Mark of the Unicorn (MOTU) has announced the 10 input/14 output Ultralite-mk3, an audio interface that they say is the first ever “hybrid” audio interface, offering FireWire and USB 2 connectivity to Mac and PC computers.

They haven’t put up official availability or pricing info yet. If you know anything on this, leave a comment.

Details on the Ultralite-mk3 below.

Feature summary

• Hybrid FireWire/USB2 connectivity — connect to your computer via either bus-powered FireWire or hi-speed USB2.
• CueMix FX™ — flexible 10 input/14 bus mixer with on-board DSP effects, including reverb with sends/returns, plus EQ and compression on every input and output.
• 10 inputs / 14 outputs — there’s no channel sharing in the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid; the mic inputs, S/PDIF I/O, headphone out and main outs are all handled as separate channels.
• Classic Reverb™ — provides five different room types, three frequency shelves with adjustable crossover points, shelf filtering and reverb lengths up to 60 seconds.
• Two forms of compression — a standard compressor with conventional threshold/ratio/attack/release/gain controls and the Leveler™, an accurate model of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, which provides vintage, musical automatic gain control.
• Modeled EQ — provides 7-band parametric EQ modeled after British analog console EQs, featuring 4 filter styles (gain/Q profiles) to effectively cover a wide range of audio material. LP and HP filters are also supplied with slopes that range from 6 to 36 dB.
• CueMix FX cross-platform mixing software — attractive graphic mixing, graphic editing of parametric EQ and a convenient tabbed interface for quick access to all features in one window. Also provides full-screen real-time FFT display, spectrogram “waterfall” display, oscilloscope, X-Y plot and linear or polar phase analysis.
• Front-panel control — access any setting in your entire UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid mix directly from the front panel.
• “Reverb return” stream — allows users to record or mix UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid reverb output separately in their DAW. Effects can also be applied when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is operating stand-alone (without a computer) as a complete stand-alone mixer.
• Stand-alone operation — program your mixes at the studio and then bring the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid to your gig — no computer needed. Just plug in the included power adapter and you are ready to go. Need to tweak the mix? Do it on site using the back-lit LCD and front-panel controls.
• Multiple CueMix FX mixes — for example, create different monitor mixes for the main outs and headphones. Or add send/return loops for outboard gear — with no latency.
• Two combo jacks provide hi-Z 1/4” guitar input or low-Z XLR mic input with phantom power, pad and plenty of gain.
• Eight 24-bit 192kHz analog inputs and outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4″ TRS jacks
• Precision Digital Trim™ — Digitally controlled analog trim on all analog inputs (mic/guitar inputs + quarter-inch TRS inputs) provides accurate adjustements in 1 dB increments. Fine-tune the balance of your analog inputs and then save/recall trim configurations.
• Direct Digital Synthesis™ (DDS) — a DSP-driven phase lock engine and internal clock source that produces imperceptibly low jitter characteristics (below the noise floor), even when the UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is resolved to an external clock source via SMPTE time code.
• Time code support — directly resolves to (or generates) time code via any quarter-inch input or output, without the need for an extra synchronizer.
• Sample-accurate MIDI — connect a MIDI controller and/or sound module with no separate interface needed. MIDI I/O is sample-accurate with supporting software.
• Expandable — add additional interfaces for more I/O as your needs grow.
• Separate TRS main outs with front panel volume control.
• Stereo 24-bit 96kHz S/PDIF in/out.
• Includes drivers for Mac & PC, including ASIO, WDM, Wave, Core Audio, and Core MIDI. Supports all popular Mac and Windows audio software.
• 100% compatible with all host-based effects processing in today’s popular audio programs.
• Includes AudioDesk full-featured sample-accurate workstation software for the Mac with recording, editing, mixing, real-time 32-bit effects processing & sample-accurate sync.
• Plug-and-play operation with your Mac or PC via FireWire or USB2.
• Front panel volume control for monitoring. Stereo, Quad, 6.1, 7.1 and user-defined surround monitoring setups available.
• Front panel headphone jack with volume control.
• Bus-powered FireWire operation. No need for external power when operating as a FireWire interface connected to a computer. A power supply is included for stand-alone operation.

TASCAM has announced the US-2000, a new one rackspace 16-input audio interface that’s expected to sell for under $500.

