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ProTools for WindowsDigidesign have released a swag of new products to coincide with the

American AES exhibition. The most notable announcement was therelease of ProTools 4 for the Windows NT platform. Because the ProTools PCI hardware is not platformspecific the package will come with Windows and Mac software. Pro Tools files will beinterchangeable between platforms.

Also new is Digidesign’s ToolBox, a specially selected bundle of products which includeseverything you need to build a digital audio workstation – including the Audiomedia III PCI card, ProTools software, D-fx and D-Fi Plug-Ins, and Bias Peak LE and SFX Machine Lite. Purchased separately, theseproducts add up to more than $3400, so at a suggested price of $1695 the ToolBox bundle looks to be prettydecent value.

Digidesign’s new Project II is a stand-alone 24-bit digital audio card designed for use with the industry’s most popular sequencing/digitalrecording software packages for Apple Power Macintosh and Microsoft Windows NT systems. The card is an affordable solution for userswho want to enjoy the professional sound quality of Digidesign’s Pro Tools24 system without making a substantial investment in hardware. Digidesign: (02) 9568 1711

Allen & HeathGS3000After an absence of four years, Allen & Heath have

made a return to the pro studio sector with theGS3000 recording console. The new console is ananalogue 8-bus in-line type with twin-fader dual pathinputs, designed with small and mid-sized commercialstudios in mind. It is available in 24 and 32-channelframes, each with an additional two dual stereo inputs,providing 52 or 68 inputs to the mix.

Among the console's stand out featuresare two valve preamps, which can be patched toindividual channel inserts, groups or L/R. The preampsincorporate SVT (Symmetrical Valve Technology) whichallows them to be used in balanced mode for regularinputs or in single-ended 'guitar' mode, which drives thevalve to give the type of harmonic distortion muchsought after by guitarists.

The GS3000s EQ is very comprehensive and eachpath provides solo-in-place, PFL and access to theconsoles 6 auxes. The GS3000 features muteautomation, a Midi Machine Control interface, good

metering andextensivemonitoring capabil-ities. As with thelive GL units theGS3000 utilisesvertical mountPCB construc-tion, with

nutted pots and a rigid all-metal frame. Retail prices (inctax) are GS3000/24 $13,995 and GS3000/32 $16,995.Technical Audio Group: (02) 9810 5300.

Akai’s flagshipsAkai’s latest top of the line samplers have hit the

streets. The S5000 and S6000 will no doubt haveAkai devotees’ juices flowing. Some of the featuresinclude 64 and 128 voices, up to 256MB of RAMavailable on SIMMs, 26 filter types, 16 or 32 Midichannels, 8 or 16 outs, up to 128 Multis in memory, anda 20-bit effects board. As you can see there’s aremovable fascia to make editing that much easier.

Akai have released the full working versions of Mesa IIfor PC on their web site. The new version of Mesa hasbeen upgraded in a number of ways and looks to be a farbetter spec’ed proposition than the beta version. To useMesa PC you will need v2.0 operating system for yoursampler, also available from the Akai web site(www.akai.com/akaipro).

The site also offers new software for the DD8,DD1500 and MPC2000. While you’re on the Akaihomepage check out the new DL16 remote control,which is being profiled. The DL16 can control up toeight machines via the Akai remote bus (anycombination of DR8 or DR16 machines).Australis Music Group: (02) 9698 4444

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Mackie SR56•8now shippingMackie Designs’ large format centre master section

mixing console, the SR56•8, has finally hit thestreets, and is equally at home as the prime front ofhouse mixer in any auditorium, church or other largevenue, or as a dedicated 10-bus monitor mixer (8 mixesplus stereo side-fills). ‘Big Brother’ to the MackieSR40•8, the SR56•8 aims to embody all the best ofMackie’s years of development of professional audiomixing applications. Suggested retail price of $25,995.

