PC and Music News

Blue Microphones announces the availability the en•CORE 100i, a versatile dynamic live microphone specifically designed to capture instrumental sounds.

"With the en•CORE 100i, we have taken our stage vocal mic technology and tailored it to instrument applications," said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones.

The en•CORE 100i is built around Blue's proprietary studio-grade dynamic capsule, the same technology used in the en•CORE 100 dynamic vocal microphone, but is created with a wider and flatter frequency response to capture a variety of instrumental sounds and a tighter polar pattern to reduce off-axis noise. The en•CORE 100i houses a custom-designed diaphragm and coil windings that are matched to a tuned acoustic circuit and custom-built transformer for low noise and smooth transients. These purposefully coordinated components provide an accurate and consistent sound even at high volume levels on stage.

Small side vents add to the look of the en•CORE 100i while reducing resonances inside the capsule chamber and aiding in low frequency response With a smaller grille for easy placement in tight spaces, the 100i shares the same road-worthy build as the en•CORE 100 and 200, with a reinforced guard ring to protect the capsule, heavy cast zinc barrel for incredible strength, and electroplated and hardened paint finishes for scratch resistance.

Pricing : $89

Audix unveils the CabGrabber XL, an extended version of its CabGrabber that handles larger size cabinets from 14 – 20 inches in depth.

The CabGrabber-XL enables sound engineers and musicians to conveniently place a microphone on large guitar and bass cabinets without the use of a mic stand.

It is constructed of steel tubing and is designed to be capable of holding microphones that are typically used for miking guitar cabinets securely and firmly in place, including large diaphragm condenser mics weighing up to 16 ounces.

The CabGrabber-XL, which is held on to the cabinet by a tension fit design, works equally well on cabinets with a flat surface or a recessed edge, according to the manufacturer. The tubular arm, which is threaded to hold any standard microphone clip, will rotate 180 degrees and can be locked into position with a thumb screw.

The CabGrabber-XL is available from authorized Audix dealers at a suggested retail price of $89.

Tascam unveils the GB-10 Guitar/Bass Trainer/Recorder and LR-10 Instrumental Trainer/Recorder.

The GB-10 Guitar/Bass Trainer slow down and loop MP3 files without changing their pitch to help musicians learn new songs and licks. The latest generation features CD-quality recording with overdub to build up an arrangement. The SD card slot includes a 2GB card, and the new tabletop design makes them the perfect tools for music students, hobbyists or professionals to perfect their instruments.

The LR-10 is designed for strings, wind players, keyboardists, vocalists or any other musician. Use it to loop and transcribe your favorite music, record lessons or capture new song ideas. The LR-10 has a built-in microphone and speaker for recording and playback, and like the GB-10 includes a tuner ...

Voxengo has released an updated version of SPAN, its real-time fast Fourier transform audio spectrum analyzer plug-in for Windows and Mac.

List of changes in version 2.2:

• Correlation meter values around -1 are now displayed correctly in the "density" mode.
• Statistics "reset" function now resets statistics of all channels correctly.
• K-metering modes now use fixed 600ms RMS and release time constants.
• Additional visual look variation settings added.
• Underlay color selection was removed - group's defined color is used now.
• "Hide Meters and Stats" switch added.
• Spectrum display is now more precise in high-frequency region.

SPAN is available now as a free plug-in for Windows and Mac (VST/AU).

Telefunken Elektroakustik needs a name for its newest large diaphragm condenser microphone, which will be introduced at AES 2010 in San Francisco. In development for 18 months, the latest mic in the company's acclaimed R-F-T line was designed by Telefunken's in-house engineering team, with outside consultation from some of the world's top amplifier designers.

The microphone will be based around a unique circuit that features a NOS (New Old Stock) Telefunken vacuum tube, custom audio transformer and a fixed cardioid large diaphragm capsule. Sonically, the microphone carries similar characteristics found in its R-F-T line counter parts, the AR-51 and the AK-47 MkII.

Featuring a custom antique copper finish, the new microphone has a silky, open top end, smooth midrange, and a detailed ...

EastWest presents Hollywood Strings Gold Edition, bringing the sounds from Hollywood Strings Diamond Edition within the reach of any composer.

Designed for film, television, and video game scoring, Hollywood Strings was recorded in EastWest's Studio 1 by their team of Doug Rogers, Nick Phoenix, Thomas Bergersen and engineered by Hollywood veteran Shawn Murphy.

Hollywood String Gold Edition provides all of the sounds from the Diamond Edition in 16-bit resolution and includes a single, mid-tree mic position, all articulations with the exception of bow-change legato, and does not include Divisi mics. The Gold Edition ships on multiple DVDs.

Hollywood Strings Gold Edition is scheduled to ship September 27, 2010 for $795 (€599).