Are you pissed off due to the lack of hot pink 500 series racks? Well then 1) you’re in the minority (I’m with you broseph) 2) Radial Engineering has your back. They have released the Workhorse Open Source Doc. This will teach you the ropes on building your own rack.

I have a lot of time on my hands at times and this might be my next project. I’m sure it will end like everything else with a square-ish box that looks like a kindergarten kid did it and me proud as hell!

Radial Engineering has announced the availability of the Workhorse Open Source Document (WHOS-Doc) – a free developer’s guide to building 500 series rack modules.

The Workhorse is Radial’s next generation 500 Series frame.

“When we first started to look into the 500 rack world, we were astonished to find out that there was no hard, factual standard for 500 series rack modules,” said company president Peter Janis.

“And what little we could find from sources such as the VPR Alliance seemed to be more of a validation for fit. We gathered what information we could find and brought it all together into a single document.”

“The WHOS-Doc not only provides the module maker with mechanical files, but also delves into electrical limitations, grounding issues to watch for, and directions on how to take advantage of some of the extra features that we have built into the Workhorse frame such as the Omniport and internal mixer.”

“Connecting the unused card-slot pins to these access points costs nothing but adds tremendous flexibility to the module’s operation.”

“Our goal is to establish a firm standard that all designers can use. This will not only make it easier and more enjoyable for the end user, but will open the door to greater creative options for everyone involved. ”

For more info click HERE.

Sorry for being AWOL the past couple of days. Been very busy at my actual job that pays me money so I can do this for free. Ok… ok… ok… you guys ARE worth the trouble, just don’t get a big head about it or I’ll knock you down a few pegs. Don’t believe me?? Try me in the comment section of this post… Ohhhh I’ve got some zingers and mama jokes in the chamber homie! Anyways, I reported on the UAD-2 a while back Post here for showoff-y-ness. Anywho, they’re shipping those bad boys now so put your big boy pants on and go get one (if you have a mac.)

Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording products, today
announced that their recently unveiled UAD-2 Satellite DUO and QUAD FireWire DSP Accelerator Packages are now shipping to authorized dealers worldwide. As the newest members of UA’s award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform, the UAD-2 Satellite family combines DSP acceleration with the plug-and-play simplicity of FireWire 800/400 — perfect for Intel-based iMacs, MacBook Pros and Mac minis.

For the first time, the UAD-2 Satellites put the entire UAD Powered Plug-Ins library —including the popular Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder, and SSL E & G Series plug-ins — within easy reach of select
iMacs, MacBook Pros and Mac minis; no PCIe or ExpressCard required.

For more info on this beast, sashay on over HERE to their site. But I wouldn’t sashay once you get there. Universal Audio is old school and don’t play that crap.

Well looky here! SSL decided to drop the extra hardware and appeal to the other 95% of us who don’t want to buy even more hardware than we already have to use. Bravo SSL. Too bad Waves has had this spot for years now, but you are in fact SSL and everything they make is GOLD so time will tell if they can outdo Waves in the software world. ALSO its not even RTAS so Mac Pro Tools users (which are 80% of all studio engineers according to a survey I just made up about it) are stuck in the dark unless you buy FXpansions Wrapper program. I really wish SSL would get it together…

the world’s leading manufacturer of professional digital and analogue consoles is proud to announce the release of Duende Native. Duende Native plug-ins are functionally and sonically identical to the highly acclaimed, but now discontinued DSP powered Duende plug-ins, but they run natively using your host computers processing resources.

The Duende Native Plug-in suite is a collection of audio processing tools which bring professional audio quality, sophistication and benchmark performance within reach of all DAW users. Duende plug-ins provide the superior precision, advanced feature set and legendary tonal characteristics of SSL console products in affordable VST/AU/RTAS* plug-in form. They are quite simply the easiest way to get your hands on professional tools that will help you achieve professional mixes that sound like a record.

All prices exclude local taxes.
Individual plug-ins available only from www.solidstatelogic.com;
Duende Native EQ & Dynamics Channel; £199, 249€, $329
Duende Native Bus Compressor: £199, 249€, $329
Duende Native X-Verb: £220, 279€, $359
Duende Native X-EQ: £179, 229€, $299
Duende Native X-Comp: £129, 159€, $199
Duende Native Drumstrip: £129, 159€, $199
Duende Native Vocalstrip: £129, 159€, $199
Boxed Bundles available exclusively from SSL Resellers worldwide;
Duende Native Essentials Bundle: £299, 360€, $479
Duende Native Studio Pack: £699, 839.50 €, $1,099

For more info, click HERE

Man, I had trouble typing the caps on the model number of this one due to my overdose on caps last Friday. Needless to say I won’t be doing that again any time soon.

