Samson has announced the Zoom R16, a new portable digital recorder with 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording utilizing Secure Digital (SD) memory. The R16 is three production tools in one device: a multi-track recorder, an audio interface and a control surface, providing all the tools necessary to create studio-quality recordings, plus battery-power via 6 AA’s.

With the R16, users can record up to 32 GBs on an SD card. which avoids the pitfalls of a potential hard drive crash and allows for up to 100 track hours of recording using all 16 tracks. Connect the R16 to your laptop or desktop computer via USB, launch your favorite DAW or use the included Cubase LE; and, immediately start laying down your production tracks. In addition, USB operation means you can control each function of your favorite DAW software from the R16 for easy mixing with fine-tuned control.

Features:
» Digital recorder with 16-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording utilizing Secure Digital (SD) memory
» 16/24-bit/44.1kHz linear PCM recording in WAV format
» Built-in stereo condenser microphones
» Included 1GB SD card and with support for up to 32GB SDHC
» Allows simultaneous recording on up to 8 tracks
» Battery operation for remote recording
» USB power for audio interface and control surface operation
» 8 mic inputs / 2 outputs (8 x 2)
» 8 combination XLR-1/4-inch inputs
» High-definition 24-bit/96kHz recording capability using digital audio software
» 100+ built-in studio effects coming from advanced DSP which can additionally be used as outboard effects
» Hi-Z input for direct connection of guitar or bass
» Included preamp with phantom power on two channels
» Mackie control emulation via USB for popular DAW software including Cubase, Logic, Digital Performer and more
» Amazing guitar amp and effects models
» Professional quality mastering effects including multi-band compressor, normalizer and more
» Operates as USB storage device for quick data transfer
» Connect two R16s via USB for synchronized operation and 16 tracks of simultaneous recording
» Undo/Redo functions
» Comes with Steinberg Cubase LE 4
» Supports Windows XP/Vista, Mac operating systems

More information on the Samson Zoom R16.

Wunder Audio has announced the Wunderbar, a new analog console with a fully symmetrically balanced discrete summing bus system.

The Console utilizes the PEQ2 Channel Amplifier delivering from 12 to 60 channels. A “Fully Balanced Bussing Scheme” is the heart of the Wunderbar, buffering the ground out of the equation. This results in significant increase in dynamic range while lowering noise substantially. There are transformer balanced direct outputs and inserts on all channels. The Stereo Buss champions The Wunderbahn and has three Stereo Amplifier choices: Wunder, 1272, and the 312.

The 1046 Routing modules are fully transformer balanced Class-A Discrete. Each channel has a monitor fader that is flip-able with the main channel fader. Also featured are six busses with illuminated switches, four auxes that are switchable pre or post, Pan Defeat, 48V phantom, and “Opto Silent” mute. If the console is short loaded, the Routing modules will act as a transformer-balanced inputs.

The Master Section includes a Control Room Monitor for monitoring six stereo sources, including busses. Mono, Dim, Mute, and Solo Clear are on large illuminated switches. Select from 3 sets of speakers or a headphone amp with separate volume control. The internal routing of sub groups to the stereo buss eliminates external patching, sparing monitor faders. The Eight-fader monitor section includes solo, pan, and placement into any of the busses. Talkback into any buss/aux is either latching, momentary, or remote. The master section has a large Illuminated master PFL, AFL Solo switch with Solo level.

Other features include: P&G 100mm Conductive Plastic Faders, thick hardwood end-cheeks in an unlimited choice of hardwoods, and full leather armrest.

The Wunderbar is available in 12 channel increments from 12-60 channels.

12 channels, 20 monitors, 1 Powerbar PSU, Exquisite Trim – $45,000
24 channels, 32 monitors, 1 Powerbar PSU, Exquisite Trim – $87,000
36 channels, 44 monitors, 2 Powerbar PSU’s, Exquisite Trim – $130,000
48 channels, 56 monitors, 2 Powerbar PSU’s, Exquisite Trim – $172,000
60 channel, 68 monitors, 2 Powerbar PSU’s, Exquisite Trim – $214,000

Exquisite Trim is 1.5″ Solid hardwood (Oak, Walnut, or Roasted Coffee Bean Birch) and includes End Caps and Meter Bridge and Black or Brown Top Grain Leather Armrest. Various options are available.

More information on the Wunder Audio Wunderbar.

