“There is so much low-end content in music being made today,” said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Akai Professional, “we felt that a studio monitor specifically designed for extended low frequency playback would appeal to the people who already use our MPCs and production controllers.”

RPM8 studio monitors are sold individually and will be available from professional audio and musical instrument retailers Q4, 2009. Pricing is TBA.

Description:

RPM8 studio monitors are two-way, active, bi-amplified, nearfield loudspeakers. The two-way monitors each feature an eight-inch woven-kevlar low-frequency driver with 80W RMS of continuous amplification for full bass all the way down to 39 Hz. The monitors’ high-frequency system consists of a one-inch silk-dome tweeter with 40W RMS of continuous amplification, mounted on a custom, functionally optimized waveguide for excellent control of directivity and reduction of unwanted early reflections.

RPM8 studio monitors contain active, fourth-order crossovers for outstanding separation and optimal power management. Their cabinet is constructed of industry-standard MDF for low resonance, and is dually ported on the front baffle for bass extension in any setting including soffit-mounted installations. The bi-amplification, ported cabinet design and overall acoustical efficiency combine to produce a speaker that can deliver up to powerful 113 dB SPL and with accurate frequency response from 39 Hz to 20 kHz. Producers will appreciate the RPM8s’ bicolor LED clip indicator, which assists them in avoiding damage to their system. Engineers can connect their professional studio systems to the RPM8s’ combination XLR-balanced 1/4″ TRS inputs for compatibility with a wide variety of source equipment.

At the 2009 Winter NAMM Show, Alesis introduced the M1Active 520 USB – a set of studio monitors with USB audio connectivity.

M1Active 520 USB is a pair of active, bi-amplified, two-way reference monitors that are designed to reproduce frequencies from 20,000 Hz all the way down to 56 Hz, covering nearly all frequencies audible to human ears. You can send audio directly from your DAW via USB to the speakers, for low noise, low-distortion signal flow.

The M1Active 520 USB monitors are designed around a five-inch polypropylene low-frequency driver and a one-inch silk dome high-frequency driver. The low-resonance bass-reflex cabinet features beveled edges to reduce edge diffraction and a tuned port for bass extension

M1Active 520 USB’s bi-amplified design delivers 50W to the woofer and 25W to the tweeter. The monitors are magnetically shielded so you can place them near computer screens and hard drives without concern.

The M1Active 520 USB’s large, front-panel, bi-color display indicates presence of signal in blue and clipping in red for instant feedback on system status.

In addition to USB playback capability, M1Active 520 USBs boast a pair of TRS-balanced 1/4″ inputs, so they can be used as a high-quality computer audio interface. Users can connect a stereo source or two mono sources including a mixer, keyboard, sampler or tape deck and record directly to their computer through the speakers.

“The new M1Active 520 USB studio monitors make getting low-distortion signal from your DAW to your monitors simple,” said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Alesis.

M1Active 520 USB studio monitors will be available in Q3 2009, at an MSRP of $299.99 and an estimated street price of $199.99.

2009 NAMM Show: At last year’s NAMM show, we were impressed by the technology behind KRK’s ERGO (Enhanced Room Geometry Optimization) room correction system.

It’s a system that automatically measures the acoustics of your listening room and adjust/corrects the output of your monitors to compensate. (See our video demo of the KRK ERGO system).

Just in time for this year’s show, KRK Systems has announced worldwide availability of ERGO. (It was originally expected in April of 2008). The ERGO system retails for $799.

I’ve got a pair of 5″ Rokits sitting on both sides of my work area and lover them – but these bright yellow ones would look and sound even sweeter. 

Available only in the 6-inch model and at Guitar Center’s in the U.S., the Rokit6 G2CB will feature a high-gloss yellow cabinet along with the traditional yellow Kevlar cone.

The Rokit6 G2CB will be built to the same specifications as the Rokit G2 . Recently, the Rokit was upgraded with curved design elements that help eliminate diffraction distortion caused by standard flat baffles. As with the Rokit G2, the CB will incorporate several technologies from the company’s flagship VXT and E8B lines, including the radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet.

Additionally, the Rokit G2’s voicing was enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision. The end result is a harmonious yet accurate blend of low and high-frequency components that result in a more accurate speaker. 

The Special Edition Rokit Studio Monitors are available now at Guitar Center and have a MSRP of $299 per monitor.

This is a short documentary look at Chandler Limited of Shell Rock, Iowa.

