Kaysound, the North American distributor for SM Pro Audio, is now shipping the new PM8 passive mixer.

The PM8 is an 8 x 4 passive mixer/summing unit designed to help users of digital audio workstations achieve higher quality audio mix down results. The summing and mixing features built into the PM8 allow users to avoid unnecessary A/D & D/A conversions commonly found in digital studios and thus attain extremely detailed mixes with superb stereo imaging and punch.

“Engineers have known mixing in software alone has some serious limitations,” said Danny Olesh (Product Developer) from SM Pro Audio. “Our new passive mixer helps users get the best from both worlds. They can continue to get great features from their digital multi-track recording software whilst mixing down without compromise through the PM8.”

Using the best quality components, the PM-8 merges up to eight analog channels into clean and clear stereo pairs, with all the sonic depth and dynamics intact. Level control, panning, and muting controls give the PM8 the tools to deliver the sonic quality you would expect from a quality analog console.

The PM8 also allows users integrate their outboard reverbs, EQ units, vintage synths, and other audio equipment with their DAW projects easily, inexpensively and without compromise. Multiple PM8s can be stacked for more input channels.

Features:

• Sums 8 x channels of audio to two stereo output pairs
• 8 x combo connector inputs
• 25 pin DSUB input connector (compatible with Digidesign Protools hardware)
• 2 x stereo (4, Master 1 pair, Master 2 pair) XLR balanced outputs
• 2 x stepped attenuator controls for accurate level adjustment
• Internal power supply (110v - 230v switchable)
• Ground pin connector
• Achieves better stereo imaging
• Creates exceptionally detailed mixes with clarity and punch

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

Posted in Audio, Mixers

MPCsounds.com has just released ‘Urban Percussion Loops’, a new loop library featuring hip hop and urban percussion loops for the Akai MPC1000/2000/XL/2500/3000/LE/4000 drum samplers.

Designed with hip-hop producers in mind, the library is organized into 4 hip-hop industry tempos: 87bpm, 92 bpm, 97bpm, & 102bpm. All 4 tempo groups contain 25 original percussion themes each, including 2 variation loops per theme: “Main” and “Fill”.

A variety world & ethnic instruments were used to produce all percussion loops including the agogo bell, berimbau, cabasa, cajon, chaker, chime, congas, cowbell, clave, djembe, doumbek, gankogui, guiro, nubell tree, pandeiro, rainstick, sleigh bell, talking drum, timbale, tombek, triangle, udu, plus more.

The ‘Urban Percussion Loops’ library contains 100 MPC PGM files for the MPC2000/3000/4000 versions that auto-load all 200 percussion loops included in the library. MPC1000/2500 versions feature easy sample loading via USB.

The loops library is available on MPC Zip Disk, MPC CD-ROM, & Download. Prices start at just $39.95.

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

Posted in Loops, Samples

Godlyke Inc. has been named as exclusive U.S. distributor for the DNA Analogic line of guitar effects. One of Japan’s top boutique brands, DNA Analogic effects feature unique analog circuit designs that offer marked improvements over traditional effects and a refreshing change from the host of “vintage clones” pervading the marketplace. DNA Analogic effects provide the user with new creative inspiration without compromising their existing signature sound.

Each DNA Analogic model features the following:

• High-strength cast aluminum chassis increases electrical induction and improves sound quality
• Heavy-duty metal knobs offer longer life and more reliable circuit grounding
• True bypass switching w/a 3PDT switch assures transparent operation in bypass
• Top-mounted In/Out and AC jacks avoid accidental disconnection and reduce pedal footprint
• Battery or AC adaptor operation
• 3-year, no questions asked warranty

Available DNA Analogic models are as follows:

BD-1 Bass Dragger - Offers the Bassist a wide range of boost and saturation effects without compromising the original tone of their instrument. List $300/Street $240

GF-2 Gain Fxxker - High-Gain distortion offers chunky saturation akin to a cranked Triple Rectifier. Cut and Fxxk controls allow fine tuning of ultra-low and ultra-high frequencies. List $300/Street $240

ME-1 Mr. Eight - Cordless, rechargeable battery operated power supply provides stabilized voltage to eight effects for up to 4 hours of continuous use. List $300/Street $240

PP-1 Purple Phase - Innovative phasing circuit allows for expression pedal control of phaser sweep. Dual mode operation provides vintage and modern phasing effects. List $325/Street $275

SF-1 Smoky Fuzz - Combines past and present technologies to create a wide palette of fuzz effects from sparkling, full-frequency boost to the sizzling, “hauling” effect of vintage fuzzes. List $300/Street $240

VT-1 Virtual Tube - Ultra low-noise OpAmps and other high-quality components re-create the natural saturation of vintage tube amps without the low-end cut of other overdrives. List $300/Street $240

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

Posted in Events, Guitar

Roger Nichols Digital’s range of five DAW plug-ins is now available in Universal Binary versions for Intel-based Apple Macintosh Core Duo systems, in VST, RTAS and AU formats for leading species of Digital Audio Workstations.

“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-izerâ„¢ - 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-izerâ„¢ - 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-izerâ„¢ - 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

Finisâ„¢ - 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 XLâ„¢ - 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.

Posted in Computer, Effects, Plug-Ins

The CharterOak M900 is the only small diaphragm condenser microphone in the CharterOak line of high quality microphones for recording and broadcast.

