MusikMesse

EMU releases new laptop audio systems

EMU releases new laptop audio systems

E-MU’s new 1616M and 1616 CardBus Digital Audio Systems are the most powerful and portable laptop audio systems ever created.



The E-MU 1616M and 1616 include a PCMCIA card and compact MicroDock audio/MIDI interface that deliver the same powerful DSP effects, zero-latency monitoring and pristine 24-bit/192kHz A/D and D/A converters of E-MU’s best selling PCI Digital Audio Systems.



The E-MU PCMCIA card can be used standalone for its DSP power and studio-quality headphone amp, or plugged into the MicroDock for a total of 16 inputs and 16 outputs plus MIDI I/O, including two custom preamps with Neutrik connectors, 48V phantom power, and analog soft limiting circuit for clip protection.



E-MU’s CardBus Digital Audio Systems ship with ASIO2 and WDM drivers for Windows XP and 2000, as well as the new Production Tools software bundle that includes E-MU’s Proteus X LE, as well as software by Steinberg, Ableton, IK Multimedia, and many more – everything you need to create, record, edit, master and burn your music.

IK Multimedia updates SampleTank to 2.1

IK Multimedia is proud to announce more details on the new SampleTank® 2.1, a significant upgrade to the industry standard sample workstation plug-in coming soon. Many new features in both software and sounds bring SampleTank to the next level of great value and usability.


The new SampleTank 2.1 software and sound features include:

• Enhanced STRETCH™ engine for outstanding sonic realism and more creative control of harmonics, speed and pitch of the sound. The new STRETCH 2.1 offers even more control over the pitch, tempo and harmonics with this unique technology. This allows the user to play extremely realistic pitch bending and glissando performances, play chords with single line phrases and even modify the melody lines of phrases as well as synchronize different tempo loops together. The new NOTE and PHRASE modes allow the user to choose which analysis to apply to the sounds so that the most accurate result is achieved. Also the new HARMONIC PRESERVATION control allows full control of preserving the instruments harmonics when played with STRETCH™. In the Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch section a new GRAIN SIZE control allows user to adapt the algorithm to various type of sound material for better shifting/stretching results.

• Improved sound and performance – A totally redesigned resampling algorithm and a highly optimized pitch-shift/time stretch now make SampleTank® 2.1 sound better than ever as well as being more efficient on the CPU This improved performance goes together with an enhanced stability and stronger platform integration like full compatibility with the new Protools® 6.7 features and more.

• Stand-alone operation – The new SampleTank® 2.1 offers also stand-alone operation which allows instant playability. No host or sequencer is needed to use SampleTank® 2.1, only a computer and an ASIO, WDM or Coreaudio compatible audio card. The new standalone operation is perfect for live usage and for those that want to simply play sounds from their midi controller without having to open any other application first.

• 16 stereo outputs – SampleTank® 2.1 now has double the amount of outputs than before. Route any of the 16 parts through up to 16 individual stereo outputs to achieve maximum instrument separation for the mix and allow for the most powerful combination of internal and external signal processing.

• Keyboard and velocity splits – Not only can 16 part sounds can be easily layered in SampleTank® 2.1, but now instruments can also be spilt by range to have more than one sound assigned to different sections of the keyboard. This allows the user to have performance-oriented capabilities like playing a rhythmic part with one instrument on the left side of the keyboard and a lead solo with another instrument on the right. Splitting is possible also at velocity level which offers the ability to have certain multi-part instruments playing only when the keyboard is hit harder or softer.

• Greatly enhanced sound set now on 2 DVDs – The SampleTank® 2.1 XL library will now includes 2 DVDs with a 7 gigabyte sound set of sampled material and more than 2,000 patches including:

– Sounds from nearly every category of instrument with an emphasis on acoustic and
electric sounds with loops, bass, drums, brass, guitars, pianos, organs, orchestral,
percussion, strings, woodwinds, vocals and more.

– Several new large sized multi-dynamic grand pianos, drums and organs for incredible
realism and variety

– All new rare instruments sampled around the world

– Hundreds of new percussion loops provided as slices that can be played along with
separate midi files for total control of the tempo, groove and feel

– A diverse variety of instruments and phrases utilizing the newly updated STRETCH™
engine such as single line vocal and instrument phrases that can be played with
chords harmony in sync, rotary organs with real-time control of the speed of the
actual motion speakers and more.


Price, availability, upgrades – SampleTank 2.1® XL will have a suggested retail price of $499/499 Euro and is expected to be shipping in May 2005.


All SampleTank® 2.0 XL customers who purchased after March 1, 2005 will receive a free
update to SampleTank® 2.1 XL. SampleTank® 2.0 customers who purchased before March 1, 2005 can upgrade to the new engine for free and take advantage of a limited time offer to get the new sound set for $99/99 Euro. All SampleTank® LE/SE customers can upgrade to SampleTank® 2.1XL for $299/299 Euro.


For more information please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com

Universal Audio announces new TDM Quad Pak

Universal Audio announces new TDM Quad Pak

Universal Audio, a manufacturer of high-quality vintage audio hardware and DSP software plug-ins for digital audio workstations, today announced the TDM Quad Pak, a collection of Universal Audio’s premium compressor and equalizer plug-ins for Digidesign(r) TDM Pro Tools(tm) systems. The TDM QuadPak includes: the 1176LN/SE, LA-2A, Pultec EQP-1A and Cambridge EQ. The QuadPak is available for both Win XP and Mac OSX platforms and a fully-functional 14-day demo is available at www.uaudio.com.


