EQUIPMENT NEWS
RANE is offering a new voice processor. The VP-12 ($599) features a preamp, de-esser, noise gate, expander, compressor, sweepable high and low-cut filters, and two bands of full-range parametric EQ (20-20kHz). 206/355-6000, fax 206/347-7757.
HHB COMMUNICATIONS adds new products to their line. DAT tape lengths have been increased across the range to 15, 35, 50, 65, 95, and 125 minutes. The tape, shell, and packaging have also been upgraded. Also available are two new MO disks, the HHB MO1.3GB and HHB MO2.6GB. Both disks conform to ISO standards. 207/773-2424, fax 207/773-2422, e-mail
LEXICON has a new reverb box. The true stereo PCM-90 features 250 presets, 18-bit D/A and A/D converters, 24-bit internal processing, a PCMCIA slot for storing and loading programs, digital I/O (AES/EBU or S/PDIF), and more. Many of the programs are derived from the popular 480L and 300 effects boxes. 617/736-0300, fax 617/891-0340, e-mail
ROCKSONICS unveils the MB-3X, a stereo compressor that splits the input signal into three frequency bands and lets you compress each band individually. Could make for some interesting effects ($599). 714/229-0840.
Remember how you whined to management that you needed to go digital because the quality was so much better than analog? Try to convince that same manager that you need the AardScape from AARDVARK. This is a small box that uses solid-state circuitry to simulate the distortion caused by saturating analog tape. You get Soft, Medium, and Hard saturation selections with controls for Warmth and Drive ($850). 313/665-8899, fax 313/665-0694, e-mail
TIMELINE VISTA announces the MMR-8 digital multitrack recorder. Records to both removable MO disks or hard disks. Front panel controls on the self-contained rack-mountable unit include jog/shuttle wheel, 9 locate points, the usual transport controls and more. 619/727-3300, fax 619/727-3620, e-mail
ROSS SYSTEMS has a digital EQ. The stereo DPX Digital Mainframe operates totally in the digital domain and features thirty bands of parametric EQ, 18-bit A/D and D/A converters, a compressor, 25 presets, 100 user memory locations, and 12dB of cut/boost ($995). Distributed by International Music Corporation in Ft. Worth, Texas. 817/336-5114, fax 817/870-1271, e-mail intermus@aol. com.
SFX/MUSIC LIBRARY NEWS
FIRSTCOM MUSIC announces the availability of 48 new CDs in the Custom Production Library. 31 CDs available immediately from FirstCom's Production Edge and 17 CDs from Total Access - the music library from Techsonics. FirstCom's Ken Nelson says, "The Production Edge is for stations who want the competitive edge in creative production with edgier rock, hotter country and envelope-tearing Edge EFX." The Total Access library features categories such as Pop, Phat Funk, Rock, Power Beds, Wild Work Parts, Contemporary, Seasonal, Urban, Emotions, New Age, Light Jazz, Specialty, and more. See ad on page 11 for more info or call 800/858-8880, fax 214/404-9656, e-mail
The newest addition to the PROMUSIC library is the eMu Production Music Library from England. The 13 CD collection of orchestral and small-ensemble music covers a variety of styles. Also new are 4 Digiffects SFX CDs including Human (applause, laughter, screams, etc.) and Long Environments (long tracks from bathrooms, city apartments, traffic, etc.). 407/995-0331, fax 407/995-8434.
NETWORK MUSIC announces three new production elements packages. Each package is a 4 CD set with over 300 cuts on each set. Spike offers elements featuring a "hard-edged, belligerent and unapologetic sound." You get "blades, sustains, sweepers, lasers, hits," etc.. Glide offers "subtle, softer, more sophisticated cuts for the adult contemporary audience." The Spike & Glide Comedy Pack is a collection of humorous cuts in categories including Funny FX, Dumb and Drummer, Toonzitions, People FX, and VOX drops. Also new from Network, Music Library volumes #149, #150, #151 and #152 and volumes #73 and #74 from the Sound Effects Library. 800/854-2075.
MANHATTAN PRODUCTION MUSIC adds 3 new CDs to the AppleTrax library: AT13/Action Romance & Comedy, AT14/Suspense & News, and AT15/Blues & Soul Revival. Also, Sports Effects has been added to the Audiophile Sound Effects Series, a single CD with 97 sports sounds. 212/333-5766, fax 212/262-0814.
THE MIX
KIDSTAR INTERACTIVE MEDIA announces the promotion of Mark Malleck from Production Associate to Assistant Program Director. Also announced is their new Web site at http://www.kidstarbiz.com. 206/382-1250.
On May 5th, 44 year old Karl "The Spaceman" Gruber will leave WHOK-FM (after 16 years) to begin his Super Run For The Cure to raise one million dollars for leukemia research. The year long journey will encompass 52 marathons. The project stems from the Leukemia Society of America's goal of "Cure 2000" (to find a cure for leukemia by the year 2000). To reach his goal of one million dollars, Gruber is seeking both individual and corporate donations, in addition to media sponsors in each market he races in. For info call 614/653-4373 or visit Gruber's Web site at http://www.tripod.com./~marathonman/index.html. Good luck, Karl!
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