PC and Music News

Behringer has launched the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey. By taking a few minutes to tell them about the style of performance and what mixer features are most important, DJ's can have a major say in the next generation of products available at their local dealers.

"No one knows more about the right mixer for their style of music than the DJ", stated Scott Garside, Behringer Corporate Communications Manager. "Any company eager to listen to their users is going to learn not only what is right about their mixers, but also where they have missed the mark. Our greatest hope is that DJs who use any brand of mixer will see this as an opportunity to get a design really right. In any case, the DJ wins."

With the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey, the DJ really can win. A completed survey is also an entry to win one of five Behringer DDM4000 digital DJ mixers. Winners will be announced on January 1st, 2009. To participate, just follow the link below :

DontCrac[k], "The Ultimate Audio Software Store " today announces the launch of Nomad Factory's new "British" Plug-ins ; the MCL-2269 (Master Compressor Limiter modeled from the legendary 2254 compressor) and the NEQ-1972 (A Four-Band equalizer modeled from the classic-vintage 1081 EQ module). Both are amazing emulations of the most efficient EQ's and Master Bus Compressor/Limiter found in a renowned brand of "British" mixing consoles. Nomad Factory has decided to partner with DontCrac[k] to make this product launch-out event, a once in a lifetime promotion via an exclusive 26 Plug-ins bundle called the "Ultimate Producer Pack". This incredible bundle will be sold exclusively at DontCrac[k] for a period 15 days and will cost only $499 USD!

The "Ultimate Producer Pack" contains nothing less than 26 hot plug-ins issued from the famous "Blue Tubes" - "Liquid" - "Analog Signature - Mastering Tools" - "Essential" - "Retrology" series, and of course, the brand new MCL-2269 and NEQ-1972 "British Bundle". The "Producer Pack" therefore contains everything a song writer/producer will ever need to produce professional sounding audio tracks at an unbeatable price...

Sold separately, all of these 26 plugins would cost over $3000 but DontCrac[k] made them available for a 15 days period at only $499 USD. Note that the "British Bundle" alone, will sale at $299 which makes all 24 other plug-ins available for only $200 USD...

Nomad Factory plug-ins are in fact used everyday by famous artists such as Stanley Clarke, Tony MacAlpine, Barry Rudolph, Jason Jeremy Freese, Eric Persing and so many more. Talking of Eric Persing, it should be mentioned that Nomad Factory has developed, most of the effects included in Spectrasonics "Stylus RMX" effect rack as well as the incredible "Omnisphere". Bernie Torelli, head engineer at Nomad Factory is also the Software Product Manager at BBE Sound Inc. in charge of all BBE Sound software development...

But watch out... This incredible bundle offer will only be available for 15 days and will be exclusively sold at DontCrac[k]. It will not be sold anywhere else afterwards... It is a one shot DontCrac[k] exclusivity!

More information and visuals can be found from the following URL :

Digital Sound Factory has re-mastered the original Ensoniq sampler libraries available for direct download at the site.

Working under exclusive license from E-MU Systems and Creative Labs Inc., Digital Sound Factory has converted CDR-1, CDR-2, CDR-3, and CDR-4 sample content developed for playback in this legendary sampler product line. This is the first time these sound libraries have been made available for download. For those who have never had the pleasure of owning an Ensoniq product, now is the time to include these classic sounds into your music, film, and game audio projects. Ensoniq sampler products represent twenty years of cutting edge sound content that has been used on numerous music recordings and film scores. Also available are the original ZR and MR sound sets. The sounds are formatted for playback on the free Proteus VX software synthesizer available as a download at the site.

Prices are $59.95 each or $199.00 for all four.

Lexicon, a Harman International Company, is introducing its I•ONIX FW810S FireWire Audio Interface with integrated channel strip processing.

