Behringer has announced it is shipping the Xenyx CONTROL1USB, a high-end studio control and communication center with USB audio interface.
When it’s time to get down to the business of recording or mixing, the last thing you’ll want to do is crawl under your desk and run cables. The CONTROL1USB gets you off your knees, putting Master Volume, Talkback, Source selection and Monitor control right at your fingertips.
Now you can choose from up to three sets of active studio monitors and four different stereo input sources to create powerful, custom monitor mixes. Plus the built-in Talkback mic lets you communicate directly with the talent. CONTROL1USB puts you in complete control…
CONTROL1USB features
Premium, ultra-low noise and high headroom studio control and communication center.
4 stereo inputs with independent level controls plus additional Monitor Mix input for your DAW.
3 independent and adjustable Monitor outputs to connect up to 3 sets of studio monitors.
Built-in Talkback microphone with Level control for direct communication with musicians.
Built-in stereo USB Audio Interface, perfect for computer-based studios.
Premium-quality phono preamp for direct turntable connection.
2 powerful headphone amplifiers with separate volume controls.
Big, illuminated Volume knob for precise level adjustments.
Convenient Mono, Mute and Dim functions right at your fingertips.
High-precision dual 12-segment LED meters with input/output source switch.
“Planet Earth” switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 – 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy savings.
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life.
Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany.
The CONTROL1USB will be available to purchase for an estimated street price of $199.99 USD.
!LLMIND has announced the “GOT BLAPS!? 2” Official 808s & String Breaks contest.
So you think you got BLAPS? Prove it! PRODUCERS, enter my exclusive “GOT BLAPS!? 2” contest by simply doing the following:
Purchase the brand new !llmind SPECIAL EDITION Blap Kit: “808s & String Breaks” Sound Kit here.
Make a beat using ONE “String Break” riff and (at least) ONE “808” kick drum contained in the kit, along with ANY other drums/samples/sounds of your choice (genre doesn’t matter)
The contest ends on Sunday March 31st, 2013 at 11:59 PM. The winner will be chosen (by !llmind) and announced by the end of first week of April 2013 via LIVE USTREAM (date/time announced soon).
Prizes include a limited edition !llmind “ASR-10” USB DRIVE (Contains: BLAP KIT VOL 1 – 3 + unreleased drum kits & sound fonts, !llmind’s ENTIRE catalag of songs produced + released since 2002, and additional surprise material, free 1 hour online video consultation with !llmind, all future “Blap Kits” and !llmind Sound Banks released in 2013, the opportunity to submit up to 10 beats to !llmind, to be constructively critiqued with detailed advice from !llmind himself, and first priority on a slot to perform in a future B.L.A.P. Showcase in NYC in 2013.
Waldorf has announced the Rocket, a new mini synthesizer that boasts a feature set uncommon in its class.
It’s incredible sound is much more louder than the legendary Saturn V engine, and never before has this been achieved with such an enormous fun factor. It features an analog multimode VCF with lowpass, bandpass, and highpass, resonance up to self oscillation and beyond, a powerful monophonic oscillator section with Ultra High Density Sawtooth and unison for chord play.
Furthermore equipped with a powerful Arpeggiator and a destructive Booster circuit, this Rocket is technologically way ahead of all current defense systems.
Rocket features
Analog multimode-filter (VCF) with Low Pass / Band Pass / High Pass.
VCF-input.
Highly flexible oscillator-section with pulse width modulation and hard sync.
Up to 8 oscillators in unison for chords or Ultra High Density Sawtooth.
Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) for modulation.
Envelopes for VCA, VCF and Sync.
Booster circuit to generate aggressive sounds.
Arpeggiator with different rhythmic patterns.
Glide.
USB powered.
MIDI in and out.
Extensive control panel with high-end pots and switches.
Control via MIDI and USB.
MIDI clock sync.
Line output.
Loud headphone output.
Launch key for easy pre listening.
Rocket is priced RRP 244 EUR (inc. EU VAT). It is expected March, 2013.
Steinberg has announced the release of the CMC Six-Pack, a new bundle deal comprising the award-winning CMC line-up of USB controllers.
“The CMC Six-Pack is the most flexible controller setup ever made for Cubase: it’s a touch-based mixer; it’s a handy pad controller; it’s a transport control you won’t want to miss after the first try,” comments Stefan Schreiber, product marketing manager at Steinberg.
