For many years Steinbergs post production suite has been one of their flagship products, in use by producers and editors around the world. Now Steinberg have anounced Nuendo Live which aims to be a live multitrack recording solution for users wishing to record and edit whole shows and events.
Steinberg’s information on Nuendo Live:
Nuendo Live is a professional multitrack live recording solution, perfectly tailored to capture live performances, from club show up to the largest concerts and festivals. Ease of use, utmost stability and an exceptional performance are combined to make your live recording session both more professional and a whole lot easier. Highlights of Nuendo Live include on-the-fly session setup, a convenient record panel, a 60-second pre-record buffer, auto-save functionality and a seamless integration with Yamaha’s CL digital mixing consoles. In plain words, Nuendo Live the ideal choice to capture the essence of now — with superior quality and without any compromises.
Steinberg Nuendo Live Main Features:
Advanced live recording system featuring a straightforward single-window operation, a record panel, a pre-record buffer and more
Seamless integration with Yamaha CL-series consoles for controlling essential Nuendo Live functions straight from the live console
State-of-the-art recording quality based on Steinberg’s award-winning audio engine with up to 192 kHz lets your production stand apart from the competition
Nuendo Live Record Panel shows all essential session information at once — creating confidence in demanding live situations
Advanced Session Management with auto-naming of recorded files, multiple folder creation, easy-to-use marker track, auto-save and notepad
Zero setup time thanks to automatic track creation function that make Nuendo Live record-ready in less than a minute
24+ hours recording time thanks to EBU-compliant RIFF 64 broadcast wave format in standard recording mode
Virtual Sound Check allows for easy use of previous recordings for sound check, including marker recall and 1:1 output
Deliver with confidence due to standardized rendering formats and Nuendo
Editing on the road: Nuendo Live includes essential editing functions, making it possible to create a rough edit of the recordings right after the show
RME come out swinging with a new highend digital card. The RME HDSPe MADI FX promises 390 channels of digital audio which we reckon puts it well into the realms of broadcast users or those recording live sound at some rather epic concerts.
So what do RME have to say about this new interface?:
The RME HDSPe MADI FX Overview:
The RME HDSPe MADI FX features 390 audio channels! Three MADI I/Os – two optical and one coaxial – are accompanied by one AES/EBU I/O and one analog monitoring output. To complete the feature set, a Word Clock connection and four MIDI I/Os were added. The complete technology and connectivity are highly integrated into the smallest possible amount of space – typical for RME. Only one PCIe slot is required on the motherboard, plus one free slot opening on the case.
To guarantee RME’s unique low latency performance with such a huge amount of audio channels, the RME HDPSe MADI FX introduces a newly developed modular Hammerfall Pro Audio Core. The high-tech core will process three times as many channels as the channel count of the previous MADI flagship, while actually reducing the system load and enabling ultra-low latencies down to 32 samples on modern computers.
A sophisticated new efficiency technology will automatically deactivate currently unused channels, so that they require no processing power or bandwidth. A simple stereo playback will not require any more performance than from a standard stereo audio card – despite the use of a professional multi-channel system with almost 400 channels.
The new core technology is accompanied by a special version of TotalMix FX, which allows using the enormous channel count in an efficient and practical manner. The addition of numerous performance optimizations ensures that the 4096-channel mixer of the MADI FX responds just as smoothly as its 1800-channel counterpart in the Fireface UFX. A new and faster DSP allows for a greater number of EQs and compressors.
An innovative new layout of TotalMix enables ergonomic handling of the enormous number of channels. A special option makes it possible to visually hide unused channels. Complete “Hide setups” can be saved at any time, and switched with a simple mouse click, for example between the channel view of the drum mix and the full band setup.
The 192 kHz RME effects engine allows latency-free monitoring with numerous effects like EQs, Compressors, Reverb, and Echo rendered directly on the hardware of the card, independent from the DAW software in use.
