PC and Music News

Toontrack Music are announcing EZplayer Pro, the expanded version of Toontrack Musics EZplayer Free.

Basically it is a plug-in MIDI engine that lets you collect and organize all the MIDI on your hard drive. You can combine, put together and fuse drum and percussion MIDI clips from individual kit pieces to entire arrangements and audition them with your favorite drum sampler in EZplayer Pro before dragging them into your sequencer. It includes map-wrappers between different drum sampler formats. These allow you to use the MIDI from one brand of drum sampler with a sampler from another brand as a sound source on the fly. The map-wrapper encompass all common brands in the market.

EZplayer Pro is organized as a multi track arranger where every track can be connected to a virtual instrument in the main sequencer and EZplayer Pro be utilized to audition different instruments in combination before you adjust them in detail. The tracks and the sub tracks with fills and variations can also be aligned to a hardware controller such as a keyboard or percussive controller to trigger MIDI sequences live.

EZplayer Pro is a VST, AU and RTAS compatible plug-in and will be included on disc together with Superior Drummer 2.0 as its MIDI engine. It will also be available separately in april of 2008 both as a download purchase and in a boxed version at €35/£25/$49.

Yamaha has announced the MOTIF-RACK XS.

Features :

• Wide range of dynamic and authentic Voices - total of 1,152 Voices and 65 Drum Kits
• Powerful Arpeggio function - simultaneous playback of four types, total 6,633 available
• Five real-time Control Knobs, for adjusting the sound as you perform or record
• Convenient, intuitive editing of all settings from computer with MOTIF-RACK XS Editor
• Full integration with the popular Cubase series audio/MIDI recording software

The MOTIF-RACK XS is priced at $1499.

Numark has announced the Mixmeister Control, a controller designed and optimized to work like a true hardware extension of the MixMeister interface but it can also control other MIDI-capable DJ software.

If you already use MixMeister, you will be performing in seconds. MixMeister Control even comes with a full version of MixMeister Fusion software - the perfect way to get started. Individual hands-on controls are included for looping by track, EQ, FX and more with complete control for up to four tracks at once. A massive amount of control is available from its 40 knobs, 53 buttons and a Jog Wheel for fast location management. Finally, automation effects, VST plug-ins and other functions can be manipulated with minimal computer interaction.

In order to commemorate its 25th anniversary, Clavia has created an Anniversary Model Limited Edition of the Nord Lead synthesizer. This collectible model will be made in a limited production run that will consist of only 299 units.

The Nord Lead Anniversary Model Ltd. Edition shares the internal specifications with the Nord Lead 2x and will be easily recognizable with a custom printed front panel and the inverted color scheme on the keyboard. These individually numbered units will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Mr Nordelius.

Virsyn has just released TDesign - The Transient Designer, a new plug-in that aims to shape the transient of an audio signal.

The idea behind the TDesign is to give the user direct control over the attack and sustain characteristics of natural sounds. Take a recording of an unremarkable drum kit and dial in some really hard-hitting attack or take a very percussive sound and soften the attack. You can also use the sustain control to work on the decay portion of sounds, and with drums you can tighten up the sound to give a fast, dry decay or you can make them ring as though you'd taken the dampers off the kit.

Unique to TDesign is the ability to shape the transient not only amplitude wise but also with a dynamically controlled 24 dB lowpass filter with resonance control. This gives you the opportunity to change the sound in a way which normally is only possible if you recreate it with a synthesizer.

Features :

- Attack amplification/attenuation.
- Sustain amplification/attenuation.
- Dynamic Transient filtering.
- 24 dB Lowpass with resonance.
- Multi channel capability.
- Easy user interface.

TDesign is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST 3, VST 2.4, AudioUnit and RTAS plug-in formats. A fully functional/time-limited demo version is available. From now until March 31st, 2008, you can buy it for €99 instead of €169. By taking this offer you also have the option to get VirSyn's other effects, Matrix, Reflect and VTAPE, for 20% off.

Building on the success of the popular A7, ADAM Audio announces the expansion of the A Series with the new A5 Powered Monitor.

Designed using the same technologies as the existing ADAM monitors, the A5 is a smaller version of the A7, and can be used either in stereo or to fill out a 5.1 surround system. Powered by 2X25W on-board amplifiers, the A5 combines ADAM's ART (Accelerated Ribbon Technology) folded ribbon tweeter with a 5" woofer constructed of a carbon fiber and Rohacell® sandwich. The front of the A5 sports dual ports for low frequency response down to 55Hz, metal grills for added durability, as well as power and gain controls. The rear panel includes balanced XLR jacks, unbalanced RCA jacks, and a new development by ADAM called Stereolink®. This new technology connects speakers with input and output jacks allowing the user to control the overall volume of the system from any one speaker's gain control, making the A5 a great match for desktop recording systems.

The A5 comes in a choice of traditional ADAM matte black ($699 pr) or new glossy "piano" finishes in black or white ($769 pr). Optional wedge-like stands enhance desktop recording by allowing the A5 to be positioned at an upward angle.

ADAM Audio is also introducing the Sub7 ($479 matte black, $529 glossy black/white), a new compact subwoofer designed to compliment the A5. Despite its small footprint, it is capable of extending the frequency reproduction of the A5 down to 30Hz. Multiple inputs (both XLR and RCA) and controls allow the system to be fine-tuned to any listening environment. A wireless remote control for adjusting the volume and crossover frequency from the listening position is also provided.