Products of Interest

VibeStudio Designer 2 3D Audio an environment and a pipeline editor Slate Digital FG-X Virtual Design Suite allows the user to turn on or off any Mastering Processor of the pipeline stages. The company’s VRSonic’s VibeStudio Designer 2 is a Wave Point Sampling (WPS) technol- The FG-X mastering processor is a three-dimensional audio design suite ogyisusedtorenderthe3-Daudio VST, RTAS, and AU plug-in that is for composing and rendering spatial on loudspeakers. The construction of designed to allow the user to increase audio to binaural headphones and audio scenes is independent of ren- the level of a mix without using speakers in 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 8.1, and dering in VibeStation so once a scene peak limiters, which the developers 10.2 configurations. The suite is made has been created it can be auditioned indicate can reduce transient levels, up of two applications: VibeStation and rendered for any surround format. cause problems with stereo imaging and Profiler. The VibeStation scenes are stored as and the mix balance, and have a The VibeStation application pro- XML documents and the application fatiguing effect on the ears. The vides an interactive 3-D canvas onto can act as a ReWire device or mixer. company calls the new algorithm which the user drags scene elements The Profiler application in the designed for this purpose Intelligent (see Figure 1). These elements can audio suite is designed for rendering Transient Preservation (ITP). include audio files, ReWire, audio sound binaurally for headphones. It The plug-in is made up of two or VOIP inputs, scene geometry, or takes the user through a series of parts, a compressor, and FG-level, motion paths. A timeline editor or listening tests to select an optimal which employs the ITP technology Open Sound Control (OSC) can then Head Related Transfer Function to increase the gain level. The pro- be used to control the behavior of (HRTF) specific to the user from a cess involved in ITP is to analyze the elements. A full sound propaga- database of more than 90. upcoming transients and groups of tion model, including attenuation, The VibeStudio Deisgner 2 is transients using a look-ahead detec- air absorption, material absorption, listed for US$ 595. Contact: VR- tion algorithm; a set of saturation propagation delay, reverberation, and Sonic, Inc., 2533 Wilson Blvd., curves are then used to optimize each occlusion effects, is used to render Arlington, Virginia 22201, USA; transient. The user can control the audio in real-time. A configurable phone (+1) 703-248-3200; electronic mix before and after the ITP process. audio pipeline architecture is used to mail [email protected];Web A transient function is provided simulate the propagation of sound in www.vrsonics.com/. to fine tune transients in the mix. A Lo Punch control allows the user to increase the impact and dynamics of low frequen- cies, and a Detail control can be used for providing clear, focused tran- sients for percussion instruments. The user can choose the saturation curves implemented. The plug-in features an off-line rendering mode, supports automation, and provides factory presets and user presets. The user can set the threshold and ratio in the compressor and also has access to ceiling and dither settings. The range and display velocities of the metering section can be modified. A demonstration version can be down- loaded from the product Web site. An iLok dongle is required for the full version. The FG-X plug-in is listed for US$ 299. Contact: Slate Digital; telephone Figure 1. The VibeStudio Designer (+1) 323-656-2050; fax (+1) 323-656- 2 3-D audio design suite. 2051; Web www.slatedigital.com/.

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 2. The Focusrite Midnight Figure 3. The Nucleus DAW control Suite compressor and equalizer. from SSL.

