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

WNAMM13: World's First 500 Series Noise Gate

Drawmer DS101 features the frequency conscious gating functionality of the DS201


The Drawmer DS101 is the first noise gate module designed specifically for the 500 Series rack system. The DS101 is the first product in the 500 Series form factor from Drawmer, the company that, in 1982, introduced the world's first frequency conscious noise gate, the DS201, which went on to become a professional audio industry standard.

TransAudio Group, U.S. distributor of Drawmer professional signal processing products, is exhibiting the DS101 at booth # 6945 (Hall A) at the 2013 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA.Here's their full description of it:

The DS101 is based on a single channel of the DS201 and incorporates the fully variable high- and low-pass filters and "key listen" monitoring functionality pioneered by Drawmer that enable frequency conscious gating. The new DS101, which can be used for both gating and "ducking" (for voice-over applications or the elimination of unwanted transient artifacts), incorporates comprehensive envelope controls -- threshold, attack, hold, decay and range -- plus a host of other features, including Drawmer's "traffic light" metering. The module's low-noise circuitry also incorporates Drawmer's proprietary hysteresis or "trigger stabilization," which prevents "chatter" around the threshold level.

When installed next to each other in a 500 Series rack, two or more DS101 gates may be linked using Drawmer's new infrared triggering mechanism. Linked in this fashion, the envelope shaping capabilities of any number of DS101 gates (up to a maximum 10 units in a single rack enclosure) may be independently adjusted while the trigger pulse passes through unchanged. This enables the user to achieve an almost limitless range of "envelope follower" effects. The DS101 additionally allows external triggering via a front panel 1/4-inch key input connector.

Pricing and Availability:
U.S. MSRP for the Drawmer DS101 is $449.

More information:
Drawmer

WNAMM13: Everything You Need To Create CDs On The Go

Roland introduces the CD-2u SD/CD Recorder


If you've ever needed to burn CDs (especially away from home) you'll know that it's far from straightforward. You've got to worry about computers, mics, interfaces, leads and that's before getting it all working together. If that sounds like you, then Roland says you can leave the computer at home - the portable CD-2u SD/CD recorder lets you create CDs quickly and easily, wherever you are.Here's the details in Roland's own words...

The CD-2u has two high-quality stereo microphones built into the front, as well as stereo speakers for listening back to what you just recorded. With everything you need in one small box (with a footprint smaller than an A4 magazine), making a CD is fast and simple. To create your CD, just set the desired recording level and press record. Once you press the stop button: your recording goes onto the CD. You can also connect your own external microphones, electronic musical instruments and other devices.

The CD-2u can also help you with music lessons and practice. If you're struggling to learn a piece of music, you can slow it down to study and learn the notes – even when playing commercially-available music from CD. If you'd like to sing or play on top of the existing music, you can even remove certain parts by using the centre-cancel function.

Musician's tools including a chromatic tuner and metronome are also built-in meaning there are even fewer boxes to carry, drop or lose.

  • Easy CD/SD recording and CD burning in an all-in-one mobile device
  • High-quality stereo microphone and speaker system built in
  • Records direct to CD-R/RW discs or SD/SDHC memory card
  • Simple interface with Easy Guide function
  • Multiple inputs for connecting external devices--two XLR/TRS combo jacks with phantom power; Plug In Power mic jack; stereo RCA LINE IN jacks
  • Independent adjustment of playback speed and key, with improved audio quality over previous designs
  • Enhanced Centre Cancel function removes parts of pre-recorded music; new Center Focus isolates vocals and instruments for learning
  • Built-in tuner and metronome
  • Runs on included AC adaptor or six AA batteries (AC adaptor required for CD playback/recording)
  • Wireless remote control included

Everything you need to create CDs

Small, battery powered and with mics and speakers onboard, the CD-2u gives you everything you need to record, edit, play, and burn CDs. The built-in stereo mic makes audio capture easy, while high-performance stereo speakers provide convenient sound playback of your recordings as well as commercial CDs, lesson material, and more. The beauty of the CD-2u is that it gives you everything needed to instantly create great-sounding CDs: compare that with using an array of mics, speakers, leads, interfaces and computer, especially when out and about.

Burn CDs quickly and easily – no manual required

Although it's powerful, the CD-2u is all about making life (and making CDs) easy. Thanks to the Easy Guide feature, the CD-2u is simple to use, with clear onscreen instructions that guide you every step of the way. Using the Easy Guide you'll quickly learn about CD backup, creating minus-one tracks for practice and karaoke, setting proper input levels, and other operations. You can even choose among six different languages for the display: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese. The CD-2u also records to readily available SD/SDHC cards, and can also record directly to CD-R and CD-RW discs when using AC power.

