PC and Music News

Rupert Neve Designs unveils a brand new unit : the Fidelice Quad Pre.

Microphone Preamplifier
Based on the class A and high-voltage circuit topology of the 5088 mixer, the Fidelice Quad Pre utilizes all-new custom transformers and single-sided discrete component op-amps to achieve its classic blend of clarity and sweetness. The mic pre includes 0 to 72dB of gain in dB steps, phase reverse, 48V phantom power, a variable HPF, 10 point LED metering and the new multi-position silk control. Unlike the previous Silk mode found in the Portico Series mic pre's, the updated Silk control features four distinct settings to provide varying degrees of warmth and presence. Channels 1 & 2 may also be used as an M-S input, or summed with channels 3 & 4(1+3, 2+4) by using the M / S, Sum switch.

Direct Input
In addition to a mic pre, each channel of the Fidelis Quad Pre is equipped with

Unity Audio introduces 'The Rock', a new monitor which aims to set no less than a "new standard of monitoring".

Product specification :

- FRONT BAFFLE & CABINET – BY STUDIO DESIGNER KEVIN VAN GREEN. To add density, mass and rigidity to the design, the front baffle is manufactured from Corian® and then bonded to a plywood baffle. Closed cabinet design for a more accurate smoother, deeper bass response made from top grade 12mm, 9 ply Baltic Birch rather than cheaper commonly used MDF. An ingenious bracing system has also been designed to stop cabinet flexing.

- Superior Folded Ribbon Tweeter
A new folded ribbon tweeter has been designed which features

Steinberg is proud to announce the return of The Grand with a third version. The Grand 3 is what Steinberg believes to be the epitome of virtual piano software.

The Grand 3 recreates the expressiveness, playability and sound of three of the world's finest and most famous grand pianos: Yamaha C7, Bösendorfer 290 Imperial and Steinway D. Additionally, the classical Yamaha CP80 Electric Grand as well as the charismatic vintage upright piano model by Nordiska Pianofabriken have been included to round out the palette of piano greatness.

Key features at a glance :

- Five top-flight piano models in one VST instrument
- Astoundingly authentic piano sound that comes courtesy of three of the world's finest, most expensive concert grand pianos
- Full-length sustain samples, no loops, with every key sampled individually at varying velocities
- Unrivaled dynamic response
- Amazingly authentic sustain pedal resonance, damper and hammer emulations, velocity adapts individually to suit your touch, style of play and keyboard's response
- Powerful options for tweaking tone and variable room simulations

The Grand 3 will be available in Q3 of 2009.

SPL is the first manufacturer to open their proprietary modular system for API 500 compatible modules.

"Our focus with the RackPack system has always been the modular idea, not a proprietary platform. It was great to find out that API is just as open-minded as we are to offer new choices for our customers." says SPL's CEO Hermann Gier.

The new SPL RACKPACK 500 frame offers eight module slots to host four SPL and four API 500 modules. Available in May.

Line 6 unveils its Relay G30 Wireless Guitar System, the first product from its forth-coming brand of digital wireless systems for guitar and bass.

Free of any frequency roll-off, Relay G30 has a broad frequency response of 10Hz – 20kHz, plus a dynamic range of 118 dB, at ranges of up to 30 meters.

Built for professional use, Relay G30 offers unequalled dependability. It avoids many kinds of signal interference by broadcasting over the 2.4GHz band. Plus, it employs exclusive signal protection technology for an additional layer of defense. Traditional wireless systems broadcast over congested UHF bands, and their signals may be forced to compete with interference generated by devices as far away as 160 kilometers, or more.

Relay G30 is approved for use in Europe, South America, Asia and Australia, and is expected to ship in June, 2009. Note that it won't be available in North America.

MSRP : €333.68 / £263.35.

The Miniak is the first synthesizer from Akai Professional developed in partnership with the Alesis synthesis team. The Miniak brings together Akai Professional's control feel with powerful DSP sound-generation technology.

The Miniak enables users to create programs with up to eight multi-timbral voices, each with three oscillators. The user can create interesting and unique sounds and take advantage of the synthesizer's more-than-600 preset sounds. Users can create complex and refined sounds using the Miniak's two multimode filters, three envelope generators, two LFOs, stereo effects and 40-band vocoder with gooseneck microphone. The Miniak also has a comprehensive sequencer with step and dynamic real time phrase sequencing, a drum machine/rhythm sequencer and an arpeggiator.

Users will appreciate the high-resolution, 24-bit balanced quarter-inch inputs and outputs for excellent sound quality. The Miniak has a 37-key semi-weighted keyboard with velocity sensitivity for all-in-one performance. It can also be used as a sound source for MPCs, computer software and keyboards via MIDI.

Miniak will be available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers Q3, 2009.