TECHNOLOGY
► iZotope, Inc. has released iZotope Iris™, a new concept in sound design and sample manipulation in the form of a “visual instrument.” Powered by iZotope’s visual feedback technology, Iris lets you unearth a world of sounds you’ve never heard before. Delve into Iris’s spectrogram to extract, layer, manipulate, and discover new sounds from within any audio file. With extended synthesis features, hundreds of presets, and 4 GB of source material, Iris is an impressive tool for sound design, musical inspiration, and sonic experimentation. Iris Key Features: Bring any audio file into Iris and isolate the spectral portions with a set of selection tools. Play your custom sound from any MIDI controller. Create new textures and soundscapes by layering multiple sounds from similar or completely diverse audio sources. Rely on intelligent root note detection to help shape musical material from noise, ambient textures, and soundscapes, then use advanced controls to tweak, modulate, and add effects to taste. MSRP $249. www.izotope.com.
► Axia Audio introduced a new family of audio nodes for Livewire AoIP. Axia xNodes are a family of audio interfaces that convert traditional analog and digital audio signals into the routable, low-latency, uncompressed Livewire™ IP-Audio streams used by Axia AoIP networks. “xNodes make setting up an IP-Audio network faster than ever before,” says Axia President Michael “Catfish” Dosch. “They’re small, so you can put them anywhere your audio sources are. And they’re self-configuring. All you have to do is plug them into your network, give them an ID, and start connecting audio sources.” xNodes run cool and silent. Their telecom-grade auto-ranging internal power supplies are fanless, and consume only 14 Watts of power. They can also draw Power-over-Ethernet from a network switch with PoE, or the power injector included with each xNode. xNodes can be configured to provide either 8-in/8-out mono streams or 4-in/4-out stereo streams. Along with convenient RJ-45 ports for each audio input and output, xNodes also present all audio signals on locking DB-25 connectors that are compatible with industry-standard DB-to-XLR snakes. Axia xNodes are available in five different versions: The Analog xNode has 8 mono balanced line-level inputs and 8 mono balanced line-level outputs (or 4 stereo inputs and outputs). The AES/EBU xNode provides 4 stereo digital inputs and 4 stereo digital outputs, which can also be treated as 8 mono inputs and 8 mono outputs. The Microphone xNode has four professional-grade microphone preamps with selectable Phantom power and software-adjustable gain. The GPIO xNode provides 6 general-purpose logic ports for control of studio peripherals - audio devices, loudspeaker muting relays, signal lamps, et cetera - each with 5 opto-isolated inputs and 5 outputs. The Mixed-Signal xNode is tailored for applications that require a mix of different audio I/O types. It provides 1 selectable Mic/Line analog input with XLR connector, 2 dedicated analog line inputs, 3 analog line outputs, 1 digital AES3 input and 1 AES3 output, and 2 GPIO ports. Suggested list pricing on Analog, AES/EBU and Microphone xNodes is $1,495 USD; Mixed-Signal xNodes list at $1,595, and GPIO xNodes at $1,295. Also new from Axia, the RAQ, a rackmount six-channel IP mixer designed to meet the demands of newscasts or news assembly. RAQ is well-suited to any application for which a rack- or turret-mounted mixer is needed. Paired with the fanless Axia QOR.16 console engine, RAQ is perfect for standalone operation, but can also connect to Axia Livewire™ networks to share audio with other studios. Setup is easy: RAQ connects to the QOR.16 with a single cable. QOR.16 is an “integrated console engine” which contains analog, AES/EBU and Livewire I/O, GPIO logic ports, console power supply and CPU, and a zero-configuration network switch with Gigabit. A single QOR.16 engine can be used with two Axia RAQ consoles (or with the new DESQ desktop mixer), making a very cost-effective solution for multi-console installations. A RAQ with QOR.16 carries a suggested list price of just $4,690 USD; adding a second RAQ costs $1,695 more. www.AxiaAudio.com.
► Mixed In Key announces the release of Mashup 1.5 (Mac and Windows), a free update to its mashup-creation software application. The enhanced features of the new version make it easier to construct beat-matched and harmonically compatible mashups from two or more song files. Mashup 1.5 works in conjunction with the company’s harmonic-mixing application, Mixed In Key 5, to create a complete mashup-creation toolkit for DJs, producers, remixers, and podcasters. New features in Mashup 1.5 include: Improved beat matching, cut/copy/paste editing of audio sections within a single track, looping of audio, splitting of audio tracks into multiple segments that can be easily moved around to create new arrangements, phase adjustment of individually selected segments, and numerous performance and stability enhancements. Mashup retails for $39. If you’re a registered owner of Mixed In Key Mashup 1.0, the upgrade is free. mashup.mixedinkey.com.
► Voxengo HarmoniEQ update version 2.2 is now available for download. Voxengo HarmoniEQ, available in AudioUnit and VST plug-in formats (including native 64-bit support), for Mac OS X (v10.5 and later), and Windows computers, is a parametric, harmonically-enhanced equalizer plug-in for professional music production applications. Version 2.2 update includes the following changes: -6 dB/oct low-pass and high-pass filters added, window resizing implemented, and native 64-bit AudioUnit and VST support on Mac OS X added. Voxengo HarmoniEQ is available for purchase on-line for USD 79.95. www.voxengo.com.
