Sony Electronics Introduces New FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens

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Sony Electronics announced the 67th lens in its mirrorless E-mount lineup – the highly-anticipated, FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II (model -SEL2470GM2). Sony developed the world’s lightest F2.8 standard zoom lens using its leading lens technology to deliver stunning resolution and beautiful bokeh known to Sony’s “G Master” series. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is one of the most versatile lenses in the line-ip and was created for photographers, videographers, and hybrid content creators.

“Six years have passed since Sony released the first 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master and in that time, our customers’ needs have changed,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We are always listening to our community and have designed the new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II around feedback from creators. Knowing the 24-70 mm focal length is extremely popular, it was imperative that we continue improving to bring our most advanced technology to such a critical lens in our customers’ kit. Today, we are thrilled to introduce the world’s smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom lens.”

Evolved Image Quality in a Zoom Lens that Rivals Prime Lenses

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is great for a compact yet versatile set up and allows users to capture extremely sharp, detailed imagery for both stills and video. The new lens features high resolution across the frame – even with the aperture wide open.

A completely redesigned optical path features five aspherical elements, including two high-precision XA (extreme aspherical) elements. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II also includes two ED (extra-low dispersion) plus two Super ED glass elements. Combined with a new floating focus mechanism, the lens effectively controls chromatic aberration, astigmatism, distortion and coma so that outstanding resolution is achieved throughout the image area at all zoom and aperture settings.

Even when shooting in challenging lighting conditions, the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves excellent clarity by effectively subduing flare and ghosting. This is thanks to Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II, which produces a uniform anti-reflecting coating on the lens surface. The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II produces stunning bokeh throughout the zoom range with beautiful and almost perfectly circular bokeh with its advanced optical design and a newly developed 11-blade aperture unit.

In this new 24-70 mm design, this lens delivers outstanding close-up performance with a minimum focusing distance of 8.25 inches (0.21 meters) at 24 mm and 12 inches (0.30 meters) at 70 mm, and with a maximum magnification of 0.32x.

Fast and Precise Autofocus

The FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II achieves reliable focus by using our of Sony’s original XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Meters, a floating focus mechanism and advanced lens control – even when shooting a fast-moving subject. In addition, the lens supports up to 30 fps continuous shooting for stills and 4K 120p video recording with autofocus.

The new FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II will be available in June for approximately $2,300.00 USD and $3,000.00 CAD and will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

iZotope Announced Compatibility With Apple Silicon

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iZotope announced they are working to make their plug-ins run on Apple computers with Apple silicon (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max) chips. They are committed to ensuring performance and quality as they update the iZotope lineup’s latest versions for Apple silicon machines. Here is a look at the approach they’re taking to deliver these updates.

Apple Rosetta 2 is a translation mode that helps companies like iZotope enable existing software to run on Apple silicon machines more rapidly. Their products are all currently compatible with Rosetta 2.

Apple silicon native software means that the entire program has been modified to run natively on the new processor architecture.

We’ll update this regularly, and let you know when new versions of your plug-ins and memberships are ready to install in iZotope Product Portal.

Compatible with Rosetta 2 and Apple silicon native M1

RX Pro for Music (Music Production Suite Pro subscribers can update in Product Portal)
RX 9 Advanced
RX 9 Standard
Ozone Pro (Music Production Suite Pro subscribers can update in Product Portal)
Ozone 9 Advanced
Ozone 9 Standard
Ozone 9 Elements
Neutron Pro (Music Production Suite Pro subscribers can update in Product Portal)
Neutron 3 Advanced
Neutron 3 Standard
Visual Mixer
Relay
Tonal Balance Control Pro (Music Production Suite Pro subscribers can update in Product Portal)
Tonal Balance Control 2

Visit the iZotope Support page to find out where to download compatible Rosetta 2 and Apple silicon native M1 products.

Compatible with Rosetta and will be compatible with Native in 2022

RX Elements
Neutron Elements
Nectar 3 Plus
Nectar Pro
Nectar Elements
Neoverb
Noverb Pro
VocalSynth 2
VocalSynth Pro
Insight 2
Insight Pro
Dialogue Match
Vinyl
Vocal Doubler
Ozone Imager 2
Stutter Edit 2

Compatible with Rosetta 2 only:

Trash 2
Breaktweaker
Iris 2

Product Portal is compatible with Apple silicon computers.

