Focal unveils Clear Professional at NAMM 2018
Focal is proud to unveil the Clear Professional open-back circum-aural headphones. They introduce an evolution of the Focal totally open-back full-range driver. Their M-profile Aluminum/Magnesium dome has a new copper coil. Combined with the absence of vents, this provides total dynamic respect over the entire audio spectrum, with an extremely articulated and always controlled bass. The very low-mass driver moving parts mean that these headphones reproduce the tiniest details in the higher frequencies. Turning to the headband and yokes, their design ensures that the headphones are in total contact with the head, for optimal comfort. The new generation of perforated microfibre ear cushions provide an extremely open design. Clear Professional headphones are so comfortable that you forget you are wearing them and the listening experience, the equal of the best monitor speakers, takes over. Clear Professional headphones take their place as a key staple for the most demanding professionals. These professional headphones have just one, unique objective: offer the ultimate reference aiming to secure the work highest transfer quality.
Features
- Professional open-back headphones
- Remarkable tonal balance over the entire spectrum
- Bass articulation, down to the very lowest frequencies
- Great detail in the high frequencies
- A listening experience very close to a pair of monitor speakers
- Comfort and ergonomics
- Design and materials used
- Excellent performance connected to a laptop computer
- 2 cables supplied to meet all types of use (mixing deck, audio interface, laptop computer)
- Rigid carrying case supplied, with space to store an iLok® key (not supplied)
Product page Clear Professional
Focal unveils Listen Professional at NAMM 2018
Focal unveils the Listen Professional. Listen Professional is the ideal companion for music production. Listen Professional is packed with Focal expertise. For six years now, the French manufacturer’s historic expertise in designing high-performance transducers has been directed at a new speciality: headphones. Listen Professional circum aural closed back headphones are the essential work tool for music production. They confirm Focal’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in the professional headphone market.
Features
- Exclusive cone technology offering acoustic transparency and excellent dynamics
- Precision and neutrality
- Total control over the audio spectrum
- Excellent isolation
- Compact, rigid carrying case
- Optimal comfort
- Accessories provided: 5m coiled OFC cable, 1.4m OFC cable with remote control and omnidirectional mic, 3.5mm stereo jack socket to 6.35mm stereo jack plug
Product page Focal Listen Professional
Clavia unveils Nord Piano 4 at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2018
The Nord Piano 4 sets a new milestone for professional stage pianos. The fourth generation of the award-winning Piano series includes brilliant new performance features like Seamless Transitions, dedicated Piano Filters and Split Point Crossfades delivering a live-focused keyboard with exceptional piano feel. The premium Triple Sensor keybed and acclaimed Virtual Hammer Action Technology plus greatly expanded polyphony deliver the ultimate piano experience on stage, at home, and in concert.
PERFORMANCE
Seamless Transitions
The Nord Piano 4 features seamless transitions when changing sounds or programs while playing.
Layers and advanced Split Point functionality
The Nord Piano 4 features two sound sections that can be combined in a layer or split over the keyboard. Each of the sound sections can have specific effects, Volume Pedal and/or Sustain Pedal assigned to them. The Piano 4 has 7 Split Points indicated with LED lights and the new Split Point Crossfade functionality, introduced with the Stage 3, offers smooth transitions between two split zones. Choose from 3 different crossfade widths (Small, Large or Off) as indicated by different LED colors.
Refined Program Section
The enhanced Organize mode includes Copy/Paste and Move functionality for quickly rearranging your Programs to your desired order and a new Page View lets you easily sort and organize pages as a song list. All Programs, Pianos and Synth Samples can be easily navigated using the new uniform List View that offers alphabetical, numerical and category sorting options. An optional new Numeric Pad Mode gives you instant access to Programs by entering the Program number.
Performance Highlights
- Seamless Transitions for smooth program changes while playing
- 7 Split Points with optional Split Point crossfades
- Refined Organize Mode enables intuitive program sorting
- Numeric Pad Mode allows direct program access
PIANO SECTION
The enhanced Piano section features a broad selection of our latest acoustic, electric and digital pianos from the exclusive Nord Piano Library, greatly expanded voice polyphony and creative new Piano Filters.
