SONiVOX is hyping their new Vocal Production Synthesizer, a new product from their Nemesynth Audio Research Group. SONiVOX claims the Vocalizer is a completely new concept in modern music production that couples a new synthesis engine with an open input based architecture. Vocalizer is one part effect plug-in and one part virtual instrument. Vocalists, non-vocalists and producers feed Vocalizer any audio source, and it re-pitches, effects, and re-synthesizes the original source into a whole new sound.

Primarily designed for vocal use, vocalists will enjoy the vast options afforded by Vocalizer to add previously unattainable dimensions to their voice. Inversely, non-vocalists will enjoy the opportunity to use their voices in musical ways that they previously thought impossible.

Vocalizer also works well with other types of inputs. Drum and percussion tracks fed through Vocalizer result in complex synth lines that perfectly sync to the original dry drum and percussion parts. Other input sounds afford a powerful and flexible new approach to sound design.

The Vocalizer marks the first release from SONiVOX’s Nemesynth Audio Research Group. Spearheaded by Jim Van Buskirk, inventor of the virtual instrument, modern computer driven sampling, and real-time low-latency convolution, SONiVOX’s NEMESYNTH Audio Research Group’s sole purpose is to discover, research and develop revolutionary new enabling technologies for musicians everywhere.

SONiVOX’s Vocalizer for Mac and PC comes in the VST, AU, and RTAS plug-in flavors and costs $150 when it’s released on October 1st. More information on SONiVOX Vocalizer.

Whetstone Industries has unveiled a new audio/video modular production desk, dubbed Cavidesk, which stands for Computer-Audio-Video-Integrated Desk. Following three years of development and testing, the desk features a large, integrated trough to clandestinely hide power and a/v cables.

Designed as a modular workstation for computer intensive video, audio and control systems, the desks feature powder coated solid aluminum extrusions, laser cut steel and CNC routed MDF work surfaces. The concealed trough can be accessed either under the desk or by removing an 11” wide desktop section. Optional 19” equipment racks can be placed anywhere on the desktop. Wiring can be fully hidden and integrated into the trough.

The Future: The trough is an innovative concept that make the desks attractive to potential anti-clutter production professionals, but this is a persuasive idea that should find its way into the next generation of A/V desks.

Cavidesk’s start at $700 for the 40″ wide desk and work their way upwards quickly. More information on Cavidesk.

Native Instruments has officially announced the Traktor Kontrol S4, an integrated hardware/software DJ system. Traktor Kontrol S4 combines a special version of the Traktor PRO software with an advanced hardware controller, both developed in unison.

Traktor Kontrol S4 represents a new level of software and hardware integration that makes DJing more versatile, more intuitive and more fun. The full-featured controller combines a four-channel mixer section with ergonomically laid-out high-quality control elements and an integrated audio interface. All relevant functions including looping, cueing, effects control and track browsing are immediately accessible on the robust and portable hardware, while dynamic multi-color backlighting, LED status displays and comprehensive level metering allow DJs to focus on their performance rather than on the computer screen.

The included Traktor Kontrol S4 software offers the full feature set of Traktor PRO, further expanded through new performance functions and an optimized user interface. Two flexible Sample Decks can add up to eight simultaneous one-shot samples or beat-synced loops to the mix, opening up creative remixing and mash-up possibilities that go far beyond conventional DJing techniques. The unique Loop Recorder also allows DJs to capture and overdub audio loops from the live mix, cue signal or an external input on the fly, and drop them back into the mix at any time.

The dual touch-sensitive jog wheels on the Kontrol S4 hardware offer precise and responsive deck control due to a new patent pending electromagnetic technology, complemented through Native Instruments’ high resolution NHL protocol that provides additional performance over conventional MIDI. The integrated low-latency 24bit/96kHz audio interface is based on the Audio 4 DJ, and provides quality signal quality to match the most high profile club systems. External time-code control via turntables and CD decks will be enabled through a future software upgrade. To accommodate touring DJs, a professional flightcase that doubles as an adjustable performance stand will also be available as an accessory for Traktor Kontrol S4.

NI employed the über-talented DJ Shiftee to demonstrate the new S4 and its marquee features. His scratching on the mini jog wheels looks pretty Mickey Mouse, and we don’t know who is teaching him those new “dance moves,” but he really does Native right by deftly showing off the Live Remixing potential of NI’s new system…and maybe gives a glimpse of how he intends to defend his DMC World Championship.

