Products of Interest

ESI XT USB Audio Interfaces and eight line outputs, but all other audio and MIDI interface with Thun- features are the same as in the U86 derbolt 2 connectivity. It supports German company ESI has added two XT. This interface measures 45 × 14.5 sample rates up to 192 kHz at 24-bit new USB audio interfaces to its XT × 4.5 cm. depth, and offers a dynamic range of series. The U86 XT (see Figure 1) Low-latency WDM, ASIO, and 120 dB. is a USB 2.0 high-speed interface CoreAudio drivers are available for The interface has two combina- with eight input channels and six the interfaces, making them compat- tion microphone/instrument/line output channels, all of which can be ible with Macintosh and Windows inputs on the front panel and six used simultaneously. There are two machines. Purchase includes Bitwig combination microphone/line in- combination line/XLR/Hi-Z inputs eight-track digital audio workstation puts on the rear panel. Each has a with gain control and LED meter (DAW) and a license for Stanton’s recallable XMAX preamplifier with indicators on the front panel. The Deckadance LE. +48V phantom power. The rear 1/ microphone inputs feature integrated ESI also makes a range of MIDI panel also features two 4-in TRS 1/ microphone preamplifiers and 48-V interfaces, including the MIDI nTour main outputs, eight 4-in TRS line phantom power. The rear panel has CX, a MIDI interface cable for iOS outputs, MIDI input/output, BNC 1 eight line inputs on /4-in TRS con- devices. The cable has a full-size word clock input/output, ADAT nectors and six similar line outputs. MIDI input and output at one end and optical input/output, and S/PDIF Digital S/PDIF input/output, stereo a 30-pin iOS connector at the other stereo digital input/output. The ana- mix output, MIDI input/output, and end. This allows users to connect log outputs are all DC-coupled. Two the USB 2.0 port are also located on MIDI synthesizers, sequencers, and independent headphone outputs with the rear panel. A headphone output is other devices to their iPhone, iPad, volume controls are provided on the provided on the front panel. and iPod Touch devices. front panel. Up to four Quantum The interface supports a 96-kHz The U86 XT and U168 XT are interfaces can be connected to pro- sampling rate at 24-bit sampling listed for approximately US$ 475 and vide 96 channels of audio input and depth. The analog-to-digital conver- US$ 652 and the MIDI nTour CX output. tors have a dynamic range of 107 dB for US$ 25. Contact: ESI Audiotech- The central section of the front (A-weighted) and the digital-to-analog nik, Mollenbachstrasse 14, D-71229 panel of the interface features a digital convertors have a 112 dB (A-weighted) Leonberg, Germany; e-mail info@esi display and control section for the dynamic range. The body measures -audio.com; Web www.esi-audio.com. preamplifiers, a built-in talkback 21 × 14.5 × 4.5 cm. microphone (which can be routed to The larger U168 XT is a 16-input, any mix), and dim/mute controls. eight-output model of the interface. PreSonus Quantum Thunderbolt There are also eight-segment LEDs It has four microphone preamplifiers Audio/MIDI Interface for each channel, with green, yellow, and an additional two microphone and red color coding for signal level. inputs on the front channel. There The PreSonus Quantum is a low- A large main knob with a range of are 16 line inputs on the rear panel latency low-jitter 26 × 32-channel −80 dB to 0 dB can be used to control any of the outputs. Preamplifier control functions are doi:10.1162/COMJ r 00444 integrated into the PreSonus One Artist DAW and most features can be controlled by the company’s free UC Surface control software. This allows for integration with third- party recording software. Purchase of the Quantum interface includes PreSonus’s Studio Magic plug-in suite and a discount for the Professional edition of their Studio One DAW software. The interface measures 1.75 × 7 × Figure 1. ESI’s XT U86 19 in and weighs 6 lbs. It requires a USB audio interface. 12 VDC external power supply.

Products of Interest 91

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 2. The OWOW wireless MIDI controllers.

Figure 3. OWOW’s wireless MIDI drum controller.

The Quantum interface is listed for US$ 999.95. Contact: PreSonus Audio Electronics, 18011 Grand Bay Court, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809, USA; Wen www.presonus.com.

