Όλα τα τελευταία νέα για τη Μουσική Τεχνολογία και την Ακουστική, κατευθείαν από τις επίσημες ιστοσελίδες των εταιρειών, συγκεντρωμένα σε ένα blog!

Alesis IO Dock USB Hub Hack

Untergeek shows us how


I have an Alesis IO Dock, its a great piece of kit, not only do you get the Audio and MIDI IO for your iPad (Vintage, and iPad 2), but it charges the iPad at the same time.

While it has a USB B-Type port for hooking up your computer, it doesnt allow for A-Type connection - for instance if you wanted to connect a USB controller directly.

Cunning DIY hacker Untergeek has come up with a guide on just how to make this possible - you just need a Dremel tool, an active USB hub, a couple of cables, some glue and a steady hand. He explains all of this in his video - the full guide is listed below.

Thanks to the excellent Palmsounds for spotting this one.

More Information
UnterGeek USB hub hack guide

Portable Monitoring System Features Palm-Sized Subwoofer

Soundmatters announces foxL DUET


Soundmatters, a specialist in high-quality, portable speakers founded by former NASA engineer/audio legend Dr. Godehard Guenther, has announced foxL DUET, which they describe as a high-powered compact desktop and travel friendly stereo hi-fi satellite and subwoofer system -- all in one. They say that DUET combines thefoxL aptX, the newly-announced audio purist's pocket-portable speaker/speakerphone and the palm-sizedfoxLO powered subwoofer to create an amazing duet. Here's the rest of what they have to say in their own words...

Ultra-Compact Desktop/Travel Satellite + Subwoofer Hi-Fi System

World renowned for stretching the laws of physics with their diminutively sized high-performance loudspeakers, the foxL line is the gold standard in portable hi-fi speakers that other audio companies aspire to reach. With Soundmatters' new DUET bundle, music lovers finally have a full-range desktop stereo hi-fi system with deep bass -- all the way down to 38Hz. If you're headed on a business trip, just detach the subwoofer, pop the foxL portable speaker into your pocket or briefcase, and enjoy great sound anywhere. Or if you're going on vacation for the week, bring both the travel-sized foxLO subwoofer and foxL along. DUET's flexibility provides the ultimate audio experience anywhere. Great for tablets, smartphones, laptops and more, the foxL DUET system provides a $50 savings over the components' individual prices.

DUET's foxLv2 with aptX was called "The single most astonishing piece of audio gear I've ever heard," by Stereophile's Michael Fremer, and after hearing the DUET's foxLO subwoofer, Darryl Wilkinson from Home Theater wrote that foxL "absolutely rocks in a way that something that small shouldn't be able to do."

DUET's foxLO Subwoofer Features:

  • Patented Linear Magnetic Drive™ woofer with proprietary dual passive radiator system and 30 watts of built-in amplification.
  • Audio Input with variable Bass Level, Power LED and Full Pass Audio Out.
  • Vertical or horizontal chassis orientation.
  • 24V1.9A External U.S. Power Supply.
  • Dimensions: 2.5h x 4.5w x 6.3d in (63h x 114w x 160d mm). Weight: 23 oz/651 g.

DUET's foxL aptX Portable Speaker Features:

  • High-resolution fidelity with dual patented Twoofers™ (tweeters that woof) and patented BassBattery passive woofer.
  • Analog and Bluetooth connectivity with aptX® for virtual CD-quality wireless streaming when used with aptX-equipped source devices. 
  • Built-in mic for wireless hands-free phone conferencing.
  • Up to 24 hours (wired) battery life, 12 hours (Bluetooth), charges via USB or included international charger.
  • 5V 2A Int'l Power Adapter Kit (US/EU/AU/UK). 
  • Dimensions: 2.2h x 5.6w x 1.4d in. (63h x 114w x 160d mm). Weight: 9.5 oz/269g. 

About foxL Line of Portable Speakers

The foxL line of portable speakers has won numerous industry awards and accolades, including Time Magazine's "Top 10 Gadgets of the Year." Sound & Vision said it is "the absolute best gift ever for the audiophile...fundamentally changes how and where we can enjoy great sound...it's that good!" And CNN said,"So, travelers of all stripes, or any of you looking for a small system for your room or office that can fit in your pocket and go for a good long time on a full charge, this is ultimate gear."

About Soundmatters

Soundmatters International, Inc. was founded in 1998 by physicist, former NASA engineer, and audio design legend Dr. Godehard Guenther. A world-renowned pioneer in the field of audio, Dr. Guenther introduced many firsts to the audio market, including the world's first in-wall speaker; in-wall subwoofer; component loudspeaker for car hi–fi; switching power supply for car hi–fi; multi–channel car amplifier; hi–fi television monitor; and first complete digital time-delay system for surround sound.