3FX, UK; telephone (+44) 149-446- on the Nucleus includes bright LCD 2246; fax (+44) 149-445-9920; elec- digital scribble strips, DAW audio tronic mail [email protected];Web level meters, self-illuminating but- www.focusrite.com/. tons, and a range of LED indicators. Focusrite Midnight Suite The user can configure the control remotely using a software browser Compressor Plug-Ins Solid State Logic Nucleus DAW that allows a range of profiles to be set and stored. The Midnight Suite from Foscusrite is Control Nucleus has two combination XLR a pair of compressor plug-ins based on microphone/line/instrument level in- the company’s ISA110 equalization The Nucleus from Solid State Logic is puts, a USB audio interface, and a and ISA130 compressor modules from a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) digital S/PDIF input/output. The their Forte console. control in a portable desktop unit microphone pre-amplifiers use the The Midnight Compressor al- (see Figure 3). It features SuperAna- company’s SuperAnalogue technol- lows the user to control input gain, logue monitoring, analog microphone ogy and the microphone inputs have threshold value, compression ratios, preamplifiers, and a USB audio in- an 80-Hz high-pass filter and phase re- attach and release, and the balance of terface. The control is designed for verse. They also can provide phantom wet/dry (see Figure 2). The compres- music and film/TV post production. power for condenser microphones. sion ratios range from 1.5 to infinity. The Nucleus is compatible with Pro The signal path in the Nucleus also The release can be automatically or Tools, Logic, Cubase/Nuendo, and uses SuperAnalogue technology and manually set and a make-up gain other popular DAWs, and can be used provides monitor output to –4dBu control can be used to compensate to connect to three different DAWs and –10 dBV connections. Two head- the gain reduction caused by the with a single button press used to phone outputs are included, as are compressor. Two meters are provided switch between them. The control an iJack monitor input for use with on the GUI, the first shows the input uses HUI or MCU protocols for con- iPods and other portable devices, and or output level and the compressor nection, and it can transmit MIDI 1 a 4 -in. jack footswitch input. Four threshold, and the second displays controller data. USB ports are provided so the control the amount of gain reduction being The control provides two banks of can be used as a four-port USB hub. applied to the signal. The Midnight eight channels, each with 100-mm Nucleus is bundled with Solid State EQ is a four-band fully parametric touch-sensitive, motorized faders, Logic’s Duende Native Essentials equalizer with peak, shelving, and user definable soft keys and V-Pots, plug-ins. low- and high-pass filters. The GUI of dedicated select, solo, and cut but- Nucleus is listed for US$ this plug-in shows the output level. tons, and ten-point channel level 4,999. Contact: Solid State Logic, The plug-ins are available in VST, meters. The center section includes 25 Spring Hill Road, Begbroke, AU, and RTAS formats. large heavy duty transport buttons, a Oxford OX5 1RU, UK; tele- The Midnight Suite is listed for jog/shuttle wheel, bank, channel and phone (+44) 186-584-2300; fax: US$ 99. Contact: Focusrite Audio En- layer selection buttons, global DAW (+44) 186-584-2118; electronic gineering, Windsor House, Turnpike parameter controls, and USB key- mail [email protected]; Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 board emulation buttons. Feedback Web www.solid-state-logic.com/.

Products of Interest 97

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 4. Grace Design’s M903 D-A converter and monitor controller.

24 microphone/line inputs with mi- crophone pre-amplifiers, two dual input stereo channels, two mono- phonic valve inputs, six auxiliary buses, four audio sub-group buses, along with stereo and monophonic master buses. A rear panel slot can be used for a FireWire/ADAT or analog interface. The FireWire interface has 32 channels and ADAT optical in- put/output. A digital send and return is available on all the input channels, and the stereo master. An analog Grace Design M903 D-A s-Lock phase lock loop sample clock interface with D-type connectors and Converter and Monitor regeneration for ultra-low jitter, and a MIDI module is also planned for Controller improved power supply architecture release. that isolates the headphone power The control section of the console amplifiers, the line amplifiers, and features 24 100-mm channel faders Hardware manufacturer Grace Design the D-A convertors. The crossfeed has released a headphone amplifier, which are used for audio and MIDI circuits have also been improved to tracks. The MIDI control section digital-to-analog converter, and mon- ensure there is no perceived loss of itor controller in one (see Figure 4). also includes 26 select switches, 12 low frequencies. A monophonic mode rotaries encoders, 19 MIDI switches, The M903 can be used to monitor allows the user to check a mix for S/PDIF, AES3, optical TOSlink, bal- 2 MIDI faders, and a jog wheel. phase problems. A range of 99.5 dB Mode switches are provided for anced XLR, unbalanced RCA, and of level control is available in 0.5 dB USB audio input. The user can choose choosing different levels of MIDI steps, along with channel level match- control and integration with software the input source using a precision ing accuracy of 0.05 dB. All signal rotary front panel switch. USB play- applications. The console supports switching uses sealed gold contact 5.1 surround monitoring and has a back on the M903 is bit-perfect and relays. An optional infrared remote jitter free, according to the company, built-in meter bridge. It is available control is available for the M903 and in two models, with motorized or with 96-kHz/24-bit operation for USB a five-year transferable warranty on 1 and 192-kHz/24-bit for USB 2 on non-motorized faders. parts and labor is included with pur- The GS-R24 with automation is Windows and Macintosh computers. chase. The device is a 1U, half-rack Drivers are needed for 192 kHz op- listed for approximately US$ 11,920. size, weighing 5 lbs. Contact: Allen & Heath Ltd., Kernick eration on the Windows operating The M903 is listed for US$ 1,895. system. Industrial Estate, Penryn, Cornwall, Contact: Grace Design, P.O. Box TR10 9LU, UK; telephone (+44) 132- The user can toggle between 204, Boulder, Colarado, 80306-0204, headphone outputs or run two sets 637-2070; fax (+44) 132-637-7097; USA; telephone (+1) 303-443-7454; Web www.allen-heath.co.uk./ of speakers with independent levels fax (+1) 303-444-4634; electronic for each, controlled by a large rotary mail [email protected]; Web encoder on the front panel. The www.gracedesign.com/. headphone outputs have a parallel- wired, trans-impedance design for Focal Professional SM9 low impedance of 1.2 Ohm. Balanced Monitoring Speaker 1 Allen&HeathGS-R2424 and unbalanced 4 -in. jack outputs are included on the rear panel, where all Channel Studio Recording Mixer The SM9 monitoring speaker from of the input ports are also located. French company Focal Professional This new device improves upon The GS-R24 is an analog console features two monitoring systems, earlier models of Grace Design refer- for use with software DAWs or a three-way and two-way monitor, ence headphone amplifiers with new recording devices with a choice of within a single cabinet. The three- D-A convertors and ultra low-noise analog or FireWire/ADAT inter- way monitor has a 1-in. beryllium 1 balanced current to voltage convertor, face modules. The console provides inverted dome tweeter, a 6 2 -in.

