Sweetwater inSync

Motif to the Max!

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

A message from Sweetwater's Director of Product Optimization, Daniel Fisher, about an awesome reason to purchase a Yamaha Motif before March 15, 2012: All of us at Sweetwater are willing to go that extra mile to offer you something no one else can. Sometimes it's having product knowledge that's deeper than the other folks have; sometimes it's rapidly inventing a solution for a gigging musician's dilemma. As Director of Product Optimization, my goal is to offer our customers something exciting and unique that can be bundled into their purchases. Now it's time to offer something extraordinary for the Yamaha Motif XF workstations. Buy a Motif XF6, Motif XF7, or Motif XF8 between now and March 15th and we'll throw in a 512MB Flash Board for loading in your own samples for free (retail price $199). And then, to give you something amazing to fill that flash board, we're including Chick Corea's Mark V Electric Piano Library (retail $129). This fantastic electric piano library comes from Chick's favorite Rhodes Stage 73 Mark V that he calls his "Number One." It has been tweaked and improved continuously throughout its life to become Chick's most important instrument. When it became too valuable to take on the road, Chick had every note of it sampled in his own Mad Hatter Studios with 12 unlooped velocity layers for every single note. The results were so good that Chick now uses the Motif XF on tour, allowing him to keep his precious Mark V safely at home. Along with the sample library, we're also including two interview videos with Chick about the creation of this library and, three Motif sequence songs that allow you to hear Chick's electric piano played by Chick himself! But time is limited on this incredible Sweetwater bundle, so make sure you purchase your Motif XF by March 15, 2012!

MicroBook II

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

MOTU has made one of the first "post-NAMM" announcements: The new MicroBook II, an updated version of the compact, studio-grade audio interface for Mac and Windows PC. The MicroBook II features professional I/O, including four inputs (mic, hi-Z instrument, and stereo balanced) and eight outputs ( balanced 1/4", stereo mini jack, S/PDIF digital, and headphones). Internal CueMix mixing and routing features let you program a different stereo mix for each output pair, consisting of any combination of live inputs and computer audio tracks. Alternately, you can send the same mix to multiple outputs. On-board effects include modeled analog EQ and compression, which can be applied with near-zero latency to live inputs.

Ozone 5.0.2

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:01 +0100

iZotope has releasd version 5.0.2 of Ozone 5. The new version includes:

Improvements to IRC III, including a new Style control and reduced distortion on low-frequency material
Improved Spectrogram behavior with better Meter Tap synchronization and display improvements
Other fixes, including better compatibility with Steinberg Wavelab

Korg SV-1 88

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Looking for an 88-key gigging piano? Korg's new SV-1 88 comes in at an amazing price, and offers Korg's R3 weighted action, 36 instruments, amp modeling and effects, 80-note polyphony, onboard EQ, and eight instant-access presets, all for an incredible price. There's even a true-vintage limited-edition version with reversed black and white keys for just a few dollars more!

FeelTune Rhizome SXE

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:05 +0100

Groove production for the next generation! The Rhizome SXE from FeelTune is based around a dedicated audio computer that you can interact with using 16 touch-sensitive pads and 32 rotary controllers. Four large displays tell you what each control is doing. Windows VST plug-ins are supported and a built-in 500GB drive provides plenty of storage for projects and sound files. MIDI I/O is built-in, along with balanced TRS audio I/O, an eSATA port, a gigabit ethernet port, an HDMI port, and a DVI port. But don't think of this as a computer, think of it as a dedicated groove-production instrument...new creative possibilities await!

Eventide H3000 Factory Ultra-Harmonizer

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:04 +0100

The effects produced by the early-'90s Eventide H3000D/SE processor are classics. Now you can have all those sounds — we're talking the exact presets — in a native plug-in with the H3000 Factory Ultra-Harmonizer. Compatible with Audio Units, VST, and Avid's new AAX formats, this plug-in also has many new sounds, including many programmed by Richard Devine.

MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:03 +0100

Every bass player needs a thick, fat, cutting fuzz sound in their arsenal, and the new Bass Fuzz Deluxe from MXR is the one to have for a couple of excellent reasons: first, it sounds incredible! It's been specifically tailored to work with bass, this is no second-hand guitar pedal. Second, it has separate level controls for both the dry (unprocessed) bass sound and the wet (fuzz) sound. Using these two controls you can dial in exactly the amount of saturation you want, from light "hair" to full-on buzz while maintaining the solid low-end punch you need for your tone.

Fender Super Bassman

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:02 +0100

With six 6550 power tubes onboard, you just know the Super Bassman head from Fender is going to crank! This all-tube monster bass amp puts out 300 watts of power wth two footswitchable channels, Vintage and Overdrive. There's a Silent Record mode and the tubes are auto biasing. If you need big power, big features, and big tone — whether nice or nasty — then the Super Bassman is the one you want for your bass amp! A full line of matching Bassman cabinets are also available, with configurations including 1x15, 4x10, 6x10, and 8x10, all with a compression-driver horn tweeter and neodymium speakers for super light weight.

Roland BK-5

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:01 +0100

The BK-5 arranger keyboard from Roland provides an amazing array of nearly 1,200 sounds, Musical Assistants, instant recording to USB, tons of built-in effects, onboard stereo speakers, and much, much more. 128-note polyphony gives you plenty of power to create complete songs and arrangements.

NAMM Wraps Up

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

This installment of inSync brings our Winter NAMM 2012 coverage to a close, though there are still many, many new products to talk about. We'll be bringing you those in our regular daily news going forward. In the meantime, be sure to enjoy our comprehensive online report as well as nearly 100 videos shot live on the NAMM show floor, which are posted at our YouTube page.

Nord Piano 2 HA88

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:05 +0100

The 88-key Nord Piano 2 HA88 stage piano has a hammer-action keyboard and is loaded with over 1,000 high-quality instruments; built-in phaser, wah, flanger, chorus, and delay effects; and also includes a 3-band EQ, amp simulations, and a compressor and reverb. It is designed for fast, intuitive, and expressive operation on stage.

True Systems pT2-500D

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:04 +0100

500-series users looking for a mic preamp that is optimized for use with dynamic and ribbon mics should seek no further than the True Systems pT2-500D. With 76dB of gain, a low-frequency adjust control, and precision components, the pT2-500D handles the job with ease and outstanding clarity. A discrete FET DI with a separate thru connection is included.

Peavey MuseBox

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:03 +0100

Peavey has teamed with Muse Research to create the MuseBox, a dedicated synth, sampler, and effects processor that runs VST effects and virtual instruments with zero latency. Mics and instruments can be routed through the MuseBox and its MIDI I/O turns it into a full-on sound module. Tons of instruments and effects are pre-installed, including Peavey's ReValver HP guitar plug-in.

Yamaha DXR Series

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:02 +0100

The new DXR series powered PA speakers from Yamaha feature built-in Class D power amps in lightweight, compact, durable ABS enclosures. The line includes four 2-ways: DXR8, DXR10, DXR12, and DXR15, as well as the DXS12 12-inch subwoofer.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50s Limited Edition

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:01 +0100

2012 is Audio-Technica's 50th anniversary as a company, and they are celebrating with limited edition versions of several of their most popular mics and this set of headphones, the ATH-M50s Limited Edition. These are closed-back headphones, with a coiled cable, rotating earcups, and sturdy construction for a long, useful life.

Still Even More NAMM

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Are we finished with Winter NAMM 2012 coverage? No way! Lots of new gear still to tell you about!

Blue Mikey Digital

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:05 +0100

Get great stereo sound straight into your iPod Touch, iPhone 4/S, or iPad 1 or 2 with the new Blue Mikey Digital microphone. Mikey Digital plugs into your iOS device, and can be swiveled over a 220-degree range for perfect placement for any recording environment. Features include a 3-position gain switch, guitar input, soft carrying pouch, and compatibility with almost any recording/music app.