Excellent Piano Performance
The Nord Piano 4 factory bank contains our latest Grands, Uprights, Electric Pianos and Digital Pianos from the exclusive Nord Piano Library - all handpicked for their unique characters! Nord’s state-of-the-art sampling techniques capture the extraordinary nuances and real character of the source instruments with breathtaking realism. All sounds can easily be replaced using the Nord Sound Manager. Our exclusive Nord Piano Library is constantly updated with new unique world class sounds, and always free of charge.
Virtual Hammer Action Technology
The exclusive Virtual Hammer Action Technology, introduced with Nord Piano 3, simulates the hammer movements in a Grand Piano delivering outstanding authenticity and dynamic response. The Triple Sensor keybed allows key movements to be determined with stunning precision. The result is a keyboard action that handles dynamic playing with amazing control at any velocity level.
Advanced String Resonance und Dynamic Pedal Noise
Our unique Advanced String Resonance reproduces the intricate interplay of piano strings resonating at their fundamental or harmonic frequencies when other notes are played on our Upright and Grand piano sounds. The included Nord Triple Pedal includes Soft and Sostenuto Pedals in addition to a unique Dynamic Sustain Pedal. The Triple Pedal also enables our Pedal Noise feature that dynamically simulates the mechanical sounds of lifting and releasing the damper mechanism.
Creative Piano Filters
Providing an additional level of sonic control, the Piano Section now features dedicated piano filters for accentuating softness, mid or brilliance.
Piano Section Highlights
- Greatly expanded polyphony (120 Voices)
- Piano-Filter
- Virtual Hammer Action Technology
- Factory Sound Bank with the newest pianos, grands, e-pianos and digital-pianos
- All sounds can be easily replaced using the Nord Sound Manager
SAMPLE SYNTH SECTION
The Sample Synth Section contains a great selection of high quality sounds from the Nord Sample Library 3.0 including the exclusively licensed sounds of the legendary Mellotron and Chamberlin. All sounds can be quickly replaced using the Nord Sound Manager. The Sample Synth is equipped with essential controls for attack, decay/release and dynamics (filter/velocity). A unique Nord feature allows you to create your own samples using the free Nord Sample Editor software for Windows and Mac.
Sample Synth Section Highlights
- 512 MB sample memory (doubled from Piano 3)
- Greatly expanded polyphony
- All sounds can be easily replaced using the Nord Sound Manager
EFFECT SECTION
The Effect section features a great selection of instantly tweakable high quality stereo effects modelled after classic stomp boxes. All effects can be assigned freely to the Piano or Sample Synth section.
MODEL OVERVIEW
The Nord Piano 4 has an 88 key (A to C) Triple Sensor keyboard which offers the weighted tactile characteristics of a grand piano.
Buy Apogee Ensemble or Element 88 – Get Apogee Control Free!
Now, for a limited time, when you buy an Ensemble Thunderbolt or Element 88 at an authorized Apogee dealer you get Apogee Control for FREE!
When you pair an Ensemble Thunderbolt or Element 88 Thunderbolt audio interface with Apogee Control hardware remote the result is a powerful recording workstation that offers ultimate sound quality and customizable control you can adapt to your workflow. Easily switch from microphone to instrument input, adjust gain, adjust headphone volume, mute speakers, turn on phantom power, Apogee Control puts all of this and much, much more at your fingertips. You decide how you want to work.
Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt
- 30 IN x 34 OUT Thunderbolt 2 Audio Interface
- 8 Mic preamps with up to 75 dB of gain and Advanced Stepped Gain circuit
- DualPath FX rack provides plugin processing that can run both natively in your DAW and on hardware DSP in your Ensemble
- Thunderbolt connectivity for ultra-low latency (1.1ms round trip with Logic Pro X)
- Front panel Guitar I/O with Class A JFET inputs, dual mode re-amp outputs
- Talkback functionality with built-in mic and control button
- 2 PurePower headphone outputs
- 10 separately assignable analog inputs, 16 analog outputs of premium Apogee conversion
- Core Audio optimized DMA engine frees up Mac CPU for plugins and software instruments
- Apogee Control Remote, iOS App, and OSX Software provide remote control of the audio interface
Apogee Element 88
- 16 IN x 16 OUT Thunderbolt I/O Audio Interface
- AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz/24-bit
- 8 analog inputs for connecting microphones, instruments or line-level devices
- DualPath FX rack provides plugin processing that can run both natively in your DAW and on hardware DSP in your Element 88
- 2 L/R XLR outputs, 2 1/4“ outputs, 2 headphone outputs
- 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32 buffer setting
- Optical IN/OUT; supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
- Word Clock IN/OUT via BNC connections for syncing with other digital audio gear
- Apogee Control Remote, iOS App, and OSX Software provide remote control of the audio interface
Product page Apogee Element 88
Apogee Control Hardware Remote
- Perfect hardware remote for your Apogee audio interface
- Connection via USB to your Mac
- 11 Buttons
- 1 high quality jog wheel
- Sturdy metal housing
For more information about Apogee Ensemble, Element 88, and Control, please visit our product pages. This promotion is valid from April 17, 2018 until June 30, 2018.
Zoom F1 – Professional Audio. Up Close
Zoom announces the all-new Zoom F1, a field recorder especially for DSLR and video camera applications.
The F1-SP comes with the SGH-6 Shotgun Mic known for capturing pro-quality, hyper directional sound, and it’s aluminum body makes it extremely lightweight. The F1-LP Field Recorder + Lavalier Mic completes your video’s story by providing outstanding audio no matter where your production takes you. Combined with the F1, you can record high-resolution audio up to 24 bit/96 kHz, providing high-impact audio for any video production. Connect the F1 to the included shock mount and attach it to your camera. Then connect the F1’s audio output to your camera’s input using the included 3.5mm stereo cable and you’re ready to record.
While recording to your camera, the F1 can also record to a microSD card, providing a stereo audio file which can be edited in post-production. Monitor your levels, battery life, lo-cut settings and more with the F1’s newly designed monochromatic display, ensuring visibility even in bright sunlight. One-touch buttons make record levels, limiter settings, and volume output easily accessible. The SMF-1 shock mount was engineered to eliminate unwanted thumping sounds caused by vibrations when shooting on the move.
Features at a glance
- Two-channel audio recorder
- Compatible with Zoom microphone capsules
- Supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
- One-touch button controls
- 1.25” monochrome LCD display
- Rec Hold function to avoid accidental operation of buttons
- Stereo ⅛" Mic/Line In mini phone jack with Plug-in power (2.5V)
- Stereo ⅛" Phone/Line Output jack with dedicated volume control
- Build in limiter and auto level control to avoid clipping
- Pre-Record function
- Tone generator for calibrating audio levels between the F1 and a DSLR or video camera without the need for an attenuator cable
- Sound marker function that outputs quick tone to make syncing audio and video easy
- Records directly to micro SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB
- Micro USB port for data exchange to and from computer and use as an audio interface with computer or iOS device
- Runs on only 2 standard AAA alkaline, Lithium, or NiMH rechargeable batteries, or AC adapter (AD-17)
- Up to 10 hours of operation with alkaline batteries (when using lavalier)
Product page Zoom F1-LP
Product page Zoom F1-SP
Eventide H9000 and Eventide H9000R – The ultimate effects processor
Eventide announces the launch of the Eventide H9000 and H9000R, the next generation superior effects processor. The culmination of a multi-year development cycle, the H9000 features four quad core ARM processors serving as 16 DSP engines, eight channels of pristine analog audio I/O, AES/EBU, ADAT, 16 USB audio channels, and, optionally, connection to standard audio networks, including MADI, Dante, Ravenna, and more.
Multichannel processing makes the H9000 a suitable platform for surround sound and for processing several tracks of audio simultaneously. On top of that, the H9000 introduces the concept of FX CHAINS, allowing users to connect any set of four effects with flexible routing. FX CHAINS can be created to act as a voice channel, a guitar ‘pedal board’, or a modular synth with effects, etc.
