► TASCAM has introduced the DP-24SD, a 24-track Digital Portastudio that’s simple to use to keep musicians creative. The latest model records to rugged solid-state media – economical and expandable SD Cards. Eight XLR mic inputs with phantom power provide enough preamps to record a full band, and each input has available compression and limiting during recording. A color LCD display, channel control strip, and a range of effects make the DP-24SD the ultimate production station for musicians. Built into the DP-24SD are three types of effects. Up to eight dynamics effects can be routed to any or all inputs during recording for polished-sounding tracks. A multieffects processor provides amp simulation, delay, chorus, and more. And an adjustable reverb is available on send and return. Additional features include: 1/4” instrument level input; up to eight-track simultaneous recording at 48kHz/24- bit audio resolution; virtual tracks for alternate takes and undo; built-in chromatic tuner and metronome; 1⁄4” monitor, effect send, and headphone outputs; USB 2.0 connection to computer. www.tascam.com.
► iZ Technology Corporation has begun shipping RADAR studio (patent pending). A best-in-class "audio appliance", RADAR studio integrates optimized hardware with popular DAW software in a native recording, mixing, and playback environment. "The RADAR studio is free of unnecessary bloat ware and it runs beautifully with its high speed SSD's and massive RAM capacity," said Dan Brace of Sonic Farm Recording Studio in Buffalo, NY, an early adopter of RADAR studio. "The converters are providing the same sweet sound we experienced with RADAR 6, but with the added editing power Pro Tools provides." RADAR studio Key Features: near-zero jitter, pristine signal path and the latest converter technology; runs Pro Tools - track, mix and automate, using all plug-ins and features of native DAW software; simplicity - just arm tracks and hit record; workflow - integrate iZ Session Controller and Meter Bridge for a traditional studio feel; customizable - configurable I/O, drive bays, external media, DSP cards, and peripherals. Pricing varies with configuration. www.izcorp.com.
► Audio-Technica debuted its BP40 Large-Diaphragm Broadcast Microphone, a dynamic vocal microphone with rich, clear, natural condenser-like sound for a variety of applications including radio, overdubs, post-production, podcasting and more. The mic’s hypercardioid polar pattern provides isolation of the desired sound source, and maximum off-axis rejection when working in close production environments. Its optimized capsule placement helps maintain a commanding vocal presence even at a distance, while the multistage windscreen provides superior internal pop filtering. It also includes a switchable 100 Hz high-pass filter to provide even more pop protection. The BP40 comes standard with the AT8483 mounting clamp, and for additional protection from noise, shock and vibration, the optional AT8484 shock mount is available separately. Specs include: Frequency response: 50-16,000 Hz; low frequency roll-off: 100 Hz, 6 dB/octave; impedance: 450 ohms. The BP40 will be available July 2015 with a U.S. estimated street price of $349.00. Also from Audio-Technica, the AT2020USBi Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone featuring iOS compatibility. Combining high-resolution audio with increased connectivity options, the AT2020USBi cardioid condenser microphone adds a new level of sound-quality and convenience to Audio-Technica’s USB microphone line. Modeled after the AT2020, this digital output mic features an A/D converter with a 24-bit/96 kHz sampling rate to deliver high-resolution articulation and intelligibility that’s perfect for home studio recording, field recording, podcasting and voiceover use. The AT2020USBi brings high-resolution audio (24-bit/96 kHz) to A-T’s line of USB mics. The AT2020USBi works with both USB and Lightning cables (included), so users can employ it straight from the box to digitally capture audio on the device of their choice: PC, Mac or iOS. The integrated gain control adds to the convenience, allowing users to adjust the input level directly on the microphone. The AT2020USBi will be available Summer 2015 with a U.S. estimated street price of $199.00. www.audio-technica.com.
► New from Waves Audio, the Waves H-Reverb plugin, a pioneering reverb based on algorithmic FIR (Finite Impulse Response) reverberation technology, providing richer, deeper reverb tails that sit beautifully in the mix while breathing crisp air into your tracks. The FIR engine that powers H-Reverb lets you shape and customize the reverb decay envelope beyond the standard linear forms, resulting in perfectly gated, real reverse, and dense reverb tails that don’t muddy up the mix. Taking things one step further, H-Reverb incorporates Waves’ advanced analog modeling along with a drive control, offering signal behavior that until now was found exclusively in high-end hardware reverb devices. This unique design also enables input drive, a technique favored by many top engineers. H-Reverb includes a library of artist presets from the industry’s leading mixing engineers. Additional features include: Impulse-variable resonant filtering for creating unfamiliar and advanced reverb effects; EQ and dynamics module for compression, ducking and de-essing; ADA analog modeling and drive control for input clipping and more. www.waves.com.
► Voxengo has released Spatifier, a “mono to stereo” spatial enhancer plugin for professional sound and music production applications. This plugin can be effectively used to turn mono tracks into spatially-enhanced stereo tracks: it works great for clean and distorted guitars, synth instruments, piano, organ, back vocals and other sounds. Spatifier can also be used to “densify” the sound of reverb sends, and to add “body” to thin and flat sounds. Spatifier decorrelates the signal in the left and right channels while retaining the “mono compatibility”. Such decorrelation creates the “as wide as possible” surround effect. This effect can be usually used in place of double-tracking technique. The spatial impression can be adjusted in the range from the “in your face” direct to a distant reverby sound. USD 69.95. Also from Voxengo, updated Sound Delay v1.6 and Tube Amp v2.5 freeware audio plugins are now available for download. These plugins are available in AudioUnit, VST and VST3 plugin formats (including native 64-bit support), for Mac OS X (v10.6 and later), and Windows computers. These updates feature the following additions: Added VST3 support; implemented color scheme editor with load and save functions; added "Brown" and "White" color schemes; redesigned the infrastructure controls and more. Sound Delay is an auxiliary multi-channel signal delaying AU and VST plugin for professional audio applications. You may specify delay time in both milliseconds and samples, with a high level of precision. This plugin – being technical in its purpose – provides a basic signal delaying function only, without signal feedback or modulation capabilities. Tube Amp is an audio effect AU and VST plugin that applies asymmetric tube triode overdrive usually found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes. The sound this plugin produces varies from a mild “warm” overdrive to a fuzzy distortion. www.voxengo.com.
► WaveDNA has released Liquid Rhythm v1.4.4, which introduces a number of improvements and fixes. Most notably, version 1.4.4 includes direct support for the iConPad hardware controller, Livid Instruments Base II, and VST 3.0 API as well as support for Bitwig Studio, FL Studio, and Sonar Platinum. Liquid Rhythm is a beat-creation software that lets you create intricate, interesting beats with speed and precision. It’s the first sequencer that lets you make beats using note clusters and patterns instead of individual notes; and it completely streamlines your workflow. Use Liquid Rhythm standalone, with your DAW, or fully integrated with Ableton Live via the Max for Live bridge. www.wavedna.com. ►