Connect external mics, musical instruments or music players

While it's designed for professional results as a standalone unit, the CD-2u also includes connections to attach external devices (like musical instruments or music players) for various applications. Two XLR/TRS combo jacks allow you to connect your own mics (with phantom power available if needed), including a stereo field-recording mic such as the CS-15RS. There's also a stereo mini-mic jack with Plug In Power, plus stereo RCA LINE IN jacks for connecting an instrument, music player, or other audio sources.

Helps you with music practice and with your education

The CD-2u is packed with useful tools for developing music skills, as well as other applications such as learning languages, transcribing spoken-word audio, and more. You can independently adjust the audio speed and key (either of your recorded audio or from CD), perfect for slowing down passages to learn difficult parts or changing the key of music to match your voice. Use A-B Repeat to play audio sections over and over, and turn on Centre Cancel to create minus-one tracks for practice and karaoke fun. There's also the newly developed Centre Focus feature, which isolates centre-located sounds in music tracks to make them easier to hear and learn.

Robust leather case protects your recorder

The optional CB-CD2E Carrying Case protects the CD-2u and can also store accessories like CD and SD media, batteries, remote, etc. And if you like the idea of the CD-2u but don't need CD playback/burning capability, take a look at its cousin, the more affordable SD-2u SD Recorder which records just to SD cards.

Pricing and Availability:
TBC

More information:
Roland

WNAMM13: Guitar Amp With Built-In iOS Interface

Roland introduces the CUBE Lite


Roland says that, combining great COSM guitar tones, iOS interfacing, and a quality 2.1 Channel audio system, the CUBE Lite Guitar Amplifier lets you play and record at home along with your iPhone, iPad, oriPod touch. Connect your iOS device to the i-CUBE LINK jack and launch the free CUBE JAM app, then riff along with backing tracks and record your playing to share your music and archive song ideas. Roland tells us that, with stereo speakers and an integrated subwoofer, you'll enjoy rich, satisfying sound reproduction for both guitar playing and casual music listening, and, with an attractive look that blends with any home décor, the CUBE Lite Guitar Amplifier can occupy a permanent spot in your living space, always at the ready when you want to plug in and jam. Below is the full lowdown directly from Roland...

  • Compact guitar amp with a stylish look for home living spaces
  • JC CLEAN, CRUNCH, and EXTREME COSM tones, plus stereo chorus and reverb effects
  • Great-sounding 2.1 Channel audio system, with stereo speakers and integrated subwoofer
  • i-CUBE LINK jack provides simple audio interfacing with Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
  • Free CUBE JAM app for iOS plays songs and minus-one jam tracks, and lets you record the CUBE Lite's COSM amp tones along with music playback
  • Includes cable for two-way communication (playback and recording) with iOS devices
  • Available in three colors: black, white, or red

Killer Guitar Tones

The CUBE Lite Guitar Amplifier provides three great COSM tones--JC CLEAN, CRUNCH, and EXTREME--giving you a wide range of sounds for playing any style of music. Reverb and chorus effects are onboard as well, with true stereo performance for a wide, expansive sound.

2.1 Channel Audio System for Impressive Sound

Equipped with stereo speakers and an integrated subwoofer, the CUBE Lite's powerful 2.1 Channel audio system delivers a rich, full sound that belies the amp's compact footprint. When you want to practice silently, just plug in a set of headphones to mute the onboard speakers.

Easy iOS Device Integration with i-CUBE LINK

With the newly developed i-CUBE LINK interface, the CUBE Lite Guitar Amplifier lets you integrate your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with your axe in a familiar and satisfying way--through a real amp with great tone. Other interfaces require bulky, specialized add-ons to plug your guitar direct into the iOS device, resulting in a clumsy, inconvenient playing experience. With i-CUBE LINK, you just connect to your device's audio jack with the included cable, then blend the COSM tones and iOS audio together at the amp with simple, intuitive controls. The versatile i-CUBE LINK jack can also be used as a simple stereo input, enabling you to hook up nearly any music player or audio device and play it through the CUBE Lite.

CUBE JAM App

The free Roland CUBE JAM app turns your iOS device into a fun command center for jamming, recording, and learning. Play back commercial songs and minus-one tracks through the CUBE Lite via i-CUBE LINK, and riff along for hours with awesome COSM tones. CUBE JAM also records audio through the i-CUBE LINK connection, allowing you to easily capture your jams. After you're done recording, you can adjust the volume of your guitar and backing music independently, then export your mix to a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV file. The app also includes great tools for music practice, including independent speed and pitch adjustment of audio playback, Center Cancel to remove solos and create your own jam tracks, and more.

