WHAT'S NEW

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

           

MXL MICMATE

MXL Microphones (www.mxlmics.com), the professional-audio division of Marshall Electronics, has released MicMate (Mac/Win, $79.95), a plug-and-play USB device for Windows and Macintosh computers. This easy-to-use interface supports both condenser and dynamic mics. Its compact size makes it ideal for capturing audio for Podcasts. Attach your microphone to the phantom-powered XLR connector and select an attenuation level, and you're ready to go. MXL specifications claim transparent (no coloration) performance with a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response for the analog input. The digital output employs a 16-bit delta-sigma A/D converter with 44.1 and 48 kHz sampling rates.

TASCAM DP-02 PORTASTUDIOS

Tascam (www.tascam.com) has updated its Portastudio line with the release of the DP-02 ($499) and DP-02CF ($299). The DP-02 records to a built-in 40 GB hard disk, whereas the DP-02CF records to a CompactFlash card. Both 8-track units have two phantom-powered XLR mic/line inputs, and each channel has EQ, pan, volume, record, mute, and effects-send controls. The DP-02 additionally includes a multi-effects processor, stereo reverb, a chromatic tuner, and a CD-RW burner. Both units record uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1 kHz audio and have a USB 2.0 interface for transferring data to your Mac or PC.

PHONIC FIREFLY 808

Phonic (www.phonic.com) has announced the FireFly 808 FireWire audio interface (Mac/Win, $399), which offers 24-bit resolution and sampling rates up to 192 kHz. You get six analog mic/line inputs served by XLR and ¼-inch jacks and eight balanced ¼-inch TRS outputs (+4 dBu) on the rear panel. Two more analog mic/instrument-input XLR combo jacks grace the front panel. Additional headphone and main outputs have their own volume controls. S/PDIF, AES/EBU, MIDI, and word-clock I/O round out the interface. The FireFly 808 can function as a standalone mixer and features extensive LED metering.

ADOBE AUDITION 3

Adobe Audition 3 (Win, $349) is out and bristling with new features. It supports VSTi virtual instrument plug-ins and now offers effects such as convolution reverb, a mastering tool, tube-modeled compression, and analog-modeled delay and guitar processing. Time-stretching is accomplished courtesy of iZotope Radius. Precise loop trimming with end matching is a snap in Top/Tail view. Spectral editing is enhanced, and new Adaptive Noise Reduction and Automatic Phase Correction tools will clean up your act. Overall performance, multitrack editing, and waveform editing are all improved. Check it out at www.adobe.com.

CME M-KEY

CME (www.cme-pro.com) is shipping the little brother to its U-Key Mobiletone. The M-Key (Mac/Win, $99) is an ultrathin 49-key MIDI controller with Velocity-sensitive semiweighted keys. This class-compliant USB device sports a joystick and an assignable slider. The rear panel houses the USB port, a MIDI Out jack, and two 1/8-inch TRS universal pedal jacks, which are fully footswitch and footpedal compatible. The M-Key ships with the CME MusicPack containing free versions of popular audio software such as Magix Samplitude SE and Arturia Analog Factory SE.

RAYZOON JAMSTIX 2

Version 2 of virtual drum machine Jamstix (Win, $99) from Rayzoon (www.rayzoon.com) is a complete rewrite with an evolved user interface and improved style and drummer modeling. Unlike virtual drum machines that combine prerecorded patterns, Jamstix takes into account what's humanly possible — no more 10-armed drummers. You select style and drummer models, input a song structure, and optionally provide MIDI or audio for Velocity tracking, and Jamstix does the rest. Integrated VSTi subhosting lets you combine built-in kits with other popular drum machines, such as BFD, EZDrummer, and Addictive Drums.

SAMPLEBASE SATELLITE PRO

Samplebase (www.samplebase.com) Satellite Pro (Mac/Win, $149) is a feature-enhanced upgrade of the free sample player Satellite. Satellite Pro lets you load AIFF, WAV, and loop-based files (ReCycle, Acid, and Apple Loops), access all synthesis-engine and effects parameters, manage multisample maps, and edit waveforms singly or in batches. Both Satellite and Satellite Pro are cross-platform and come in standalone, VST, and AU versions. Samplebase is a new Web site in exclusive partnership with Ilio that offers a variety of premium downloadable sample libraries called SoundBlocks, which range in price from $19 to $49.

STEINBERG NUENDO 4

Steinberg's (www.steinberg.net) audio-post and studio-production system Nuendo 4 (Mac/Win, $1,799) brings a variety of new features to the table. Its completely redesigned automation system includes per-channel punch-out, fill commands, and the Unique Touch Collect Assistant. MediaBay file management keeps sample and effects libraries at your fingertips. Twenty new editing commands and tool modifiers facilitate postproduction editing. You get 38 new sidechaining VST 3 effects plug-ins, and you can drag-and-drop plug-ins between channels as well as save track presets. A redesigned sample editor and new Logic Project editor round out Nuendo's power-user enhancements.

Euphonix MC Artist Series

Euphonix (www.euphonix.com) has announced the first two products in its new MC Artist Series for the personal studio. The MC Mix ($999.99) and MC Control ($1,499.99) fit snugly between computer keyboard and screen. They integrate neatly with your DAW using Euphonix's proprietary EuCon Ethernet protocol, which delivers 250 times the resolution and 8 times the speed of MIDI. Both units feature motorized faders and a variety of buttons and rotaries. The MC Mix offers eight OLED displays, whereas the MC Control has a touch-screen interface. Euphonix has worked closely with software developers such as Apple, Steinberg, and MOTU to provide native support, and both units additionally support the HUI and Mackie Control protocols.