A-Designs Audio is proud to introduce the ATTY2′D (pronounced ‘attitude’), a multi-channel passive line level controller that is the big brother of the successful ATTY stereo passive line level controller introduced in 2004.

Housed in a 1U rack-mountable chassis, the ATTY2′D features two stereo and two mono channels–all four sporting their own individual mute switches and large aluminum cast rotary level controls. A single master mute switch is also located in the center of the front panel for fast termination of audio signal to all channels.

The ATTY2′D can allow engineers to gain control of their classic preamplifiers with no output attenuation by padding the line level signal to their AD converters without clipping. At the same time, it allows preamplifiers to be pushed harder for a completely different audio effect in the signal path.

As another example, the demand for active monitors coupled with today’s audio software can certainly create an issue when the computer crashes and the active monitors are set to 11. The ATTY2′D provides a solution by using the muting setup for separate channels or the master mute for all channels when working with more than one pair of active monitors or in 5.1 surround sound. And using the ATTY2′D for active speaker control is perfectly seamless; the unit is 100 percent passive, therefore no unwanted color/electronic signals are added to the audio path ensuring the purest signal possible.

Currently shipping, the ATTY2′D features a US list price of $585.00.

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

Posted in Audio, Technology

Eventide today announced that its popular Anthology II plug-in bundle will be available as a Universal Binary and is optimized for the new Intel-powered Mac computers. This new Mactel upgrade will allow users to take full advantage of Apple’s newest computers, including the Mac Pro with quad-core architecture, for faster processing speeds when operating Eventide’s powerful and comprehensive set of digital plug-ins.

Available in October of 2006, the Mactel upgrade will be free to current Anthology II customers and will be available via Eventide’s website, through authorized Eventide dealers, and outside North America through authorized Pro Tools dealers.

Anthology II adds six new plug-ins to the Anthology bundle: two 48-bit double precision vintage equalizers; EQ65 Filter Set and EQ45 Parametric Equalizer, both 48-bit double precision; two new configurable channel strips, Ultra-Channel, featuring Eventide’s signature micropitch shifting effect for thickening, and E-Channel, optimized for maximum instances; Precision Time Align, provides the ability to bring individual tracks into phase; and Quadravox, a four-voice diatonic pitch shifter with delays.

Anthology II also includes the latest versions of the nine plug-ins that comprised the original best-selling Anthology bundle: H910, H949, Instant Phaser, Instant Flanger, Omnipressor®, Eventide Reverb, Octavox, H3000 Band Delays, and H3000 Factory. Like Anthology, Anthology II is fully compliant with ICON, D-Control, D-Command, Venue, Pro Tools 7.2, and is Mac and PC compatible.

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

Posted in Apple Mac, Plug-Ins

The CAPS Software which is already well-known from COHEDRA™ and COHEDRA COMPACT™ is now available also for the new ConTour Array™.

The CAPS CTA Software enables the simulation of the projection behavior of a ConTour Array™ system in a specific venue. It allows rapid virtual construction of venues featuring up to three audience areas. Up to five flown CTA 208 mid/high units can easily be simulated. For stacked applications, you can make up a ground-stack simulation by one mouse click.

Creative work is carried out in the Setup menu; with the help of the adjustable angles of the DualCurve™ system, the resulting sound projection data is computed and displayed. The software also calculates delay times and sound pressure for different audience positions. This allows for reliable prediction of obtainable SPL values (Peak/Continuous/A-weighted) as well as precise analysis in 1/3-, 1- and 3-octave steps and two-dimensional mapping.

The Rigging menu captures data parameters for weight, centre of gravity, overall height and the angles between the individual mid/high units. The software was developed in cooperation with Software Design Ahnert (SDA) and is based on the CAPS version for COHEDRA™ and COHEDRA COMPACT™.

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

Posted in Software

Las Vegas Pro Audio, the U.S. sales office of ATC (Acoustic Transducer Company - UK) is introducing the new ATC passive SCM20SL loudspeakers at AES 2006 San Francisco (Demo Room #270). This offering represents ATC’s first venture into the U.S. pro market with a passive monitor. Maintaining the strict performance criteria of ATC reference monitors, the SCM 20SL offers project and home studios the dynamic range and pristine imaging ATC is known for worldwide.