Line 6 Has A Sale On HX Effects And HK Stomp XL Processor

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Line 6 announced a $100 instant rebate on HX Effects and HK Stomp XL. Choose HX Effects if you’re seeking a super effects pedal or HX Stomp XL if you’d also like amps and cabs with your effects. This promo is for the United States only. This offer ends on June 5th, 2022.

Buy an HX Effects or HX Stomp XL Processor between now and June 5th and receive a $100 instant rebate!

The HX Effects processor was designed to be integrated into traditional amp and pedal setups and may serve as anything from a dedicated multi-effects unit to the command center for your entire rig. Although compact in size, it delivers the same professional-grade sound quality and authentic HX Modeling found in our market-leading Helix processors.

The HX Stomp XL amp and effects processor delivers HX modeling in a performance-ready pedal with eight capacitive-touch foot switches. The same SHARC DSP chip found in Help enables it to run up to eight processing blocks simultaneously, and the foot switches let you access and control those blocks in powerful ways.

Here are some terms and conditions to know about:

  • Promotion Period: 12:01am PST, April 1 2022 through 11:59pm PST, June 5, 2022.
  • Eligible Products: HX Effects and HX Stomp XL
  • Instant Rebate: HX Effects – $100 USD HX Stomp XL $100 USD
  • The Instant Rebate will be reflected in the final purchase price at the time of sale.
  • Eligible Products must be purchased as new from an authorized reseller. Instant Rebates are not available for remanufactured, demonstration, or non-new products. Purchases from online auctions are not eligible.
  • Line 6 does not allow product substitutions, deletions, additions, or other modifications to this offer, regardless of information you learn from other sources.
  • Line 6 is not responsible for misinformation about this promotion that you may have received from other sources.
  • The Instant Rebate offered cannot be transferred or combined with any other offer, discount, or accommodation.
  • Available only while supplies last. Offer limited to Eligible Products in-stock during the Promotion Period.
  • This offer is only available to Line 6 customers with mailing addresses in the United States.

Gibson Introduces Sergio Valliín 1955 Les Paul Goldtop

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For the past 128 years, Gibson – the iconic American instrument brand – has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. Gibson Custom Shop is proud to partner with Sergio Valliín, guitarist of Maná, the rock band from Guadalajara, Mexico, one of the best-selling, and most successful Latin-American bands of all time with over 40 million records sold worldwide.

Gibson luthiers and Sergio have collaborated to create his first-ever Gibson signature guitar with the new Sergio Valliín 1955 Les Paul Goldtop from the Gibson Customer Shop Murphy Lab. The Sergio Valliín 1995 Les Paul Goldtop has been meticulously crafted for fans to experience Sergio’s beloved 1955 Les Paul Goldtop; the guitar is now available worldwide at authorized Gibson dealers and via www.Gibson.com.

“I feel thankful and honored, a Les Paul with my name, I just can’t believe it,” says Sergio Valliín. “This guitar is an extension of my hands and my soul. I remember seeing Les Paul play at a show in New York, I met him backstage, and he said, ‘if I stopped playing this guitar, I would die.’ I feel honored to be carrying on Les Paul’s legacy, and I thank Gibson for honoring not only my work, but also for recognizing the importance of Latin Music.

Sergio adds: “For Latin musicians, it’s so hard to imagine the idea of having a signature model, and I hope this is just the first of many, because there are so many amazing guitar players and musicians in Latin America who deserve their voices to be amplified and honored by a guitar brand that we all love so much.”

“This guitar is the result of a team led effort. It’s inspired by a 1955 Les Paul that I have, and the Gibson team worked hard to get the best guitar possible inspired by my own guitar,” Sergio continues. “It has a humbucker and a P-90, which multiplies the sonic spectrum. It has a Bigsby, which makes it a very versatile guitar. It’s lighter than a 50s Les Paul, but it carries a lot of power.”

“It’s exciting to bring this collaboration to fruition! We have been working with Sergio for some time and this signature Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Les Paul was years in the making,” says Cesar Gueikian, Brand President, Gibson Brands. “Fans can see Sergio onstage with the guitar on Maná’s North American Tour and at the group’s residency at The Forum in Los Angeles from April-September.

