Gear News, Reviews, & Deals
April 9th, 2008 — Bass, Guitar, Recording
Owners of the Pod X3 will be happy to hear that Line 6 has finally released GearBox 3.6! The software features full compatibility with the Pod X3 series and is avaiable now as a free download.
I’ve been waiting for this for a long time and from the small amount of time I’ve spent with it I think it’s been worth the wait. It’s infinitely easier to create dual-tone patches with this software.
February 27th, 2008 — Recording
Press Release
The FireStudio Tube is a complete 24-bit/96k professional FireWire recording system loaded with the perfect combination of inputs and outputs for bands, producers, musicians and engineers to produce commercial-quality recordings. Continue reading →
February 16th, 2008 — Recording
Grooveboxmusic.com has just announced a tutorial for Logic 8 by Doug Zangar, an Apple Certified Logic Trainer. Available at their website are currently 2.5 hours of training video to download with more coming every 2 weeks. You can join Groovebox music for a monthly or yearly membership to find access to tutorials for all major platforms of music.
You can find more information HERE.
February 12th, 2008 — Recording
If you already own any version of either REAKTOR or KONTAKT, you can now upgrade to the flagship KOMPLETE 5 bundle at a special low price. Upgrade before the end of March and you’ll get 11 first-class products for just $779 / €699, a saving of $370 / €300! The special one-time upgrade offer is available in the Native Instruments Online Shop or from NI Resellers. Please note: At Resellers this offer is packaged as an upgrade for KOMPLETE SYNTH/CLASSICS users.
February 11th, 2008 — Recording
The newest issue of Digizine, Digidesign’s free online magazine about Pro Tools is now available. It features articles with Unkle detailing the recording of their latest album, a look at the MBox 2, Eleven plugin, and mixing tips.
You can read it here.
February 11th, 2008 — Recording
Today Digidesign announced that Pro Tools HD 7.4.1 software is now full compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). Pro Tools HD 7.4.1 software now provides Mac OS X compatibility with Apple’s current 8-core Mac Pro computers. Digidesign mentions that “Leopard compatibility for Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, other Pro Tools|HD systems, older Intel-based Mac Pro computers, Avid Mojo SDI, and expansion chassis is expected in subsequent Pro Tools software updates, so please wait until official announcements are made before upgrading your system to Mac OS X 10.5″.
Registered users can get the free software update here: Pro Tools 7.4.1 Update
February 11th, 2008 — Recording
If you buy a Line 6 TonePort UX8 between February 1 and April 30, 2008 you can receive the Collector Classics and FX Junkie Model Packs FREE with a rebate (a $99 value)!
February 11th, 2008 — Recording
Press Release
Ever struggled to make the vocals stand out in your mix? Or wished you had a friendly expert there to help you out?
… Sounds like you need Vocal Intensifier!
This Studio Specialist plug-in contains an advanced algorithm designed to make vocals sit more prominently in the mix, without destroying the detail in the original performance.
February 6th, 2008 — Recording
Click Here To Buy The Digitech Vocalist Live Pro
The Vocalist Live Pro is a rack processor based on the Vocalist Live™ 4 that includes a new MIDI interface that works with keyboards as well as guitars. Utilizing the patent-pending musIQ™ - technology combining new Note Detection algorithms with state-of-the-art Harmony Generation - and the raw power of AudioDNA2, the Vocalist Live Pro can create real-time harmonies with your live voice that are in key and perfectly on pitch. With all that processing power, we were able to pack it full of other features as well, including world-class Lexicon® Reverbs, Soundcraft® low-noise studio-grade mic preamp, real-time pitch correction for each voice, individual persona and gender selection per voice, configurable outputs, tuner, 99 user factory presets and more. Plus, it’s available with a fully assignable optional foot switch and expression pedal so you get reall time control and kick in the harmonies at just the right moment.
