PC and Music News

Soundcraft has announced the upgrade of its MPM and MFX Series of mixers.

"The new Soundcraft mixers, known as the MFXi and MPMi Series (emphasizing the high input count on each), build on the strength of the original range by using vertically mounted PCBs with the control pots being nutted to the front panel. This not only increases the rigidity of the mixer and gives a firm operating feel, but also aids servicing should it ever be required. As part of this review all aspects of new the layouts were reviewed taking into account customer feedback over the past 18 months and this has yielded many other subtle but significant improvements to the layout, graphics & operation when compared to the original consoles

The MFXi has integral Lexicon effects, something which only Soundcraft are able to offer. Using the same AudioDNA® processor featured in many of the Digitech® and Lexicon® outboard products including the highly respected Lexicon MX400, which provides the finest quality effects ever found in a console at this price level, the mixers boast 32 effects presets, a user settings store function, 3 parameter controls, and a tap tempo mode. These effects have been optmised for integration within the console to provide

SM Pro Audio unveils the brand new V-Rack. Based around the recently developed "Powered by VFX" hardware platform, VST and VSTi plug-ins can be loaded directly into the V-Rack.

The V-Rack features the same functionality as the V-Machine, but has more horse power, balanced stereo audio inputs and balanced outputs, digital I/O and a LAN connector. It also features high-end AD/DA converters and offers a level of performance suitable for all professional environments. A true chameleon, the V-Rack can be configured to operate as just about any outboard audio device on demand.

Features :

• Intel Core Duo CPU 2.66 GHz
• 2 GB RAM (Up to 4 GB)
• 8 GB Flash Drive
• Upgradable by user
• 4 unbalanced inputs
• 2 balanced inputs
• 2 instrument inputs
• Digital I/O (S/PDIF)
• 2 balanced outputs
• 2 unbalanced outputs
• adjustable headphone amplifier
• LAN connector
• 4 USB Ports and 1 USB host
• MIDI in port

All SM Pro Audio V-products ship with control configuration software compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. Users can load up their VST/VSTi plug-ins on their computer for auditioning, sound-set creation, and bank/preset memory assignment prior to transferring to one of the V-products for stand-alone use.

Audio Damage has released PulseModulator, a free plug-in previously made for Computer Music magazine's cover disk.

PulseModulator is a model of an extremely rare (and exceedingly strange) tremolo pedal from the 70s. Three LFOs effect the VCA at the same time, and the whole mess goes through a distortion circuit, resulting in strange... uh... modulating pulses of sound.

For more information, please visit the link bellow :

AcousticsampleS has just announced the release of DrumTasteJazz, a Sonor Jazz Drum Kit, with two toms (10' and 14'), a tamburim, two snares, two rides, a 13' hihat and a 18' bass drum.

Features :

- 1,16 Go of samples recorded at 24 bits, 48khz, no loops, 1818 samples.
- Multiple mic positions to make your own mix.
- Custom mapping, you can assign every element to any key.
- Mappings presets: GM, V-DRUMS, IMAP, NSKIT (NDK) or default one.
- cc# controlled Hihat with 5 different openess and automatic closing sound.
- 4 round robins for snares, hihat and rides, 2 round robins for the other elements.
- Playable instrument, right hand and left hand mappings.
- Detailed snares, 6 different hit positions for the 14' snare and 4 for the 10' one.
- Kontakt 2 and 3 format only due to the scripting for the interface, the multiple mic position mixing and the custom mapping.

The Library also features about 100 midi loops recorded live on a v-drums.

Price: €44. It's a downloadable product, but you can also get a dvd shipped at a reasonable price.

The Genelec 8020A 2-way active monitor system has been updated to become the 8020B.

The basic change in the B model is the addition of a mains power switch now located on the enclosure's rear panel. The rotary front panel control is used for sound level adjustement only. The audio signal can still be muted (the front LED stays on) in turning the front panel volume knob fully anti-clockwise, but actual mains power is only switched off using the rear panel on/off power switch which turns the front LED on/off. This also enables turning the power off without changing the set level. Along with this change, the second rear-mounted XLR connector has been removed.

The new Genelec 8020B (Height with Iso-Pod 242 mm, Width 151 mm and Depth 142 mm) has been designed for monitoring work in difficult listening environments, particularly those compromised by lack of space. The die-cast aluminum Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE ) features relatively large internal volumes; softly curved edges and outstanding mechanical strength. The 8020B advanced Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW ) provides a smooth on and off axis response ; while the long, curved reflex port ends in a wide flare for bass articulation.

The 8020B features a 105 mm (4 inch) bass driver along with a 19 mm (3/4 inch) tweeter loaded into a new advanced Genelec Directivity Controlled Waveguide (DCW ). The free field frequency response is 66 Hz to 20 kHz (± 2.5 dB). Maximum peak SPL output per pair with music material is 105 dB at 1 m. Bass and treble are each powered by 20 watt amplifiers.

Genelec introduces the 8260A 3-way DSP Active Monitor. With the new MDC Minimum Diffraction Coaxial Mid/High driver technology, the 8260A aims to be a "master piece in electro-acoustic design".

As we know Coaxial drivers have existed for many years and are common in two way systems but not so much in three way systems reproducing only mid and high frequencies. Typical to all current coaxial design is somewhat ragged frequency response due to inherent diffraction problems. Though, crossover issues due to non-coincident location of sources are solved with a coaxial configuration. Here lay the seeds of Genelec's Minimum Diffraction Coaxial (MDC ) solution: while it benefits from typical coaxial design advantages, it now overcomes several shortages as well.