PC and Music News

Ableton has announced two special offers :

- Tassmania! : Ableton and Applied Acoustics Systems are offering registered Ableton Live users an opportunity to step out into the modular world of physical modeling synthesis. They offer a coupon code that gives $150 (about €95) off the price of a Tassman: this is nearly 45% off the retail price of this incredible instrument.

- Ableton has also launched the Session Drums Summer Sale. Get great acoustic drums with detailed control options for just €129 / $159.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Native Instruments has announced that during this summer you can get Traktor 3 for half the price.

Traktor 3 is available for $119 / 99€. This exclusive offer is valid for a limited time only and for as long as stocks last.

AMS Neve announces the 2254R mono limiter/compressor. This new unit is based upon the original 2254 mono limiter/compressor.

Features :

- Classic mono limiter/compressor made to the exacting late-1960's design
- Hand-made in Burnley, England using original Neve specification transformers
- Original Neve 2254 discreet, Class A circuit design
- Transformer-coupled circuits used in Input, Bridge-driver, Side-chain and Output stages
- Manual Fast Attack Time adjustment and transparent level control
- Independent Limiter In/Out and Compressor In/Out selection
- Total bypass switch
- Multiple units can be linked together to provide multi-unit side-chain control from a single unit
- Compatible with Neve Recall software, simply connect the 2254R using USB to a host PC or Mac running Neve Recall software

Price and availability to be announced.

Audio-Technica launches the AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone at this Summer NAMM Show. These new large-diaphragm side-address mics join the acclaimed AT2020, AT2010, AT2041SP and AT2020 USB as members of Audio-Technica's expanding 20 Series.

The AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT2050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone will be available August 2008 with pricing as follows:

AT2035 $249.00 U.S. MSRP
AT2050 $369.00 U.S. MSRP

For more information, visit their web site.

Yamaha today releases a new operating system (Version 1.10) for their Motif XS line of music workstations, adding new functionality and features and bringing more flexibility and creativity to their users.

New features :

- Support for USB ASCII keyboards.
- Saving of user name for network computers.
- Copy punch In and Punch Out from Locations 1 and 2.
- Holding notes while changing track or part in Song/Pattern mode

Yamaha has also released a new Voice and Multi-Part editor with enhanced Drum Kit and Utility features.

Based on the technology already proven with Octopus, genoQs Machines has released Nemo, their new MIDI sequencer.

Nemo is a highend machine, continuing their tradition of realtime everything MIDI instruments. With the interaction and function model of Octopus being adapted to a new interface, Nemo's particular strength lies in its compact, portable format.

Features :

- 90+ Tactile switches and 9 endless encoders for interactive access
- 93 LEDs (tri-color) used to display both numeric and quantitative data
- 64 pages (i.e. "patterns")
- 4 tracks per page, 16 steps each
- 4 concurrent pages, i.e. 16 concurrent tracks
- Page tracks freely chain-able to structures of up to 64 steps
- Per track velocity, pitch, length and start factors, MIDI channel and CC
- Individual clock multiplier/divisor per track
- Individual and editable runtime directions per track
- Polyphonic steps, of up to 7 notes (chords or multi-trigger)
- Track self modulation, via step events
- Cross modulation of tracks (via the Effector)
- MIDI note and CC recording and playback per track
- 32 MIDI channels via 2 dedicated MIDI ports

Nemo is available now for a fee of €1399.