PC and Music News

Alesis announces ProTrack, an handheld digital stereo recorder for iPod.

Features :

- Sleek industrial design incorporates iPod
- Integrated recording to iPod (Classic and 5th generation) and iPod nano (2nd or 3rd generation)
- Pro-grade connections: two combo XLR - 1/4-inch inputs, 1/8-inch stereo output
- Supplies 48V phantom power to inputs when wall-powered
- Records 16-Bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo
- Two built-in condenser microphones for detailed recording
- Built-in microphones in XY configuration for optimum stereo image
- Switchable limiter ensures overload-free recordings even in unpredictable aural situations
- AC power adapter included
- Four AAA batteries provide four to five hours of operation
- Tripod stand mount for placing into ideal recording conditions

ProTrack will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Alesis unveils the MultiMix 8 Line, a flexible, affordable rack line mixer for stage, studio, boardrooms, conference rooms, health clubs, restaurants, houses of worship, and other installed sound applications.

Features :

- Eight-channel stereo line mixer
- Microphone/line input on channel one
- Stereo effects bus can be shared between two linked units
- Channel expansion feature for expansion to 16 stereo input channels
- Individual Pan and Effects Send controls on each channel
- Signal clip and overload LEDs on each input channel
- Stereo five-stage LED ladder for output level indication
- Stereo monitor out
- Mono input source compatibility for stereo output
- 1RU 19-inch standard equipment rack size

MultiMix 8 Line will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Tascam has announced the avaibility of the SS-CDR1, a single-rackspace CD recorder which also features solid state recording to Compact Flash cards for maximum flexibility and recording times. Audio can be recorded to Compact Flash card and then transferred to CD or vice-versa, and the recorder features standard Tascam features such as automatic track increment, balanced XLR in and out and RS-232C control.

The SS-CDR1 has balanced and unbalanced analog I/O as well as S/PDIF digital I/O. The unit can be controlled with RS-232C, parallel or a wired remote control. Compact Flash cards up to 8GB can be installed for hours of recording time at MP3 or WAV file formats.

Let me introduce you to Breverb, a high quality reverberation plug-in for Mac and PC which features four different algorithms modeled after several popular and very classic hardware units.

"Breverb claims to model some of the industry's most acclaimed classic reverb hardware, and though they do not mention what exact devices they are I doubt I would be far off the mark to say that the name Lexicon would be right at the top of the list. In fact the sounds remind me very much of Lexicon's now defunct Lexiverb but without the heavy CPU hit that made it available only for digidesign TDM users – certainly not the case for Breverb."

HV Synth Design has released the Acoustic Modeled Trumpet Collection which contains a Bass Trumpet, a Classical and Jazz Trumpet, a Piccolo Trumpet and a Cornet. The instruments are created with SynthMaker and based on a unique modeling method, called Eclectic Acoustic Synthesis.

Features :

- Realistic trumpet sounds.
- Like real Trumpets, you can 'blow' the models from very soft to very loud with an increment of brightness (the high frequencies become more and more prominent). This is done via modulation wheel or breath controller.
- Low CPU load.

Controls :

- Lip tention.
- Breath noise.
- Vibrato (amplitude and/or pitch).
- EQ.
- Mute.
- Fine tuning.

The Acoustic Modeled Trumpet Collection is available now for Windows in VST and Standalone versions at a price of $179. Note that audio examples are available.

Abbey Road Plug-Ins has just announced the release of the Brilliance Pack, a new bundle which consists in three EQ plug-ins providing authentic emulations of vintage EMI 'presence' EQs.

Based on the original modules built in the 1960s, the plug-ins bring these classic EQs to the digital domain. The original RS127 and RS135 EQ boxes were custom-built by EMI technicians in the early 1960s to supplement the limited EQ on the REDD mixing consoles. They were the predominant outboard EQs at Abbey Road throughout the '60s and were used on many famous recordings during this period, including almost every album made by The Beatles.

The plug-ins were developed from original EMI circuit schematics, circuit simulation and digital modelling of vintage Abbey Road units. The plug-ins retain the operation and characteristics of the original hardware and essentially provide the complete range of presence EQs that were used at Abbey Road in the '60s.

Three plug-in modules are included :

- The RS127 Rack is modelled on the original rack-mount Brilliance Control.
- The RS135 recreates the 8kHz boost unit.
- The RS127 Box plug-in was created by modelling the standalone Brilliance Control with an EMI transformer used to connect it to modern consoles. The plug-in features an exaggerated response or 'transformer effect' at some settings, which is due to an interaction between the RS127 and the transformer.

The Brilliance Pack is available now in TDM, RTAS, AU and VST for Mac OS X and Windows at a price of $199. A demo version is also available.