Neumann Launches Re-Issue of Famous U 67 Tube Microphone

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Neumann is the world’s leading manufacturer of studio microphones and the creator of recording legends including the U 47, M 49, U 67, and U 87. Neumann has re-issued its famous U 67 tube microphone. It was the microphone that defined the sound of the sixties.

The U 67 tube microphone, introduced in 1960, was the quintessential studio workhorse throughout the formative years of modern music. To this day, many top-level engineers would choose the U 67 as their “desert island” microphone for its inimitably smooth sound and extraordinary versatility. This universal studio microphone has acquired a legendary status, and with it a large and passionate community of fans.

With three selectable polar patterns – omni-directional, cardioid, and figure-of-8 – and advanced tube circuitry, including low-cut and pad switches, the Neumann U 67 is well equipped for virtually any recording task.

Its smooth top-end with a subtle tube shimmer makes the U 67 an outstanding vocal microphone for both male and female voices. Due to its essentially linear response in the three polar patterns, the U 67 is also a very versatile microphone for all kinds of instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and upright bass.

Sonically, the current re-issue is identical to the U 67 made from 1960 – 1971. It uses the same capsule and electronic design. Key parts, such as the BV 12 output transformer, have been meticulously reproduced according to original documentation. Its EF86 tubes have been carefully selected in a dedicated measurement facility for optimal characteristics and lowest noise,

The U 67 comes in a vintage case that is – just like the U 67 re-issue – hand-made in Germany. Besides the microphone, it includes an elastic suspension, a microphone cable and the NU 67 V power supply. The power supply was redesigned to meet today’s strict safety requirements and to accommodate the slightly higher filament current of newer premium-grade tubes The new NU 67 V is fully compatible with other U 67 microphones, and automatically adapts to the local mains voltage.

The U 67 Set will be available from March of 2018.

Victory Amplifiers Introduces V30 MKII Amplifier

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Victory Amplifiers has introduced the V30 The Countess MKII amplifier. It is an updated version of their first Compact Series head with more sounds than ever and a beautiful black chrome finish.

Originally developed with Guthrie Govan as his ‘flying amp’ the V30 MKII features an all-new Clean-channel Crunch mode and the footswitchable ‘Nomod’ function to offer two levels of bass response.

The original V30 has a very distinct clean and overdrive channels. There is massive headroom and clarity in the former, with a ton of heavy rocking overdrive in the latter. With V30MKII, Victory Amplifiers have added an extra footswitchable crunch mode to the clean channel – developed for V130 The Super Countess – that offers a whole pallette of pushed clean, crunch, and light overdrive tones to the party. Along with the new ‘Nomod’ function, the V30 is now the ultimate ultra-compact all-rounder.

V30 The Countess MKII key features & specification:

Format: Two channel, three-mode head

Power:
Clean Channel High Power: 42 Watts
Clean Channel Low Power: 7 Watts
OD Channel High Power: 37 Watts
OD Channel Low Power: 6 Watts

Valves: 4 x 12 xAX7, 2 x 6L6 or EL34

Size (mm): 342 (w) x 185 (h) x 185 (d)

Weight: 8.2 kg / 18.1 lbs.

Extra Features:
Footswitch: channel change / crunch and Nomod
Effects loop
Skeletonized metal case with rubber handle
Padded carry bag included

Sonnox Introduced VoxDoubler Plug-In

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Sonnox introduced the VoxDoubler. It is the first plug-in of Sonnox’s Toolbox range. It is being offered at a lower price for a limited time. Sonnox is also offering a 15-day free trial of VoxDoubler.

The Toolbox range has been conceived to solve universally complex and time-consuming problems that affect beginners and audio professionals alike. Toolbox Plug-Ins leverage Sonnox’s heritage and expertise in building the highest quality, precise, and transparent-sounding audio processes available.

The VoxDoubler is presented as two separate Plug-Ins that focus on the two most common vocal doubling workflows. Vocal performances lie at the very heart of a song. Doubling vocals is a really effective way of adding more contrast, drama, and presence to the story of your song.

