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New Gear
12/5/2012
1
IK Multimedia
iRig KEYS
iOS keyboard controller
$99.99
HIGHLIGHTS Ultra-slim, highly
portable MIDI controller
keyboard
• connects directly
to iOS device dock connector
(iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) or
Mac/PC USB port
• 37 velocity-
sensitive mini-keys
• Core MIDI
and USB class compliant
• ultra-
low power; powerable by iOS
devices or the available USB port
for longer playing sessions
TARGET MARKET Players and
producers who make music “on
the go”
ANALYSIS As more apps (like IK’s
SampleTank) become available
for iOS devices, there’s more
need for controllers that provide
a player-friendly interface and
playing experience.
ikmultimedia.com
2
Native Instruments
Premium Tube Series
Native plug-ins
bundle $229
HIGHLIGHTS The series includes
three effects: Passive EQ
(2-channel, 4-band parametric
EQ with additional HP and LP
filters), Vari Comp compressor/
limiter, and Enhanced EQ (adds
warmth and weight to the low end
of individual tracks)
• VST/AU/
RTAS/AAX-compatible
• effects
also available individually
TARGET MARKET Recordists who
want a more vintage-sounding
plug-in for essential functions
like EQ and dynamics control
ANALYSIS Most DAWs include
“bread and butter” EQ and
dynamics processors, but there’s
a growing interest in plug-ins
that provide a more vintage or
stylized sound quality.
native-instruments.com
3
Korg
Krome
Music workstation
$1,999 (88-key)
HIGHLIGHTS 640 programs, 288
combinations, 900 arpeggiator
patterns, and more than 600
drum track grooves, including
content from the Kronos
workstation
• piano-roll style
sequencer
• color TouchView
display with advanced graphic UI
• Krome Plug-In Editor integrates
with computer-based DAWs
•
61-key ($1,499) and 73-key ($1,799)
versions also available
TARGET MARKET Keyboard players,
in live performance or studio
applications
ANALYSIS The Kronos and Kronos
X have been popular high-end
keyboards; in typical Korg
fashion, the company distilled
many of the most important
elements into a more affordable
workstation.
korg.com
4
DigiTech
Unplugged Acoustic Simulator
iStomp pedal download
$7.99
HIGHLIGHTS Transforms electric
guitar sounds to acoustic guitar
sounds
• includes Lexicon reverb
• stereo ins/outs
• controls
include low EQ, high EQ, reverb
level, and effect level
• downloads
into the DigiTech iStomp
hardware via the free Stomp Shop
iOS app
TARGET MARKET Guitar players
who
want to avoid the inconvenience
of switching between electric and
acoustic guitars, particularly live
ANALYSIS The iStomp hardware
stompbox’s functionality depends
on which “e-pedal” (e.g., the
Unplugged Acoustic Simulator)
you load into it via the Stomp
Shop app.
digitech.com
5
Sonnox
Fraunhofer Pro-Codec V2
Codec plug-in
$495
HIGHLIGHTS
2nd-generation Sonnox
Fraunhofer Pro-Codec plug-in
•
can now master for iTunes via the
Apple AAC iTunes Plus Codec
•
supports the latest multichannel
audio codecs (MPEG surround,
AAC-LC, and HE-AAC)
• enables
monitoring the iTunes encoding
chain’s exact clipping behavior to
ensure high-quality output during
the mixing process
TARGET
AUDIENCE Mastering,
creating compressed audio
streams for websites
ANALYSIS The original Pro-Codec
was the ne plus ultra of codec plug-
ins, allowing realtime monitoring
and analysis of compressed audio
data streams. V2 takes it up
another notch.
sonnoxplugins.com
6
Royer Labs
SF-2
Active ribbon mic
$2,495
HIGHLIGHTS Phantom-powered
version of Royer’s original SF-1
ribbon mic
• output level of –38dB
• custom-designed FETs for
ultra-quiet operation; self-noise
is lower than 18dB
• 1.8-micron
ribbon element for excellent
transient response
• negligible
off-axis coloration
• loads the
ribbon element optimally
• can’t
be damaged by phantom power
•
handles long cable runs
TARGET MARKET Recording
classical
performances or capturing
acoustic instruments
ANALYSIS Sensitivity equal to
phantom-powered condenser
mics means that the SF-2
provides enough level to drive
any recording medium, even with
extremely quiet sound sources.
royerlabs.com
7
Radial
Powerhouse
500 series rack frame
$1,000
HIGHLIGHTS 10-slot power rack
for 500 Series-format modules
•
14-gauge steel construction for
superior shielding and durability
• each channel slot has separate
XLR I/O and parallel 1/4" TRS
connectors for splitting the signal,
cross patching, or acting as a
patchbay mult
• 1600mA external
power supply
TARGET MARKET 500 Series module
owners who need to fit the
maximum number of modules in
the minimum space
ANALYSIS Interest in 500 Series
modules continues to grow, and
Radial has expanded its line of
frames to accommodate all levels
of users.
radialeng.com
8
MOTU
CueMix FX Software
Audio interface driver update
Free
HIGHLIGHTS Driver update for
all CueMix-equipped MOTU
audio interfaces
• includes iPad
TouchOSC templates for wireless
control of onboard CueMix mixing/
effects processing
• supports Mac
OS X/Windows 7
• bi-directional
communication, so the iPad reflects
changes made on the computer
screen
TARGET MARKET Owners of any
“mk3”
or “mkII” MOTU audio interface,
as well as the 4pre, Audio Express,
MicroBook, MicroBook II, PCI-424
core systems, and Track16
ANALYSIS iPad control is popular and
convenient; now MOTU interface
owners can exploit this technology.
motu.com
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