Ok where were we? Ahh yes the Tascam DR-05. Looks like Tascam has taken the portable recording market and set the bar a little higher. These are great to leave beside your bed if you’re an aspiring song writer. I’m not sure where I stand in that category. I tried the leaving the recorder by the bed in case I felt “inspired” and the only thing I got was audio of my friends sneaking into my room and farting into the recorder and denying it. And you wonder why I’m as immature as I am.

TASCAM, the company that invented home recording, has launched the DR-05,a new portable recorder with high-resolution audio quality that’s simple to use.The stereo recorder features a pair of condenser microphones with sensitivity up to 125dB SPL and low noise, designed to capture every detail and dynamic of a performance. The design of the DR-05 is optimized for sound quality, from the dedicated power supply for the codec to bring out the full spec of the A/D and D/A converter to the separate analog & digital circuit boards and low impedance circuit design with noise resistance in its compact case. The DR-05 records to microSD or microSDHC media, recording in MP3 or WAV (BWF)file format at up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution.
(more…)

I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SITE TO DO THIS FOR YEARS AND I..ts…. finally…. ok, I’m gonna level with you here, caps lock Friday is tough, it hurts my eyes, soul, and frankly each capital letter I (ouch) types makes me die a little more on the inside so I (ouch)’m going to just let the press release explain this novel approach as I (oww my soul!!!) go lay in a corner and type in lower case on my ipad for a few hours.

Ear Machine today unveiled myMicSound, a free web application that simplifies the difficult task of using your ears to decide which microphone to purchase. The application learns the user’s preference by analyzing ratings of example microphones. myMicSound then returns a list that ranks microphones by the probability that the user will like their sounds.

“myMicSound is the first step toward a fundamental change in how people decide to purchase audio equipment,” said Andrew Sabin, Ear Machine owner and psychoacoustics researcher. “Currently, people make these decisions by receiving recommendations from friends, or by conducting a clumsily-organized listening comparison. myMicSound offers users a simple format to use their own ears to conduct a free, controlled, and comprehensive listening test.”

Users can either submit their own recording, or use one from myMicSound’s collection. myMicSound removes the sound of the microphone used to make that recording, and then simulates the sound of new microphones. myMicSound carefully considers factors influencing the sound of the microphone, such as the proximity to the sound source, the polar pattern, and whether filters are active.

myMicSound is the first sound-based recommendation engine in the audio equipment market. Its software algorithm relies on state-of-the-art knowledge in both auditory perception and computer science. Similar algorithms, such as the one used by Pandora, are widely used in music recommendation.

To see this program in action, click HERE

NO I HAVENT LET KANYE WEST TAKE OVER MY SITE FOR THE DAY. I JUST GOT TURNED ON TO A NEW TREND FROM WEBSITE RESIDENT MORON JOHN SCHUG’S FRIEND DUSTIN CALLED “CAPS LOCK FRIDAY.” SO FROM NOW ON FRIDAYS I’M GONNA BELT THE HEADLINES FROM ROOFTOPS IN ALL CAPS. IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, WELL THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER CIVILIZED RECORDING NEWS SITES THAT JUST SPIT OUT HEADLINES WITH NO INDIVIDUALITY BEHIND IT. WELL THAT WAS A LITTLE BRUTAL BUT ALL CAPS FRIDAY BRINGS OUT MY INNER A-HOLE. ANYWAYS FIRST POST OF “CAPS LOCK FRIDAY” IS IK MULTIMEDIA’S APLITUBE 2 FENDER.

I DO KINDA HAVE A GRIPE (WHICH IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE A BRAZEN TIRADE IN CAPS) ABOUT HOW IK IS DOING THIS. INSTEAD OF RELEASING IT AS UPGRADES FOR THEIR ALREADY GREAT AMPLITUBE PROGRAM, THEY RELEASE IT SEPARATE, NOT OFFERING A DISCOUNTED UPGRADE FOR BUYING THE FIRST ONE. ITS THE SAME THING APPLE DOES IN A WAY, BUT WHO AM I TO SAY ANYTHING, ITS GOOD ENOUGH THAT I’LL BUY IT.

