PC and Music News

Tascam has announced the US-800, a lightweight multichannel recording interface for laptop users. It offers eight inputs and four outputs for capturing dynamic multi-mic performances. Six XLR microphone inputs each have phantom power for attaching condenser microphones, and premium 192kHz/24-bit audio converters record every detail.

The US-800 includes S/PDIF digital audio in and out as well as MIDI in and out for linking up to your studio. The rugged, lightweight package is ideal for mobile or desktop recording.

Features :

• 8-in/4-out USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI interface
• Six XLR mic/line "combi" inputs with phantom power
• Up to 192kHz/24-bit audio resolution
• Lightweight design for mobile or desktop use
• S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output
• ...

Focusrite has unveiled the OctoPre MkII Dynamic which offers eight Focusrite Mic-pres and compressors with built-in 24-bit/96kHz ADAT out.

Features :

• Eight Focusrite pre-amps
• Eight 'single-dial' Focusrite Compressors
• Compress transparently or with effect
• Built-in eight channel 24-bit / 96 kHz digital outputs
• Built-in eight channel 24-bit / 96 kHz digital inputs
• State-of-the-art Clocking Solutions
• Two high-quality instrument inputs
• Input clip and Compression active LEDs on every channel
• 5 LED input metering on every channel
• Phantom power available on every channel (switched in two groups: 1-4 and 5-8)
• 24-bit resolution, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz sampling rates
• Internal clocking, master clocking and external clocking via BNC or ADAT


Pricing and availability TBA.

Alesis has announced the Palm Track 24-Bit SD Card Field Recorder.

Features :

• Stereo and four-capsule omni pickup patterns
• 44.1/48kHz, 64–320 kbps MP3
• 16/24-bit WAV
• Auto gain or switchable gain
• Bass compensation, Chorus, Pitch Shift, Delay, Reverb, MP3 Voice Cancel, and Tuner
• Inputs for connecting 1/8" mic and line-level audio
• Includes 1GB SD card, works with cards up to 16GB
• USB for Mac and PC mass storage/card reader operation
• 8 hrs on 2 AA batteries, included
• LED readout

The Palm Track will be shipping in March.

Waves Audio introduces the Waves Horizon plug-in bundle, which gathers over 50 of Waves' most popular and useful plug-ins.

Designed specifically with music production professionals in mind, Horizon includes all 30+ plug-ins from the Waves Platinum bundle, CLA Classic Compressors, JJP Analog Legends, Vocal Rider, L3-16 Multimaximizer, GTR3, UM225/226 and more. Horizon represents Waves' ongoing commitment to providing users with the tools they need in versatile, comprehensive collections.

Waves Horizon is now available with a U.S. MSRP of $5750.00 Native / $9500.00 TDM.

FabFilter Micro's single filter is smooth and creamy, yet easily turns into raw saturation and self-oscillation when tweaked using the interactive filter display. It features low-pass and high-pass shapes and an envelope follower to modulate the cut-off frequency.

With the individual Input Gain and Output Gain parameters, you can fully control the saturation of the internal filter, making FabFilter Micro not only ideally suited for basic filtering tasks, but also capable of beautiful distortion and analog saturation effects.

Of course, you also get all the usual FabFilter goodies: perfectly tuned knobs, MIDI Learn, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, extensive help with interactive help hints, AltiVec and SSE optimization, and much more!

Key Features ...

Two analog T-bridge oscillators become electronic membranes. Why? Because they can be coupled. And because their dampening can be controlled. Then add a little noise, add a little envelope, and the brand new electronic percussion synthesizer of Jomox is ready.

But because this would have just been too simple, everything is storeable again and controllable by Midi. You can use this small box either in a live setup driven by a hardware sequencer or in a production as very versatile synth in order to create incredible analog electronic percussions.

A T-Bridge oscillator is actually something like a band pass filter which is working close to the resonant frequency. Because it becomes an actual sine oscillator at perfect tune-up, you call the deviation of ideal resonance dampen. In this c ...