Still in a live sound vein, Mackie Designs have alsoannounced the newest member of the FR Series PowerAmplifiers: the M•2600. Offering a hefty 2600 watts ofpure, peak power, it is supported byone of the professional audioindustry’s “only five yeartransferrable warranties”.Australian Audio Supplies:

(02) 4388 4666

02R on a cardYamaha have introduced their new computer audio

system, The DSP Factory, a system that’s designed toprovide a complete digital mixing and recordingenvironment inside a standard personal computer.Yamaha have used their years of experience in themanufacture of DSP devices to develop the DS2416digital mixing card, which offers the mixing power of the02R digital mixing console (24 channels, six aux sends,two FX processors, 26 dynamic processors, etc), plus 16tracks of hard disk recording with up to 32-bit resolution.Two DS2416 cards can be linked to create a largersystem. The card installs into your PCI slot and hasstereo analogue and coaxial 20/24-bit digital inputs andoutputs. The DS2416 is retailing for under $2,000.Yamaha Music Australia: (03) 9693 5111

TC Gold ChannelTC Electronic are indisputably one of the premier names in digital effects and processing. So how about packing all the signal processing

power of the likes of the Finalizer into a stereo preamp/vocal processor? The new Gold Channel does just that. There’s a fullcomplement of digital I/Os, 24 D/A and A/D conversion, while inside you’ll find tru 48V phantom power, soft limiter, expander/gate, andcompressors. The Gold Channelretails for $5595.Amber Technology: (02) 9975 1211

Røde NTVRøde’s new NTV cardioid tube condenser

microphone offers a pure sonic performancedelivered by a newly developed one-inch gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm, combined with aselected twin triode tube circuit and high qualityaudiophile-grade components.

The NTV’s body is milled from high gradestainless steel and incorporates two grille meshes.The fine inner mesh effectively reduces thedetrimental effects of plosives.

The NTV connects to its dedicated externalpower supply by a 30ft (10m) double shieldedOxygen Free Copper (OFC) cable with custom-made heavy duty gold plated connectors.

A new shock mount suspension and stand mountare included, and the complete package is suppliedin a custom aluminium flight case.Røde Microphones: (02) 9638 6666

Paris on ashoestringEnsoniq have announced their new Paris Concept and

Paris Concept FX systems. Paris Concept (around$2700 RRP) includes a 2 in/2 out interface, an EDS-500PCI card (without the FX daughter board), and the Parisversion 1.8 application.

Paris Concept FX (around $3700 RRP) includes the 2in/2 out interface, the EDS-1000 PCI card (with the FXdaughter board) and the Paris version 1.8 application.

The idea is for Paris Concept to offer the budget-minded customer the ability to get Paris at a great priceand later be able to add components and build a full-blown Paris system. Electric Factory: (03) 9480 5988

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Digitech Quad4Digitech’s Quad4 is a four in, four out multi-effects unit offering four independent mono processors or two true stereo

processors. The now familiar multiple I/O signal path routings (as featured on the Studio Quad and the Studio 400)allows you to set up your desired effects modules into the right configuration for your job. Digitech’s S-DISC IIalgorithms are proving to gain a name for high quality effects, and the Quad4 offers a wide variety (including the moreexotic Reverse Delay, Time Warp, Vocoder, Spring Reverb and Sampler Programs) in an intuitive, easy-to-use package.The Quad4 has an RRP of $1349.Central Musical Instruments: (03) 9315 2244

Groovy RolandBuilding on the success of last year’s release of the JP-

8000 polyphonic analogue modelling synth, Rolandhas delivered what can be seen as a rack-mountingversion. Unlike rack versions of the past, the JP-8080 hasactually kept all the knobs and sliders and, rather thanbeing a 1U ‘box of sounds’, is a 6U module that is equallyhappy as a free standing desktop synth. The JP-8080 isenhanced with two external audio inputs, which will beparticularly useful in conjunction with the unit’s VoiceModulator modes – lots of vocoder type effects on offerhere. There’s also a slot for 2 or 4MB memory cards builtinto the JP-8080.