The VoxDoubler is comprised of two separate Plug-Ins called Widen and Thicken which are bespoke engineered to help with the two most common vocal doubling workflows. Widen generates two mono voices and pans them to the left and right of the original vocal. Thicken generates a new stereo doubled voice and overlaps it with the original vocal.

Features:

  • Generate believable double and triple vocal tracks to create width, depth, or add thickness.
  • Humanize section to adjust the Timing and Pitch of the doubles relative to the original vocal
  • Depth control to push the new doubled voices deeper into the mix
  • Tone control to prevent sibilant doubles from becoming distracting, or to brighten those that are too muddy
  • Track/Aux mode allows you to apply the effect in place or, for more advanced control, mix it in parallel on an aux return
  • A more cost-effective alternative, both in terms of initial outlay and speed of use, than more complex and manual processes
  • Engineered for vocals, but try it on instruments, too
  • Hallmark Sonnox audio precision, transparency and reliability

The VoxDoubler is available at £55.13 GBP / $79 USD (excluding taxes) for a limited time. On March 1, 2018, it reverts to the standard price of £69.00 GBP / $99 USD.

Beyerdynamic FOX Microphone Guarantees Excellent Sound

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Beyerdynamic has a leading role in headphones, microphones, and conference systems markets. Their new FOX USB microphone can capture any music in any place, at any time. The beyerdynamic FOX guarantees excellent sound quality, be it for vocals or speech, for a performance with an acoustic guitar, a podcast, gaming, or Let’s Play videos on YouTube.

The beyerdynamic FOX features a high-quality microphone capsule, as found in professional studio microphones around the world. This large-membrane condenser microphone provides high sensitivity compared to common dynamic microphones. This means even quiet sounds and the finest nuances can be captured perfectly.

The cardioid polar pattern shield protects against rear-incident noise, providing ideal protection against background noise. The elastic suspension on the microphone capsule prevents structure-borne noise – eliminating footsteps and fret noises.

One of the great strengths of the beyerdynamic FOX is its simplicity. Microphone recordings normally require a preamplifier and an AD converter as well as a microphone. If you then want to listen to the recording, you’ll need a DA converter and headphone amplifier or loudspeakers.

Not so with FOX: A USB cable, a computer and a pair of headphones like the DT 770 are all you need to make first-class productions quickly and easily. The engineers at beyerdynamic have managed to fit all the components you need for professional recording into the compact FOX.

Integrated Cirrus Logic converters offer up to 24 bit at a sampling frequency of 96 kHz – that means sophisticated studio quality. But set-up is still remarkably simple: a single USB cable links the microphone to a computer, the headphones plug directly into the microphone.

The beyerdynamic FOX will be available in April 2018 in specialist stores and in the beyerdynamic online shop. The recommended retail price is EUR 179.

Audified Introduces DW Drum Enhancer

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Audified develops software applications, software effects and hardware processors for musicians, audio engineers and installed audio. Audified has introduced the DW Drum Enhancer “the only drum processor you’ll ever need”. It is an all-in-one drum processing tool designed and tuned by DW recording engineers.

The DW Drum Enhancer is not just one effect. It has several EQs and compressors inside. By dialing the drum type the plug-in automatically chooses appropriate gate and compressor model and sets the 3-band EQ’s frequencies to ideal values. Five types of valve saturation will give your drum tracks the real-life feel.

Usually, you would need several plug-ins to gate, compress and EQ your drums as you desire. It’s hard to find the right match of the processors, and you have to care about levels between the plug-ins. You also have to tune your sound in several windows at the same time.

With DW Drum Enhancer, all these troubles are gone. One click sets up your system and the only thing you have to care about is the fine tuning and gentle saturation of your sound. You save time and insert slots and CPU power.

The fastest way to get to the desired drum sound is to use the DWDE presets. Those were carefully prepared in DW studios by professionals that specialize in drum recording on a daily basis.