Pricing and Availability:
Priced at $349 US SRP/ $299 MAP, DUET will be available February 2013 through major online retailers, including ListenUp.com, Crutchfield.com, Amazon.com and more, as well as through the Soundmatters site.

More information:
www.soundmatters.com

More Pop Construction Kits

Producer Loops releases Future Pop Vol 2


Future Pop Vol 2 is the second in a brand new series of Construction Kits created and produced exclusively for Producer Loops by Simon Rudd of The Fliptones. Producer Loops says that, within each of the five Construction Kits you'll find deep basslines, pounding drums and breathtaking sidechained pads all topped off with scatterings of dizzying FX, euphoric keys and powerful leads.

A spokesperson told Sonic State, "Future Pop Vol 2 combines all of this with accessible radio and dancefloor-ready progressions designed to inspire and fuel your creativity. As with most Producer Loops products, this pack also includes a number of features designed for professional producers." Here's details of those features in the company's own words:

Dry Loops: All of the loops in 'Future Pop Vol 2' have been skillfully processed and effected, but for the more demanding producer dry versions have also been included allowing you to create your own FX mix and apply your favourite reverbs, delays and more.

FX Tails: These files allow you to end a musical phrase with the natural decay of the FX applied to it meaning you don't have to abruptly end loops, use fadeouts, or consume DSP processing the dry takes.

MIDI Files: For those that really like to get under the hood, MIDI files have been included for all melodic phrases allowing you to play them back through your favourite synth, or create new variations to further expand your arrangement.

One-Shots: These non-looping percussive samples are ready to load into your favourite sampler or hardware device allowing you to program your own beats, loops and fills using the same sound set as found in the kits themselves.

ACID/WAV & Apple Loops Support: All melodic and percussive loops have been tempo and key tagged meaning that they will conform to the speed and pitch of your project in just about any major DAW, including ACID, Apple Loops, Cubase, Garage Band, Logic and more.

Technical Specifications:

  • 24-Bit/44.1kHz Audio
  • 5 Distinct Construction Kits
  • 400 MB of uncompressed content
  • One-Shot, FX Tail, Dry loops
  • MIDI included
  • ACID WAV, Apple Loops, REX and ReFill formats

Pricing and Availability:
Future Pop Vol 2 is available for instant download for £24.95 / 30,43 EUR / $33.55 USD.

More information:
www.producerloops.com

Organ Audio Samples And MIDI Loops

FatLoud releases Lil' Dope: Organ Vol.1


FatLoud's label Dope Loops has released Lil' Dope: Organ Vol.1, which they describe as a mini library containing organ audio (and MIDI) loops + organ one shots. Here's what they have to say about it...

Organ is fourth release in Dope label line of mini samples & loops libraries - Lil' Dope. All loops & samples available in Lil Dope: Organ are tempo & Key labeled, mixed & mastered to the perfection and available in 5 formats compatible with 100% of todays hardware & software samplers or sequencers.

Features

  • completely royalty free material to use within your commercial compositions
  • 20 organ loops (audio) + 20 oneshot chords (audio) + 20 MIDI loops
  • key & tempo labeled
  • 5 formats: 16 bit WAV (Acidized), 24 bit WAV (Acidized), REX, 24 bit Apple Loops (AIFF), MIDI
  • 100% compatibility with all modern software & hardware samplers

Pricing and Availability:
EUR 13.90

More information:
Organ

UNTERLASS Expands Studio Furniture Range

MONO 16 and MONO 30 floor racks make their debut


UNTERLASS Studio Furniture has announced availability of the MONO 16 and MONO 30 floor racks as part of its flexible range of quality professional products, manufactured in Austria. Here's the details in their own words...

Today's budget-conscious climate has resulted in many musicians choosing to record in their own highly- personalised workspaces, often at home. Design consciousness is arguably at an all-time high, but what do you do when what you want does not exist? Why, design and build it yourself, of course! Which is exactly what Austrian Arno Unterlass did: UNTERLASS Studio Furniture by name, studio furniture by nature.

Hot on the heels of the company's successful DUODESK 60 launch product -- billed as being a one-man media production workspace for recording, mastering, and mixing -- and clever, keyboard- accommodating DUODESK 60 KEY follow-up comes two matching floor racks to accompany either of those desks... perfect for those who just can't get enough outboard!

As implied by name, the MONO 16 features a slightly-angled, front-facing floor-level vertical 16HE rack (and a rear-mounted horizontal 4HE rack) with a flat surface area above to accommodate whatever users wish to position on there (within reason). Its modular design means that multiple MONO 16s can be neatly lined up alongside one another to easily expand the system (if and when the need arises). The MONO 16 is available as standard in a silk matt black lacquered finish for €540.00 EURO (excluding VAT).

