BAG END INFRASUB-12

The Infrasub-12 ($1,670), from Bag End, is a compact (1.5 cubic feet) powered subwoofer with an internal 400W amplifier. The subwoofer has a frequency response of 8 to 95 Hz, and Bag End's proprietary Extended Low Frequency (ELF) dual integrator promises a flat response to 8 Hz. The unit's impedance is rated at 4• nominal.

The Infrasub-12 accepts full-range left, center, and right signals through three unbalanced RCA jacks; speakers accommodating the upper-range frequencies are driven by three line-level highpass outputs. Bag End; tel. (847) 382-4550; e-mail info@bagend.com; Web www.bagend.com.

NOVATION K-STATION

The K-Station ($899), by Novation, features a two-octave Velocity- and pressure-sensitive keyboard, 25 knobs, 4 sliders, a pitch-bend wheel, and a mod wheel. All of the knobs and sliders on the KStation send MIDI Control Change messages.

The synth engine offers three analog-modeling oscillators. You are given a choice of square, saw, double-saw, pulse, triangle, sine, and double-sine waves. You can modulate pulse width as well as double and detune oscillators without taking a toll on the instrument's eight-note polyphony. You can modulate the frequency of one oscillator with another, and the synth engine also offers ring modulation.

The K-Station includes an unbalanced ¼-inch input that lets you use external audio as an oscillator waveform source. Alternatively, the external audio can feed the mixer, filter, or envelope generator sections without following the keyboard. The instrument also features a 12-band vocoder.

The K-Station's filter section offers 12 and 24 dB lowpass filters with resonance and overdrive. The keyboard's two LFOs give you a selection of triangle, saw, square, and sample-and-hold waveforms. You can synchronize the LFOs to MIDI Clock. Built-in effects include reverb, chorus, phaser, distortion, panning, and delay. Time-based effects will also sync to MIDI Clock.

The rear panel of the K-Station provides MIDI In, Out, and Thru jacks; one analog input; and two unbalanced ¼-inch analog outputs. Novation USA; tel. (800) NOVATION or (888) 782-3166 or 44-16-2882-8880; email salesusa@novationusa.com; Web www.novationusa.com or www.novationmusic.com.

IK MULTIMEDIA AMPLITUBE

IK Multimedia introduces AmpliTube (VST, $299; RTAS, $399), a guitar-amplifier modeling plug-in that is available in VST and Real Time AudioSuite (RTAS) varieties. The software consists of three modules: Amps, Stompboxes, and Post-Effects.

Amp settings include British Crunch, Vintage Clean, Fuzz, Modern Hi-Gain, and Solid State. The EQ-Amp Model gives you a variety of tube amplifier settings for amps from British and U.S. companies. You also have the option of choosing from four power amplifier and nine cabinet models as well as re-creations of classic stompboxes.

AmpliTube offers ten effects, which include tremolo, spring reverb, wah-wah, chorus, flanger, and overdrive. IK Multimedia; tel. (866) 243-1718, (561) 466-9763; e-mail info@sampletank.com; Web www.ikmultimedia.com or www.sampletank.com.

KORG TRITON LE

The Korg Triton Le (Triton Le 76, $1,800; Triton Le 61, $1,600) offers the same synthesis engine as the full-blown Triton-series instruments, with an upgrade option for adding sampling capabilities. The unit accepts SmartMedia cards up to 128 MB for storing and importing samples, programs and combinations, drum kits, and sequencer data.

The synth offers 32 MB of 16-bit, 48 kHz sample ROM containing 425 multisampled instruments and 413 drum sounds. Programs include popular presets from the original Triton and a number of new programs and combinations voiced specifically for electronic music. In all, you get 512 programs, 384 combinations, 24 drum kits, and 128 General MIDI (GM) programs with 9 GM drum kits. You can overwrite any program or drum kit in any location except for GM categories.

The optional sampling expansion board (EXB-SMPL, $260) provides two ¼-inch analog inputs and a SCSI port for storing and loading samples. The board ships with 16 MB of RAM, but you can install as much as 64 MB.

You will also need the expansion board to import samples. The Triton has a utility that lets you convert imported AIFF and WAV files into Korg's sample format. You can also import Akai S1000 and S3000 samples, including keyboard maps. The sampling option contains all of the editing features of the Triton V2 upgrade, including time slicing and stretching and grid-based editing.

The Triton Le provides two master effects, a stereo 3-band master EQ, a stereo insert effect, and a mixer to route signals internally. It has 89 effects algorithms identical to those in the original Triton instruments, which offer real-time modulation capabilities and MIDI Clock synchronization.

Triton Le's sequencer is identical to the Triton's, with a capacity of 200,000 events and 200 songs. Sequencing conveniences include a Cue List feature that lets you compile songs from individual sequence elements. You can store as many as 20 variations of the same song. Sixteen templates offer programs and effects settings tailored for different musical styles. You also get 150 preset drum patterns.

Triton Le sports dual polyphonic arpeggiators and a Realtime Pattern Play feature, which lets you trigger sequence patterns on the fly. The arpeggiator pattern memory offers 5 presets, 200 editable locations, and 16 blank user patterns for starting from scratch.

The instrument has unbalanced ¼-inch left and right analog outputs, two unbalanced ¼-inch individual analog outputs, and a ¼-inch stereo headphone jack. MIDI connections are MIDI In, Out, and Thru. It has three ¼-inch pedal input jacks: an input for a damper pedal, an assignable footpedal, and one for an assignable footswitch. Korg USA, Inc.; tel. (516) 333-9100; Web www.korg.com.

SOUNDMINER SOUNDMINER

Audio-file management using conventional databases leaves much to be desired. Perhaps the most significant missing element is the ability to audition sounds. Soundminer (Mac; $995) begins with that missing feature and extends its capabilities well beyond a text-based database program. The program supports sound files from a variety of formats, including Sound Designer II, AIFF, WAV, MP3, and SampleCell Instruments. You can catalog your files by simply dragging and dropping them into the program.

In addition to sound-audition capabilities, the program can perform sampling-rate and bit-depth conversions on the fly. Soundminer includes an Overview window that displays the file's waveform and lets you audition audio from anywhere within the file. A duration counter and an energy meter provide additional visual feedback, and the program offers a built-in volume control.

Like any good database, Soundminer supports multiple users and allows users to customize their working environment with searchable user-defined comment fields. The program provides multiple database support with shared library networking. For Pro Tools users, Soundminer offers QuicKey macros that are consistent with Pro Tools commands, including Varispeed playback and the ability to spot audio files with precise time code placement. You also get a complete Boolean search engine and advanced relevance search support.

Soundminer will work with a variety of digital-audio recording systems and software, including all versions of Pro Tools, Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer, Emagic Logic Audio, and BIAS Peak; you only need to drag and drop the application onto Soundminer's Transfer Options page to identify the file type and the creator. Soundminer will work with any PowerPC Mac and requires at least 15 MB of RAM and OS 8.6. Soundminer Inc.; e-mail info@soundminer.com; Web www.soundminer.com.