Chandler specializes in remaking and reintroducing classic recording equipment based on classic EMI and Abbey Road designs that are no longer available or in some cases never were.

Description:

The industrial design of the KRK10s leverages KRK’s research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The subwoofer’s curved front now matches the Rokit and VXT monitors’ diffraction reducing shape.

Updated electronics include a ground-lift switch for combating less than perfect electrical and audio grounding and a bypass footswitch that allows the subwoofer and crossover to be easily enabled and disabled. The bypass footswitch allows users to easily switch a mix from stereo or 2.1/5.1 sound environments. Improved amplifier heat sinking results in lower distortion at high power levels and the KRK10s has a lower noise floor than its predecessor.

The voicing has been slightly enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision and the scientifically designed front firing port reduces wall coupling and port turbulence.

I use a pair of first generation Rokit 5’s, paired with a Rokit 10s and have been happy with them – but the bypass footswitch is a great addition, along with the other tweaks.

Pricing and Availability:

The KRK10s replaces the existing RP10s subwoofer and will be available to buy in the UK from all good pro audio dealers for £299 inc. VAT

M-Audio has introduced Overdub – a new series of comic book style guides to audio studio production.

Volume One: A Guide to Studio Monitors details everything you need to know when setting up a reference monitor system.
Topics include:

• How to select the right monitors
• Guidelines for monitor placement
• Dealing with room acoustics
• Using acoustical treatment
• Testing your system

There’s an M-Audio bent, but there’s actually a lot of good info in this issue. (pdf)

Samson

The monitors also provide an onboard iPod dock so you can sync, charge and play music from your iPod.

Available in 3i (3-inch woofer) and 4i (4-inch woofer) configurations, the monitors offer 2 x 15 watts and 2 x 20 watts of internal power respectively, along with a 25mm silk dome high frequency driver.

While the combination of USB monitors and an iPod dock has appeal, placing these monitors properly – at approximately eye level, could put the dock in an awkward position.

More details below:

Features:

• Integrated iPod® dock to sync, charge and play music
• USB input to stream digital audio from your computer, offering high-resolution sound
• 3.25-inch magnetically shielded, inverted cone, copolymer woofer
• 25mm silk dome high frequency driver
• Bass reflex vented cabinet design
• 30 watts (2 x 15) of internal power
• Front panel 3.5mm stereo aux input jack, headphone output jack and volume control
• Convenient rear panel RCA inputs
• Passive crossovers utilizing multi-pole design for linear response
• USB and speaker cables included
• Solid Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) construction for maximum SPL

I’ve got a set myself, and can vouch that they sound great and are built like tanks.

Now Mackie has announced the next generation of its SRM Series, with the SRM450v2 and SRM350v2.

The new models feature efficient switching power supplies, a lightweight neodymium woofer and a titanium dome compression driver. The SRM450v2 is 11 pounds lighter than its predecessor and now cast in a distinctive midnight blue enclosure.

“The change in sound from the originals is noticeable across the entire frequency range- the low end is punchier, the highs are more brilliant and the clarity of the mids are greatly improved,” said John Boudreau, Mackie Brand Group VP. “The original SRM’s have been the industry standard for sound quality for a decade; we needed to step it up and create a new standard- that’s what we’ve done with the SRMv2.”

The sound improvement may be great – but, in my book, cutting 11 pounds off the weight may be the best new feature.

The SRM450v2 features a built-in 300W class-D, Fast Recovery LF amp/100W HF amp and weighs 40 lbs. The SRM350v2 features a built-in 165W class-D, Fast Recovery LF amp/30W HF amp and weighs 26 lbs.

The SRMv2s are now available world-wide. The SRM350v2 will have a U.S. MSRP of $699.99. The SRM450v2 will have a U.S. MSRP of $899.99.

The second generation Rokit incorporates several technologies from the company’s flagship VXT and E8B lines, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet. The new Rokits replace the current Rokit 5″, 6″ and 8″ models.

I’ve got a pair of Rokit in the Synthtopia studio, and have found them to offer great sound for their price.

The new Rokits leverage KRK’s research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The Rokit G2’s curved front baffle was engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles. The baffle also houses a molded front-facing bass port that minimizes low-frequency phase distortion and unwanted frequency emphasis typical of rear-facing bass ports. The end result is a harmonious yet accurate blend of low and high-frequency components that result in a more accurate speaker. Additionally, the Rokit G2’s voicing has been slightly enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision.