Meanwhile, the MONO 30 takes a different design approach, perfectly mirroring the end profile of both the DUODESK 60 and DUODESK 60 KEY desks for expansion purposes. It includes 30HE of rack space, shared across its 10-degree-angled desktop-mounted rack (10HE), front-facing floor-level vertical rack (16HE), and rear-mounted horizontal rack (4HE). The MONO 30 is available as standard in a silk matt black lacquered finish for €690.00 EURO (excluding VAT).

Optional white (alternative colour) or 'Zebrano' (deluxe wooden) finishes enhance the look and feel of the MONO 16 and MONO 30. Pricing upon request.

Production time is approximately four weeks from order placement, and shipping is available from €100.00 EURO (excluding VAT), depending on destination. Both racks are securely supplied flat-packed in a wooden crate with instructions for relatively simple self-assembly.

About UNTERLASS Studio Furniture

Founded by musician and producer Arno Unterlass, UNTERLASS Studio Furniture is an all-new Austrian high-end studio furniture-maker. Its flexible range of professional products are ergonomically designed and built in Austria to exacting standards using the highest quality materials, simplifying workflow while preserving the look and feel of a professionally-designed recording environment -- regardless of where they are used.

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
www.unterlass.info

Free String Orchestra For Windows

Sound Magic releases Orchestral Strings One Enhanced Version as a new year gift


Sound Magic has released Orchestral Strings One Enhanced Version for Windows as a new year gift to all users. Here's what a spokesperson told us...

"Orchestral Strings One was recorded utilizing the legendary acoustics in the famous Berliner Hall - home of the world class BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER. Our full string orchestra contains 14 violins,10 Violas, 8 Cellos and 6 Double Basses. Now you're your turn to experience this huge orchestral section as a useful string instrument. Sound Magic has created Orchestral Strings One as a single ensemble complete with the beautiful ambience of this amazing hall. This incredible instrument will quickly become your "go to" string orchestra. No longer will you have to try and build a similar sound with several different string instruments or sections, burning up tracks, RAM, CPU cycles and your valuable time!

Orchestral Strings One Enhanced Version applies several technologies to enhance the strings' sound. AIR technology will make the strings sounds more impact and clear, add air feelings to the sound. Enhanced Version also has a newly designed Reverb Engine which could make the sound have more natural ambience. Sound Magic also do not forget to fixes some bugs and tweaks on some important features."

Improvements and Changes since version 1.1

  • Apply AIR Technology to the Sound and Add AIR control on GUI
  • Newly Improved Reverb Engine
  • Fixes a bug in Performance key switch system
  • Improved Key Switch System Speed
  • Improved Tremolo
  • Many Minor Changes

Pricing and Availability:
Free download

More information:
Orchestral Strings One Enhanced Version

Detunized Releases Guitar Live Pack

Acoustic guitar with a mix of steel and nylon strings


Guitar is the latest Live library made by Detunized´s lead sound designer Stephan Marche. Here's what he told us about it...

"The Live Pack contains the sounds of a stock acoustic guitar that was fitted with 3 steel and 3 nylon strings.Each of the 6 strings was recorded chromatically in two passes - thumb and plectrum. The sounds were captured with a contact and a condenser microphone into dual-mono files.
These files are phase-aligned and thus the sound of the two microphones can be blended seamlessly by a dedicated macro control that comes pre-mapped in each rack.
Besides the main sounds a variety of more than 50 side noises like string scrapes and squeaks were recorded. With these additional sounds a nice amount of realism can be dialled in to the instruments.
Guitar contains 2 guitars and 3 bass presets plus a drum machine that is built around the side-noises and body hits. Additionally some interesting adaptions from the original sounds are included. These adaptions extend the library with flexible pad and soundscape generators."

Specifications:

  • Format: Ableton Live Pack
  • Compatibility: PC/Mac, Live 8.3
  • Instruments: 10 + Drum Machine
  • Samples: 187, 24 Bit/44.1 kHz
  • Disk space: 230 MB

Pricing and Availability:
"Guitar" Live Pack is available as download at the Detunized webstore for 9.00 Euro.

More information:
Guitar

Latest Version Of The MicroKorg Hits The Stores

Korg MicroKorg XL+ is now available


Korg's latest iteration of the popular MicroKorg analog synth, the new MicroKorg XL+, is now available in stores in the U.S. Korg tells us that it contains a reimagined palette of analog modeled sounds plus new dedicated PCM for Korg's SGProX piano, the M1 and VOX organs, as well as recognizable "Tape" instruments. They say that a vintage look that includes brushed black panel and knobs completes the package.