The ATC “Passive 20″ features the same woofer and tweeter as the active (SCM20ASL) version of the speaker. The SCM20SL passives are housed in a conventional “pro-black” box for easy placement on any meter bridge. ATC recommends amplifiers with at least 200W per channel of power. The Passive 20 loudspeaker enables ATC speaker fans to own a high performance monitor at half the price of the actives.

The SCM20SL Passive low-frequency section is a hybrid design incorporating a 150mm bass cone with a grafted 75mm soft dome for mid-range assist. The woofer magnet assembly utilizes ATC’s unique “SL” technology to greatly reduce third harmonic distortion and reveal mistakes and details. All ATC drivers are manufactured in-house to exacting tolerances. Situated in Aston Down in rural Gloucestershire, England, ATC was established in London in 1974 by acoustics engineer and musician Bill Woodman.

MSRP: $3,500/pair

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

Posted in Speakers

FabFilter has released updates to FabFilter Twin and FabFilter Volcano. The new versions contain bug fixes as well as improvements and new features.

•Added MIDI program change handling. Any preset can now be loaded by sending bank select and program change MIDI messages.

•Added optional interactive help. When this feature is activated, help texts will appear when the user moves the mouse over any control in the plug-in interface.

•Fixed a bug that could cause Twin or Volcano to freeze on Apple G5 Quad systems when changing presets.

•Added a ‘polarity’ option to the LFO’s in Twin, which can be used to produce either waveforms between -1 and 1 (original behaviour) or positive-only waveforms between 0 and 1.

•Reduced memory usage of Twin by 50%.

•Slightly reduced memory usage of FabFilter Volcano and improved filters to use less CPU.

•Other minor bug fixes.

The new versions are fully backwards-compatible with earlier versions and should load songs and presets written by the older version without any problems. These updates are free for existing users and grants others a new evaluation period.

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

Posted in Plug-Ins, Software, Technology, VST

No Island Media is printing 5,000 copies of The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone Complete Collection, Limited Edition, for the 2006 holiday season, with 2,000 being available in North America, 1,500 in Japan and 1,000 in the U.K.

The encyclopedic, six DVD boxed-set will include 22 hours of footage, extras, tours, interviews, episodes, short films and performances from established motion picture cinematographers, and include expanded versions of all episodes from both seasons, including profiles and interviews with:

Hartley Peavey
Paul Reed Smith
Kelly Butler (First Act Luthier)
Robert Godin
Bob Taylor
James Brown ( tube amplification engineer : Kustom)
Ren Ferguson (Montana Gibson Custom Shop)
McGregor Gaines and Don Young (National Reso-Phonic)
Matt McPherson
Ralph Novak
Stuart Spector
Michael Robinson (Founder, Eastwood Guitars)
Ben Fargen (tube amplification engineer - Fargen Amplification).

Thirty minutes of previews from the series can be found on the No Island website.

The Search for the Perfect Guitar Tone Complete Collection, Limited Edition, retails for $200 US. and will ship November 1, 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.noisland.net.

Posted in Education, Guitar

Following Audio-Technica’s recent enhancement of its 3000 Series UHF True Diversity Wireless Systems with the addition of automatic frequency scanning, the company is now offering the new ATW-T371 handheld cardioid condenser microphone/transmitter in its ATW-3171a system.

Incorporating Audio-Technica’s Artist Series ATM710 cardioid condenser element, the ATW-T371 wireless microphone is designed to be handheld or mounted on a microphone stand. Featuring rugged metal construction, soft-touch controls and a multi-function LCD display, the microphone is powered by two 1.5V AA batteries with a life of 6-8 hours. A dual power switch permits selection of high power for maximum range, or low for extended battery life.

The 3000 Series is a 200-channel frequency-agile UHF wireless system designed for a wide range of applications including live performance, touring, fixed installation, public address and worship. Its Automatic Frequency Scanning function automatically determines and sets the best available frequency (open channel) - useful when employing multiple wireless systems, thereby avoiding interference and intermodulation. Up to 16 simultaneous systems per frequency band are compatible, with a total maximum of 32 simultaneous systems across two bands.

