MOTU BPM 1.5

What Rhythm production virtual instrument
Why Expands the original BPM software with a 19GB library and more functionality.
How BPM 1.5 includes Beat Box Anthology, 4GB of legacy rhythm sounds— over 10,000 samples—from 80 drum machines dating back to the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. It also includes hundreds of new FlexLoops (fully programmable kits+patterns that let users control every loop element, from individual samples to specific FX parameters). Additional musical styles include big beat, dancehall, dub, electro, hard trance, house, drum ‘n’ bass, progressive, and others. There’s also enhanced support for hardware MIDI controllers, and a note repeat function.
Price $295, upgrade from previous version $79
Web www.motu.com

Liine Griid Controller

What Ableton Live 8 controller for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
Why Provides an intuitive, portable interface to the Ableton Live clip grid.
How Using touch objects and simple gestures, Griid offers visual feedback about your clips, tracks, and scenes. Easily see which clips are already playing or cueing, and spot the clip you want to launch next. Replicating Live’s own clip names and colors, you can see track and scene names—even your set’s color-coded scenes are highlighted clearly. A quick glance at the Track Header’s pie charts or progress bars indicates your position in the playing sound; furthermore, an overview function generates a bird’s eye view of the entire live set, large or small, at the tap of a button. Available in the app store in Lite, standard, and Pro versions.
Price Griid Lite, free; Griid, $5.99; Griid Pro (iPad), $24.99
Web http://griid.net

What “Powered plug-in” bundles for music production
Why All UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD DSP accelerator card packages now include the new “Analog Classics” software bundle at no additional cost.
How This bundle features the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler (accurate emulation of UAs electro-optical, analog compressor), 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier (emulation of UA’s FET-based hardware classic), 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (DSP-optimized version of the 1176LN, yielding higher instance counts), Pultec EQP-1A equalizer, and RealVerb Pro Room Modeler, designed to provide a natural reverb sound.
Price Starting at $499 (UAD-2 Solo)
Web www.uaudio.com

iKey-Audio HDR7

What Portable digital field recorder
Why Capture live performances, band rehearsals, interviews, podcasts, meetings, class lectures, seminars, sound effects, field recordings, alien invasions—you name it—with a device that fits in your shirt pocket.
How Records MP3 (in three different bit rates) and WAV files (up to 24- bit/96kHz). On-board condenser mics are arranged in an X/Y configuration; an SD/SDHC slot accepts up to a 32GB card for storage. Other features include a mic sensitivity switch, mic and line input jacks, automatic gain control, full color LCD screen, pre-record buffer, and built-in guitar/chromatic tuner. The package includes an AC adapter, tripod, windscreen, batteries, cloth carrying case, USB cable, and 1GB SD card.
Price $279.99
Web www.ikey-audio.com/hdr7

Blue en•CORE 300 Microphone

What Condenser mic for stage or studio
Why The en•CORE 300 is built on Blue’s custom-tuned condenser capsule technology used in their studio line, but features a reinforced chassis that doubles as a protective frame for the capsule—along with a heavygauge zinc barrel grip to protect microphone components and reduce resonance.
How This studio-grade condenser capsule is mounted on a rubber suspension system, and coupled with a phantom-powered circuit specifically tuned to match the capsule. This design is intended to produce consistent vocal clarity, regardless of the cable length on stage; en•CORE’s open architecture design maximizes air volume in the capsule chamber, resulting in uninterrupted sound regardless of how the microphone is gripped.
Price $199
Web www.bluemic.com

NetworkSound Mamba AES_ANA_ADAT Converter

What Analog and AES/EBU to ADAT converter
Why Converts 16 channels of balanced, line level analog audio to industry-standard ADAT, and 16 channels of AES/EBU digital audio to ADAT—and vice-versa.
How To connect mics to the analog line inputs, you can use any external mic pre units with analog outputs. The unit will operate at 48/44.1kHz with 24-bit resolution in slave mode, and 48K in master mode. The analog ins and outs are available via industry-standard TASCAM analog DB25 connectors; the AES/EBU is available via DB25 connectors that are compliant with Yamaha’s digital AES/EBU pinout. The ADAT interface uses TOS-Link connectors and cables.
Price $2,299
Web www.networksound.com/MambaAES ANADAT

Shure Super 55 Microphone

What Vintage microphone, updated for the 21st century
Why Pays tribute to the original Shure Unidyne—the first single-element unidirectional microphone— introduced in 1939.
How The Super 55 high-output dynamic mic features a black die-cast case, neodymium magnet and output transformer, supercardioid polar pattern, and striking red foam. It’s intended for stage, studio recording, podcasting, and other sound applications calling for a stand-mounted microphone with a classic look. An integrated, swivel stand mount base and microphone bag are also included.
Price $354
Web www.guitarcenter.com