98 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 5. Focal Professional’s SM9 Figure 6. TC Electronic’s monitoring speaker. TouchMonitor.

1 midrange driver, a 8 -in. bass driver, and an 11-in. passive radiator (see Figure 5). The class AB amplifiers produce 100 W on the midrange and treble drivers and 400 W on the mass driver. The frequency response of the three-way monitor is 30 Hz to 40 kHz (+3dB)and40Hzto20kHz (+1 dB). The maximum SPL is 116 dB TC Electronics TouchMonitor analyzer, and radar meter are among with the peak at 1 m. The two-way TM7 and TM9 those available. The TouchMonitor monitor uses the dome tweeter and supports American, European, and mid-range driver and is suggested by The TouchMonitor from TC Electron- Japanese broadcasting standards. the company for use with televisions, ics is a stand-alone level meter and Prices for the TouchMonitor iPod speakers, computer systems, touchscreen for use in broadcast, post, start from US$ 4,264. Contact: TC and other situations where bass fre- and live production (see Figure 6). Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, DK- quencies are limited. The frequency The TouchMonitor is available in 8240 Risskov, Denmark; electronic response for this setup is 90 Hz to 7- and 9-in. versions, in stereo or mail [email protected]; Web 20 kHz (+3 dB) with a maximum SPL multi-channel configuration. The www.tcelectronic.com/. of 106 dB. TM9 model has 16 digital balanced Switches are provided on the rear inputs/outputs and the TM7 version panel for input sensitivity selection, has eight analog and eight digital in- API Lunchbox Rack low and high frequency shelving, and puts/outputs as standard. Additional for low-, low-mid-, and mid-frequency inputs and outputs can be added us- The Lunchbox (model 500-6B) from equalization. The standby/on, direct, ing balanced or unbalanced Sub-D or Automated Processes Incorporated and focus switches are located on BNC connectors and a TM9 SDI 3G (API) is a six-module rack with the side panel. Focus mode activates input/output card will be available 48 V internal phantom power supply the two-way monitoring system. A for the TM9. (see Figure 7). It is built to hold front panel LED indicates power on The color touch screens are 16:9 the company’s standard 5.25 × 1.5-in. and clipping. The body is black with TFT LCD screens with context- modules. The unit is self-powered and natural veneering on the top and sensitive on-screen help and flexible has a rear panel switch for selecting bottom panels. The speaker measures screen layout options. The user can the AC voltage and has a removable 12.8 × 19.6 × 15.6 in. and weighs choose to resize and reposition me- power cord. All input and output ports 77 lbs. ters on screen and can view multiple use XLR connections. The chassis is A pair of SM9 monitors is listed meter types simultaneously. The made of steel. for US$ 7,990. Contact: Focal Profes- software structure is modular, al- Lunchbox is a registered trade- sional, BP 50401-108, Rue de l’Avenir, lowing the user to add additional mark and is listed for US$ 499. 42353 La Talaudiere` cedex, France; meters when needed. A real-time an- Contact: Automated Processes, Inc., Web www.focalprofessional.com/. alyzer, phase meter, surround sound 8301 Patuxent Range Road, Jessup,

Products of Interest 99

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 7. The API Lunchbox rack. Figure 8. The AMS Neve 1073LB microphone pre-amplifier module.