“One of the most creative, talented, and virtuoso guitar players I have ever know, Sergio can play everything from classical style Spanish to the most melodic and soulful riffs, onto the most unimaginable killer solos,” Cesar continues. “He has influenced generations of players in Latin America, and around the world and has collaborated with some of the best guitarists in the world. Sergio has touched people’s lives and made Latin American music matter more than ever over their 40 year career, and today they’re stronger than ever.”

MAS Effects Introduces the Sona Fuzz Pedal

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MAS Effects has introduced the Sona Fuzz pedal. It is described as an extreme, high gain fuzz pedal with a touch of class. This Tone Queen gives you incredible control with a switch to adjust the input filter, and a knob to pan between high and low pass filters.

Controls

Fuzz: Sets the amount of gain, distortion, fuzz, sustain, or whatever you want to call it. Like with most fuzz pedals, it will interact with the volume knob of your guitar. e.g. roll back the guitar volume at low FUZZ levels to clean up the signal considerably.

Volume: Controls the overall output of the pedal.

Tone: Pans between cutting highs or lows.

Body Switch: Fattens or thins out the signal going into the pedal.

Soft-touch Foot Switch: Tap to switch between true bypass and engaged; Hold to temporarily bypass when engaged, or temporarily engage while bypassed. Hold while connecting power to toggle whether the pedal will be engaged or bypassed whenever it’s powered on.

Internal Controls

FUZZ Ceiling: Need MORE gain? This pedal has insane amounts on tap, but a lot of people expect to be able to turn the knobs any which way (and all the way up) and have it sound great. This isn’t unreasonable, but it’s limiting. If you max out the gain, the pedal gets really noisy! So inside, on the lower right, is a blue and white trimmer that tames it.

Bias: Can be adjusted to give a gated, sputtery sound.

Technical Specifications:

Jack placement: Top-mounted

Power supply: 9V DC, 2.1mm center negative (not included). No internal battery clip

Power consumption: 19mA

Bypass: Relay switched true bypass

The Sona Fuzz pedal is available in select retailers or directly online at map-effects.com for $149, and includes free shipping within the U.S.

Technics Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Technics SL-120 Series Turntables

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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Technics SL-1200 Series, a limited number of special edition SL-1200M7L direct drive turntable system will be released.

This product is a special edition model based on the SL-1200MK7, which was released in 2019. The model will be available in seven limited-edition colors to reflect the street culture that continues to inspire generations of DJs. The tone arm is anodized in a golden hue, and the top panel features a special badge with an engraved serial number that represents the limited-edition model. Special accessories include a slip mat with a gold-colored Technics logo and a 50th anniversary sticker. Only 12,000 units will be released globally.

Features of the Limited-Edition SL-1200M7L Model

  • Based on the SL-1200MK7, the limited edition design is available in seven colors (black, red, blue, white, green, yellow, beige).
  • Accessories unique to the limited-edition model, including a slip mat with a gold-colored logo
  • Coreless direct drive motor achieving stable rotation free of cogging and powerful torque
  • Highly sensitive, yet robust tonearm accurately reading the signal engraved in the record groove
  • Two-layer structure platter with improved vibration damping performance
  • High-rigidity cabinet and high damping insulator for thorough shut-out of all vibrations, even during harsh operation conditions
  • Starting torque/brake speed adjustment function
  • Pitch control function enables accurate and stable pitch adjustment
  • Reverse play function expands the flexibility of DJ playing styles
  • Stylus illuminator function enables accurate and stable pitch adjustment

The SL-1200ML became available on April 7, 2022, and for immediate shipment beginning in July for $1,099.99 MSP. The limited-edition turntable can be purchased from the following retailers:

  • Astro Audio Video Lighting Inc.
  • Chuck Levins Washington Music
  • Guitar Center
  • I DJ Now
  • Mile High DJ Supply
  • Rock and Soul
  • B&H
  • Stokyo
  • Sweetwater Sound

Canon Announces New Flex Zoom Lens Series of EF Cinema Cameras

Information,

Canon U.S.A, Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today the launch of a new series of lenses for the company’s EF Cinema Lens lineup – the Flex Zoom Lens series of lenses, which were developed to create cinema-style productions with greater workflow efficiency. The first lenses in the series are the CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F/EP wide-angle zoom lens and the CN-E45-135mm T2.4 LF/FP telephoto zoom lens.