THIS JUST IN: Dear Bryan,
Why don’t you stop making an A$$ of yourself and read the WHOLE press release that says you can buy the individual pieces of the Fender modules inside of the Amplitube 2 add on store. So Bryan, how does it feel to be emasculated on your own site in front of your friends. – love, Allie

I WON’T DIGNIFY MYSELF WITH A RESPONSE BECAUSE IT WASN’T WRITTEN IN CAPS SO THERE!!! but it is very embarrasing.

WELL SINCE IK MULTIMEDIA ISN’T REALLY A FAN OF TRENDS LIKE “CAPS LOCK FRIDAY,” THEY DECLINED TO SEND A PRESS RELEASE IN ALL CAPS TO MARK THE OCCASION SO REST YOUR EYES FROM MY ORGY OF LARGE LETTERS AND READ THE IMPORTANT STUFF.

(more…)

We used to use the hardware version of this and we aptly named the “Lewinsky” and if you don’t get the joke, you’re probably a better person for it. Waves has released a plug-in version of this legendary piece of hardware.

WavesAudio, in association with Aphex, has announced the release of their modeled plug-in version of the original Aphex Aural Exciter®. Officially called the Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter®, the new plug-in is based on one of the two original tube-powered prototype units developed by Aphex during the mid-seventies. The Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter modeled plug-in delivers all the unique character of the rare hardware unit, with all the advantages of software.

A true groundbreaker at the time, the original Aural Exciter traveled from studio to studio as an exclusive (and expensive) rental unit, bringing its distinctive sound to select sessions by leading recording artists. Highly regarded for its ability to increase and enhance presence, brightness, and detail on vocal tracks and masters alike, the Aural Exciter was even credited as a hardware “session player” on popular albums by the likes of Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.

“The original Aphex model 402 is a part of recording history, with a sound that’s uniquely its own,” says Aphex CEO David Wiener (EDITORS NOTE: hehehehe WEINER) . “I can’t think of better hands to entrust emulating that sound to than to the people at Waves. They’ve been wonderful to work with, and we’re looking forward to more projects in the future.”

The Waves Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter® will be available separately (U.S. MSRP USD $250 Native/ $500 TDM) and as part of the Waves Mercury bundle.

The Gun Handling HD Pro Sound Effects Library. These handling effects are perfect for all of you RAPPER wannabes from the burbs who haven’t even held a gun in your life to use on you “flows.” I’m sure Tom Hanks is just the proudest father in the world right now.

Wait a minute, this is only the sounds of the guns being cocked and no actual gun shots??!!! This blows… I’m going to fix this situation right now!!!

The funny part about this library is one of my best friends has every single one of these guns so what I’m going to do here is try to make my own sample library  OF GUN SHOTS from the comfort of my own studio. Lets see here… headphones on… arm.. track….

BOOOOOMMM. Crap!! There goes my custom ceiling cloud and lighting rig and strangely enough, I know this taste… yyyyup that’s drywall and Auralex… and.. mmmmm liquid nails. Ok I give up… I now see why he didn’t record the gun shots.

Gun Handling is a collection of Gun Mechanism and handling sounds. Featuring sounds from 13 different rifles, handguns, and shotguns. Included are sounds such as: gun cocking, magazine inserts/removes, bullets being loaded, dry firing, and more.

All sounds are newly recorded and mastered at 24bit 192K using a Sennheiser MKH800 high res condenser mic and a AEA R84 Ribbon mic. Both mics were run into Great River mic preamps to help make the sounds phat and huge.

Gun List:

Kimber 1911 .45 ACP Semi Auto Handgun
Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Magnum Revolver
Smith & Wesson SW9VE 9mm Semi Auto Handgun
Walther P38 9mm Semi Auto Handgun
Walther P99 .40 caliber Semi Auto Handgun
Mossberg 500 Pump Action Shotgun
1897 Coachgun Double Barrel Shotgun
Ruger 1022 .22 Semi Auto Rifle
Ruger Mini14 .556 Semi Auto Rifle
Saiga 7.62x51mm Semi Auto Rifle
SKS 7.62.39mm Semi Auto Rifle
Mosin Nagant M44 7.62x54R Bolt Action Rifle
Marlin .357 Magnum Lever Action Rifle

