PC and Music News

Roland is proud to announce that the Octapad SPD-30 digital percussion pad is now available in stores.

Featuring eight trigger pads, built-in sounds, multi-effects, and external trigger inputs, the Octapad SPD-30 is now shipping with an MSRP of $799.00.

MoReVoX has announced the release of the DriveDrums: SPL DrumXchanger Edition, a special version of their DriveDrums drum sample library tailored for the SPL DrumXchanger plug-in.

Taking advantage of the "Rim" pot feature in SPL DrumXchanger, DriveDrums SPL DrumXchanger Edition uniquely use this pot to control distortion "color" in the mid range : the Drive Control. It works similarly to an equalizer, but this tone control was created by splitting the original drum sounds into different frequency bands and then building brand new samples. These new variations were then carefully processed through a variety of distortions, using top-quality analog signal chains, with the aim of providing different distortion colors components in the mid range that can be mixed with the base samples. This is not a modelled EQ emulator but an outstanding sound generator based on real professional gear's dynamic behavior.

The Drive Control works in the frequency range 500Hz - 3Khz. It adds definition, Rich and Warm tube sound with sweet distortion. It increases the "in your face" sound's perception.

Available for Digital Download for $99.00.

PreSonus is pleased to announce that the StudioLive 24.4.2 digital mixer is now shipping. Like the 16-channel StudioLive 16.4.2, the 24-channel StudioLive 24.4.2 is designed for both studio recording and live sound, without compromising the requirements for either.

StudioLive 24.4.2 sports the same friendly user interface, robust feature set, and extensive I/O configuration as the StudioLive 16.4.2 but with several significant additions and enhancements. The most obvious difference is that the new mixer provides 24 input channels, rather than 16. As with the 16.4.2, each input features a trim pot, XLR mic input with XMAX mic preamp, 1/4-inch TRS balanced line inputs and unbalanced insert points. Like the 16.4.2, the StudioLive 24.4.2 offers 4 subgroup outputs, but where the 16-channel model offers 6 aux buses, the 24.4.2 provides 10 aux buses.

Expected street price : $3,299

Artificial Audio has announced Quartz, a new multi-effect plug-in that turns the simplest sounds into ever evolving rhythmic soundscapes. But that's not everything. It is also a source of creative modulation which can be used to control parameters outside of Quartz such as software instruments, plug-ins or even external MIDI equipment.

Quartz gets its name from the fact that all Line and LFO modulations work to the audio sample rate, ensuring sample accurate parameter modulation.

Quartz effect modules and features:
• Auto - Panning.
• Auto - Gain.
• Two independent Multimode Filters with high quality oversampling modes.
• Tempo-synced Stereo Delay to create dub- and tape-delay effects.
• Wave Shaper to add extra distortion and saturation.
• 4 independent, tempo-syncable LFOs (0.01Hz up to 2.1 kHz).
• 4 unique Modulation Lines (each with up to 200 points).
• Quick-access browsers and a huge library of Presets and Modulation Line templates.

Quartz will be released end of May 2010 for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU plug-in formats. It will have an MSRP of €99 but be available initially for an introductory price of €79.

Toontrack Music announces the release of the Music City USA SDX for Superior Drummer 2.0. Here's what they say about it :

"Like it, love it or leave it, Nashville Tennessee is Music City USA. With more labels, publishers, writers, producers, musicians and artists per capita than any other city in North America, Nashville knows a thing or two about great music, and more importantly - great sounding music.

With the city's history & culture so steeped in the art of making and recording music, the team could think of no better place on earth to record a library of drums that would be at home in music ranging from rock to reggae, metal to gospel or punk to polka. Oh yeah... they're good for country & rock too!

Introducing the Music City USA SDX , the newest library of drum samples and MIDI grooves for our award winning, industry standard drum production platform, Superior Drummer® 2.0.

Much like its sibling, the Nashville EZX®, the Music City USA SDX found us working with Harry Stinson and Chuck Ainlay, two of the best, most experienced players and producers in the business."

The Music City USA SDX is available now at a price of £119.00 / €139.00.

XLN Audio has announced the release of the Sloppy Grooves MIDI Pak for Addictive Drums and the Free Funk ADpak Trial.

Sloppy Grooves

"Society tells you you have to be perfect. But what ever happened to stepping back, getting lazy and lowering your standards?

This is what the Sloppy Grooves MIDI Pak is all about. Included is 100+ Pop/Rock orientated, not perfect but oh so groovey grooves recorded by a far from perfect drummer. Every beat has a number of variations such as ride, hihat, sidestick and specials for you to choose from."

Sloppy Grooves MIDI Pak is available for purchase in XLN Audio's webshop and costs €12 / $12.

Free Funk ADpak Trial

"Did you always want to get your funk on with Addictive Drums but never got around to buying the Funk ADpak? May is the month of funk and your chance to get down and groovy, for free. Just login to your account, head over to the Product Downloads section and grab your own trial copy of the Funk ADpak. The only requirement is that you have a full version of Addictive Drums registered to your account.

Once installed you will have full access to all kitpieces, beats and presets from the Funk ADpak for ten days. This gives you a granite sparkle Pearl Reference kit with cymbals from Sabian and Paiste. The Funk ADpak contains 400 grooves and 30 crisp production presets. When the test period has expired you can simply choose to remove the Funk ADpak and get on with your mundane life. Or purchase a license to keep the funk going and the grooves flowing!"