Roland’s VS-880 has been upgraded to ‘EX’ status,offering more I/Os, more built-in effects, moresimultaneous recording tracks, more virtual tracks, aswell as an enhanced and simplified user interface.Anyone who liked the idea of the VS-880 or a stand-alone hard disk mixer/recorder will no doubt like theVS-880EX even more.Roland Corporation Australia: (02) 9982 8266

Tascam TM-D1000The TM-D1000 is the new affordable compact mixer from Tascam. Designed for the home studio, project studio

or off-line editing suite in a post-production environment, this feature-packed console provides an 8-track config-uration with expansion capability to accommodate 16 tracks. With support for multiple digital I/O protocols andMIDI Machine Control capability, this mixer provides a high level of performance and functionality and integrateseasily into any modern studio. Look out for our review next issue. Even newer is a 32 mono/two stereo input version,

the TM-D4000. More news on that later.Also from Tascam is the DA-45HR, the first DAT

recorder to record true 24-bit audio data on standard R-DAT tape. Tascam naturally believe the increase insound quality to be marked, and they quote a head-turning 113dB dynamic range. The DA-45HR canoutput 24-bit recordings in either 24-bit or 16-bit format,and for backwards compatibility with existingrecordings, can also operate in a conventional 16-bitmode. The DA-45HR ships with a full complement ofbalanced and unbalanced analogue and digital I/Os,with a list price of $3990.Teac Australia: (03) 9644 2442

Creamware Pulsar The new Creamware Pulsar DSP board integrates mixing, effects, sampling

and synthesis of the highest digital standards in one powerful andcompatible DSP environment. The Pulsar offers a 24 channel digital mixer,EQs, dynamics, delays, synthesiser devices, a high performance sampleplayer, and a powerful third party platform, and retails for $1,298.Major Music Wholesale: (02) 9453 3540

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Free Voxbox?In an exclusive offer, Sound Devices are hoping topromote greater awareness of the Manley Labs range

by making a Voxbox available to a select group ofprofessionals for a free trial. The Voxbox was chosen asit includes four integral components used in the Manleyrange: mic pre, Pultec EQ, compressor, and limiter/de-esser; so sampling the impact of each of these discretecomponents is possible. If you think that you qualify forsuch an audition contact Sound Devices on the numberbelow. In the meantime, consult the Voxbox review onpage 125 of this issue to whet your appetite.Sound Devices: 02 9283 2077

Fairlight updateFairlight used the IBC exhibition in Amsterdam to

highlight new software upgrades of each product inits line of digital audio mixing, editing and dubbingsystems. The announcements included the introductionof Revision 14.3 software for MFX3plus and FAMEsystems, the introduction of Version 2.0 consoleautomation software for FAME and new features to

expand the connectivity andflexibility of the Fairlight DaDDigital Audio Dubber.

The IBC also saw Fairlightannouncing the Europeanbroadcast market debut ofMediaLink, its real-time,multichannel, fast audionetworking solution for theMFX3plus digital audioworkstation and FAME

integrated digital audioproduction system. Utilising off-

the-shelf PCI cards, it employscost effective 100Mbit network

technology and standard Ethernetcabling to provide a reliable high-speed

communications pathway betweenworkstations.

Fairlight ESP: (02) 9975 1230

P&G FadersUsers of 6000 series Penny & Giles motorised faders

be advised that these faders and most spare parts forthese units are no longer being manufactured. The cordassembly and some tracks may be available but all otherspares for the 6000 series are no longer available. The6000 series motorised faders may be substituted withthe M3000 faders with some modification. The noticedoes not affect 1100, 1500, 1900, 3000, 4000 and 8000series faders.Control Devices: (02) 9356 1943.

Nord MicroClavia’s Nord Modular has caused quite a stir with it’s

virtually unlimited powers of sonic creation (see ourreview on page 134 of this issue), but the cost of such

muscle has naturally placed the Modular out ofthe reach of many. With this in mind, Clavia

have released the Nord Micro Modular. TheMicro is basically a stripped down Nord

Modular – but only so far as its size andpolyphony. It features the same

modules and sound creation,achieved in the same manner with

the PC Editing software. The NordMicro Modular is priced at $1464 RRP.