Alesis Vortex

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:04 +0100

Keyboardists of the world, step up to the front of the stage! The Alesis Vortex is said to the first "keytar" strap-on keyboard with USB capability with support for Mac, Windows, and even iOS (with the optional Camera Connection Kit). There are 37 keys, a touch strip, a volume slider, a pitch wheel, and an tilt-sensing accelerometer that can be assigned to various parameters. There are also eight trigger/drum pads for laying down rhythms. The Vortex can run on batteries or bus power over USB.

Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Signature Cry Baby

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:03 +0100

Designed in collaboration with blues-rock giant Joe Bonamassa, the Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Signature Cry Baby features a modified vintage circuit with an internal switch for selecting true bypass or buffered bypass operation. A Halo inductor provides a wide vocal-sounding sweep.

Fender Pawn Shop Excelsior

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:02 +0100

Among the new amps released by Fender at NAMM was the Excelsior, a vintage-looking amp with incredible vibe. The Excelsior puts out 13 watts of 6V6 power through a 15-inch Special Design speaker, and has a brown textured covering. There are three inputs: guitar, mic, and accordion, a volume knob, a bright/dark switch, and a dripping wet, swampy tremolo circuit. An internal speaker disconnect allows you to drive external cabinets.

Apogee Duet 2 Breakout Box

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:01 +0100

Tired of cable mess with your Apogee Duet 2? Then you need the new Apogee Duet 2 Breakout Box! This convenient, solidly built aluminum breakout box features studio-quality connectors — XLR and 1/4-inch — along with a 6-foot extension cable so you can place the breakout box near your source while keeping the cable clutter away from your Duet and desktop.

Still More NAMM News

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

We still have more products from NAMM to cover for you! Plese be sure to visit our complete online report, and check out the nearly 100 NAMM videos we've posted to YouTube.

Word For The Day: Continuity Tester

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

A device that tests that continuity exists in an electrical circuit, wiring, or cable.

Word For The Day: Fake Book

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

A collection of lead sheets, especially common in jazz settings. Originally, fake books were "underground" collections of loose copies of lead sheets, usually illegal copies that infringed on copyright, that were carried by musicians to gigs and jam sessions. Over the years, publishers have begun compiling versions of fake books, which do not infringe on copyright and that can be sold legally.

Word For The Day: Shedding

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

1. Short for "woodshedding." 2. Loss of magnetic material as the oxide falls off of older analog tapes.

Tech Tip: Developing Critical Listening

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Here's an assignment that will really help with your critical listening skills, which are vital to creating great recordings and mixes. Choose five songs, one from each of the past five decades. It's best to choose songs either from a single artist who's been active that long or to choose songs from the same genre. Listen carefully to your five songs, and write down a detailed comparison of the production values and techniques used. How compressed do things sound? How is the stereo field used or not used? What is the overall EQ or tonal shape of each song? How do the vocals sit in relation to everything else? How do the song dynamics compare? Dig in as deep as you can, comparing the same aspects of each song. Focus on the kick drum and compare across the five songs. Now focus on the reverb and do the same. Continue through all aspects of the recordings. What makes the sound dated? What doesn't sound dated? Write it all out. You'll be surprised what you'll learn and what you can apply to your own productions!

Tech Tip: VG-Strat Without Battery?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Q: I'm wondering, if the battery in my VG-Strat loses power, what happens? Can I keep playing, or do I lose sound completely? I'm concerned about what might happen if a battery dies onstage. A: Here's how the Roland VG-Strat functions when the batteries lose power: The normal magnetic pickups continue to operate normally with dead or missing batteries. However all COSM functions (modeling, alternate tunings) will not work. In other words, it functions as a normal Strat. So you can continue to play it, you just won't be able to use the special functions and sounds until you replace the battery.

Tech Tip: Apollo Question

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0100

Q: I'm very excited about the new Universal Audio Apollo audio interface. One question: is it possible to process some signals with plug-ins while recording them to your DAW and at the same time route other signals that are not processed with plug-ins to the DAW? A: Yes, using the Console software that comes with the Apollo, you can choose to insert UAD-2 plug-ins onto any of the input signals you desire, while leaving other input signals unprocessed. You can choose to monitor the plug-ins while tracking or to record them permanently onto your tracks as they are laid down in the DAW.