2008 NAMM Show

Submersible Music has announced two new drum libraries featuring the grunge rock sound of Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) and the R&B grooves of Jonathan “Sugarfoot” Moffett (Michael Jackson, Madonna).

The new CameronPack I and SugarfootPack I DrummerPacks are designed for DrumCore and the free DrumCore LT DrummerPack player. The DrummerPacks feature drum loops (plus fills and variations) in both audio and MIDI formats (recorded at multiple tempos).

Also included are MIDI drumkit sounds for use with the included MIDI beats or for users who program their own beats. All MIDI kits and MIDI beats will also be available as KitPacks for Submersible’s new KitCore MIDI instrument.

The new DrummerPacks are expected to ship Q1 of 2008 and are priced at $79.99. Read more…

The VCM-100 is a compact USB MIDI & audio system, designed with Vestax’s mechatronics technology developed in the past 30 years. Despite its compact size, the VCM-100 comes with 4in4out(Stereo x 2 in/out)connection, headphone output and high quality mechanical parts placed in the control section.

Having every feature fitted in to a solid metal body smaller than a standard laptop, the VCM-100 is easy to use and transportation friendly, which makes it the simple all-in-one USB audio interface that all PRO’s want.

Features:

• 60 parameters of various software are assignable to the VCM-100’s control section via USB MIDI IN/OUT.
• The DATA SEND LED provides clear visual of the current status to assist in an authentic play mode in real time.
• Monaural 4 in/ Stero 2 out (Master out L.R, Monitor/Booth out L.R), Headphone output. The VMC-100 provides a high definition sound, thanks to the audio codec IC designed with a built-in hardware sample rate converter, delta-sigma conversion 20bit stereo D/A converter and 18bit stereo A/D converter.
• Support for ASIO 2.0, CoreAudio and MME / WDM, MAYA44 USB is compatible to all major music and DJ and DAW applications.
• ESI(Ego systems Inc) designed ASIO driver apllied for its proven high reliablity.DAW application software and DJ application software work with the driver at a valiant low latency rate and high performance. (Windows will identify the VCM-100 as a 2in2out USB audio device when using the standard Windows WDM driver. Use the ASIO driver when using multi input/output with DTM application software. )
• The VCM-100 provides simple plug & play features working with Apple and Windows computers.
• The power source is selectable from USB bus-power and the exclusive power adaptor(not included). (For best performance and stable operation, please use the power adaptor if the computer’s power capacity is low or if using a USB hub) ?B
• There are no issues if you don’t have any software to operate. TRAKTOR LE (Native Instrument Inc.) is bundled to the VCM-100 with exclusive control assignment files.
• Compatible with all software that allows MIDI control assignment. 3 versions of firmware can be selected to have the best match with the software. Each software’s samples of MIDI control assignment files will be available at www.vestax.com soon.
• The compact metal body is thin but highly durable, and convenient for transportation.

Minimum system requirements

Operating System

Windows: Requires Windows XP Service Pack 2. Does not support Windows 2000/98/Me NOTE: DO NOT connect to a Windows 2000 Professional PC. The display will turn blue screen and the computer will freeze.

Macintosh: Supports Mac OS X 10.3.9 / 10.4.7. Does not support previous system versions. Multi client environments that operate the VCM-100 with more than 1 software are not supported.

Hardware

Windows:
CPU: Pentium III 500 MHz (Advanced CPU required for laptops)
Memory: 256MB RAM
USB 1.0/2.0 Interface

Macintosh
CPU: Macintosh G3 600/G4 667MHz (Advanced CPU required for laptops)
Memory: 256MB RAM
USB 1.0/2.0 Interface

These minimum system requirements are for the VCM-100 hardware. If the software’s system requirements are higher than the VCM-100, please prepare an advanced operating system qualified. Macintosh CPU accelerator cards are not supported. The computer must have USB connection.

NAMM Show Update: EASTWEST expanded upon its Quantum Leap Colossus collection by introducing Quantum Leap Goliath.

Designed for composers and songwriters, Quantum Leap Goliath is a complete collection of quality instruments and sounds, spanning various genres and musical styles).

Quantum Leap Goliath encompasses the entire Colossus collection plus 8 Gigabytes of new content. With Goliath, users have more than 180 high-quality instruments and more than 600 patches including drums and percussion, guitars, basses, acoustic and electric pianos, keyboards and mallets, pop brass, orchestral instruments, choirs and vocals, ethnic instruments, new age ensembles, morphing atmospheres, synth basses, synth leads, and synth pads. As part of the additional content, Goliath features the full collections of sounds from the EW/PMI Bosendorfer 290 Piano collection.

“Goliath was created to provide users with a comprehensive composing toolkit along with the added power and speed of the PLAY sample engine,” says Quantum Leap Producer Nick Phoenix. “Goliath expands upon Colossus’ reputation while incorporating the future of computer music creation by providing access to 64-bit support, enabling users to utilize all of the system RAM they have installed, and to load many more instruments than was previously possible.” Read more…

NAMM Show Update: CME introduced the ASX, a DSP board which goes into the expansion slot of UF and VX series keyboards and provides a flexible synthesis engine, turning the CME MIDI controller keyboard into a stand-alone synthesizer.

Yep – it’s a $369 synth on a card.

The ASX offers sufficient DSP power to run dedicated synth modelling plug-ins. Four plug-ins are included with the ASX, which can be dynamically loaded one at a time:

• Minimax – a polyphonic replica of the Minimoog
• LightWave – a wavetable based virtual analog synth
• B4000 organ – a model of the Hammond tonewheel organ, and
• Vocodizer – a vocoder controlled via a dedicated microphone input.

Next to the microphone input, the ASX provides stereo line out, stereo headphone out and a USB port to connect to the ASX Editor Software. The Editor provides graphic interfaces to each plug-in and allows access to all settings of the plug- in.

Sounds can be managed, exchanged via an online server and uploaded to the ASX

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.