To buy this magnificent library of “straps” as the urban youths call them, click HERE

I need to hit a second wind on funny crap to say because this is getting tougher especially when half of my readers don’t really read to learn about studio equipment. Yall read for my nonsense like embarrassing stories about me locking myself in my own car and me dancing around like an idiot when I was in highschool. See now your making me post actual video to support that. You better be glad I have no pride and can laugh at myself cuz if I didn’t, you’d be reading every other news site. I’ll put that video at the end of this now lets get to the tech stuff. Here’s where some of you zone out but you shouldn’t

Great River makes… well… Great preamps and now they’ve ventured into 500 series by making this EQ.

The Great River Electronics 32EQ is a new 500-series form-factor design of the EQ and filters from the renowned Harrison 32 Series consoles.   The 32EQ incorporates the original specifications and with support  directly from the original designers at Harrison Consoles it is  guaranteed that the prized characteristics of the original are  maintained in the new design.

The  proprietary design of the equalization stages alows ful  reciprocal  operation of the boost/cut controls both as to frequency and  to phase  response. Special circuitry automaticaly adjusts the effective   bandwidth under al conditions. Continuously variable frequency selection   and boost or cut amount provides proper equalization for almost any   desired effect.

The high band extends from 800 Hz to 16 kHz.  The two mid-ranges are  overlapping; one extends from 400 Hz to 8 kHz  while the other goes from  200 Hz to 4 kHz. The low range covers 40 Hz to  800 Hz. Additionaly,  the low and high ranges are selectable to be  either shelving or  peaking. The mid-ranges are peaking.

There is an  in/out switch for the four bands of boost/cut equalization.

The  parametric high-pass and low-pass filters have 12dB per octave  cut off  characteristics. They are of an all electronic design, and  contain no  inductors. The high-pass filter has a range of 25 Hz to 2.75  kHz and the  low-pass filter extends from 160 Hz to 20 kHz.  Continuously variable  controls alow both subtle
corrections as wel as special effects.  There is a separate switch for  the filters so that they can be inserted  into the signal path  independently of the equalizer.

The equalizer is a unity gain design, delivering excelent noise and headroom performance.

There’s no price set on this and the site hasn’t even updated to show it being available, so keep checking back HERE

What? You want to see the video, what video…. CRAP I thought the razzle dazzle of big words would make you forget. Fine! Here it is. Guess which one was me… better yet… don’t its best you don’t lose too much respect for me.

I just can’t pass up posting about anything “Vintage based” and to top it off, Slate Pro Audio has a very special place in my heart because of the things they do for the drummer in the recording world. No its not what groupies do to drummers, but its close. Steven Slate is an idol among drummers because of the sound libraries he puts out for recording drums and now he’s entering the hardware field and that just makes me respect him even more. Most companies just roll with either hardware or software but this guy is a maverick and I will hock any piece of equipment he sells unless he gets into the sex toy industry. I have to draw the line at that.

We have unveiled the second piece in the Slate Pro Audio analog hardware line, the FOX mono and dual mic preamplifier.

Each channel of the FOX has two independent mic pre circuits.

“VINTAGE” is based on the classic discrete 73 pre. It has a fat and warm sound with a nice present midrange. It uses custom American made trannies and sounds great when you want classic vibe.

With one flick of a switch, you can activate the other mic pre circuit called “MODERN”. This transformerless preamp is ultra fast, has extremely low distortion, and captures incredible detail. Perfect when you need to reproduce the snap of a snare drum or hear the moisture on a singer’s throat!

Having the ability to instantly switch a mic source between such contrasting tonalities is cool, but we decided to go one step further.

When you activate “COMBO” mode, it takes the input stage of one preamp circuit and the output of the other! So when you are on VINTAGE/COMBO.. the front end is the VINTAGE pre and the backend is the MODERN pre. If you are on MODERN/COMBO, then the front end is the MODERN pre and the backend is the VINTAGE.

This provides the audio engineer with four distinct tonal variations to choose for each source. Each variation has a very unique character.

Other features are an instrument input, and a mono to stereo upgrade kit which allows you to convert a mono unit to stereo without needing a solder.

Estimated street for stereo is $1599, and mono is $1299. Come on people spend that extra $300 for the stereo and thank me later.

For more info, Saunter on over HERE