PC and Music News

Roland announces the SBX-1 Sync Box, a universal synchronization hub for electronic musical instruments and computers. Equipped with USB-MIDI, standard MIDI, and DIN sync ports, the compact SBX‑1 provides a convenient way for music creators to use modern production tools and legacy analog devices together at one time. Going far beyond simple synchronization, the SBX-1 also provides hands-on control of timing and groove, and includes CV/Gate outputs for triggering old-school instruments such as the SH-101, TB-303, and TR-808.

Version 8 further strengthens this aspect of Reason so you can work even faster than before and with even fewer obstacles to break your flow. The new browser is always there, with access to your full library of songs, sounds, samples and instruments all the time.

Drag and drop is now available throughout the Reason rack. Create instruments by dragging a synth patch to the sequencer, drag samples directly to pads in Kong or create effects by dragging effect patches to the rack...
Available around next september

IK Multimedia launches SampleTank® 3, the ultimate sound and groove workstation for Mac and PC, is now shipping. SampleTank 3 sets a new industry standard for studio composition and live performance via its massive 33 GB sound library (containing over 4,000 instruments), 64-bit compatibility, completely redesigned user interface, 55 high-quality effects, new loop and groove management and enhanced sample engine. Powerful, functional and effortless, SampleTank 3 puts a whole new world of sound at your fingertips.

Explore new sound spaces with Tera Synth that go beyond the emulation of synthesizer legends. Use the power of analog and digital synthesis combined with new modules for physical modelling. Wireless patching of modules combined with an intelligible modulation routing simplifies the development of new synthesizer designs from scratch. Distortion effect, Delay/Chorus/Phaser and Reverb effects give your sounds the final polishing. Tera Synth gives your music an individual character with its unique fat sound. The well-designed algorithms and the economical modular structure provides you with a comparatively high voice yield. Precise timing with the unique built-in Arpeggiator let you feel the rhythm.

MOTU Launches 3 new Thunderbolt Interfaces.

Based on a new, shared technology platform, the 1248, 8M and 16A differ only in their analog I/O configurations. As the most versatile of the three, the flagship 1248 offers 8 x 12 balanced TRS analog I/O, four mic inputs with digitally-controlled individual preamps, two front-panel hi-Z guitar inputs, two independent phone outs and stereo RCA S/PDIF digital I/O. The 8M provides eight balanced TRS analog outputs, plus eight mic/line/instrument "combo" style inputs individually equipped with digitally controlled preamps, 48V phantom power, pad and MOTU's hardware-based V-Limit overload protection. The 16A is packed with 32 balanced TRS analog connections (16 inputs and 16 outputs). All three units provide two banks of optical digital I/O, word clock I/O and computer connectivity through either audio class compliant USB 2.0 or Thunderbolt (1 and 2 compatible).

Equipped with the latest-generation ESS Sabre32 Ultra converters, analog performance has been engineered for even the most demanding listening situations. For example, the balanced TRS analog outputs provide a measured dynamic range of 123 dB (A-weighted, 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Analog I/O latency is very low, with round trip performance of only 32 samples (0.66 ms) at 48 kHz. Each unit provides comprehensive metering for all inputs and outputs on a large, backlit 324x24 pixel LCD.

- 1248: 32x34 I/O with 4 mic in, 8x12 TRS
48-ch mixing, and AVB networking

- 8M: 24x26 I/O with 8 mic/line/instr,
48-ch mixing, and AVB networking

- 16A: 32x32 I/O with 16x16 TRS analog,
48-ch mixing, and AVB networking.