OWOW Wireless MIDI Controllers

OWOW (Omnipresent World of Wiz- kids) has released a set of four compact wireless MIDI controllers for use in live performance or in the studio (see Figure 2). The controllers send MIDI data over Bluetooth and are compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and iOS devices that support Bluetooth 4.0. Alternatively, the controllers can also be connected to a computer or other device using a USB cable. Figure 2 The casing of these small, portable controllers is constructed from durable aluminum. A combined power on/off switch, sleep mode, and mode switch is provided on each device. Each of the controllers’ settings can be changed using a software utility program. They have a rechargeable battery that provides four to five hours operating time. The wob is a 60 × 60 × 12.4 mm vertical motion control designed to sit on a table top. It detects movement above it and is used in a Theremin- like fashion, by moving your hand up and down. It has two modes of operation, one that sends out control Figure 3 change messages, which can be mapped to parameters in the user’s DAW, and the other mode sends note The drum controller is a three- mapped to any command the user messages. dimensional motion controller with chooses. The drum controller easily The wiggle is a three-dimensional velocity sensitivity (see Figure 3). fits in the user’s hands at 37 × 90 × handheld motion controller. It detects It is designed to allow the user to 11 mm. movement on three axes (x, y,andz), play “air drums.” It can be used Finally, scan visually scans allowing users to control parameters to trigger samples and sounds on a sketches, music notation, lines, of their DAW through orientation and DAW, or to add effects or looping. and patterns drawn onto paper, and movement in all directions. Buttons The motion detection for the z axis translates them into MIDI. It has an on the controller allow the motion can be switched off. There is a up and down button that can be used sensing for each axis to be switched left and right button included, for to jump up or down octaves, or to on or off. The wiggle measures 37 × selecting previous and next notes. An pitchbend the note. This controller 60 × 11 mm. additional unassigned button can be also measures 37 × 90 × 11 mm.

92 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 4. The Notepad-8FX small format analog mixer from Soundcraft.

Each of the controllers is available Contact: OWOW, Fuutlaan 14E, analog desktop mixers with HAR- to purchase as a finished product with 5613AB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; MAN signal processing and USB aluminum casing, or as a bare circuit e-mail [email protected]; Web owow.io. connectivity. The first three mix- board with downloadable files for 3-D ers available are the Notepad-5, the printing the casings. Notepad-8FX (see Figure 4), and the The controller are listed for ap- Soundcraft Notepad USB Mixers Notepad-12FX. They are designed to proximately US$ 123 for the full facilitate recording, editing, and play- version and US$ 100 for the bare Soundcraft’s new Notepad series of back from Macintosh and Windows circuit board. mixers are affordable, small-format, machines. A driver is required for use

Products of Interest 93

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 5. The X-Touch Extender control surface from Behringer.

with Windows but not for Macin- level control has a four-segment LED 3.5 × 13.4 × 11.9 in and weighs tosh. The Notepad-5 model does not meter. This model measure 3.5 × 8.9 5.1 lb. include effects but the 8FX and 12FX × 10.2 in and weighs just 2.4 lb. The mixers are listed for US$ models feature Lexicon DSP effects, The larger, Notepad-8FX, measures 123.75, US$ 161.25, and US$ 198.75. including Lexicon reverbs. 3.5 × 10.7 × 11.9 in and weighs 3.6 lb. Contact: Soundcraft, Harman Inter- The smallest of the series, the It has two microphone/line inputs, national Industries Ltd., Cranborne Notepad-5, features a single com- two line inputs with trim, auxiliary House, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, bination microphone/line input, a sends, pan control on the inputs, Hertfordshire, EN6 3JN, UK; Web 1 /4-in stereo line input with trim, a and three equalizer controls per www.soundcraft.com. Hi-Z guitar input, RCA stereo line channel. It also features Lexicon inputs, master stereo output on XLRs, reverb, chorus, and delay, and a tap a monitor stereo output, and a USB tempo function. A master fader is Behringer X-Touch Extender port. All of the inputs and outputs, provided for level control on this including the USB port, are located model. Behringer’s X-Touch Extender (see on the top panel. The channel strip The largest mixer in the group, the Figure 5) is a control surface de- features rotary controls, including Notepad-12FX, increases the number signed for use as an extension of the two equalizer controls per channel. of microphone/line combination in- user’s existing X-Touch setup or as A rotary level control is provided for puts to four and the Hi-Z instrument a standalone portable controller. It the headphone level and the master inputs to two. This models measure measures 97 × 290 × 303 mm. It is