US-2000 features

• 16-in / 4-out USB 2.0 audio interface.
• 96kHz / 24-bit audio resolution.
• (8) XLR microphone inputs with phantom power.
• (6) 1/4? balanced line inputs.
• (4) 1/4? balanced line outputs.
• (2) 1/4? instrument inputs (chan. 7 & 8 on front panel “combi “jacks).
• Stereo S/PDIF digital in and out.
• 100-LED meter bridge (5 segments for each input and output).
• Zero-latency direct monitoring with mono/stereo switch for each pair of inputs.
• 1/4? balanced stereo monitor output with its own volume control.
• 1/4? stereo high-powered headphone output.
• Mac and Windows compatible.
• Steinberg Cubase LE4 48-track recording software included.
• High-tech, attractive aluminum case design.

If you’ve used the TASCAM US-2000 USB audio interface, leave a comment with your thoughts on it!Description:

Eight studio-grade microphone preamps welcome condenser microphones, and two of the mic inputs are on the front panel for easy access. An additional six balanced 1/4? line inputs are provided, as well as four balanced line outs and stereo digital I/O. The front panel features a 100-LED meter bridge for setting input and output levels.

The US-2000 connects to a computer through high-speed USB 2.0, and is priced about the same as less-capable 8-channel FireWire interfaces. Included with the TASCAM US-2000 is Cubase LE4, a 48-track workstation for Mac or Windows computers. It includes flexible hardware controls for zero-latency monitoring during recording.

The US-2000 will be available from TASCAM retailers in October at a projected street price under $500 USD.

This is an overview of the Fantom VS Synthesizer built into the SONAR V-Studio 700R interface.

The Fantom VS includes 1400 patches suited for all kinds of productions and accepts Roland’s specialized ARX expansion cards for piano, drums, brass and more.

More info at the Sonar V-Studio site.

Avid has introduced three Pro Tools Essentials bundles – three inexpensive “gateway drug” introductions to the world of Pro Tools.

The three bundles, Pro Tools Vocal Studio, Pro Tools Recording Studio and Pro Tools KeyStudio, are entry level offerings aimed at people who want to create and share music, podcasts and narrations.

Compatible with both Mac and PC, the Pro Tools Vocal Studio, Pro Tools Recording Studio and Pro Tools KeyStudio bundles will be available beginning in mid-September for US $129, £79.

Pro Tools M-Powered Essential music software is bundled with M-Audio interfaces, in the following three configurations:

• Pro Tools Vocal Studio turns the computer into a complete vocal recording studio. This bundle includes the Producer USB microphone, a studio-quality mic that lets people capture vocals, as well as record acoustically played instruments. The Producer USB mic lets people record with stunning clarity, whether they’re singing a future hit song or narrating a family biography. And with Pro Tools M-Powered Essential, it’s easy to remix vocals to produce professional-quality soundtracks and podcasts with ease.
• Pro Tools Recording Studio enables people to craft professional-sounding songs and remixes — no experience needed. With the included Fast Track® USB audio interface plugged right into the computer, music enthusiasts can capture pristine digital sound for any recording project, whether from a guitar or a standard microphone. With Pro Tools M-Powered Essential software, consumers can dub, mix, remix, edit, blend, restore, hone and more to create audio projects that will sound like they came from a pro — even if someone’s never recorded a note before.
• Pro Tools KeyStudio features the M-Audio KeyStudio USB keyboard, a simple, yet high-quality 49-note velocity-sensitive keyboard that also functions as a MIDI interface. With Pro Tools KeyStudio, users can record a single keyboard track or create a complete orchestral recording using the KeyStudio to input any of the 60+ virtual instruments that come loaded with Pro Tools M-Powered Essential.

Description:

Delivering the exact same audio quality and performance as the acclaimed AUDIO 8 DJ and AUDIO 4 DJ interfaces that are used by professional club DJs worldwide, the AUDIO 2 DJ offers users of TRAKTOR and other DJ software a unique new balance of quality, size and price.

With a footprint no larger than a deck of cards, the bus-powered AUDIO 2 DJ literally fits in a pocket. At the same time, it can accommodate the most demanding club systems due to its studio-grade 24bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and its special high-power output amplifiers capable of delivering a pristine +9.7dBu audio signal. Robust low-latency drivers for Windows and Mac OS X enable the responsiveness that DJs need for tight mixing.

