KK Labs Announces D8 & D6 Studio Monitors

March 11th, 2010

Keith Klawitter has started his own company, KK Labs, and announced two new products, the D8 and D6 Studio Monitors.

The DS8 represents KK labs initial development of high resolution recording monitoring systems, using the latest in DSP and Digital networking technologies. The monitor is a 2-way, DSP/Ethernet controlled powered speaker system. Utilizing a 8″ LF proprietary cone material with a 1″ titanium HF composite diaphragm, and DSP/Ethernet control allows either analog or AES digital audio input connection for a full 48 kHz sampling rate. The design allows the signal path to stay fully digital, without the need for analog/digital converters. GUI network compatibility is also an option for tuning and remote connection.

The cabinet design for Acoustic Cabinet Control or ACC (if you’re nasty… —Ed.) provide the ability to align and tune the low frequencies, resulting in claimed linear and quick transient response, for bass impact and low distortion.

Balanced XLR, 1/4″ TRS, allow connection of professional mixing consoles, computer audio interfaces, audio visual equipment, and consumer audio systems.

The KK Labs D8 costs a little over five grand for the pair and is available now. More information on the KK Labs D8.

Posted in New Gear, Sound Systems | No Comments »

OTO Machines Release Biscuit – 8 Bit Stereo Processor

March 11th, 2010

OTO Machines, a small French company helmed by two sound engineers and a music producer, have released their first product, a hand-built 8 Bit stereo processor, dubbed Biscuit.

Biscuit is a stereo sound effect processor with true 8-bit converters, digital processing and analog resonant filters. Feed a signal through Biscuit and you can achieve a wide range of sounds from harsh distortion, digital and aliasing artifacts to
warm and fat 8-bit sounds.

OTO claims that Biscuit is very useful for adding depth and texture to any kind of electronic sounds including both digital and analog synthesizers (8 Bit 303 crunch fest! —Ed.), drum machines, loops, samplers and even vocals.

Biscuit is an enhanced bit depth and sample-rate reducer, also known lovingly as a “bitcrusher,” followed by an real analog filter. Biscuit features a unique approach to adding “wetness” to the dry signal with two separated buttons, Naked and Dressed – those nutty Frenchmen! It also offers other features like removing or inverting each of the 8 bits, changing the sample rate from 250Hz to 30kHz, or adding one of the four effects (waveshaper, delay, pitch shifter and step filter).

Biscuit is fully MIDI compatible, and you can save the whole Biscuit settings (pots and switches) into 16 presets.

Features:
» Stereo inputs and outputs
» Input gain from 0 to 15 dB with diode clipping
» Real 8-bit Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog converters
» Unique capability of muting and inverting each of the 8 bits
» Variable sample clock from 250 Hz to 30 kHz
» True analog multimode filter with resonance control
» FX section: Waveshaper, Delay, Pitch Shifter and Step Filter
» Separate control of dry and 8-bit signals
» 16 presets locations
» MIDI : Continuous Controller, Beat Clock, Program Change and Sysex for presets
» True relay Bypass
» Rugged metallic Neutrik jacks
» Built like a tank: Thick metal case and strong build
» Dimensions: 190mm x 60mm x 117mm / 7.48″ x 2.36″ x 4.60″ (W x D x H)
» Weight: 580g / 1.27 lbs

OTO Machines Biscuit is available now for €449, or thereabouts. More information on the OTO Machines Biscuit.

Posted in Music Technology, New Gear | No Comments »

Pioneer Readies DJM-2000 For Frankfurt Debut

March 10th, 2010

Pioneer is readying the DJM-2000 for its debut at MusikMesse in Frankfurt next week. The DJM-2000 is Pioneer’s new flagship performance mixer and is has been tailored for their CDJ-2000 digital deck with a touch screen interface. Pioneer has upped the ante on live-remixing capabilities with six individual effects processors to tweak your tracks.

The DJM-2000 has effectively built in the technology of PIoneers stand-alone EFX-1000, removing the need for an external effects unit along with touch screen technology from the SVM-1000. The ProDJ Link function makes it easy to switch over from one DJ to the next. By connecting up to 4 CDJ-2000s / CDJ-900s via LAN cable into the mixer and two laptops running rekordbox via USB In, the DJs can share music libraries across all decks.