94 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 6. Touch Innovations’ Kontrol Master.

intended for studio and live use and supports Mackie Control, HUI, and MIDI control. The control surface features eight automated, touch-sensitive, motor- ized 100-mm faders. There are also eight dynamic LCD scribble strips, eight rotary encoders with LED-rings, as well as eight-segment LED meters, and four illuminated buttons (record, solo, mute, and select) per channel. The X-Touch Extender has a USB- MIDI interface for connection to Macintosh and Windows computers, an Ethernet interface for Real-Time Protocol (RTP) MIDI remote control, and a powered USB hub with two ports for connecting additional controllers X-Touch and X-Touch Extenders to create a larger control the controller has an overall expected vations, 11451 NW 36th Avenue, surface. life cycle of 100,000 hours. Miami, Florida 33167, USA; Web Purchase of the control surface The push buttons on the Kontrol touchinnovations.com. includes a download code for the full Master are color-coded and their version of Tracktion, a DAW with functionality is pre-mapped but the a single-screen interface, dynamic user can customize them using a automation, an unlimited track software application to keyboard Aodyo Sylphyo Wind Controller count, MIDI recording, and VST and shortcuts, macros, commands, to AU plug-in support. The control send MIDI control change events, French company Aodyo has released surface comes with a three-year or to act as a Shift key. The two a wireless MIDI wind controller that warranty. orange buttons allow the user to is designed to give the user the feeling The X-Touch Extender is listed easily switch between monitors. of playing an acoustic instrument. for US$ 524.99. Contact: Behringer; There are three white buttons above The Sylphyo has note keys on the Web www.music-group.com/brand the knob and these are mapped to front panel and octave and setting /behringer/. horizontal and vertical faders and keys on the rear panel. There is also a rotary controls. The user hovers over thumbrest, slider, and visual display the object they want to control on on the rear panel. Touch Innovations Kontrol their DAW, selects the relevant white The air column gives the user button for that control and turns the control over the air flow, allowing Master Customizable DAW knob. The sensitivity of the knob for a wide dynamic range, but also Controller can be adjusted using the software allows notes to be played in a staccato setup application or it can be set to be or legato manner, and with different Touch Innovations’ Kontrol Master adjusted in real time when a specific tonguing techniques such as flutter is a DAW controller that has been button is pressed. tonguing. The breath control can designed with ergonomics and com- The controller is compatible with be customized to send any MIDI fortable use in mind (see Figure 6). Windows, Mac OS X, and Ubuntu control change or aftertouch message. It features a single high-precision, Linux. It connects to computer using Finger slides on the keys can be used anodized aluminum knob with an a USB port, through which it is also to pitchbend notes. The slider on optical encoder, and ten customizable powered. It measures 260 × 88 × the rear panel is located just below arcade-style push buttons. The micro 180 mm and weighs 650 g. the thumbrest and it can also be switch used in the push buttons has The Kontrol Master is listed used to control three parameters, been tested to 10 million cycles and for US$ 299. Contact: Touch Inno- including pitchbend. A range of more

