Results for SM Pro Audio

SM Pro Audio has announced MPatch 2.1, a passive volume controller/monitor switcher.

Designed to provide true passive analog control over studio monitoring systems—thereby eliminating the loss of bit-depth associated with digital attenuation—the third-generation MPatch 2.1 features dual inputs with independent volume controls, a newly-designed master attenuator utilizing state-of-the-art 0.5% tolerance SMD resistors, a headphone output with separate volume control, and a subwoofer output with variable crossover. Both balanced combination XLR / 1/4” TRS and unbalanced RCA inputs are provided, with input selection, mute, stereo/mono summing operation, and subwoofer in/out selectable from the front panel.

MPatch 2.1 features

• Dual L/R Balanced Combination XLR–1/4” TRS Inputs
• Dual L/R Unbalanced RCA Inputs
• Dual 1/8” (3.5mm) TRS Stereo Inputs
• Dual Balanced XLR Master Outputs
• Dual Balanced XLR L/R Outputs
• Balanced XLR Subwoofer Output with Optional Variable Crossover
• L/R Balanced Sub/Crossover Returns
• Three Independent Rotary Analog
• Stereo Volume Controls
• 1/4” TRS Stereo Headphone Output
• Headphone Volume Control
• 1/4” TS Remote Mute Input
• Five Output Selector Switches with Mutes
• Stereo/Mono Summing Switch
• Master Mute Switch

Designed for desktop or rack-mount use, the MPatch 2.1 carries a suggested retail price of $199.99 USD.

More information: SM Pro Audio / MPatch

SM Pro Audio has released the Nano Patch⁺, a passive volume controller.

The Nano Patch⁺ really comes into its own when connected between your computer audio interface/soundcard master outputs and a pair of active (powered) monitor speakers. One of the benefits of passive volume attenuation is that you no longer have to control volumes with your software’s master volume fader. Reducing levels from your software only reduces the audio bit depth. It is much more appropriate to keep your software masters at unity and attenuate the audio to your active monitors with a passive controller like the Nano Patch⁺. This way you can maintain maximum audio resolution and attenuate your monitoring volume with the confidence that the sonic integrity of your audio is not compromised.

Nano Patch⁺ features

• Super compact 2 channel analog passive volume control.
• Rotary volume attenuation control.
• Mute button.
• Completely transparent operation.
• No power required.
• 2 x combo inputs (balanced and unbalanced).
• 2 x TRS outputs (balanced and unbalanced).
• 1 x Mini jack I/O.
• Available in black and silver.

The Nano Patch⁺ is available for purchase for an MRSP of 54 EUR / $79 USD.

More information: SM Audio / Nano Patch⁺

SonicProjects has released released the VM Bundle, a package of adapted versions of OP-X and Stringer plus two effect plugins and pre-configred ready to play banks, exclusively made for the V-Machine and V-Rack.

The standard versions already could be gotten to work in the V-Machine with the help of complicated wizard files but with less than satisfying results. Some patches did max out the CPU completely with all known consequences like crackling and drop outs. Some patches have barely worked, but not to think of adding any effects. A further problem was preset change, which everytime completely unloads and reloads the plugin. OP-X didn’t like this at all because its oscillators are free running and zeroing them on every preset change did also reset the phases to zero which could result in a short “phasing” after preset change until the oscillators have found their own individual phase.

That’s why we took the effort to analyze the plugins and their behaviour within the V-Machine in order to adapt them for this new host, with astonishing results. With a long list of small changes we were able to reduce the CPU consumption by almost 50%(!) and change the startup behaviour to be immune to the repeated reloads. Furthermore all not needed GUI functions like keyboard animation were deactivated and the internal patches number in OP-X increased to 128, containing a selection of the best patches of the whole library.

VM Bundle includes

• OP-X – The adapted V-Machine version of OP-X, which is an extremely versatile polyphonic VA synth featuring the renowned Separate Voice Design (SVD). It’s capable of emulating a variety of famous classic analog synths in unparalleled authenticity.
• Stringer – The adapted V-Machine version of Stringer which is a sample based emulation of the classic vintage string ensembles ARP Omni/Solina, Logan String Melody II and Welson Symphony. The samples were recorded with high end equipment.
• SimpleDelay – A simple delay plugin optimized for synth sounds exclusively developped for the VM Bundle with very low cpu consumption.
• SimpleDelay – A simple reverb plugin offering three basic parameters and some useful presets exclusively developped for the VM Bundle with very low cpu consumption.

The VM Bundle is available for purchase for the introductory price of $99 USD / 75 EUR (regular price is $149 USD). The bundle also contains the standard PC VST version of OP-X (so you will have reduced price on upgrades and coming new products).

Visit SonicProjects for more information.

SM Pro Audio has released a public beta of VFX Mac, offering built-in support for VST plug‐ins originally intended for use on the Windows operating system.

The VFX Application for Mac leverages some of the benefits of Wine to enable support for Windows VST plug‐in files. Wine is a translation layer (a program loader) capable of running Windows applications on POSIX compatible operating systems. Windows programs running in Wine act as native programs would, running without the performance or memory usage penalties of an emulator, with a similar look and feel to other applications on your desktop.

Our application development team has built a Mac OSX compliant application that accesses a Virtual Machine (using elements of Wine) to facilitate the installation and running of Windows VST Plug‐ins.

Make sure to check the manual addendum for details on differences between the Mac beta and the PC release, in addition to known limitations.

Visit SM Pro Audio for more information.

SM Pro Audio has announced it is now shipping the V-Machine, a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module designed to take plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them directly without a computer.

Multiple plug-ins can be loaded into bank/preset memories of the V-Machine for immediate access and combined into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders.

V-Machine features

• External hardware host for Windows plugins (VST instruments and effects).
• Create synth layers and chain them with effects.
• Multiple VSTi’s can be combined.
• Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software.
• All effect and synth chains can be switched latency free.
• Use software samplers and stream its content from any USB drive.
• Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine.
• MIDI learn functions included.
• USB-Ports for external peripherals.
• Sensor to adjust the display’s contrast automatically.

The V-Machine is now available for $599 USD.

Visit SM Pro Audio for more information.

SM Pro Audio has announced three VST/VSTi compatible hardware units at MusikMesse 2008: V-Box, V-Rack, and V-Pedal.

From the announcement page:

Based around the recently developed ‘Powered by VFX (TM) embedded technology platform, VST and VSTi plug-ins can be loaded directly into SM Pro Audio’s new V-Box, V-Pedal, or V-Rack; Three powerful and unique products designed to provide musicians, engineers, producers, and guitarists performance products they can rely on. The new V-Machines offer VST/VSTi plug-in compatibility in stand-alone hardware units without the need for a standard PC/Mac computer!

V-Box

The V-Box is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ’s. It is one little beast that can’t be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plug-ins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders. Infinitely adaptable and powerful, the V-Box is set to become a truly indispensable tool.

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