Focusrite has announced the Saffire PRO 24, a new FireWire audio interface. The 16 IN / 8 OUT interface contains two Focusrite pre-amps with JetPLL jitter elimination technology.

Alongside the two Focusrite pre-amps are a host of I/O options; two additional analogue inputs, six analogue outputs, ADAT inputs (for expanding the interface with, for example, Focusrite’s OctoPre), stereo SPDIF I/O and 2 virtual ‘loopback’ inputs for routing digital audio between software applications – ideal for capturing online audio. Front panel 5-LED metering for each analogue input offers detailed viewing of levels.

Saffire Mix Control, the zero-latency 18 x 8 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Saffire PRO 24, sets a new standard at this price point for audio interface control. It features flexible output routing and monitoring, as well as intuitive one-click set-up solutions designed to help you track, monitor and mix as quickly as possible.

Saffire PRO 24 also comes with all the additional tools needed to start making music straight away. These include the latest version of the Focusrite Plug-in Suite, providing a significant upgrade from your standard sequencer effects. The suite includes Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.

Features:
» Two High Quality Award-winning Focusrite Pre-amps
The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite’s unparalleled pre-amp legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning Focusrite pre-amps.
» High Quality 24-bit/96kHz FireWire Interface
Features high quality A-D / D-A conversion and JetPLL jitter elimination technology; pristine audio quality and reliable synchronisation are guaranteed.
» Total I/O Count of 16 Inputs and 8 Outputs
A host of I/O options are provided*, including a unique loop-back facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire Mix Control.
» Saffire Mix Control Zero-latency DSP Mixer/Router
Routing flexibility and intuitive one-click set-up solutions; Saffire Mix Control provides an 18 x 8 DSP mixer with excellent output routing and monitoring capabilities.
» Xcite+ Software Bundle
Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live 7 Lite, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.
» Focusrite VST/AU Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix
Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with all-new Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.
» Front panel 5-LED metering
LED metering for each of the analogue inputs offers detailed viewing of levels direct from the front fascia.
» Dedicated front-panel headphone bus
Providing a fully customised monitor mix, with tactile level control available on the front panel.

No availability or pricing has been announced. More information on the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24.

Roland has unveiled their new Juno-Di Mobile Synthesizer, a lightweight and portable version of their new Juno line for the “musician on the go.” (We swear we don’t write this stuff…)

Weighing just under 12 pounds, the Juno-Di can be played anywhere, anytime via eight Ni-MH AA-size rechargeable batteries. Plug the Juno-Di into a portable amplifier such as the Roland Cube Street or Mobile Cube for instant amplification, or plug in headphones for quiet practice.

The 61-note synth-action Juno-Di boasts over 1,000 diverse customisable sounds to fit any style of music, including grand and electric pianos, modern synth sounds, strings, guitars, brass, percussion, and banks of exotic instruments. Simple navigation with dedicated category buttons and the large LCD display ensures players can recall and perform their favourite sounds on the fly.

In addition to portability, the Juno-Di offers an array of features for the live performer. Process vocals live through its microphone input, built-in vocoder, and dedicated reverb. And with its USB memory port and song player function, the Juno-Di enables direct playback and control of MP3, .WAV, AIFF, and SMF sound files with dedicated transport controls on the front panel.

The Roland Juno-Di will be available in September. No pricing has been announced. More information on the Roland Juno-Di.

The nutters at de la Mancha have released Scylla, a new hybrid sampler/synthesizer for Windows.

Co-developed with Singing Crane, who also collaborated with de la Mancha on Octav8r, Scylla is a VST instrument that combines sample playback with subtractive synthesis to produce a wide variety of sonic possibilities. 3 samplers and 3 different types of oscillators allow many forms of sound design, including wavetable, granular, sample looping, phase distortion, morphing and spectral synthesis. More spice is added with granulizing, ring modulation and all the (un)usual envelopes, LFOs and filter options

Included in the package are 165 original samples, including single waveforms, tuned loops and diverse recordings. The default bank of 128 presets by brian botkiller cover leads, basses, pads and fx. If you want to go really nutty, you can also load your own samples in Scylla and use the built-in custom looping, granular playback and other sampler options to make new sounds out of old ones

de la Mancha’s Scylla is available now for Windows and will set you back $24 beans. More information on de la Mancha Scylla.