Digidesign® is now shipping X-Form™, a new high-quality AudioSuite™ plug-in that represents the pinnacle of time compression/expansion and pitch-shifting technology. X-Form delivers unparalleled time stretching and formant-correct pitch shifting to Pro Tools® and Avid DNA™ systems to produce natural-sounding results—even at the most extreme settings—making it ideal for music production, sound design, post production, or any other application that requires time-stretch and pitch-shift processing.

“The secret to X-Form’s natural-sounding, polyphonic, time-stretching algorithm is frequency domain processing, a technology proven more effective than the ‘frame overlap’ algorithms used in most time-stretching products,” reveals Digidesign Senior Product Manager Bobby Lombardi.

Getting high quality, professional results is easy. X-Form features minimal controls to simplify the workflow, yet delivers stunning sound quality whether audio is processed from 1/8 to eight times its original length, or shifted up or down three octaves. Simply choose from two algorithms—Polyphonic or Monophonic—and let X-Form do the rest.

The Polyphonic algorithm is ideal for use on complex audio files, such as chords or an entire stereo mix. This algorithm is truly “best in breed,” and when used with the Transient Sensitivity control, allows you to compress or stretch drum loops and other percussive material without losing crucial attack transients. When working with solo instruments or vocals, simply choose the Monophonic algorithm. Each algorithm was designed to provide exceptional results capable of preserving proper stereo imaging, attack transients, and timing accuracy—even at exaggerated settings.

X-Form is available now via authorized Digidesign dealers and through the online DigiStore for $595 US MSRP.

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

Posted in Audio, Plug-Ins, Production, Recording, Studio, Technology

Building on the strengths of the Mbox® 2, Digidesign is pleased to announce the Mbox® 2 Pro—a new portable, high-definition audio/MIDI production system that provides high-speed FireWire-powered connectivity, up to 24-bit/96 kHz* audio resolution, and a wide range of analog and digital I/O. It also offers several professional features, including MIDI Time Stamping support, Word Clock I/O, and dedicated studio monitor outputs. With Mbox 2 Pro, novices and professionals alike now have a portable, studio-grade Pro Tools® solution available—one that they could take directly from home to a pro studio and then back again.

“Mbox 2 Pro is a versatile and portable Pro Tools interface,” declares Digidesign Product Manager Matt May. “It’ll accept just about any type of audio gear you throw at it—a couple of microphones, keyboards or other line-level devices, S/PDIF digital source, turntable, MIDI, even Word Clock—and let you capture all of it into a high-quality Pro Tools LE session that’s compatible with professional Pro Tools|HD systems. And with its ultra portability, Mbox 2 Pro is the perfect solution to capture high-resolution audio anywhere—from a large commercial studio to a tiny home studio, or from a field recording to a live recording.”

Designed by the same engineering team responsible for Digidesign’s professional Pro Tools|HD® systems, which are used in top studios around the world, Mbox 2 Pro features plenty of analog and digital I/O options packed neatly into its sleekly compact frame, and supports up to six simultaneous inputs and eight outputs. It also includes award-winning, industry-standard Pro Tools LE™ software and over 50 effects and instrument plug-ins, including DigiRack™ plug-ins, Bomb Factory® plug-ins, the Xpand!™ sample-playback/synthesis workstation, and the Pro Tools Ignition Pack™ to get users started on their masterpiece right away at home, in the studio, and everywhere in between.

For a mere $100 more, customers can purchase Mbox 2 Pro Factory, which includes an additional five high-quality Digidesign and Bomb Factory plug-ins (worth over $1,000), the Mbox 2 Pro system, and an iLok USB Smart Key.

Mbox 2 Pro and Mbox 2 Factory will be available September 15th, 2006 via authorized Digidesign dealers for $799 and $899, respectively, US MSRP.

* Mbox 2 Pro does not support external sync at 88.2 and 96 kHz sample rates.

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

Posted in Audio, MIDI, Production, Technology

Lexicon Pro™, a Harman International Company, has announced a collaboration with Wenger Corp. in the development and release of Wenger’s new Virtual Acoustic Environment™ (VAE™), a virtual environment simulator aimed at the music education market as a rehearsal/teaching aid.