Maryland 20794, USA; electronic measured as <0.07 percent at 50 Hz mail [email protected]; Web to 10 Hz at +20 dBu. The frequency www.apiaudio.com/. response of the module is ±0.5 dB for20Hzto20kHz,and–3dBat 40 kHz. AMS Neve 1073LB Microphone The AMS Neve 1073LB is listed for US$ 995. Contact: AMS Neve Ltd. Pre-amplifier Module Billington Road, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 5UB, UK; telephone (+44) 128- The AMS Neve 1073LB is a mi- 245-7011; fax (+44) 128-241-7282; crophone pre-amplifier module for electronic mail [email protected]; or 96 kHz, or the sample rate can API’s Lunchbox rack (see Figure 8). Web www.ams-neve.com/. be clocked to an external source. It is based on the company’s 1073 The converter offers a dynamic range pre-amplifier and equalizer and uses of more than 110 dB, Total Har- the same architecture, components, Millennia Music & Media monic Distortion with noise of less and hand-wound transformers as the than 0.0005 percent, and ultra-low original model. The microphone and Systems AD-596 Analog to jitter. line-level inputs are transformer- Digital Converter The AD-596 is listed for US$ balanced and earth free. A gain knob 1.500. Contact: Millennia Music & with signal presence LED, a +5/–10 dB The AD-596 from Millennia Music & Media Systems, 4600 Missouri Flat level Trim control, and a phase and Media Systems is an A-D converter Road, Placerville, California 95667, impedance switch is provided on based on the API 500 series and USA; telephone (+1) 530-647-0750; the front panel of the module. A designed for use with API’s 500 series fax (+1) 530-647-9921; electronic single combination XLR/jack input rack units. The converter offers eight mail [email protected]; Web is also included on the front panel. channels of 24-bit/96-kHz conversion www.mil-media.com/. The connector features automatic with internal or external word clock switching on of phantom power. on BNC connectors. Analog inputs Additional processing from modules are on a DB-25 multi-pin Tascam in the same Lunchbox can be in- format. The AES digital outputs also Daking Audio Mic Pre 500 serted into the pre-output stage of the use the same multi-pin connection. 1073LB. A separate peak LED is included for The Mic Pre 500 from Daking Audio The gain available for microphone each channel on the front panel and is a microphone pre-amplifier for use inputs ranges from –80 to –20 dB these can be set to peak hold or reset. in 500 series equipment, such as API’s in 5-dB steps. The line input gain, The reference level is –20 dBFS. A Lunchbox. It features 48 V phantom with impedance of 4k Ohm, is –20 to switch is provided for changing the power, a 20-dB microphone input +10 dB in 5-dB steps. Distortion is sample rate from 44.1 to 48, 88.2, pad, and switchable phase. The front

100 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 9. The A-Designs 500 HR rack Figure 10. The A-Designs EM-Blue unit. microphone pre-amplifier.

