Europe’s version of the NAMM Show is MusikMesse, which opened its doors on Wednesday, March 28th in Frankfurt, Germany. Here’s part three of our continuing coverage.
Solid State Logic: This one is big – particularly since Sweetwater is now an authorized SSL dealer! If you ever dreamed about owning an SSL console, but couldn’t afford one (or don’t have space for one), now there’s Duende, SSL’s first entry in the digital workstation world. Based on the DSP technology of the company’s C-Series consoles, Duende is a FireWire-based rackmount processor that allows you to use premium-grade, hardware plug-ins directly in your favorite audio software at sample rates of up to 96kHz. It connects to your computer via FireWire and the plug-ins are in AU, VST, and RTAS formats. Duende is only compatible with Mac systems right now, but the company says a PC version is in the works.
CME: The 64-channel WIDI X-8 is a full-duplex wireless system for MIDI and USB communication. Yup, now you can clean up those long MIDI cable runs or extend USB connections. There are two identical units in the system, which communicate up to 262 feet over a wireless 2.4GHz ISM license-free band. It will even work through walls or floors. The two identical MIDI/USB devices operate in four different modes depending on the user’s needs. CME also announced the 24-bit Matrix K USB and Matrix K FireWire audio interfaces, which are of similar design, but work with either a USB or FireWire connection. Finally, there are three new keyboards in the VX Series, the first of their kind to offer DAW integration with features like motorized 60mm faders and a modular expansion bay. These cool-looking hybrids come in 49- and 61-note semi-weighted and 88-note fully weighted, hammer action versions.
Numark: The HD MIX is a complete DJ performance system with a built-in 80GB hard drive and USB computer connectivity. A CD drive is included for performance playback and ripping music directly to the internal hard-drive. It’s compatible with both Mac and PC systems. Designed in partnership with ArKaos, the NuVJ is for DJs who want to synchronize video with their musical performance. Now DJs and VJs can trigger images and video clips, add effects to them, mix them through an onboard DJ style crossfader, and tweak them in order to create unique and spectacular shows. The iDJ2 is an innovative new iPod docking system that allows users to play two songs simultaneously from a single iPod, without the need of a computer. Next up, the iCDX performance-oriented media player includes DSP effects, a touch-sensitive scratch wheel, automatic BPM counter, a digital output, and a large LCD screen.
TC Electronic: The Konnekt 24D is a 14-in/14-out FireWire audio interface with superb sound quality and real-time DSP effects. The unit features two front-panel inputs that combine TC’s new IMPACT (Integrated Mic Preamp Circuit Technology) mic preamps with true hi-Z input circuits optimized for guitar. TC’s Fabrik C compressor and Fabrik R reverb plug-ins are built-into the unit. The non-DSP effects version, Konnekt 8, shares the same basic architecture and feature set with less I/O. Both Konnekt 8 and Konnekt 24D are optimized for use with active monitors, and come with Cubase LE software. If you own a computer with the PCI Express expansion slots, TC Electronic announced the PowerCore Express, designed specifically for PCIe systems. It ships with the same 14 plug-ins and at the same price as PowerCore PCI mkII. Finally, the company’s Tube Primer delivers a unique, vintage-flavored overdrive sound plus an adjustable clean boost that can be toggled on and off.