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Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6

Native Instruments went (in my book) from a very hated company to one of the most respected names in live and studio audio. The reason I hated them so much was because of a program they released called “Battery.” It was awful. The sounds were like cheap 80’s Yamaha keyboard and it crashed alot in Pro Tools, but now that I went out on a limb (at the advice of my rep Keith at Sweetwater) and bought Maschine, I have to say, they’ve grown by leaps and bounds. And now they’re coming out with an update to their Audio Kontrol 1 interface with the Komplete Audio 6, which comes with Komplete Elements as an available to step up your production both live and behind the console.

Native Instruments has just announced KOMPLETE AUDIO 6, a high-performance six-channel audio interface for studio and live usage. As the successor to the acclaimed AUDIO KONTROL 1, it provides more connectivity, increased audio performance and a host of practical new features, complemented by a versatile software package for music production and DJing. Based on the latest generation of Native Instruments’ USB audio interface technology, the KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 addresses the typical needs of musicians and producers in a highly portable and affordable package. With four balanced analog inputs and outputs, complemented by a digital S/PDIF stereo I/O and an integrated MIDI interface, the unit can be used as the centerpiece for a wide range of setups. Due to 24-bit/96kHz Cirrus Logic converters and powerful +11dBu analog output stages,
KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 delivers pristine audio quality for studio and stage, while revised Mac OS X and Windows audio drivers enable robust low-latency performance. KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 accommodates a wide range of recording scenarios with its dual microphone preamps with XLR connectors and phantom power, individually switchable hi-Z inputs for electric guitar and bass assignable headphone section, and flexible zero-latency direct monitoring function with mono switch. The completely bus-powered interface is protected through a rugged aluminum enclosure that also provides 15 status LEDs for convenient signal monitoring, and also features a specially designed USB socket that prevents accidental disconnection during live sets. A large analog volume control on the top of the unit allows users to easily adjust the main output level, avoiding the loss in audio resolution inherent with common digital volume reduction.
KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 also includes a versatile software package for music production and DJing. It comprises KOMPLETE ELEMENTS, an all-round instruments and effects collection with over 1,000 studio-grade sounds; the new entry-level DJ software TRAKTOR 2 LE based on the latest TRAKTOR PRO generation; and the Cubase 5 LE sequencer from Steinberg. Also included is a $30/25 € voucher that can be used towards any download product in the Komplete Instruments and Effects range.

KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 will be available in May 2011 for a suggested retail price of $339 / 299 EUR.
Additional information on KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 is available HERE.

Auralex MudGuard

Hey Limitless Studios, now you won’t have to record your oh-so incredible vocal tracks in that wood paneled closet of yours anymore because Auralex has come out with the MudGuard. This wraps around your mic like the wings of an eagle and magically removes all of the bad room noise and laughing from your friends at your singing.

The Auralex MudGuard isolates your mic by eliminating external noise bleed and filtering out external overtones. This design is engineered for maximum effectiveness using Studiofoam to reduce excessive room ambience and off-axis sound.
Mounts easily to most microphone stands and clips.

 
 
Price on one of these are about $99.00, which isn’t bad at all. Oh and speaking of guuuaarrrdsss.
For more info, click HERE

Lexicon PCM Native Total Bundle

If you’ve used the old hardware reverb units at any time in your lifetime, you know Lexicon is a leader in the reverb world. I remember using an old Lexicon LXP 1 with my dads ADAT and Mackie 1604 VLZ (Using that setup was a chore) and even though it was one of the cheaper units, it still beat the crap out of anything in it’s price range.
So now that we don’t really use much in the hardware field for effects, Lexicon has ventured into the plug-in business and I can speak from experience that the plug-ins are great. They sound just as good, if not better than their hardware counterparts.
And we have the Lexicon PCM Native Total Bundle. More than just reverb, this bundle has just about anything you could ask for in the effects world, even god-awful pitch correction. No offense to them, the sound is just getting played out fast and it sickens me. Thanks Antares…

In a move that brings more of HARMAN Lexicon’s classic PCM algorithms to plug-in users, Lexicon announced the introduction of its PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle and the PCM Native Total Bundle. The new software packages bring additional classic and new Lexicon algorithms to native plug-ins that will add a wealth of inspirational new sounds to a user’s DAW that are not available anywhere else.
 
