PC and Music News

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.

Roland is pleased to announce a new patch download for its flagship synthesizer, the V-Synth GT.

"This new download contains hundreds of the most in-demand, classic analog sounds," says Vince LaDuca, Product Manager. "The download has been assembled as a GT project, so it's easy to load, and the patches are mapped to the V-Synth GT's real-time controls, including the signature time-trip pad. Users can add these patches to their existing GT projects with the GT's librarian software. We've also added new filter banks, so users can stream audio via the GT's analog, digital or USB audio inputs, and then use its array of COSM filters and effects to tweak and mangle sound."

The download adds a synth museum's worth of sounds to the V-Synth GT, with over 450 recreations of classic analog synthesizers from the '70s, '80s, and '90s plus a host of classic Juno, Jupiter, SH, 303 and D-50 sounds. There are also new filter bank patches specifically designed to control external audio sources.

All patches were designed using the V-Synth GT's powerful analog modeling technology.

Paul at ManyTone Music turned 44 this week so ManyTone is having a Birthday/Halloween sale: 44% off the regular price of any product for the next two weeks (Until October 31st, 2008).

To get these prices go to the ManyTone web site and check the latest news release. It contains the special prices and the links to purchase at these prices.

Happy Birthday Paul !