The intelligent and tweakable Gate helps to remove unwanted signal from the recorded material. The compressor type, knee and times depend on the drum type selection. The chance to use parallel compression gives you endless sonic options.

The DWDE EQ was precicely designed by the DW engineers for the perfect EQ sweet spots. The knob’s frequencies, Q’s and high/low pass behavior depends on the drum type you dial in the selector section. The Pre and Post positions are standard.

Aguilar Amplification Brings Grape Phaser to NAMM 2018

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Aguilar Amplification is dedicated to using superior engineering processes to make great gear for bass players. By designing and manufacturing heads, cabinets, preamps, pickups and effects pedals, they can contribute to many aspects of the sound of the bass. Aguilar Amplification is bringing their new Grape Phaser Bass Phase to NAMM 2018.

The Grape Phaser provides lush, analog phase shifting courtesy of a simple, two-knob layout. RATE controls the speed of modulation, while COLOR feeds a portion of the signal back through the phase shifting circuit, creating new and super funky bass sounds.

The Grape Phaser will be unveiled at NAMM 2018. The Grape Phaser will become available in Spring of 2018.

Grape Phaser Features:

  • All-analog technology
  • Gig-saver bypass (signal passes even if your battery dies)
  • Inputs: 1/4” jack
  • Outputs: One 1/4” jack
  • Power: Nine-volt battery or optional universal power supply
  • Controls: Engage switch
  • Warranty: Three year limited
  • Optional: 9 volt power supply

Apogee Brings MiC Plus to NAMM 2018

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Apogee brings MiC Plus to NAMM 2018. MiC Plus is an update to the Apogee’s MiC. You can pre-order the MiC Plus now. It is priced at $249.00. Apogee products are built in the USA using domestic and foreign parts and components.

Apogee MiC Plus is a professional studio quality USB microphone you can connect to your iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Mac, or PC. MiC Plus makes it easy for you to capture your best take with incredible quality, anywhere you go. Record any sound you can imagine, from vocals to voice-overs, instruments to interviews and everything in between.

MiC Plus is small enough to fit in your pocket. It connects to iOS devices or your laptop, making it ideal for recording on the go.

MiC Plus’ professional-quality capsule, high sensitivity and ample gain give it a sound that is similar to a studio condenser microphone going through a high-end mic preamp.

With MiC Plus, there’s no complicated setup. Just connect to your computer or iOS device, select MiC Plus as your audio interface, and record in your favorite app.

Highlights:

  • Professional cardioid condenser microphone capsule
  • PureDIGITAL connection for pristine sound quality up to 24-bit / 96kHz
  • 46dB of mic preamp gain, digitally controlled for greater precision
  • Powerful headphone output with Blend feature for zero latency monitoring
  • No configuration required, just plug in and record

System Requirements:

Mac OS 10.9 or later

  • Computer: Mac, with an Intel processor
  • Memory: 2 GB of RAM minimum
  • Connection/Power: USB port on computer

Windows 10

  • Computer: Windows PC with Intel/AMD x86-64 processor
  • Memory: 4 GB of RAM minimum
  • Connection/Power: USB port on computer

iOS 9 or Later

  • Connection: Lightning
  • Power: From iOS device

Lunastone Brings 4 New Pedals to NAMM 2018

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Lunastone is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company is known for their TrueOverDrive pedals (Wise Guy, Big Fella and Three Stage Rocket) that use a technique that has no clipping diodes in the signal chain at all. The overdrive comes exclusively from cascading gain stages, much like in a real amplifier. Lunastone will bring 4 brand new pedals to NAMM 2018.

The new Lunastone pedals come in 4 brand new Dirt Flavors: Red Fuzz 1, Distortion 1, Smooth Drive 1, and Blue Drive 1. They are expected to appear in guitar shops during the Spring of 2018 at an expected price of $199 / € 199.

