PC and Music News

Sound Devices unveils a new audio interface called the USBPre 2.

Features :

• Extended bandwidth, low-noise microphone preamplifiers with 48 V phantom, limiters, high-pass filters, and 15 dB pad.
• Dynamic range greater than 114 dB (in 24-bit operation).
• Flat 10 Hz to 40 kHz (@96 kHz SR) audio bandwidth with very low distortion characteristics.
• Each input individually selectable between microphone, line, and aux level signals (both channels selected simultaneously for S/PDIF connections).
• Precision, 23-segment, multicolor LED peak/VU meter, selectable between input and output sources.
• High-output headphone amplifier can drive a wide range of headphones.
• Balanced outputs on XLR connectors with dedicated level control can be used to drive line- or mic-level inputs.
• Mix control enables zero-delay monitoring of source audio, computer audio, or a mix of both source and computer audio for multitrack recording or computer telephony.
• Phono (RCA) jacks connect Aux Output to external loudspeakers or preamplifiers.
• Bus powering via USB for convenient, single-cable connection to the computer.
• In Stand-Alone mode the USBPre 2 operates as a microphone preamplifier and analog-to-digital converter.
• Hardware loop-through for test & measurement to send computer audio directly back to an input.
• High-strength extruded aluminum chassis.
• Mac® OS X 10.4+, Windows®XP/Vista/7, and Linux, class-compliant audio device.
• Additional features controlled by hardware DIP switches on the back panel; no software-only features and no control panel.
• Available October 2010, pricing TBA

BigTick has released version 1.0 of Zen, a free universal VSTi presets manager, initially for Windows but we hope that a Mac version is on the road.

Zen is a Universal Presets Manager: It loads in any host as a VST instrument, and acts as a loader for other VSTis. So with Zen, you can search for "Rhodes piano" and get a list of all matching presets – regardless of the final VSTi (Rhino, Zebra, Absynth... whatever). When you select one of the presets in Zen, the corresponding VSTi is automatically loaded to play the requested preset.

Many popular VSTis are supported, and new ones are added daily. Eventually Zen aims to categorize all available presets, for all VSTis.

Zen is online - It constantly synchronizes its own local database of presets with a master online database hosted at www.bigtickaudio.com – users get new presets daily, delivered right into their sequencer, already categorized.

Zen for commercial presets designers - Commercial presets designers can use Zen to send demo versions of their presets to all potential customers. Users can preview the presets in Zen, directly in the context of their track, and buy the presets they like with just one click. Presets can be bought individually, as opposed to purchasing a full bank of presets.

Imperfect Samples has released its own sample player :the Imperfect Samples Player. It's a universal VST / AU player for all Imperfect Samples libraries. Users are no longer restricted to EXS24 or Kontakt, and can now use Imperfect Samples libraries on Mac OS X and Windows, in any VST or AU host, such as Cubase, Logic or Renoise.

Features :

• Supports all new Imperfect Samples products.
• 32-bit floating point audio fidelity.

The Imperfect Samples Player is available as a direct download.

Support for older Imperfect Samples products will be made available in the future.

Toybox 2 is a collection of multi-sampled toys, speaking devices, handmade wooden instruments, classic noisemakers & battery-powered plastic gizmos.

Toybox 2 includes some familiar sounds that may inspire you to drink apple juice with your animal crackers. This Micropak starts off with a Ukelele, Wooden Xylophone, Maracas, Jingle Bells, and classic Casio MT-30 tones, which should all evoke some childhood nostalgia.

Delving into some rare finds, ToyBox 2 explores oddities such as the Otamatone from Japan, a handmade wooden electronic Sonica and a fold-up keyboard with surprisingly unique lo-fi tones.

In addition, ToyBox 2 comes packed with 2 menus of sound fx and speech fragments from some talking toys. These patches include NumberFarm and Alphabeta, the latter having the spoken al ...

Carrying the Nova name, UltraNova is the next generation of Novation's iconic synth family, which brought you the legendary SuperNova and SuperNova II.

Key Features :

• Brand new, single-part synth engine with up to 18 voices, 14 filter types, 36 wavetables and five effect slots.
• Eight assignable touch-sensitive rotary controllers, with one large knob to instantly give you fine control of any parameter.
• Touch and Tweak controls enable totally new sound-shaping and performance options: Trigger envelopes, LFOs, filters and effects just by touching the encoders.
• A tried and tested, stage-ready 37-note keybed with aftertouch, bus power from USB, a 12-band vocoder (with included dynamic gooseneck mic), and loads of controls makes UltraNova the perfect stage or studio synth.
• Free software plug-in editor gives you full visual editing control. The included Patch Librarian lets you organise, store and share unlimited patches.
• Built-in two-in, four-out USB audio interface. Stream high-quality audio to and from a host computer and control your monitor mix, all from UltraNova.
• Full connectivity for stage and studio. Balanced line-level and stereo S/PDIF outputs, plus MIDI In, Out and Thru ports.

UltraNova will be available towards the end of Q4 2010. Prices will be as follows: UK: RRP £587.49. Estimated street price £499.99, Europe: UPE €679.99. EST €599.99.

Avid has announced that new versions of its M-Audio Axiom USB MIDI keyboard controller series are now shipping. Designed for live performance and software-based music production, the Axiom 25, Axiom 49, and Axiom 61 have some interesting new features :

• DirectLink technology: Provides dedicated control surface functionality that automatically maps keyboard controls to common mixer and virtual instrument parameters, giving users hands-on control over their mix and their music, without any complicated set up or user configuration required. DirectLink works with popular DAWs, including Pro Tools®, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro and Steinberg Cubase.

• Enhanced keybed: An updated semi-weighted piano-style keyboard delivers a musically satisfying playing experience—ideal for pla ...