E-MU® Systems has announced its new 1616M and 1616 CardBus Digital Audio Systems – 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.
E-MU® Systems has announced its new Xboard™ 25 and Xboard 49 Professional USB/MIDI Controllers for PC and Mac operating systems, featuring full-size velocity sensitive keyboards with aftertouch, 16 programmable real-time controllers, Xboard Control editing software, and E-MU’s new Proteus X LE Desktop Sound Module with over 1000 sounds.
Native Instruments has introduced Electronic Instruments 2 XT, the extended version of their Reaktor instrument collection. The new version contains all the unique synthesizers, drum machines and effects from the collection as individual self-contained software instruments. Each of the eight instruments in Electronic Instruments 2 XT can be run both standalone as well as in all major plugin formats, without relying on a Reaktor or Reaktor Session installation.
The eight instruments included in Electronic Instruments 2 XT are:
* PHOTONE – hybrid master synthesizer
* LIMELITE – advanced beat composer
* METAPHYSICAL FUNCTION – soundscape synthesizer
* KRYPT – granular drum machine
* AKKORD – sequenced chord generator
* FAST FX – advanced performance effects
* RESOCHORD – programmable polyphonic resonator
* CYAN – extended vintage chorus
LUXONIX has released Ravity16 for Windows, a host plug-in solely for Ravity(S)/(R). With Ravity16, LUXONIX completes the vision of conversion from hardware sound modules to software. Ravity16 can load up to 16 instances of Ravity(S)/(R) with channel mute/solo controls. You can load as many instances of the Ravity16 host as you want, with full VST-Automation over all the modules loaded within Ravity16. Linking 2 or more channels, it’s possible to synthesize more powerful and complex sound.
MOTU, have unveiled Version 2.0 for both of their instrument plug-ins, MachFive and MX4. MachFive Version 2, MOTU’s universal sampler plug-in, includes unlimited parts per instance, a full-screen preset browser, a new modular synthesis architecture, keygroup layering with rule-based switching, larger sample and keygroup editors, a complete built-in mixer, LoopLab™ groove slice engine, sample time-stretching, and many other new features. MX4 Version 2, MOTU’s hybrid synth plugin, adds more effects, more presets, a built-in pattern gate, a built-in arpeggiator and numerous additional modulation sources and shapers.
The Lexicon Pro Omega Studio is an integrated computer recording system that includes the Omega 8x4x2 USB I/O mixer now with a VST™ version of the Pantheon™ world-class Lexicon reverb plug-in, coupled with Steinberg’s intuitive cross-platform Cubase LE featuring 48 track audio/64 MIDI tracks, up to 8 VST instruments, 2 insert/4 aux sends per channel and ASIO drivers.
Steinberg’s industry-standard Cubase is a comprehensive 48 track recording suite that includes all the modules needed to track, edit and mix. With the addition of Cubase LE, the Omega Studio contains all of the components necessary to transform a computer into a professional 24-bit recording studio.
Omega Studio is currently available from authorized Lexicon dealers at an estimated street price of $299.
dbx Professional Products is introducing the new DriveRack 4800 System Processor. The dbx DriveRack 4800 provides incredible versatility, sonic excellence and intuitive control for live performance applications and is the next generation of the critically acclaimed line of DriveRack processors.
BEHRINGER steals the show with 78 new products at NAMM 2005. Among those 78 new items were the new Digital Monitor Speakers MS20 and the MS40. Both speakers are 24-Bit/192 kHz Digital Stereo Near Field Monitors with respectively 20 and 40 WATTS.
In conjunction with Ohm Force this beast has been a long time in development and GForce were very excited to be showing it publicly for the first time at this year’s NAMM show in LA.
MOTU has announced the MOTU Symphonic Instrument, a cross-platform instrument plug-in that gives users quick and easy access to an 8GB library of quality orchestra sounds for composing, sequencing and rendering realistic orchestral performances. The MOTU Symphonic Instrument can be used with any compatible host application (VST, Audio Units, DXi, MAS and RTAS), where users can load up to sixteen different instruments per instance of the plug-in to create ensembles of any size and scope. Built-in convolution reverb allows users to place their ensemble in authentic acoustic spaces, from orchestra sound stages to renowned concert halls to majestic cathedrals. Easy to use controls let users further adjust each instrument to achieve the perfect sound. Sounds can also be directly loaded into MOTU’s MachFive sampler plug-in for more advanced layering and programming.
Lexicon Pro announced the MX200 Dual Reverb/Effects Processor at the 2005 Winter NAMM show. This new single rack-space, two-channel unit combines an intuitive front-panel design with a unique USB connection and VST interface for use with software recording platforms. Featuring a wide array of the reverb algorithms Lexicon is noted for, with delays, effects and dbx dynamics, MX200 is the intended for the home studio or the concert hall. In any application, the MX200 offers versatility and instantly accessible reverb, dynamics and special effects with the signature Lexicon sound.
Mackie announced today the upcoming release of Tracktion 2, the first major update to their critically acclaimed recording and MIDI production software.
The new update, dubbed T2, is a major step forward, adding numerous new capabilities, while still maintaining the core feature set that has made the original Tracktion a runaway success. The program’s clutter-free, single-screen design and intuitive user interface still offers unparalleled productivity, combining multitrack digital audio, MIDI programming and automated mixdown into a simple yet powerful package. T2 continues to offer full VST instrument and plugin support, import and export compatibility with all major audio file formats, and cross-platform Mac and PC compatibility.
The new T2, which will soon be available in a boxed version through major music retailers, introduces an enhanced, more powerful MIDI editor, more comprehensive keyboard control and the ability to map hardware MIDI controllers to filter parameters. T2 also brings a new high-definition 64-bit mix engine, improved external synchronization support, eight auxiliary sends and returns, and full integration for Mackie Control Universal and C4 controllers.
New Drivers for FW-1884 Add Cross-Platform Support for Cubase LE/SE and PCI-822 Driver Update for Windows XP FW-1884 Version 1.40
IK Multimedia unveils Studiophonik™, the first studio instrument workstation designed to bring the realism and control of the sound of a band in a studio. And IK Multimedia is proud to announce Miroslav™ Philharmonik™, a powerful integrated Orchestral Workstation combining the legendary Miroslav™ Orchestral and Choir sample collection masterpieces with a dedicated plug-in instrument specifically tailored toward classical sounds and arrangements. Two new products which have been unveiled at Winter NAMM 2005.
Cakewalk, developer of the leading music and sound software for Windows, today unveiled the Project5 Version 2 performance workstation. The next-generation of the Project5 open studio environment features a streamlined design, optimized for immediacy, that provides everything you need to take your music from inspiration to studio and stage. Project5 Version 2 has a $429 MSRP U.S. and is scheduled for release in April 2005. Customers that purchase full retail packages of Project5 Version 1 or 1.5 after February 1, 2005 will receive a free upgrade to Project5 Version 2 directly from Cakewalk.
Project5 soft synth workstation was introduced in 2003 to address the needs of musicians looking for new, cutting edge environments to create, compose, and perform with live soft synths. Project5 version 1 delivered an innovative, open synth host that combined the best of live input MIDI recording, pattern based sequencing, and ACID loop support, along with great sounding synths and samplers.