PC and Music News

The Spacebar microphone positioner from Grace Design allows for precise and repeatable setting of microphone capsule spacing, angle of incidence, and rotation around the x axis. With precision scales for angle and distance engraved on the Spacebar components, it becomes easy to make perfectly measured and repeatable stereo microphone setups.

As well as being able to precisely set microphones in standard stereo configurations (i.e. XY, ORTF, NOS, and AB 50cm), the Spacebar allows for exact settings through the entire continuum of angle and spacing. This allows the user to adjust the stereo microphone array and tailor the pickup field to suit virtually any recording environment.

The Spacebar system is precision fabricated from machined aircraft aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. Each system consists of a center stand clamp, horizontal bar, and microphone holders. The SB-30 and SB-66 are both supplied with two microphone holder assemblies and an additional tall microphone holder. The taller microphone holder body can be used to raise one microphone to avoid interference if the mic spacing requires that the microphone bodies overlap.

The Spacebar system comes in two versions – the SB-30 and the SB-66, which provide the following microphone spacing :

. SB-30 ($295) : minimum spacing 7cm (2.75") / maximum spacing 26cm (10.2")
. SB-66 ($395) : minimum spacing 7cm (2.75") / maximum spacing 61cm (24")

British mixer manufacturer, Allen & Heath, has chosen the forthcoming Pro Light & Sound show in Frankfurt to unveil an exciting new addition to their portfolio. For the first time in 15 years, Allen & Heath has designed a broadcast console, which will be introduced from the ZED range of small-format USB mixers.

More info coming soon...

Tascam has updated the DR-1 and GT-R1 Portable Digital Recorders to Version 2.0. The update offers additional features during recording, including a manual track increment for breaking a long session into individual tracks. The new pre-record buffer feature can store audio in a buffer to begin a recording two seconds before the record button is pressed.

Recording can also be delayed by 300ms to eliminate handling noise when the record button is pressed. Editing features have also been added to the recorders in version 2. "File Divide" separates a recording into two files. The DR-1 and GT-R1 automatically make a new file while recording if the file becomes too large. A new "All Delete" function deletes all of the files in the selected folder.

The free update for the DR-1 Portable Digital Recorder and GT-R1 Portable Guitar/Bass Recorder is now available on :

Novation has just announced the release of Automap 3 Standard and Automap 3 Pro, the latest incarnations of its intelligent software system. Automap is unique to Novation's MIDI controllers, and has now been enhanced with a wealth of eagerly anticipated features. Until now Automap had focused on plug-in control, but exciting developments bring a new level of DAW control.

Automap 3 PRO supports multiple hardware devices. This enables any of Novation's hardware controllers to be stacked within the Automap server (software). Mutiple Novation controllers can then work side by side to access separate parameters on different plug-ins.

The new 'Keystroke Assignment' feature enables Automap 3 PRO to assign almost any computer keyboard shortcut to hardware controls, giving you access to navigation and other features from your SL or Nocturn controller.

You can now assign parameters in the Automap Server (software) to the XY pad, expression pedal, control pedal and drum pads. This means that Automap's ultra-quick 'learn' facility can now be used on all of the above.

Another key new feature in PRO is the ability to drag and drop parameters between controls, making re-assignment incredibly simple.

When activated the 'Autoview' feature automatically displays Automap 3 PRO on-screen as soon as a hardware control is touched, and then hides the GUI after release.

Automap 3 is available in two forms, Automap 3 Standard and Automap 3 PRO. Automap 3 Standard is a free download and Automap 3 PRO (which has extra features) is available to download for £19.99 / $24.99. No matter what music software you use, Automap offers an instant controlling solution for all your plug-ins. It supports VST, AU and Pro Tools (TDM/RTAS) plug-in formats (TDM/RTAS support is currently Mac only. PC will follow soon).

Applied Microphone Technology, a.k.a. AMT, unveils its 3rd generation of Harmonica microphone systems : the HR3.

Designed and manufactured by hand, the HR3 aims to reproduce the sound of a harmonica as natural as possible. This microphone is intended to fit different sized harmonicas from diatonic to 16 hole. The HR3, unlike the former HR1 and HR2 systems from AMT has a clamp that adjusts by a thumb and an allen screw to fit different sized instruments. It also includes AMT's new DCT (Disconnecting cable technology) which allows easy replacement of the cable from the microphone as well as giving it the ability to interface with various wireless systems on the market. The included AMT inline preamp can be placed on the floor, a belt clip, or in a pocket and has a low roll-off filter as well as a dB cut.

Applied Microphone Technology begins shipping the HR3 Harmonica Microphone System in March of 2009.

Pricing : List $299 Map $239

If you already own one or two Abbey Road Plug-ins, you can now complete your collection at a much reduced price by purchasing an Abbey Road Bundle Upgrade.

Until 6pm GMT on 23rd February, they are offering a special introductory price on the upgrades, with discounts of up to 43%. So if you've been waiting to complete your set of Abbey Road Plug-ins, there's never been a better time to do so.

Pricing details :

. Brilliance Pack to Bundle — $399 Native / $649 TDM
. TG Mastering Pack to Bundle — $349 Native / $599 TDM
. TG12413 Limiter to Bundle — $349 Native / $599 TDM
. Brilliance Pack & TG Mastering Pack to Bundle — $234 Native / $389 TDM
. Brilliance Pack & TG12413 Limiter to Bundle — $234 Native / $389 TDM
. TG12413 Limiter & TG Mastering Pack to Bundle — $174 Native / $349 TDM