The new Rokit G2’s have a MAP price of $149, $199 and $249 for the 5, 6 and 8 inch versions, respectively. They are available now.

At the Winter NAMM Show, KRK announced ERGO, a digital room analysis and correction system. ERGO (Enhanced Room Geometry Optimization) aims to improve your studio mixing space by correcting for real world acoustic problems.

ERGO analyzes and compensates for undesirable room acoustics which can negatively impact audio mixdowns. The unit connects to a computer via Firewire when it is performing its room analysis, but since all correction processing resides in ERGO, no overhead is needed from the computer audio system. This means that ERGO can function in pure analog systems since it can work as a stand-alone room correction/speaker control unit after room analysis is complete.

In addition to room correction, ERGO also acts as a speaker switcher and master volume control. It is also a 4-in, 6-out Firewire audio interface with 120dB SNR digital-to-analog converters and phase-accurate signal processing.

KRK also incorporates Firewire and S/PDIF input for digital connections to DAWs such as Pro Tools and other systems.

We were able to check this out at the NAMM Show and were impressed with the technology, but the price will probably scare a lot of people off. KRK emphasized that the ERGO wasn’t a replacement for an acoustically treated room, but instead was the next best thing.

ERGO will be available on April 2008 at a retail price of $799.

Winter NAMM Show Update: Korg introduced special edition versions of its X50 and microKORG synths.

The body of the Limited Edition X50 (X50-CF) is covered in a camouflage finish, and the Limited Edition microKORG (microKORG-BK) features vintage-style, reverse-color keys (the black and white colors are reversed). Both keyboards provide the same functions and features as their regular line counterparts.

Both models will be in stores by February 2008 at select KORG dealers. The limited edition versions and the regular line offerings will be available concurrently. The microKORG-BK has an MSRP of $550.00.The X50-CF has an MSRP of $950.00.

The microKORG is a portable synthesizer offering a variety of tools for performers, producers, computer musicians and beginners alike. It delivers modeling synthesis, vocoding, real-time control, onboard effects and external audio processing, plus Korg’s renowned quality and sound.

The system comes with four inputs for connecting microphones, electric or bass guitars, keyboards or CD/MP3 players. An iPod dock is included .

Features:

• High-output powered, mountable 2-way speaker system
• Built-in, rechargeable battery with level indicator; power lasts up to 12 hours
• High-fidelity sound output to more than 150 feet
• Enhanced bass output creates a full, rich sound
• Professional quality microphone included
• Heavy-duty aluminum construction
• Two-wheel system with retractable handle for easy portability

TransActive Mobile is available now for an MSRP of $599.

Features include:

• USB 1.1 audio interface
• 16-Bit / 44.1-48 kHz recording and playback
• Pro-grade 1/4″ plugs and standard RCA jacks
• TRS headphone output
• Two 1/4″ phone jack inputs
• Stereo 1/8″ TRS mini-jack input
• Stereo RCA inputs
• 1/8″ TS output to passive speaker
• Switchable power supply
• Magnetically shielded for safe placement near TV and computer monitors

M1 Active 320 USB speakers will be available Q2 – 2008 for an MSRP of $199.

NAMM Show Update: Tapco introduced a new loudspeaker sub, the TAPCO THUMP TH-18s Active Subwoofer.

Housed in a rugged, ported bass-reflex enclosure and featuring an 500-watt Class-D amplifier design, the TH-18s provides amazingly accurate low-end response—from 35Hz-125Hz. The high-current switching power supply means it’s ready for worldwide use, and it’s lightweight, so musicians won’t break their back on their travels.

“The TH-18s is the perfect complement to the highly demanded TH-15A loudspeaker,” says Mackie product manager, Gilbert Perales. “Their sophisticated circuitry and durable construction makes this pair the most powerful—and portable—active live sound reinforcement system in their class. Together you have a complete—and completely affordable—”plug-and-play” active system perfect for a band, small club or DJ setup.”

The TAPCO THUMP TH-18s includes stereo I/O and pass thru for flexible connectivity as well as stereo High Pass output (120Hz). The sub also features a Polarity switch, Rear Clip LED and comes with a standard pole mount for the TH-15A.

The TAPCO THUMP TH-18s will be available domestically and internationally in Q2 2008 and have an MSRP of $699.99.

Best-named new startup Overloud has announced TH1, a new virtual guitar amp.

