Category Archives: Hardware

Avid Mbox and Mbox Mini Now Deliver the Pro Tools Experience

New Pro Tools Express and Mbox bundles combine best-in-class hardware with 16-tracks of Pro Tools power for studio-quality results.

Avid® (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that its ultra-portable, professional-grade Mbox® and Mbox Mini audio interfaces now come with Pro Tools® Express software included at no additional charge, giving customers the award-winning Pro Tools software experience at a great value. These offerings are in addition to the current Pro Tools + Mbox bundles offered for the three Mbox designs.

With Pro Tools Express, customers can record, edit, and mix up to 16 stereo audio tracks-in addition to virtual instrument and MIDI tracks-using the core industry-standard toolset embraced by top producers, engineers, and artists. Paired with Mbox and Mbox Mini interfaces, which offer best-in-class audio quality and performance, Pro Tools Express empowers users to create their best work with more affordable, professional solutions.

Pro Tools Express key features

  • Record and mix up to 16 stereo audio tracks at 96 kHz (Mbox) or 48 kHz (Mbox Mini) resolution
  • Compose music easily with premium AIR virtual instruments, plus the same MIDI editing and Sibelius notation tools as Pro Tools
  • Create pro-quality mixes with Automatic Delay Compensation and a collection of high-quality plug-ins
  • Change tempo, timing, pitch, and create harmonies in real time with Elastic Time and Elastic Pitch
  • Take projects to the next level-and to studios around the world-with session file compatibility across all Pro Tools systems

“Customers and critics have raved about the audio quality of the Mbox and Mbox Mini interfaces,” says Tony Cariddi, Avid pro audio marketing manager. “And while they work brilliantly with Core Audio- and ASIO-compatible systems, they really shine the brightest as part of the Pro Tools experience. We’re excited to now share that professional Pro Tools experience with all Mbox users, whether they opt for a Pro Tools + Mbox bundle or a standalone Mbox with Pro Tools Express. This perfect union of hardware and software tools delivers the performance, sound quality, and stability that let’s them focus on composing, recording, editing, and mixing their very best work.”

Availability and pricing

Mbox (with Pro Tools Express) and Mbox Mini (with Pro Tools Express) are available today worldwide for $499 (£399 inc vat,€489) and $299 (£239 inc vat,€295) USMRSP, respectively. As customers needs and skills grow, they can upgrade from Pro Tools Express to Pro Tools 10 for just $399(£310 inc vat,€385) . For complete feature specifications, see the Pro Tools Software Comparison page.

Avid Announces Pro Tools + Eleven Rack; Delivering Guitarists Unprecedented Studio Power and Incredible Value

Avid® has announced the release of Pro Tools + Eleven Rack, a new specially designed bundle for guitarists that comes with the world’s most popular professional recording software, a DSP-accelerated audio interface that offers hyper-realistic tones of classic amps and effects, and the Eleven Rack Expansion Pack add-on – delivering a powerful live performance and recording solution for guitarists at an incredible value.

  • Expanded collection of emulations of classic amp tones inspired by Fender®, VOX®, Marshall®, Soldano, Mesa/Boogie®, Bogner®, Ampeg® and Matchless®*, among others, provide an incredible range of tones.
  • Enhance tones and embellish tracks with an even broader assortment of classic stompbox effects inspired by MXR®, Electro-Harmonix®, Ibanez®, Pro Co, Univox®, and more*.
  • Compose, record, edit, reamp and mix using industry-standard Pro Tools software.

“We know our customers also demand tremendous functionality from a guitar recording solution,” said Tanguy Leborgne, Avid Vice President, Products and Solutions, Creative Enthusiast. “We responded with Pro Tools + Eleven Rack, providing guitarists with unprecedented recording power, tonal control and versatility – in the studio and on stage – at an incredible value.”

Pro Tools + Eleven Rack is available for£759.99 GBP / 825 € EUR. To learn more about Pro Tools + Eleven Rack visit avid.com/Guitar.

