MTMIncoming

SIR ELLIOT’S 18-BAND

GRAPHIC EQ This Windows VST features 18 frequency bands, a frequency range of 5Hz–24kHz and is optimised for high sample rates up to 384kHz. And it’s free! Grab it from www.box.

net/shared/t33p5mc0g8

JANUARY Say what you want about January… we say, no more All I

Want For Xmas Is You for another 11 glorious months!

NAMM 2010 Stacks of new kit and a week in the California sunshine…

What’s not to love?

Highs

Ups and downs in the world of music technology this month

&Lows

SNOW Probably gone by the time you read this, but wreaking havoc right now – and we don’t even get to go sledging…

BEING STUCK IN

THE OFFICE… …while everyone else is at NAMM, playing with new toys and getting some winter sun.

Boo, sob, etc.

BEING SKINT AFTER XMAS ‘This year it’s going to be different,’ we tell ourselves.

Never happens.

MATT CARDLE At Xmas No 1. Suddenly we wished that silence record had won after all…

10 | February 2011 magazine

MOOG-ISH DELIGHTS

Two new affordable emulators launched

People love Moogs, but for many, the real-deal vintage hardware is just too darned expensive to be a viable option. Hence, there’s no shortage of Moog emulators out there – and now two more arrive.

First up, there’s the easy-muug XT from easytoolz. This Windows VST is a Minimoog tribute with six waveforms, three oscillators, mixer, low-pass filter, two ADSR envelopes and all the other controls you’d expect. It will set you controls you’d expect. It will set you back a mere €7.50. Secondly, there’s Xhun Audio’s LittleOne. Based on the Little Phatty, this features two analogue modelled oscillators, two analogue modelled oscillators, two ADSR envelope generators, a modulation LFO, a built-in 16-step MIDI sequencer, full MIDI CC mapping and over 300 preset sounds – all of which will still set you back just €45. Or, roughly one-twentieth the price of the real thing...

Web www.easytoolz.de Web www.xhun-audio.com

SOUNDBYTES Making reverb a Breeze Breeze is a new ‘lite’ version of 2CAudio’s popular Aether reverb that’s been designed to keep CPU hit as low as possible. Available as an AU/VST/RTAS plug-in for Mac and PC, it costs just $150. More info at www.2caudio.com

Time for Cocoa

Cocoa Piano from Sound Magic is said by its maker to be ‘the world’s fastest virtual piano’. Cocoa costs just $49, yet features a hybrid modelling engine based on Sound Magic’s own Blue Grand 3D, ten sound-shaping parameters, multiple mic positions and four presets for different styles. It’s also been designed to offer faster loading times, take up less disk space and make lower demands on your CPU. Contact support@soundemon.com Web www.soundemon.com

MACKIE MK2

At NAMM, Mackie announced an overhaul of its flagship monitor speaker. The new MRmk2 Mackie Reference Monitors now come with all-new transducers, said to give a much better low-frequency response. Otherwise, the spec isn’t hugely different from the existing MR monitors, with XLR/TRS/RCA connections and acoustic controls for room correction. The cabinet houses a one-inch neodymium soft-dome tweeter and a 5.25- or eight-inch woofer and is rear-ported. Available from February, the MRmk2s cost $200 for the 5.25-inch or $330 for the eight-inch model.

Also new from Mackie is the Thump TH-12A, a new powered 400-watt, 12-inch speaker with an integrated three-way EQ. Suggested as an ideal stage monitor as well as being suited to disco/PA use, it’s available from February, priced $390. Contact Mackie 01494 557398 Web www.mackie.com