EMAGIC. Their big news is that they are finally shipping all of their software packages announced at the January NAMM Show (see our Winter NAMM '98 report). They have also announced VST support. Even bigger news is that they are going to be supporting Roland VS-series products. They had a Mac up and running in the Roland booth doing graphic editing on the new VS-880EX. EVENT announced that all of their computer recording platforms (Gina, Darla, Layla) are shipping. They were showing Layla running on a Mac, but they say it will still be Fall before it is available that way.They showed a new microphone, the Rode Broadcaster, a large diaphragm condenser mic that is mounted to a clip so it can be boomed in to a broadcast person with ease. G&L had several new models at the show all featuring Leo Fender's "Z-Coil" design, based upon his earlier split coil humbucking pickups. Unlike stacked humbuckers, these pickups offer a true single coil sound, but are hum free. New guitars include the Comanche, which employs the G&L Dual Fulcrum tremolo system, the ASAT Z3, which has their patented Saddle Lock fixed bridge, and the ASAT Z3 Semi-Hollow, which has twin voice chambers contributing to a scooped midrange. JBL had their full range of new LSR products working and sounding great. Their newest system consists of the LSR28P bi-amped monitor system with LSR12P powered sub. The compact system should go for around $2000 and, from what I heard, is worth every penny. KAWAI showed a fully working version of their new MP9000 piano and controller ($2195). The keybed assembly in this unit is a whole new design that employs real hammers at the back of the key for a more realistic feel.
KORG. The new Trinity V3 is the marriage of the famed Trinity and Z series keyboards into one incredible instrument with 38-note polyphony and 100 effects. There will be a new option that will combine the PBSTri and SCSITri into one package bundled with sample CDs that include performances from the likes of Steve Gadd and James Brown. Availability of the keyboard is late September. The N1R ($850) packs the punch of the N1 and N5 keyboards into a single rack space. There are 563 multisamples and 304 drum samples stored in 18 MB of wave ROM. Interestingly, the LCD display can be switched from amber to green. LEXICON. Further solidifying their position as a premier guitar effects developer Lexicon introduced the MPX-G2 processor. It works with any amp using two separate sets of inputs and outputs allowing guitarists to place effects anywhere in the signal chain for optimal performance. They were showing their System 12P audio recording hardware ($2999) working with Steinberg's VST and their 284 Signature amp ($1099 — also see Page 9 for more) was in use in many of the high end guitar booths. LINE 6. POD is their Flextone on a table ($399). This kidney-shaped unit has all of the front end features of their highly acclaimed Flextone amp (see Page 7 for more). MACKIE. The buzz of the last few NAMM and AES shows (and this one) is still the Mackie Digital 8•Bus Console ($9999). They do have product on the assembly line and they should be arriving as you read this. Some minor features have changed a little bit since the last time we wrote about it, but the thing still does look incredible with 56 inputs, 72 channels, 48 channels with EQ, compression and gate simultaneously, hardware DPS card expandability, software plug in capability on generic DSP cards, SVGA display output port, Apogee UV22 process on tape and main outputs, integrated 3-way meter bridge, motorized faders, 5.1 and 7.1 surround capability and tons more which we'll cover in detail next issue. As with most products of this nature, these boards are going to be extremely hard to get for a while, but due to our great relationship with Mackie, we are at the top of the list for receiving product. Get your orders in now. MARTIN. Heading up the "I wish I could afford one" category was the Steven Stills model. They're only making 91 and they tumble in at a price of only $19,310! Oh, but what a beautiful instrument it is. They also showed a Don McLain model ($5750), a Lester Flatt model ($8500), and a Willie Nelson model. They did not, however, reproduce the hole he has in the front of his. The East
MIDIMAN never fails to amaze me (and I'm terribly difficult to amaze these days). This year they introduced SAM, a S/PDIF ADAT mixer and format converter ($399.95). Weighing in at just one pound, SAM's main function is to be an ADAT to S/PDIF (and vice versa) converter. It just happens to be able to mix eight ADAT tracks to one S/PDIF output with 56-bit internal processing and it can lock to sample rates from 39 to 51 kHz. To complement SAM, they have also introduced Pipeline 8 x 8 ($899.95), an 8-channel A to D and D to A 24-bit converter box with ADAT compatible light pipe I/O. It can also work on a variety of other systems which support the light pipe interface. NORD. Clavia was showing off the new Nord Micro Modular synthesizer. At $895 everyone can now afford to get into the power of modular synthesis. It comes with and uses the same software as its big Modular brother, but has a smaller hardware package with four realtime controller knobs (instead of the 18 on the Modular). OPCODE. After being purchased by Gibson a short time ago these guys are as enthusiastic as I've ever seen them. Announcements at the show include Vision DSP ($495), which will replace Vision Deluxe, with support for Steinberg's VST architecture and full ASIO hardware compliance. DATport has a USB port on one side and a pair of S/PDIF ports on the other. Plug it into the USB port on your PC and it's ready to go. No messing with drivers (it doesn't even come with a disk), DMAs, IRQs, etc. Available in September for under $200. PRESONUS displayed their M80, 8-channel class A microphone preamp system ($1899.95), an ideal front end for Paris or Pro Tools users. They have set it up so each channel can easily receive mic or line level signals on TRS or XLR connectors. To top it off they smartly made a mix buss with XLR outputs and a high output headphone jack with level control. Each channel includes phantom power, phase reverse, -20 dB pad, low cut filter, and a unique IDSS harmonic distortion control. They're in stock now. Continued On Page 6
Master Index | Sweet Notes Index | Home | Back Page | Next Page |
Continued From 
