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New Gear
1/11/2013
1
ADAM Audio
F Series
Studio monitors
F5 $499.98/pr., F7 $799.98/
pr., SubF $399.99
Highlights The F5 (shown)
includes an ART tweeter and
5" midwoofer, both powered by
25W RMS power amps; the F7
powers an ART tweeter with a
40W amp, and 7" woofer with
60W amp • both have high EQ,
low EQ, and volume controls •
the SubF’s 8" woofer is driven
by a 150W RMS P WM power
amp; it includes a volume knob,
crossover frequency control, and
phase switch
Target Market Smaller studios,
post-production suites
Analysis The F Series’ lower price
point will likely bring ADAM’s
speakers to a larger user base.
adam-audio.com
2
Unit Audio
New Unit
16 x 2 analog summing mixer
$299
Highlights 16 channels of
physical analog summing •
hand-assembled, tested, and
wired point-to-point in Nashville
• features Neutrik connectors
and Xicon resistors • costs less
than some plug-ins designed to
emulate analog summing
Target Market All-digital studios
that require summing signals
“outside of the box”
Analysis The subject of analog
summing vs. mixing in the box
is controversial, so Unit Audio’s
website features sound samples
of a strictly “in the box” mix and
a mix run through a Unit Audio
analog summing mixer.
unitaudio.com
3
Roland
Integra-7
Sound module
$2,399
Highlights Rack unit with
6,000 expressive sounds
(SuperNATURAL sounds,
PCM sounds, and all 12 SRX
expansion boards) • independent
acoustic, synth, and drum sounds
• 17-part ambience engine allows
graphically controlling each part’s
distance and position within a
360-degree sound field • multiple
effects engines • iPad editor app •
I/O includes stereo XLR outs and
eight 1/4" phone outs
Target Market Stage and studio
Analysis Roland’s SuperNATURAL
sound and Behavior Modeling
technology blurred the line
between acoustic and
electronic instruments; these
sounds are now available in a
compact rack unit.
rolandconnect.com
4
Nord
Electro 4 HP
Stage keyboard
$2,999
Highlights 380MB of memory
for Nord Piano Library sounds
• 128MB of memory for Nord
Sample Library sounds • C2D
tonewheel engine with rotary
simulations and drive • 73-key
Hammer Action Portable (HP)
keybed • digital LED drawbars
• enhanced Sound Manager
functionality • MIDI over USB
Target Market Touring
keyboardists, studios
Analysis Nord expanded the stage
piano concept in two directions:
better pianos and organs, and the
ability to load other instruments
via samples. The 4 HP is the
latest generation, and enhances
both aspects.
nordkeyboards.com
5
Notion Music
Notion 4.0
Music notation software
$99 download, $129 box
Highlights Cross-platform
compatibility between desktop
and iPad versions • audio
samples performed by The
London Symphony Orchestra •
64-bit Mac/Windows support
• 64-bit ReWire host or slave
• new interactive entry tools
• export as PDF • improved
MusicXML compatibility • save
to SoundCloud
Target Market Composers,
students, studio musicians
Analysis Staff and notation
views can be the weak links in
major DAWs. Notion fills that
gap by making it easy to work
with notation, play back scores
through quality samples, and
work with DAWs via ReWire.
notionmusic.com
6
Propellerhead
Soul School 2
ReFill Library
$99 download
Highlights Sequel to the Soul
School ReFill • organic-sounding,
flexible collection of soul loops
and samples • comprises nine
grooves recorded live without
overdubs, broken up into
individual instruments and
tempo-independent loops • all
loop content is Dr. Octo Rexcompatible,
with additional
construction kits for the Kong
Drum Designer
Target Market Reason owners
looking for soul and vintageoriented
construction kits
Analysis Part of the “Reason
success story” involves ReFills,
which allow expanding Reason’s
sonic palette in various ways;
after Soul School’s success, a
sequel seemed inevitable.
propellerheads.se
7
Focusrite
iTrack Solo
iPad/Mac/PC audio interface
$199.99
Highlights 2-input audio
interface designed for recording
instruments and vocals • up
to 24-bit/96kHz performance
• Focusrite mic pre as used in
the Liquid Saffire 56 interface
• phantom power • instrument
input • unibody aluminum
chassis • rear-panel phono
connectors for connecting an
audio playback system • zerolatency
monitoring
Target Market Those needing a
no-compromise iOS interface
that’s Mac/PC compatible
Analysis As iOS devices gain
traction thanks to apps like
GarageBand and Auria, the need
for better audio quality gains
traction.
focusrite.com
8
Electro-Voice
ZX1-Sub
Subwoofer
$582.17
Highlights 12" EVS-12S woofer
• ideal match for EVID, ZX1
and EVU compact loudspeaker
systems • compact and
lightweight • maximum SPL
of 127dB • internally-braced
15mm plywood enclosure with a
structured coating and integrated
handles • two paralleled, recessed
Speakon NL4 connectors •
frequency response: 53–125Hz
(–3 dB) • 400W continuous,
1,600W peak
Target Market Mobile
applications and fixed
installations
Analysis Subwoofers are
becoming increasingly important
for all types of sound systems; the
ZX1-Sub is comparatively light
and compact, given its powerhandling
capacity.
electrovoice.com