This new recording interface offers the highest quality 96kHz sampling, coupled with dbx high-voltage, ultra-low noise mic pre's and dynamics. Featuring built in dbx Type IV conversion; the I•ONIX FW810S will preserve the wide dynamic range of the analog recording even when input levels get too high. This allows for more headroom, capturing the subtle details in high-level signals instead of hard-clipping them.

The I•ONIX FW810S's software mixer includes a dbx compressor, limiter, gate, and EQ on each channel, and lets users adjust levels and apply dbx dynamics for mixing and fine-tuning recordings in real time with zero latency. The unit also has the ability to save and load up to five monitor mixes one for the main mix, and up to four for individual band members. The mixer outputs can also be used to incorporate external effects gear.

The unit also features the new Pantheon II reverb plug-in which continues this legacy and delivers that "Lexicon Sound" Also included is a hardware monitor reverb for zero latency monitor mixing. This allows the performer to put a monitor reverb on their monitor mix without having the latency of monitoring through a reverb plug-in in the DAW.

The software suite operates on Windows and Mac platforms and includes Steinberg's Cubase, Toontrack EZdrummer Lite, and Lexicon Pantheon II reverb plug-in.

Features :

- dbx high-voltage, ultra-low noise mic pre's on all eight channels
- dbx dynamics (compressor, limiter, gate, EQ) on all eight analog input channels
- Two front panel XLR + 14" combi-jacks for mic/line or instrument inputs
- Six combi-jacks on the rear panel for mic/line inputs
- Type IV conversion feature emulates tape saturation at high levels
- Zero latency mixer hardware with dbx dynamics and a hardware monitor reverb
- 44.1kHz to 96kHz sample rates, 24 bit A/D conversion, 32 bit processing
- Eight analog TRS outputs (7.1 surround capable) and stereo main (control room) outputs
- Five unique stereo monitor mixes using all 10 output channels
- Stereo S/PDIF digital I/O
- MIDI in and out
- Firewire 400 connection to host CPU
- 1/4" high output headphone connection
- Lexicon Pantheon II reverb plug-in

For more information, please visit their website.

Yamaha Corporation of America is now shipping their new Audiogram6 and Audiogram3 Computer Recording Systems.

Coming as a complete kit, the Audiogram6 and Audiogram3 each bundle together a hardware interface that adds audio inputs and outputs to your computer, software for recording and producing music, and a USB cable for connecting the audio interface.

The Audiogram6 features 2 XLR combo inputs with preamps, two stereo inputs, one-knob compression for dialing in the desired sound from microphones and instruments, and a USB jack for connecting to a computer. The compact Audiogram3 features one phantom powered combo input switchable for microphones or instrument recording, a stereo input, a stereo and headphone output and a USB jack.

Purchasing an Audiogram 3 or 6 also qualifies you to register at MPSN to receive the X Factor DVD with over 4 GB of VST instruments from Sonic Reality, IK Multimedia, FXpansion and Arturia. In addition, the company is offering a $20 rebate on the Audiogram when purchased with a qualifying Yamaha keyboard, guitar, or bass.

The Audiogram Series are now available for $149.99 retail (Audiogram3) and $199.99 retail (Audiogram6).

Line 6 unveils its new line of USB audio interface : the Pod Studio line. Three models will be available :

- Pod Studio GX (1/4-inch guitar input)
- Pod Studio UX1 (1/4-inch guitar input + XLR mic input)
- Pod Studio UX2 (2x 1/4-inch guitar input + 2x XLR mic input)

Those interfaces comes with the Pod Farm plug-in which features :

- 18 immortal guitar amps with 24 cabs
- 5 thumping bass amps with 5 cabs
- 29 stunning stompboxes and studio effects
- 6 warm and colorful mic preamps

Other features :

- Over 100dB signal-to-noise, the lowest noise for recording guitar
- Exclusive latency-killing ToneDirect monitoring
- 24-bit/96 kHz compatibility for sonically superior tracks
- Includes Ableton® Live Lite Line 6 Studio Edition 8-track recording software and RiffWorks T4 recording software

For more information, please visit their web site.