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.

Posted in Apple Mac, Computer, Hardware, Recording, Technology

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.

Posted in Audio, Effects, Hardware, Samples, Technology

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.

Posted in Accessories, Hardware, MIDI

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.

Posted in Apple Mac, Audio, Computer, Hardware, Recording, Technology

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.

Posted in Computer, Hardware, Recording, Software, Synth, Technology

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.

Posted in Audio, Computer, Hardware, MIDI, Recording, Technology