kevin, Author at AudioWorld

Ableton Announces Live Version 2.0

November 1, 2002 by kevin

Free Upgrade to the New Version available soon for all new users

Ableton, an innovative Berlin-based music software company, today announced LIVE 2.0, a major upgrade of their award-winning sequencing instrument for Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, and Windows. Users that buy or unlock LIVE 1.5 or 1.0 for the first time after November 1, 2002 will be eligible to receive a free (download) upgrade to LIVE 2.0.

Introduced in 2001 as an audio sequencer to be played like an instrument in live performances, LIVE was quickly embraced by studio musicians and post production professionals because of the swiftness and ease with which they could sketch out musical ideas. LIVE version 2.0 offers enhancements to the performance and jamming features of the original software and also adds multi-track recording and editing with “Elastic Audio”.

Elastic Audio refers to LIVE 2.0’s unique ability to render audio totally elastic. This feature allows tempo to be set at anytime during recording, performance or playback. In addition, users can drop in recordings, loops and complete songs, which will play in sync, direct from disk. LIVE 2.0 makes it possible to synchronize loops and recordings of any length at any time. Also, time stretching is no longer limited to loops but can now be applied to any audio material; time stretching algorithms have been optimized for rhythmic and melodic material producing “cleaner” results.

Live 2.0 allows the user to tap tempo during recording and playback. Tempo changes are recordable and editable as a continuous curve. This increases flexibility and speed for looping, synchronizing, improvising and recording – the process has never been faster, easier and more fun.

Multi-track Recording and Editing in LIVE 2.0 turns the arranger view into a full blown multi-track recording and editing suite offering extensive real-time effects, dynamic parameter automation and unlimited undo. Recording can be initiated directly from the arranger window.

Other new features of LIVE 2.0 include:

Advanced automation handling
DJ-like cross-fading
Relative Session Mapping: assignable scene up/down and track launch buttons
Tempo and Transport controls can be mapped to MIDI /Keys
Presets to save and recall effect settings
New effects: Gate; Redux

Pricing and Availability

LIVE 2.0 will be available online from http://www.ableton.com and from Ableton dealers worldwide in December 2002 for a MSRP of US$399.00 (Euro $399). Upgrades from LIVE 1.5 will be available online for US$89 (Euro 89) for a boxed version or US$69 (Euro $69) for a downloadable version.

About Ableton

Ableton’s function is to support creative people with modern software technology. Since the company started in 1999, more than twenty developers and business professionals have joined Ableton–many of them active musicians or DJs. Since the launch of LIVE in October 2001, the company has received outstanding press and customer feedback.

Filed Under: Home Recording

Super-Producers Wyclef Jean & Jerry Wonda Choose Solid State Logic XL 9000 K Series Superanalogue™ Console To Complete Platinum Sound Studios

October 31, 2002 by kevin

New Console Has “Got the Kicks” to Bring Multi-Platinum Projects to Life

Working over the years with acts such as Sinead O’Connor, Whitney Houston, Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, The Fugees, City High, Mary J. Blige, Mya, Destiny’s Child and Carlos Santana, super-producers Wyclef Jean and Jerry Wonda are literally drenched in platinum projects. To keep this incredible momentum up, the decision was made to make their New York City studio, Platinum Sound, an all-Solid State Logic facility featuring an existing room with an SL 9000 J Series, as well as a new room based on the XL 9000 K Series SuperAnalogue™console.

“Right from the start we definitely wanted SSL,” states Jerry Wonda. “SSL consoles are the top of the line and everybody we know uses them. This made the decision to go with the J Series last year and the XL 9000 this year simple; we wanted the best facility, so we installed the best consoles.”

The decision to go with the XL in the new room was based in part on SSL’s reputation, combined with the desire to move into different types of projects like film scoring.

“There are a lot of studios in New York, but none of them ‘got the kicks’, if you know what I mean,” says Wyclef Jean. “We want our little studio to be anything that you want and that meant going with the XL. This console allows us to address 5.1 surround and DVD productions and that brings us into the future today to meet the demands of our business.”

The duo produces their own projects under the name Refugee Camp, with their “home” project studio and record label named Booga Basement with an additional record label Clef Records. The move into NYC was based on the sheer amount of demand.

“Basically, New York City is where the business is at,” claims Jean. “We found ourselves doing a lot of recording in New Jersey and a lot in New York, so we decided to build our own facility in New York because everyone is already there and that makes life easier for us.”

The J Series studio has been solidly booked since opening 18 months ago, and demand for XL sessions is already building up steam. The purchase of the XL also makes life easier because of the new High-Speed automation computer and integral 5.1 surround capabilities.

“The recall factor saves a lot of time,” says Wonda. “When you move something in a mix, the computer remembers it. This is very powerful because we always go back and listen to things and bang! you’re there. The mic pres sound great and the UltiPan system is hot. Everything you want to do can be done and that helps our vision of the future because we are looking at many types of media production. We are going into DVD and surround mixes. We are going into film and TV. The XL 9000 K Series will let us accomplish these directions and that is powerful.”

Filed Under: Pro Audio

Native Instruments Announces That Reaktor Electronic Instruments Vol.1 Is Now Shipping

October 24, 2002 by kevin

Reaktor Electronic Instruments Vol.1 is an exciting set of new instruments for REAKTOR 3 and features seven versatile instruments designed to inject creativity and freshness into techno, industrial, drum and bass, electro, IDM, and electronic productions. Three powerful synthesizers, three unique effects, and a drum machine are packed with presets and ready to resonate. An inspiring resource for all electronic music producers, Reaktor Electronic Instruments excels at driving basslines and dense atmospheres, futuristic leads and faraway delays, potent rhythms and poetic sequences.