The dual stereo outputs of the AUDIO 2 DJ provide the necessary connectivity to route two decks separately into an external DJ mixer, or to output independent master and cue signals when mixing in software. Two included RCA break-out cables make set-up fast and convenient, making AUDIO 2 DJ the ideal audio interface for travelling DJs who don‘t want to compromise on performance and quality.

AUDIO 2 DJ is available for purchase for a suggested retail price of $119 USD / 99 EUR.

Steinberg has introduced the CI2 Advanced Integration USB Studio, which combines an audio interface and control surface with Cubase AI 5 for a complete production solution.

CI2 costs €229.00/£191.00 and will ship to Steinberg resellers worldwide from the end of September 2009.

Description:

CI2 features many workflow features designed to make the entire hardware and software system very easy to use. The AI Knob controller becomes a sound browser with a single push, and is integrated into browser windows in Cubase to find the right instrument sound or loop more quickly by scrolling through and (de)selecting entries in the sound browser windows. Interactive Recording mode uses the optionally available footswitch for hands-free recording, ideal for guitarists and vocalists recording their own performances. The Project Assistant is a new Cubase AI 5 feature that offers a large range of templates for many production tasks and genres, allowing for setup of new projects in seconds. Highlighting ease-of-use and intuitiveness as one of the major design goals for CI2, Schreiber comments: “These features have one purpose: to simplify recording and production, reflecting the uncompromising focus on supporting newcomers to digital music production.”

The included Cubase AI 5 is a streamlined version of Steinberg’s highly successful Cubase 5, with audio technology found in countless professional production environments worldwide. Cubase AI 5 offers up to 48 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks, a range of audio and MIDI plug-ins including a new version of the AmpSimulator plug-in for guitarists, virtual instruments, editing features, comprehensive automation and much more. As with all Cubase and Steinberg hardware products, CI2 supports both Windows and Mac OS X.

CDM’s Peter Kirn has put together a very nice look at the new Cakewalk V-Studio 100, an example of a new class of all-in-one computer music devices. .

The Cakewalk V-Studio 100 features:

• High Speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface
• Universal DAW Controller
• Personal Digital Mixer
• SD WAV Recorder
• VS Production Pack suite of virtual instruments and effects (Mac/Win)
• SONAR VS digital audio workstation (Win)

About the V-Studio 100, Kirn says:

At US$699 street, there are cheaper options around, but by the time you add a control surface, a mobile recorder, a mixer, and an audio interface together, it’s a different picture. There are also other control surface-mixer-interfaces out there, but some skimp on audio quality while others lack the VS’ elegant compactness.

The VS still counts as the most control, mixing, and audio functionality I’ve seen in any backpack-friendly box. And as such, for the laptop music production warrior wanting to maximize space and power, it’s part of a handful of essential gear to consider.

If you’re a Sonar user, checking out the Cakewalk V-Studio is a no-brainer. The V-Studio offers Mackie Control support, though, so it’s an option to consider for use with other apps, too.

See CDM’s coverage here.

Apogee Electronics has introduced GIO – a complete guitar interface for Apple’s new Logic Studio 9, MainStage 2 and GarageBand ’09. GiO delivers access to Logic’s guitar amps and effects in a single foot controller and interface.

Here are the details:

Built for Logic Studio 9, Mainstage 2 and GarageBand ‘09

Designed to work with the new Logic Studio 9 and MainStage 2, GiO allows guitar players to control recording functions, preset changes and plug-ins like Amp Designer and Pedalboard, along with new Playback and Loopback features in MainStage. With GarageBand 09, GiO is plug-and-play and lets users quickly connect their guitar, select and control built-in Amps and stompboxes, and record.

Software Control with GiO

GiO stomp

• Stomp on it. Effects control without the mouse. Imagine finding your sound without going back and forth from your guitar to your Mac. With GiO, you can audition effects presets in GarageBand, Logic and MainStage, and turn effects on and off while playing or recording… all without touching your keyboard.
• Hands free recording. GiO frees you from key-command recording allowing you to concentrate on your performance and not the space bar. The five transport buttons on GiO let you record, play, stop and quickly navigate thru your track without taking your hands off the neck of your guitar.
• “Next” preset please. Previous and Next preset select buttons let you quickly audition and toggle between guitar amps and effects presets in Logic and GarageBand and the patch lists in MainStage.