More people will be familiar with the redchassis and ‘pumice stone’ mod wheel of the Nord Lead– and the Nord Lead 2 is now available, loaded with newfeatures and software.ddrum Australia: (0265) 666829Spirit 328

Spirit haved weighed into the digital mixing market withtheir Spirit 328 console. The 328 is a 42-input 8 bus desk

that aims to look and operate like a regular in-lineanalogue mixer. The assignability question is

taken care of by an ‘E Strip’ which isessentially a single horizontal channelstip that can be used to adjust theselected channel number. There’s four

auxiliaries as well as two additionalinternal effects sends (routed to the two

internal Lexicon effects engines), three-bandfully parametric EQ, and the E Strip also takes

care of routing and panning. The 328 ships with aTDIF and ADAT interface as standard for ‘out of the

box’ 16 track digital recording. The back panel alsoaccommodates a pair of AES/EBU and S/PDIF

interfaces. There’s moving fader and snap shot automation,plenty of monitoring options and it’s built to be expandable.Jands Electronics: (02) 9582 0909

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Trinity plus Z1Korg has announced the new Trinity V3 Music

Workstation DRS series of instruments, whichcombines the critically acclaimed sounds of Korg’sPCM-based Trinity Music Workstation with the sonicpower of the DSP-based Z1 Synthesizer.

Korg have also introduced the Korg N1R SynthesisModule, a 1U rack version of the popular N1 MusicSynthesizer. The Korg N1R module offers a large rangeof sounds (over 1700), including GM, GS and XGsoundmap support, with a high degree of parametercontrol and a simple but highly effective user interface –for just $1,499.Music Link: (03) 94299299

Trackdown initiativeLeading Sydney audio facility Trackdown Digital is preparing to launch a

new division called Trackdown Music Services. Trackdown has beenoffered suites by Australian audio post facility Soundfirm at their newpremises in Fox Studios Australia.

Trackdown Music Services will be officially launched in the New Year –with music editing and composition rooms being built over the forthcomingmonths. The new studios will be situated in the Arthur Smith Pavilion at Fox Studios Australia (building #53, the old Showgrounds Artsand Crafts building), while Trackdown Digital will still be based in Camperdown, Sydney.

Guy Gross will be the resident film composer for Trackdown Music Services, working alongside manager Geoff Watson, technicaldirector Simon Leadley and music editor Tim Ryan. Trackdown Music Services will be a music-focused facility on the Fox Studio Australiasite providing music editing, music production, composition and programming services to the film and television industry.Trackdown Digital: (02) 9550 6890

The D8B arrivalYou’ve read the hype, you’ve drooled over the specs,

and now it’s confirmed – the new Mackie Digital 8Bus is now shipping in Australia.

The D8B may have only just hit the streets but Mackiehave already announced TC Electronic as a developmentpartner, with the new TCFX being launched as a high-endmulti-effects plug-in card. Up to four cards can beinserted into the D8B’s ‘card cage’ slots.Australian Audio Supplies: (02) 4388 4666

AKG in-earAKG have been creating a stir with their new in-ear

monitoring system. The IVM-1 is an in-ear monitorsystem employing binaural processing to restore anatural sonic perspective. IVA (Individual VirtualAcoustic) aims to model the way we naturally hear withtwo ears. This processing prevents the kind of insidelocalisation (hearing the monitor mix inside your head)associated with conventional headphone listening. Thesystem features a low profile stereo receiver, up to eightmonitor mixes transmitted within a single TV channel,and low current consumption. A range of presets allowthe user to put together their own optimum configura-tion. Additionally, the IVM1 has a number of ways totailor the sound to the user’s hearing characteristics. AWA Audio Products: (02) 9669 3477

CEDAR AwardsCEDAR Audio announced the inauguration of ‘The

CEDAR Awards’ at the 104th AES Convention held inAmsterdam earlier this year. The Awards recogniseoutstanding contributions in the field of audiorestoration. Jon Astley won the CD Remastering From AModern Recording (Post 1949) category for his work onThe Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions on Atlantic Recordings.Ted Kendall won the CD Remastering From A VintageRecording (Pre 1950) category for work on the HarryJames Big John Special ‘49 on Hep Records. Winner ofthe Post Production of a Film Soundtrack category wasSkywalker Sound for the remastering of The Star WarsTrilogy. The Audio Restoration for Broadcast Usecategory was won by Canadian BroadcastingCorporation, for their CBC Millennium project. Finally,Tom Owen won the Audio Restoration for Forensic Usecategory with his surveillance work at Owl Investigationsin New York.Prodisc Compact Disc Systems: (02) 9904 0344