Red Fuzz 1 is a hot-tempered, screaming Hendrix-style Fuzz pedal, but with a sizzling almost synthesizer-like tone to it as well. Lunastone likes to keep their pedals clean and with Scandinavian minimalistic style and sleek design that TrueOverDrive 1 and 2 introduced.

Distortion 1 is a dedicated hard rock style pedal resembling the classic tone of iconic shredders such as Eddie van Halen. Dirt-wise, this is a step up compared to TrueOverDrive 1 and 2, but with the same true approach to creating a sound that responds ideally for your natural playing, using various dynamic techniques to express your music.

Distortion 1 offers a massive, yet classic, distortion sound for hard rock guitarists and psychedelic shredders alike.

Blue Drive 1 has a delicious and crunchy tone that is more focused on the meticulous details of the slightly gained range than simply adding maximum amounts of gain. Set the gain low on this moody pedal and play softly and you will get a sound that is almost like a clean boost, but with a clear and glass-like character that will make you stand out in an elegant and classy way.

Smooth Drive 1 is a silky and smooth drive pedal that will give you just a little edge, Think BB King, Larry Carlton and 335 Gibson guitars – even Jazz player will love the delicious crunch of this drive gem.

Compared to TrueOverDrive 1, this is a notch down from the drive ladder. It was made for those who wished for an even more gentle and subtle drive pedal than TOD 1, but without sacrificing the core of TrueOverDrive.

Bitwig Announces Bitwig Studio 2.3

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Bitwig announced Bitwig Studio 2.3. With their biggest point update yet, they deliver a number of features requested by the community, alongside hot new things, profoundly expanding the sound design possibilities in Bitwig Studio.

Sink your teeth into Phase-4, the massive new phase manipulation synthesizer, time signature changes, voice stacking capabilities and gloriously expanded views for seven devices.

Additionally, with Bitwig Studio 2.3, Bitwig introduces major improvements in time-stretching, including industry-leading Elastique algorithms from zplane. Bitwig tops things off with two new selector devices, a new modulator, a multitude of improvements, and a sound content update involving renowned sound designers.

The beta testing phase of Bitwig Studio 2.3 starts soon. All Bitwig Studio 2 license holders will be able to test the new version, and Bitwig will send out a newsletter as soon as the beta is available. The release of Bitwig Studio 2.3 is planned for the end of February.

Fender Announces American Original Series

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Fender Musical Corporation announced the launch of the American Original Series, a new line of American-made electric basses and guitars inspired by some of Fender’s most-successful ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s models. Boasting 11 models and 30 SKUs to match a variety of musical tastes and players, the American Original Series replaces the American Vintage Series, which was first introduced in 1982.

Whether you’re a gigging musician, lover of vintage-style design or a collector – this new series marries that classic Fender vibe players have always loved about ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s Fender electric guitars and basses with distinct, modern features offering greater comfort, playability and best-in-class performance.

Priced from $1,799.99 to $2,099.99, American Original electric guitars and basses are designed and handcrafted in Corona, California.

The progressive lineup features a wide variety of models across decades, including ’50s and ’60s Stratocaster guitars, ’50s and ’60s Telecaster guitars, ’60s Jazzmaster and ’60s Jaguar guitars, ’50s and ’60s Precision Bass guitars, ’60s and ’70s Jazz Bass guitars, as well as left-handed models of the ’50s Stratocaster, ’60s Stratocaster and ’50s Telecaster.

Thirteen classic Fender colors are features on these electric guitars and basses: Aztec Gold, White Blonde, 2-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Candy Apple Red, 3-Color Sunburst, Butterscotch Blonde, Fiesta Red, Lake Placid Blue, Surf Green, Ocean Turquoise, Natural and Black.

Marrying classic style, modern playability and performance, the American Original Series brings together vintage-style design cues, as well as modern fingerboard radii and switching. Other key features include: vintage-style hardware, vintage-tall frets, body radii and neck shapes, lacquer finishes, original-spec pickups, classic Fender colors and vintage-style cases.