Products of Interest 95

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 than five octaves is available on the Magix Software Sound Forge Auto trim, fade in/out, invert/flip, instrument. Pro Mac 3 mute, and reverse functions are also The controller also has sensors available. iZotope’s SRC plug-in is to detect movement and orientation provided for converting sample rates and these can be used to control Magix Software is releasing updated and the user can adjust the sample MIDI parameters. In inertial mode, versions of all of their Sound Forge rate, steepness, filter length, cutoff the elevation angle is used instead offerings. The new version of their scaling, and alias suppression. of the breath intensity to control the Sound Forge Pro Mac 3 audio record- Time-stretch and synthesis plug- volume of the notes. The elevation ing, editing, processing, and mastering ins are included and a Wave Hammer angle and roll motion can also be used software offers the user 32 channels tool includes a compressor and vol- to modulation any sound parameter. of 192-kHz, 24-bit audio. The window ume maximizer. Both 64-bit Audio The rear-panel display has three layouts are customizable and provide Units and VST 2.x plug-ins are sup- main screens. The performance the user access to flexible hardware ported and effects can be applied screen that indicates the base key, routing, and new adjustable metering individually or a plug-in chain can be MIDI channel, currently playing has been added. Show and hide but- used for multiple plug-ins. note, battery life, and wireless status. tons are included on the windows and The software is interoperable A Quick Settings screen gives the user tools can be dragged from one pane with the company’s SpectraLayers quick access to performance parame- to another to customization their Pro 4 software and includes menu ters and a Settings menu screen gives location. commands that allow the user to the user full access to customizing The user can easily switch between move files between the two locations. the MIDI mappings used. open files and projects for editing The software supports Red Book The default MIDI mappings that down to the sample level. A time- CD authoring and it can be used to come with the controller have as- based mode allows the user to select add track markers or to burn a gapless signed control change 11 (expression) a range of time within a waveform for audio CD. Batch processing functions to breath intensity, control change manipulation and editing. An event facilitate the automation of process- 1 (modulation) to the slider, control mode allows the user to divide a ing and file format conversions to change 12 (effect controller 1) to the sound file into sections/events. These multiple files. top edge of the slider, control change can then be arranged and rearranged Purchase includes iZotope RX 13 (effect controller 2) to the bottom on the timeline and event markers, Elements, an audio editing plug- edge of the slider, control change 75 region markers, and envelope points in with spectral editing features, (sound controller 6) to the elevation added. and Ozone 7 Elements, a mastering angle, and control change 76 (sound New loudness meters with flexible plug-in. controller 7) to the roll angle. positioning have been added to this Sound Forge Pro Mac 3 is listed The mouthpiece is removable, edition of the software. There are for US$ 299. Contact: MAGIX Soft- allowing it to be replaced with future now precisely calibrated AES/EBU ware GmbH, Quedlinburger Straße mouthpieces with additional sensors meters for ensuring compliance in 1, 10589 Berlin, Germany; e-mail that the company is working on. broadcast audio. Peak level and RMS [email protected]; Web www.magix The Sylphyo controller comes with level normalization functions are -audio.com. a receiver that is connected to a included to help match loudness computer using USB or directly to levels in different recordings. a synthesizer using MIDI. A USB A Channel Converter can be used Audiﬁed TNT Voice Executor cable is included with purchase. The to modify the number of channels, controller has a rechargeable battery reverse the channels in a stereo The TNT Voice Executor is a plug- that delivers eight hours of use and mix, or intermix the channels in in for editing speech and singing a 5-W charger is also provided. The a multichannel file. The bit-depth that is aimed at music producers, controller measures 17 in and weighs of audio files can also be changed podcasters, producers of YouTube + 0.82 lb. with iZotope’s MBIT Dither plug-in videos, broadcasters, and others The Sylphyo is listed for approx- available to apply dither. The user recording voice-based work. It is imately US$ 917. Contact: Adoyo; has control over bit depth, dither designed to provide tools for quick and e-mail [email protected]; Web noise, noise shaping, minimize peak, intuitive vocal adjustment and as an www.aodyo.com. and silence harmonics parameters. alternative to more complex software

