AARDVARK - The makers of some of the world’s finest sync devices have released the Aark DirectPro ($645.00). It’s a direct-to-PC studio interface box with 24-bit shielded converters. It features very nice software based digital signal routing and on-board no-latency, realtime dsp effects that can be routed to monitor only, record tracks, or route to external paths. Effects include Reverb, EQ, dynamics, etc. The Aark Direct Pro also comes with Aardvark’s usual low-jitter clock. They claim that this box does away with the need for analog mixers and outboard effects boxes, and it’s had great reviews from your NAMM Report staff.

The only time you could get near the Alesis booth was early in the morning.

ALESIS - Generating the most interest from recording professionals was their new MasterLink ML-9600 ($1,699.00), a high-resolution Master Disk Recorder that combines hard disk recording, digital signal processing, mastering and CD creation in one device. They argue that at its price point it effectively replaces DAT machines and CD Recorders. But the really remarkable thing about MasterLink is Alesis' patent-pending CD24 technology. This means that MasterLink is the world’s first system capable of producing CDs that record and play with up to 24-bit, 96kHz resolution. The MasterLink doesn’t require "special" or expensive CD-Rs – it works with the same CD-Rs you use right now. Alesis has also allowed for future upgrades to the MasterLink, allowing you to upload new software as it becomes available via the internal CD-R drive. If you own a recording facility of any size the MasterLink is something you should definitely look into.

There were also a few new additions to Alesis’ excellent GT line of microphones. The AM30 ($499.00) and the AM40 ($799.00) Slimline Condenser microphones are designed for close-miking acoustic or amplified instruments, and can be used in both live and studio work. The AM30 uses high quality, low noise Class-A FET circuitry, while the AM40 is one of the only mics that uses tube technology in a front-addressed slimline condenser. Another new GT microphone, the AM11 ($399.00) is a large diaphragm studio condenser made for recording vocals. The sound and performance of the AM11 are definitely up to professional standards, and it’s surprisingly affordable.

Alesis DM Pro Kit

Several manufacturers weighed in with electronic drum kits this year, though if the thundering from the acoustic manufacturers’ booths is anything to go by, the electronic sets are still some ways away from becoming the dominant drum life-form. Alesis’ DM Pro Kit ($2,599.00) combines the authenticity and variety of sound found in their DM Pro drum machine with a great-feeling drum pad set. It’s a full package that includes the Drum Module, snare pad, tom pads, cymbal pads, beater kick drum (can be used with almost any pedal) high-hat pedal, and cables, drum rack and module mount. The pads and triggers have very good sensitivity and response. As far as sounds go, there are total of 1,664 sounds in the DM Pro Drum Module, with a PCMCIA-format card slot in the expandable Drum Module for adding more sounds. Another cool thing about the DM Pro Kit: the cymbals are mounted on springs, so there’s a little give when they’re struck, like a real cymbal.

Chuck was very impressed with the sound of the Alesis DG8.

Finally, the DG8 64 voice Expandable Digital Grand Piano ($2,499.00) held a prominent position in Alesis’ booth, and for good reason. The sound was gorgeous, and the keyboard, with 88 velocity sensitive, hammer-action style weighted keys, was extremely playable. Inside the DG8 are some of the most high-quality stereo piano sounds we’ve heard, and if the sounds stopped at the pianos it still would have been a pretty amazing instrument. But there are a total of 88 preset programs in the DG8, all of which can take your breath away. With 24 megabytes of sound ROM onboard, there are very few other digital pianos or synths that can match the DG8 for quality and performance. It’s also expandable. Easily one of the most impressive instruments we saw this year.

ARMOURED CABLE - In the "why didn’t we think of that" department comes Armoured Cable. Also distributed by Samson, they make instrument cable that’s. . . well, armoured (armored?). The wires are covered by the same flexible, stainless steel outer jacket that you’ll find, still intact, in vandalized pay phones everywhere. In fact, we’re told that’s where the idea came from. The wires on the inside are George Ls, a time-tested brand that offers great, dependable performance and low noise.

The newest Radiator model is even more striking.

ASHDOWN - Distributed in the US by HHB, this company makes some funky, retro looking bass amps with high-tech innards. The ABM (that’s Ashland Bass Magnifiers) Series of heads, cabinets and combos deliver a full, fat, mud-free bass sound while offering bass players the control they need. They also have two Acoustic Radiator cabinets that sport a cool 50s design while delivering the kind of modern clarity and tone any 50s guitar slinger would have killed for. This gear has such a distinctive look that it’s tempting to get a little suspicious about the quality of the stuff inside, but you should definitely try them out. You might be surprised.

The new Line 6 pedals were as sounded as impressive as they looked. ... more

AUDIO-TECHNICA - Audio-Technica had a fine new large diaphragm condenser microphone, the AT-4047 SV ($635.00), which deserves to take its place among the best of Audio-Technica’s recording mics. It features transformer coupled output and a specially tuned element. The AT-4047 SV is designed to deliver sonic characteristics similar to old F.E.T. studio microphones, and it does, bringing out all the nuance and subtleties of quieter, more textured sounds that are sometimes difficult to capture during recording.

BOSS - We saw a great demonstration of the PS-5 Super Shifter ($249.00), their new guitar effects pedal. In this one pedal you get an arsenal of great pitch shifting and tremolo effects, including "intelligent," key-specific pitch shifting of single notes using simple Pitch and Key knobs with scale display, and much more. Think about it. With the PS-5 you can stretch and contort your guitar strings to your heart’s content, coming out with the most hellacious sounds imaginable, and your guitar doesn’t go out of tune!

BROWNSVILLE - Named after a neighborhood in Brooklyn and distributed by Samson, Brownsville makes electric guitars that will have you smokin’ in any room anywhere (actually, I think that Brownsville was from Texas). The Choirboy ($439.00) is a slim, hollow body guitar with a bound body, three single-foil pickups, and a five-way position switch. Its F-hole gives it a unique sound that mixes grit and chime. It comes in three colors: Sea Foam, Burgundy Mist, and Midnight Black. The Thug ($369.00) is a flashier proposition. It’s also a hollow body, with two single-coil pickups and a three-way position switch. You have a choice of three "sparkle" finishes – Red, Laser Blue, and Silver. Both the Thug and the Choirboy are very light weight and feature an adjustable bridge and truss rod. I wonder if Thug takes Choirboy’s lunch money while they’re smokin’ in the boy’s room?

CAKEWALK - Their Guitar Studio 2 ($249.00) Multitrack recording software looks very good, and more than lives up to Cakewalk’s promise to create a program that specifically addresses the needs of guitarists. Guitar Studio 2 now works with ANY type of guitar, providing you with up to 16 tracks of audio along with MIDI, and up to 16 simultaneous, realtime audio effects. The Session Drummer plug-in is included so you can create exciting, professional drum tracks.

Just out is Metro 5 ($249.00), Cakewalk’s complete Multitrack Mac Recording Studio. It features up to 64 tracks of audio along with MIDI, and provides all the tools you need for producing fully professional audio recordings, composing and recording songs, and even syncing to film, video and QuickTime movies. They were also showing the GrooveMaker ($55.00), a DJ/dance styled digital audio tool with an eye-catching graphics layout – circular rather than the usual display configuration. You can call up random effects into your groove, and the beats and sounds are all license free, so you can use them where you will.