The H9000’s remote control application, emote, is available for users working ‘in the box’ or over an audio network. emote is available as a standalone app for Mac and PC, and as an AU, VST, and Pro Tools plug-in.
Features
- Professional Multichannel DSP Effect Processor
- 8-Channel Analog In/8-Channel Analog Out
- (2) XLR Analog In / (2) XLR Analog Out
- MIDI In, Out, and Thru
- 4 Female Type 2.0 USB ports
- 1 USB Type B port, allowing 16 channels of USB audio in & out
- 1 Ethernet port
- (2) ¼" Expression Pedal jack
- (2) ¼" Relay jacks
- MIDI In, Out, and Thru
- Word Clock In/Out
- Optical In/Out
- S/PDIF In/Out
- AES/EBU In/Out
- (3) Expansion I/O slots (For optional DANTE, MADI, and AVB)
- H9000: Built-in user interface plus software control with emote app
- H9000R: Controlled by emote app for Mac, Windows, or via a plugin host
Product pages:
Eventide H9000
Eventide H9000R
Eventide EuroDDL – A Digital Delay with an Analog Soul for Eurorack
We are glad to announce the launch of the EuroDDL in Eurorack format with CV patching options. This is a redesigned and expanded version of Eventide’s acclaimed 500 rack delay module, the DDL500. The EuroDDL is perfectly adapted for integration into all kinds of modular synth systems for access to the finest delay effects in an analog-friendly format.
Designed for performance, the EuroDDL features external control of every feature and function. It also has been designed to sound less digital than the average delay. Eventide’s old school design strictly limits the amount of digital circuitry to only what’s required for delay. Soft saturation clipping, low pass filter, feedback, insert loop, and +20 dB boost are all analog. Once you hear it, you’ll know why this is the ultimate, most musical, Eurorack delay. To be a true performance instrument, all the controls of the eurorack module must be remote controllable. The EuroDDL does just that with jacks to accept control voltages and triggers. It’s designed to be played as an instrument. And, it’s designed to ‘play nice’ in the rack with Return/Send and Clock In/Clock Out.
Features
- A Eurorack delay with minimal digital circuitry. It’s constrained to do nothing more than simple, yet flexible, delay.
- The DDL is pristine. It’s long. It’s short (0.11msec resolution) It’s smooth, it loops and it goes backwards.
- The delay converter is 24 bits with max delay up to 10 seconds at 192 kHz sample rate and 160 seconds at 16 kHz rate.
- Delay time can be varied smoothly and over a wide range; either manually, via tap tempo or by remote control voltage.
- Short delays can be used for comb filter and flanging effects. Longer delays for echo effects.
- Infinite delays for looping. Backwards delays for reverse effects.
Product page: Eventide EuroDDL
Nord Electro 6 at NAMM Show 2018
Clavia introduces the new Electro 6 series at NAMM 2018. The Nord Electro 6 combines the award-winning emulations of vintage electro mechanical and acoustic instruments in an ultra-portable package.
With 3 independent sound sections, a new streamlined user interface and the addition of Seamless Transitions, we're proud to present the most powerful and flexible Electro ever - a refined modern classic.
Performance Section Highlights
- 3 part multi-timbral
- Seamless Transitions for smooth program changes
- Simplified, streamlined user interface
- Split and Layer all 3 sections
- 6 Split Points with optional Split Point crossfades
- Organize Mode for quickly arranging programs, sounds and pages
- OLED display for Program section
Organ Section Highlights
- B3, B3 bass and Vox/Farfisa simulations from Nord C2D
- 2 Pipe Organ models
- Dual Organ Mode
- Vintage 122 Rotary Speaker simulation
- Physical Drawbars for 6D 61/73 models
Piano Section Highlights
- 1 GB Memory
- Expanded polyphony
- Creative Piano Filters
- Advanced String Resonance
- 4 Dynamic Curves
Sample Synth Section Highlights
- 512 MB Memory (doubled from Electro 5)
- Expanded Polyphony
- Attack and Decay/Release controls
- Dynamic control (filter/velocity)
Three Models
Apogee Introduces New Special Edition 2x6 I/O Module for Symphony I/O Mk II
Apogee Electronics is pleased to announce the new 2x6 Special Edition AD/DA module for their flagship Symphony I/O Mk II. Designed specifically for mastering engineers, whose critical work demands ultimate sonic performance, Symphony I/O Mk II 2x6 SE offers the highest quality AD/DA conversion of any Apogee converter ever.
