The R24 digital multitrack recorder adds a sampler/drum machine, eight additional recording tracks and six channels of phantom power to the company’s R16. The R24 offers 24-track playback and 8-track simultaneous recording, an audio interface, a control surface and a drum pad sampler.
The R24’s new sampler function comprises 24 built-in voices that can be triggered using eight pads and three bank keys to assign sounds to each track and create loops. Also, the unit’s drum machine and its 400 rhythm patterns can be used to create original backing beats or output a metronome for tempo control. As a bonus feature, exclusive loops by Grammy Award–winner Peter Erskine are included.
The R24 records on SD memory cards and supports cards up to 32 GB for more than 100 track hours of recording. More than 100 built-in studio and mastering effects can be used to enhance recordings.
In addition, the R24’s USB audio interface allows users to record tracks to any Mac or PC and use the system’s control surface capabilities to manage the functions of most DAW software programs, most notably the included Cubase LE 5.
…so far not much that makes (at least) me impressed, here are a few samples collected. But I encourage you to respond if I have missed out on anything of importance.
Arturia introduced a series of three hybrid synthesizers
Ableton and Serato announced The Bridge
Eigenlabs made the US debut of the Eigenharp Alpha and Pico, and made the world debut of the Eigenharp Tau
Roland announces the VP-7 Vocal Processor The Human Voice section provides rich and expressive choral backing by just playing the keyboard — no singing required.
Roland introduces the VR-700 Features:
Roland’s acclaimed Virtual Tone Wheel and COSM technology provide authentic organ sound
Dedicated harmonic bars, rotary-speaker simulation, and amp models, including Active Amp Enhancer
76-key waterfall keyboards offers smooth glissandos, fast action, and provides enough keys for splits
Dual-manual simulation with Split function plus pedalboard capability (optional Roland PK-25A, PK-7A)
Essential ensemble sounds (with tone remain function) onboard, including 88-key multi-sampled pianos, EP, strings, brass, synth pads, and more
Full polyphony in the organ section, 128-voice polyphony for the ensemble section
WAV/AIFF/MP3/SMF playback function for backing tracks
Built-in rhythm patterns for practice and play-along performance
Store user and system settings onboard and to USB memory sticks
Versatile I/O, including professional XLR outputs
At Winter NAMM 2010, Peavey Electronics and Muse Research and Development have introduced the new, portable, flexible MuseBox Musical Instrument and Effects Box. The MuseBox uses virtual instruments and effects technology in a brand-new way, so players of all types can easily take cutting-edge software-based synths, sounds and effects to rehearsals, gigs, to the practice room, or to the studio
Automap 3 was announced at Winter NAMM 2009 and is now available. As of this release there are now 2 versions, free and pay.
Automap 3 is the latest incarnation of Novation’s intelligent software system. Automap is unique to Novation’s MIDI controllers, and has now been enhanced with a wealth of eagerly anticipated features. Until now Automap had focused on plug-in control, but exciting developments bring a new level of DAW control…
No matter what music software you use, Automap offers an instant controlling solution for all your plug-ins. It supports VST, AU and Pro Tools (TDM/RTAS) plug-in formats (TDM/RTAS support is currently Mac only. PC will follow soon). It allows hardware controllers to interact with plug-in instruments and effects. Opening up any Automappable plug-in instantly maps parameters to physical controls on Novation’s SL- and Nocturn controllers. These can be re-assigned using an ultra-quick ‘learn’ mode, which simply involves clicking the on-screen parameter and touching the desired hardware controller. In addition to DAW control templates on board the SL range (mixer, transport etc) Automap 3 comes with full HUI implementation for control of HUI compatible DAWs such Logic, Pro Tools and Digital Performer.
HUI – HUI control is now fully implemented within Automap, allowing control over all HUI compatible DAW’s including Logic, Pro Tools and Digital Performer. This includes control over volume, pan, aux sends, track arm, mute/solo and more…
Start-up Screen – A new start-up screen now makes managing your plug-ins and setting up your DAW even easier. It also gives you one-click access to online support, tutorials and the latest updates.
Multiple device support – Automap 3 Pro supports multiple devices, so numerous Novation controllers can be used side by side.
Keystroke Assignments – Automap 3 Pro can assign almost any computer keyboard shortcuts to hardware controls. For example arrow key functions can now be assigned to hardware controls, allowing you to flick between tracks using buttons on your SL/Nocturn. You could also zoom in and out, open windows or create and jump to markers in your DAW.
XY Pad Control – Fully Auto-mappable XY Pad control, expression pedal, control pedal and drum pad control. The Automap server can now assign parameters to all these controllers using the ultra-quick learn facility. (Pedal/pad control not supported by SL Compact)
Drag and Drop – You can now drag and drop control mappings and control map groups in the GUI, allowing you to re-assign knobs, faders and buttons by simply grabbing them with the mouse and dropping them on the new controller.
Autoview Mode – Optional Autoview mode means that the GUI only becomes visible when a controller is touched, then it disappears again allowing you to get back to your DAW.
The reason I recommend the V-Synth is because it is the only synth of its kind that provides an amazing combination of sampling, synthesis and looping along with the best set of programmable controllers ever assembled. Having such a great knobular synth combined with touch screen and a loaded controller set makes this an awesome performance keyboard. The factory sounds are great and it’s cool that you can always recover them if you want them. The best part is creating your own sounds because this keyboard makes it so easy and awesomely fun.
Roland’s original V-Synth set a new standard in expressive synthesis and sound design. It won awards and acclaim around the world, as it forever changed the way sounds were created and performed. But just when you thought V-Synth technology had reached its peak, Roland raised the bar even higher with the new flagship V-Synth GT! This unique instrument injects the V-Synth’s famous Elastic Audio Synthesis engine with revolutionary Articulative Phrase Synthesis technology. Its expression and realism is unprecedented, as is its ability to make never-before-heard sounds.
French physical-modelling company Arturia were showing updates to two of their software products at the NAMM show.
Apart from a raft of new presets to help you get going quickly, the new version of the Minimoog V has what developers call an “advanced automation mode” that lets you draw in your own waveshapes.
More impressive is a new system that lets you navigate through Minimoog prestets. Patches are marked as points on a GUI called Sound Map (left), which resembles a chart of star constellations, and are grouped near similar-sounding presets. If you find, say, a lead sound you like but aren’t totally convinced by, you can open Sound Map and select an adjacent point on its chart, to get a subtly different sound. You can also morph between up to four points, to create a unique blend of a number of patches.
1. Ableton Live 8 The indications are that a new version of Ableton’s groundbreaking DAW could be shown in Anaheim.
2. The ‘producer product’ from Native Instruments We already know that NI will be launching three new products at NAMM – a hunch is that it will be the biggest NI product innovation in years”.
3. Cubase 5 Steinberg’s revelation that its NAMM announcement will concern “the apex of many years of technology developed through our passion to help musicians, composers and producers realise their musical creativity” certainly points towards a Cubase update.
4. Melodyne Direct Note Access Having had its release date delayed – it was originally supposed to be available in the fourth quarter of 2008 – we hear that it’s finally ready to go, and should be shown in its almost-finished form at NAMM.
5. AmpliTube 3? IK Multimedia has plans to announce something, and a new version of AmpliTube seems like a logical launch for them.
6. NI new drum machine >> Maschine Native Instruments will be introducing Maschine – a next generation groove production studio that combines hardware and software – at the 2009 NAMM Show.
French physical-modelling company Arturia were showing updates to two of their software products at the NAMM show.