Connections

• Instrument input – GiO’s 1/4” instrument input features Apogee’s world-class instrument preamp and converters. Hear and record your guitar’s true tone straight into Apple’s GarageBand, Logic and MainStage without compromise. GiO is optimized for all pickup configurations from the most basic single coil to sophisticated active electronics setups.
• MIDI Expression pedal input – GiO’s Expression control pedal input allows access to traditional effects like wah-wah, and volume. Also, control effects parameters like the length of a delay or the speed of a tremolo. (Expression Control Pedal not included)
• USB – GiO is fully powered by the USB connection to your Mac eliminating the need for an external power source. Simply plug into an available USB port on any Mac and you’re ready to go.
• Output: Headphones, monitors or instrument amplifier – Hear your guitar and recording like never before. Connect your headphones, powered monitors or instrument amplifier to Apogee converters via GiO’s 1/4” stereo output and listen to your guitar and mix with incredible clarity and dimension.

Apogee GiO is expected to ship in September 2009 and to retail for $395.

Native Instruments has announced Audio 2 DJ, described as the world’s smallest USB audio interface for DJs.

To introduce it, they made this video of traceur Stephane Vigroux demonstrating the portability of the new Audio 2 DJ interface by free-running with it through London.

WTF?

Was that marketing decision made by the same person who decided to make the new Native Instruments site Flash-based, setting usable Web design back 10 years?

And isn’t the soundtrack to this video at least 30 BPM’s too slow for a parkour video?

It’s a good thing NI’s got products good enough to market themselves, isn’t it?

Anyway – NI’s got a new audio interface that’ll do the job, is inexpensive and won’t take up space in your laptop bag.

Details below.

Description:

Delivering the exact same audio quality and performance as the AUDIO 8 DJ and AUDIO 4 DJ interfaces that are used by professional club DJs worldwide, the AUDIO 2 DJ offers users of TRAKTOR and other DJ software a unique new balance of quality, size and price.

With a footprint no larger than a deck of cards, the bus-powered AUDIO 2 DJ literally fits in a pocket. At the same time, it can accommodate the most demanding club systems due to its studio-grade 24bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and its special high-power output amplifiers capable of delivering a pristine +9.7dBu audio signal. Robust low-latency drivers for Windows and Mac OS X enable the responsiveness that DJs need for tight mixing.

The dual stereo outputs of the AUDIO 2 DJ provide the necessary connectivity to route two decks separately into an external DJ mixer, or to output independent master and cue signals when mixing in software. Two included RCA break-out cables make set-up fast and convenient, making AUDIO 2 DJ the ideal audio interface for travelling DJs who don’t want to compromise on performance and quality.

AUDIO 2 DJ will be available in September 2009 for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 EUR at authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

Expert Sleepers Silent Way is a suite of plug-ins designed to let you control a modular analog synthesizer system from your computer, using control voltages.

Like MOTU Volta, released earlier in the year, Silent Way works within your sequencer, sending signals to your audio interface to output control voltages compatible with modular synthesizer and classic analog gear.

The plug-ins produce no sound themselves, nor do they process sound – rather, they generate signals to be used as control voltages (CVs), which can be patched into the control inputs of oscillators, filters, VCAs etc. of an analogue system.

There are currently two plug-ins in the Silent Way suite – Silent Way DC and Silent Way Voice Controller. These are described in more detail below. It is anticipated that more plug-ins will be added to the suite in the future – watch the website for product announcements.

Silent Way plug-ins also feature

• full MIDI and OSC control.
• MIDI/OSC scriptability.
• sample-accurate handling of MIDI note messages.

Expert Sleepers is also offering a bounty for early users that are willing to help test the plugin with untried audio interfaces:

Since there are far more audio interfaces and synth modules in the world than any one person or even company is ever likely to own, it seems unlikely that Expert Sleepers will personally be able to test every combination.

Therefore we’re offering a bounty for people who buy and use Silent Way with their setup and document the results. To qualify, you need to do the following:

• buy Silent Way (you don’t qualify if you use the demo version to do the below).
• send us the details of your system (computer, host application, audio interface, synth modules).
• put up a video on YouTube demonstrating that Silent Way works with your stuff.

The offer is:

• a coupon for $25, good for one purchase from the Expert Sleepers store, if you do the above, or
• a coupon for $50, good for one purchase from the Expert Sleepers store, if you do the above and you’re the first to document the successful use of Silent Way with a particular audio interface or synth module.

More info on Silent Way below.

