Recording Studio Softwares and Products

Recording Studio Softwares and Products - Product/Service Evaluation

Remix, March 1, 2003 by Markkus Rovito3

ZOOM MRS-1266CD

DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDER

The Zoom MRS-1266CD ($1,899) digital audio workstation provides 10 audio-recording tracks - each with 10 virtual tracks - independent drum and bass tracks for the built-in rhythm machine and a stereo master channel for mixdown (also with 10 virtual tracks). Audio records to the 20GB internal hard drive and can be burned to CD-R/RW via the CD-R/RW drive. The machine employs 24-bit A/D and D/A converters and can record six channel inputs simultaneously. Twelve touch-sensitive pads adorn the fully programmable rhythm section, which includes 127 drum kits and 26 bass sounds. Each song in the MRS-1266CD can use as many as 500 user-programmable rhythm patterns. The 1266CD contains hundreds of algorithms, including guitar amp models, reverb, chorus, modulation, delay, compression and more. The MRS-1266 ($1329.99) is also available without a CD-R/RW drive. Zoom; e-mail info@samsontech.com ; Web www.samsontech.com/zoom

DASH SYNTHESIS daALFA2k

VST ALPHA JUNO-2 EMULATOR

With its first VST plug-in, Dash Synthesis heaps flattery upon the old Roland Alpha Juno-2 synthesizer. Yet daAlfa2k ($29.95) is more than just an imitation: It adds features not found in the Roland hardware. The 16-voice virtual instrument is based upon two oscillators and a suboscillator, each with wave, pitch and tune controls. Dash Synthesis; e-mail info@dashsynthesis.com ; Web www.dashsynthesis.com

EMAGIC LOGIC 6.0

SEQUENCING/AUDIO-RECORDING SUITE

Still fresh from becoming the latest bud on the Apple family tree, Emagic has updated its Logic-series programs to version 6.0 for Mac OS 9.x and OS X. In tandem with the Logic update, Emagic has also updated its software sampler to EXS24 mkII. The biggest changes to Logic 6.0 (price TBA) include full ReWire 2.0 support, a Freeze button that temporarily takes CPU power away from processor-intensive tracks, offline rendering, advanced track grouping and a host of other features. The 6.0 release also includes a new EQ plug-in and expanded control-surface integration. The list of supported controllers now includes CM Labs MotorMix, Radikal Technologies SAC-2k and SAC 2.2, Mackie HUI and Baby HUI and Yamaha DM2000 and 02R96. Emagic; e-mail sales@emagicusa.com ; Web www.emagic.de

PROMEEK P3 PRO CHANNEL

PREAMP/COMPRESSOR/EQ

The first product of the new Promeek brand is a small but ambitious half-rack unit that's not for your average Joe. The P3 Pro Channel (price TBA) packs a mic/instrument preamp, an optical compressor and a phase-active EQ into one small chassis. Its four-stage CurrentSense mic preamp will accept mic-level or unbalanced line-level signals, as well as provide optional +48V phantom power to microphones when needed. The compressor section has an on/off switch, an Attack knob (compression ratios range from about 1.2:1 to 7:1) and a Release knob with times ranging from 125 ms to 1.5 seconds. Aside from the XLR mic input, connections are 1/4-inch jacks. Promeek; e-mail sales@promeek.com ; Web www.promeek.com

FOCUSRITE PLATINUM VOICEMASTER PRO

CHANNEL STRIP

Vocal perfectionists who break out in falsetto when they see the silver finish and trademark teardrop buttons of Focusrite processors may want to get an ear full of the company's Platinum VoiceMaster Pro ($750). The two-rackspace unit-dynamics channel strip doubles the real estate and adds to the features of the original VoiceMaster to strive for the ultimate vocal sound. It begins with an XLR mic input on the front with a Focusrite Class A mic preamp, phantom power, phase reverse and variable highpass filter. LED level meters show the signal's status at almost every stage of the signal path, including the vocal-optimized optical expander that follows the preamp. An optional A-D card ($250) provides 24-bit, 96kHz S/PDIF output and BNC Word Clock input. Focusrite (dist. by Digidesign); e-mail dino_virella@digidesign.com ; Web www.focusrite.com or www.digidesign.com

PIONEER CDJ-800

DIGITAL VINYL TURNTABLE

Every hero needs a sidekick. Last year, the Pioneer CDJ-1000 was the hero to CD-spinning DJs who wanted truly vinyl-like control of their discs. This year's silver sidekick is the CDJ-800 ($999). At a price three C-notes less than the CDJ-1000, the new 800 is no less of a formidable weapon. It offers the same jaw-dropping digital scratching and vinyl-style manipulation of CD audio. Although it lacks some features from the older model, the CDJ-800 has some new tricks up its slot, including Auto Beat Loop, Quick Return and Wide pitch control. Using four timing buttons, Auto Beat Loop creates accurate one-, two-, four- or eight-measure loops. It can then also process whole-, half-, quarter- and eighth-beat cuts of the initial loop. With Quick Return, DJs can return a track instantly and repeatedly to a cue. Finally, Wide pitch control provides a [+ or -]100 percent pitch-control range to create new sound effects and also to beat-match completely different tracks. Pioneer; Web www.pioneerprodj.com

LASSENCE I1/4-VENTURY II

ANALOG MODULAR SYNTH

At a conversion rate of about a dollar per euro, 1,860 euros could buy you a trunk-load of Belgian waffles or one Belgian synthesizer that fits inside a trunk. The I1/4-Ventury II (approx. $1,860) analog modular synthesizer, produced by the Belgian outfit Lassence, is a solidly constructed, portable two-VCO synth that fits securely into a black custom, locking briefcase. It includes two oscillators with variable square-to-sine or square-to-sawtooth waveforms. The 12dB voltage controlled filter includes lowpass, highpass, bandpass or notch modes and is continuously variable through the four filter types. Although the modules are not removable, they are completely independent and powered by separate power cables to bypass the noise and rumble possible from bus power distribution. There are two modulation inputs and two signal inputs, one line level and one XLR. There are also four aux outputs and a master volume control. The I1/4-Ventury II uses a dual 220-110V power supply. Lassence promises extra modules and a 19-inch rack frame later this year. Lassence; e-mail info@bluebay.be ; Web www.lassence.com

BEHRINGER VMX300

THREE-CHANNEL DJ MIXER

Behringer, maker of the Eurorack studio mixers, is now giving DJs a helping hand. Matching beat counters on the VMX300 ($229.99) 3-channel mixer provide users with 3-digit LED displays of tempo, tempo difference and time-offset meters, as well as Sync Lock and Beat Assist controls. Two sets of 3-band kill switches on the front panel feature tap-and-hold action that gives the mixer a playable feel. The rotary knobs for the 3-band EQ on each of the three channels provide up to 32dB of attenuation. With dual inputs on each channel, the VMX300 houses six stereo inputs. Channel 1 is optimized for mic input with a Behringer Ultra Low-Noise mic preamp and an auto-talkover function. Channels 2 and 3 possess phono and line-level input pairs. The VMX family also includes the 2-channel VMX200 ($159.99) and the scaled-down 2-channel VMX100 ($109.99), both with bpm counters. Behringer; e-mail support@behringer.com ; Web www.behringer.com

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