A multitude of audio interfaces were presented in Anaheim.
Apogee Electronics Corporation (the most renowned manufacturer of AD/DA converters) introduced the Symphonie card, a multichannel PCI Express architecture card for PowerMAC G5 computers. Controlled via the Maestro software, the card manages 32 digital input/output channels with a maximum support of 192kHz, and it can also be used as a router or patch bay to other external modules. The card can connect directly to Apogee's Rosetta or the AD-16x and DA-16x converters via the optional X-Symphony card. There is the possibility of mounting three such cards simultaneously in a single computer, thus making 192 audio channels accessible on a single machine. From the statement made by Betty Bennett, co-founder/CEO of Apogee, it can be understood that this card is intended for professional applications and has the lowest cost per channel in its class.
Focusrite has not yet finished developing the Saffire Pro system (especially regarding the software), but the parameters of these FireWire modules are already known: 8 analog inputs (jack/XLR with Focusrite Green series preamps), and 16 ADAT inputs, wordclock, and two headphone connectors. The input level can be adjusted with a potentiometer for each analog input, and for each such channel, there is also a switch for applying the high-pass filter, while two of the eight channels can be switched to different impedance levels. The external card has a rack-mountable format and allows recording at 192/24. The software package includes a suite of plugins with EQ, compressor, amplifier simulator, reverb in AU and VST versions.
Another audio interface from Apogee is called Ensemble and is designed exclusively for use with Apple computers. Ensemble is the result of cooperation between Apogee and Apple, making it the first product that can be controlled natively from the Logic Pro software. Ensemble is adapted for processing 36 audio channels simultaneously, including 8 channels with the most famous A/D-D/A converters, 4 digitally controlled preamps, 8 ADAT channels, 2x coaxial and optical S/PDIF inputs/outputs, and FireWire. Apogee facilitates the technologies "SoftLimit", "UV22HR", and "Intelliclock" which, together with the converters that represent the industry standard, make Ensemble the option for those seeking an integrated solution.
The product will be available from February this year.
Software
It is an understatement to say that Apple sticks to deadlines. After officially presenting the first Mac on Intel months before the expected date, the Intel version of the Logic 7 application was already presented in Anaheim. During the demonstration, it seemed that the application was much faster than the same version on PowerPC. The new version of the software, numbered 7.2, will be launched in February, and will already be delivered in UniversalBinary format, meaning the format for both Mac platforms. This version will include support for Digidesign ProTools HD 7, the Serato Pitch and Time plugin, compatibility with GarageBand 3, improved Rewire support, and more. The upgrade from Logic Pro 7.1 to the Intel version costs 49USD.
GVI is the new sampler from Tascam that contains the power of GigaStudio 3 in a VST/RTAS plugin. Features: 16 multitimbral, maximum resolution of 96kHz/24bit, iMIDI, GigaPulse (built-in convolution effects).
IK Multimedia announced a suite of studio-quality plugins called CSR (Classic Studio Reverb). The suite contains 4 reverbs: Hall, Room, Ambience, and Inverse. The algorithms are based on DSP algorithms from high-end effects (the ad says, but we don't know which), and the interface can be used simply and in advanced mode. The latter has an 8x8 modulation matrix, and the plugin also has a morph button for a simple transformation of one sound into another.
Steinberg presented the new version of the audio editing software: WAVELAB 6. The big novelty in this software is the new spectrum editor, which makes restoration processes more efficient.
E-mu presents the new version of the soft-sampler Emulator, called X2, which includes technologies and features such as: SynthSwipe for automatic hardware sampling, TwistaLoop a non-destructive audio manipulator, Morph Filter Designer for creating custom filters, convolution transformation utilities, REX2 and mp3 support.
Another software product from E-mu is Proteus, which has reached version X2. This is also delivered with similar effects and features from Emulator X2 and has a library of over 3GB of sounds.
Universal Audio presents the new driver suite for the UAD-1 card with version 4.2, which contains a 14-day functional demo of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo plugin.
Native Instruments presented something interesting, about which not much is known yet. Kore is a hybrid software/hardware system that, according to information from NI, integrates all soft instruments and effects into a single interface, with unprecedented accessibility. A magic word is KoreSound, the universal sound format, which emphasizes the style of presets more than the individual instrument. Any type of VST or AudioUnit format plugin can be integrated and can be launched standalone or within a sequencer program, with transfer between applications or systems being imperceptible. Another strong point of the system is its use on stage.
CME U-Key
The big appearance of this year in the keyboards market, the Chinese manufacturer CME presented the first keyboard dedicated to ringtone composers for mobile phones. The manufacturer hopes for great success, due to the vastness of the market and the fact that until now there has been no product of this kind. And let’s not think about the European or American market: the keyboard has pre-programmed a series of other tones for different ethnicities, from Asian to Arabic music tones. Among the features are 20 programmable MIDI controllers, USB connection through which system upgrades can also be obtained, and 49 dynamic keys.
