PC and Music News

RME has announced that the HDSPe AES is now shipping. This new PCI Express card is fully identical to the successful HDSP AES-32, a PCI based card. Both cards can be used simultaneously in one computer, thus using the available slots (PCI / PCIe) as efficient as possible. These cards provide 8 AES inputs (16 channels) and 8 AES outputs (16 channels) at 192 kHz sample rate. They support Single, Double and Quad Wire transfer and direct conversion between these formats. Two MIDI I/O ports and a word clock I/O are also available. The word clock input adapts to Single, Double and Quad Speed automatically.

Features Highlight :

- Support for 192 kHz at full channel count
- Native support for Double and Quad Wire transfer
- Direct conversion between these formats
- SteadyClock for highest jitter suppression and clock regeneration
- Intuitive and clearly laid-out user interface
- TotalMix: 512 channel mixer with 42 bit internal resolution
- 48 level meter Peak/RMS, hardware-computed

SKB Corporation introduces the new 1SKB19-RSF4U "4U Studio Flyer" model as part of its expanding Studio Flyer line. Ideal for those looking to safely transport laptop computers, disk drives, audio interfaces or other rack-mount remote recording equipment, the 1SKB19-RSF4U is a larger version of the original 2U Studio Flyer, adding 2U of rack space and a larger surface that can hold a variety of laptops or flat screens.

The Studio Flyer 4U features a standard 4U rack mount space and a laptop compartment with convoluted foam interior in the lift-off lid for laptop protection. Cable pass through allows the laptop and interface to remain cabled up at all times. Convenient removable front and back doors offer easy access to rack gear. The interior rack depth to the back door has been expanded to 15-1/2".

Rotomolded for durability, the case features 8 adjustable cleats, four in-line wheels, a pull out handle and two cushioned rubber over-molded carry handles. The reinforced nylon trigger release latching system includes a TSA locking latch which enables the traveler to safely lock the case and still have it inspected by airline security.

The Studio Flyer 4U is available now with a U.S. estimated street price of $269.99.

Koblo has released Centaurus, a new mini virtual synth "with a GREAT BIG sound".

Features :

- Frequency and Pulse width Modulation
- Key Sync
- Multi-waveform LFO
- Mod Envelope
- Filter from the Koblo's Vibra9000 developed by Max Gronlund

Centaurus is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and Standalone versions at a special price of $7.49 through Aug 31st.

We all know how a multi-band filters work: You can independently change the audio level in each band. Now imagine you could shift the pitch in each band up or down ranging from a few cent to 6 octaves in realtime. That's what VirSyn is working on with the upcoming Prism - The Pitch Designer.

More info to come soon. Until then you can listen to mp3 demos that VirSyn has left to whet your appetite.

Note : VirSyn's new Take Five FX bundle contains its current five fx plugins Bark, Matrix, Reflect, TDesign and VTape. If you buy Take Five FX before July 31st, 2008 you will get Prism for free.

DSK Music has just announced the release of a new free VSTi : DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ, a sampled-based acoustic guitar sound module.

Features :

- 4 acoustic guitar types.
- Amp. envelope and fine tuning.
- Stereo spread and portamento.
- 3 Fx (flanger, delay and chorus).
- Velocity response.

There's certainly truth to the long-standing adage, "What's old is new again." EastWest, exclusive US distributor of Best Service products, proves this true by making eight new sample collections by Best Service, which feature European historical instruments, available to today's users. The newest sound libraries, developed in cooperation with Realsamples, include Pianoforte, Early Pianoforte, Grand Piano, English Harpsichord, Dutch Harpsichord, Dulcitone Celesta, English Spinet and Italian Harpsichord.

Each collection features eight different samples of each note, four different release sounds of each note as well as 32 different velocity layers as opposed to the typical four to five found in most piano collections. No mastering is applied to the samples, giving users access to the raw recordings for additional control of the end result. For further realism, each instrument was recorded in 192 kHz/24 bits resolution and down sampled.

All samples offered in each collection are License-free, available in DVD or CD sets and are ready to be played in Kontakt 2, EXS24, GigaStudio, HAlion-Presets or .wav formats (excludes GigaStudioŽ versions). For more information, please visit their web site.