BBE Sound has announced the availability of its BBE® and BBE ViVA™ audio technologies on the latest Micronas audio processor offered as the MAP 54/560xM and MAP 44/460xM IC family of MAP-M chips.

Designed to meet the specific needs of home audio applications, the MAP-M delivers a powerful, low-cost DSP solution with multiple digital and analogue inputs/outputs. Using a 24/48 bit QuadMAU DSP, the MAP-M is suitable for component audio systems, integrated stereo systems and home theatre systems.

For more information, visit their web site at www.bbesound.com.

Posted in Audio, Computer, Recording, Software, Technology

Starting on August 12th, Native Instruments will take KORE, the world’s first Universal Sound Platform, on the road for a three-city tour of daily workshops and nighttime performances. The Native Lab: Kore tour is sponsored by Remix magazine and will stop over in San Francisco, New York and Chicago. The events will be free to the public, and will provide deep insights into KORE’s capabilities and applications both in the studio and onstage. In addition to afternoon classes and evening parties, each event will feature product giveaways and special guest appearances.

For three consecutive Saturdays, the Native Lab: Kore events will offer beginning, intermediate and advanced KORE workshops, as well as in-depth Q&As with top artists using KORE in real-world situations. Featured artists include producer Dan the Automator (Handsome Boy Modeling School, Gorillaz, Dr. Octagon) in San Francisco, hip-hop legend Hank Shocklee (Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Slick Rick) in New York and electronic duo Telefon Tel Aviv (Hefty Records) in Chicago. Leftfield electronic producer Richard Devine (Warp, Schematic, Sublight) will provide hands-on workshop instruction and hosting duties at each event.

Turning from the classroom to the stage, the Native Lab nighttime parties will showcase KORE in a live environment with performances and DJ sets from top NI sponsored artists, including Dan the Automator, Richard Devine, Telefon Tel Aviv, 1200 Warriors, Keith Hillebrandt, Halou, edIT, The Flashbulb and others. Full lineup details for each city are available on the NI website.

To be eligible for the KORE product giveaways, visitors must preregister online and be present during the afternoon training sessions; preregistered attendees will also receive three free issues of Remix magazine and a special subscription offer. Participants attending the afternoon workshops will receive VIP admission to the evening events.

For more information about Native Lab: Kore, including dates, preregistration instructions and venue details, please see www.native-instruments.com/koreevent.info.

For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com/afharmony01.info.

Posted in Industry, News, Recording, Software, Technology

Presenting the latest in a number of informative podcast videos, Florida Music are happy to announce their latest: A podcast-format video of product demonstrations straight from the floor. People can get a direct look at many of the exciting products IN ACTION, long before they are available in stores.

In the Florida Music NAMM Texas Roundup Podcast Video, viewers will have the opportunity to see the new BOSS Micro BR along with Samson’s new Podcasting Package and M-Audio’s Conectiv and Torq DJ system.

Florida Music’s Extreme Podcasts are available for immediate download from the company’s website.

For more information, visit their web site at www.floridamusicco.com.

Posted in Industry, News

Genelec has launched a range of so-called ’slot-wall’ mounts for its 8000 range of speaker systems.

The mounts, co-designed with König & Meyer, are ideal for display walls usedin stores and demo facilities as well as studios, post production houses and are proving increasingly popular in residential locations.

Quickly fixed to the rear of the 8020A & 8030A series speaker using the existing mounting holes, and the the bottom of the 8040A & 8050A, they make hanging a speaker a breeze. They also leave the user free to reposition the speakers very easily without touching the underlying wall with new fixings.

Available this autumn.

For more information, visit their web site at www.genelec.com.

Posted in Recording, Speakers

Neyrinck is pleased to introduce the SoundCode for DTS plug-in suite for Digidesign® Pro Tools systems. Tightly integrated with Pro Tools software, the SoundCode for DTS plug-in suite provides mastering-quality workflow tools that enable encoding and decoding of DTS Digital Surround, 96/24, and ES audio directly within Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems.

The SoundCode for DTS plug-in suite is the newest addition to the Neyrinck SoundCode product family, which debuted in 2005 with the release of the SoundCode for Dolby Digital plug-in. The two SoundCode plug-ins complement each other and provide surround encoding for any DVD delivery requirement. SoundCode for DTS is a must–have for post production professionals delivering high-quality audio for DVD-Video and DVD-Audio.

