PC and Music News

Driver technology

Like all models of the AX series, the A77X features the ADAM proprietary X-ART tweeter. The 'X' stands for 'eXtended frequency response' and thus for one of the features of the Accelerating Ribbon Technology that has been drastically improved: the frequency response. It now extends all the way up to 50kHz. In addition, the X-ART tweeter has higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.

The two 7" woofers are identical with that of the A7X. With their large voice coils (1.5") and powerful amplifiers they are capable of both very high maximum sound pressure levels as well as very deep registers. The woofers do not cover the same frequency bands: while one of them is responsible for the (sub-) bass frequencies up to about 400Hz, the other takes over most of the midrange.

The new TRAKTOR generation establishes the next level of versatility and ease-of-use with its TRAKTOR PRO 2 software and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 digital vinyl system as well as its two-deck DUO versions. With a wide range of new software features, including "TruWave" waveform displays, "SoftSync" track synchronisation, powerful sample decks and more, TRAKTOR 2 gives DJs even more creative possibilities. With the new TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 and TRAKTOR AUDIO 10, the second generation of Native Instruments' acclaimed DJ interface range offers expanded connectivity and additional features for club use – both as the hardware centerpieces of the new TRAKTOR SCRATCH versions and as highly versatile audio interfaces for any DJ or music production software.

For the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 system, the new TRAKTOR PRO 2 software replaces the originally included TRAKTOR PRO S4 version. All KONTROL S4 owners will receive a download upgrade free of charge.

Blue's newest professional mic, Spark, is a cardioid, solid-state condenser microphone designed to help you achieve professional quality recordings in any creative environment.


Spark features a custom-designed condenser capsule with Class-A discrete electronics resulting in superbly detailed and uncolored output, making it the ideal microphone for recording vocals, drums, guitars, pianos, brass, woodwinds, and just about anything else you can light a fire under.

Duet 2 is built upon 25 years of Apogee Research and Development. Using cutting-edge components and a state-of-the-art user interface, Duet 2 is the most advanced portable recording design available. A full-color OLED display is only the beginning. Duet 2 features balanced outputs, independent speaker and headphone outputs, configurable touch pads and what many thought impossible, improved sound quality. Duet 2 can record from sampling rates of 44.1 to 192kHz.

Duet 2 is based upon the unprecedented research which made Apogee's flagship interface, Symphony I/O, a reality and the finest I/O in the world. Duet 2 with USB connectivity features extremely low latency, higher sampling rates and incredible sound quality.

- Brighter – An intelligent treble booster that adds brightness from the mid-high range on up, Brighter is perfect for brightening up a track or make it cut through the mix.
- Driver – Inspired by famous guitar overdrive pedals, Driver is capable of everything from light overdrive to full-on distortion. But it's not just for guitars; it sounds great as an effect for vocals, piano, synths, drums, bass and more.
- Phatter – Phatter is a bass booster that provides a quick way to add bottom, weight and body to bass, keys, kick drums and vocals alike, to thicken them in the mix.
- Filter – From the mixing room to the DJ booth, Filter is a powerful sweepable filter with switchable Resonance modes, perfect for full mixes, loops, analog synths and more.
- Louder – Using a combination of peak limiting and low-level compression with automatic makeup, Louder effectively makes tracks louder, increasing RMS by up to 24 dB.
- Pressure – From light, parallel-style compression to pumping and squashing, Pressure is a versatile dynamics processor, ideal for percussive sources like loops and drum busses.
- Wetter – From short, bright ambiences that are felt more than heard, to longer, darker spaces, Wetter adds instant depth to any track, creating the perfect atmosphere.

The OneKnob Series plug-in collection is available to purchase in native formats for $400 USD.

FL Studio 10 is a complete software music production environment, representing more than 12 years of sustained & focused development. Everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music.

FL Studio 10 includes 30 software instruments & over 40 effects covering just about any musical style. Multi-track record up to 99 simultaneous tracks of audio through one of the industries most flexible Mixers. The Playlist workspace can contain an unlimited number of audio tracks and allows the user to arrange discrete audio events in any order or position the creative process dictates.