PC and Music News

Digital Antics, a UK based software company, has just released Audio Test Tone Generator, a professional quality sound signal generator for audio engineers to test equipment using their Android device. It features:

- Multiple wave forms: Sine, Triangle, Square and Sawtooth.
- Custom frequency selection from 2 Hz to 20 kHz.
- Frequency Sweep.
- Noise: White, Pink and Brown.

All signals are generated in real-time and the application can run in the background. Audio Test Tone Generator requires Android OS version 1.6 or later. It is available now on Google's Android Market priced at 4.99£.

Industrial Radio announced that the new Standard Midi Bass 4 is now available to order. The Standard Midi Bass 4 provides bassists the opportunity to plug into the latest and greatest of hardware and software synthesizers and samplers. It's unique fret-sensing neck and multi-sensor approach to MIDI conversion provides industry-leading, low-latency MIDI tracking perfect for both the studio and live environments.

With the Standard Midi Bass 4 bassists can play synth bass lines live, plug into vintage analogue synths, harness their experience on bass in a MIDI recording environment, explore new sonic possibilities and more.

As well as being an awesome MIDI controller the Standard Midi Bass 4 is a real bass guitar. The Standard Midi Bass 4 combines classic bass design and quality constru ...

New to Focusrite's renowned ISA range of pro audio hardware is the ISA428 MkII, a premium four-channel mic preamp supporting an optional eight-channel A-D converter. The ISA428 MkII supersedes the existing ISA428 and will be available at a much more affordable price.

The ISA428 MkII features four of Focusrite's classic ISA preamps, originally developed for the legendary Forté console. It supports the same professional eight-channel A-D converter option used with the ISA828. The A-D converter accepts four line inputs in addition to the signals passing through the main channels of the ISA428 MkII, creating eight high-quality digital streams with a superb 122dB dynamic range. Thanks to its convenient 25-pin D-Type connector, the A-D converter option integrates seamlessly with most digital ...

Apogee Electronics introduces Symphony I/O, a multi-channel professional audio interface available with next-generation sound quality, Logic and Pro Tools compatibility and total I/O flexibility. Symphony I/O's base chassis can accommodate up to 2 I/O modules, creating any combination of analog and digital I/O with USB 2.0, Symphony and Avid's Pro Tools connectivity. The new Maestro 2 offers integral control of Symphony I/O with clean and clear software interface that makes workflow easy by removing the guesswork from routing, mic pre adjustment, input and output calibration and hardware control. Lastly, connect Symphony I/O to the Symphony 64 PCI or Symphony Mobile Express/34 card for ultra low latency with Apple Logic, and all Apple Core Audio applications.

Keith McMillen Instruments, an innovator of creative technology for string instruments, announced the formation of the StringPort Developer Program, which will provide software synthesizer developers with documentation and sample source code to easily develop StringPort versions of their software synthesizers.

At the core of the documentation is the release of the Acoustic Instrument Message (AIM) Specification. Acoustic Instrument Message (AIM) is a spectral descriptor language for any acoustic instrument. It is an open, license free specification, which solves most of the problems associated with the keyboard model for synthesis control. AIM can be sent over MIDI, OSC, UDP, or any transport layer.

AIM, developed by KMI, communicates performance data from acoustic instruments such as guitars and violins to software synthesizers within StringPort applications or running within a plug-in host. AIM provides a level expressiveness never before realized with MIDI.

Mackie has announced two new recording interfaces, additions to the popular Onyx family — the Onyx Blackjack and Onyx Blackbird. These new interfaces combine the Onyx mic preamps with high-end Cirrus Logic AD/DA.

The Onyx Blackjack is an ultra-compact desktop 2x2 USB interface, perfect for the home studio. It features two Onyx mic preamp channels, each featuring built-in DIs for connecting guitars, etc. Separate level control for studio monitors and headphones, along with true analog hardware monitoring take the guesswork out of zero-latency recording. It is bus-powered, with a rugged, ergonomic chassis perfect for both portable and home studio applications.

The rackmount Onyx Blackbird delivers studio-grade recording via eight Onyx mic preamps. A 16x16 FireWire interface, Blackbird also features 8x8 ADAT and wordclock I/O. There are two "Super Channels" on the front panel with dedicated low-cut switches, phantom power and true hardware monitoring options for quick zero-latency tracking. The other channels are equally flexible, utilizing the powerful Blackbird Control DSP Matrix Mixer for quick setup of independent mixes and the ability to route any input to any output. Monitor, main, alt and dual headphone outs with dedicated source selection and level control ensures there are plenty of mix routing options.

The Onyx Blackjack and Onyx Blackbird are Mac/PC compatible, work with most major DAWs and include Tracktion 3 Music Production Software. Both interfaces will be available worldwide in August, 2010. The Onyx Blackjack will have a RRP of 249€, The Onyx Blackbird will have a RRP 599€.