PC and Music News

KEL Audio has announced the HM-3C, an affordable mid-diaphragm condenser mic with a clean open sound and premium circuitry.

The HM-3C features a specially tuned version of the capsule used in KEL's popular HM-1 mic. Instead of a wide cardioid, however, the HM-3C features a tighter pattern and rising response for a cleaner, more open sound. The linear circuitry is transformerless, like all KEL mics and features high-grade brand name components in the signal path.

"The HM-3C is designed to pretty much capture what you hear" says Kelly Dueck of KEL Audio. "Some people consider our other mics to be 'character' mics, but the HM-3C is more open and detailed. It borders on unforgiving."

Due to its fast response, the HM-3C is recommended for all stringed instruments, percussion, ensemble recording and even select vocals.

The HM-3C is expected to ship early June and will be available direct from KEL Audio website for $199 including shipping. The mic includes an aluminum flight case and custom designed shock mount.

Tube Amp received a major update and now supports most user interface features latest Voxengo plug-ins offer : multi-channel support, routing matrix, mid/side processing, channel grouping, and others.  Beside that, the tube overdrive algorithm itself has been improved.  Tube Amp now features a built-in output soft-knee limiter which can be used as a loudness maximizer.

Tube Amp is an audio effect plug-in that applies asymmetric tube triode overdrive usually found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes.  The sound this plug-in produces varies from a mild "warm" overdrive to a fuzzy distortion.  Beside that, Tube Amp includes a -6 dB/oct low-pass filter that is built-in into plug-in's valve modeling equation, and can be used to imitate a lower-quality tube triode.

Icing on the cake, Tube Amp is available for free for both Mac (AU/VST) and PC (VST).

Released in November of 2008, the Recabinet Modern 1.0 convolution impulse response library brought the sound of legendary guitar speaker cabinets paired up with industry standard microphones to the Macs and PCs of guitarists and producers everywhere. Today is time for the second version, Recabinet Modern 2.0, which is released simultaneously with a new expansion pack, Recabinet Vintage 2.0.

All version 2.0 Recabinet convolution impulse responses were recorded using an API 3124 microphone preamp into Apogee D/A converters. Recabinet 2.0 Modern and Vintage are compatible with Mac OS X, Windows, and Fractal Audio AxeFX.

The Recabinet 2.0 impulse responses were captured using new techniques, resulting in a much larger, higher resolution library that recreates the feeling of playing thro ...

Goldbaby has released the Tape-101, a sampled instrument library dedicated to the legendary 80's analog synth Roland SH-101. As usual Goldbaby hasn't just sampled the synth naked, he had to let the sounds get caressed by tape first !

Features :

• First synth to get "Goldbaby's tape love"
• 1658 x 24 bit samples
• Over 70 x Instrument Patches
• Compatible with Logic's EXS24 and Kontakt 3 (Full retail version needed)

The Tape-101 is available now for $49. Audio examples are available at :

The MBase 11 by JoMoX is available now. This analog Bass Drum synth has the following features :

• 110 presets (10 User RAM, 100 FLASH)
• Fully analog sound engine with storeable parameters
• Analog envelopes
• LFO with 8 waveforms: Saw +/-, Sine +/-, Tri +/-, Rect +/-, modulates the pitch, midi syncroniseable
• LED display, 7-segment 3 digit
• Midi In/Midi Out
• 1 data wheel, 1 potentiometer, 5 buttons, 16 LEDs for parameters and functions
• 1 mono out 1/4" RCA jack, ~0dBu output level
• External input: analog trigger, sensivity adjustable

The MBase 11 has an MSRP of €249.

Image Line has announcd the release of Deckadance v1.5. Available for Mac and PC, this version gains a new audio, supports batch beat-analysis of the songs (reducing load times/CPU load during a performance) and time-stretching/compression technology. DJs can enjoy new playlist design with variable font sizes, view modes and the ability to import iTunes playlists.

To aid setup, the input and outputs of the program now appear as stereo channels making installation and routing of audio inputs/outputs more intuitive. Finally, users can choose between "Auto" or "Manual" beatgrid analysis modes, on a song-by-song basis, according to their preferences and the complexity of the source audio.

The newest release of Deckadance 1.5 also provides :

• Native support for the last generation of midi controllers (Vestax VCI-300, DJ-Tech Kontrol One, Stanton SCS-3D, Hercules DJ Control Steel, EKS Otus, Omnitronic MMC-1)
• Improved seek waveform that shows the start and cue points
• OpenGL render engine for Windows
• Unicode support for playlist/browser items
• Beatgrid move via mouse over the waveform
• Improved DVS engine when elastique time-stretching is disabled, etc.
• Option to switch between the old and new sound engine by the improved interface of the setup panel
• Fully compatible with Open Labs DBeat portable DJ instruments