2008 Summer NAMM Show Update: Yamaha announced Audiogram 6 and Audiogram 3, two new Computer Recording Systems (aka digital mixers) designed to easily turn your computer into a tool for recording and editing audio from virtually any microphone, instrument or audio device.

The Audiogram Series bundle together a hardware interface with audio inputs and outputs, software for recording and producing music, and a USB cable for connection to a computer.

“The Audiogram Series has been carefully designed to make everything from set-up to recording as easy as possible,” said Yamaha’s Athan Billias.

The Audiogram Series will be available in August, 2008 for $139.99 retail (Audiogram 3) and $199.99 retail (Audiogram 6).

The Audiogram 6 features 2 XLR combo inputs with preamps and one-knob compression for dialing in the desired sound from microphones and instruments. One of these inputs has switchable phantom power for using high-quality condenser microphones. Two stereo inputs, stereo and headphone outputs, and a USB jack complete the unit’s connections. The Audiogram 6 includes separate controls for audio inputs and computer playback for complete control while recording.

With a focus on simplicity, the Audiogram 3 features one phantom powered combo input switchable for microphones or instrument recording, a stereo input, a stereo and headphone output as well as a USB jack for connection to the computer.

At the Winter NAMM Show, Alesis introduced the iMultiMix 16 USB Mixer.

The iMultiMix 16 USB is a mobile recording mixer with iPod transport controls and a control wheel built right into the surface for complete control of the iPod while it is being docked in the mixer. The mixer features a universal dock for iPod that lets you record directly to any iPod Classic, 5th generation (video) and 2nd or 3rd generation iPod nano.

The USB connection transfers tracks into iTunes upon connection to a computer. Files recorded into the iPod are CD quality, 16-Bit, 44.1 kHz .wav files.

iMultiMix 16 USB features:

• Integrated recording for iPod
• Four high-gain mic/line preamps (XLR and 1/4″ balanced)
• 48V phantom power
• Built-in limiter to avoid distorted recordings
• 16-Bit / 44.1kHz and 48kHz recording to computer
• Two guitar mic/line inputs
• Aux sends and returns
• 100 on-board, 28-bit digital effects – Reverb, Chorus, Flange, Delay
• 3-band per channel EQ with high/low shelving and mid band pass/reject Steinberg Cubase LE recording software included

Mac OS and Windows users can connect to the iMultiMix 16 USB using USB for direct to computer recording as well. In addition to its computer connectivity, the iMultiMix 16 USB offers eight analog inputs, one hundred 28-Bit effects, phantom power, and 2 switchable mic/line/guitar inputs.

The iMultiMix 16 USB also features built-in audio effects. Vocalists can add professional quality reverb and guitar players can create flange effects, all of which are mixed and recorded to the iPod with ease. iPod owners will find this mixer the perfect compliment for a wide variety of recording needs thanks to its natural merging of the control wheel and traditional mixer knobs.

The iMultiMix 16 USB will be available Q2 – 2008 with a suggested retail price of $799.

Roland has announced that it’s shipping the new EDIROL M-16DX Digital Mixer.
The M-16DX is a new-generation mixer comprising two modules: the Mix Controller for your desktop, and the I/O Module, which can be mounted in a rack. Together, these two components provide a wide assortment of connection and processing features, while leaving your desktop uncluttered. The M-16DX contains a powerful 24-bit/96kHz digital signal processing engine that provides a transparent, noiseless mixing foundation.

A full-featured DSP effects processor is built into the M-16DX, with insert effects (Power Compressor, Vocal/Narration Enhancers, and Voice Change), spatial effects (Echo, Space Echo, and multi-format Reverb), and mastering tools (Noise Suppressor, Enhancer, and Multiband Compressor-Limiter). In addition, each channel strip is equipped with Low-Cut Filter, 3-Band Sweepable EQ, Pan, Aux 1&2, Select, Solo/Mute, and Level controls. Onboard Scene memories, that only a digital mixer can offer, allow for instant recall of channel and effect parameters, USB switch, and the dual 16-band graphic EQ settings.

