PC and Music News

Inspired by their STC-1 and STC-2, Sontronics have released three new microphones : the STC-10, STC-20 and STC-2X.

The STC-10 (£89.00 / €109.00) is a pencil-style cardioid condenser microphone which features a built-in attentuation switch (choose 0dB or -10dB) and a low-cut filter (75Hz) to make it extremely flexible in all situations. The STC-10 is supplied with a simple mic clip and a foam windshield to prevent sibilance.

The STC-20 (£129.00 / €155.00) is a large-diaphragm condenser mic with a cardioid condenser pattern and featuring the same one-inch, gold-sputtered capsule as found in STC-2, housed within a large open grille. Sontronics' spider-style shockmount (in black) and aluminium flightcase will be available to purchase separately.

The STC-2X (£239.00 / €275.00) is a large diaphragm omni/cardioid condenser mic featuring a one-inch gold-sputtered capsule within the large open grille and boasts a switch on the back to flick between cardioid and omni-directional patterns. STC-2X features a two-stage attenuation switch (-10dB and -20dB) and a two-stage low-cut filter (75Hz and 150Hz). Available in black or silver, the mic is supplied in a rugged aluminium flightcase with a co-ordinated spider-style shockmount.

Wave Arts have announced that they have lowered prices on all Power Suite, Master Restoration and Tube Saturator products.

Plug-in prices have been reduced by $50 and bundles by $100.

Neumann has announced that it is adding Neumann-branded studio monitors to its portfolio. The new line will be based on products from Klein + Hummel, another company in the Sennheiser family of products.

Existing K+H studio monitors are being incorporated into the Neumann product portfolio as the "KH Line." Over time, new products will be developed to fulfill the needs of high-end studio professionals. The first new studio monitors carrying the Neumann label will be launched later this year.

We have no more information about those new products, just a new logo as shown beside.

AcousticsampleS has updated the Kawai-EX Pro.

"We have been working hard with Lance Herring on this new release, the Kawai-EX pro sounds now a lot better."

Here are some of the enhancements:

• Numerous voicing improvements that make releases more accurate and consistent,
• New release samples for some keys,
• Improved dynamic range,
• Improved pedal behaviour,
• More consistency when using custom controls,
• New formats (SFZ, HALION 3, EXS24, Mach5),
• Added compatibility to Kontakt 2,
• Whole new version for Kontakt 4 and the new scripting capabilities,
• New GUI for the Kontakt 4 version.

This update is free for registered users.

Livid Instruments has announced the Ohm64 Customizer which is a new web-based service that lets you style and customize your own Livid Ohm64 MIDI Controller.

This simple web-based Flash application lets you style and customize your own Ohm64 with over 100 different combinations. Custom options include multiple color body finishes, LED colors, and faceplate colors.

The Customizer lets you design, preview, and order a custom Ohm64 and have it made-to-order and shipped in ten days.

Each custom element is currently $10. For more details, please visit :

Roland is proud to announce that the Octapad SPD-30 digital percussion pad is now available in stores.

Featuring eight trigger pads, built-in sounds, multi-effects, and external trigger inputs, the Octapad SPD-30 is now shipping with an MSRP of $799.00.