The recommended retail price is $69.90 US / 69.90 Euro.

For more information please go to the Reaktor page at the Native Instruments website.

Filed Under: Home Recording

Axiom Audio Introduces M2i Compact Speaker with New Titanium Tweeter

June 20, 2002 by kevin

Axiom Audio founder and chief designer Ian Colquhoun today announced the Axiom M2i, a much-improved new 2-way speaker.

The new compact ported system uses a 5 1/4-inch aluminum-cone woofer in a Vortex-Ported enclosure and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter with a 1-inch voice-coil, giving the M2i better power handling and dispersion than its predecessor M2.

The M2i now more closely matches the neutrality and power-handling capabilities of Axiom's more expensive M22ti bookshelf and M60/M80 floorstanding speakers

“The larger voice-coil tweeter in the new M2i lets us cross over at 2,700 Hz, a much lower frequency than the old tweeter could handle,” explains Ian Colquhoun.

“By lowering the crossover frequency to 2,700 Hz, the new M2i has much more linear performance in the critical midrange region. As a result, you get much-improved imaging and much better off-axis response. That gives you an improved midrange, so your vocals are better, with a better soundstage,” adds Mr. Colquhoun.

Initially engineered at the National Research Council acoustics lab in Ottawa and refined at Colquhoun Audio Laboratories in Dwight, the new M2i improves on the original by virtue of its exceptionally smooth midrange, upper-bass and upper-treble response.

The M2i’s tonal balance now more closely resembles the neutrality and power-handling capabilities of its more expensive siblings, the top-selling M22ti and the M60 and M80 floorstanding Axiom speakers, which all use the same 1-inch titanium-dome tweeter, mated with a 5 and one-quarter inch aluminum cone woofer.

The M2i embodies all the traits of a compact speaker developed and scientifically listener-tested at the Canadian National Research Council’s Acoustics lab. Frequency response is specified at 70 Hz to 22 kHz, +/-3 dB, with in-room sensitivity pegged at 91 dB SPL/1w/1m. In a modest-size room or paired with a subwoofer, the M2i produces smooth, high-fidelity sound of unprecedented accuracy. The M2i’s wedge-shaped, asymmetrical Anti-Standing-Wave cabinet eliminates internal resonances, and video shielding prevents TV interference.

The M2i is available in Black Oak, Light Maple, or Boston Cherry. It will sell through Axiom’s Web site at $255 (US) per pair; and through Axiom’s Canadian retail network at $390 (CDN) per pair.

Axiom Audio M2i Specifications

Max Amp Power: 150 Watts
Min Amp Power: 15 Watts
Freq Resp +/-3dB (Hz): 70-22K
Freq Resp +3dB/ -9dB (Hz): 60-22K
SPL in Room 1w/1m: 91 dB
Anechoic SPL 1w/1m: 87 dB
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Woofer: 5.25″
Tweeter: 1″ hybrid
Dimensions (in.)(HxWxD): 11.25 x 7.5 x 8.5
Weight: 11 lbs per

Axiom Audio Web Site

Filed Under: HiFi, Home Theater Tagged With: Axiom, bookshelf speakers, loudspeaker

Rhapsody (Listen.com) Streaming Online Subscription Music Service

February 19, 2002 by kevin

AudioWorld Rating:

Got Streams if You Want ‘Em

If your reason for searching music on the Web is to check out some new sounds and artists, and listen to the music you like while you’re at your PC, Listen.com’s Rhapsody has you covered.

The subscription service has a good, wide-ranging selection of material from more than 50 labels, including three of the five “majors” (EMI, Warner Music and BMG), plus independents like Virgin, GNP Crescendo, and Naxos. If you’re looking for files you can download and transfer to CD or to a portable MP3 player, look elsewhere: Rhapsody offers online streaming only.

As a search and discovery service, Rhapsody is a winner. You access the database through the Rhapsody browser, an application you download and install on your Windows PC (Mac and Linux users need not apply). The browser is set up to provide ready access to a variety of search and browse functions. It incorporates a Windows Media player that integrates audio playback seamlessly with both the search environment and a database of music and artist info supplied by Muze.

You can search by artist name, track title, album title and composer. Results include both content available through Rhapsody (linked and highlighted in blue), and information about other tracks and material not available for streaming. When you are listening to a selection, either via on-demand or radio-style streaming, the player shows links to the performer’s main information page, and to the specific album page, so you have quick access to further exploration.

Rhapsody’s search and browse interface is elegant, logical and provides useful results quickly. It also integrates the track data with additional background information, and the music itself, in an intuitive way that takes the experience of searching for music online to a new level.

As for audio performance, what you get here is near-CD quality, the best streaming performance available within Microsoft’s Windows Media (WMA) environment. It’s perfectly adequate for casual listening, especially when it’s tied to playback on your home computer – but for serious listening I’d rather have the CD.

Now what the service needs is about ten times as much content (currently around 100,000 tracks), the right to burn CD’s or transfer files to portable players, and higher quality audio performance (maybe use Liquid Audio infrastructure instead of WMA?), and we might have a service worth subscribing to.

Filed Under: Tech