Using Lexicon’s patented technology, the VAE creates extraordinary acoustic room simulations with settings that include Baroque Room, Recital Halls, Auditoriums, Cathedral and Arena. These active acoustic simulations contribute to the sensation of being enveloped — or surrounded — by the sound, and enable musicians to hear themselves as if they were performing inside a particular space. Based on Wenger’s revolutionary V-Room® technology, the new VAE offers an integrated music learning environment with active acoustics for “audio virtual reality” simulations and features built-in recording/playback capabilities.

The VAE can record up to nine single-track sessions with a 60 minute total recording time. Audio transfer of recordings is possible through the built-in USB connection in standard stereo .wav format (44.1 kHz, 16-bit). Accompaniment music may also be transferred to the VAE via this USB connection. By selecting from the nine active-acoustic settings, musicians can learn how to optimize their performance in different environments.

Designed for installation in a Wenger sound-isolated music practice room, the VAE features easy, intuitive operation, including visual feedback from an LED display and backlit, 18-button control panel. An optional foot control provides convenient, hands-free playback and recording.

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

Posted in Education, Production

IK Multimedia is pleased to announce that three new Bundle collections of IK’s award-winning music production tools are now shipping: The “Total Studio Bundle,” The “Total Effects Bundle” and the “Total Workstation Bundle.”

With savings of up to 67% off the full prices for registered IK Users, the IK Total Bundle Series is the most comprehensive collection of instruments, samples and effects available, suiting all musicians at every level of expertise.

The IK Total Bundle Series offers the perfect solution for recording, composing, producing and mastering any style of music, be it orchestral, pop, rock, hip-hop or experimental. These bundles contain all the essential instruments and effects found in a high-quality recording and post-production studio environment, designed to help take music production to the next level.

Three separate collections are available:

Total Workstation Bundle
All of IK’s premier software virtual instrument workstations in one complete package; designed to provide sounds for every genre and style of music.

3 virtual instrument workstation plug-in suites
SampleTank 2.1 XL sample workstation with over 1,700 sounds
Sonik Synth 2 synth workstation with over 5,000 sounds
Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral workstation with over 1,300 sounds
Over 8,000 multi-sampled sounds and 21.5GB of samples included for all instruments types and music genres
An all-around comprehensive solution for all sample-based instrument needs

Total Effects Bundle
Offering 4 different plug-in signal processing suites, the Total Effects Bundle is a complete professional signal processing package designed to get the most complete selection of award-winning analog modeled effects in a single package.

4 effects plug-in suites
Ampeg SVX complete bass-rig with signature Ampeg sound
AmpliTube 2 complete guitar amp and effects modeling solution
Classik Studio Reverb 4 high end reverbs modeled on classic outboards
T-RackS analog modeled mixing and mastering suite
Over 90 DSP effects included. The widest range of analog modeled effects in one package.
The only effects bundle solution covering all basic studio needs for Mixing, Mastering, Reverbs, Guitar and Bass

Total Studio Bundle
The entire collection of IK effects and instruments plug-ins, all the necessary professional quality production tools for everything needed to record, compose, produce, master in every style of music.

7 effects and instruments plug-in suites
SampleTank 2.1 XL sample workstation with over 1,700 sounds
Sonik Synth 2 synth workstation with over 5,000 sounds
Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral workstation with over 1,300 sounds
Ampeg SVX complete bass-rig with signature Ampeg sound
AmpliTube 2 complete guitar amp and effects modeling solution
Classik Studio Reverb 4 high end reverbs modeled on classic outboard gear
T-RackS analog modeled mixing and mastering suite
Over 90 DSP effects included
Over 8,000 multisampled sounds and 21.5GB of samples included for all instruments types and music genres
The most complete selection of effects and instruments in one package covering all studio needs.

All registered IK customers of ANY IK product version (full, upgrade and lite) are eligible to purchase the bundle packages at the upgrade prices.

The Total Bundle Series from IK Multimedia is currently available from all IK distributors and dealers worldwide.

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

Posted in Production, Recording, Technology