If you’ve used Expert Sleepers’ Silent Way, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Silent Way DC

Silent Way DC is a simple plug-in that generates constant output signals. It is intended to be used in conjunction with parameter automation (via MIDI or directly by the host application) to generate varying signals. For example, you could use it as an LFO where you draw out the LFO waveform in your host’s parameter automation GUI.

Silent Way Voice Controller

Silent Way Voice Controller is a virtual instrument plug-in designed to directly control an analogue synthesiser by generating the appropriate CV and gate signals via an appropriate audio interface.

By listening to the synthesiser’s output signal, the plug-in is able to calibrate itself to generate the appropriate pitch CV for the incoming MIDI notes.

As well as the basic pitch and gate signals, the plug-in can generate three multi-stage envelope CVs which you can feed to VCAs, VCFs etc. in your synth.

Pricing and availability

Silent Way is available immediately in Mac OS X Audio Unit format, priced at $49. Mac and Windows VST formats to follow.

Yep – now you can rule the world with computer-controlled synth power!

See this previous post for details on MOTU Volta.

Volta is now available for Mac OS X as an Audio Unit plug-in instrument at a list price of $249.

Image: Perez Fotos

Saturday Synth Porn: Audio interfaces and computers aren’t high up there on the list of sextacular music gear – but this Line 6 UX2/Macbook electronic music setup looks better than it has a right to.

Thanks to all the designers out there making their gear look as good as it sounds!

Musikmesse 2009 update: Hercules has released the DeeJay Trim 4&6, a USB Audio Interface built for advanced DJ’s who already have a DJ control surface but no audio interface.

The DeeJay Trim 4×6 not only provides you with an extra USB hub that prevents compatibility issues on some laptops, but also offers a way to preview, talk over and export your mixes. The DeeJay Trim 4&6 will be available in June 2009 for the suggested retail price $249.99.

Description:

The portable digital interface features a 4-channel output: two +4dBu ¼” Jack outputs for PA equipment and four -10dBv RCA outputs for mixing decks and conventional amplifiers. The 4 input / 4 output configurations can be switched to a 2 input / 6 output configuration, enabling users to transfer 2 stereo tracks separately to an external mixing deck, while adding a third stereo track for samples, loops and effects. The 4-channel input has a line level for connecting and mixing with an external MP3/CD player and a phono level for connecting vinyl turntables.

The preamplifiers on 4-channel inputs support high-level sources such as a CD player and turntables and each features a view-meter. The 2 stereo preamplifiers adjust the volume of the 4-channel analogue inputs. Finally, the DeeJay Trim 4&6 features a 3-port high-speed USB hub with power adapter to plug in your DJ controller and external storage devices. Powering the high-speed USB hub’s separately secures the audio output level on all configurations and avoids compatibility issues on some laptops whose USB ports have a too low voltage.

The unit features a steel casing, two handles mounted on the audio interface’s front face for easy handling and four wide-non-slip pads for perfect stability. It also features view-meters with 6 LED’s per channel visible on the front face, which provides control over the audio interface’s volume, whether mixing standing, seated or with CD cases stacked on the unit.

The DeeJay Trim 4&6 is compatible with Windows XP and Vista (32-bit & 64-bit)/WDM and ASIO, as well as Mac OS 10.4 & 10.5.

Dan Kirkhus demonstrates using Ableton Live with a handful of LFO type wav files to modulate external analog gear:

(if you’re not interested in the “how” and just want to see the frostwave spaz out, jump to 3:30 or so.) this stuff *only* works with MOTU audio interfaces (see: volta). this is an easy and free way to send beat-synced LFOs to your outboard modular gear; moogerfoogers, sherman filterbank, little phatty… anything with a CV input.

i recommend setting the warp method to “Re-Pitch” to keep LFOs smooth at extreme BPMs. or don’t… and get cool glitches.

You can download Dan’s LFO files here – but don’t blow your monitors with them!

Musikmesse 2009: soundonsoundvideo gets a demo of the new Alesis Audio Link Series, a set of inexpensive audio interfaces built into cables.

via soundonsoundvideo

Musikmesse 2009: Cakewalk announced that its new line of cable-based audio & MIDI interfaces is now shipping. The UA-1G USB audio interface, and UM-1G, UM-2G, and UM-3G MIDI interfaces are Mac and PC compatible and USB-bus powered.

UA-1G Audio Interface

The UA-1G is a compact Stereo In/Stereo Out USB Audio Interface that offers excellent sound quality via multiple connection options and a simple, user-friendly design.

