PC and Music News

Native Instruments has launched a special Kontakt 3 crossgrade offer for owners of GigaStudio.

From now until December 31st 2008, owners of any version of Tascam GigaStudio can get the Kontakt 3 software sampler for a reduced price of $279 / €249, a saving of nearly 40% off the regular price.

Here's a picture I've found on the web, it seems that Wade Goeke (the man behind Chandler Ltd) is working on a beautiful new console !

But there is more, he 's also working on several new products that should be released shortly... more or less... As far as I know those new units should be :

- a full Germanium Channel Strip
- a "super TG" Channel Strip
- new 500 series modules
- a Mini Mixer Mark II
- mkII versions of all the Germanium family

So wait and see !

Tascam has announced the DP-004 Digital Pocketstudio, a new portable four-track digital recorder. The DP-004 records to SD Card media, and a 1GB card is included. It features autopunch recording, track editing and an undo function. A metronome and tuner are built-in, and the Input A jack accepts a guitar-level signal for direct recording.

According to Tascam :

"Based on 30 years of Portastudio experience, the DP-004 retains the legendary ease-of-use of cassette-based four-track recorders but updates it with CD-quality digital recording. Instead of confounding menus and windows, the recorder uses a set of dedicated knobs and buttons for easy operation. A pair of unbalanced 1/4" inputs accept mic or line signals, or musicians can employ the built-in stereo microphone. A stereo mixdown track is also included, and tracks or mixes can be transferred to a computer using USB 2.0. Smaller than a paperback book, the DP-004 is portable enough to bring anywhere."

The DP-004 is shipping in November 2008 with an estimated street price of $199.

Vital Arts is pleased to announce Plectrum V2, the new cross-platform version of their critically acclaimed virtual instrument collection. This new version is powered by Native Instruments' Kontakt 2 Player.

Overview :

• 187 original instruments
• 45 combination "Multis"
• Round robin playback, with multiple articulations under every key
• Nine easy access categories
• Fast instrument loading and selection
• Fully multitimbral, allowing custom split and layer "Multis"
• High performance audio engine, powered by Native Instruments Konatkt 2 Player
• AU, VST, RTAS, and Standalone for Mac and Pc
• Thousands of full length high resolution samples, voiced for making music

The 12 GB library which includes the Kontakt 2 Player will be available starting on November 10, 2008 for $299. Existing registered Plectrum users will be offered a $59 crossgrade price for a limited time.

Described by its manufacturer as "the jedi knight of microphones fighting against forces of the dark side and their poor clone warriors", the Vertigo VS47 is a "new" microphone which aims to be the king instead of the king : the classic Neumann U47.

The VS 47 is equipped with :

- Original Neumann M7 capsule
- Telefunken VF14 tube
- Original Haufe BV-8 transformer

The ultimate set is completed with :

- Replica PSU
- High quality leads
- OEM elastic suspension.

Pricing :

- VS 47 with VF14 and FET14 : €5990
- VS 47 with FET14 : €4990

Toontrack Music announces Drumtracker, a stand-alone, multi-track audio to midi converter for sound replacement.

Features :

• Host independent, Stand Alone software for converting drum audio to drum MIDI. Import Audio tracks, export MIDI mapped to your favourite drum sampler.
• Each trigging point graphically represented. Delete, add, move or change the velocity to your individual needs.
• Manual control over tracking and exporting, select which part or parts of a drum track that you want to export, down to each single hit.
• Set max/min velocity and threshold values for each instrument and articulation.
• Audition before and after filters.
• Save your own presets.
• Mac and PC

Drumtracker is expected for the end of the year at a price of $149 / €99.