PC and Music News

JazzMutant unveils Mu, a multi-touch Ableton Live controller for the Lemur. Note that Mu is a Max for Live plugin - so you'll need Ableton Live 8 + Max for Live to use it.

Pricing and availability TBA.

Alesis announces that the DM10 Studio Kit is now shipping to retailers.

Based around the DM10 drum module, the DM10 Studio Kit features Alesis' RealHead drum pads, DMPad Cymbals and StealthRack mounting system.

Here is the latest news you can find on Toontrack's website :

"Wow - we can't believe the first two months of the New Year have already come and gone! With time flying by so quickly, we figured it might be a good idea to just check in with all of you and touch base.

We also figured that with so many projects currently "in development" here at Toontrack, it might be interesting to just "drop some hints" and hopefully peak your interests on a few of the things we have planned for you throughout the year.

So, let's look into the Toontrack crystal ball for clues to what the Swedish software future might hold...

What if you had a software production tool that allowed you to build custom drum kits, work with tonal & melodic phrases and indulge in every aspect of custom sound design you could ever really think of? What if you could have it in June?

Speaking of production tools - what if you had access to

MXL Microphones will demo the new MXL USB-77 at this year's Musikmesse in Frankfurt (booth B47, hall 5.1).

Designed for recording directly to a desktop or laptop, the MXL USB-77 is a cardioid condenser studio microphone with the look and feel of a 1940's era ribbon.

Features include a gold-sputtered diaphragm and 32mm capsule. An analog gain control dial can be used to manipulate the sound level of your recording and the USB-77 includes a 1/8-inch stereo headphone with amplifier so users can monitor their recordings without latency issues.

The MXL USB-77 interfaces with Windows and Macintosh computers without any special drivers. As a USB device, it carries the added benefit of not requiring an external microphone preamp, as is the case with most cardioid condenser microphones.

The MXL USB-77 includes a carrying case, desktop microphone stand and mounting ring, USB cable, and cleaning cloth. MSRP is $349.95.

Brainworx has released a mono version of bx_digital V2. It has the original sound and all of the features of bx_digital V2.

Brainworx is offering a limited time sale : €99 (Native) / €149 (TDM) until March 31st.

bx_digital V2 mono is :

• free for every bx_digital V2 user
• free for every bx_bundle user

Sinn7 unveils the Status 24|96 which combines a hi-end recording interface and a monitor switch controller.

Key features :

• Deluxe desktop audio and monitoring station
• Combination of professional studio audio-interface and monitor-switch controller
• 4x4 In/Out studio audio-interface with high-quality 24 bit/96 kHz signal processing
• 2x XLR/6.3 mm jack microphone-combination connection with shiftable phantom power
• 1x stereo RCA input with GND grounding screw and phono/line switch
• Digital In/Out
• Flexible outputs: monitor speakers can be connected via XLR, jacks, and RCA
• Up to 3 pairs of monitor speakers can be connected to the interface and switched
• Especially large master volume controller with monitor select and mute switch
• Separate volume controllers for monitor pairs A & B
• 2 headphones connections with separate volume controllers
• Monitor-mix function: Inputs can be monitored directly without latency; software playback can be monitored or both signals can be individually mixed
• Monitor-source function: Master pairs A, B or individually mixed, can be monitored
• Separate glistening blue-white LEDs for all inputs and outputs for direct, visual monitoring
• Hi-speed via USB 2.0 with low latency ASIO/CORE audio drivers
• Firm metal housing in a matt-black finish and embedded acrylic cover plate