1 panel has a selectable 4 -in. line/ Input (DI) on the front panel. They Hi-Z instrument input. This 500- also features custom wound input series model uses the gain structure and output transformers, cast and Class A, fully discrete transistor aluminium knobs, and thumb screws circuits from the company’s Mic for each installation. The color of the Pre One and Mic Pre IV models to front panels of each of the modules provide 70 dB of gain to the user. matches the name. Also located on the front panel are The EM-Silver uses a steel wound controls for the continuously variable output transformer and is particularly high-pass filter, which has a range of suited to recording with ribbon 10–200 Hz, at 12 dB per octave. An microphones. The EM-Blue has a eight-segment tri-color LED meter nickel wound output transformer with simultaneous VU and peak which emphasizes higher frequencies indicators is also built in to the (see Figure 10). The EM-Red has a front panel. 50/50 output transformer and the The Daking Mic Pre 500 is listed EM-Gold uses the same steel wound for US$ 675; Contact: TransAudio output transformer as the EM-Silver Group, 7320 Smoke Ranch RoadSuite but the input transformer of the G. Las Vegas, Nevada 89128, USA; EM-Red. telephone (+1) 702-365-5155; fax The 500HR is listed for US$ 335 unbalanced line-level output on an (+1) 702-365-5145; electronic mail and the modules for US$ 895. Con- RCA connector, S/PDIF coaxial on an [email protected]; Web tact: A-Designs Audio, PO Box 4255, RCA connector, and an optical output www.transaudiogroup.com/. West Hills, California 91304, USA; that uses a Toslink connection. telephone (+1) 818-716-4153; elec- A level control for the outputs is tronic mail [email protected]; provided on the front panel. The Web www.adesignaudio.com/. A-Designs Audio 500 Series front panel of the USBPre 2 also features a metering section that Rack and Microphone includes a 23-segment, multicolor Pre-Amplifier Modules Sound Devices USBPre 2 LED meter that can be used to monitor the input or output signals. A-Designs Audio manufactures a The USBPre 2 is a high-resolution It also includes VE and peak (PPM) range of microphone pre-amplifier portable audio interface with mi- indicators. modules and a 500 series rack unit. crophone and line-levels inputs and The interface is class-compliant, The 500 HR is a single space, rack balanced, unbalanced, S/PDIF coaxial, allowing plug-and-play operation mounting frame with two slots for and optical outputs (see Figure 11). with Macintosh, Windows, and to 500 series modules and a power The interface features two discrete some extent Linux operating sys- supply (see Figure 9). The unit can transistor microphone preamplifiers tems, without installation of drivers. supply 48 V phantom power and with 48 V phantom power based Back panel DIP switches are included an LED indicator is included. It on those from the company’s 744T for controls and settings. The de- has two XLR inputs and outputs. recorder. They provide 24-bit convert- vice is USB-powered. In addition The 500 HR weighs 6 lbs when ers and sampling rates up to 192 kHz. to being used as an audio inter- empty. Peak limiters, high-pass filters, and face the USBPre 2 can operate as a Each of the A-Designs Audio a –15 dB pad are provided. The portable microphone pre-amplifier pre-amplifiers provides 48 V phantom outputs available on the interface and A-D convertor in stand-alone power with LED indicator, a phase are balanced microphone and line mode. The chassis is constructed of switch, a 20 dB pad, and a Direct level outputs on XLR connections, extruded aluminum, with aluminum

Products of Interest 101

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 11. Sound Devices’ USBPre 2 Figure 12. The Onyx Blackjack audio audio interface. interface from Mackie.

The dynamic range is the same as on the Blackjack interface. Both interfaces ship with Mackie’s panels, machined knobs, and metal The Onyx Blackjack (see Tracktion 3 music production connectors. Figure 12) features two microphone software and are compatible with The frequency response of the pre-amplifier channels, with built-in Windows and Macintosh operating interface is 10 Hz to 40 kHz. Total DIs for use with guitar and bass in- systems. Harmonic Distortion with noise is struments and 48 V phantom power. The Onyx Blackjack is listed measured as a maximum of 0.05 Separate level controls are provided for US$ 259.99 and the Blackbird percent for computer input and for use with studio monitors and for US$ 629.99. Contact: LOUD headphone output, and 0.009 percent headphones. True analog hardware Technologies Inc., 16220 Wood-Red on the auxiliary output, both for 22 Hz monitoring is available in mono and Road NE, Woodinville, Washington to 22 kHz. EIN on the microphone stereo for zero-latency recording. The 98072, USA; telephone (+1) 425-892- inputs is –127 dBu minimum for A-D/D-A converters provide a dy- 6500; fax (+1) 425-487-4337; Web the same bandwith with a 150 Ohm namic range of 114 dB (A-weighted) www.mackie.com/. source. Detailed audio specifications with ultra-low noise and distortion. are listed on the product web site. The interface is USB bus–powered. The interface measures 1.7 × 7.25 × The larger Blackbird interface (see Nord Piano 88 4.25 in and weighs 1.13 lbs. Figure 13) is a rackmount unit and The USBPre 2 is listed for US$ has eight Onyx microphone pream- The Nord Piano 88 is a professional 640.95. Contact: Sound Devices plifiers with phantom power. It also stage piano with 88 weighted hammer LLC, 300 Wengel Drive, P.O. Box features 8 × 8 ADAT and wordclock action keys (see Figure 14). It features 576, Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959, input/output. The Blackbird interface 120 programs arranged in 24 banks USA; telephone (+1) 608-524-0625; can be used for 96-kHz/24-bit record- with 5 programs each and features fax (+1) 608-524-0655; electronic ing or can be used as a stand-alone categories of grand, upright, electric mail [email protected]; Web preamplifier unit. Two “super chan- pianos, electric grands, clavinet, www.sounddevices.com/. nels” have combination inputs on and harpsichord instruments. An the front panel and feature dedicated LCD display indicates the chosen low-cut switches, phantom power, program name and piano model. Mackie Onyx Blackjack and and hardware monitoring. A custom- Various parameters of each program Blackbird Recording Interfaces designed 18 × 16 DSP matrix mixer is can be edited and stored. A live mode also available with the Blackbird. The with five separate memory locations The Blackjack and Blackbird audio software allows the user to customize provides automatic storing of all interfaces from Mackie are the lat- audio routing using a GUI based on parameter changes. In addition to est in their Onyx range. These new an actual mixer. Any input can be the pre-loaded programs the user interfaces are designed for recording routed to any output with volume and can access a further range of piano and feature Onyx microphone pre- pan control. Custom names can be sounds in the Nord Piano library. amplifiers and Cirrus Logic A-D/D-A added to channels and output mixes. The library is available on DVD convertors. The Blackjack is a com- Two headphone outputs are available or can be accessed for free online pact 2 × 2 USB interface, and the with independent level controls on using the piano’s USB interface. The Blackbird is a 16 × 16 FireWire each. Separate outputs for monitor, instrument offers 40 to 60-voice device. main, and alt are also provided. polyphony and 500 MB of memory.

