PC and Music News

Alva, a partner of RME, Announces Nanoface.

The analog gains for the four inputs, all output levels and special features, like phantom power and hardware monitoring will be controlled with the big silver rotary encoder directly on the Nanoface.

All mixing, channel routing and digital levels will be controlled by your individual audio software.


What can be controlled with the Encoder:

- Output 1/2: gain
- Output 3/4 (Phones): gain
- Route output 1/2 to Phones output
- Output 1/2 on Phones output: gain
- Input 1/2: gain (mic/instr. preamps)
- Input 3/4: gain
- 48V for inputs 1 and/or 2
- Switch input 2 to Hi-Z input
- Hardware monitoring for inputs 1/2
- Reset to default values

Voxengo CurveEQ update version 3.1 is now available
for download. Voxengo CurveEQ, available in AudioUnit and VST plug-in formats (including native 64-bit support), for Mac OS X (v10.5 and later), and Windows computers, is a spline equalizer plugin for professional music and audio production applications.

Version 3.1 update includes the following changes:

- Spectrum matching is now working correctly in all groups.
- The "Load CSV" and "Save CSV" text file functions added.

A music box (also musical box) is a 19th/20th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinderor disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb.

They sampled this music box in stereo with a matched pair of mics AKG 414.

This instrument is free.

For Kontakt 3.5 or superior. Full version required.

Native Instruments announces give-away of a trip to Sónar festival to meet Mostly Robot.

Native Instruments is offering a chance to win a trip for two people to witness the debut performance of Mostly Robot on June 14th at Sónar Barcelona. The lottery is open to everyone, and the winners will enjoy a four day break in Barcelona - featuring flights, accommodation, two full festival passes and a tapas meal with the band.

Mostly Robot is a band conceived by Native Instruments, featuring five exceptional musicians who each represent a different area of the company's musical expertise. The artists - Jamie Lidell, Tim Exile, Jeremy Ellis, Mr Jimmy and DJ Shiftee - will perform in a truly 'live' format, with each musician playing independently of the other, synced only by the human element. The music will be accompanied by an inventive visual concept from Berlin's design collective Pfadfinderei.

IK Multimedia announces that iRig MIX, the first ultra-compact DJ and audio mixer for the iPad, iPhone, and the iPod touch is now shipping. When used with an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, IK's included* DJ Rig FREE app and other DJ apps, it is a complete, highly portable DJ system for practising, rehearsing, performing and recording.

With its unique miniaturized form factor and exclusive features, designed to be used with the entire range of portable iOS devices, iRig MIX brings a new meaning to the concept of mobile DJ-ing.

Ableton and SoundCloud's collaboration enters a new stage with Beat the Clock, a contest that's all in the timing. Atmospheric pop specialist M83, indie electronic stars Junior Boys and eclectic Los Angeles beat maker Nosaj Thing have contributed a Live Pack of samples and sounds to be used to create an original piece of music. Participants can combine the sounds from the Live Pack with their own sounds, plug-ins and instruments.

The catch: participants must work against the clock and submit their entries within 24 hours after downloading the Live Pack. SoundCloud and Live users will vote for their favorites entries, with the top 25 then judged by the three artists who will pick the ultimate winner.

Winners of Beat the Clock will take home substantial prizes, including a trip to Berlin, lifetime upgrades to Ableton Suite, 5 years of a SoundCloud Pro Plus account, and more.