Together with powerful effects onboard, an intelligent Room Acoustic Control function, and loads of digital and analog connectivity, the M-16DX signals a new era in digital mixing. With the release of an optional 23 ft/7 meter cable (model name: DXC-7), Roland adds portable convenience to the sweet mix of this new mixer’s features.

“The optional DXC-7 allows users to move the console away from the processor to give them the flexibility to control the mix from a convenient location, away from the many cables that may be plugged into the I/O processor. Anyone wishing to streamline their studio, or chase the sweet spot with mixer in hand, can benefit from this simple option. Live bands, keyboard players, drummers, project studio engineers, audio/video production facilities, and more will appreciate the convenience and the many features that this full digital mixer offers,” said EDIROL product manager Michael Barrett.

In a portable mixing first, the M-16DX features a high-contrast, backlit LCD that lets you to see the effects in operation, as well a spectrum analysis of your mix! Also onboard is the intelligent Room Acoustic Control function, which automatically analyzes and compensates for the frequency response of your studio. It’s fast, easy, and effective.

Digital and analog connectivity—it’s all here, and more. Channels 1–4 contain quality mic preamps with phantom power; channels 1 and 2 also offer Hi-Z switches for directly connecting guitar and bass. Channels 11 and 12 provide direct digital input via S/PDIF optical or coaxial connections. And most impressively, the USB 2.0 port allows the mixer to work as a powerful 18-in/2-out 24-bit/96kHz audio interface for computer recording. Eighteen discrete audio channels (16 inputs + Main Mix) that can be recorded on individual tracks within the complimentary Cakewalk SONARL LE recording software or to most any DAW software of your choice. Macintosh and Windows operating systems fully supported.

NAMM 2006 Winter Show: Korg USA

The D888 is as easy to operate as a traditional analog mixer. Every channel strip offers trim,3-band EQ, plus effect send and pan controls — each with its own dedicated real-time knobs. A 160 x 104 backlit LCD panel provides metering and other pertinent information. Balanced TRS and XLR inputs are tied to high-quality mic preamps equipped with professional 24-bit A/D and D/A converters. Switchable phantom power accommodates a variety of microphones. The mixer uses 40-bit, 44.1 kHz processing for a clean audio signal that surpasses CD quality. The versatile 8-output architecture makes the D888 suitable for a variety of audio applications. In Individual Mode, each output is directly tied to a particular mixer channel, allowing the D888 to sit transparently between the microphones and the house sound system. With the Individual Mode off, outputs 1 and 2 become the Monitor outputs, outputs 3 and 4 serve as the Master outputs, and outputs 5-8 retain their individuality. An optical format S/PDIF digital output is also provided, as well as two headphone jacks, which are each equipped with a dedicated level control.

The onboard Master effect is instantly selectable from the front panel. Each mixer channel has its own send knob, and a global return knob allows for just the right mix. There are 11 effect types, and parameters are editable in real time from a dedicated front-panel knob. The internal metronome can be sent from Master and Monitor outputs, or just the Monitor outs (for following a click-track during recording or performance).

The D888 records using industry-standard WAV format, so no conversion is required when transferring files to a computer using the high-speed USB 2.0 connection. The D888’s entire hard drive appears on the computer desktop, making transfers convenient and easy. Users can record and play up to eight simultaneous audio tracks with full 16-bit, 44.1 kHz resolution. Eight virtual tracks are available per audio track (for a total of 64 recording tracks), and tracks may be bounced digitally with no quality loss. The entire mix can be bounced to a stereo Master Track. Non-destructive editing functions include copy, paste, erase and more, with Undo and Redo commands. Punch-in and-out is supported for overdubs. The internal 40 GB hard drive provides up to 120 hours of total recording time, with 200 songs, four locate points and 100 markers per song.

The Korg D888 is available May 2006 with a U.S. MSRP TBA.

More information is available at the Korg site.