96 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 that may involve changing multiple The plug-in has six available sounding spectral result, somewhat settings on individual compressors, effects for the transient aspect of the similar to ring modulation. equalizers, and other effects while audio (delay, tap delay, dynamics, Shift is a pitch and frequency shift recording or broadcasting. phaser, reverb, and gate/equalizer), module that provides ± four octaves The plug-in uses a gate, high-pass and seven for the tonal parts (delay, of pitch shifting and ± 4 kHz of filter, compressor, equalizer, distor- compressor, equalizer, pitch, chorus, frequency shifting. The pitch shifter tion, limiter, and delay internally but reverb, and tremolo). Additional includes four modes of operation: the user has access to presets and smoothing, transient decay, source smooth, tight, and two detune modes three simple controls only—input, type, and focus controls, and a real- that shift the right and left channels output, and drive. The drive control time waveform display, are provided in opposite directions by ± 48 cents. specifies how much of the effect will to give the user control over the The frequency shifter features 96 dB be applied to the signal as a percent- splitting of the audio. Fission comes per octave carrier and side band age. There are 35 presets provided and loaded with presets designed by a attenuation. Both effects are alias- they are broken into four groups: Rap, range of recording and performing free. A decay time control in this Vocals, Speech, and Special. Each artists. module removes signal components group contains male and female voice The plug-in is available for Mac that are longer than a specified settings. OS X 10.7 and higher and Windows 7 duration. It can be used to remove The plug-in interface features and 8, in AU, AAX, and VST formats. ringing sounds caused by shifting low eight-segment color-coded LEDs for Further details about the company’s frequencies into a more audible range both the input and output. A set of Structural Effects technology and or to create fluttering effects. LEDs are also used to show which how it works is provided on their The Reverb module contains two effects are in use and by how much Web site. hall-type reverbs operated from the the gain is being reduced. Fission is listed for US$ 179. same controls. The first is located The plug-in is available in AAX, Contact: Eventide, 1 Alsan Way, before the FX Blend module in the AU, and VST formats on Macintosh Little Ferry, New Jersey 07643, USA; chain and the second is located after and Windows and a 30-day trial Web www.eventideaudio.com. this dry/wet morphing module. version be downloaded from the Wormhole is available for Mac company’s Web site. OS X 10.8 and higher and Windows The TNT Voice Executor is Zynaptic Wormhole Effects 7, 8, and 10 in RTAS, AAX Native, listed for US$ 69. Contact: Audif- Plug-In AU, and VST formats. It supports fex, Audified, Sokolska 13, 680 01 audio recorded at sample rates up Boskovice, Czech Republic; Web Wormhole is a multi-effects plug-in to 192 kHz. It is available as an shop.audified.com. that offers the user a range of pitch individual purchase or as part of shifting, spectral processing, reverb, the company’s ZAP II and DESIGN and dry/wet morphing effects. It bundles. Eventide Fission Plug-In is designed primarily for creating Wormhole is listed for US$ 179. otherworldly sounds with sound Contact: Zynaptiq, Sandstr. 12, Eventide’s Fission plug-in is their designers, music producers, and film 30167 Hannover, Germany; Web first to use their newly developed composers in mind. www.zynaptiq.com. Structural Effects technology. This The FX Blend module gives the new audio processing method divides user a number of different ways the sound into transient and tonal to combine the dry and wet audio Tone2 Icarus 3D Wave Synthesis parts (using frequency and time signal. A classic dry/wet crossfade Plug-In domain shifting), allowing each to be is available but Zynaptic have also modified separately. This means that included audio morphing algorithms The Icarus plug-in synthesizer fea- the user can accomplish tasks such as that fuse the two signals in a more tures what the developers Tone2 call modifying the transients of a guitar realistic way. “3D wavetable synthesis.” It is an pluck without affecting the tone, The plug-in’s Warp module is a extended form of wavetable synthesis re-tuning drums, removing resonance time-domain local spectrum inver- that allows the user to cross-blend from vocals, and creating radical new sion frequency warping effect. It waveforms and morph waves in three effects. can create an inharmonic, metallic- dimensions. It includes an animated

Products of Interest 97

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 7. The interface from the Icarus synthesizer plug-in.

display that provides instant visual the interface with their choice of color sound design. Each segment of the feedback on the sounds being pro- and if several instances of the plug- new waveform can have different duced (see Figure 7). in are loaded, each can be assigned harmonic content, and amplitude The user can choose from 54 dif- different colors. modulation can be applied to indi- ferent synthesis modes available for The plug-in is compatible with vidual harmonics, with the rate and shaping sounds, including FM, PWM, AU and VSTi formats on Windows level of modulation determined by formant, phase distort, and sync. and Macintosh and it can be used as a the contents of the wave segment. There are 3 × 10 stereo oscillators, standalone application on Windows. The level, phase, and DC offset of which can play Hypersaw, unison, A save-disabled, time-limited trial each wave segment can be con- stacks, or chords. Eight types of dis- version is available from Tone2’s Web trolled. Multiple hard synchroniza- tortion, 62 multimode filters, and 53 site. tion points can be set up for each wave different effects are also included. Tone2 is listed for US$ 199. Con- cycle. A wavetable editor is available and tact: Tone2.com Audiosoftware, The synthesizer interface includes it has more than 100 tools for tweak- Hochriesstrasse 6, 83071, Stephan- an oscilloscope in the center for creating wavetables, including a wave skirchen, Germany; e-mail sup- ing waveforms (see Figure 8) and two draw function and an additive spec- [email protected]; Web www.tone2 x/y performance controllers for mor- trum editor. Arpeggiator, vocoder, .com. phing parameters. Nine performance and resynthesis functions are also in- knobs and three performance buttons cluded. The user can easily modulate are also provided and they can be any parameter using a modulation Mok Waverazor Synthesizer set to morph multiple parameters matrix or by a drag-and-drop action. simultaneously. There are more than 70 modulation Waverazor is a futuristic virtual The plug-in is compatible with AU sources including low-frequency os- synthesizer plug-in that splices wave- and VST on Macintosh and Windows. cillators (LFOs), envelopes, gates and forms to create new sounds. The Support for AAX format and the step sequencers. oscillators in Waverazor slice up Linux platform is in development. The built-in patch browser comes waveforms and recombine them into Waverazor is listed for US$ 150. with more than 1,000 professionally multisegment waveforms, which Contact: Mok; e-mail [email protected]; designed sounds. Users can customize can then form the basis of further Web www.mok.com.