The PC- and Macintosh®-compatible PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle is designed to work with popular DAWs like Pro Tools and Logic, as well as with any other VST, Audio Unit or RTAS-compatible host.
The PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle incorporates classic Lexicon algorithms including:

  • Dual Delay – Including: slap-back echo, tape echo and much more – all with complete control over delay time, mix, repeat and other parameters.
  • Random Delay – Builds upon the capabilities of Dual Delay with more voices and four LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) that control delay time with both familiar waveforms as well as random values and input levels.
  • Chorus/Flange – The available chorus, flanger and long multivoice delay enable everything from traditional flanger sounds to flangers that play far behind the beat for out-of-this-world effects.
  • Resonant Chords – This unique mode, first introduced in the Lexicon PCM70, allows multiple delay voices to be tuned to resonate on specific notes.
  • Pitch Shift – A multitude of mono and stereo pitch-shifting capabilities are available, from pitch correction in a mix to standout special effects.
  • Multivoice Pitch Shift – This is a multivoice delay algorithm with an independent pitch shifter on each voice. It can function as anything from a voice thickener, to multiple delays that can shift up or down while locked to tempo, to a “Seasick Room” preset that must be heard to be believed.
  • Stringbox – The all-new Stringbox algorithm provides the user with 88 virtual strings resonating according to the audio in. Several tuning and panning options are available, along with a virtual keyboard and randomizer, giving users the ability to create never-before-heard chords, melodies and room sounds.

Ok now I have to admit, ALL of that sounds incredibly tempting, well except the “Seasick Room” preset because I work in the offshore biz and I’ve seen (and smelled) a seasick room and I don’t want that on any of my tracks because frankly you would all die being subject to such an inane spectacle. It smelled like someone threw a bag of old food and bus seats into a tire fire. Gross.
GOOD GRIEF THIS IS EXPENSIVE PLUG-INS… Did waves get a hold of them before they released these?
The Lexicon PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle is Native only, and requires iLok2 authorization. It will be available May, 2011 and will be offered in three different options.
• PCM Effects $999 US MAP
• PCM Total Bundle $1999 US MAP   (PCM Reverb and PCM Effects)
• PCM Total Bundle Upgrade $599 US MAP (Upgrade for previous owners of PCM Reverb)
For more info, think about that visual of the seasick room and puke on over HERE
 

Pro Tools MP9

I’m not too happy with Avid right now due to how crappy my Pro Tools 9 works on my Mac Pro and my Laptop setup. The sad part is that Pro Tools runs better on my internal sound card of my MacBook Pro better than it does on a piece of hardware AVID BUILT FOR PRO TOOLS. Seriously folks, don’t buy a 003, Unless that 003 is the one I have for sale on craigslist right now. BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW.
Anywho, the redheaded step child of Avid, M-Audio gets it’s own version of Pro Tools now and hopefully it works in conjunction with it’s hardware better than 9 does with it’s own.
 

Avid today announced the availability of  Pro Tools MP 9, the latest version of the award-winning Pro Tools software, which enables M-Audio hardware enthusiasts to harness professional-quality recording, editing, and mixing features in their home or project studios. Avid also announced all-new bundles that combine Pro Tools MP 9 software with select M-Audio interfaces to deliver industry-leading music creation solutions at an extraordinary value. Pro Tools MP 9 leverages the same core functionality found in Avid’s Pro Tools software, the top choice for music and audio professionals. New Pro Tools MP 9 features include Automatic Delay Compensation for great-sounding, phase-accurate mixes; and MP3 export capability, which enables users to easily share their creations with the world. Avid’s Pro Tools MP 9 software will be offered standalone for use with select M-Audio interfaces, as well as in all-new, value-packed bundles with the M-Audio MobilePre,  Fast Track Pro or Fast Track Ultra interfaces, providing the essential tools that customers need to create professional-quality music. Specifically designed to work with select Avid’s M-Audio audio interfaces, Pro Tools MP 9 delivers a professional, stable platform intended for personal studio and mobile music creation.

Pricing and availability Pricing for Pro Tools MP 9 is $299.95, and upgrades are available to existing Pro Tools M-Powered(tm) users for $199.95. Pricing for Pro Tools MP 9 bundles begins at $329.95 for Pro Tools MP 9 + MobilePre, $399.95 for Pro Tools MP 9 + Fast Track Pro and $549.95 for Pro Tools + Fast Track Ultra. All prices USMSRP. All options will be available worldwide on May 16, 2011.
PS I still love you Avid. We’re just going through a “Rough Patch” but we’ll get back to normal once we go HD.

The Complete Pro Tools Shorcuts

Nowadays Cmd+X,C,V,Z just aren’t enough. You gotta know then other great shortcuts like cmd+a, Shift,cmd,N, and most importantly for the mac Command+Q, and for windows alt+F4.
I’m gonna wait a few minutes for all of the people who fell for that shortcut to get back after closing out their screen,
They didn’t come back? Oh well, if you can’t take a joke, you might not wanna be here.
This book is essential to the new and old Pro Tools users. I’ve been using Pro Tools now for about 10 years now and I’ve still barely scratched the surface. The great thing about Pro Tools is they’ve found out the perfect formula to allow newcomers to instantly record while also giving the seasoned vet the exact same interface but with all of the features as well.

