PC and Music News

Akai Professional announces that the MPD32 pad controller is now shipping.

Using a USB cable to connect to a Mac or PC, the MPD32 features the MPC Note Repeat with swing and gate time parameters. It can also work as a master clock for MIDI sequencers, includes transport functions and is fully programmable. It includes sixteen velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads, eight assignable faders, eight assignable switches and eight assignable infinite knobs. Three selectable control banks extend the number of available faders, buttons and knobs to 24 each (72 total controllers). Four pad banks allow for 64 total pads.

The MPD32 is available now at a sugested price of $499.

Soundcraft will be demonstrating the FX 16ii and MFX Series mixing consoles at InfoComm '08. The FX 16ii is a 19" rack-mountable mixer with a total of 26-inputs and integrated Lexicon FX processor while the MFX series is available in 8+2, 12+2 and 20+2 channel/frame sizes and once again the addition of a Lexicon FX processor.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Arturia announces for the summer a promotional offer intended at synthesis lovers. For any Arturia software instrument purchased (which includes Moog Modular V, Minimoog V, CS-80V, ARP2600 V, Prophet-V, Jupiter-8V, BRASS and Analog Factory 2.0), customers will be offered another software instrument for free.

The choice for free product is to be done among the following instruments :

- Jupiter-8V
- Prophet V
- Analog Factory 2.0
- BRASS

This offer lasts from July 1st until August 31st 2008. For more information, please visit their web site.

Crysonic today announced the release of SINDO v2, a hybrid stereo image expander (widener) / Narrower with new features offering a high level of mono compatibility with minimal side effects.

Features :

• PC and Mac Compatible (Mac OS Universal Binary AU,VST and PC VST Native)
• Greatly Improved Audio Quality
• Cross-Over Selection and Adjustment to bias Stereo Separation
• Targetable Rotations Per Frequency Range Without Altering Mix Level balance
• True Global 'Pan' Without Altering Mix Level balance
• Phase-compensated ' Shufflers ' for Low and Hi Stereo enhacement
• Three Modes of operation to suit all Audio material
• Individual Hi and Low Gain trim adjustments
• Double click to set each control to default value
• Press Ctrl for finer Adjustment
• Hybrid M / S Stereo image expander and narrower
• Minimum ' Phasiness'
• Retaining the tonal character of original audio
• Full automation for all parameters via the host
• Very Low CPU usage
• 64-bit internal precision

SINDO v2 is available now at a price of $59.95.

After its announcement at the latest Winter NAMM, Eastwest has finally announced that EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra "Play" Editions will start shipping July 15th, 2008.

Play-Powered Quantum Leap Platinum Plus carries an MSRP of $1,295, Platinum $1,195, Gold $695 and Silver $295.

Special upgrade pricing is available to registered users of the previous Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra versions on the company's website until June 30, 2008.

The high power New York Brass section that has played on countless movies, productions and albums around the globe including Ray Charles, Queen Latifah , Frank Sinatra and Blood Sweat and Tears has started a new live brass internet service. A musician or producer can now have one of the most versatile, dynamic live brass sections on his production regardless of his location on the globe.

Their system makes the whole process extremely simple. The producer sends a mp3 or other audio file to NewYorkBrass.com and receives a price estimate for the tracks. After agreeing on price, format, number of players, and arrangement, the music is then recorded and the producer receives the files in high quality wave/aiff format. The Turnaround time is days. Current prices range from $85 to $450 a song depending on complexity and number of musicians present with an average song costing around the $170-$200 mark. Note that NewYorkBrass.com accepts PayPal.

Other than brass, NewYorkBrass.com can also help set up live string sessions over the internet. As a service to the community the NewYorkBrass.com website offers advice and tips, and features free downloadable samples that can be dropped into existing projects. These samples were extracted from real projects.