98 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 8. The Waverazor interface with its oscilloscope for creating waveforms.

a global level but also has a motion effect, which includes a phaser and chorus. All effects can be quickly and easily switched off using a power on/off button on the FX page tab. This feature is also provided on the rhythm and arpeggiator pages. The rhythm page allows the user to add modulation on each layer. Two rhythm tabs are available for each layer to allow intricate patterns to be created. There are a selection of LFO wave forms and step sequencer patterns to choose from or users can build their own sequence. A flux rate sequencer can also be accessed from the rhythm page. The user can specify the rate of flux, the number of repetitions for each step of the sequence, and can double or halve the speed of the sequence. Twenty preset rhythms are provided to get the user Output’s Analog Strings The sound source menu gives the started. user access to 90 recorded sources, There are two arpeggiators avail- Output’s Analog Strings is a virtual organized into one shot, pad, and able, one for each layer. Pre-built instrument with a dual-layer engine tape loop categories. Each category is patterns are available that can be for creating and performing string further broken down into orchestral, edited. sounds. The company sampled 60- synth, and creative sounds. The A 39-GB sound library with 500 piece and 22-piece string orchestras at creative sounds available include presets is provided with Analog the Budapest Music Center, including plucked piano, the back of a violin Strings. The instrument runs in soloists, harmonics, and full ensem- bow scratching the strings, sampled Kontakt or the free Kontakt player ble textures, and also sampled and feedback, tape noise, and guitar on Mac OS X 10.10 and higher or processed rare vintage synths that are resonance. The user can also choose Windows 7 or higher. Eight GB of known for their string sounds. between close and far microphone RAM is recommended for use. There are 500 presets included positions. Analog Strings is listed for with the instrument. These can Edit, FX, rhythm, and arpeggiator US$ 199. Contact: Output; e-mail be browsed according to description pages are accessed from the main [email protected]; Web output.com. tags, and multiple tags can be selected interface window. The edit page simultaneously. The workflow on the gives the user tools for modifying main interface gives the user access to the ADSR envelope, pan, stereo Rob Papen Predator 2 the most used parameters, including spread, pitch flutter, and monophonic sound source, volume, and tune, and and legato modes. Advanced editing Ten years after the release of the there are four large macro sliders options include swapping the left original Predator software synthe- for more detailed control. These and right sides of the players in the sizer, Rob Papen brings us an updated sliders control different parameters source. release of his electronic dance music for each of the presets. The length The FX page is broken into layer plug-in. Predator 2, like its prede- of tape loops, loops points, and their and global effects. The layer tab cessor, provides all of the controls direction can be edited here. The includes access to filter, equalizer, on a single screen for easy access. macro sliders can be moved using distortion, compressor, delay, and New to this version is an Easy a mouse or they can be assigned to reverb settings. The global tab pro- Page that displays only the most controller knobs. vides control over the same effects at important parameters and a new

Products of Interest 99

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 9. The Spectra portable USB D-A convertor.