Direct Mode

Normally, recording from the CUBE Lite Guitar Amplifier into CUBE JAM or another app captures the sound as you hear it, with the COSM tone applied. Activating the CUBE Lite's Direct Mode feature lets you capture dry guitar sounds while monitoring with the COSM sound. Recording dry tracks in this way gives you the option to experiment later by "re-amping" with any guitar app of your choice. Direct Mode also allows you to use real-time guitar processing in any app, monitoring the live output with the CUBE Lite.

Stylish Design for Modern Living Spaces

Offering an appearance more like a consumer audio system than a typical rugged-look guitar amp, the CUBE Lite blends in seamlessly with any home living space. In addition to being a great guitar amp, it also doubles as a high-quality playback system for your digital music library. With three different finishes to choose from (black, white, or red), you're sure to find the perfect match for your home furnishings.


Pricing and Availability:
TBC

More information:
Roland

WNAMM13: Jordan Rudess Endorsing Live

See Jordan with Mike Garson and Nick Smith at ILIO's NAMM booth


ILIO has been in touch to tell us that world-renowned keyboard giants Mike Garson, Jordan Rudess and Nick Smith will appear at the NAMM show, in the ILIO booth (Hall A, 6724). All will perform live on the new Ivory IIvirtual piano plug-ins by Synthogy. Here's the ILIO press release with the details:

Mike Garson is well known as the longtime keyboardist for David Bowie, and has since collaborated or appeared with such varied acts as Stanley Clarke, Stan Getz, Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins, and Nine Inch Nails, among others. His discography includes 17 solo albums and EPs, plus over 70 albums and recordings with other artists. In addition to his famed skills as a pianist, Garson is a prolific and acclaimed composer, having penned over 4,000 pieces of music, including concert works, jazz, and film scores. Mike and his jazz trio recently released his new 2-CD set called Wild Out West, available at www.mikegarson.com. Embracing the idea of the "Renaissance Man," Garson continually experiments with new ways through which he can communicate his humanistic ideals and hopes for the world in which he lives.

Keyboard Magazine voted Jordan Rudess 1994's Best New Talent in the Overall Best Keyboardist category and in a career that spans almost three decades, he appears on over 40 other recordings by numerous artists, including David Bowie and the Dixie Dregs. Since 1999, Jordan Rudess has been an integral member of and creative driving force behind Dream Theater, one of the most critically acclaimed progressive hard rock bands in the world with over 10 million units sold. Jordan appears on six Dream Theater studio CDs and three Dream Theater Live CDs and DVDs, and his own eight solo albums. Jordan is also the founder of his own iPad and iPhone app development company, Wizdom Music, which produced the Billboard and Electronic Musician Award-winning music creation, MorphWiz.

Nick Smith, former keyboardist with the Tonight Show Band, was the keyboardist for Stanley Clarke for ten years. Nick has toured with various artists including Stevie Wonder, Queen Latifah, Kenny Garrett, Michel Polnareff, Kirk Whalum, and Marcus Miller. Nick has scored for film and TV including such films as Brown Sugar, Eddie, and Sprung. In 2004, Nick released an independent Jazz CD project titled It's Like That, which features Stanley Clarke, Dennis Chambers and David Sanchez. Nick's philosophy on playing music is: Always play as if it is your last time playing; then leave them wanting more. Nick's dream for the future is to keep quality music alive.

During the NAMM Show in Anaheim, All three artists will appear at the ILIO booth, number 6724 in Hall A at the Synthogy stand at these times:

Thursday, Jan 24
Jordan Rudess: 11:00 to 12:00
Nick Smith: 1:00 to 2:00
Mike Garson: 2:30 to 3:30

Friday, Jan 25
Jordan Rudess: 11:00 to 12:00
Jordan Rudess: 1:00 to 1:30
Nick Smith: 2:00 to 3:00

Saturday, Jan 26
Nick Smith: 11:00 to 12:00
Jordan Rudess: 1:00 to 2:00
Mike Garson: 2:30 to 3:30

Sunday, Jan 27
Jordan Rudess: 11:00 to 12:00
Mike Garson: 1:00 to 2:00

Ivory II is Synthogy's first major upgrade to all of its Ivory virtual piano products since they were first launched. Significant improvements have been made to both the piano DSP engine and to the integrated sample libraries that come with the products. Ivory II – American Concert D, Ivory II – Grand Pianos, Ivory II – Italian Grand, and Ivory II – Upright Pianos are all available and shipping.

The Ivory II piano DSP engine includes many new features Synthogy customers have been requesting, including Harmonic Resonance Modeling for Sympathetic String Resonance, Half Pedaling, Pedal Noise, Lid Position, Timbre Shifting, Parametric EQ, Tuning Tables, and New Synth Layers with controls.

Ivory II – Grand Pianos and all Synthogy products are distributed in North America by ILIO, carrying the highest quality virtual instruments, sample libraries, and creative tools for professional musicians.

More information:
ILIO