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 13. The Onyx Blackbird audio Figure 15. The VR1 and VR2 Voodoo interface from Mackie. Ribbon Microphones from SE Electronics.

Figure 14. The Nord Piano 88 professional stage piano.

Figure 13.

Figure 14.

Panel and global transpose modes jacks. A mini-jack monitor input, 1 are available on the Piano 88, with 4 -in. pedal input jack, and dedicated each ranging from –6 to +6 semitones. MIDI input/output on 5-pin DIN The panel setting can be saved as connectors are also included. The part of a program. The user can Piano 88 measures 50.5 × 4.8 × 13.4 choose from four velocity response in. and weighs 39.6 lbs. Additional curves for keyboard touch. A string optional accessories include a height resonance feature aims to reproduce adjustable keyboard stand, soft case, the resonance of acoustic pianos. and mountable music stand. When this setting is activated all The Piano 88 is listed for US$ Figure 15. notes that are played will resonate 2,699. Contact: Clavia DMI AB, BOX with each other, especially when the 4214, SE-102 65 Stockholm, Sweden; sustain pedal is enabled. telephone (+46) 844-273-60; fax (+46) An effects section with pan, 864-426-50; Web www.clavia.se/. (A-weighted). The impedance is less tremolo, phaser, flanger, chorus, than 300 Ohms. The VR1 uses a 3-pin reverberation, and a three-band equal- connector and provides a figure-eight izer is also included. The user can polar pattern for recording. choose from a range of amplifier and SE Electronics Voodoo Ribbon The VR2 model of this microphone cabinet combinations and use a drive Microphones is a more sensitive active version of knob to control distortion. the VR1 with a longer body. The The Nord Triple Pedal, featuring The VR1 and VR2 Voodoo Ribbon sensitivity is measured as 10 mV/Pa. a sustain, sostenuto, and soft pedal, microphones from SE Electronics Slightly higher self-noise of 20 dBA is is included. The pedal offers dynamic are pressure-gradient, 1.8-micron, reported. control of mechanical operation 4.5 × 45 mm, aluminum ribbon The VR1 is listed for US$ 799 and noise and it also allows the user to microphones (see Figure 15). The VR1 the VR2 model for US$ 1,199. Con- half-pedal. passive model offers the user a linear tact: Sonic Distribution, 3 Hunting The USB port can transmit MIDI frequency response from 20 Hz to Gate, Hitchin, Herts SG4 0TJ, UK; messages so that the piano can 18 kHz and sensitivity of 1.6 mV/Pa. telephone (+44) 845-500-2500; fax be used as a MIDI controller. The The maximum SPL of this micro- (+44) 158-247-0269; electronic mail piano features two audio outputs phone is 135 dB (0.5 percent THD [email protected]; Web 1 and a headphone output on 4 -in. at 1 kHz), with self-noise of 17 dB www.sonic-distribution.com/.

