PC and Music News

Newer Technologies has announced the NewerTech USB Video Display Adapter for adding an additional HDMI, DVI, or VGA display with up to 2048 x 1152 resolution via any Mac or PC computer's standard USB 2.0 port.

Functioning like a bus-powered (no AC adapter required) "external video card", the $95.99 MSRP NewerTech USB Video Display Adapter enables users to expand the display capabilities of desktop and laptop computers that offer only one built-in display/video-out port while eliminating the cost and hassle of installing a video card into the computer.

The SwitchMaid by ThirdFloorLab makes choosing the right microphone and the matching preamp easier than ever. 4 microphone inputs with switchable 48V may be combined with 8 preamp loops. Preamp send and return are provided on Tascam sub-d connectors.

Features :

• Fully passive signal path
• Neutrik XLR connectors
• High-quality EAO switch
• gold contact relais
• unit ships with 12V AC power supply

SwitchMaid is priced at €490 plus 19% VAT (no VAT if in Europe with mating VAT#, or export).

Here is an interesting News from the Manley website :

"Universal Audio's UAD DSP Manley Massive Passive plug-in nearing completion!

Just though you guys wanted a little update about this topic. We will begin beta testing the new Massive Passive plug-in soon. Target release date is 1st QTR 2010."

Wait and see...

Novation have launched StepSeq, a free Max For Live Patch that turns Launchpad into a fully fledged melodic step sequencer.

Conceived as a cool but powerful sequencer to enable Launchpad users to programme melodies, leads and basslines quickly in Live, the buttons are configured diatonically (as opposed to chromatically, as with a traditional step sequencer). The degree of the scale and its tonal centre can be set by the user, meaning that, once set up, any note you trigger in your sequence will fit in harmonically with your track, making it really easy to keep within the context of the song.

StepSeq is a MIDI effect that generates a sequence of notes, which can be used to play any instrument compatible with Ableton Live (including those from third-party developers). Once inserted, StepSeq communicates directly with Launchpad, transforming its 'User 2' mode into the interface for a step sequencer, so you can programme patterns quickly and simply on the fly, while retaining control over Live from the same control surface.

Ableton Live 8.1 and Max For Live are both required in order for Novation's StepSeq to operate.

You can now download the BETA version of the StepSeq at :

In the name of the whole 440Network Team, I do wish you all a perfect, excellent and explosive New Year !!

May 2010 be full of love, joy, happiness, good health, and great musical adventures for all of us !!

Signaltonoize.com has released a new set of impulse responses which is a complete collection of impulse response samples from a TC Electronic M5000 Digital Audio Mainframe model.

All of the impulse responses were captured with the sweep method, as 24-bit, 48 kHz quality WAV files. The set includes nearly 100 impulse files, including M5000-only algorithm captures, and is organized by the following program categories: Ambience, Nonlin-1, Revcore1, Revcore2, Reverb-1, Reverb-3, Reverb-3, and tapfac-1.

The M5000 Impulse set is available as donationware, meaning that you should donate the amount you think the Set is worth or whatever you would like the maker to have.