Line 6, Inc. announced today that GuitarPort XT is now shipping. The hardware and software bundle, which will include GearBox™ 2.0 software, is a powerful tool for guitarists seeking a no-hassle way to learn, play and record music. GuitarPort XT works with both PC and Mac computers, including the new Intel-based OS X machines.

GuitarPort XT delivers 18 classic and modern guitar amp models, 24 cab models, and 28 must-have studio and stompbox effects. Plus, included tools such as a chromatic tuner, hum reducer, metronome, and riff looper with half-speed playback ensure a great musical experience. “We’ve taken the studio standard digital modeling we perfected with POD XT, and our expertise in guitar-friendly user interfaces, and combined them into a computer-based product anyone can use and afford,” said Mark McCrite, Product Line Manager for POD & PC Products, Line 6.

With the optional GuitarPort Online™ membership, the musical possibilities of GuitarPort XT are almost limitless. Using an Internet connection, GuitarPort Online members can immerse themselves in a world of guitar tones, tracks and tablature. An incredible collection of loops, grooves, in-depth artist lessons, and original Line 6 songs are instantly available for jamming. The online library also features hundreds of the world’s greatest guitar songs. Ranging from blues to hardcore to modern rock and country, most tracks are available with and without guitar.

Recorded with the same painstaking detail as the original versions, users can learn their favorite songs by using the provided tablature, then “sit in” with a band like Double Trouble on Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes. GuitarPort Online members can even jam with the original master tracks from Jimi Hendrix exclusively remixed by original engineer Eddie Kramer. All lesson, cover, and master tracks are matched with perfectly dialed in amp, cab and effect tones for the ultimate in-studio experience that only Line 6 can offer.

GuitarPort XT (hardware/software package) - $139.99 MSRP, $99.99 Street Price

For more information, visit their web site at www.line6.com.

Posted in Amplification, Computer, Digital, Effects, Software, Technology

After announcing its inception at this year’s Winter NAMM tradeshow in Anaheim, California, Cortex (now a part of GCI Technologies) will begin shipping its patent-pending USB host-controller based digital music manipulation platform to musical instrument retailers on September 15th.

“With the rise of portable media players and mass storage devices being a source for storing and playing music Cortex developed the HDC-1000 to utilize this technology and bring it to the DJ realm,” explains CEO Artie Cabasso. “The HDC-1000 will be the first unit in the world to manipulate music files from an external USB device and will make the DJ think differently about how they will transport their music collection.”

Using USB compatibility to give DJs the power to cue up, play, pitch, manipulate, scratch and search digital music files like never before, HDC-1000 users can access their music collections utilizing a wide array of storage devices including the iPod®, external USB hard-drives and flash drives, CD-ROM, and even DVD-ROM drives. DJ’s can even connect and access multiple storage devices with the HDC’s device selection option.

Providing DJ’s with a higher platform of performance, the HDC-1000 offers an ‘intelligent music database management’ system where databases of tracks are built and stored on each compatible storage device to allow the user to find any track lightning fast, regardless of the number of tracks on the device, and displaying all the essentials on its bright LCD playback screen including artist, track title, time elapsed, and time remaining.

Its unique cataloging system gives you a number of browsing options when searching a database, including Search by Artist, Song Title and Genre. With the String Search function, users can even search by a certain word or phrase to find tracks, even if they’re not completely sure of the name. You can also get information on any track in the database showing everything from artist and track title to the file format, genre, or length of the track.

In addition, the unit is equipped with ultra-precise pitch resolution (up to +/-24), front and rear USB ports with device selection menu and multifunction navigation keys.

For more information, visit their web site at www.cortex-pro.com.

Posted in Computer, Digital, Recording, Software, Technology

Audio Damage, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Reverence, a digital plate reverb simulator, as a plugin effect for VST and AudioUnits hosts. Reverence is heavily inspired by vintage digital hardware, and faithfully recreates the thick sonic character and easy-to-use interface of those early units, while providing the low noise floor and big headroom inherent in modern software-based reverb.

Perfect for synths, vocals, and guitar, Reverence is also capable of creating the unusual effects that are typical of vintage hardware units. Featuring a sophisticated and well-tuned reverb algorithm, Reverence has a much lower CPU load than convolution reverbs, and can be used as either a send or insert effect.

Features:

• Simple-to-use reverb settings, with pre-delay, time, and size, plus an extensive filtering section to shape the reverb tail
• Fluid and logical vintage-style user interface
• Optimized reverb algorithm for low CPU load
• MIDI Learn feature for full hardware control of all parameters (VST only; handled by host in AudioUnits version)

Reverence is available as a VST effect for Windows, and as an AudioUnit / VST effect bundle for OSX Universal Binary, and is US$39.00 for instant download from the Audio Damage store.