For purchasing inquiries, please visit the shop.avid.com

* Eleven Rack is not connected with, or approved or endorsed by, the owners of the Ampeg®, Bogner®, Electro-Harmonix®, Fender®, Ibanez®, Marshall®, Matchless®, Mesa/Boogie®, MXR®, Pro Co, Roland®, Soldano, Univox®, or VOX® names. These names are used solely to identify the guitar amplifiers, cabinets, speakers, and effects emulated by Eleven Rack.

Apogee’s Symphony PCI-X Card Now Shipping

Apogee’s Symphony PCI-X Card is now shipping worldwide through authorized dealers and distributors. Utilizing the same driver as the PCI-Express version, the PCI-X card is specifically designed for Macintosh’s earlier G5 computers. Now with PCI-X, more G5 users can experience the high performance and low latency Symphony delivers.

Apogee’s Symphony PCI-X card is a digital computer interface that is based on the PCI-X architecture in Apple’s PowerMac G5 computers. Controlled by Apogee’s Maestro software, Symphony features 32 channels of digital I/O on a single PCI-X card format. With support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, Symphony can be used as a digital router or patch-bay when connected to external converters or other digital outboard equipment. Software drivers for Symphony feature extensive routing capabilities and very low latency performance. Symphony connects directly to Apogee’s Rosetta and AD-16X and DA-16X converters via the X-Symphony option card, which installs in the slot of the converter itself.

With the ability to have three cards installed at one time in a PowerMac G5, Symphony is the only connectivity solution that offers high-end professional users the capability to employ up to 192 channels of audio simultaneously in a single computer, more than enough for even the biggest scoring sessions.

Symphony PCI-X at a glance:

  • 32 channels of 24-bit 192K Digital I/O
  • 32 channel bi-directional connector
  • Connects directly to Apogee’s Rosetta 800, Rosetta 200 and AD-16X and DA-16X converters via the X-Symphony option card
  • Compatibility with other Macintosh based audio software
  • Apogee’s Maestro Software for advanced control and routing
  • Compatibility with any Core Audio application

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

Korg Announces Next-Generation KP3 KAOSS Pad

Korg announces the KP3 Dynamic Effect/Sampler, the latest addition to the KAOSS series. The KP3 provides even more creative power for DJs, musicians and producers while retaining the intuitive, expressive and user-friendly KAOSS interface. New effects, synth sounds, enhanced sampling, computer connectivity and SD data storage are complemented by detailed visual feedback from the new pad lighting system.

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.

Korg Next-Generation KP3 KAOSS Pad

CME Offers Free Case For BitStream 3X MIDI Controller

CME, makers of the BitStream 3X MIDI Controller, announce a new promotion that qualifies the first 999 registered customers who purchase the BitStream 3X to receive a free, custom-fitted aluminum case.

The Bitstream 3X is perfect for controlling virtual instruments, DAWs, and even other MIDI hardware. This compact desktop unit is the only 3 axis (X,Y and Z) controller on the market and includes 35 knobs, 8 sliders, 16 buttons, a joystick, a cross-fader and an infrared controller. The joystick controls the X and Y axis while the infrared beam controls the Z axis.

The Bitstream 3x is fully programmable and includes more than 13,000 presets for popular samplers, synthesizers, and software including Propellerheads Reason and Rebirth, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor, Traktor, Kontakt, and Absynth, Fruity Loops and more. An 8 track motion sampler, transport functions, and a large LCD display round out this versatile unit.

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

CME Case For BitStream 3X MIDI Controller

CME Case For BitStream 3X MIDI Controller

Posted in Accessories, Hardware, MIDI

Apogee Delivers New PCI-Express Driver For High Performance, Low Latency Audio On Mac Pro

Apogee Electronics Corporation announced today a new high performance PCI-Express driver for their ‘Symphony’ 32-channel PCI-Express card. This Universal Binary driver is designed to take special advantage of the power and technology in Apple’s new Intel-based Mac Pro to achieve performance levels previously unattainable in native audio.

“We are very excited about the power and capability of the Mac Pro,” says Betty Bennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Apogee. “The combination of the Mac Pro and our Symphony PCI-Express card delivers on the promise of high performance native audio for professionals.”