Designed in the pursuit of cinematic beauty, the new large-aperture lenses feature both high-level optical design and performance while maintaining the style and ease-of-use of Canon’s EF Cinema lens series. With the introduction of the zoom lenses featuring focal length ranges of 20-50mm for wide-angle and 45-135mm for telephoto, Canon now offers zoom lenses that cover the same range as its six existing prime (single focal length) lenses. The versatility of these new lenses supports efficient production workflows for a wide range of scenarios, including film, TV programs, commercials, and much more.

When paired with full-frame or large-frame cameras, these lenses fully leverage the cameras’ signature shallow depth-of-field look and provide smooth and natural background blur, helping to produce powerful storytelling imagery. The lenses also maintain a bright T2.4 aperture across their entire zoom ranges, allowing for image capture in both natural light and darker environments. This feature helps to reduce the need for intricate lighting setups, enabling more efficient and cost-effective video production workflows.

Engineered with an optical configuration that creates the optimal placement of lens elements, including a large-aperture aspherical lens and an anomalous dispersion glass lens, the CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F/FP and the CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F/FP lenses help reduce the potential for color smudging and chromatic aberrations. This enables them to maintain high optical performance from the center of the image to the periphery when paired with 8K cameras.

In addition to supporting EF-mount data transmission, the new lenses are also compatible with /i Technology from Cooke Optics. With this capability, recording metadata such as focus, zoom, aperture, and lens model can be transmitted via the lens mount for visualization on the camera itself. This additional information helps to contribute to more efficient workflows not only during on-location recording, but also during post-production and editing.

Pricing and Availability

The Canon CN-E20 50mm T.24/FP wide angle zoom lens and Canon CN-E45-135mm T2.4 LF/FP telephoto zoom lens are scheduled to be available in early June 2022 and early September 2022 for an estimated retail price of $21,999.00.

Canon will showcase its latest digital imaging solutions and products, including the new Flex Zoom Lens series of lenses, at the NAB Show 2022 (Booth #C4432) in Las Vegas, April 24th-27th.

RØDE Introduced NTH-100 Professional Over-Ear Headphones

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RØDE NTH-100 professional over-ear headphones offer exceptional sonic performance and superior comfort that inspires creativity. Featuring custom-matched drivers that deliver an incredibly accurate frequency response and ultra-low distortion, and a precision-engineered acoustic design optimized for exceptional detail and clarity, they are an ideal for all forms of content creation, including music production, mixing and audio editing, podcasting, streaming and location recording.

Luxurious Alcantara cushions with RØDE’s revolutionary CoolTech gel ensure maximum comfort, particularly for long-format content creation, and the fully adjustable headband with RØDE’s innovative FitLok locking system provides the perfect fit every time. Your search for the perfect headphones is over.

Key Features:

  • Custom-matched drivers an incredibly accurate frequency response and low distortion – ideal for monitoring and mixing
  • Precision-engineered acoustic construction optimized for exceptional detail, clarity and a very natural sound
  • Alcantara earcup and headband cushions for superior comfort
  • Revolutionary CoolTech gel reduces wearing fatigue
  • Fully adjustable headband with FitLok locking system
  • Unique contoured earcups for superior acoustic performance and comfort, with memory foam cushions for excellent noise isolation
  • Removable cable with locking connector that can be connected to either earcup for maximum flexibility and convenience
  • Designed and made using high-grade components in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia

Audio as it’s Meant to Be Heard

The NTH-100s are meticulously crafted to deliver exceptional sonic performance for critical listening, from monitoring to mixing to mastering. Featuring custom-matched dynamic drivers that have been painstaking tuned for an incredibly accurate frequency response and extremely low distortion, they are remarkably natural-sounding headphones.

These qualities are further enhanced by the unique contoured earcup construction, which is optimized to ensure exceptional detail and clarity, and memory foam cushions for exceptional detail and clarity, and memory foam cushions for excellent passive noise insolation. They are precision-crafted to retain every detail and every nuance of sound they produce. In other words, audio as it’s meant to be heard.

Line 6 Introduces New Metallurgy Collection

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Line 6 has introduced their new Metallurgy Collection of amps and effects plugins. It was created for guitarists who want to easily access contemporary versions of classic and modern metal tones – as well as craft tones of their own. The collection bundles the Modern, Thrash, and Doom plugins, which are also available individually.