intelligent randomizing Variation function. The synthesizer has three stereo oscillators, each of which offers a choice of 128 different waveforms, including spectral and vocal waveform categories. The user can also morph between waveforms. The second and third oscillators can be synchronized to the first. There are two main filters available in Predator 2 and the second filter has been expanded to include full control and envelopes. A third high- pass filter is also now included. The number of LFOs has been doubled to four. The modulation section has been expanded and a new advanced modulation mode can be used to set lower and upper limits on the modulation applied. A new dual three-band equalizer with a low/high pass filter can be The synthesizer is compatible (THD) with noise of −110 dB. The applied pre or post effects. There are with Windows Vista and higher and chip includes a number of patented dual arpeggiators, which have a join with Mac OS X 10.6 and higher, features to improve audio clarity and mode that allows the user to create in VST, AAX, and AU formats. A reduce unwanted noise, including arpeggio sequences up to 32 steps demonstration version is available. a jitter reducer and HyperStream long. A chord trigger can be used to Predator 2 is listed for US$ 140, Modulator. The convertor has a add up to eight notes in one chord and with an upgrade price of US$ 49 for frequency response of 20 Hz to the pitch and panning can be changed original Predator users. Contact: Rob 40 kHz. using sliders. Papen; Web www.robpapen.com. The light aluminum body of the Anewx/y pad can be used to Spectra convertor weighs 17 g and control the modulation of up to four measures 95 × 11.2 mm. It has a different parameters per axis. The 1/ -in gold-plated stereo mini jack pad has a live mode for real-time NextDrive Spectra Portable USB 8 port. Users can choose from a model modulation. It also has a record mode D-A Convertor with a Type-A connector or a Micro and the recorded movement can be USB connector, which allows them graphically displayed and edited on Spectra is a high-quality portable to connect the convertor to a range the pad. The speed of the recorded D-A convertor and amplifier from of computers and mobile devices. modulation can also be adjusted. A Taiwanese company NextDrive (see The USB connectors are located at number of preset shapes are provided. Figure 9). It is designed to provide the end of a flexible cable rather A new user waves section is studio-grade mobile listening for than on the body of the convertor also included in this version of the high-resolution audio. The convertor itself. synthesizer. The user can draw waves is capable of processing 32-bit audio with a number of different tools, at sample rates up to 384 kHz and can The power output is reported as including using and editing up to 256 also handle 5.6 MHz Direct Stream 2Vrmsat600ohmsand49mWat partials. There can be up to eight Digital data. 32 ohms, making it compatible with user waveforms used in each preset. The Spectra convertor has an a wide range of headphones. There are almost 6,000 presets, with ESS 9018Q2C DAC chip, which Spectra is listed for US$ 149. improved management functionality, offers a dynamic range of +121 dB Contact: NextDrive; Web including a find mode and tags. and a total harmonic distortion www.nextdrive.io.

100 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 10. The DragonFly Black portable D-A convertor.

switched-mode power supply used in a number of other Manley products. It is designed for use with main input in the 90 to 250 V AC range so it can easily be used anywhere in the world. It requires a 7-pin XLR cable for power and a 3-pin XLR cable for the audio connection. The body is etched silver-colored anodized aluminum and weighs 1.5 lb. The Manley X-Cradle sus- pension is included with purchase and attached to the microphone. A AudioQuest DragonFly Portable vided for software upgrades of the leather capsule protector and a rugged USB D-A Convertor DACs and the latest firmware update carrying case are also provided. includes support for MQA-rendered The Reference Silver microphone audio. The DragonFly Red and Black are the is listed for US$ 4,200. Contact: The DragonFly Black is listed for latest releases in AudioQuest’s line Manley Labs, Magnolia Avenue, US$ 99 and the DragonFly Red for of portable digital-to-analog conver- Chino, California 91710, USA; Web US$ 199. Contact: AudioQuest, 2621 tors. They are designed to provide www.manley.com. White Road, Irvine, California 92614, an enhanced listening experience USA; Web www.audioquest.com. when using headphones with laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other mo- Josephson Engineering C725 bile devices. They are USB stick–sized Studio Microphone D-A convertors (12 × 19 × 62 mm) Manley Labs Reference Silver and headphone amplifiers, with a Microphone The C725, from Californian mi- USB Type-A connector built in to the crophone manufacturer Josephson body of the device (see Figure 10). The Reference Silver microphone Engineering, is a variable pattern Both of these DragonFly convertors from Californian company Manley hybrid microphone that combines a feature 32-bit ESS DAC chips with Labs is a condenser microphone with vacuum tube with solid-state tech- minimum phase filtering. The Black a single-sided, large (1-in) diaphragm nology (see Figure 11). It is designed as model uses a 9010 chip and the capsule based on Sony’s C-37A from a studio microphone that can deliver Red model uses a higher-performance the 1950s. It is switchable between the warmth of a tube microphone, 9016 chip. The convertors can process cardioid and omni patterns using a without many of the associated issues 24-bit audio at sample rates up to selector on the open weave capsule such as noise. The cascode section 96 kHz. The Black model can output grille. It features a 5670 vacuum features a low-noise FET (field-effect 1.2 V and has an analog volume tube, Manley Labs’s IRON output transistor) in the front end (the control. The Red model has a 2.1-V transformers, a handmade recreation voltage gain section) and a pentode output, which makes it suitable for of the C-37a’s C-3 capsule by David vacuum tube in the second position use with a wider range of headphones, Josephson, and a 5-micron evaporated (the current gain stage). including models that need more gold diaphragm. The power supply has a selector power. It has a digital volume control. The microphone’s frequency re- for the five available polar pickup pat- An LED-lit DragonFly logo is sponse is 10 Hz to 30 kHz. It has a terns: omnidirectional, subcardioid, color-coded according to the au- maximum sound pressure level (SPL) cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-of- dio resolution being played: red for of 150 dB and sensitivity of 7 mV/Pa. eight directional patterns. It also has a standby, green for 44.1 kHz, blue THD with noise is reported as less selector with a sun and moon setting, for 48 kHz, amber for 88.2 kHz, and than 0.05 percent. A −3dB 55 Hz low which controls two separate nega- magenta for 96 kHz. The convertors pass filter is activated by a switch on tive feedback taps. The sun setting have a protective end cap and they the microphone body. applies the amount of compression are shipped with a leatherette travel The power supply is a new version expected of a tube microphone and pouch. A desktop application is pro- of the custom-designed, low-noise, it gives a warm tube character. The