The SoundCode for DTS Encoder, which operates as an AudioSuite™ plug-in, offers a faster-than-real-time way to encode audio from a Pro Tools session - ready for use with DVD audio and video authoring applications. The time-saving Punch In/Out encoding feature allows users to punch in fixes to an existing DTS file. If the audio for a two-hour program has already been encoded, but a single line of dialog needs to be replaced, SoundCode can encode just that line, without having to re-encode the entire two-hour soundtrack. In addition to DTS 5.1 Digital Surround, DTS 6.1ES Discrete mode can be used to encode a rear center channel for increased surround localization and spatialization. DTS 96/24 mode can be used to encode 96 kHz, 24-bit audio up to 5.1 channels for applications requiring the highest fidelity possible.

The SoundCode for DTS Decoder functions as a real-time RTAS® plug-in or a non-real-time AudioSuite plug-in. The real-time decoder features Sample-Accurate Direct File Decode to decode a DTS file in real-time synchronized to the Pro Tools timeline and video. Simply point SoundCode to the DTS file and press play for mastering-quality confidence monitoring. The decoder also features a legacy monitor so a user can hear how 96/24, 5.1 ES, and 6.1 ES streams will decode on a legacy 5.1, 48 kHz system. Using the AudioSuite decoder, users can decode all or a portion of an audio file faster than real time, or view the metadata of a DTS file.

SoundCode for DTS is compatible with Pro Tools LE and M-Powered systems so that low-cost encoding/decoding workstations can be configured in post production and DVD authoring facilities. The fully functional encoder can encode a surround mix from a set of imported mono tracks. The decoder stereo can output a DTS bitstream over SPDIF to an external home theater decoder for surround monitoring.

Features:

Encoding

• Tight integration within the Pro Tools environment
• Faster-than-real-time encoding*
• Punch In/Out feature to saves time when fixing an existing DTS file
• DTS 96/24 mode encodes 96 kHz / 24-bit audio
• DTS 6.1 ES Discrete mode encodes rear-center channel
• Fully functional in Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered systems

Decoding

• Real-time decoding of DTS files and streams
• Direct File Decode synchronized sample-accurate to Pro Tools timeline and video
• Extensive metadata display
• Legacy monitor mode simulates 5.1, 48k playback systems
• Stereo and 5.1 downmixing to simulate consumer listening environments
• Output level metering
• AudioSuite decode to timeline

*Encoding time will vary based on CPU speed.

For more information, visit their web site at www.neyrinck.com.

Posted in Audio, Computer, Effects, MIDI, Recording, Software, Technology

Alfred is pleased to expand the Classic Album Edition series to include Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV.

Alfred’s Classic Album Editions series highlights the most important albums of our time. A true classic has lasting significance; it may establish a new style or direction, and often, a true classic album may help define an era.

Led Zeppelin IV is the landmark album from the band that defined heavy rock music. From the wickedly twisting “Black Dog” to the perfected guitar riff driving “Rock and Roll,” the ominous “When the Levee Breaks” to the Celtic-folk influences of “The Battle of Evermore” and finally to “Stairway to Heaven” — the most played track in radio history — Led Zeppelin IV is Led Zeppelin’s biggest selling album, selling over 16 million copies.

Titles are: Black Dog * Rock and Roll * The Battle of Evermore * Stairway to Heaven * Misty Mountain Hop * Four Sticks * Going to California * When the Levee Breaks.

For more information, visit their web site at www.alfred.com.

Posted in Artists, Education, Guitar, Tab

Great River Electronics is proud to announce the availability of the new MAQ-2NV, a stereo mastering equalizer based on the much-respected EQ-2NV. Built to satisfy personal requests from mastering engineers who have heard the EQ-2NV, it features the same Class-A inductor-based circuitry, with extended high and low frequency ranges. The MAQ-2NV also features EQ gain switches, linkable channel control, and very low frequency high pass filters.

Each channel’s four EQ band gain switches range in 1/2 dB steps from 0 to +/-3dB, and 1dB steps from +/-3 to +/- 8dB, and each band has separate pushbutton bypass switches. There are Left and Right channel bypass switches, the channel high pass filter frequencies are 15, 20, 25, 32, 40, and 50 Hz, and the Link switch sets both channels from the left channel controls for identical EQ curves.