Download a free 15-day trial version of the Metallurgy Collection from the Line 6 website.

The three Metallurgy Collection plugins feature amplifier and effects models drawn from the award-winning HX family of products – ensuring outstanding sound quality and dynamic responsiveness. Each of the plugins features four amplifier types that may be paired with any of eight speaker cabinets.

Two microphones may be selected from a virtual “mic locker” containing eight microphone types, and these may be combined with a stereo room mic array. Up to two third-party impulse responses (IRs) may be substituted for factory mics. All of the microphones may be positioned in various ways and a 4-band parametric EQ allows you to sculpt the cabinet tone even further. Four pre-amplifier and three post-amplifier effects are also provided – including polyphonic pitch-shifting – as are a noise gate and a chromatic tuner.

The amp, cab, and effects rigs appear much as they would in the analog world thanks to the plugin’s photorealistic user interfaces, making it fun and easy to tweak presets to suit your stylistic needs or assemble new rigs of your own.

In addition to being used as VST3, AU, or AAX plugins within any DAW, the Modern, Thrash, and Doom plugins also function as standalone applications – making the Metallurgy Collection one of the most versatile tone-creation tools available.

Metallurgy: Modern – for Modern Metal Guitarists

The Metallurgy: Modern plugin focuses on the searing, saturated, tones of modern metal and progressive metal, with the midrange emphasis and tight low end favored by extended-range and detuned guitars.

Amp Models: Archetype, Rew Generator, Vitriol, Badonk

Effects: Rochester Comp, Minotaur, Caliper Drive, Mod/Chorus Echo, Dynamic Hall Reverb

Metallurgy: Thrash – for Thrash Guitarists

The Metallurgy: Thrash plugin focuses on the tight, mid-scooped, hyper-aggressive tones deploys by thrash guitarists.

Amp Models: Rivit Clean, Cali IV, Placater Dirty, Das Benzin

Effects: Throaty Wah, Pillars OD, Stupor OD, 70s Chourus & Hot Springs (Jazz Rivet 120 only), Automatic Double Tracking, Vintage Digital Delay

Metallurgy: Doom for Doom Guitarists

The Metallurgy: Doom plugin churns out gloomy tones that emphasize the low-end frequencies ideal for the girth riffs and gargantuan drones favored by doom guitarists.

Amp Models: MOO)))N, Mandarin Rocker, Doom, Mail Order Twin

Effects: Bighorn Fuzz, Wringer Fuzz, Vital Distortion, Pebble Phaser, Bias Trem & Hot Springs (Mail Order Twin only), Automatic Double Tracking, Adriatic Delay

Line 6 Offers Instant Rebate on POD Go or DL4

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Line 6 has a promo on the POD Go or DL4. Purchase a POD Go or a DL4 and save $50 on a limited time instant rebate. The promo is valid through March 31, 2022. This promo is only available to Line 6 customers with mailing addresses in the United States.

The ultra-portable POD Go amp and effects processor boasts an intuitive plug-and-play user interface, a rugged multi-function expression pedal, and pro-level amp, cab, and effect models drawn from the HX family of processors.

POD Go and POD Go Wireless amp and effects processors get you on the road to ultimate tone via their ultra-potable and lightweight design, simple plug-and-play interface, and best-in-class tones.

The DL4 Stompbox Modeling Pedal contains 16 models based on legendary echo and delay boxes from the storied Maestro EP-1 Echoplex to the awesome T.C. Electronic 2290, the DL4 has in turn become a classic in its own right, as popular with guitarists as it is with singers, drummers, bassists, keyboardists, and anyone who wants a pure 24-bit true stereo signal path in the service of delays that run the gamut from gritty and psychedelic to pristine and heavenly.

You’d be insane to pack an original Roland RE-101 Space Echo or Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man into the back of your van for a club tour, but the DL4 packs models of those sounds and many more into a rugged, road-tested steel housing that can run for up to 30 hours on four “C” batteries or with the optional PX-2G adaptor.

Models of classic delay boxes – and the sweet choruses and vibrators that accompany many of them – are just the beginning; the DL4 also boats innovative sounds like its “Auto-Volume Echo,” which combines a volume swell with a tweak able tape-style echo; or the outstanding “Reverse Delay,” which allows you to play stunning backwards guitar solos on the fly.