PC and Music News

Nord Keyboards announces the Nord Stage 2 Series featuring our latest sound generation technology in the Piano, Organ and Synthesizer sections.

The Piano section includes String Resonance, Dynamic Pedal Noise, and a completely user-replaceable piano memory, twice the size of Nord Stage EX, compatible with the free of charge Nord v5 Piano library.
The Organ section features the tonewheel and transistor organ modeling of the C2 Organ together with a newly developed rotary speaker model.
The Synthesizer section includes an arpeggiator and the Nord sample playback functionality with a memory size storing 120 sounds from the Nord Sample Library including Mellotron and Chamberlin samples. In addition, Nord Stage 2 users can also create their own samples by mapping sound files in .wav format with the Nord sample editor. The genes of the Nord Wave brings analog-style and digital waveforms as well as FM synthesis.
Additional new features include MIDI over USB, monitor input, midi sync for the global master clock, and master clock sync for LFO, arpeggiator, and delay.

Midas has launched (again because it was launched first at Plasa 2010) the VeniceF, a brand new 'digi-log' ultra-compact mixing console designed by Alex Cooper, complete with FireWireİ multi-channel digital audio interface, XL3 EQ and Propellerhead recording and processing trial software bundle.

The VeniceF is the first all-new Midas product to be unveiled following the Music Group's acquisition of Midas Klark Teknik. It features the full functionality and sound quality of the much-loved Midas XL3 EQ and filter section, Midas mic preamps, 100mm faders, increased channel and input count, a dual 7x2 matrix and a reorganised master section layout.
The VeniceF's 32x32 FireWire capability adds 32 channels of multitrack recording and playback (VeniceF 320) using any suitable FireWire-equipped computer, without the need for additional costly interfaces. This also offers the possibility of virtual soundchecking, and allows third-party plug-ins to be run as channel inserts and third-party effects routed via aux sends and returns. Inputs, groups, auxes, matrixes and masters can be routed to the FireWire interface.

The new Sonnox Fraunhofer Pro-Codec plug-in makes it possible for the first time to precisely audition codecs in real time. This breaks away from the current time-consuming cycle of having to encode the mix to mp3/AAC, preview it, tweak it and then go back and re-render. The entire process is accomplished 'on the fly,' and frees the engineer to focus on producing a compensated, optimized mix.

The Pro-Codec plug-in is compatible with all popular DAWs - Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, Sequoia and Wavelab. Both Mac and Windows are supported.

Antares Audio Technologies has announced the introduction by TASCAM of the TA-1VP Vocal Processor. The product of a collaboration between Antares and TASCAM, the TA-1VP is a single-rackspace vocal processor for live performance, house of worship or studio use.

The TA-1VP features:
- Auto-Tune Evo Real-time Pitch Correction
- Antares Microphone Modeling
- Antares Analog Tube Modeling
- Variable Knee Compressor
- Downward Expanding Gate
- Variable Frequency De-Esser
- Flexible Parametric EQ
- Automatic Mono or Stereo Double Tracking

The Mackie 2404-VLZ3 and 3204-VLZ3 feature low-noise, high-headroom XDR2 mic channels (20 and 28, respectively) and two dedicated channels for stereo inputs. Inline compression is available on each of the four subgroups and on four select channels. Dual 32-bit RMFX effects processors offer 16 extremely useable presets, including tap delay. The integrated 4x2 USB interface offers multiple routing options to a DAW, with a convenient stereo return that's assignable to the mains for background music or into a channel strip for mix integration. With the smallest footprint in their class and legendary Mackie rugged design, VLZ3 4-Bus mixers are perfect for often cramped FOH areas or portable applications.

Dave Smith Instruments today introduced Tempest, a new analog drum machine, at the 2011 NAMM Show. Tempest is a collaboration between Smith and longtime friend and fellow instrument designer Roger Linn. Though they've consulted with each other on past projects, Tempest marks the first time a product will carry both the Dave Smith Instruments and Roger Linn Design logos.
Summary of Features
- Each of the 6 analog voices has 2 analog oscillators plus 2 digital oscillators (with a large bank of included samples)
- 16 pressure- and velocity-sensitive lit pads are arranged in a 2x8 configuration
- Two pressure- and position-sensitive Note FX slide controllers
- The pads can be used to play 32 drum sounds (2 banks), mute/unmute the 32 sounds on playback, play and arrange 16 beats in real time
Price: 1999$