The same investment-grade components and extremely high quality build standards of the entire Great River Electronics product line are carried through in the MAQ-2NV, and it is available through Great River’s Professional Audio Dealer network. MSRP for the MAQ-2NV is $5330.00 and it is now available for shipment.

For more information, visit their web site at www.greatriverelectronics.com.

Posted in Live Sound, Recording, Technology

Sonoma Wire Works™ and Drummerheads™ announce the release of 2 new sessions of unique drum content created exclusively for Sonoma Wire Works’ InstantDrummer format, with more on the way. Drummerheads promises a wide range of new sounds, styles, and very usable features with all of their InstantDrummer content. All Drummerheads Drummers will be available in both 16-bit and 24-bit formats for greater flexibility.

“Drummerheads’ drum content is an excellent addition to the expanded selection of InstantDrummer Sessions. In combination with new features in RiffWorks such as RiffLink online collaboration and RiffCaster instant podcasting technology, a full spectrum of grooves to choose from will inspire even more great songwriting with RiffWorks,” said Doug Wright from Sonoma Wire Works.

Hayden Bursk, Founder of Drummerheads had this to say: “I formed Drummerheads to add another color to the RiffWorks drum palette, but those colors aren’t just my own. Because Drummerheads is such a small company, we can respond immediately to user feedback and give them the kind of beats, grooves, and sounds they’ve been waiting for.”

For more information, visit their web site at sonomawireworks.com.

Posted in Audio, Drums & Percussion, Recording

Yamaha brings more innovation to the FG acoustic guitar line with the addition of the FGX730SCA, an acoustic-electric version of the FG730S acoustic guitar that features a solid Sitka spruce top and Rosewood back and sides, along with all the great appointments that have made the Yamaha FG a favorite.

The FGX730SCA has an onboard preamp with a 3-band EQ, an adjustable midrange frequency (AMF) control, and a built-in tuner featuring an auto-off feature that shuts the tuner off after 60 seconds to preserve the life of the battery.

This improvement builds on the recent across-the-board upgrade to the entire FG acoustic guitar line, which provides quality, affordable instruments for every player.

The FGX730SCA, a cutaway model, features solid Sitka Spruce construction, Rosewood fingerboard, back and sides, along with a System 55 preamp and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The entire FG series features solid Spruce tops, die-cast chrome hardware and a unique, non-scalloped X-bracing. An inverted L-block creates a tighter connection between the body and the neck, and also provides a full, deep low end. In addition, customers now have options that include Rosewood and Sycamore back and side woods, acoustic-electric cutaways, left-handed versions and 12-strings.

The FGX730SCA will ship in July 2006 and carries an MSRP of $799.99.

For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com.

Posted in Guitar

With the new L.U.C.A.S SMART system, HK AUDIO introduces the most compact representative of the entire L.U.C.A.S product line.

Despite a system weight of only 30 kg, L.U.C.A.S Smart delivers over 400 remarkable watts of power. The subwoofer is fed by a 250-watt PWM digital power amp and employs the same 10″ speaker that has already proven itself in high-end touring systems. The subwoofer also houses the two 80-watt power amps for the satellite speakers, each of which is equipped with a 6.5″ woofer and 1″ dome tweeter. Thanks to their especially wide and even coverage pattern, the pair of satellites deliver the kind of precise sonic experience usually associated with good studio monitors. Vocals especially benefit from this system’s ability to render fine details.

L.U.C.A.S SMART has connections for a dynamic microphone and a stereophonic signal source such as a CD, DVD or MP3 player, together with individual gain controls, so this smart, compact system can be used on its own without an external mixer. As with all L.U.C.A.S systems, SMART also features the HK AUDIO MicroTilt™ integral stand mount adapter. With its tilt angle of 10″, the speakers can be aligned optimally towards the audience. Ceiling reflections, so often the cause of phase problems, can be avoided for greater clarity and focus.

Accessories are available as an option. Anyone wanting to make it even easier than it already is to move L.U.C.A.S SMART from point A to point B will find the L.U.C.A.S SMART Roller Bag a convenient means of packing and rolling the system to its destination. For the less nomadic, wall mounts are available for the satellites to facilitate fixed installation of the system.

L.U.C.A.S SMART is immediately available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.hkaudio.com.

Posted in Audio, Live Sound, Speakers