Mackie today announces two additions to its popular ProFX Compact Effects Mixer series — the ProFX16 and ProFX22. With increased channel count and useful tools like dedicated inline compression, both new models are perfect for mid-sized venues and bands looking for a do-it-all live sound solution.

“The ProFX line has always been about maximum utility,” said Matt Redmon, Mackie Product Manager.  “Now, with the new ProFX16 and ProFX22, larger applications can benefit from Mackie’s out-of-the-box live sound solution.”

Like all ProFX Series mixers, the new 16-channel ProFX16 and 22-channel ProFX22 deliver a host of features designed to eliminate the need for additional rackmount gear. On the front end, Mackie low-noise, high-headroom preamps work with LED metering and 60mm faders on each channel to keep levels in check. Every channel also features 3-band EQ. All ProFX mixers offer an integrated 32-bit RMFX™ effects processor with 16 “Gig-Ready” FX and a 7-band graphic EQ for simple tuning of mains or monitors. The built-in USB interface allows the user to record the show and stream back music for breaks or integration into the mix. A rugged, solid steel chassis with protective ABS sidecheeks offers superior impact-resistance. The new ProFX16 and ProFX22 not only increase the number of mic pres needed for larger applications, they also feature dedicated inline compression for simple, one-knob compression of critical vocals and instruments.

“They’re easy to operate, sound great and virtually eliminate the need for expensive, heavy outboard gear,” remarked Redmon. “They’re perfect for any performance venue, house of worship or band that needs a ton of professional tools and are on a budget.”

The new ProFX16 and ProFX22 join the popular ProFX Series, which also features the ultra-compact ProFX8 and ProFX12. Both new ProFX models will be available worldwide in Q2, 2011. Pricing is as follows: ProFX16 – Euro list price €599 Inc tax / UK list price of £499 Inc Vat, ProFX22 – Euro list price €799 Inc tax / UK list price of £699 Inc Vat. For more detailed product information, please visit www.mackie.com.

The Eleven Rack Expansion Pack, a software add-on option for Avid’s award-winning Eleven Rack guitar amp and effects processor, provides a series of new features and enhancements to the system, including:

• New guitar and bass amp effects emulations—deliver users an expanded sonic palette with 19 new guitar amp and effects emulations, including an all-new bass amp/cabinet simulation that invokes the sounds of legendary bass tones.
• Parametric EQ and studio compressor channel strip effects—allow customers to easily capture vocal and instrument performances using new channel strip-style signal processing.
• Dynamic stereo delay—provides customers more options to enhance their sound, create custom effects and widen their guitar tone with full ducking, panning and filtering control on delay feedback.
• Speaker break-up emulation—re-creates the natural distortion characteristics heard when turning up an analog amp with speaker breakup emulation added to all amps.

Pricing and availability

The Eleven Rack Expansion Pack will be available worldwide on March 22, 2011 for $99 USD / £76.95 via the Avid Web store only.

www.Shop.Avid.com

Specific link to product: http://shop.avid.com/store/product.do?product=324834580953840

For more information on features and availability, visit: www.avid.com.

Andrew Davie, Daughter, Paper Crows and Saint Saviour will all take part in the festival which will run over ten nights in London, featuring 3 acts a night at 8 UK venues.  Kicking off the festival will be Paper Crows (Emma Panas and Duncan McDougall, vocal Higher Diploma alumni) who will support Sparrow and the Workshop and Anna Calvi on Friday, 4^th February at Camden’s Barfly.  Andrew Davie (vocal Higher Diploma alumnus) and Daughter (Elena Tonra, Songwriting alumnus) are part of the line-up for the Communion Records evening on Thursday, 10^th February at the Borderline.  At the same venue the following night, Saint Saviour (Becky Jones, vocal tutor) will take to the stage supporting Claire Maguire.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.hmvtickets.com.

