What's New, October 2008

Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By Len Sasso

MOTU 896MK3 FIREWIRE INTERFACE

MIXING IT UP

MOTU (motu.com) has introduced the third generation of its 896 series of FireWire audio interfaces with the 896MK3 (Mac/Win, $1,295). The unit has onboard effects and 16-bus digital mixing, and you can use it without a computer as a 2U rackmount standalone mixing solution. Included in its total of 28 inputs and 32 outputs, you'll find 8 XLR/RTS combo inputs with mic preamps, high-impedance guitar inputs, and 2 banks of optical I/O. The interface supports 192 kHz operation and 32-bit floating-point DSP. The onboard effects (reverb, 7-band parametric EQ, and compression/limiting) provide no-latency effects processing and monitoring. CueMix FX control software gives you access to all functions from your computer.

CAKEWALK SONAR HOME STUDIO 7

TAKE IT HOME

Cakewalk (cakewalk.com) has just released version 7 of Sonar Home Studio (Win, $99; upgrade, $39). The program sports a completely redesigned user interface stressing ease of use. New Track and Console views put many of Sonar's pro-level tools for music creation at your fingertips. In addition, you get assistant tools to help with everything from track setup to advanced signal routing. A new Loop Explorer view takes the guesswork out of integrating sounds from your loop collection into your music. The XL version ($159) adds more instruments, effects, and content.

BAG END PM6 POWERED MONITOR

IT'S IN THE BAG

With nearly 30 years' experience, Bag End (bagend.com) has earned a reputation for manufacturing high-quality professional monitors. The new PM6 ($898 [MSRP]) is a powered version of the company's popular M6 close-field monitor. Weighing in at 18 pounds, this 9 × 14 × 9-inch unit features a 100W amp, a 6-inch coaxial driver, and a 1-inch neodymium tweeter. Bag End claims flat response in both the frequency and time domains, with ±3 dB frequency response from 60 Hz to 20 kHz. Maximum output is rated at 107 dB SPL.

AUDIO-TECHNICA AT2035 AND AT2050 MICROPHONES

SIDE BY SIDE

Audio-Technica (audio-technica.com) has expanded its line of 20-series side-address condenser microphones with the cardioid AT2035 ($249) and the multipattern AT2050 ($369). Both mics offer flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, high-SPL handling capability (148 dB, or 158 dB with built-in 10 dB pad), and low self-noise. The AT2050 offers omni, cardioid, and figure-8 polar patterns. Both mics feature a switchable 80 Hz highpass filter for low-end rolloff, low-impedance balanced XLRM connectors, a shockmount, and a protective pouch.

IK MULTIMEDIA TOTAL WORKSTATION RACK

MUSE AT WORK

IK Multimedia (ikmultimedia.com) has teamed up with Muse Research (museresearch.com) to package the Powered By SampleTank virtual instruments series in the Muse Receptor plug-in-hosting hardware workstation. Total Workstation Rack ($1,999; cross-grade, $1,699) has SampleTank 2.5, Sonik Synth 2, Miroslav Philharmonik, SampleMoog, and SampleTron — all installed in Receptor and authorized. You get more than 10,000 sample-based sounds covering acoustic and electric pianos; orchestral strings, brass, and woodwinds; vocals, organs, guitars, basses, and synths; and drums and ethnic percussion. You can use Receptor as a standalone instrument on the gig and as a DAW plug-in in the studio.

BLUE CAT AUDIO REMOTE CONTROL 2.0

HANDS ON

Blue Cat Audio (bluecataudio.com) has come up with an unusual approach to MIDI remote control. Remote Control 2.0 (Win, $59) is a VST effects plug-in that puts a skinnable control surface on your PC desktop. Depending on the skin, you might have onscreen knobs, sliders, numericals, buttons, or x-y graphics for generating MIDI Control Change messages. Various kinds of meters and graphs monitor and relay incoming MIDI. The primary purpose of the plug-in is to simultaneously access the controls of several other plug-ins (using their MIDI Learn capability) from Remote Control's panel, thereby reducing desktop clutter.