The DJM-2000 also contains the very first 5.8” large LCD multi-touch panel allowing the DJ to use touch panel effects whilst checking them visually. It also comes with beat effect and INST FX functions, which means the DJ can alter the sound spontaneously without having to connect to multiple devices. Another highlight of the INST effects is that they are available individually on each of the four channels. They offer more accurate control of filters, and the Hi Mid and Low EQ on each channel can be switched to make them Isolators. The CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900’s HID control of DJ software allows virtual decks to be manipulated without time-code vinyl, and now the DJM-2000 further simplifies connectivity directly to your Mac or PC by having a soundcard built in.

Features:
» Interface layout allows more originality in arranging music
» 5.8 inch Full-Colour, Multi-touch Display
» Three Performance Modes
» Evolved Beat Effects manipulate every frequency and alter sound to the beat
» 6 INST FX on every channel with rotary control
» Connect 4 CDJ-900/2000 and 2 rekordbox laptops via ProDJ Link
» Internal USB Audio/Midi Interface
» High-quality Sound Design Achieves Ideal Club Sound
» Isolator EQ on every channel

No pricing or availability has been announced. More information on the Pioneer DJM-2000.

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FeelTune Announces Rhizome Groove Machine

March 9th, 2010

Now this could be total nonsense, but FeelTune has come out with their own electronic music production center, which claims to have the functionality of a MPC5000 or a DBeat, but in a more compact chassis. The company is not providing much concrete details except this video below, which only demonstrates how NOT to dance in front of a piece of hardware, and an anorexic feature list.

FeelTune claims the Rhizome is “easy to use like a groove machine, powerful like the latest computer technology, and empowered by the versatility of plugins. Today the Rhizome is the only box combining samplers, mixing desk, sequencers and synthesizers, totally open and compatible with VSTs.”

Here’s the extensive list of Features:
» Unique large display areas
» Optimal user experience
» Advanced real-time capabilities
» Innovative interface
» Wide range of instruments and effects available

Now whoever is doing their PR should be taken out back and beaten with a sharp stick, because this “release” is rubbish…even for preliminary information.

“More” information on FeelTune’s Rhizome.

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Livid Instruments Releases Limited Edition Block Diablo MIDI Controller

March 9th, 2010

The black-magicians at Livid Instruments have announced an all-black “Diablo” version of their Block MIDI controller. Perfect for worshiping Satan while tweaking Ableton Live, the Limited Edition Block Diablo is a compact and programmable MIDI control surface designed for interactive audio performance.

Built on the same bi-directional and adaptable platform as the Ohm64, Block provides an interface for creating and interacting with sound in a portable enclosure. Sixty four backlight led buttons provide endless possibilities for visual feedback with the instrument by connecting it to Ableton Live, Max/Msp, our open source sounds apps, or any other software that supports MIDI. The Limited Edition Block Diablo has a mahogany body, black faceplate, and red LED’s.

Features:
» Programmable MIDI mapping allows you to change the MIDI settings on the hardware
» 64 Programmable backlight buttons for talk-back and interactive performance
» Bi-Directional MIDI communication (talkback)
» Class-compliant: no drivers needed for Mac, Windows, or Linux.
» USB Powered
» Black Anodized Aluminum Faceplate
» Mahogany Body
» Open Source software tools to create your own LED talkback interaction
» Editor included for MIDI editing, and LED talkback programming
» Compatible with any software that supports MIDI learn
» ROHS compliant
» 9.75″ x 9.75″ x 1.5″ (WLH) / weight 3 lbs.
» USB cable included

The Livid Instruments’ Limited Edition Block Diablo costs $399 and is available now in Hell while supplies last. More information on the Livid Instruments Limited Edition Block Diablo.

Posted in Updates & Upgrades | No Comments »

Seven45 Studios Announces Power Gig – First Music Video Game With Real Guitar

March 9th, 2010

Seven45 Studios has announced a product that the guitar manufacturing industry has been waiting with bated breath for…a guitar video game that utilized a real guitar. Replacing the color-coded plastic guitar controller that has make Guitar Hero and Rock Band a video game sensation, Seven45 Studios will provide a real six-string guitar as their controller for Power Gig: Rise of the Sixstring, due out this fall for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Boston-based developer Seven45 Studios, which is a subsidiary of musical instrument manufacturer First Act, began working on the game and controller more than two years ago when they witnessed the unprecedented popularity of Guitar-oriented gaming. The real kicker is that while Guitar Hero and Rock Band were great vehicles to generate interest in guitar, drums and vocals, they did little to potty-train players into learning how to truly play.

