PC and Music News

The STEREO|iO by Numark is an interface box with a USB cable. One end has female RCA phono plugs for use with virtually any audio equipment from DJ mixers to turntables, and the other end has a USB connector. DJs can connect any line or phono-level gear to their Mac or PC via USB for recording, mixing or processing. DJs can also use STEREO|iO as an output cable from their computer to inputs on an analog mixer, enabling them to mix MP3s and other music from their computer in their traditional DJ mixer.

STEREO|iO is a low-cost problem-solving tool that can be invaluable for DJs and musicians at the gig or in the studio when a connection needs to be made. The class-compliant USB device works plug and play for Mac and PC, requiring no software-driver installtion or external power for operation.

Pricing and Availability TBA.

Chimera, the hybrid pre-amp by Sontronics, is finally available.

Chimera is a pre-amp/DI box single channel including two separate circuits, with a simple switch you can choose: a transparent sound from a solid state pre-amp, or the warmer tone of a Tube pre-amp. Each of these circuits is an original conception from Sontronics.

Fine adjustements can be done with the help of a variable high pass filter, a 3 way attenuator and a phase control, allowing multiple sonic colors. The frequency response is flat between 20Hz to 20kHz, In/outputs are balanced electronically.

Features :

- frequency response : 20Hz to 20kHz max. +/-0.5dB (solid-state), max. +/-0.7dB (valve)
- inputs (analog) : XLR balanced on front and rear panel, jack
- outputs (analog) : XLR balanced on front and ...

The Daking FET3 is new dual channel limiter from Geoff Daking, built in the US with the same audio path and detector circuits as the single channel Daking FET II limiter. The FET3 compressor circuitry and gain stages are all discrete and fully Class "A" with sound quality that will be at the very top of the scale. The single channel FET II was known for its speed, high performance and its unique ability to sound great on an extraordinary variety of sources. The FET3 will equal this benchmark plus add several unique features to improve user control. The differences are as follows :

• New variable High Pass Filters from 0 to 200Hz are added to the detector stage of each limiter channel to improve and customize limiter behavior. The HPF's tell the limiter NOT to trigger limiting based ...

Modartt presents the brand new Rock Piano add-on (YC5) for Pianoteq 3. It is developed to meet demands for a specific pop/rock piano, modelled from a well-known Japanese grand piano, frequently seen on stages and very much appreciated by touring artists for its musical qualities and reliability. Its bright and vivid tone makes it addictive and cuts through elegantly in pop/rock oriented mixes. The instrument comes with three variants :

• YC5 Stage has a percussive and bright tone suitable for pop/rock mixes, and fits also very nicely to dreamy solo ballades.
• YC5 Chamber has a coloured and singing tone, well adapted for solos that demand a full and rich timbre.
• YC5 Studio is designed for achieving a particular strong and close presence, often appreciated in studio production.

The Rock Piano add-on is embedded as demo instrument in the latest Pianoteq update 3.0.5 and can be purchased by all customers for €29.

Summer promo offer : Buy a Pianoteq licence before September 30 and you will receive the new Rock Piano add-on for free !

Yellow Tools has released the Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite that contains the bundle of the new Independence 2.5, Independence Live 2.5 and Independence FX 2.5.

The Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite is both available as separate product and also already included in all Yellow Tools products that contain a sound library : Independence Pro, Independence Basic, Candy, Culture & Majestic. User who already own a registered version of these products can purchase the Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite for a very small update fee (€39 for Independence Pro users and €59 for Independence Basic, Candy, Culture, Majestic users) - and users who purchased their product after April 1st 2009 will get a the Software Suite for free.

The Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite comes with ...

Alesis announces the USB-MIDI Cable which is an handy cable that links MIDI instruments with computers via USB.

The USB-MIDI Cable is the latest addition to Alesis' AudioLink Series of problem-solving cables for musicians. The MIDI-to-USB cable has traditional male and female MIDI (DIN) connectors on one end and a USB connector on the other. Musicians can use the USB-MIDI Cable to control virtually any MIDI-compliant software using any hardware device with a MIDI output jack, such as a keyboard, drum pad or MPC.

The USB-MIDI Cable is class compliant for plug-and-play USB connectivity on Mac and PC, requiring no software-driver installation or external powering. Musicians can use the USB-MIDI Cable with virtually all music production, sequencing and recording software.

The USB-MIDI Cable will be available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers Q3 2009.