• 24-bit/96kHz audio quality
• Low latency ASIO 2.0 performance (PC); UA-1G is also WDM (Windows Vista, Windows XP) and Core Audio (Mac OS X) compatible
• Large Input Level knob for easy control while recording
• Includes Cakewalk’s SONAR LE digital audio workstation for high-quality music recording, mixing, editing, and publishing
• Contains high-end A-D and D-A converters for accurate recording and playback
• An electric condenser microphone input that’s similar to, but higher quality than, the ‘MIC-IN’ on most internal soundcard
• Headphone output with volume control to quickly and easily listen to audio from your computer
• A _” jack with Hi-Z switch option, which is ideal for recording high-impedance instruments like electric guitar or bass
• S/PDIF optical I/O

Three MIDI Interfaces

The new UM-1G, UM-2G, and UM-3G MIDI interfaces are designed to be affordable solutions to easily connect MIDI devices with a computer through a USB connection.

Each MIDI interface:

• is Mac and PC compatible
• is a compact, cable-style interface with a sleek form factor
• conveniently incorporates an independent MIDI Out/Thru hardware selection switch for each output, providing functionality even if your computer is turned off
• provides FPT (Fast Processing Technology) for fast, stable MIDI data transmission, as well as lower latency performance through FPT’s Advance Driver mode
• offers standard OS-based driver mode for instant connection to computers, even when drivers are not available

UM-1G in detail:

• 1-In/1-Out MIDI port with LED indicators for MIDI I/O signal monitoring
• MIDI Check switch for quick troubleshooting of MIDI connections
• MIDI cables are engraved with ‘Connect to MIDI In’ and ‘Connect to MIDI Out’ labels for no confusion when connecting devices
• Perfect for hobbyists who want to connect a MIDI keyboard to a computer, or musicians who need MIDI connectivity to control or record music with a computer
• Ideal for small studios or academic settings where only one MIDI device will be connected in close proximity to the computer
• In live performance settings, use the UM-1G to control a synth, drum machine, MIDI light set-up, or master recording console

UM-2G in detail:

• Features 2-In/2-Out MIDI ports for 32 channels of MIDI to control hardware and software
• Provides ability to connect multiple MIDI keyboards, sound modules, control surfaces, and other devices to a computer
• Ideal for musicians, producers or recording engineers with more than one MIDI device in a small studio or portable MIDI configuration

UM-3G in detail:

• 3-In/3-Out MIDI Ports
• Control up to 48 channels of MIDI equipment
• Expandable design allows you to daisy-chain up to three UM-3G interfaces, providing nine total MIDI inputs and outputs without the need for additional USB Ports
• Advanced Driver mode uses FPT (Fast Processing Technology) to ensure low-latency, even with three UM-3G interfaces daisy-chained together
• Up to 3 units can be rack-mounted via Roland RAF-70 kit, available separately
• Ideal MIDI interface for the mid- to larger-sized studio
• Out or Thru selectable switches built-in; select between MIDI Out and MIDI Thru for each output port
• Great for live settings using multiple MIDI applications, including traditional instruments, synths, sequencers and live sound, lighting, and special effects

Pricing and Availability:

Recommended UK retail prices for the UM-1G, UM-2G and UM-3G MIDI interfaces will be £44.99, £54.99 and £84.99 respectively. The UA-1G USB Audio interface is available at a RRP of £94.99.

At the 2009 Frankfurt Musikmesse, Cakewalk introduced the SONAR V-Studio 100 portable music production studio.

V-Studio 100  combines the most essential tools needed by music producers and performing musicians in a compact package.

Features:

• High Speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface
• Universal DAW Controller
• Personal Digital Mixer
• SD WAV Recorder
• VS Production Pack suite of virtual instruments and effects (Mac/Win)
• SONAR VS digital audio workstation (Win)

Details below. If you’ve used the Sonar V-Studio 100, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Description:

Customers can take control of their music productions by using the VS-100 as a 24-bit/96 kHz high speed USB 2.0 audio, MIDI interface and universal DAW controller. SONAR V-Studio 100 also includes the VS Production Pack, a powerful suite of high quality instruments and effects. The VS-100 hardware and VS Production Pack have been designed to enhance productions on both Mac and Windows in conjunction with popular DAW software including SONAR, Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live, and others. For PC customers just getting started with digital recording, SONAR V-Studio 100 includes the SONAR VS digital audio workstation.

