Monday, January 31, 2005
NAMM: New M-Audio Keyboard
M-Audio was demonstrating a new fully-weighted action 88 key USB keyboard at NAMM. With built in piano, strings and bass samples from Spectrasonics, the new keyboard sounded great! It doesn't include speakers, but according to M-Audio will be very affordable - likely the most affordable fully-weighted keyboard with built in sounds available. I would definitely pay a few extra bucks to have the piano samples built in, instead of having to fire up my PC.
No word on pricing or availability yet.
- Kelly.
Posted at 11:23 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
NAMM: Tascam 1804
Tascam's new Firewire products have been a Kelly's Music favourite, and the release of a driver update for the FW-1884 was welcome news. If you don't need the mixing surface (or don't want to spend the money!), the new FW-1804 is a serious option. With 4 XLR mic inputs and another 4 line inputs, the FW-1804 also offers two MIDI ins and a great software bundle. Everything you need for serious audio recording is available in the FW-1804.
- Kelly
Posted at 10:43 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
NAMM: Groove Agent 2
Groove Agent, the very popular virtual drummer for any VST host is being updated to Version 2. Offering additional "modern" styles, GA2 will appeal to anyone who needs a quick and great sounding drum line without hiring a studio drummer. Other new features include the ability to export the groove to a MIDI file for import into other software.
- Kelly
Posted at 10:38 AM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
NAMM: Cakewalk Project 5 Version 2 & 64 Bit Sonar...
Cakewalk had a couple new products to preview at NAMM. First up was the much anticipated Version 2 of Project 5. With a new PSYN II subtractive synth and support for multi-track audio, along with support for creating your own Acid Loops, the new version should be a popular choice for anyone looking for an environment for creating, composing, and performing with live soft synths.
Customers that purchase full retail packages of Project5 Version 1 or 1.5 after February 1, 2005 will receive a free upgrade to Project5 Version 2 directly from Cakewalk.
Of more interest to us geeks is the release of a 64 bit version of Sonar. Cakewalk has always shared the cutting edge with Microsoft, helping develop standards such as WDM. With Microsoft finishing it's testing of a 64 bit of Windows, and M-Audio releasing beta drivers to support 64 bit processing, Cakewalk's announcement of a 64 bit version of Sonar will make this new platform a viable option for musicians.
- Kelly
Posted at 1:05 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
NAMM: Notation Software Merging with Sequencing?
Every year, I look forward to seeing some really innovative ideas at NAMM. A few years back it was Live. Despite all of the great sounding soft synths, and the much anticipated announcement of Garritan's new editions of GPO, the highlight of the NAMM show for me was Geniesoft's upcoming version of Scorewriter and Overutre.
Not a lot of attention has been paid to the notation market in the past while, with many feeling that aside from incremental upgrades, there wasn't a lot of room for innovation. Geniesoft has everyone paying attention with their announcement of support for VST plug-ins in the upcoming release of Version 4 of the venerable notation programs Scorewriter and Overture.
In addition to allowing you to playback your score with any VST instruments or effects, Geniesoft has also integrated a host of MIDI editing features previously only found in sequencing programs. A strip chart and piano roll can be super-imposed on the staff, allowing you to individually edit the playback parameters of any note or series of notes. This can be delinked from the notation, so that you can adjust the beginning or ending of a note without affecting the notation. If you wish, the notation can be rescored based on your changed to the playback in an instant.
Expect to see support for basic digital audio features in future versions, bridging the gap between the current notation vs. multi-track recording situation. Perhaps in the near future you won't need to use two programs?
Purchase Scorewriter or Overture from Kelly's Music & Computers now and receive a free upgrade to the new versions from Geniesoft.
- Kelly
Posted at 1:00 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Saturday, January 15, 2005
R-1 Update
Edirol's popular R-1 portable WAVE and MP3 recorder now supports up to 4GB Compact Flash cards. The R-1 stores files directly to Compact Flash allowing convenient access and memory capacity. It also has a USB 2.0 connection allowing for quick data transfer to and from your computer.
The R-1 comes with two built-in omni directional electret mics, as well as external line and mic inputs for quick and clean stereo capture. The R-1 can capture 24-bit/44.1kHz linear WAVE files, as well as a variety of MP3 formats, giving you a variety of input options.
The R-1 features a 24-bit internal effects processor which includes effects such as Noise Reduction, Hum Cut, 10-band EQ, Reverb, Center Cancel and more. It also includes a Metronome, Tuner, half-speed playback, and A-B repeat to loop one section of an audio file for practicing tools when you're on the go.
The R-1 is now shipping, but is backordered until April. We highly suggest that you order soon to get on the waiting list for this extremely popular device!
- Kristin
Posted at 1:42 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Using Tablet PC's in the classroom...
Part of a continuing series...
The Tablet also makes a great collaboration tool, allowing students to work together with notation based or other creativity programs such as Reason. Computer based recording can become more mobile and accessible with a Tablet PC. A cardbus soundcard, such as the Indigo I/O, offers high quality recording and playback without the need for an external power source. This can be a lot easier than setting up gear and gives students the opportunity to immediately listen and share their music with others.
- Kelly
Posted at 4:38 PM by Kelly's Music :: Archived :: TrackBack (0) ::