PC and Music News

To celebrate Christmas, Ableton has announced a 25% discount for anyone purchasing Live 7, Live 7 LE or Suite before the 31st December 2008.

The 25% off deal also applies to users who wish to upgrade to the full version from Lite or LE versions of the software.

Vicoustic has announced a new lightweight version of its popular Flexi Screen. Specially designed for vocal recording in untreated rooms, or venues that lack sufficient acoustic control, Flexi Screen Lite provides a portable, easy to assemble, semicircular microphone surround whose polyurethane structure is designed to give maximum absorption efficiency.

The unit has a dual functionality, absorbing the singer's energy on the inside to give a less ambient sound, while at the same time, partially absorbing scattered room reflections on the outside. Flexi Screen Lite's acoustic foam has optimum density and thickness, using a series of air cavities both to reinforce the absorption effect and add structural support to the joint mechanism.

Flexi Screen Lite can be used with a range of microphones and can be adjusted either vertically or horizontally. The unit itself can be assembled in less than 15 seconds, making it ideal for location-based recording venues, project studios and classrooms.

Flexi Screen Lite is available now and has an MSRP of €59.

ESI unveils the KeyControl 25 XL, a compact 25-key keyboard.

KeyControl 25 XL offers numerous controllers: it has a pitch bend and modulation wheel, 4 knobs, a fader and various buttons. The 4 knobs can even be assigned twice, just switch between the two banks by pushing a button. Of course all controllers work in real time.

Features :

- 3 digit LED-display
- 25 note full size velocity-sensitive semi-weighted keys
- USB connection to PC or Mac
- MIDI output connector
- sustain pedal connector
- 2 datawheels, 1 fader
- 4 knobs in 2 switchable assignment groups
- USB powered or via optional external power suply
- Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Mac OS X and Linux compatible

The KeyControl 25 XL is priced at £50. Note that it comes with free Toontrack EXLite software which, once registered, can be upgraded to the full version for just £59.00 (usual EZdrummer price £99.00).

Here's some fresh news about the joint venture between SE Electronics and Mr Rupert Neve. We've got a picture of their first product, a ribbon mic called RNR1, and a price... £1880 including VAT.

Now we just have to wait for a release date...

Ueberschall announces the availability of Pure Fire. Equipped with 20 pumping construction kits based on minimalist influence with a blast of artificial texture overload, these stealthy, covert themes were made to fuel endless high-tech tracking needs. Each kit includes intro / outro, verses and refrains standard. 900 loops are bundled for excessive alternative personalization options.

Instruments covered include :

• Analogue and Digi Synth licks
• Extra Wide Bass lines
• Hybrid Guitars (Clean+DIST)
• Percussion (World and Kit)
• Strings (Classical and Synthetic)
• Choir
• Horns
• Atmospheres and Special Fx

Pure Fire is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and RTAS formats at a retail price of $119/€99/£69.

American Audio has introduced the VersaPort, an easy-to-use audio interface that provides an affordable USB solution for using your CD players or turntables with your favorite DJ-ing software.

Specifications :

• 16-bit/48 kHz AD/DA converter
• USB 1.1 compliant
• Mic level knob
• Monitor level knob
• Line/ phono selector
• Headphone & Mic jack
• 2 channel - 2 input & 2 output
• RCA analog connections
• USB bus - powered, adapter-free
• Mac and PC compatible

The MSRP of the VersaPort is $179.95.