February 6th, 2008 — Recording
BOSS is proud to announce the new BR-900CD Version 2. The BR-900CD is one of the world’s most popular, easy-to-use, portable multi-track recorders for guitarists and bass players available today. With Version 2., BOSS takes the best BR features and expands them with dozens of new GT-Pro quality COSM guitar amp model, a new drum-editing software application (downloadable from the web), and 500 minutes of recording time via 1GB Compact Flash.The BR-900CD features an 8-track recorder with phantom-powered mic inputs and built-in CD burner, 46 types of BOSS GT-Pro class COSM amps, pro-quality effects for every instrument type, plus mastering and pitch correction, and a programmable drum machine with a new graphical Rhythm Editor software (free download for PC and Mac).
1 GB Compact Flash card included.
For more information visit www.bossus.com
January 31st, 2008 — Recording
I was tipped off today about the Shure Cast, a podcast by Shure that explores microphones. It’s been going since last summer and they have 8 episodes up at their website or via iTunes. Having long been a user of SM 57’s & 58’s I was curious to hear about the history of these mics. It was actually an interesting show. The podcast is more than just a promotional tool for Shure though. There are shows discussing common miking techniques, wireless technology and even the FCC. You can find it here.
January 29th, 2008 — Recording
If you’ve ever wanted to get the sounds of The Beatles but never had the money for vintage 1960’s gear than you may want to try EastWest’s Fab Four. Fab Four is a virtual instrument inspired by the sounds of The Beatles. EastWest’s website has video tutorials & audio samples of Fab Four in action.
January 28th, 2008 — Recording
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about microphones here’s your chance. Enroll in the free Rode University.
Press Release
RØDE is proud to announce the opening of RØDE University - an online course designed to explain the basics of microphone recording in a relaxed and exciting format. RØDE University is a virtual campus where students gets to party hard and learn a bunch of cool stuff about sound theory, microphone tips and techniques as well as good old fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll know-how.
Featuring high resolution streaming video, RØDE University puts you in the front seat of a world class studio, learning practical studio recording methods for home, live, location and broadcast - even the professionals will learn something! Continue reading →
January 18th, 2008 — Recording
Press Release
Steinberg is proud to present a new member of the world-famous Cubase product family at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California. Cubase Essential 4 is tailored to musicians and home studios with a compact feature set for recording, composing and mixing music. Just like the larger versions Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4, the new addition offers the advantages of the new VST3 standard and uses the same audio engine. Continue reading →
January 17th, 2008 — Recording
Today Roland Corporation announced that they have acquired a major share of Cakewalk. They had previously been a minor shareholder since 2003. Roland has been providing hardware for Sonar LE bundles for the past several years and they co-developed SONAR Power together. All future Cakewalk products will be branded “Cakewalk by Roland”. Here’s the full Press Release.
January 4th, 2008 — Recording
The best price for any piece of gear is free. The folks over at AudioMidi.com think so too. They are offering a chance to win a free TonePort UX8 over at their website. Normally the TonePort UX8 would run you $499. The contest is running from now until January 18th, 2008. This offer is only valid for US residents. No purchase is necessary. To enter click here.
Line 6 TonePort UX8 product page
December 26th, 2007 — Recording
Click Here To Buy The Ask Video Reason 4 Tutorial DVD
ASK Video is now shipping their Reason 4 tutorial set. Available on DVD for the PC or Mac, this collection contains 41 videos totaling 5 hours of instruction for $55. ASK Video also has tutorials for other software as well like Cubase, Ableton Live, Logic, & Pro Tools.
December 13th, 2007 — Recording
Propellerhead Software and Drummerheads has announced the Jason McGerr Sessions ReFill for Reason version 4. Jason McGerr, the drummer of Death Cab for Cutie, as well as a producer and owner of Two Stick studios, has been long time fan and user of Reason. Now he has created a versatile collection of acoustic drum loops and hyper-sampled drum kits designed for flexible and creative music production for Reason users. This new ReFill from Drummerheads is available now exclusively from the PropShop at: www.propellerheads.se/creatorseries Continue reading →
