PC and Music News

EastWest has added two more of its collections into the PLAY lineup : Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs and Quantum Leap RA.

Now with the PLAY sample engine, users of EastWest Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs PLAY Edition and Quantum Leap RA will have access to many new features including :

- 64-bit* with 32-bit compatibility for PC (*see system specifications).
- Full memory access with MAC (requires 64-bit MAC).
- Mac Intel compatibility.
- An intuitive custom interface.
- Intelligent performance section including portamento, repetition, legato
- Features round robin reset.
- Offers improved articulation window and controls.
- On-screen Mic position mixing (Choirs only).
- Switchable 24-bit/16-bit depth.
- State-of-the-art convolution reverb with pre-delay.
- Convolution reverb includes the hall the choir was recorded in (Choirs only).
- An intelligent release trail engine that follows note-on samples volume at all times.
- Improved sound quality with high-resolution audio engine.
- Hi-fidelity one pole filter for natural cross-fades.
- Stereo image editing is now possible using channel sourcing.
- The instruments/voices featured in the PLAY Editions are newly-programmed for PLAY from the original recordings.

Ultimate Support introduces another unique line of customized accessories to match your inimitable style and sound! These new Custom Mic Stand Tops take their cue from their Custom Chrome Mic Stand Series launch—now offered as an affordable, stand-alone accessory, adaptable to work with any mic stand!

"Your mic stand is the centerpiece of your performance," offers CEO Mike Belitz. "Why settle for a boring black tube when you can make a statement with a custom look at an affordable price? Ultimate Support's new Custom Mic Stand Tops allow you to match your music with a visual vibe guaranteed to get you noticed. Although they work with all standard mic stands in the market, if used with our new Live series stands, they act as a functional, one-hand clutch. All this without breaking the bank!"

Six unique designs are available, each with universal connectors making it easy to mix and match with any new or existing mic stand in your arsenal: "Are You Talkin' to Me?" (Brass knuckle clutch), "Dark Magic" (Celtic Cross-themed), "Bring It on Sucka" (Hand-grenade clutch), "Love/Hate" (Conical clutch), "Venom" (Black widow clutch), and "Smell The Rubber" (60's-style shifter clutch).

Waves Audio announces the formation of the Waves Live Division, a dedicated branch addressing the current and future needs of the live sound market sector. Throughout its history, Waves has brought to market a number of products that have become indispensable components of the live sound signal chain, and with the Waves Live Division, the company now formalizes its commitment to the live sound market, benefiting FOH, Monitor and Live Sound/Recording/Live Broadcast engineers.

As part of the Division's inaugural initiatives, Waves will unveil a new Live Division website, as well as release the D-Show Enabler, making over 50 Waves TDM plug-ins compatible for the live environment, using the new Waves D-Show Enabler. Waves TDM plug-in bundles like the SSL 4000 Collection, V-Series, The API Collection, MaxxVolume, and more are now available for use in live sound.

Roland is proud to introduce the Prelude home entertainment keyboard, featuring a fresh, contemporary sound set, an onboard 16-track sequencer, and a broad range of musical styles.

With 61 velocity-sensitive keys, and a lightweight, compact footprint, the Prelude is ideal for entry-level keyboardists and hobbyists who want a portable solution without skimping on sound. The Prelude includes a myriad of the most essential high-quality tones taken from Roland's deep sound library, all playable with 128-voice polyphony.

The Prelude features a wide variety of contemporary sounds and intelligent backing styles, including variations on the musical styles of South America and the southwest United States. Choose from four style variations for each song progression, and create a dynamic live performance with the included D-Beam and pitch and modulation controllers.

The Prelude includes a built-in speaker system designed to accurately reproduce the arranger's high-quality sounds. The USB Memory Player allows for direct playback of MP3, .WAV, AIFF, and SMF files, while the Center Cancel function lets players sing along with their favorite songs.

Alesis announces the USB Recording Kit, a complete computer-recording system, which is available now.

The USB Recording Kit enables anyone with a computer to record high-quality audio. Consumers simply connect the pair of AM2 condenser microphones to the iO|2 digital-audio interface to record detailed, stereo audio into their computer using the included Steinberg Cubase LE 4 digital audio workstation software. They can monitor sessions and playback with the accurate, clean output of the M1Active 320 USB speakers. No extra sound cards, no special connectors or adapters and no software drivers are needed. All the user needs is a Mac or PC with two available USB ports and a pair of common, inexpensive microphone cables.

The AM2 stereo microphone set contains a matched-stereo pair of AM2 condenser microphones, an XY-stereo mount, stand clips, windscreens and a carry case. The low profile, miniature cardioid condensers offer a switchable pad and high-pass filter.

The iO|2 is an USB audio interface with two XLR-1/4-inch combination inputs and 48V phantom power. The inputs enable users to plug in microphones, instruments and line-level inputs for easy recording of guitar, bass, keyboards and more.

The M1Active 320 USB studio monitors feature one-inch silk-dome tweeters and three-inch lightweight woofers and both analog and USB inputs for clean, low-distortion signal flow. The speakers have additional inputs, enabling users to employ them as a standalone recording solution when connected via USB. When used within the bundle, the speakers' inputs add to the input count of the system.


The USB Recording Kit is available now at an MSRP of $399.99 and an estimated street price of $299.99.

Behringer has announced a pack of 2 professional true condenser microphones for studio recording and live applications.

Features :

- Low-mass diaphragm for ultra-wide frequency response and ultimate sound reproduction
- Designed for acoustic instruments, overhead, piano, etc.
- Cardioid pickup pattern for effective feedback elimination
- Switchable low-frequency roll-off and -10 dB input attenuation
- Custom microphone stand adapters, windscreens, stereo-bar and transport case included
- Ultra low-noise transformerless FET input eliminates low-frequency distortion
- Gold-plated 3-pin XLR connector for highest signal integrity
- Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

The Behringer C-4 will be available at a price of $99.99/€83.