When inspiration strikes, the VS-100 is the ideal tool to get ideas down fast, without the need to boot up a computer. In standalone mode, the VS-100 hardware functions as a personal digital mixer and SD Wave recorder. Customers can use the VS-100 to record and mix rehearsals and live gigs and can also use it to play backing tracks (even while recording). Customers can then simply transfer the stereo recordings to their favorite DAW software to use as the basis for new tracks or for further editing and sweetening, to upload to the Internet, and more.

Second product in the next generation SONAR V-Studio line

SONAR V-Studio 100 is the second product in the next generation V-Studio line of Cakewalk branded hardware and software solutions from Cakewalk and Roland. Following the release of the flagship SONAR V-Studio 700, two great music technology leaders have again combined the best in hardware and software engineering to address the varied needs of today’s modern music producers and performing musicians.

SONAR V-Studio 100 Hardware Features

High Speed USB 2.0 Interface

SONAR V-Studio 100 is a high quality USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface utilizing world-class Roland engineering design and component technology.

• 8 in + mix / 6 out, 24-bit/96 kHz quality
• 2 mic pre-amps w/phantom Power, hi-z guitar input; MIDI I/O
• ASIO, WDM, WASAPI, Core Audio support
• Compatible with DAWs such as SONAR, Logic, Live, Cubase, and Digital Performer

Universal DAW Controller

SONAR V-Studio 100 is a universal DAW controller that supports all popular digital recording software for Mac/PC via Mackie control protocol, including Logic, Live, Cubase, and Digital Performer. Additionally, V-Studio 100 provides extended control capabilities over SONAR through the implementation of Cakewalk’s Active Controller Technology (ACT).

• 100 mm motorized, touch-sensitive fader
• 5 rotary encoders, 11 buttons and transport control
• Use with any DAW through Mackie Control protocol
• Advanced control of SONAR through Active Controller Technology

Personal Digital Mixer

SONAR V-Studio 100 is an ideal digital mixer for small groups or solo performers who need easy control of few instruments and vocals mics; DJs, MCs, and any electronic musician who needs to mix multiple sound sources. All users can enhance their live sound with the pro-quality on-board effects which offer easy routing and accessibility.

• Ideal for mixing small bands, solo musicians, DJs, home studios
• 8 inputs, 6 outputs plus headphones
• 4 types of reverb and 6 channels of EQ and Compression

Mobile SD Recorder Live Player

SONAR V-Studio 100 can capture that creative moment whenever inspiration strikes by providing high quality digital recording that can be used without being connected to computer. Record directly to the VS-100’s SD-card to capture song ideas, rehearsals, or live performances. Create backing tracks on your DAW of choice and transfer them to the VS-100’s SD-card for playback during live performance (even while recording). Likewise, recorded performances can be easily transferred from the VS-100’s SD-card for additional editing, tracking, and sweetening.

• Record away from your computer
• 2 channel wave recording and playback
• Capture rehearsals and live performances
• Play and record along to backing tracks
• Built-in metronome
• Insert markers during record and playback
• Loop a region for practicing parts or jamming
• Easily transfer audio to and from any computer via USB

SONAR V-Studio 100 Software Features

VS-100 Production Pack (Win/Mac) suite of effects and instruments includes:

VX-64 Vocal Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for shaping and sculpting incredible sounding vocal tracks. Each of the VX-64’s stages have been fine-tuned to be vocal-specific, taking the work out of dialing in an entire chain of vocal processors.  The VX-64 features a new Cakewalk technology that employs phase-coherent, multi-band saturation to avoid unwanted distortion; unique filtering to avoid harsh artifacts at extreme high and low frequencies; and an auto-leveling circuit that prevents the tube saturation from sounding too harsh when high gain transients are processed by it. VX-64 also employs a new de-essing algorithm designed with Cakewalk’s LP64 linear phase effect filtering technology to remove sibilance without creating any frequency smearing.

Processing stages include:

• Input — simulates a tube pre amp
• De-esser — removes sibilance without smearing
• Compander — vocal compressor with an expander to reduce unwanted background noise
• Tube EQ — for adding character ranging from subtle warmth to intense heat to the vocal
• Doubler — advanced doubling effect providing the quality of actual re-tracking
• Delay — preset delays useful for vocal tracks with tempo sync
• Output — provide saturation control with a built in soft-clipping filter
• Order of processor stages is user definable with click & drag reordering

Channel Tools — provides easy and powerful control over individual placement of the left and right channels anywhere in the stereo field. Ideal for adjusting L/R channel placement, gain, pan/width, and phase; also provides a widening or narrowing effect to stereo recordings through adjustments to mid-side gain.