Products of Interest 103

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 16. NuGen Audio’s Stereopack 2 stereo imaging and restoration plug-ins.

since been released.) The software now supports the following format: WAV, BWF, AIFF, MP3 (export Win- dows only), AAC (export Mac only), Apple Lossless (export Mac only), WMA (export Windows only), Direct Stream Digital Interchange File For- mat (DSDIFF), DSD Stream File (DSF), and Wideband Single-bit Data (WSD). Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) compression is also supported. AudioGate provides gain, fade, balance, DC cut, and normalize func- tions. The output level has been in- creased to ± 60 dB and the peak level metering has been improved. The software uses TPDF (Triangular Prob- ability Density Function) dithering, along with their own “AQUA” dither- ing for converting between sample rates and bit depths. AudioGate can also be used to burn audio CD with CD-text and to create 1-bit/2.8 MHz NuGen Audio Stereopack 2 manually or automatically shift the DSD audio discs. Stereo Imaging and Restoration phase. The software is available Plug-Ins The Stereoplacer plug-in is par- as a free download for Mac- ticularly suited to restoration of old intosh and Windows operating recordings, according to the devel- NuGen Audio’s Stereopack 2 is a systems. Contact: Korg; Web oper. It displays audio in a frequency set of three plug-ins: the Stereoizer, www.korguser.net/audiogate. pan arrangement that allows the user the Monofilter, and a re-designed to click and drag to adjust the pan Stereoplacer (see Figure 16). The settings at various frequencies. plug-ins are available in RTAS, AU, Soundminer Audio File The Stereoizer and Stereoplacer and VST formats for Windows and Management System are available individually for US$ 99 Macintosh platforms. The Stereoizer and the Monofilter for US$119. The is a mono-to-stereo up-mix plug-in Soundminer, from the company Steropack 2 set of plug-ins is listed for that uses Inter-aural Intensity Dif- of the same name, is an audio file US$ 119. Contact: Nugen Audio; elec- ference (IID) and Inter-aural Time management system that allows the tronic mail [email protected]; Difference (ITD) principles to create user to search, audition, edit, process, Web www.nugenaudio.com/. stereo imaging based on the origi- and batch transfer files. The software nal monophonic source. The GUI can play and convert multi-channel provides controls for the frequency AudioGate 2.0 File Conversion 192-kHz/24-bit audio files. The in- range and stereo width of the IID and terface displays a large multi-channel ITD cues, and features a dynamic Software for Korg’s MR 1-Bit waveform that can be re-sized. The 1 4 -circle visual display for the stereo Recorders user can drag and drop files from image. the interface to any application that The Monofilter is designed to AudioGate 2.0 from Korg is an up- supports it—this includes Pro Tools, correct bass frequency and phase dated version of their audio file con- Final Cut, Digital Performer, Logic problems in mastering and restoring version software for use with their 9, Soundtrack Pro, Pryamix, Ableton old recordings. It includes displays of MR series of 1-bit recorders. (The Live, and Sound Forge. The applica- phase correlation across the frequency MR-1 and MR-1000 were covered in tion can import iTunes libraries and spectrum and allows the user to CMJ 31(2) and a newer MR-2000S has playlists, and V4 databases. Among

104 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 17. Shift, a granular pitch shifting delay from Loomer.