Symphony I/O Mk II 2x6 SE takes advantage of the latest advancements in digital and analog audio technology offering two line level inputs with 124 dB (A) of dynamic range, THD+N of -116dB and six line level outputs with 131dB (A) dynamic range and an astonishingly low THD+N of -118dB. Lucas Van Der Mee, Apogee’s Senior Hardware Engineer, comments “These are real measurements, taken with our lab test equipment and not just ‘data sheet’ specs. The new 2x6 SE will outperform just about anything in the market...at any price.”
The D/A stage incorporates the latest DAC technology, carefully optimized to offer mastering engineers the ultimate transparency to make critical adjustments with confidence. Whether you’re working with analog outboard gear or digitally in a DAW, the 2x6 SE retains every bit of warmth, punch and image in your recordings and signal processing chain.
Highlights
- Highest Quality Apogee AD/DA converter, exceeding any AD/DA converter available.
- A/D = 124dB (A) dynamic range, -116dB THD+N
- D/A = 131dB (A) dynamic range, -118dB THD+N
- Available in Thunderbolt or HD configurations
- Also available as expansion module for existing Symphony I/O Mk II
- Inputs
- Analog IN: 2 balanced inputs on 2 female XLR connectors
- AES IN: Stereo input on 1 female XLR connector
- Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
- ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- SMUX: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- S/PDIF Coax IN: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 RCA connector
- Outputs
- Analog OUT: 6 balanced outputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector
- AES OUT: Stereo output on 1 male XLR connector
- Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
- ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- SMUX: 4 channels 88.2-96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz on 1 Toslink connector
- S/PDIF Coax OUT: 2 channels, up to 192 kHz on 1 RCA connector
- Full calibration of analog inputs and outputs via front panel or Apogee Control software
Configurations
- Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II 2x6 SE Thunderbolt
- Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II 2x6 SE Pro Tools HD
- Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II 2x6 SE Module
New Icon Platform B+ Controller and OneHub at NAMM Show 2018
We would like to announce two exciting new additions to the Icon Platform family of modular DAW controllers. The Platform B+ is an upgrade module designed to instantly make any controller-based workflow more powerful with 50 illuminated function buttons specifically designed for your favorite DAW. Now you can quickly manipulate plug-ins, tracks, busses, automation, display, markers and more. Connect the Platform B+ unit to your Platform M+ for greater flexibility and functionality.
The OneHub Icon Power Center powers up to four Icon Pro Audio devices on a single plug while also acting as a specially designed USB hub for up to four Icon Pro Audio MIDI DAW controllers like the Platform series and QCon Pro X series.
Icon Platform B+
- 50 illuminated function buttons for controlling different DAW functions
- Supports more than 10 different popular DAWs
- Independent USB connector is equipped for use as a standalone device
- Expansion connector is equipped for direct connection to Platform M+
- Different DAW silicon overlays are included – Cubase/Nuendo, LogicPro, Samplitude, Reaper, Studio One, Bitwig, Reason, ProTools, Sonar, Audition, Ableton Live and User define
- Class-compliant with Windows XP, Vista (32-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit), Windows 8 (32-bit & 64-bit), Windows 10 (64-bit) and Mac OS X (IntelMac)
- USB 2.0 high speed connectivity
- Mackie control build-in for Cubase, Nuendo, Samplitude, Logic Pro, Reaper, Studio One, Bitwig, Reason and Abelton Live.
- Mackie HUI protocol build-in for Pro Tools
- iMap – Self midi mapping software is provided for user-defined mode (MIDI Learn)
- Firmware upgrade available simply via USB connection and iMap software.
- Superior build quality and robust metal casing with Kensington lock port
- 12V/2.5A power adapter included
Icon OneHub
- 4 USB Port expansion especially for Icon controllers
- 4 Power ports for Icon controllers
Product page Icon Platform B+
Product page Icon OneHub