PC and Music News

Wacom unveils Nextbeat, a fully integrated professional DJ system, incorporating intuitive touch sensor controls and innovative live performance functions. This wireless portable control unit enables performers to move free from the main device, resulting in more dynamic and energetic live performances, contrasting to the traditional style of DJs performing inside booths.

Wacom is approaching the music industry using its extensive experience of introducing award-winning products to creative professionals in the design and digital imaging areas. Nextbeat is the first product developed by Wacom that is based on its understanding of these creative customers, and the company is using its expertise in interface technology to diversify into a new sector.

Features :

- Nextbeat supports digital formats such as MP3, WAV and AIFF, AAC-LC.
- Nextbeat is a stand-alone DJ device.
- Transfer your favorite sounds - by track or by music folder - into a Compact Flash card by a simple drag and drop.
- One single nextbeat is offering you the performing features of two digital turntables, one mixer, one effector and one sampler.
- It is a 30cm X 30cm record jacket size and weighs approximately 2.7kg.

Nextbeat will be available at the end of summer 2009 with pricing TBA.

Audiffex has announced the release of its Gallien-Krueger Amplification plug-ins, the result of the cooperation between Audiffex and Gallien-Krueger, the bass amps and speakers company.

The GK Amplification plug-in is available in two versions :

- GK Amplification Standard includes models of 3 famous Gallien-Krueger amps and several speaker models. All the functions of the original amps are available (Bi-Amp, filters). All controls do the same as their hardware counterparts. One GK amplifier and one GK speaker can be opened simultaneously. The price is $69.

- GK Amplification Pro includes models of 3 famous Gallien-Krueger amps and two independent speakers with selection from 4 models. More amps and speakers will follow. All the functions of the original amps are available (Bi-Amp, filters). All controls do the same as their hardware counterparts. One GK amplifier can be connected to two independent speakers, each of them can be of a different model. The price is $99.

Both versions are available in RTAS and VST formats for Windows and Mac OS X. More details as well as audio examples can be found at :

Thomson introduces mp3HD, the latest addition to the mp3 family.

The new mp3HD format allows mathematically lossless compression of audio material while preserving backward compatibility to the mp3 standard.

Content creators, the music industry and end users are now able to enjoy the ultimate audio quality experience with the same ease of use as the mp3 format. Users and content owners can organize their music library with the simplicity that they are used to with mp3 files. With the mp3HD format, the music industry can engage in user-friendly distribution of lossless music and audio files. The added file size required for lossless compression no longer being a limiting factor thanks to the continuous increase in Internet bandwidth capacity and file storage size.

"Over the past years, most of the music download services have adopted mp3 as their format of choice. By introducing this new mp3HD format, Thomson enables users and content providers to enjoy ultimate audio quality while preserving the convenience of the mp3 format," said Rocky Caldwell, General Manager, mp3 and Audio Licensing for Thomson.

mp3 is the most famous and recognizable digital audio and music file format. It was co-developed by Thomson and the Fraunhofer Institute IIS. The mp3 format is one of the major assets of Thomson's portfolio of licenses with over 600 licensees.

mp3HD files are mp3-compliant files that include additional side information, which, together with the mp3 portion of the file, can be decoded by an mp3HD-capable decoder. Standard mp3 players can simply play the mp3 portion of the file.

For more information, please visit :

Propellerhead has updated the ReCycle package with a new look and streamlined packaging, and includes a detailed, hour-long video tutorial from ASK Video that helps users get started with the ReCycle toolkit. In the tutorial, ASK Video's Mike Baggley takes users step by step from installing and setting up ReCycle to turning concrete-rigid loops into musical modeling clay in no time.

Livid Instruments unveils the Ohm64, a completely redesigned Ohm. Ohm is a real-time USB / MIDI control surface which aims to give digital audio and video performers an innovative interface for performance and presentation. This second generation brings a lot of new features :

• USB Powered
• Bi-Directional MIDI communication
• Class-compliant: no drivers needed
• 75 Programmable backlight buttons for talk-back and interactive performance
• Programmable MIDI mapping allows you to change the MIDI settings on the hardware
• Immersion Gold Platted Circuit Boards
• Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
• Open Source software tools to create your own LED talkback interaction
• Ohm Core software included for MIDI editing, and LED talkback programming
• Cell DNA video performance software included
• Standard MIDI IN and OUT jacks
• Made in the USA by humans
• Available in Aluminum and Wood models. Wood is available in blue, red, natural, and unfinshed so you can stain or paint it any color you want.

Pre-orders will be accepted soon at :

McDSP is proud to introduce Live Pack, a collection of plug-ins for mixing live performances. Features like ultra low latency, superior sonic flexibility and seamless integration with the Digidesign VENUE live sound system make Live Pack a "must-have" for any FOH or monitoring engineer.

Live Pack will begin shipping on April 1, 2009 and includes Channel G Compact, Chrome Tone, DE555, FutzBox, MC2000, ML4000 and NF575. In addition to supporting the Digidesign VENUE systems, Live Pack plug-ins also support TDM, RTAS and Audiosuite formats on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered systems.

Live Pack HD will be available for purchase for $1995, or as a rental for $495 for three months or $695 for six months. Rental cost may be applied towards a full purchase before rental period expires. Customers who already own McDSP plug-ins may be eligible for upgrade pricing. Live Pack will be sold or rented as an electronic purchase.