” The sonics of our TDM plug-ins really speak for themselves. Now we are focusing on streamlining the whole demo/installation process and making them more easily available” said Mike Barnes, UA’s Director of Marketing. “The UA TDM auditioning and buying experience will not only be much simpler but we are also changing our pricing structure which in both cases will make for even happier customers. The TDM QuadPak bundle of 4 plugs will now be our only TDM store retail package available through our worldwide dealer channel for $995 MSRP. The individual plugs will be available via my.uaudio.com at the attractive price point of $249 each.”

Arturia announces BRASS

Arturia announces BRASS

Arturia and Ircam (Institute for Music/Acoustic Research and Coordination) announce the release of BRASS. This software recreation of three wind instruments – a trumpet, a saxophone and a trumbone is based on physical models. All the characteristics of the real instruments have been analysed and modelled through mathematical algorithms.

Terratec presents the Phase X 24 FW

Terratec presents the Phase X 24 FW

TerraTec Producer is poised to unveil at the Frankfurt Musikmesse PHASE X24 FW, the professional version of PHASE 24 FW. Featuring a range of connection options and sophisticated FireWire™ technology housed in a stand-alone aluminum chassis, this device is built to convince. Sporting two analog inputs (line, hi-Z or mic in with 48V phantom power), four outputs, digital I/O, MIDI I/O, insert jacks and gain knobs, PHASE X24 FW is the all-round studio interface for discerning users.

TAPCO previews Link.USB and Link.MIDI I/O boxes

TAPCO previews Link.USB and Link.MIDI I/O boxes

TAPCO is previewing, the addition of two affordable I/O Boxes to their ever-growing family of professional audio products in Europe. The Link.MIDI and Link.USB combine exceptional performance with a distinctive and attractive industrial design to offer musicians a swanky alternative for home-based music production.


“These two products were previewed at the NAMM show in January and we were absolutely thrilled at how well they were received,” commented TAPCO Product Manager Ray Tantzen. “In addition to sounding great and offering a great combination of features and value, The Link.USB and Link.MIDI have a truly distinctive design that allows them to stand out from other similarly-equipped tabletop boxes available today.”

TAPCO presents new Mixers

TAPCO presents new Mixers

TAPCO introduced today a new family of low cost, entry-level mixers designed for the audio novice or music hobbyist. The new TAPCO Mix Series includes the Mix.50, Mix.60, Mix.100, Mix.120 compact mixers, and two compact effects mixers, the Mix.220fx and Mix.260fx. All models feature a unique rugged metal chassis that allows for portability and a long lifespan and an intuitive layout that provides easy access to all controls.


About the Mix.50, Mix.60, Mix.100, Mix.120

The Mix.50 is a five-channel mixer, featuring one mic/line input and two stereo line inputs, a two-band EQ, tape inputs and outputs, and a four-segment LED meter. The Mix.60 is a six-channel mixer that includes two mic/line inputs and two stereo line inputs, a three band EQ on every channel, 48v Phantom power and a four-segment LED meter. The Mix.100 is a 10-channel mixer that features two mic/line inputs, four stereo line inputs, one aux send, three band EQ on every channel and 48v Phantom power. Finally, the Mix.120 is a 12-channel mixer that features four mic/line inputs with four stereo line inputs, control room outputs, one aux send, a three band EQ on every channel and 48v Phantom power.

The Mix.50 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of 59 Euros, the Mix.60 is priced at 79 Euros, the Mix.100 is 89 Euros, and the Mix.120 is priced at 119 Euros.


About the Mix.220fx and Mix.260fx

The Mix.220fx is an eight-channel mixer that is equipped with four mic/line inputs and two stereo line inputs, a three band EQ on every channel, 60mm faders, and a built-in effects package featuring 256 presets, a bypass and bypass footswitch, and a built-in power supply.

The larger Mix.260fx is a 12-channel mixer that features four mic/line inputs with inserts, four stereo line inputs, a three band EQ on every channel, 60 mm faders, a built-in 20-bit effects package featuring 256 presets.

The Mix.220fx has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of 259 Euros and the Mix.260fx is priced at 299 Euros. All Mix Series units will be available late Q2, 2005.

M-Audio iControl: control for Garageband

M-Audio iControl: control for Garageband

M-Audio gear transforms GarageBand into a complete, easy-to-use studio. Throw down professional loops. Play great sounding instruments from a real keyboard. Record vocals, guitar or anything else with a pro mic and audio interface. And hear it all the way it was meant to sound with high-quality audio monitors.


M-Audio makes a variety tools that help you get the most from your GarageBand experience, including USB MIDI keyboard controllers, audio interfaces, microphones, audio monitors, and loop libraries. The latest addition in this product line is iControl.


iControl delivers total tactile control over GarageBand. Dedicated transport buttons and jog wheel put record and playback functions at your fingertips. Its eight rotary encoders are easily assigned to track functions like volume and pan, or to parameters for effects such as GarageBand’s EQ or any other AU plug-in. iControl also provides dedicated mute, solo and record-enable buttons for each track, plus a master volume fader. iControl is USB bus-powered, class-compliant, and automatically recognized by GarageBand, making setup a breeze. iControl puts you in complete creative flow with your GarageBand experience.