The 3000 Series systems and components are available in two UHF frequency bands: 795.500 to 820.000 MHz and 840.125 to 864.875 MHz, with 200 selectable frequencies in each band. Soft-touch controls offer quick, easy access to the most important functions during set-up and operation. In addition, the 3000 Series features Audio-Technica’s digital Tone Lock® squelch, plus an easy-to-read LCD information display in each unit that provides convenient visual indications of settings and operation status.

With estimated availability during late September, the ATW-T371 will retail at £319.95 (inc VAT).

For more information, visit their web site at www.audio-technica.com.

Posted in Microphones, Technology

Double Bass Mania II: The Return of the Beast takes it over the top with a relentless onslaught of fast and furious double bass grooves. With 800+ double bass grooves, groove variations, fills, one shots, and samples, Double Bass Mania II stands alone as the brutal choice for creating the heaviest of heavy metal tracks. Whether you need modern metal grooves in the vein of Lamb of God, Shadows Fall, and Children of Bodom or the old-school aggression of Slayer, Pantera, and early Metallica, Double Bass Mania II is designed for one thing: to pound out the relentless rhythms of your next metal track.

Double Bass Mania II is all about power and speed. With a cohesive collection of grooves spanning tempos from 75 BPM heavy rock to 300 BPM metal blasts, the disc will satiate any metalhead’s need for speed and brutality. If you’re a metal guitarist, bassist, or songwriter, Double Bass Mania II: The Return of the Beast will quickly become the weapon of choice in your arsenal. Metal drummers will also find the loops an invaluable source of inspiration and education as well. No matter what your goals are - writing demos, recording a future CD release, or expanding your metal chops - Double Bass Mania II opens the doors to all things metal.

Double Bass Mania II Features:

• Multiple Styles of Metal, from Hard Rock to Blastbeats: Chug along with the mortal tempos or blast it out with insane speed
• Wide Range of Tempos: 75, 90, 100, 110, 120, 140, 150, 180, 200, 220, 280, 300 and a supplemental 200+ folder
• Rhythmic Pairings: Beta Monkey constructed DBM II to include complementary tempo sets. Grooves from the following pairings 75/150, 90/180, 100/200, 110/220, and 140/280 allow songwriters to cut or double time signatures at will
• Superior Rhythmic Realism: 1, 2, 4, and 8 bar segments capture the full aggression of authentic metal phrasing
• High-End Production and Gear: Big drums hit hard in a big room. It’s not all that complicated
• Cohesive Groove Sets: All loops are taken from the same recording session (all grooves, fills, etc. are sonically-matched)
• Fully-Sampled Drum and Cymbal Samples: The sample kit section includes multi-velocity samples of all the drums and cymbals recorded
• Available in 16 or 24 bit “acidized” WAV, AIFF (Apple Loops), and REX2 formats

Visit Beta Monkey Music for free previews and to order Double Bass Mania II for only $29.99.

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

Posted in Loops, Samples

Digidesign® is pleased to announce the D-Show 2.5 software upgrade for the VENUE live sound environment. D-Show 2.5 is the first release that offers support for both the D-Show™ and D-Show Profile™ mixing consoles.

Developed in response to user requests, D-Show 2.5 provides more flexibility to Matrix and PQ outputs and adds input libraries, a new Events List, and many other features to enhance the user experience with any VENUE console.

New Features in D-Show 2.5

Support for the D-Show Profile mixing surface
With the addition of the new D-Show Profile console to the VENUE family, D-Show 2.5 provides complete support for the entire VENUE product line. D-Show users who adopt the new console will be immediately familiar with the software and workflows.

Full portability of user setting and show files between VENUE consoles
D-Show 2.5 offers guaranteed show file compatibility between D-Show and D-Show Profile mixing consoles. And users won’t encounter any data loss when moving files between the two systems—if functions are unavailable, the software will preserve and restore settings.

