PC and Music News

The Nord Modular G2 OS and the G2 Editor have been updated to version 1.6. This update is also accompanied by a new universal XP- and Vista-compatible USB driver - v2.14. This driver can also be used with the Nord Stage EX, Nord Electro 3, Nord Wave and the Nord C1. The driver is digitally signed which allows users with a Vista 64-bit system to install it.

The 1.6 OS and Editor update brings Windows Vista compatibility to the G2 system. Macintosh users will benefit from a native support for the Intel-based computer models. The update and the driver is available here :

Focusrite has released the Liquid 4PRE's Pro Tools TDM/RTAS control plug-in. The plug-in can operate alongside Liquid 4PRE's standalone control application 'Liquid4Control', and provides integrated remote control via Pro Tools software and hardware, including Icon and Venue systems.

As a Pro Tools TDM/RTAS plug-in, it brings a host of other benefits, including comprehensive automation and session integration. This enables, for example, automated gain control of all four pre-amps and full recall of all pre-amp settings (including emulation choice), as part of the Pro Tools session.

The Liquid 4PRE four-channel microphone pre-amplifier utilizes the Liquid Channel's proven Liquid technology, marrying a hugely flexible analogue front end with cutting-edge dynamic convolution DSP to deliver the sounds of 40 vintage and classic microphone pre-amplifiers across all four channels.

The Liquid 4PRE Pro Tools TDM/RTAS control plug-in is available to download.

AcousticsampleS releases E-Pian which is is a Classic 73 Keys Electric piano from 1972 recorded with the direct output plugged into a tube preamp.

Features :

- 2,58Go sample bank, no loops, 24bits 44.1Khz samples
- 13 Velocity layers/note for the sustain
- Up to 26 Velocities for the release.
- 2 Types of release samples, on pedal up and on pedal down
- Additionnal pedal noise (up and down) that actually plays the pedal sound when you use it.
- Advanced scripting, especially for the releases when the sustain pedal is down.
- Really easy to play, just like a real piano, no more and no less.
- available in Kontakt 2 or 3 format

E-Pian is available now at an introductory price of €39 until February 12, then €49. It's a downloadable product, but you can also get a dvd shipped at a reasonable price.

AKG unveils the K 121 Studio, their entry level professional headphones for various applications, as Project Studios and Home Recording.

These semi-open, supraaural headphones are a true allround performer. The AKG self-adjusting headband ensures good comfort. The K 121 Studio are equipped with a 3.5/6.3 mm stereo adapter and is designed for ambitious and rugged use. The leatherette ear pads are easy to clean. As for the specifications, the K 121 can operate between 18Hz and 22.5kHz and have an impedance of 55Ω.

The K 121 Studio are designed and engineered in Austria.

Available now, the MSRP is $99.

The Arabella is the latest in the BeesNeez Microphones "Studio Series", featuring a K47b Hand made Capsule, Telefunken EF12 Tube, huge Cinemag 2461NICO transformer, Multiple Patterns (9), 10db Pad and top end roll off.

This mic has been designed from the ground up not to be a clone microphone. It does share lineage with a few classics namely the Neumann U47 and M49 and has been designed to take the best of each and combine them together to make an extremely versatile microphone.

The Arabella is available now at a price of $1350 with Road Case, Power Supply, Elastic Suspension Mount and Lead.

RNDigital has released 2 new plug-ins : FIREQ and FIREQ LE.

FIREQ is a 1/6th octave (62 band) stereo finite impulse response (FIR) mastering equalizer with linear phase characteristics. With the built in frequency analyzer you can view the energy levels of your incoming audio, and observe real time changes as you adjust the filters. With FIREQ's Match function you can learn the spectral characteristics of one audio source and apply it to another. Matching creates continuity between individual tracks, or entire mixes. Using FIREQ's States, 50 different EQ snapshots can be stored, copied, moved, deleted, recalled and saved for automation.

FIREQ LE is a 1/3rd octave stereo finite impulse response (FIR) mastering equalizer with linear phase characteristics. It incorporates the same filter characteristics of FIREQ, but does not allow for spectral matching or the use of states. The layout of the FIREQ LE includes 31eq bands with gain/reduction of +/- 27 Db per band, freehand curve drawing, extensive history, left/right channel linking and editing, a detailed customizable spectral display, two workspaces and an overall output gain/reduction range of +/- 24Db.

Both products are available now for Mac and PC in VST, AU and RTAS formats. FIREQ costs $249 while FIREQ LE $129. Owners of Frequal-izer get FIREQ for free.