After an extended period of development, CharterOak has met the challenge of creating a small diaphragm condenser with a reasonably flat frequency response, and the robust and musical sound for which all CharterOak microphones are known.

The M900 achieves both of these goals and more, as it features a two-step sensitivity switch (-10db and -20db) and a two position bass roll off at 150Hz and at 75 Hz, both of these features enhancing the functionality and versatility of this beautiful sounding microphone. Additionally, M900 owners can swap capsules as the M900 ships with cardioid, hyper-cardioid, and omni directional capsules.

The M900 exhibits the same simplicity of design, rigid build quality and robust sound that is present in all CharterOak microphones and it is backed with the same lifetime guarantee, making it a welcome addition to any microphone collection.

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

Posted in Microphones

GetTheMusicOut.com was presented for the first time to over 400 New Thought Musicians and Music Directors at the Agape Music Symposium & Arts Festival today by Rob Wallace Grammy nominee and founder of the site.

A composer or artist can publish their music using the Get the Music Out.com online editing software. Their music is then published on three websites and extensive reciprocal linking and optimization is added by Get the Music Out.com.

The musician’s site is highly ranked and draws traffic from many sources. Visitors can listen to all tracks free then purchase by downloading entire CDs, individual tracks, and sheet music at greatly reduced prices.

Rob Wallace says, “I am committed to bringing positive enlightening music and sheet music to as many people as possible through the internet. Thousands of composers and bands are putting out uplifting messages through music that will raise our consciousness and those of our children.”

GetTheMusicOut.com allows the musician, composer, or band a way to have an internet presence that does not take time away from creating music or drain financial resources.

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

Posted in Promotion, Web Sites

The Musicrow Group releases Crow Mix Pack, 23 processor ensembles for Native Instruments Reaktor-5.

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.

Posted in Effects, Plug-Ins, Recording, Technology

Aviom, Inc., manufacturer of the Pro16 Monitor Mixing System, is announcing that the company is now shipping the new AN-16SBR System Bridge, which will be featured at AES 2006 (Booth# 123).

All Pro16 Series products are compatible with the AN-16SBR System Bridge, which is designed to be used with Pro16 Series products when digital snake and audio distribution systems larger than 32 channels are required. One AN-16SBR is used at each end of every 48- or 64-channel run. The AN-16SBR supports the configurations of 64×0, 48X16, 32×32 or smaller.

Features of the new System Bridge include two identical 1U rack-mount modules, each with four Neutrik EtherCon connectors (16 channels each) and one Neutrik EtherCon connector for Bridge output (up to 64 channels).

Multiple AN-16SBR units can be used to create complex systems and, at each end of a main run, one AN-16SBR is used to combine or separate up to four 16-channel A-Net streams onto a single Cat-5 cable. The combined Bridge output carries up to 64 channels. All network connections feature heavy-duty locking Neutrik EtherCon connectors.

The Aviom System Bridge requires no power supply and no DC power.

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

Posted in Mixers

Following the success of their solid state Type B microphone, Red Microphones introduced today the Type A, a tube microphone based on a system of interchangeable capsules. To celebrate the release of this new mic, Red will be including a free R7 capsule ($650 value) to customers who purchase the mic by September 31, 2006.

The Type A vacuum tube microphone system is a high quality, innovative, and unique solution for virtually any critical recording need. Combining low noise and superb transient response along with a choice of nine different interchangeable capsules called “The Redheads,” the Type A is a microphone system that is as versatile as it is dependable. The bayonet-mount capsules can quickly be changed for a stunning variety of sounds and pickup patterns without having to shut off the included “PowerStream” power supply.

The transformer-less Class A discrete amplifier circuit of the Type A is a thoroughly modern design with a nod to the classic circuits of yesterday. Utilizing a single hand-selected ECC88 vacuum tube, the Type A can reproduce musical detail and subtlety previously only heard in mics costing thousands more. The Type A includes a custom-built flight case, Red’s high-definition tube mic cable, a shock mount and the innovative PowerStream power supply, which not only insures ultra-stable performance but features a soft-start feature that maximizes tube life and minimizes startup time.

For a limited time, purchase the new Type A Tube Microphone along with any one of the R0-R7 capsules and get a R7 Capsule for FREE ($650 Value). Complete your purchase by September 31, 2006, send in proof of purchase along with the Type A Intro Offer redemption coupon, and Red will send the R7 Capsule directly to you free of charge.

The Type A is available now for $1345.
The Redhead Capsules are available now and range in prince from $249 to $849.

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

Posted in Microphones

The Owerland steel string guitar has been recorded with mono and stereo microphones and later mixed down, equalised and compressed for a discrete ready to use stereo sound suitable for melodic playing and arpeggios.

This is a well treated guitar sound that works in a mix for a broad range of music styles.

The Owerland Guitar SampleSet contains 182 Stereo WAV samples mapped in 4 velocity layers divided into 2 programs; “Owerland Picked” and “Owerland FX”

The SampleSet contains:
2 programs for HALion/Kontakt versions (24bit 44.1 KHz)
2 programs for SoundFont version (16bit 44.1 KHz)

The SoundFont versions are 100% compatible with all virtual samplers supporting the SoundFont format, like Gigastudio, HALion, Kontakt, EXS24, VSampler, NN-XT, Dimension, Sfz, Audigy and Emulator X.

All formats are included when you buy Owerland Guitar so you can download whatever format you like or all of them.

Owerland Guitar costs $29 (+$11 if you want it on CD).

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

Posted in Guitar, Samples