feature allows controls to be mapped to hardware controllers. The user can add tags, annotations, and can perform quick searches. Shift v2 is available as a VST, RTAS, and AU plug-in, and as a stan- dalone application for Macintosh, Windows, and Linux platforms. It is currently a native 64-bit application for Windows VST and Mac OS AU. Shift is a stereo effect, preserving left and right channel separation, and can be used in mono-to-mono, mono-to-stereo, and stereo-to-stereo configurations. A free license up- grade is available for owners of Shift v1. Shift is listed for approximately US$ 80. Contact: Loomer; electronic mail [email protected]; Web the features are a project pane with an can be used as a plug-in or standalone www.loomer.co.uk/. unlimited folder hierarchy, live filter application. Shift offers five indepen- searching, the marking of auditioned dent stereo delay lines with discrete files for instant recall, a search by delay, feedback, pitch shifting, fil- New Releases lyrics, and a library weighting feature ters, pan, and volume control (see that returns the user’s favorite files. Figure 17). The pitch shifting uses a Publications A three-dimensional graphical search granular synthesis engine with user interface, the LaunchPad, is also control over the grain parameters. Richard Boulanger and Victor Laz- provided. Monophonic audio analysis is used zarini, editors: The Audio Program- Soundminer can import and read to track pitch information for use in ming Book (hardcover, 2011, ISBN metadata in multiple formats and can in-scale pitch shifting and harmonies. 978-0-262-01446-5, Cambridge, edit and add metadata to files. It also The latest version of the software, Massachussetts/London: The MIT allows the user to drag audio files v2, adds filters to reduce the signal Press, mitpress.mit.edu/). and the associated metadata into the bandwidth and a real-time tuning Ros Bandt, Michelle Duffy, and timelines of AVID Media Composer indicator that can be used to calibrate Dolly MacKinnon, editors: Hearing and Final Cut Pro. Multiple databases the tracker. Tracking presets can be Places: Sound, Place, Time and of music and sound effects can be saved. An x-y grid control allows Culture (hardcover, 2007, ISBN created. Soundminer is available the user simultaneous control of 978-1-847-18255-5, Newcastle for both Windows and Macintosh two delay parameters in real-time. A upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars operating systems. modulation matrix is also provided Publishing, www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/ Soundminer prices range from to shape the delay parameters. Four Hearing-Places–Sound–Place US$ 199 to US$ 499. Contact: Sound- tempo-synchronizable LFOs are avail- –Time-and-Culture.htm). miner, 157 Princess Street, Toronto, able as modulation sources with each Joanna Demers: Listening Through Canada M5A 4M4; telephone (+1) capable of producing sawtooth, sine, the Noise: The Aesthetics of Ex- 416-644-1066; fax (+1) 416-214-9912; triangle, or square waves, and stepped perimental Electronic Music (hard- electronic mail sales@soundminer random noise. cover/softcover, 2010, ISBN 978- .com; Web www.soundminer.com/. A range of more than 100 presets 0-19-538765-0/978-0-19-538766-7, are built into the application and the Oxford/New York: Oxford Univer- Loomer Shift user can create partial presets based sity Press, www.oup.com/). Shift from Loomer is a diatonic gran- on delay voices, the grain engine, and Andy Farnell: Designing Sound ular pitch shifting delay. The software the tracker settings. A MIDI learn (hardcover, 2010, ISBN

Products of Interest 105

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_a_00062 by guest on 01 October 2021 978-0-262-01441-0, Cambridge/ softcover, 2010, ISBN 978-0-19- .innova.mu or music.columbia London: The MIT Press, mitpress 536840-6/978-0-19-536841-3, Ox- .edu/∼chris/). .mit.edu/). ford/New York: Oxford University Ana Milosavljevic: Reflections (CD, Dan Hosken: An Introduction Press, www.oup.com/). 2010, innova 776, www.innova to Music Technology (hard- Tara Rodgers, editor: Pink Noises: .mu/ or www.anamilo.com/). cover/softcover/ebook, 2011, Women on Electronic Music and Maggi Payne: Arctic Winds (CD, 2010, ISBN 978-0-415-87827-2/978-0- Sound (hardcover/softcover, 2010, innova 783, www.innova.com/ or 415-99729-4/978-0-203-84951-4, ISBN 978-0-8223-4661-6/978- www.maggipayne.com/). New York: Routledge, www 0-8223-4673-9, Durham, North Dario Sanfilippo: Premio Malat- .routledge.com/). Carolina: Duke University Press, tia (CD, 2008, Creative Mark Katz: Capturing Sound: How www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ Sources Recordings cs145, Technology Has Changed Music ViewProduct.php?productid=13784 www.creativesourcesrec.com/). (softcover, 2010, ISBN 978-0-520- or www.pinknoises.com/pn book 26105-1, Berkeley/Los Angeles/ .html). London: University of California Multimedia Press, www.ucpress.edu/). Recordings Louis Niebur: Special Sound: The Various: Sounding Out! (DVD-Video, Creation and Legacy of the BBC Christopher Bailey: Immolation 2010, everglade records EVG10-01, Radiophonic Workshop (hardcover/ Ritual (CD, 2010, innova 695, www everglade.org/).

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