“The newly designed Mac Pro delivers quad-Xeon performance, greater expansion, high-end workstation graphics and unprecedented customization to fit the wish lists of the most demanding user,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We’re delighted Apogee has taken advantage of the innovative architecture and blazing speed of the Intel-based Mac Pro to deliver powerful professional audio performance with Symphony.”

Apogee’s new Universal PCI-Express driver, in combination with the powerful Intel processors in the Mac Pro, lowers the latency of the Symphony PCI-Express card by over 50% into the 2ms range. This achievement is a significant increase in performance beyond other native solutions on the market and compares favorably to the latency on other hardware-based systems.

The Mac Pro architecture in combination with the Symphony PCI-E card’s high channel count and low latency surpasses all competitors in performance and value. With up to 4 internal SATA drives, the Mac Pro can be setup as a striped RAID, making recording and playback at high channel counts with high sample rates a breeze. The power of the two Dual-Core Intel Xeon chips gives you more plug-ins, and more soft synths, with even lower buffer settings than ever before. Symphony PCI-E and the Mac Pro deliver twice the power and performance of other systems, at half the price. Symphony PCI-Express Card at a glance:

  • 32 channel PCI-Express card, capable of 24-bit 192k Digital I/O
  • Single 32 channel PC-32 bi-directional connector from converter to computer
  • Direct connectivity to Apogee’s Rosetta 800, Rosetta 200 and AD-16X and DA-16X converters via the option card
  • Universal binary driver compatible with Apple’s new Mac Pro hardware
  • Apogee’s Maestro Software for advanced control and routing
  • Compatibility with all CoreAudio software applications

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

Apogee PCI-Express Driver Mac Pro

Kid Nepro Productions Expands Product Line To Include Hardware

The Patch King, aka Kid Nepro Productions, known for many years as a leading developer of synth patches and digital samples has now added one of the largest inventories of used music equipment to their website.

Now listed at KidNepro.com are hundreds of hardware items for sale, including keyboards, computers and computer accessories, drum machines and sequencers, guitars, basses, amps and effects, and tons of audio gear. Everything you need to put together a home studio, live rig or just add that one piece of gear that you’ve been looking for.

All equipment is checked out by an expert service tech before being put up for sale. Most items come with a three month warranty except items marked as consignment. Consignment items all have a seven-day check out period. Most items come with a copy of the manual. Photos are available upon request.

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

TASCAM Introduces Two New USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces

The new TASCAM US-122L and US-144, the follow-ups to the popular US-122, deliver audiophile-quality Audio/MIDI Interfaces in a portable, affordable package. USB 2.0 technology allows up to 96kHz/24-bit recording with zero latency hardware monitoring. They retain the rugged metal enclosure, pro XLR mic inputs and MIDI I/O of the US-122, and 48-track Cubase LE recording software makes them ready to rock right out of the box.

“Musicians have been traveling with their TASCAM PortaStudios for years, and these interfaces bring the PortaStudio philosophy into the laptop age,” says Johnny DeLeon, Computer Products Channel Manager for TASCAM. “Our interfaces are designed by musicians for musicians, which means they’re easy to use and sound great. We’ve even designed low-profile knobs for the top – so they’re easy to slip into a backpack – and built them out of sturdy die-cast metal so they’re built to last.”

Priced at only $199 and $269, the US-122L & US-144 are within reach of anyone ready to start recording to a computer.

Features:

  • 2 XLR mic inputs with phantom power
  • S/PDIF Digital Input & Output (US-144 only)
  • 2 analog line inputs (1 switchable to high impedance for use with guitars, basses, etc.)
  • 1 MIDI input, 1 MIDI output
  • USB 2.0 equipped (also supports USB 1.1)
  • Up to 96kHz/24-bit for high quality recordings
  • Zero-latency hardware monitoring
  • Combined Headphone/output level control (US122L)
  • Separate headphone output & level controls (US-144)
  • Bus powered for use with PC or Mac, including laptops
  • Includes Cubase LE 48-track professional recording software
  • Includes GigaStudio 3 LE 64-voice software sampler

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

TASCAM New USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces

TASCAM New USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces

TASCAM New USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interfaces