The CMC Six-Pack is made up of all six controllers designed to offer users a modular controller experience. Arranging the units in a way that best suits the personal needs when using Cubase makes the CMC series a very customizable hardware control system. Each of the six slim-sized USB controllers provides tactile control over Cubase features.
CMC Six-Pack features
Six unique micro controllers designed to take control of dedicated Cubase areas — faster and more convenient than with any other solution.
Modular system: combine multiple units to form an eminently powerful Cubase control station that exactly fits your needs; joint plate included for quick and easy connection.
Fully mirrored Cubase functionality: intuitive operation due to the adoption of the Cubase color scheme and icons.
Perfect ergonomics guarantee a unique level of handling quality — created to make your recording and live performance workflow more musical than ever.
Brings innovative technologies to your fingertips: illuminated, high-resolution touch controls and rotary encoders for detailed visual feedback.
Portable and compact: small enough to fit in your pocket, on a master keyboard or wherever desired
User-assignable functions for even more flexibility and tweaking options.
USB-powered: no additional power supply required.
Cross-platform compatible: OS X and Windows support.
Cubase AI download version included to start recording your music straight away.
The CMC Six-Pack is available from selected resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop as long as stocks last, with a suggested retail price of 299 EUR including German VAT.
First there was the Maschine, then came Maschine Mikro, and now Native Instruments has updated both to mk2 with new software features, an improved controller, and additional hardware accessories.
For those who have never heard of Maschine before, it is basically a combination of music production software with a dedicated hardware controller. A tightly integrated system that can be used standalone – including hosting of 3rd party plugins, or as a plugin in another host. The groovebox-like hardware controller can also be used to control external hardware and software via MIDI with Maschine’s MIDI mode.
Now, I realize I am a bit late to the party with this review, and to be honest after checking some earlier reviews I found pretty much everything I would like to say has already been written at Oh Drat. So I’ll try my best not to ruminate and list everything you can already find at the Native Instruments website anyway, and instead just mention a few things I found particularly interesting when using the new Maschine.
Multi-colored pads and group buttons on the Maschine mk2 controller.
While the rainbow colored, toy-like appearance did not appeal to me a whole lot at first, I found myself using color coding on sounds and groups pretty much from day one. I already did the same thing in other music production software to indicate groups of instruments, sounds, effects, etc. and having the same kind of thing in Maschine is a definite workflow improvement for me.
Besides having multi-color LEDs, the pads also have a much improved sensitivity. I thought the pads on the original Maschine were really good, but to me the Mk2 is an order of magnitude better still. The sensitivity is just amazing, even at really low velocities. I can now confidently tap away the night without worrying about waking up my kids in the next room.
I also enjoy the new screens a lot better, easier on the eyes and improved readability. It has helped me to do more from the hardware controller where before I would jump to the computer screen. The fact that you can now audition samples from the hardware before committing helps a lot too.
The new screens on the mk2 are very good in places where you have very little light.
On the whole many of these changes are seemingly minimal improvements, but in fact they are most useful. Like the little click response on buttons, something I didn’t even know I wanted until the mk2 came along, what a lovely improvement.
On the software part I feel that Native Instruments has an extremely difficult job. Besides implementing some of the new features to go with the hardware, there are tons of feature requests from existing and potential customers. It is not likely you’re ever going to be able to please everyone with any update, much less a point update.
Time stretch/pitch shift is a much requested feature that was implemented, but… for some reason it is not a real-time process. While the results of processed audio is impressive, it kind of stumps me why can’t just have a preview and commit function?
The additions of the Transient Master module, some new tape and tube saturation models for the Saturator module, and a free copy of the Massive software synthesizer are nice bonus.
With MASCHINE 1.8, all MASCHINE users get the full version of the modern legend MASSIVE – the synth that gave birth to the earth-shuddering bass tones and speaker-troubling leads that have defined the bass music genre. This monster synth contains 1,300 ready-to-go sounds, all instantly browseable via the MASCHINE hardware. MASCHINE’s eight control knobs offer direct access to MASSIVE’s eight Macro controls, for perfect synergy between hardware and synthesizer, and a lightning-fast workflow.
It is my guess that over time, Native Instruments is going to be integrating more and more of its sounds & effects into the Maschine package.