Expanded Matrix and Personal Q (PQ) Routing
Mono or PQ matrices can now accept input from 12 sources, which can include any combination of groups, auxiliaries, LRM masters, and any of eight user-assigned inputs. All matrices can have their own input sources and all can be changed on a per-scene basis with snapshot automation.

New Event List functionality
The new Event List allows complete customization of function buttons, footswitches, and D-Show Profile’s General Purpose Interface (GPI), enabling users to speed up their workflow. Engineers can now create “macros” that allow the console to perform single or multiple functions with a single button push or switch closure from an external device.

Input Channel Presets
This additional input library enables complete channel settings storage on a per-channel basis, which allows faster set-up of similar channels and easy access to input-only settings to all show files. As with other preset libraries, input libraries can be transferred independently to a USB key.

Pricing and Availability
Digidesign expects to release the D-Show 2.5 software upgrade around 10/31/06. Customers will be able to purchase the upgrade either directly from Digidesign’s Customer Service Administration (CSA) or from their authorized VENUE reseller for $149 US MSRP. Customers must provide the serial number of their FOH Rack to qualify for the upgrade.

Amnesty Upgrades
D-Show 2.0 customers qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade provided they meet the following requirements:

Customers purchasing a D-Show 2.0 system or D-Show 2.0 upgrade kit between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2006 must register their purchase with Digidesign Customer Service Administration on or before September 25, 2006 in order to qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade.

Customers purchasing a D-Show 2.0 system or D-Show 2.0 upgrade kit between August 1, 2006 and the release of D-Show 2.5 (late Oct / early Nov) must register their purchase with Digidesign Customer Service Administration on or before December 15, 2006 in order to qualify for a free D-Show 2.5 upgrade.

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

Posted in Mixers, Software, Technology

Digidesign® is proud to announce the addition of D-Show Profile™ to the VENUE live sound environment family. This compact mixing console is a size-conscious alternative to the wildly popular D-Show™, the flagship console of the VENUE line. D-Show Profile offers full compatibility with all existing VENUE hardware components, total file portability, and an incredibly compact footprint—all of which ensures the exact same sound quality, reliability, and flexibility for which VENUE is now well known.

Compact Form Factor
D-Show Profile features a 24-channel frame that’s smaller than the footprint of a single D-Show main unit. The console serves as the perfect alternative for sound reinforcement vendors, rental houses, and contractors that need to offer a powerful system in a compact form for small- to mid-size environments and applications, such as houses of worship, corporate events, theaters, mid-level concert venues, and remote broadcasts.

Total Show File Portability
D-Show Profile uses the same D-Show software as its big brother D-Show, enabling engineers to create and load files for use on either console. This also means that users won’t need to learn new software if they’re already familiar with D-Show. D-Show engineers can move straight on to D-Show Profile—and vice-versa—without additional software acclimation to start mixing or building show files. Plus engineers will no longer need to build new show files (as many currently do) when simply moving to a different console by the same manufacturer.

Full Hardware Compatibility
D-Show Profile works with all existing VENUE hardware components, such as FOH and Stage racks. For sound reinforcement vendors and rental houses, this can represent a tremendous amount of savings and alleviate fears of current inventory obsolescence. With the VENUE model of interconnectivity and flexibility, vendors can greatly widen the scope of their existing system applications by simply offering an alternative mixing console.

New Features
Profile features eight General Purpose Interface (GPI) inputs and eight GPI outputs to connect and control any external equipment that can react to simple switch closures. Used in conjunction with the new Event List in D-Show 2.5 software, engineers can design up to 999 simple or complex macros and use GPI to control external switches, devices, equipment functions, and more.

Digidesign will be showcasing the entire VENUE family at the PLASA ‘06 show in London (stand #K57) from September 10-13.

D-Show Profile is expected to ship in Q4 2006. A complete D-Show Profile System, which includes the Profile mixing console and VENUE FOH and Stage racks, will be available via authorized Digidesign dealers for $54,985 US MSRP. The Profile console will also be available separately for $17,955 US MSRP.

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

Posted in Live Sound, Mixers, Technology