Hal Leonard Books, the musician’s best source of books on the music business, audio technology, instrument history, and more, has published The Complete Pro Tools Shortcuts ($29.99) by Jose Chilitos Valenzuela. This second edition is newly revised and expanded with over 400 shortcuts for the latest versions of Pro Tools HD and LE.
The Complete Pro Tools Shortcuts is an indispensable guide that provides a complete list of shortcuts to help readers get the most out of Avid’s industry-leading digital-audio software in the fastest possible way. Each shortcut shows the key combinations needed to complete a given task and in what context the command is available, as well as other important features.
Since key command shortcuts exist to speed workflow, The Complete Pro Tools Shortcuts is designed to help readers find and use shortcuts quickly and easily. Readers can find shortcuts for specific tasks contained in a detailed table of contents divided into more than 60 sections, each pertaining to a section or workflow within Pro Tools. From there, each shortcut contains key commands for Mac and PC, multiple screen shots to help navigate the software, and notes and descriptions to help execute the shortcut task.
In addition to the latest keyboard commands, The Complete Pro Tools Shortcuts is packed with valuable tips culled from the author’s many years as a Pro Tools producer and instructor, making it a must-have aide for any Pro Tools-based studio.

The book is $29.99 and can be found HERE

Apogee Duet 2

Yea yea yea, I know. No posts in a while but I’m laid up in the house sick as a dog and as much as I love talking about recording gear, I don’t like dripping snot on my keyboard. So I leave you with that analogy and the Apogee Duet 2. This is a great alternative to the Avid interfaces for Pro Tools 9, given you own a Mac. AHHH CRAP I just sneezed on the screen.

Apogee’s Duet is the most respected portable audio interface ever. Along with receiving many industry awards, Duet has also been instrumental in the creation of numerous GRAMMY winning records. While others have been trying to emulate its sound quality, ease of use and innovative design, we have been busy making an even better Duet. Duet 2 builds on the incredible success of its predecessor by incorporating customer feedback, adding advanced new features and delivering even better sound quality than the original.
 

Turn your Mac into a professional recording studio

Duet 2 is the best solution for capturing your music to your Mac. With Duet 2, make studio quality recordings of vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, and anything musical. And because Duet 2 is portable you can take it anywhere your creativity takes you. When it’s time to mix, Duet 2’s output quality lets you hear your recordings with incredible detail and dimension allowing you to put the finishing touches on your musical project like a pro. Duet 2 sounds so amazing you won’t want to listen to your iTunes library without it.

Price on this is about $595.00
For more info, click HERE

ADAM A77X

You know, I think ADAM is a very under-rated company and they should get a lot more cred. I’m actually in the market for some new monitors. I have the Mackie MR-5s and don’t get me wrong, they’re great monitors but I wouldn’t mind a little more kick out of some speakers. Lets see what ADAM has in store with the A77X.

ADAM Audio, a leader in the field of professional monitoring, is launching its new AX monitor at the Prolight + Sound 2011. The A77X features the company’s acclaimed X-ART tweeter, new woofers and amplifiers, and completely re-designed speaker cabinets.
ADAM’s award-winning AX-Series originally included four high performance systems from the ultra-compact and fully professional A3X to the high performance A5X, A7X and A8X systems.
All models feature the new X-ART tweeter in addition to woofers and amplifiers that have also been completely reengineered with larger voice-coils and more powerful amplifiers for greater linear excursion and more output. A 5-year warranty is provided for all models.
The new A77X is equipped with the same advanced technologies as its acclaimed counterpart the A7X, but it produces much higher, compression-free maximum sound pressure levels and dynamics. Due to its power and radiation characteristics, it is ideally suited for near- and midfield monitoring.
Like all AX Series models, the A77X features ADAM’s proprietary X-ART tweeter. The ‘X’ stands for ‘eXtended frequency response’ and the Accelerating Ribbon Technology has been drastically improved in terms of frequency response that now extends all the way up to 50kHz. The X-ART tweeter also has higher efficiency and higher maximum sound pressure levels.
The A77X’s two 7” woofers feature 1.5” large voice coils and powerful amplifiers. Both are capable of very high maximum sound pressure levels and deep lower register reproduction. The woofers cover different frequency bands” one handles the (sub-) bass frequencies to approximately 400Hz, while the other reproduces most of the midrange.
 

For more information about ADAM Audio USA, please call 516.681.0690, or click HERE.

IK Multimedia Japan Relief

Sometimes water and earth suck and they really throw us a curve. I’ve been on the bad side of a Mother Nature beat down so I’ve got a special spot in this cold analog heart for huge natural disasters. IK Multimedia shares my soft spot no not that spot and has offered their help.