For more information events and masterclasses at the Institute, contact us directly:

• www.icmp.co.uk
• 0207 328 0222
• enquiries@icmp.co.uk

Like all KAOSS Pads, the KP3 responds to the touch of a finger on its X/Y pad, for intuitive control over multiple parameters in real time. The Hold button locks the finger’s current position on the pad and Pad Motion memorizes and repeats any gesture played on the pad. The new pad lighting system — 64 individual LEDs in an eight by eight grid — can display the Pad Motion pattern as it plays, as well as many other visual cues.

The KP3 features 128 great-sounding effects programs containing new effects such as grain shifter, decimator, a vintage analog-style filter and expanded EQ. There are also drum grooves and unique vocoder and synth sounds derived from the Korg RADIAS. To prevent abrupt changes when transitioning from one effect to another, the new FX Release function adds an adjustable delay tail when the user’s finger is removed from the X/Y pad. The delay is automatically set to the current tempo and the depth of the FX release can be set and saved with each program.

The KP3 can sample from a wide variety of sources via mic and line inputs. Four Sample Bank buttons (100 total banks) allow the user to create, play and save looped and one-shot samples on the fly. All samples are recorded using high resolution 24-bit converters and stored in 16-bit/48 kHz format. Samples can be saved on a Secure Digital (SD) card or transferred to computer via USB.

The KP3 thinks in musical terms, allowing the sample length to be defined in terms of beats, not seconds. When sampling is finished, the sample will immediately start playing in sync with the sample source. As the sample plays, its start time can be fine-tuned further.

Time-Slicing divides a sample into separate parts. The eight Program Memory buttons can turn individual slices on/off in real time, resulting in new rhythmic patterns. The KP3 can also sample its effects and even resample the entire output for powerful, multi-element sounds.

All tempo-related functions (sampling, effects) are accurate to .1 (one-tenth) of a BPM for more precise matching to external devices. KP3 features an improved auto-BPM detection from the audio input, Tap-Tempo entry, as well as a manual tempo setting. The KP3 can also send and receive tempo information via MIDI clock.

The KP3 is also a MIDI controller, transmitting three controller signals from its touchpad, along with data from the slider. The Sample Bank buttons send and receive MIDI note messages as well as program change commands and clock information.

USB computer connectivity allows for convenient data transfer to a computer. The included editor/librarian software also allows AIFF and WAV audio files to be loaded into the KP3 and includes sample-rate pitch correction.

The Korg KP3 is available November 2006 at a U.S. MSRP of $460.

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

The Voice Vol. 2 consists of vocal phrases of a choir with independently editable voices in a plug-In for VST, Audio Units and RTAS.

For the first time ever it is possible to change a single voice within a choir – independently from the other lines – and to adjust it to the individual producer’s needs. You can create basically every vocal harmony and every chord progression possible. Only Liquid Instrument “The Voice” offers total control over each single voice and melody within a choir. It is possible to take a chord, change a line and create a new feeling in an instant. The unique Liquid Engine helps to create everything from simple adlibs to complex harmonic structures.

Every vocal phrase is dubbed eight times by two (male and female) singers. That makes a total of eight different tracks per vocal phrase for absolutely realistic sounding choirs.

The Voice vol.2 (non-verbal) contains melodic vocal lines from simple to sophisticated not just the usual “Ah”, “Oh” and “Uh”. Beautifully sung lines with appealing melody and rhythm offer a great range of different tunes for that extra spice in songs.

Ueberschall “The Voice” Vol. 2 was recorded in 24 bit, acoustically dry without additional effects and filters. Each Volume contains 300 vocal phrases = 2400 vocal loops, requires 3GB of hard disc space and retails for US $199.

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

New in 2.0:

• Brand new skinnable graphic user interface using Blue Cat’s skinning language v1.2.2
• Advanced MIDI control with customizable parameters curve response and MIDI learn
• All parameters can now be fine tuned thanks to a text-edit popup window that appears when double clicking on user interface widgets
• Feedback and feed forward parameters can now be negative for phase inversion
• Precision of the gain control enhanced
• User manual accessible from the plug-in UI
• DX version: the factory presets are now available from the host standard presets view (for hosts that support static presets)

A step by step tutorial is available to learn how to use the new advanced MIDI control features.

