PC and Music News

Elysia announce the museq — the musical equalizer — as their third major product. The basic idea behind this analog EQ is the combination of premium sound shaping capabilities with optimally matched parameters which enables the user to find the desired results fast and precisely. The provided bands with their ample control ranges as well as some elysia-specific special features make sure that the museq can be flexibly used in any recording and mixing situation, and the stepped controllers are especially dedicated to mastering applications.

Each of the two channels offers three parametric bands with a switchable Q. The additional outer bands are low/high shelf designs which can be separately switched into a low/high cut mode with an extra resonance peak as a special finesse. Each gain controller of the two times five bands can be altered from boost to cut mode which results in a notably well resolution of the control ranges and twice the number of available settings. Both channels have a switchable option for a stronger coloration of the signal to complete the musical master plan.

The circuit design of the museq is completely based on discrete analog technology. The entire signal processing is realized with single transistors in permanent class A mode, and even the power supply is composed of fully discrete circuits. An oversized transformer, selected capsuled conductive plastic potentiometers as well as special current feedback amplifiers are part of the technical refinement. The combination of these elements aims at maximum signal quality and guarantees clean and powerful sound characteristics even when extreme settings are used.

After the presentation of the prototype at the AES in San Francisco, the serial version of the museq will be shown at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt/Main: Hall 5.1 Booth C81.

Nugen Audio has just released an update for Visualizer, its audio analysis tool.

New in Visualizer 1.7 :

. PDC option added.
. Spectrum analysis peak envelope improved in banded modes.
. Level meter clip warning now respects 'number to clip' parameter.
. Level meter margin now respects 'peak hold time' parameter.

Fixes :

. -20dBFS Pink Noise fixed.
. Audio Unit sample rate change in existing projects issue fixed.

Native Instruments has released Maschine, a system which combines an advanced software sequencer and sampler with a seamlessly integrated, highly functional performance controller.


Maschine is available for a suggested retail price of $669 / €599 at authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

Spectrasonics has released Stylus RMX version 1.7 featuring an innovative and completely new capability called 'Time Designer' which intelligently transforms RMX audio loops into different time signatures and features the ability to "Groove Lock" the feel of any groove to another - all in real time. Time Designer also lets the user create instant pattern variations with smart algorithms based on musical rules, and to 'simplify' any RMX groove in a musical manner. Version 1.7 is also the first 64-bit native software release from Spectrasonics, includes all the new effects from Omnisphere and useful workflow enhancements to RMX, such as Suite Editing and Host Transport Sync.

The new version is a free download for all registered users of Stylus RMX and is available now.

C-Thru Music has announced that its AXiS 49 MIDI controller is now shipping.

The AXiS 49 is an handy velocity sensitive MIDI input device designed to help you make music with your computer. When you plug it into your computer with USB, the operating system will recognize it as a MIDI keyboard and make it accessible to your applications. Just like the AXiS 64, the AXiS 49 uses an array of hexagonal keys arranged in accordance to the harmonic table instead of piano keys.

There are 98 keys, so it's like having two 49-note keyboards all in one. There is no pitch bend or mod wheel, and no knobs or sockets for pedals, so you can tell the AXiS-49 is not designed to be primarily a live performance instrument, it is mostly designed for composing, arranging, and overdubs.

Line 6, Inc. announces the shipment of POD Studio KB37, an USB audio interface that combines a 37-key MIDI controller and multiple inputs and outputs with a complete collection of pro audio software that includes POD Farm, the premium tone plug-in.

POD Studio KB37 boasts up to 96 kHz/24-bit recording, exclusive Line 6 ToneDirect monitoring for near-zero latency, and the lowest noise for recording guitar. Plus, the included software bundle offers Ableton Live Lite Line 6 Studio Edition 16-track recording software, Reason Adapted virtual studio, RiffWorks T4 recording software, and POD Farm.

POD Studio KB37 offers incredible flexibility with 37 full-size velocity-sensitive keys, a variety of software-assignable MIDI controls, and a comprehensive I/O that features two balanced XLR inputs with high-quality mic pres and phantom power, 1/4-inch guitar input (with -10dB pad), S/PDIF digital output, two 1/4-inch line inputs, two 1/4-inch analog outs, assignable VU meters and much more.

POD Farm contains models of historic guitar amps, from vintage classics to must-have modern monsters, plus the studio-standard effects, stompboxes and preamps guitarists need to create pro-sounding recordings. Each immortal model is fully adjustable and comes in convenient Mac AU/RTAS/VST and Windows RTAS/VST formats to deliver legendary POD tone to any DAW.

POD Studio KB37: $419.99 MSRP