Products of Interest 101

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021 Figure 11. The C725 variable pattern hybrid tube microphone.

while still retaining some of the tube neering, 329A Ingalls St., Santa character. Cruz, California 95060, USA; The microphone is capable of e-mail [email protected]; Web handling SPLs of up to 142 dB on this www.josephson.com. moon setting, and the maximum SPL for the sun setting is 130 dB. The sun setting has a maximum sensitivity of New Releases 40 mV/PA, and the moon setting is reduced to 10 mV/Pa. The frequency rangeofthemicrophoneis20Hzto Publications 20 kHz. The microphone weighs 1.2 kg and David M. Howard and Jamie A. S. measures 63 mm × 261 mm. The Angus: Acoustics and Psychoa- head grille of the microphone uses a coustics (hardcover and softcover, fine open mesh and the company’s 2017, ISBN 978-1-138-24139-8 patented aluminum foam system, and ISBN 978-1-138-85987-6, New which is fused to the housing, to York and London: Routledge, protect against physical and electrical www.routledge.com/). damage. The microphone body has Richard Lyon: Human and Machine a satin nickel finish. There is an Hearing: Extracting Meaning from internal shockmount used in the cap- Sound (hardcover, 2017, ISBN 978- sule assembly and the microphone 1-107-00753-6, Cambridge, UK and can be safely attached to a micro- New York: Cambridge University phone stand using the yoke mount Press, www.cambridge.org/). provided. Greg McCandless and Daniel McIn- The power supply weighs 3 kg and tyre: The Craft of Contemporary measures 335 × 152 × 92 mm. It can Commercial Music (hardcover be used with mains supplies of 100– and softcover, 2018, ISBN 978-1- 130 V and 220–250 V. The provided 138-93061-2 and ISBN 978-1-138- cable is a 3-m-long multiconductor 93062-9, New York and London: cable with a Tuchel-style connector. Routledge, www.routledge.com/). An extension cable up to 50 m in Floyd E. Toole: Sound Reproduction: length is also available as an optional The Acoustics and Psychoacous- purchase. A carrying case containing tics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, a protection sleeve, power supply, Third Edition (hardcover and soft- moon setting linearizes that tube and cable are included with the cover, 2018, ISBN 978-1-138-92137- compression, providing a more neu- microphone. 5 and ISBN 978-1-138-92136-8, tral sound at high levels and making The C725 is listed for US$ New York and London: Routledge, it sound closer to a FET microphone, 8,800. Contact: Josephson Engi- www.routledge.com/).

102 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00444 by guest on 29 September 2021