Another probably much more interesting product line from this manufacturer is the VX series, a controller and master keyboard with audio and MIDI functions realized through a USB interface. A VX keyboard is equipped with a series of servo-controlled controllers (motor fader), a professional keyboard with velocity and aftertouch, dynamic sensitivity trigger pads, ribbon controller, LCD display, 4 MIDI OUT ports, 2 microphone/line inputs, 2 line-out outputs, 2 headphone outputs, USB hub. It is delivered in four sizes: with 49, 61, 76, and 88 keys (VX 5,6,7,8).
Finally, the Xboard 61 from E-Mu also appears. This is a USB/MIDI controller with aftertouch keys, 16 programmable buttons, and 16 rotary knobs. The keyboard is delivered with the ProteusX 1.5 software with a library of 2GB of sounds. The product will be available starting this spring.
The Fatar Studiologic keyboards are well known to everyone. They have the most faithful response in terms of keys, thus they are desired by pianists as well as music enthusiasts because these models have a series of programmable MIDI controllers. The new VMK plus series is delivered in 3 variants (61, 76, and 88 keys), each having an LCD screen, pitch and modulation joystick, 30 programmable presets, including 11 pre-programmed presets for popular software from Propellerheads, NI, MOTU. There are 8 rotary knobs, 9 sliders, 8 programmable buttons, all programmable, 5 transport buttons (for sequencer), and 3 programmable pedal inputs.
No year passes without the presentation of some analog monster. Future Retro presents the new XS, a modular analog synth that is meant to extend all such products of its manufacturer or to collaborate with other modules from other manufacturers. A detailed description of the system can be found at www.future-retro.com.
For this year, Korg has prepared a new model of synthesizer/vocoder called Radias. The synthesis is based on MMT technology (a kind of PCM combined with physical modeling), and the vocoder on "Formant-Motion". These can be filtered through a new notch filter or wave-shaping functions. Each program can have 4 different timbres, each with two inserted effects, a 2-band equalizer on each timbre, and a master on each program. Other features include a polyphonic step sequencer on 2 timbres, modulation sequencer and arpeggiator, 2 multimode filters on each timbre, 2 envelope generators, 2 syncable LFOs, headset (microphone with headset), editing software, USB connection, and many more.
Other news from Korg include the D-888 digital mixer and recorder, a MIDI controller called padKONTROL (with an X-Y touchpad), the K25/K49/K61 series of USB/MIDI controllers, the TR88 workstation (which is expected to be a more affordable Triton), the C series of digital pianos, the X-50 synthesizer (could be an advanced X-5), the microX mini synthesizer, and the new operating system for those equipped with OASYS.
After almost every studio has a set of NS-10M, Yamaha decided to develop the successor to these monitors that have become a quality standard. Under the HS series, three models appear: HS50M (70W), HS80M (120W), and the HS10W subwoofer (120W). From these models, a 5.1 system can easily be built.
E-mu also has something interesting in terms of monitors: the PS12 Precision Subwoofer. This is an extension for its monitors. The MOSFET amplifier power is 200W and with the 12" driver, this woofer achieves linear translation down to 22Hz without distortion. The equipment can have its volume level, phase adjusted, and has high-pass, low-pass, and subsonic filters. PS12 will be available from this spring.
I don't know if it can be called a synthesizer or a laptop with a keyboard delivered only with audio/video software, but Open Labs presented a new historic step (after Neko): MIKO, "portable media workcenter". This is a workstation with a Windows XP operating system, with a 64-bit DualCore CPU, and is capable of running up to 200 VST or DX plugins simultaneously, has 4 inputs and 6 outputs, of which 2 inputs are with preamps controlled from the front panel, connection to an external screen allows a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536, video editing capability makes MIKO a perfect tool for VJs, dual-layer DVD burner allows writing DVDs of up to 8.5GB. MIKO is also an audio workstation with a polyphony of up to 500 simultaneous notes, the built-in application allows simultaneous recording of 64 tracks at 96/24 with a maximum length of 15 hours, and a 37-key keyboard. Other connections: USB, Firewire, Ethernet.
Clavia did not present revolutionary products, only new versions of the revolutionary ones. Nord Stage 76 is the 76-key version of the NordStage. A new operating system for this range: OS 2.0 with two new pianos (a Steinway sampled with a close mic and a Yamaha C7 in a 64MB size). The system also has a list of other features regarding the operation of this unique instrument. Another novelty is the new operating system numbered 1.4 for Nord Modular G2 and 2.3 for Nord Electro.
Rarely is there news from Neutrik, although everyone who owns professional equipment or has thought about having connectors from this manufacturer knows the brand. This year they presented USB, Firewire, and optical connectors mountable on panels recommended even for stage use.