IK Multimedia is proud to announce that all of IK’s virtual instruments are on sale from April 1 – May 31, 2011, with each title sold and registered supporting a $5 donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society to aid victims of the March 2011 Japanese tsunami. To participate, customers may purchase any of the following virtual instruments for just $99.99/€74.99* each during the promotion: SampleTank 2.5 XL , Miroslav Philharmonik, Sonik Synth 2, SampleTron and SampleMoog ™.
About IK Multimedia’s Virtual Instruments included in the Hot Buy Promotion:
SampleTank 2.5 XL is the ultimate synth-workstation. With an exclusive combination of features and sounds, this plug-in stands apart from all other sample-based virtual instruments, as one of the most powerful and easy-to-use solutions for making fully produced songs straight out of the box.
Sample Moog™ offers over 1,900 basses, leads, pads and effect sounds from the very first Moog Modular systems to rare Minimoogs, Taurus™ Bass Pedals, Polymoogs, Memorymoogs and more. See the latest video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3URt3Zk0BQ
Miroslav Philharmonik™ is a powerful integrated Orchestral Workstation combining the legendary Miroslav Orchestral and Choir sample collection masterpieces with a dedicated plug-in instrument specifically tailored toward classical sounds and arrangements.
Sonik Synth 2 is the ultimate synth workstation, with more synths and instrument sounds that any other comparable hardware or software. Put together in a collaboration between IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality,
SampleTron™ combines the authentic recreation of “Tron” sounds such as Mellotrons, and Chamberlins with the powerful SampleTank engine to take those nostalgic sounds into the future. See the latest video here.

For more information, please visit HERE

Korg Kronos Giveaway

Hey have you been pissed that I haven’t been posting news? No? Yea you’re probably right. Well either way, do you wanna win a Korg Kronos? Are you cool with doing something crazy and even possibly losing your dignity. This sounds too good to be true. Well here’s how.

Korg USA is giving fans a chance to win its new flagship Kronos Music Workstation. The What Would You Do for a Kronos? video contest offers the opportunity for players to get their hands on one of the most talked-about and most anticipated music workstations, absolutely free. The contest runs April 1, 2011, through May 31, 2011. Entrants must simply create an original YouTube video explaining or demonstrating what they would do for a free Kronos*. Each entry will be judged on its originality, creativity, entertainment value and number of views. All video files should be titled What I Would Do for a Korg Kronos and posted to YouTube. Then, entrants can submit the completed online entry form. Korg will select five finalists, and a panel of special Korg artists and staff will judge those five videos and determine the winning entry. The winner will receive a 73-key Korg Kronos Music Workstation, and the winning video will appear on Korgs website and social network pages.

Please visit the contest page for complete rules, requirements and other details.
* Some restrictions apply.
For more info, click HERE

Image Line Introduces FL Studio 10

I started out on this program making what I would like to think we’re some “fresh beats” but I think I might have been fooling myself, but this program, as cheap as it was back then, holds a special place in my heart. I do not use it anymore but I still take some of the fundamentals and use them with the multiple pieces of software I use instead of the one that came with all of these features in it, (Fruity Loops.)

FL Studio 10 is a complete software music production environment. Representing more than 12 years of cutting edge development, it has everything musicians and producers need in one package to compose, record, edit, arrange, mix and master professional quality music. FL Studio 10 includes Lifetime FREE Updates and really is the fastest way from your brain to your speakers.
Image Line Software, leading developer of audio production software, introduces the 10th and latest version of it’s music creation & production program, FL Studio. With more than 12 years development, the award winning digital audio workstation (DAW) software, previously known as FruityLoops, is delivering more added value than ever, ready to be exploited for its music production capabilities.
Image Line Software are also excited to announce that Lifetime Free Updates (LFU) have been extended to all ‘Boxed’ versions purchased from traditional music stores. Previously LFU were granted only to download purchases. LFU are available as a download after online product registration.
FL Studio 10 includes 30 software instruments & over 40 effects covering just about any musical style. Multi-track record up to 99 simultaneous tracks of audio through one of the industries most flexible Mixers. The Playlist workspace can contain an unlimited number of audio tracks and allows the user to arrange discrete audio events in any order or position the creative process dictates.

 
FL Studio 10 is available for purchase online (via download) or in boxed format through traditional music & software outlets. All downloadable AND boxed versions now include Lifetime FREE Updates available as a download after online registration of the product.
Editions and prices:
Image Line Software are pleased to announce that prices for all editions remain unchanged:
 

  • Express Edition (US $ 49, download only)
  • Fruity Edition (US $ 99 download / US $ 139 boxed)
  • Producer Edition (US $ 199 download / US $ 269 boxed)
  • Signature Edition (US $ 299 download /US $ 399 boxed).

Additional information on FL Studio is available at  www.flstudio.com
 

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