July, 2004 archive

Moog, an upcoming documentary on the life and work of Dr. Robert Moog, is scheduled for release in September. The movie explores Moog’s collaborations with musicians over the years, and his ideas about creativity, design, interactivity and spirituality. A preview is now available.
The feature documentary film, by filmmaker/musician Hans Fjellestad was shot on location in […]

The Vox ToneLab SE is an amp and effect pedalboard processor that delivers VOX modeling technology, as found in the Valvetronix series amps and ToneLab amp/effect modeler, expanded modeling options and assignable, dual expression pedals for total control.
ToneLab SE employs VOX’s Valve Reactor™ circuit, a proprietary design that uses a 12AX7 dual triode as a […]

The fourth generation Apple iPods operate more efficiently, have more features, and cost less than earlier models.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs talks about the new iPod, and the impact of digital music in a Newsweek interview. “I was on Madison, and…on every block there was someone with white headphones, and I thought ‘Oh my god, it’s […]

Moog Music has announced a new software editor for the Minimoog Voyager, to be available this summer.
The cross platform (Mac/PC) Editor allows instant access to the Voyager’s presets, banks, patches, and edit mode parameters through the computer’s MIDI interface.
Voyager owners will be able to quickly assemble preset banks, categorize and archive presets, create random patches, […]

Applied Research and Technology (ART) is now shipping the Twin Compression System (TCS). The TCS is a two-channel compressor intended for a wide range of audio processing applications.
Both an Opto-isolator compressor and VCA compressor are featured. Users may select one of the compressor styles, or combine the two depending on their needs and techniques. The […]

Kirk Hunter, a leading U.S. developer of orchestral sample libraries, has announced the release of his new Concert Strings/Brass/Winds, the first ever orchestral library created for the GigaStudio 2.54 format with musicians recorded in their onstage seated positions with both close and far microphone placement.
On completion, Strings/Brass/Winds is projected at 180GB in size, with a […]

Manifold Labs has released Plugzilla, the first-of-its-kind, rack-mounted plug-in player.
An embedded Linux host optimized to run VST instrument and effect plug-ins, Plugzilla’s applications range from front of house and mixing, to live performance, recording and mastering.
To meet the demands of these markets the product ships with hundreds of bundled plug-ins including a launch-limited version of […]

Apple responded to RealNetworks Harmony software release by suggesting that RealNetworks has adopted hacker ethics. Apple also warns users that is planning updates that will break compatibility between Real downloads and iPods.
Harmony lets users download music from Real’s online store and use it on any portable music player, including Apple’s iPods.
Apple issued a sharp response:
“We […]

Eric Barbour is a world authority on using vacuum-tubes in audio devices, and is the first person to apply the ideas pioneered with early synthesizers to tube-based devices. His company, Metasonix, makes tube-based synthesizer modules that are completely unique.
Barbour describes his modules as brain destroying, meaty, bizarre, crude, nasty, powerful and evil.  He warns that […]

Rui Pereira, a progressive electronic artist from Portugal, has released a set of free MP3 downloads.
Pereira creates meditative and ambient pieces that range in styles from new age to experimental. His influences include Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and Vangelis.
Download free MP3 music from Pereira at Download.com.

The Korg TRITON line has been taken to extremes, with the TRITON Extreme music workstation/sampler. Introduced at the 2004 NAMM Summer show, it delivers all the features that have made the TRITON popular, plus many new sounds and enhancements.
TRITON Extreme has a generous 160 MB of wave ROM, sampled at 48 kHz. It features a […]

DigiTech introduced five new distortion pedals: the Bad Monkey; the Screamin’ Blues; the Hot Head; the Grunge; and the Death Metal at the 2004 Namm Summer Session. Designed to provide guitarists with a wide range of overdrive and distortion options, these new pedals feature DigiTech’s premium analog circuitry and offer sounds ranging from smooth, classic […]

dbx Professional Products, a Salt Lake City-based manufacturer of professional signal processing products and a division of Harman International, showed a new compressor/limiter at the recent 2004 Namm Summer show.
The Purple Series™ 162SL Compressor/Limiter features dbx’s proprietary AutoVelocity attack and release circuit. The 162SL has been designed to provide contractors uncompromising, state-of-the-art compression and limiting, […]

Audio-Technica used the Summer NAMM Show to launch its new line of Pro Series microphones.
This wide range of vocal and instrument mics comprises both dynamic and condenser models in handheld and specialty designs. The introduction of the comprehensive new Pro Series underscores Audio-Technica’s commitment to leading the market in the ongoing development of innovative transducer […]

At the 2004 Summer NAMM show, Vestax featured the next generation of its PDX-2000 and PDX-2300 turntables. The three updated models, which include the PDX-2000mkII, PDX-2000mkIIPro and PDX-2300mkIIPro, are part of an ongoing effort to provide DJs with tools that incorporate their most requested features.
The PDX-2000mkII offers the same professional features as its predecessor, including […]