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

Posted in Computer, Digital, Effects, Plug-Ins, Recording, Software, Technology

Native Instruments is excited to announce AUDIO KONTROL 1, a compact high-performance USB 2.0 audio interface that addresses the typical needs of many musicians, producers and DJs in a highly portable and affordable package. Combining professional sound quality with high versatility, and equipped with a comprehensive software package, AUDIO KONTROL 1 was designed to meet a specific “sweet spot” in terms of performance, functionality and price.

AUDIO KONTROL 1 is equipped with studio-grade 24-bit/192 kHz Cirrus Logic converters that guarantee pristine audio quality, while Native Instruments’ third-generation USB 2.0 audio driver technology ensures low-latency operation down to 4 milliseconds both on Windows and Macintosh systems. With its 2-in/4-out configuration, and equipped with microphone preamp, “Hi-Z” instrument input and headphone amp, AUDIO KONTROL 1 is suitable for a wide range of studio, live and DJ applications. Four freely assignable control elements on the top side of the unit also make it possible to adjust any software parameter directly from the interface, enabling AUDIO KONTROL 1 to double as a basic controller device.

With its small footprint and solid aluminium enclosure, the completely bus-powered audio interface provides a robust and highly portable solution for many typical recording and performance situations. AUDIO KONTROL 1 also comes with an additional creativity booster in the form of a comprehensive software bundle. Included are XPRESS KEYBOARDS, three software synthesizers based on the acclaimed PRO-53, B4 and FM7, as well as GUITAR COMBOS, three professional amp emulations taken from Native Instruments’ award-winning GUITAR RIG.

AUDIO KONTROL 1 also comes with TRAKTOR 3 LE, a new DJ software based on Native Instruments’ groundbreaking TRAKTOR DJ Studio. Offering two decks with high-quality time-stretching, an integrated mixer, performance effects, loop and cueing functions, a powerful track database and seamless Beatport shop integration, TRAKTOR 3 LE is a serious creative tool, and an ideal way to enter the world of digital DJing.

AUDIO KONTROL 1 will be available in October 2006 for a suggested retail price of $299 / 279 Euro from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

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

Posted in Audio, Computer, Digital, Recording, Software, Technology

Rain Recording is pleased to announce the release of the Event digital media workstation. Featuring Intel Core Duo architecture, Event brings an all-in-one, portable media center concept to reality. Record, playback, edit, burn, and transport seamlessly with Event’s intuitive interface. Event is also equally at home as a media center, storing music, movies and photos.

Event was designed to become the center of your digital media experience. Simply add a USB or Firewire sound card and Event will enable you to produce professional-quality audio projects. For home entertainment applications, this palm-sized powerhouse will store thousands of songs, record and play back live TV and movies, surf the internet wirelessly, listen to music in digital stereo, watch videos in high definition and surround sound, as well as download and organize your digital photos and movies. Event also features a host of connection options including; DVI, Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video, Line in/out, mic in, USB x2, FireWire, SPDIF stereo out, and Ethernet.

“Event is the first product of its size and price point to offer reliable, stable performance,” says Rain President Bill Paschick. “Event utilizes Intel’s’ MoDT technology which provides unprecedented reliability in a portable digital media workstation, through lower power consumption and component miniaturization. This translates into silent and cooler operation. We’ve worked closely with leading audio software and hardware manufacturers to provide the best experience possible for those using digital audio on the Windows XP platform.”

Bridging the gap between Pro and Prosumer recording markets, Event also provides digital workstation technology for DJ and home entertainment applications. Featuring a 100GB internal SATA hard drive, the storage capacity will be expandable up to 1TB with the addition of Rain’s newly announced StormDrive Tera line of external hard drives available later this year. With its small size and versatility, Event is a truly robust AV media center.

Hardware

Intel® Core™ Duo 1.83GHz processor
T2400 2MB L2 1.83GHz 667MHz FSB
DVI 128MB 945GM On-Board Graphics Processor (DVI-to-VGA adapter)
TV Out: Multi-TV x1 (Composite + S-Video + Component)
100GB 5400 Ultra 150 SATA Hard Drive with 8MB buffer
1GB DDR-2 SO-DIMM 667 RAM
AC ‘97 and High Definition Audio 5.1
SPDIF Optical Stereo Out
Line-In (Surround-Out L/R)
Line-Out(Front-Out L/R)
Mic-In(Central/Subwoofer out)
CD-RW+Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive
Wireless LAN M-PCI INTEL PRO 2915ABG
Other Ports:
2 USB 2.0 Ports
1 FireWire® Port
10/100/1000 On-Board Network Adaptor
Silent 65-watt power supply
Dimensions: 6.49(W) x 1.96(H) x 6.49(D), Weight: 3 lbs.

Support

RainCare ™ Basic Phone and Email Support
One Year Limited Warranty

Software

Event has been optimized to support the following software programs; Windows XP Professional, Cakewalk SONAR LE, PCDJ Be The DJ, Nero CD/DVD Creator, and Acronis True Image Recovery Software.

$1595.95 MSRP

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

Posted in Audio, Digital, Recording, Technology