PC and Music News

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$

From TC Electronic:
As part of a larger strategic review, we have decided to cease further development of the PowerCore product range, including hardware units as well as software for the PowerCore platform. With the most recent release of software version 4.0, PowerCore is fully compatible with current operating systems, such as Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, as well as the most popular DAWs - 32 bit and 64 bit.

We will continue to sell all of the existing PowerCore plug-ins (through dealers and www.tc-now.com) and hardware variants. We will also keep offering user support for the platform so you should be able to continue using your current system for quite a long period. Bugfixes will be handed on a case-by-case basis.
Finally, we have collaborated with Universal Audio in order to create an attractive UAD-2 crossgrade offer. The only condition is that you are new to the UAD platform. Read more about the crossgrade offer.

Cinesamples hired a world-class 70 piece orchestra in a gorgeous space and sampled an enormous variety of chords, in major, minor, augmented and in a variety of inversions and articulations across the spectrum. In addition, we grabbed full orchestral tutti octaves, and lush low muted warm chords.

To avoid this, you either need an intelligent scripting that splits up the notes of the chord into their respective sections (like the voice leading engine in VOXOS), or record a large variety of chordal possibilities and trigger them with single keys, thereby maintaining the natural instrument numbers and orchestral balance and panning.
Note: A full version of Kontakt 4 is required. This library is not compatible with the FREE Kontakt Player.

The EIE I/O is a tabletop USB audio interface perfectly tailored for project and portable studio setups. This four-in, four-out (4x4) device enables users on Mac and PC-based systems to record up to 24-bit resolution into virtually any DAW, recording or performance software. The EIE I/O also houses three convenient USB inputs, in addition to its main USB port, enabling users to connect controllers, hard drives or any other peripheral when native ports on a computer may be limited. The compact recording interface contains high-quality components including nickel-plated input jacks, analog-style VU meters and a rugged aluminum casing for a powerful, professional, portable audio solution.

Each channel of the EIE I/O has a XLR-¼" combo jack, dedicated sturdy, gain-pots and Mic/Line/Guitar switches. The EIE I/O features four discrete-design preamplifiers with 48V phantom power for use with virtually any microphones.

Through a standard USB connection, the QX49 receives power while also transmitting MIDI data to Mac or PC software. With its drum pads, rotary knobs, long-throw faders, snappy buttons and velocity-sensitive keyboard, QX49 provides the user with a thoroughly satisfying music-making experience.

Furthermore, the QX49 provides keyboard players with a full complement of controls including pitch and modulation wheels, octave up/down buttons and the ability to send program changes directly from the keys. The QX49's keyboard can even be split into sections to control multiple instruments at once. 

The QX49 comes with a copy of Ableton Live Lite Alesis Edition software for performing, recording, and sequencing music right out of the box.
QX49 will be available from musical instrument retailers in Q1 2011 with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $249.00

The microPIANO borrows its piano sound (and stereo piano samples) from Korg's flagship digital pianos. In total, there are 61 vibrant and authentic sounds available. Keyboard sounds go beyond the traditional pianos to include electric pianos, harpsichords, accordion, celeste, organs, clavs, toy pianos and more. In addition, there are also flutes, strings, harps, bells and mallet percussion sounds – marimbas, vibes, steel drums, even kalimbas and music boxes.

Of these 61 sounds, 25 are "Short Phrase Sounds" that can automatically generate phrases simply by holding down a key. For example, piano sounds that provide a left-hand accompaniment in the lower range, allowing the melody line to be played with the right hand; organ sounds complete with phrases from famous pipe organ compositions; and more.