There are a bunch more improvements, of which I want to mention one that may seem minor but it certainly made my day. You can now use both your hands for recording automation of parameters by pinning down the “Auto Write”. I record automation a whole lot so this little feature is a godsend to me.
What didn’t get much attention is MIDI. I work pretty much completely in the box so it’s no big deal to me, but if you use a lot of external gear and need full MIDI implementation with MIDI CC and multiple outputs, version 1.8 does not yet bring what you’re looking for. Native Instruments never said they would implement this in the update so can’t blame them really, but it would be good to see full MIDI support nonetheless. I haven’t a clue how much work it is to get it implemented, perhaps it will take version 2.0 to get it…
Lastly, I want to mention the new custom kits and stand accessories.
The custom kits are available in a variety of colors.
Some companies were already offering custom stickers and modifications for the original Maschine, so Native Instruments cleverly pulled the market towards themselves by offering a custom kit with faceplate and knobs in various colors. Granted, the pricing of these kits is a bit steep, but I have to say they look really good. Great quality and replacing the magnetic faceplate and knobs is really easy.
The stand is also something you could probably do yourself for less money, but again, great quality piece of hardware and it looks sleek. It can be mounted on standard drum hardware with the included Mounting Adapter.
Alright, to finish I want to show the obligatory Jeremy Ellis video. It should be said that this makes me want to sit down with my Maschine all day, but realize that it is not likely you will ever get anywhere near the amazing stuff he does. At least, this is truth in my case.
Also, for a great overview of everything new in Maschine mk2 and the 1.8 software, check out this excellent video by Dubspot’s Matt Cellitti.
So what do I think?
Product: Native Instruments Maschine mk2 Format: VST/AU/RTAS/Standalone Price: 599 EUR / $669 USD Like: Amazing pads, great screens, many workflow improvements, fun! Don’t like: No real-time time stretch, No full MIDI implementation Verdict: 9/10
Improved pads, screens & workflow, new effects and the Massive synth included. No earth shaking features perhaps, but with mk2 the Maschine platform is moving along rather nicely.
At the same retail price of the first model, Native Instruments is definitely offering a superior package with Maschine mk2. For those who already have the original Maschine, the software update is free. Personally, I enjoy the pads and colored LEDs so much to justify getting the mk2, but whether the controller improvements are worth the upgrade or not is up to you.
There is still a lot of room for Maschine to grow, and I am pretty confident that Native Instruments is going to tackle some of the top feature requests in future upgrades, but as is, Maschine mk2 remains an amazing piece of gear. Native Instruments calls it fast, intuitive, powerful and flexible. I call it a joy to work with.
Tascam has announced the US-322 and US-366, two new USB audio interfaces
Tascam’s new US-366 USB 2.0 audio interface with DSP Mixer.
These interfaces combine compelling new technologies like on-board digital mixers (DSP Mixer) and on-board digital effects (DSP Effects) along with advances on the wildly popular US-122mkII and US-144mkII interfaces. The US-322 and US-366 sport similar aluminum casings for the same rugged reliability plus new improved HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) mic pres. These HDDA Mic Pres offer a wider frequency response (10Hz to 68kHz), high S/N ratio (98dB), low EIN (-120dBu) and low THD+N (0.0045%); qualities rarely achieved in interfaces this affordable.
These all-new interfaces boast low S/N ratio, low THD and the US-366 flaunts 24bit/192kHz recording; certifying these as the best sounding interfaces to be released by TASCAM yet. The 2-in/2-out US-322 features 1 Mic XLR/Line-Guitar TRS input, 1 Mic XLR/Line TRS input, 2 Line TRS and 2 Line RCA outputs. The 6-in/4-out or 4-in/6-out US-366 adds 2 Line RCA inputs and 1 Digital RCA/Optical input/output. One click of the top-loaded “Mixer Panel” button will access TASCAM’s new mixing console screen and on-board insert/send effects for easy-to-use, versatile recording. The digital mixer offers two operational modes, multi-track mode and stereo-mix mode.
After months of organized tests by TASCAM’s esteemed engineers and R&D department, the new TASCAM interfaces are guaranteed to offer new luxuries, reliability and value not found before in competing models. TASCAM’s US-322 and US-366 are bundled with Cubase LE6, feature easy-to-use controls, amazing quality, and feature-rich technology, advantages sure to please professional and amateur recording artists alike.
The US-322 and US-366 are priced ESP $149.99 USD and $199 USD respectively.
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