Music Technology News and Trends

Version 6 runs without DSP hardware

Version 6 runs without DSP hardware

Mix executive editor George Petersen remembers Audio pioneer and innovator Keith Elliott Barr—perhaps best known as the founder of Alesis Electronics—who was found in his home in Vancouver, Wash., on August 24, 2010, and had passed away due to an apparent heart attack.

Guitar Center announces a management succession plan that the company says it will implement during the fourth quarter of 2010. Under this plan, Greg Trojan, presently President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer. Trojan will also remain a member of Guitar Center’s Board of Directors. Marty Albertson, presently Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, will step down as Chief Executive Officer but will remain as non-executive Chairman of the Board.

Phonic has released a major upgrade for its Summit digital mixing console that offers performance enhancements for the unit's reverb effects and dynamic processors, and also upgrades its link and delay functions.

These upgrades introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production.

MIDI Out is a less-expensive, less-processor-intensive version of the full StringPort software suite. StringPort MIDI Out converts audio from hexaphonic guitar pickups into accurate MIDI data with low latency.

Beta-stage software finally brings 64-bit compatibility

12 cores, two SuperDrives and 8TB storage!

With two expertly engineered drum kits for use in the free Kontakt Player and the Kontakt 4 sampler, Abbey Road 80s Drums allows musicians and producers to recreate the defining drum sound of the '80s with the highest level of sonic fidelity and authenticity.

Soulful Pop musical library delivers more than 3.8 GB of authentic, high-quality pop arrangements spiced up with a breeze of soul. The 18 song-oriented construction kits (including an intro, a main part, two variations and an outro) have a musical spectrum that ranges from slow soulful songs to smooth pop songs up to classy pop rock songs.

This library offers complete song-structure MIDI organized as separate songs, featuring several full intros, verses, pre-choruses, choruses, bridges and fills.

Mix magazine managing editor Sarah Benzuly reviews the Papa Roach release 'Time for Annihilation...On the Record and On the Road' for Mix magazine's online Cool Spin CD reviews.

Muse Research and Development has announced a major overhaul of its www.plugorama.com website, which supports the company's Receptor 2 line of dedicated hardware plug-in players.

Aphex in Sun Valley, Calif., has appointed pro audio veteran Jim Bailey to the position of Product Manager. In his new position, Bailey will oversee the development of Aphex's core line of professional audio and broadcast products, as well as the company's expansion into other markets.

API in Jessup, Md., announces that the company's Lunchbox has been awarded trademark status by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Granted on July 13, 2010, the registration helps recognize API as the creator of the format and allows API to more effectively market the lunchbox frame, which can hold up to six of the 500 Series models.

NetworkSound in San Jose, Calif., announces the stand-alone, single-rackspace 16-channel Mamba ANADAT analog-to-ADAT converter and Mamba AES-Analog analog to AES/EBU converter ($TBA). Both units operate at 24-bit/44.1 or 48 kHz and are upgradeable to 24-bit/96 kHz.

Class-A amps with Lundahl output transformers

3.8GB of pop music construction kits

SoundCloud and Creative Commons announce partnership