PC and Music News

M-Audio presents the redesigned Oxygen series of USB MIDI keyboard controller.

Available in 25-, 49- and 61-key models, the Oxygen keyboards feature full-size velocity-sensitive keys along with a complement of sliders, knobs and buttons for tweaking and performing with software instruments. With DirectLink, these same controls instantly map to a DAW's mixer, pan, and transport functions, providing real time control with a variety of DAWs including Pro Tools, Cubase, Reason, Live, Logic and Garageband.

The Oxygen 25, 49, and 61 are currently shipping and carry an MSRP of $149.95/€87, $189.95/€107, and $249.95/€141 respectively.

Neumann has unveiled the TLM-102, a brand new condenser microphone.

Features :

• Large-diaphragm microphone with cardioid directional characteristic (pressure gradient transducer)
• Compact, characteristic but smaller-scale Neumann design
• Very high maximum sound pressure level (144 dB max.)
• Slight presence boost above 6 kHz
• Transformerless circuitry
• Available in black and nickel
• Stand mount included

The TLM-102 will be available in December at a price of $700.

Tascam has created the Track Pack X1 and Track Pack X2 bundles for musicians looking for an inexpensive way to start recording in their computers.

The Track Pack X1 contains the new US-100 USB interface, dynamic microphone and set of closed-ear headphones for under $150. The Track Pack X2 features the new US-122mkII audio interface, TM-78 large-diaphragm condenser microphone and Cubase LE4 48-track recording software for under $200.

The new US-100 and US-122mkII interfaces are compatible with Mac and Windows computers, even Apple's new Snow Leopard operating system.

Tascam Track Packs will be shipping in time for holiday sales.

Harrison Consoles and Great River Electronics are proud to announce a new product collaboration, the 32EQ.

The 32EQ is a new 500-series form-factor design of the EQ and filters from the renowned Harrison 32 Series consoles. The 32EQ incorporates the original specifications and with support directly from the original designers at Harrison Consoles it is guaranteed that the prized characteristics of the original are maintained in the new design.

Features :

• Low, Low-Mid, Hi-Mid, and High EQ bands with Gain and Frequency controls
• Low and High Band "peaking" switches
• EQ in/out switch
• Harrison's renowned High- and Low-pass filters with sweepable frequency
• Filter in/out switch
• An internal jumper provides selection of the "vintage" feedback design, or a non-feedback option
• Designed and built in the USA

The 32EQ will be priced at $775. Availability TBA.

Tascam has upgraded their best-selling audio interfaces to the US-122mkII and US-144mkII USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces.

The US-122mkII features improved audio performance along with a new, eye-catching compact design. The US-144mkII shares the design improvements, adding S/PDIF digital audio I/O for four channels of 96kHz/24-bit audio to and from a computer. Both interfaces use USB 2.0 technology for hiccup-free low-latency performance to Mac or Windows computers.

The US-122mkII and US-144mkII feature a pair of XLR microphone inputs with phantom power for recording condenser mics into a computer. Balanced line inputs and a guitar level in are also provided. MIDI in and out jacks allow for synthesizer and control messages to be passed to the computer, and the unbalanced line outputs connect to studio monitors. The US-144mkII has the addition of digital in and out, for a total of four channels, and a dedicated headphone level control means you don't need to switch off your monitors when recording on phones. A copy of Steinberg's 48-track Cubase LE4 is included to begin recording right away.

Tascam's US-122mkII and US-144mkII will be available in October. Estimated street price for the US-122mkII is $129, the US-144mkII is expected to sell for $149.

Waves makes vocal processing easier than it's ever been with their upcoming Vocal Rider plug-in. The name says it all - Vocal Rider is designed to match your vocal tracks to the rest of the mix and then keep the relative volume throughout the song. All you do is instantiate it on your vocal track, bus a summed instrumental mix to the side-chain, and hit play. The plug-in fader then takes over, keeping the relative volume of the vocals and the rest of the mix constant. And, unlike compression, Vocal Rider doesn't crush the dynamic range or color the vocal track at all.

Features :

• Intelligent adjustment of the vocal track based on the dynamics of the music
• Saves time doing the kind of automation you would have to do manually
• Writes automatic volume riding to the track as automation for fine tuning

More details will be available soon at :