Modeled after a wide variety of amplifiers, one of its most unusual features is its ability to “morph” between amps, so the guitar player can “build” his own personal amp. TH1’s Smart Control strip is a row of 8 soft buttons, pots and switches controlling the vital parameters of the current sound. The logic beneath these devices allows the user to control more than one parameter at once. The Smart Control strip and Preset Selection can also be controlled by host automation and MIDI control.

TH1 features:

• 15 Amps, 15 cabinets, 15 mics
• 3D-positioning of mics around guitar cabinets and in the room
• Virtual Cabinets
• In-line tuner
• At-a-glance photographic view of the signal chain
• MIDI pedal board support
• User-oriented amp channel switching
• Tons of ready-to-use sounds with up to 8 variations made to fit different song sections, or a full set.

TH1 will be released in Q2 of 2008.

StompIO comes fully stocked with 5 full software packages:

• AmpliTube 2
• Ampeg SVX
• AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix
• AmpliTube Metal (only for previously registered AmpliTube 2 users) and
• AmpliTube X-GEAR

That’s over $1,200/€990 worth of software, totaling over 150 different modern and vintage gear models.

Features:

• software-based guitar amp and FX that can truly be used live
• operate every element of the software, with no need to have a screen, keyboard or mouse connected
• boots up in less than 45 seconds on an average Mac/PC
• use the same set up on stage and in studio, with the same instantly recallable presets and sound
• more expandable and upgradeable than any other software-based effects system
• vonveniently carry a mega-rig with your laptop or mini computer

StompIO manages 4,000 presets with 5 different play modes to suit your playing style, with full editing control and the ability to create, save, and manage presets with only your feet. Take full control of your virtual gear rig with 10 on-board metal switches and 6 dynamic knobs with 2 large displays, plus to up 6 additional expression pedals or switches for monster rig control (1 expression pedal is included). Balanced and unbalanced outs let you connect the output of StompIO to an amp or house PA, and the MIDI in/out allows you to integrate traditional hardware processors for the ultimate live rig.

In the studio, StompIO combines the audio-quality of a high-end audio interface (with >107dBA, the highest dynamic range in its category) with an advanced automation controller to record your entire performances without handing off your guitar, and no need for tedious automation editing. StompIO is compatible with every DAW system, with balanced outputs for traditional recording and S/PDIF output for high-quality digital recording.

Price and availability

StompIO is now available from all worldwide IK dealers and distributors, as well as on the IK online shop, for an MSRP of €799/$1,049.

The included AmpliTube Metal for AmpliTube 2 registered users will be available by March.

At the 2008 Winter NAMM Show, Eric Barbour of Metasonix introduced the G-1000 Fucking Fucker (not the sucking fucker), a high-end tube amp that brings Barbour’s interest in using using vacuum tubes in original ways to amps.

We caught up with Eric at the show and this was what he had to say about the new amp.

At the 2008 Winter NAMM Show, Eric Barbour of Metasonix introduced the G-1000 Fucking Fucker (not the sucking fucker), a high-end tube amp that brings Barbour’s interest in using using vacuum tubes in original ways to amps.

Here’s what Barbour has to say about the Fucking Fucker:

There is nothing like the G-1000. Not even vaguely. It is arcane and radical. It is 100% vacuum tubes, from input to output. It contains 100% new-old-stock (NOS) tubes. Types never seen in guitar amps.

The G-1000 consists of two totally independent amplifiers, with very different preamp sections. One channel is called the HAPPY channel. The other is called the ANGRY channel.

For damn good reason. One sucks your face, the other gnaws your foreskin off.

The HAPPY channel is a more-or-less conventional instrument amp. It has plenty of gain and distortion (if desired), it has a conventional guitar-amp tone control section, and it has reverb. Everything else about it is DEVIANT. It has a PHASE control, which allows mixing of normal and inverted signals—or it may be adjusted to cancel out the original signal and pass only the distortion products….and, it’s all made of unusual tubes. Mostly pentodes, ha ha ha.

The ANGRY channel is well-named. It is designed for instability and raw, berserk distortion effects. It, too, has typical guitar-amp tone controls and reverb. It uses a 6BN6 and two remote-cutoff pentodes. Ask your mother what those are. She’s already tasted your foreskin anyway.

Despite the identical output stages of the two channels, they sound TOTALLY different. In ALL settings.

