Cycling '74. Quite simply, it puts the power and potential of Max/MSP inside Live. With Max for Live, it's possible to create completely new instruments, effects and extensions that go beyond the common and predictable and transcend the limits that conventional tools impose. The possibilities
are virtually endless, from completely unique synths and effects, algorithmic composition tools or radical, new music machines fusing Live and controller hardware. Max for Live is a chance to join a society of makers and share ingenuity.
Max for Live will be available from Ableton later this year. No price available yet.