PC and Music News

The Strip (ST1) is a complete and easy to use channel strip with a mic preamp, compressor and EQ - a perfect tool for the recording engineer, songwriter or producer on the go that needs a great sounding recording channel. The preamp is a transformerless design with up to 75 dB of ultra-clean amplification; enough to power low output ribbon and dynamic microphones. The high-impedance instrument input on the front is perfect for instruments like synthesizers; acoustic, electric and bass guitar.

The switchable high-pass filter removes unwanted low-frequency energy below 80 Hz.The EQ is a classic Baxandall design with two smooth-sounding shelving filters; the 100 Hz low-shelf filter is ideal for removing excessive bass energy or adding weight to the low-end; and the 12 kHz high-shelving filter perfect for adding some "air". Both filters outperform their digital equivalents (plug-ins) by sounding smoother and more analogue.

ARP DIMENSIONS is a 150-preset (with 1200 variations) library of cascading melodies; pulsating soundscapes; and head-banging, layered riffs — no static arpeggios here, with each preset incorporating extensive programming options — courtesy of the combined talents of several leading sound designers (biomechanoid, Gareth L Devlin, Andre Ettema, Himalaya, Christian Kjeldsen, Luftrum, Corin Neff, Stephan Romer, Chris Sciurba, Adam Szabo, Tasmodia, Martin Walker, and Yuroun) — to offer a seamless mini- world of evolving possibilities, broken down into the following categories for easy access: Ambient (30); Arps (14); Bass (9); Classic (35); Dance (30); Layered (18); and Percussive (14). Arp Dimensions is perfect for genres as diverse as ambient, dance, and electronica, all locked in perfect sync to track tempos; moreover, many patches have a dedicated control for switching between multiple arpeggiated patterns, so it's easy to make them fit specific music. From classic simplicity to wild note excesses, gently swelling sparseness to complex multi-layered riffs, Arp Dimensions has it all!
Price: £39/€49/$59.

Propellerhead today released Reason Record Education for sale—new packages consolidating the Reason Record application suite at a special price for schools and institutions. Available in license packs of 1, 5 and 10, Reason Record Education pairs the world-renowned, award-winning music production environment Reason with Record, the recording software for musicians.

In the classroom, the Reason and Record combination has many distinct advantages over other music software programs, allowing students to focus on music creation and production, not system maintenance and software incompatibilities.
Reason Record Education Single Pack: $299/ €249
Reason Record Education Five Pack: $1199 / €999
Reason Record Education Ten Pack: $1999/ €1679
Reason Record Education Single Pack: $129/ €99
Reason Record Education Five Pack Upgrade: $399/ €345
Reason Record Education Ten Pack Upgrade: $649/ €579

Deep in the subterranean Waldorf Laboratories, our scientists have finally discovered the finish that delivers the best sound. We almost had forgot about them when they resurfaced and proudly presented the result of their almost endless struggle to find the ideal material: Neither Mauve nor Lavender nor Ochre result in optimal sound, but a special electron absorbing coating in deep black.

The explanation is simple: more absorbed electrons reach the inner digital and analog workings of Blofeld and cause each bit to be stronger pronounced, resulting in a very defined and detailed sound. This makes our new Black Blofeld sound even better than before.

The new black Blofeld is produced 100% in German Schwarzarbeit and is available only on the black market! German Humour isn't it?

With a host of new features and an updated interface, users will not only be able to monitor and configure their AKG wireless systems through an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, but will also have the opportunity to control multiple settings from system design, to soundcheck and during performances, all through Harman's HiQnetTM protocol and a Wi-Fi connection.

Supporting the Apple iPhone 4 retina display, version 2.0 offers advanced control functionality, allowing users to manage and change their wireless system parameters, including the name of the setup and frequency signals. The newly adopted ALERT system automatically issues a warning if there is a low microphone battery or an antenna malfunction. The app also suggests possible solutions for solving signal issues.

Sounds of the Quadra is a fantastic instrument for MAC and PC (kontakt 4) and will allow the user to create the fantastic sounds of this legendary 1978 synthesiser. This instrument has an intuitive user interface based on a real Quadra's front panel. Once loaded into your Kontakt sampler the tens of thousands of lines of programming code creates a virtual Quadra synth with all the functionality of a real Quadra. All Sliders and envelopes have been calibrated and timed to behave like a real Quadra and there are lots of great extra features that really bring the Quadra synthesiser into the modern world. Each section of the Quadra has been created,the Bass synth, String synth, Poly synth and lead synthesiser have all been sampled and a beautiful graphical user interface has been implemented to allow the user to shape the sound from the front panel just like a real Quadra. There are seperate effects sections for each synth section of the Quadra and an analogue sequencer that really gets the creative juices flowing.