On top of the 128 onboard sounds, Korg has included another 640 sounds that can be loaded for free through the dedicated Editor Librarian software for Mac and PC.

A Korg spokesperson told Sonic State, "As with each keyboard in the Micro series, the MicroKorg XL+ is ready to play an active role in any situation–on stage, in the studio, or at home. It can run on optional battery power, for extreme portability, and with USB MIDI, it's also a super-portable controller, ideal for use with laptops. A gooseneck mic and 16-band vocoder are also included, for added fun and expression anywhere."

Pricing and Availability:
The Korg MicroKorg XL+ is now available for a U.S. street price of $499.99

More information:
Korg

270 Presets For Oxium

Le Lotus Bleu releases PandemOxium


Le Lotus Bleu has released PandemOxium, a collection of 270 presets for Xils-Lab OXIUM VSTi synthesiser. A spokesperson told Sonic State,

"PandemOxium offers to all Oxium users some instruments that benefit of the innovative modulation possibilities, as well as its pristine analogue double filters, superfast envelopes, and in short all its wonderfull sound engine machinery. All instruments are properly tagged, and offer Mod Wheel, Aftertouch, Pitch bend + and - modulations for expressive presets. PandemOxium is intended to be suitable for all musical genres that require organic instruments: Song Writing in any genre, Scoring/Trailers, Rock-Pop, Soul, Disco & Funk, Lounge, NuJazz, Chill-Out, Dubstep and Electro-Electronica, Ambient and New Age. Though it includes a lot of pure electronic presets, it's less recommended for styles like Hard Trance, Hard Dance, etc."

Pandemoxium Features :
270 instruments, clearly organised and tagged for a perfect integration into Oxium search engine.
Instruments : Arp (9), Bass (34), Bell (2), Brass (11), Fx (27), Keys ( Keys, Ep, Clavinet, Organs, etc) ( 48 ), Leads (36), Pads ( 31), Percs & Drums (15 ), Plucks & Keytars ( 9 ), Sequences & Chord Sequencers (12), Soundscape-Atmos (1), Strings (10), Synths (19), Vox (3), Woodwinds & winds (5).
Highly expressive instruments, with many real time expression features.
Some video tutorials about creating various complex instruments such as double sequencer, or Chord Sequencer presets.

Pricing and Availability:
PandemOxium is available to purchase for the introductory price of 21 EUR (normally 29,90) until January 21, 2013

More information:
Le Lotus Bleu

MOTU Audio Interface Connectivity Improved

New breakout box for the Track16 is now shipping


MOTU has been in touch to tell us that Track16 connectivity just got even better. They say that the Track16 Breakout box provides the same connectors as the Track16's included cable, but in a sleek, compact and convenient form factor.

Pricing and Availability:
See local retailer

More information:
www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/track16/breakout.html

EastWest/Quantum Leap Virtual Instruments Offer Extended

50% off until January 31, 2013


Soundsonline.com is extending its holiday offer for another month. Up to and including January 31, 2013, you can save 50% on EastWest/Quantum Leap virtual instruments and no minimum purchase is required.

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
www.soundsonline.com
www.soundsonline-europe.com

Korg Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Promotions and contests to be announced throughout 2013


Korg tells us that to celebrate their 50th anniversary they will be having special anniversary promotion/contests throughout the year. Meanwhile, here's a statement from them...

Dear fellow musicians,

This year, Korg celebrates its 50th anniversary! Since it was founded in 1963, Korg's goal has been to create new experiences in music and performance. That was what drove the creation of Japan's first disc-based rhythm machine, the Doncamatic, and then led to the development of Japan's first synthesizer, the world's first needle-type tuner, followed by numerous unique instruments that have brought the enjoyment of musical performance to many people all around the world.

Korg is resolved to continually create innovative and uncompromising instruments of high quality that inspire professional musicians, yet are still approachable enough for anyone to play.

The musical instruments Korg will deliver are reflections of the ideas and values of the many artists and users who love Korg products - now and into the future.

We look forward to the next 50 years and what the future will bring.

More information:
Korg

New Version Of VST Synth

Electronisounds releasese Red Dragon 2


Electronisounds have released a new version of their Red Dragon VST synth

WHAT'S NEW IN V.20?

  • Completely re-coded engine
  • NEW GUI
  • NEW built-in FX! (Chorus, Delay, Distortion, Flanger)
  • 614 ALL-NEW presets, plus the original 384 presets for a total of 998 presets
  • Built-in preset browser

Pricing and Availability:
Introductory Price: $29.99 (normal price: $49.99)

More information:
www.Electronisounds.com