Power Gig is much like Rock Band in that it includes vocals and drums, as well as a 3/4 sized guitar. The game will come packaged with a drum kit, microphone and the aforementioned six-string guitar. According to the company, the Power Gig Guitars will come in multiple incarnations, including some choice licensing of known models.

Power Gig will also use color-coded action, but will have a beginner mode for just hitting the appropriate string and advanced mode for playing actual chords. Instead of the current game’s “highway metaphor, the music is represented in a vertical DNA-strand string of streaming colored orbs.

Industry watchers have been touting game-based learning for a while, but only a few products have emerged. Beaterator, from Rock Star Games, didn’t gain much traction despite solid execution. Hopefully, Power Gig will at least get the Guitar Hero out of their diapers and into some real underware, well, at least Pullups.

No pricing has been officially announced, but the company said it will be competitive with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. It will be available sometime this Fall, just in time for the Holiday shopping season. More information on Power Gig, well not really, their website is pretty anemic…

Posted in Industry, Music Education, The Future of Music | No Comments »

Vibesware Releases The Guitar Resonator – Harmonic Feedback Generator

March 8th, 2010

The Vibesware Guitar Resonator, created by Markus Pahl, is a new harmonic feedback generator for electric guitar. It generates “string vibration feedback” live on stage, in recording studios and at home.

Pahl claims that you can achieve the same powerful and reproducible harmonics at any sound volume — even when playing with headphones, including: feedback sounds of a fully turned up amplifier stack and tones passing into feedback. Pahl even suggest that with the Guitar Resonator you can create your own custom feedback style.

The Guitar Resonator works by agitating one, or multiple guitar strings, with a magnetic field from a string driver mounted on a stand. Unlike the Ebow, it can drive multiple strings and is not hand-held, so normal playing with both hands is possible. It works with every guitar that has steel strings and pickup(s) — even acoustic guitars with piezo’s can be applied. In addition, you don’t need to modify your guitar in any way. Feedback harmonics can be controlled by the playing technique and by phase switching. Optionally, harmonic modes can be controlled by a foot controller in a CryBaby-like enclosure (optional).

The Vibesware Guitar Resonator costs €339 and is available now. More information on the Vibesware Guitar Resonator

Posted in Experiments In Sound, Music Technology, New Gear | No Comments »

JazzMutant Sneaks Mu – Max For Live Controller

March 8th, 2010

Too Little, Too Late?

The mad scientists at JazzMutant are sneaking Mu, a new Max For Live MIDI controller for Ableton Live that unleashes the full feature-set of the Lemur platform. The problem for this ground-breaking French company is: too little, too late?

Well, it certainly isn’t too little, since you can tell from the short demo (see below) that there’s a lot of power under the hood (that will nicely evolve over time), but it may be just too late for Mu to really gain traction outside of JazzMutant’s core users.

The reason is simply with many other very cost effective controllers now available for Ableton Live, such as the Novation Launchpad and the Akai APC40 to name just a couple, can a product like the Mu really compete anymore in the market with it’s high entry fee?

More information on the JazzMutant Mu.

Posted in Music Technology, New Gear | No Comments »

Weekend Fun: Sportpong

March 7th, 2010

Remember Pong? Well, some geeks have decided to actually make it a “sport” using the latest projection technology. The inventors dub Sportpong as “an interactive physical computer game.” The “field” is projected on the floor, where two or more players can battle in teams against each other, because singles would just be too much exercise for the rubber-limbed.

A reflector paddle on each foot the players hit the ball to the goal or to defend your goal.

More information on Sportpong

Posted in Weekend Fun | 1 Comment »

iPad Available To Pre-Order March 12, Ships Early April

March 5th, 2010

Apple has announced that the Wi-Fi iPad will bow on Saturday, April 3rd in the US, followed by the Wi-Fi + G3 edition later in the month. Additionally, both versions will hit Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. in late April.

Beginning on March 12, consumers can pre-order both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store or reserve a Wi-Fi version to pick up on April 3 at any Apple store.

The Future: A swarm of MIDI controller apps will bow in April as well, which will emasculate the JazzMutant Dexter and Lemur product line in short order…

Posted in The Future of Music | No Comments »

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