Boost 11 Peak Limiter — gives your tracks radio-ready punch through transparent peak limiting and volume maximization without additional coloring of the source material. Boost 11 employs a “look-ahead” limiter and PDR (Program Dependent Release) to provide professional results with a simple interface.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE — built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.

Dimension LE — a streamlined version of the acclaimed Dimension Pro instrument from Cakewalk. Dimension LE features over 400 sound programs, ranging from bass, organ, and electric piano samples to cutting-edge synth sounds, rhythmic grooves, and a special edition of Garritan Pocket Orchestra.

Rapture LE — is a special version of the award winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer. It includes over 200 programs and hundreds of oscillator shapes. Rapture LE is perfect for performing the modern synthesized sounds igniting today’s pop, dance, and electronic music.

Cakewalk Studio Instruments — a collection of four virtual instruments that provide a fast and easy way to create backing tracks using a photo-realistic, interactive user interface. Instruments include a Drum Kit, Bass Guitar, Electric Piano, and String Section.

SONAR VS digital recording software (PC only) — a special entry level DAW based on the powerful SONAR 8 audio engine but offering a streamlined user interface.

Availability

SONAR V-Studio 100 will ship with the VS-100 hardware (Mac/Win), the VS Production Pack (Mac/Win) and SONAR VS (Win) software available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; Online Help contained in all versions in English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian; printed documentation is in English.

SONAR V-Studio 100 will be available through select music and sound retailers throughout the world beginning in June 2009. For more information on SONAR V-Studio 100,  visit www.sonarvstudio.com.

This demo shows how to use Ableton Live to output control voltages through a MOTU audio interface to control analog gear, in this case a Frostwave Resonator.

via tremorcore:

more geeky CV crap using ableton live and a handful of LFO type wav files to modulate external analog gear.(if you’re not interested in the “how” and just want to see the frostwave spaz out, jump to 3:30 or so.) this stuff *only* works with MOTU audio interfaces (see: volta). this is an easy and free way to send beat-synced LFOs to your outboard modular gear; moogerfoogers, sherman filterbank, little phatty… anything with a CV input.the LFO wav files used in the vid can be downloaded here:http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yhljroqzy1ti recommend setting the warp method to “Re-Pitch” to keep LFOs smooth at extreme BPMs. or don’t… and get cool glitches.

Native Instruments has announced that the Audio Kontrol 1 audio interface is now bundled with an extended software package at no further cost. All purchases of the interface now include a download of either ABSYNTH 4, FM8, MASSIVE, or PRO-53 depending on the user’s choice.

Audio Kontrol 1 combines a 2-in/4-out USB 2.0 audio interface with assignable control surface elements in a rugged, compact aluminium enclosure. Emphasis has been placed on high-quality audio conversion and low-latency driver technology.

Other software bundled with AUDIO KONTROL 1 includes the GUITAR RIG 3 LE amp emulation suite, the TRAKTOR LE DJ software, the KORE PLAYER software instrument and the Cubase LE 4 sequencer.

Kapling is a simple little standalone physical modeling synthesizer application for Mac OS X built with Max/MSP 5

It is based on the Karplus-Strong algorithm. Kapling uses this method to attempt the emulation of resonant bodies, like a string being plucked, or melodic percussion instrument being struck.

Eight independent voices are triggered by a 32-step sequencer, with a variety of parameters set up to help you sculpt new timbres in realtime. Kapling also features a tempo-synced stereo delay and recording to disk.

In simpler terms, Kapling can help you make twangy, boingy, klonky tones.

You can preview Kapling below. You can download it from the Kapling site.

If you’ve used Kapling, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Key features:

• 8 independent synth voices
• 32-step sequencer
• realtime timbral controls
• randomized initial impulse to provide natural variation over time
• tempo-synced stereo delay
• store presets for pitch, sequences, and timbre, and export them to disk
• record output directly to disk as an aiff file
• cpu monitor helps keep track of the tax on your system
• each voice has a hotkeyed mute switch for ease of live use
• freeware! (but donations are welcome!!)

Note: this is a standalone synth, not a plugin.