January, 2008 archive

Winter NAMM Show Update: TASCAM announced a couple of serious rack-mount Compact Flash recorders, the SS-R1 and SS-CDR1.
Designed for applications that previously used a cassette or MiniDisc recorder, the SS-R1 records in .wav or .MP3 formats. The SS-CDR1 adds a slot-loading CD recorder for additional recording and audio transfer functions. Each recorder includes balanced and [...]

NAMM Update: SoundToys announced that it is planning full VST support for both Mac and PC for the SoundToys Native Effects bundle and the native-capable plug-ins of the SoundToys TDM Effects bundle.
Full VST support for OS X and Windows XP/Vista platforms is expected to ship in late spring of 2008, marking the first time SoundToys [...]

Soundware and software distributor ILIO has announced a interesting program with hard drive maker Glyph Technologies to offer hard disk pre-installed with virtual instruments.
ILIO’s G-TIP (Glyph–Turnkey Installation Program) packages will include virtual instrument software from Vienna Symphonic Library and Synthogy pre-installed on Glyph hard drives. Purchasers of these packages may register their software with the [...]

This is sort of stupidtacular - Roland has introduced the C-30 Digital Harpsichord. It’s also a sign that the technology is getting cheap and good enough to be irrelevant for a lot of types of instruments, so packaging starts making more of a difference.
Description:
Roland’s “click action” F-scale keyboard provides an authentic harpsichord feel, while two [...]

NAMM Show Update: Stanton DJ announced the SC System, the company’s new set of digital controllers for the professional DJ.
This was one of the nicer pieces of DJ gear introduced at the Winter NAMM Show.
The Stanton SC System is comprised of the SCS.1d deck and the SCS.1m mixer; both advanced control surfaces that preserve the [...]

NAMM Update: With the release of several new download collections, the Vienna Symphonic Library rolled the odometer, surpassing one million published samples.
According to Vienna Instruments, this is by far the largest accumulation of samples by a single company.
The Vienna Symphonic Library also recently began offering download products. These collections are available from the download section [...]

SONiVOX has introduced Samurai Hip-Hop, a set of DJ and producer audio loops offering thick & juicy beats, and sonic textures for their musical productions.
Thick & juicy beats. Yum!
Description:
Many forces were combined to generate the material compiled for Samurai Hop-Hop, vintage analog instruments, butchered synthesis algorithms, funky noisy tools in the middle of the Swiss [...]

NAMM Update: TC Electronic announced Nova System, a new floor-based all-in-one effects solution that combines analog distortion and overdrive with the advantages of digital control.
What makes Nova System interesting is an innovative drive and distortion circuit that offers true analog sound under preset and expression control. While the drive circuit is 100% analog and physically [...]

Winter NAMM Show: EASTWEST previewed Quantum Leap Forbidden Planet, a virtual sample-based synth collection of more than 1,000 cutting-edge presets which allows users to combine, morph, process and modulate sample-based sounds.
I’m not sure if it’s the sounds or the graphics, but their preview video reminded me of BT’s This Binary Universe.
Forbidden Planet is geared towards [...]

Winter NAMM Show: Yamaha intro’d the Pocketrak 2G, a compact pocket recorder featuring 2GB of built-in memory, long battery life,  USB file transfer, and Steinberg Cubase AI DAW software.
The Pocketrak 2G features 2 tracks of CD quality recording in PCM, MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) formats. It’s designed for podcasting, field and location recording, audio [...]