PC and Music News

Expert Sleepers has released Clocker, a free utility VST plug-in for Windows that sends MIDI clock.

Why would you want a plug-in to do that, when your host app sends MIDI clock perfectly fine? Well, with Clocker you have a separate, adjustable source of MIDI clock. So you can send all kinds of crazy tempo to some of your outboard gear, while the rest of your stuff plays back in time as usual.

KRK Systems has announced the second generation of their industry-standard Rokit monitor. The second generation Rokit incorporates several technologies from the company's flagship VXT and E8B lines, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet. The new Rokits replace the current Rokit 5", 6" and 8" models.

The Rokits leverage KRK's research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The Rokit G2's curved front baffle was engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles. The baffle also houses a molded front-facing bass port that minimizes low-frequency phase distortion and unwanted frequency emphasis typical of rear-facing bass ports. The end result is a harmonious yet accurate blend of low and high-frequency components that result in a more accurate speaker. Additionally, the Rokit G2's voicing has been slightly enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision.

The new Rokit G2's are available now at a price of $149, $199 and $249 for the 5, 6 and 8 inch versions, respectively.

Voxengo has announced the release of Voxengo Crunchessor v2.0, a major new version of its general-purpose track compressor.

Version 2.0 features a wide range of enhancements over the previous version: namely, multi-platform support, multi-channel operation, mid-side processing, preset manager, and other additions.

New features :

- Multi-channel support.
- Multi-platform support.
- Wet/dry mix.
- Custom key filter adjustments.
- Undo/redo.
- Routing matrix.
- Mid/side processing.
- Preset manager.
- User interface coloration.
- User interface re-scaling.
- Channel grouping.
- Plug-in instance naming.
- Selectable oversampling level.
- Bypass switch.
- In Gain control removed (it is superfluous).
- Better metering.

Crunchessor 2.0 is available now in VST and AU formats for Mac OS X and Windows. One-month introductory price of $39.95 is now effective, which is 20% off the regular price of $49.95. Upgrading from the previous version costs $24.95 if previous version was purchased earlier than 90 days from now: otherwise upgrade is free during this grace period. Demo versions of Crunchessor are available.

Native Instruments has just released Kontakt Retro Machines, the latest addition to its Kore Soundpack range of sound libraries for Kore 2 and the free Kore Player.

Based on material from the Kontakt 3 factory library, Kontakt Retro Machines offers an essential collection of charismatic vintage instruments that were formative for many electronic music genres of the past decades. This includes various classic synthesizers as well as several sought-after drum machines, with their creative potential maximized through the powerful capabilities of the Kore platform.

Native Instruments is determined to firmly establish the Kore Soundpacks line as the most valuable, diverse and inspiring range of sound material for studio and stage, and will release a substantial number of additional libraries over the course of 2008.

Kontakt Retro Machines is now available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $59 / €49.

Prism Sound will be exhibiting at AES Amsterdam with its newly upgraded Orpheus Firewire interface, which now allows users to convert their audio inputs to ADAT outputs and vice versa. Users will be able to connect the new and improved Orpheus directly to a variety of DAWs, including Pro Tools LE.

The upgraded Orpheus units incorporate an AV/C model that behaves as ADAT Send & Return, but also works when the Firewire cable is connected. This provides users operating in DAW mode with pure audio conversion. Launched in 2007, Orpheus is a 1U, 19-inch rackmount 192kHz-capable unit, offering eight simultaneous balanced analogue inputs, four line-level jack ins and four auto-sensing mic/line Neutrik combo jacks that will accept either jack or XLR connectors. Built-in mic preamps allow the signal at the mic-level inputs to be boosted by up to 60dB (in 1dB increments), and each analogue input has its own adjustable patented Prism Sound Overkiller built in, to prevent signal overloads before the A-D conversion stage.

The SAE Alumni Association is pleased to announce the start of the submission period for the 4th SAE Alumni Awards. As in previous years, the winner in each category can look forward to great prizes, namely a brand-new iMac and a cash prize of €3.000. This time, we are accepting submissions for the following five award categories: Music Production, Multimedia, Short Film, 3D FX/Animation, and (for the first time ever) "Creativity First". The competition is open to students and graduates of state-run and private educational institutions around the world. For more details, please consult our [www.sae-alumni-award.org]official homepage[/]. The submission deadline is August 31st, 2008.

The 2008 SAE Alumni Awards are presented under the patronage of a committee composed of representatives of the media industry and of SAE Institute. Submitted projects will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals and representatives of the SAE Alumni Association. The winners will be officially announced during the Awards ceremony at the SAE Alumni Convention Party in Berlin on October 16th, 2008.