PC and Music News

Avant Electronics introduces a new version of the Avantone Active MixCubes.

Each MixCube incorporates a Class A/B amplifier module which exhibits extremely low noise and distortions specs (.005% THD @ 1 KHz) that are comparable to the very finest studio rack amps. They are rock-solid; conservatively rated at 60 watts RMS per box. Together with our new power supply, they generate exceptional operating headroom.

The new Active MixCubes in addition to the new power rating and expanded headroom are also a true "Cube". "We were able to maintain the original Cube shape instead of an elongated shape as in the first edition. Furthermore, we have a detented System Gain knob on the back panel along with a pin 1 audio Ground Lift Switch, an illuminated On/Off Switch, Combo-style ¼"/XLR input j ...

Audix has introduced the next series of Fusion mic packages. The first package to hit the market is the FP5, designed for miking a 5-piece drum kit for both live and studio applications.

The FP5 contains a completely new series of dynamic microphones which is designed, assembled, and tested by Audix in the USA. The FP5 contains five microphones: the F6 for kick drum, the F5 for snare, and three F2's for rack toms and floor tom. Each mic is provided with the snap-to-fit DCLIP mic stand adapter, and the entire system is packaged in a heavy-duty custom aluminum carrying case.

The FP5 carries an MSRP of $559.

Optional accessories for the FP5 includes the D-VICE rim mounting system ($29.95), the CBL-DR25 25' right angle XLR-XLR mic cable ($29.95), the D-FLEX butterfly mounting clip ($19.95), the D-CLAMP clip for lug nut mounting ($29.95), and the STAND-KD pedestal mic stand for use with bass drum and guitar cabs ($44.95).

Akai Professional announces that its MPD18 portable padcontroller is now shipping to retailers.

The MPD18 is the smallest-sized model in Akai's line of MPD MIDI-over-USB pad controllers. The heart of the MPD18 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive genuine MPC pads, an Akai Professional exclusive. Users can access three different banks of sounds from the pads for a total of 48 sounds at once. The MPD18 also borrows the MPC series' assignable Q-Link controllers, enabling users to control nearly any parameters in their software in real time on an assignable Q-Link fader and an assignable Q-Link button.

Users will find the MPD18 to be convenient, sending MIDI information over its plug-and-play USB interface for use with Mac or PC without installing any drivers. The USB connection also powers the MPD18 so musicians can use the controller with no power supply. The MPD18 can control nearly any MIDI software, as well as MIDI hardware, such as synths, sound modules, samplers, sequencers, drum machines and more.

The MPD18 is available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers and has a U.S. Retail Price of $199.00 with an estimated street price of $99.00.

This year at AES in New York Avenson Audio introduces two new half rack space processors, the Mid-Side and the Blend.

The Mid-Side allows conversion of stereo Left-Right into M-S and back. There is a width control to balance the M vs S as well as a dedicated variable high pass filter for the Side channel.

Blend is a stereo two channel mixer designed for stem mixing or parallel processing. It features a 100mm fader for fine blend control and stereo sixteen segment LED metering.

Pricing and availability TBA.

Ableton has updated Live 8 and Ableton Suite 8 to version 8.0.8.

Improvements since v8.0.5 :

• Updated manuals.
• Updated Help Pages.
• Control Surface support for Novation Launchpad.
• Several improvements for the AxiomPro Controllers.
• Several bug fixes

Waves has announced WNS, or Waves Noise Suppressor.

WNS is a real-time, multiband noise reduction utility specifically tailored for dialog tracks. Waves claims that WNS will offer "superior sound quality with minimal artifacts" and an interface that "will be immediately familiar to Post engineers."


Pricing and availability TBA.