PC and Music News

Keith McMillen Instruments, an innovator of creative technology for string instruments, announced the formation of the StringPort Developer Program, which will provide software synthesizer developers with documentation and sample source code to easily develop StringPort versions of their software synthesizers.

At the core of the documentation is the release of the Acoustic Instrument Message (AIM) Specification. Acoustic Instrument Message (AIM) is a spectral descriptor language for any acoustic instrument. It is an open, license free specification, which solves most of the problems associated with the keyboard model for synthesis control. AIM can be sent over MIDI, OSC, UDP, or any transport layer.

AIM, developed by KMI, communicates performance data from acoustic instruments such as guitars and violins to software synthesizers within StringPort applications or running within a plug-in host. AIM provides a level expressiveness never before realized with MIDI.

Mackie has announced two new recording interfaces, additions to the popular Onyx family — the Onyx Blackjack and Onyx Blackbird. These new interfaces combine the Onyx mic preamps with high-end Cirrus Logic AD/DA.

The Onyx Blackjack is an ultra-compact desktop 2x2 USB interface, perfect for the home studio. It features two Onyx mic preamp channels, each featuring built-in DIs for connecting guitars, etc. Separate level control for studio monitors and headphones, along with true analog hardware monitoring take the guesswork out of zero-latency recording. It is bus-powered, with a rugged, ergonomic chassis perfect for both portable and home studio applications.

The rackmount Onyx Blackbird delivers studio-grade recording via eight Onyx mic preamps. A 16x16 FireWire interface, Blackbird also features 8x8 ADAT and wordclock I/O. There are two "Super Channels" on the front panel with dedicated low-cut switches, phantom power and true hardware monitoring options for quick zero-latency tracking. The other channels are equally flexible, utilizing the powerful Blackbird Control DSP Matrix Mixer for quick setup of independent mixes and the ability to route any input to any output. Monitor, main, alt and dual headphone outs with dedicated source selection and level control ensures there are plenty of mix routing options.

The Onyx Blackjack and Onyx Blackbird are Mac/PC compatible, work with most major DAWs and include Tracktion 3 Music Production Software. Both interfaces will be available worldwide in August, 2010. The Onyx Blackjack will have a RRP of 249€, The Onyx Blackbird will have a RRP 599€.

Softube is shipping the Tube-Tech PE 1C for native (VST/AU/RTAS) and TDM. Tube-Tech PE 1C is available today at the Softube web shop and at authorized Softube dealers at an introductory price of $229 (Native) or $329 (TDM/Native), excl. VAT. The introductory offer will last until August 16 and thereafter the price will be $279 and $449, respectively.

The Tube-Tech PE 1C plug-in by Softube captures every nuance of the hardware version. It has an extremely analog sound that is evident as soon as you start using it. Every aspect of this studio standard, 25 years in the making, is now finally available as a plug-in.

A fully functional 20 day demo can be downloaded from www.softube.com.

Alta Moda Audio debuted the Hippo stereo compressor/limiter, the latest product in Alta Moda's expanding range of popular 500-series rack products.

The Hippo is a VCA-type compressor/limiter housed in a 2-space 500-series compatible module. Modeled after well-regarded console bus compressors used throughout the '80's and '90's, the Hippo has many enhanced features including expanded control ranges, sidechain filters for better bass control, a warmth function for added harmonics, and Alta Moda's popular wet/dry blend control. A special feature of the Hippo is its ability to run in Dual Mono mode. This "unlinks" the sidechains and allows the channels to operate independently of one another. Retail price of the Hippo is $1,295.00.

M-Audio introduces new versions of its Axiom USB MIDI keyboard controller series designed for live performance and software-based music production: Axiom 25, Axiom 49, and Axiom 61. Building on the comprehensive feature set that popularized the original Axiom line, new features and highlights include:

DirectLink technology: Provides dedicated control surface functionality that automatically maps keyboard controls to common mixer and virtual instrument parameters, giving users hands-on control over their mix and their music, without any complicated set up or user configuration required. DirectLink works with popular DAWs, including Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Apple Logic Pro and Steinberg Cubase.

Novation has updated Automap to version 3.5. Automap enables Novation's keyboards and controllers to take instant control of DAWs and plug-ins.
Here are the new feature:

- Support for VST3 software (including Cubase & Nuendo plug-ins)
- Nocturn device support for Ableton Live (Ableton Live v8.1.3 or later is required.)
- Automap now includes 64-bit support for Logic.

The new update also includes various bug fixes that improve Automap's stability. It is compatible with Macs running Leopard (v10.5.8) and Snow Leopard (v10.6.3), and Windows PCs running XP (SP3 32-bit), Vista (32-bit) and Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit). The update to Automap v3.5 is free to download.