NI’s Traktor Kontrol S4 will be available this winter for $999 / €899. The Traktor Kontrol Case will be available at the same time for $189 / €169. More information on Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4.

Acoustical Surfaces has announced Acoustic Geometry, a new line of sound treatment products. Their first new product group is called The Curve System, an affordable line with the project studio in mind.

Acoustical Surfaces claims the Curve System of Diffusors, Absorbers, and Corner Traps simplifies the creation of natural-sounding professionally–accurate acoustic spaces.

The core of The Curve System is their Diffusor, an improved version of the classic polycylindrical designs used in recording, broadcast, and film studios since the 1930’s to minimize flat–surface reflection problems by broadly and evenly scattering sound energy. The Curve Diffusor also acts as a diaphragmatic mid–bass absorber and includes a built–in mass–loaded vinyl (MLV) membrane low–bass trap. It solves the two biggest acoustical issues — diffusing mid–to–high frequencies and controlling low frequencies.

Three stock Diffusor widths integrate perfectly with two matching models, the Curve Absorber (mid-to-high frequency absorption) and the Curve Corner Trap (a Curve Diffusor with an additional corner bass trap). The right combination and placement of Curve System components will optimize your acoustic spaces.

More information on the Acoustical Surfaces Acoustic Geometry products.

Apple has announced a new Mac Pro line with up to 12 processing cores and up to 50 percent greater performance than the previous generation. Featuring the latest quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors, all-new ATI graphics and the option for up to four 512GB solid state drives (SSD), the new Mac Pro looks to be the new go-to box for audio professionals who utilize the OS X platform.

At the heart of the new Mac Pro’s performance are next generation quad-core and 6-core Intel Xeon processors running at speeds up to 3.33 GHz. These multi-core processors use a single die design so each core can share up to 12MB L3 cache to improve efficiency while increasing processing speed. These systems feature an integrated memory controller for faster memory bandwidth and reduced memory latency; Turbo Boost to dynamically boost processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz; and Hyper-Threading to create up to 24 virtual cores. The Mac Pro now comes with the ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics processor with 1GB of memory and customers can configure-to-order the even faster ATI Radeon HD 5870 with 1GB of memory.

For the first time, Mac Pro customers have the option to order a 512GB SSD. With the ability to install up to four SSD drives in the system’s internal drive bays, the new Mac Pro can provide ultra high-speed disk bandwidth and random disk performance, two times faster than the average performance of a standard disk drive. Mac Pro also now features two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port. The additional Mini DisplayPort output allows customers to connect two LED Cinema Displays without an additional graphics card or adapter and the dual-link DVI port supports legacy DVI-based displays up to a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

The new Mac Pro will be available in August. More information on the Apple Mac Pro.

Keith McMillen Instruments has released StringPort, a utility that processes, converts and conveys to the computer the polyphonic audio from industry-standard hexaphonic pickups (like the GK, Graph Tek, Zeta and RMC models) through high speed USB 2.0. McMillen has written custom drivers with extremely low latencies and take full advantage of multi-threading and multiple cores. High resolution (24bit) converters and impeccable design provide greater than 92 dB SNR from analog in to analog out.

“In the last 31 years I have developed and delivered almost a dozen different polyphonic processors and synth interfaces, from analog pitch/voltage converters to fret scanning guitars. Every project left me wanting better accuracy, faster response with more control and a deeper integration with other computer applications. It is not until StringPort, the first computer platform for guitar, that I can deliver on all fronts,” reveals Keith McMillen.

But what really makes StringPort the last string/synth/processor device we will ever need is the powerful suite of software for use with the StringPort Hardware. The suite includes 24 applications including fast and accurate Analysis (for converting every little nuance of your performance into control data), powerful Polyphonic FX Processing (Wave Guide, PolyFuzz, Phase Vocoder, SMACK), a versatile VST FX Wall (perfect for all those plug-ins you’ve been “collecting”), a side of Synthesis (Classic FM and direct support for the world-famous Synful synthesizer), a friendly and useful Notation application (to capture data for output to your favorite music notation software), and MIDI Out to integrate StringPort into your existing MIDI world.

StringPort currently works for guitar only. However, McMillen states that versions for violin and viola, cello, bass guitar, and upright bass are in development.

Keith McMillen Instruments’ StringPort hardware and software suite on sale for $795 (reg. $995) plus free software updates for 1 year. More information on Keith McMillen Instruments StringPort.