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

The SmolskiTech True Bypass Loop is constructed with careful, experienced workmanship and top quality components. Each True Bypass Loop is carefully hand wired, point to point. Main components are assembled with lock washers. A bright blue LED lets the guitarist know the switching status. The SmolskiTech is for use anywhere to eliminate loading down of signal.

The True Bypass Loop is virtually unbreakable and completely passive. If a battery dies, the pedal still works (no LED).

$59 shipped within US.

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

“We have been working for several months porting our plug-ins to work with the new Apple Core-Duo Mac platform,” offers company CEO Roger Nichols. “These new versions will allow DAW users to take full advantage of the enhanced processing speeds and native DSP capabilities of latest-generation Macintosh computers.” All plug-ins are also Window XP-compatible.

RND has also announced that all DAW plug-ins are now available for a Free 14-day Evaluation Period from its company website; no iLok is required. Also, purchase can be made either against an iLok account, or a conventional challenge/response verification processing and an email sequence.

“We wanted to make sure that our prospective customers can access whatever buying option suits their needs,” says COO Reinhold Probst. “While iLok offers a more secure way of preventing unauthorized use of a customer’s plug-is, there are times when other techniques are more useful, hence our recent change of policy.”

The current collection of RND Plug-Ins comprises:

Dynam-izer™ – Get Those Levels Under Control
This plug-in lets users break audio levels up into zones so they can be controlled exactly as required.
Pro-user price: $249.00

Uniquel-izer™ – The Swiss Army Knife of Equalizers
The unlimited Equalizer. This plug-in lets users determine their ideal EQ. And if you ever need more bands or filters, these are just a click away.
Pro-user price: $249.00

Frequal-izer™ – Surgically Accurate Mastering EQ
This plug-in lets users build a complex FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter to their own specifications. EQ curves can also be drawn and edited.
Pro-user price: $249.00

Finis™ – Peak Limiter That Controls Dynamics
This plug-in employs the most advanced psycho-acoustic limiting algorithms we know of. There’s nothing else to do after Finis.
Pro-user price: $249.00

Inspector XL™ – Collection of Powerful Analysis Tools
This is a collection of six powerful audio analysis tools designed to fulfill a number of familiar analysis tasks with professionalism, style and finesse.
Pro-user price: $299.00

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

Crow Gold Pack offers the NI Reaktor-5 user a massive collection of high quality ensembles for mixing, sound designing, and music making. The pack contains a variety of classic processor emulations along with fresh 21th century effects.

The following ensembles are available with Crow Mix Pack:

• Plate Reverb – Plate reverb emulator
• Drive – Multi-band distortion
• Tape Echo – Tape delay emulator
• Osmosis – Advanced filter
• Green Tape – Analog tape-recorder emulator
• Magician – Multi-tap delay
• Tube Compressor – Analog compressor emulator
• Vintage Chorus – Vintage chorus emulator
• White FX – Special granular effect
• Mood Filter – Analog filer emulator
• Ultra Chorus – Chorus effect
• Ultraverb – High-end reverb
• GrainD Lay – Granular-delay effect
• Space-Boy – Space-locating effect
• Electroverb – Sci-fi reverb
• Preamp – Preamp emulator
• Vocal Modeler – Extreme vocal effect
• Ultra Phaser – Analog phaser emulator
• Crow DX3 – Delay effect
• Tape Flanger – Tape flanger emulator
• Gold Delay – Special multi-delay
• Graphic Equalizer – Equalizer
• Crow Tremolo – Tremolo & auto gate

Crow Mix Pack is now available for $89.

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

Main changes:

• Advanced MIDI control with customizable parameters, curve response, and MIDI learn
• Blue Cat’s Skinning Language V1.2.1 support
• Now supports one skin per preset and a global default skin: customize each instance of the plug-in in the same session
• All parameters can now be fine tuned thanks to a text-edit popup window that appears when double clicking on user interface widgets

Blue Cat also has a step by step tutorial available to learn how to use the new advanced MIDI control features.

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