PC and Music News

Lavry Engineering unveils the LavryBlack DA11, a new stereo DA converter with innovative features such as an USB input, programmable settings, infrared remote capability, and the proprietary >PiC< Playback Image Control .

In keeping with the Lavry Engineering tradition of innovation in the pursuit of excellence, the DA11 combines customer requested features with a flexible approach to controlling the stereo image. The patent pending >PiC< Playback Image Control allows the listener to adjust their position within the stereo sound field in a way that is unique to the DA11. Applications include adjusting the stereo width to create a headphone listening experience more like listening in a room with speakers, or moving the "sweet spot" with asymmetrical speaker placement.

Features :

- Ultra low jitter mode to minimize source degradation.
- Patent Pending >PiC< Playback Image Control .
- Accepts input sample rates between 30kHz and 200kHz
- Potentiometer-free digitally controlled analog volume circuitry.
- High power discrete headphone output.
- XLR, USB, RCA (Coaxial) and Optical (Toslink) digital inputs.
- Optional Infrared Remote control
- Power On/Off muting protection on Main and Headphone outputs
- Balanced or unbalanced outputs with Polarity Inversion
- Included XLR to RCA adapters for easy connection to RCA inputs

The LavryBlack DA11 is available now at a price of $1480.

The PM0.4W MKII Powered Studio Monitor is Fostex's latest offering in the speaker arena. They have new 'high-gloss' white front baffles for a striking look. Capitalizing on Fostex's supreme knowledge of acoustics and speaker engineering, and now offering a brighter, tighter sound, these studio monitors are designed inside out to provide the best monitoring experience, with minimal resonance, sparkling highs and rich, deep lows.

The PM0.4W is naturally recommended for desk-top use, but its superb audio performance in compact physical size expands its applications to professional console top studio monitoring, audio installation, and portable audio monitoring.

Main Features :

- Exclusively designed 4" Woofer and UFLC 0.65" Soft Dome Tweeter
- High efficient bi-amp drive with 18W each for LF and HF
- Independent amplifier in both L and R units.
- Beautiful glossy white front baffle
- Magnetically shielded for proximate setting to video monitor

The PM0.4W carries an MSRP of $299.00/pair.

FabFilter today announces the release of the successor of its famous virtual synth FabFilter Twin. Here is a short introduction to FabFilter Twin 2 by Gijs :

FabFilter Twin 2 is available for both Mac and PC in VST, RTAS and AU formats.

Yes it seems incredible but NVidia did it with the release of a new graphic card : the Quadro NVS 420. This card allows you to hook up to four screens on your favorite computer either for MAO or Film editing. This card features two GPU allowing to control four 30" screens with a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

In theory you can plug 4 cards in your favorite computer, you end up with 16 screens, enough to cover the walls of your bedroom ;o)

Twisted Lemon has released the fourth version of SideKick, its VST compressor with build-in side-chain.

Creating a side-chaining effect in most VST sequencers can be quite a hassle. The purpose of SideKick is to make this process a lot easier. You will be able to make a side-chaining setup just by loading two instances of the VST plug-in and linking them together by selecting one of the thirty-two built-in virtual buses.

Main changes since version 3 :

- 32 stereo virtual buses for side-chain routing.
- The virtual channels are upgraded to virtual buses, making it easier to create side-chain mixes. And thereby supports (virtually) unlimited instances of SideKick4.
- Ratio & gain control, Lifting the effect up from a gate effect to full compressor.
- Optional stereo-linking, by turning stereo-linking off you can create expressive stereo ducking & keying effects.
- Multiple audio input and output meters creating better transparency in the interface for side-chain routing.
- All parameters, including the side-chain routing can be automated and saved by the VST host. This ensures the side-chain routing will stay intact after saving and closing your project.

SideKick4 is available as a VST plug-in for Windows at a price of $18.99 / €14.99 / £12.99.

Rycote unveils the Mini Windjammers which are handheld audio recorder wind-protection. A MiniWindjammer is a lined fur cover designed to fit directly over the microphone or its foam gag, and will provide effective protection against wind noise.

Rycote currently manufacture custom-designed Miniwindjammers for the following recorders : Edirol R09, Marantz PMD620, Nagra Ares M, Zoom H4, Olympus LS10/20/30, Sony PCM D50, Tascam DR1 and Zoom H2.

Those funny little things are custom-designed and some are more complex than others so prices range from £14 to £29 including VAT.