PC and Music News

Console designer and manufacturer Audient is proud to unveil Zen at the forthcoming MusikMesse. A compact, classic recording and mixing console, Zen combines analogue mixing technology with flexible DAW integration.

Dual inputs provide the mic/line input stage and the DAW return path, offering a flexible system for connecting to a DAW or stand alone recorder. With individual DAW record outputs, mono and stereo buses, auxes, a sophisticated monitor section and an optional digital output interface, Zen allows simple audio connection to the rest of the production set-up.

Key Features :

- 16 or 32 inputs
- 2 inputs per channel
- DAW record output on each channel
- 2 stereo buses
- 2 mono buses
- 4 auxiliaries/ 2 cue sends
- Insert on each channel
- Stereo Bus compressor
- Stereo digital out option
- Moving fader automation
- DAW transport control

Preliminary Specifications :

- Freq response: +/- 0.3dB 20Hz to 20kHz
- THD and noise: <0.005% at 1kHz
- Noise: Mic EIN (20Hz -20kHz, 150R source) <-127.5dBu
- Bus noise (all inputs routed) <-80dBu
- Mic CMRR: 70dB (min gain)
- Max input: Mic > +21dBu
- Line >+30dBu
- Max output: >+26dBu

Shipping date for the first Zen is expected to be July 2009. Pricing TBA.

Applied Acoustics Systems announces that its Modeling Collection bundle will be expanded to include their upcoming Strum Electric GS-1 electric guitar track production plug-in to be released next April. With this new addition, the Modeling Collection will bundle six Professional Series instruments and will retail for $599.

Starting today, and until the release of Strum Electric GS-1, all customers purchasing the Modeling Collection at the current price of $499 will receive a free copy of Strum Electric GS-1 when it will be released. This prerelease promotion also applies to the various Modeling Collection upgrades.

Visit the Modeling Collection page at the address below for all the details :

For the latest open beta release of MusicBeam, more beta testers are needed.

MusicBeam is an AU/VST plugin for online music collaboration. By using MusicBeam users can automatically exchange what they recorded in their sequencer and hear everyone elses tracks in sync to their own sequencer. No more bouncing, compressing and emailing your tracks to your bandmates ! MusicBeam does it all for you, in near-real-time.

Register as beta tester, download the latest version and help improving the software at :

Sound Technology, UK distributors of Propellerhead's Reason software, are offering a free laptop bag (worth £49) to anyone who buys Reason Premium Edition between the 1st and 31st March 2009.

How it works :

1. buy Reason Premium Edition from a retailer in the UK or Eire
2. print out a claim form and return to Sound Technology with a dated copy of your receipt
3. sit back and wait for your bag to arrive !

Solid State Logic unveils 2 new DAW profiles for their Matrix console. The Ableton Live and Propellerheads Reason Profiles are available now at :

Waves Audio announces the latest in its series of educational events, a tour featuring appearances by Tony Maserati, a GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-platinum producer/engineer/mix engineer for countless R&B, hip-hop and pop hits. The tour, entitled "In the Multi-Platinum Mix with Tony Maserati," will offer an intimate face-to-face with Maserati, where he'll be sharing his studio techniques and approach to mixing. Throughout the spring, the tour will take Maserati and the Waves crew to several cities across North America, including an appearance at L.A.'s historic Village Recording Studios.

Over the course of his career, Tony Maserati has been behind the board for some of the biggest names in pop, hip-hop and R&B. With over 250 releases under his belt, he is widely regarded as a primary architect of the sounds associated with New York R&B production since the mid-90s. His resume is extensive: Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, Jason Mraz, Mary J. Blige, David Bowie, 2Pac, Britney Spears, John Legend and many more have all turned to Maserati for his magic touch. With the "In the Multi-Platinum Mix" tour and The Tony Maserati Collection of Waves plug-ins, users and attendees are given a fast track to Maserati's hit sound.

Together with Waves Product Specialists, Tony will demonstrate his use of Waves plug-ins, including The Tony Maserati Collection