PC and Music News

Blue Sky has announced that the EXO2 stereo near-field monitoring system is now shipping. The EXO2 is an evolution of the original EXO system.

Features :

• True, full-range stereo monitoring system
• Two 3" 2-way satellites, with 1" soft-dome tweeter
• Separate 8" subwoofer, for extended low frequency response
• 160 Watts of total system power (35W per satellite, 90W subwoofer)
• Convenient desktop remote control and connection hub
• XLR / TRS inputs for pro mixers and DAWs
• RCA inputs for computer soundcards and CD players, etc.
• 3.5mm mini jack input for iPods and mp3 players

MSRP : $499.00

The CrashGuard is a unique sound-shielding device that isolates the drum microphone to attenuate the sound of cymbals during the recording process. This has the net effect of reducing interference between the two sources thus enabling greater control over the sound of the drum.

Compact and light weight, the CrashGuard is designed to fit most popular drum microphones and mounts directly on the boom stand using the microphone's clip to hold it in place. The high impact ABS construction is tough enough to withstand the hit of a drum stick by even the most aggressive drummer. To ensure the microphone performance is maintained, the under-belly is fully coated on the inside with high density open-cell foam to absorb internal reflections and reduce phase cancellation. Plus the innovative desig ...

2CAudio has announced the release of version 1.5 of Aether which represents a very significant update.

New Features :

• 2x & 4x Oversampling.
• Double Precision 64-bit DSP.
• 64-bit Host/OS Support.
• Band-Limited Interpolation.
• Variable Quality Modes.
• Extreme Offline Render Modes.
• Mid-Side Modes.
• Cascade Control.
• Complex Stereo Modes.
• 0-Sample Latency.

The KickStand by Primacoustic is a massive microphone boom-stand isolator that incorporates a heavy stabilizing base with a high-density foam isolation pad to eliminate resonance from the stage, drum riser and studio floor from entering the microphone.

A common problem with bass guitars and bass drums is resonance on live stages. This is generally caused by low frequencies coupling with the wood platform which will combine at certain frequencies and generate unwanted peaks. Another problem is the physical vibration from the kick drum pedal and low-end from the PA system that causes the drums to rattle and transmit through the drum riser. Microphones that are near these sources are prone to picking up these unwanted sounds unless they are decoupled. The KickStand helps eliminate the problem by both decoupling the microphone stand from the source, while introducing a stabilizing mass to hold the microphone in place.

The design begins with a thick high density foam isolation pad that covers the entire bottom. An innovative laser cut steel platform is shaped to eliminate standing waves while offering sufficient height to allow a boom-stand to swing into the ideal position. The isolation eliminates the resonance while the added mass stabilizes the microphone capsule for greater clarity and improved transient response.

Available now at a retail price of $90.

Spectrasonics has debuted a new online Artist Video Series to showcase world-class artists performing and creating new original music tracks with their virtual instruments Omnisphere, Trilian and Stylus RMX.

"Spectrasonics is very privileged to have some of the greatest artists in the world using our instruments, so we thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool to get some of them together to create new music with these instruments and show the process of making it?'" said Eric Persing, Founder of Spectrasonics and producer of the new series. "The videos in this new series break some of the misconceptions about virtual instruments only being useful for 'computer music' - when in fact they are used regularly for all kinds of genres every day. We've had loads of fun producing these sessions with so m ...

The new HM2 Nail Compressor from A-Designs Audio is now shipping.

Featuring a hybrid topology combining a feedback diode-based design with a 12AT7 tube output section, the dual mono-channel Nail offers practically endless possibilities in terms of compression control and envelope shaping. Engineers will quickly discover that a number of unique features, including Hard Threshold, Filter and Mix, set the Nail apart from other more traditional compressors on the market.

Available at a list price of $2,850.