The output tubes are 6BK5s. Obscure, yes, but great and forgotten. Phase inversion is done with 6GU7s. Various types are used throughout the preamp stages: 6AU6, 6BJ6, 6CB6, 6BN6, 5BQ7, 6AK5, and others. No 12AX7s, of ANY brand. How many tubes? TWENTY-THREE tubes in total. Including eight 6BK5 outputs. It might be the most complex tube guitar amp available today….

The output tubes are in a special self-balancing, self-biasing circuit. It is unique to the G-1000 among guitar amps. It does NOT NEED matched tubes, nor is any kind of bias adjustment needed. Output power is 15 watts per channel, and two speakers (or a stereo speaker) are needed.

Vast ranges of tone are available from the G-1000. We cannot even begin to explain its flexibility. The G-1000 is NOT intended for middle-aged “tone questers”, who believe that they will be able to play like Eric Clapton by simply spending a lot of $$$ on equipment. We HATE those people. The G-1000 is intended for the intrepid experimenter, not the pathetic imitator. Tone questers are invited to DIE.

No, you moron, it’s not available in combo form. Head only.
Speakers are available from other suppliers.

Artwork on the amp’s front panel by Dave Lovelace, of “Retarded Animal Babies” infamy. (http://www.umop.com)

Oh, the amp’s name? The idea came from Mike Brown of Livewire Synthesizers. Blame him. (It came from one of Dave Lovelace’s cartoons. Yes, the Fucking Fucker is a real, live cartoon character. A super-villain, come to think of it.)

G-1000 is made on a custom basis only and should be available in late 2008. Expected retail price is US $ 5000.

Unfortunately, Barbour didn’t have the Fucking Fucker in action at the NAMM show. Watch his site for audio samples.

You can read more about Barbour and the way he uses tubes in our interview.

OK – you’ve got the most powerful synths ever, and you’ve got the most powerful computer gear ever, and you’ve got the most powerful kick ass tracks ever – what are you going to play them on?

The NAT Audio Magma, of course – designed to be the most powerful tube amplifier ever built.

With 160 watts of power, the Magma is surely in contention for that title. The NAT Audio Magma is capable of blasting its raw power at 4 or 8 ohms with a frequency response of 10-10,000 Hz. To produce this power the Magma relies on three different tubes: the 6N1P-EV, the 6N30P-DR, and the Eimac 450TH.

In order to handle this power, the Magma utilizes an unusual direct-heated NOS amp design that runs into a DC-coupled all-tube circuit, which allows the amp to achieve a damping factor of 20. In addition, the power and output transformers are rated for 1000 watts, and the power supply capacitance is over 500 joules. The Magma weighs in at 88 lbs. and will set you back $55,000 for a pair of the monoblock amplifiers.

Specifications:

• Type: Single Ended Class “A”
• Power Output: 160 Watts @ 4 & 8 ohms; 1 kHz
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 100 kHz; -3dB
• Input Impedance: 100 kohms
• Input Sensitivity: 2.7 V RMS for full power output
• Gain: 22.50 dB at 8 ohm
• Rise Time: 5 microseconds
• Noise: 105 dB below rated output
• Phase Status: Non inverting (0 degrees)
• Tube Complement: 1x 6N1P-EV, 1 x 6N30P-DR , 1 x 450 TH
• Power Requirement: 110 VAC or 220 VAC @ 50 to 60 Hz, 450 VA
• Dimensions: 11.8″ wide x 25.2″ deep x 14.2″ high
• NET Weight: approx. 88 lbs per piece
• Price: $55,000 per pair

Features:

• Single Ended pure class A mono block power amplifier
• Eimac power industrial type direct heated triode 450TH (N.O.S.)
• DC coupled all tube circuit (only output transformer without capacitors)
• CE comfortable
• 160 W of pure class A @4ohms or @8ohms
• Low global feedback configuration with damping factor of 20
• High capacity in power supply resulting to over 500joules of energy storage
• Custom designed power transformer of 1000W encapsulated-low density
• Custom designed output transformer of 1000W encapsulatedlast generation
• Full double stabilization of high voltage for driver tubes
• 6N1P-EV & 6N30P-DR long life military grade tubes for driver purposes
• Full automatic bias with automatic-adjust (no any adjustment).
• Variable bias (two mode with 40W & 160W of output power)
• Balanced DC power to supply filament of output tube
• Balanced regulated DC power to supply filament for driver tubes
• Both input and output WBT connectors
• Input wired with pure 6N silver (99,9999% of silver purity)
• All aluminum modulated chassis with double 25mm thick front panel