► Propellerhead announced the availability of Figure for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Fast, streamlined and fun, Figure enables even an inexperienced musician to make original music in seconds. Figure for iOS is designed from the ground up for mobile environments where users want to make some music fast. Even non-musicians will quickly be playing their own beats and songs with drums, bass and lead parts. With an incredibly easy-to-use touch interface, Figure offers a huge amount of control with simple gestures. Figure is deep, facilitating many ways to tweak sounds and parameters. There’s major synth power under its hood, powered by Propellerhead’s Reason. Figure highlights: Make songs with drums, bass and lead synth; Play by sliding a finger across the play pad; Always stay in key and on the beat; No previous playing skills required; Tweak and twist tracks on the fly. Full product info on Figure can be found at www.propellerheads.se. ►
PRODUCTION LIBRARIES
► New releases from Firstcom include: CHAP30 Dynamic Underscores 2 - Beautiful landscapes, driving rhythms and delicate design. CHAP391 Kitsch N Synch - Chappell Vault Series: Kitsch for all your culinary needs. CHAP392 Quirky Characters - Chappell Vault Series: Curiously quirky offerings from the archive, perfect for comedy and light-hearted japes. CHAP393 Minimal Underscores - From solo instruments to orchestral. Gentle, thoughtful, uplifting, unsettling, moody or panoramic underscores for human stories, nature, travel and more. CHAP394 Proud To Be British - Chappell Vault Series: Quintessential British themes from the Chappell archive. CHAP395 Acoustic Christmas - Well-known Christmas tunes reworked with an acoustic twist. NUGGESTS06 Vol 6: More New Mixes - More strange and wonderful remixes of the legendary Bernard Fevre. EVO171 Shuffle 2 - Spot-friendly, genre bending, breezy moods and airy vibes; a perfect complement for spots and promos pushing products, ideas and good times. Audition these at more at www.firstcom.com.
► Pro Sound Effects, a sound effects library and licensing company, released the next version of its website. Prosoundeffects.com v2.0 feature highlights include: • Pro Sound Effects Online Library for individual downloads: Search, preview and download from over 116,062 sound effects from PSE’s 7 continually updated catalogs. PSE Catalogs that comprise the Online Library include Blastwave FX, BBC, Foundation, Soundrangers, Sound Control SE, Clack and more. Sound effects downloads are available in 24/96, 16/48, 16/44.1 broadcast .wav format, as well as mp3, and all contain embedded metadata. • The Libraries Section delivers a new interface for easily navigating and exploring PSE sound effects hard drives, DVDs and large downloadable collections. • The Licensing Section serves as a dedicated sound effects licensing resource, where PSE provides information on multi-user and custom licensing options, broken down by industry, usage type, and catalog. www.prosoundeffects.com. ►
THE MIX
► After 28+ years in the radio business, Producer and R.A.P. Contributor Craig Jackman (CHEZ-FM/KISS-FM) is leaving to become Professor – Radio Broadcasting at Loyalist College in Belleville Ontario!
► Robin Egerton is pleased to announce he has accepted a position with Astral Radio Calgary. After nearly 5 years as Producer for CKLM 106.1 The Goat, and CFNA 99.7 The Wolf, it is time for him to take on a new challenge in a larger market. Returning to the city he was born, and close to the Rocky Mountains, Robin is excited to work with an outstanding team of creative and on-air staff, and to take his skill set to the next level. He would like to thank the Goat for 4 ¾ great years.
► Coast to Coast AM host George Noory announced two new voices have joined the most-listened-to overnight radio program in North America. Dick Ervasti now lends his voice to the program’s introductions, while Charles Thomas voices on-air announcements and promos, as well as Somewhere in Time with Art Bell. Based in Minneapolis, Ervasti is a veteran voice actor with credits ranging from America’s Most Wanted and the blockbuster film Transformers, to The History Channel and the CBS hit drama NCIS. Thomas also has a wide-range of credits, which include commercials for Samsung, Chevy Silverado, The Home Depot, the Syfy original series Warehouse 13 and FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance. Ervasti and Thomas will replace long-time Coast to Coast AM announcer Ross Mitchell, who has left to pursue other opportunities. www.CoastToCoastAM.com.
► College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI), which represents students and campus radio/TV/webcasting stations, has launched its new Associate Membership Program for individuals, business, and organizations who wish to support CBI’s activities on behalf of student broadcasters nationwide. The program was developed in response to an expressed desired by those who care about or work with college media organizations to help further the interests of student broadcasters. “CBI is at the forefront of assisting students and stations with the most challenging issues facing student broadcasters today,” says CBI President Gregory Weston. “Through our educational and advocacy efforts on behalf of student broadcasters, we’ve discovered there are individuals and businesses who are as passionate about college media as we are. Our Associate Membership Program offers them way to support CBI’s mission and its members.” Associate Membership in CBI comes in two main categories – individual and organizational. Individual membership begins at $125 annually, while corporate/institutional membership starts at $250 annually. A unique aspect of CBI’s Associate Membership Program is a special category for small businesses, which is just $175 annually. “A lot of small businesses work with college stations and we want to recognize their contribution to our niche within the media industry by giving these businesses their own special membership category,” says Weston. More than 200 stations representing thousands of student broadcasters are currently members of CBI. Furthering the mission and goals of CBI has become more urgent for those who care about college broadcasters and nurturing today’s students. CBI has successfully represented student radio stations that also webcast before the Copyright Royalty Board to keep fees and recordkeeping reasonable for student-run stations. The organization is active on the issue of schools selling their terrestrial stations, something that has alarmed many students and industry professionals alike. Through its website, listservs and social media, CBI provides daily guidance to its members on a variety of issues, including FCC regulations, royalties, and effective student management. CBI will remain active on these and other matters in the years ahead. www.askcbi.org. ▲