The integrated TotalMix matrix conveniently allows the use of the card as powerful MADI router. Unlike most other router solutions, each channel can be routed individually – even with separate level settings for each routing. The unparalleled flexibility of TotalMix can turn the most exotic applications into practical reality.
RME’s unique Seamless Redundancy Operation uses the cards’ 3 MADI receivers to provide professional users with state-of-the-art fail safe operation. In SRO mode the card operates as single MADI input device, recording up to 64 channels. As soon as the current input fails the audio data received from one of the other two inputs is used. The audio data is not interrupted when switching to another input – and the card can use not only one, but two more sources for redundancy. No relocking and synchronization to a different clock source is required, and the interruption caused by the external failure is minimized to a few samples.
The card also features SteadyClock, RME’s active jitter suppression and the unique professional meter and analysis toolbox DIGICheck – including EBU R128 metering – as well as nearly identical operation of the card under Windows and Mac OS.
The RME HDSPe MADI FX
The RME HDSPe MADI FX Connectivity:
PCI Express Interface
194 input- / 196 output channels = 390 channels
3 x MADI I/O (2 x optical + 1 x coaxial)
AES/EBU I/O (via breakout cable)
3 x virtual MIDI I/O over MADI
1 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN (breakout cable)
Stereo Analog Out
Word Clock I/O
TotalMix FX with 192 kHz effects engine
The RME HDSPe MADI FX Tech Specs:
1-Lane PCI Express Endpoint device (no PCI Express to PCI Bridge), revision 1.1.
2.5 Gbps line speed
Packet-based full-duplex communication (up to 500 MB/s transfer rate)
All settings changeable in real-time
Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
Sync sources: MADI coaxial, MADI optical, AES/EBU, word clock, internal
The RME Advanced Remote Control (ARC) is a programable remote control designed to be used with either the RME Fireface UFX or the RME Fireface UCX.
Whilst the inital batches of UCX shipped with a cut down version of this unit, the are plans afoot for future units to ship minus a remote and at a lower price, with the option for the end user to upgrade functionality by purchasing the new remote unit should they require it.
So what does this remote offer? Over to RME for the answers:
RME Advanced Remote ControlOverview:
The wired RME Advanced Remote Control (ARC) has been designed for direct access to the most frequently used actions and commands required in a studio’s daily work. Its extremely flexible configuration through TotalMix FX will simplify the workflow and greatly increase the usability of the RME interface in any real world situation.
* The RME Advanced Remote Control (ARC) can be used with all Fireface UCX. It can also be used with all Fireface UFX with a serial number 23241707 (built after June 2011) or higher. Upcoming interfaces that feature an Advanced Remote Control connector will also be compatible. Users that own a RME Fireface UFX with a serial number below 23241707 have to send their UFX to their distributor as it requires a hardware modification to be fully compatible to the Advanced Remote Control. This modification is not free of charge.
The ARC consists of a solid metal case with a main encoder dial, 2 push buttons and 6 LED-equipped buttons. The Remote Control connects to the main interface via a 5 m (16.4 ft.) cable and a special connector on the back of both units.
The RME Advanced Remote Control
Supported Features
The top of the Advanced Remote Control features a rotary encoder with push switch function, 2 lower buttons, and 6 upper buttons with Status LED. The rotary encoder is used to change various parameters, like gain and volume. The left button Prog is programmable, and can perform several functions. The same is true for the upper 6 buttons, which also include a status LED to signal the current state.
The ARC provides default settings for the 7 programmable buttons, but can be freely configured via the Key Commands dialog of TotalMix FX. All buttons can be assigned to more than 36 different commands. The behaviour of each individual button can be changed between push, toggle, enable and disable, depending on the base function.
The Command Key Page
Available commands/actions (examples):
– Main Volume
– Global Mute
– Global Solo
– Mute Group 1 to 4
– Solo Group 1 to 4
– Fader Group 1 to 4
– Link Main AB
– Speaker B Select
– DIM (Main Out)
– Mute (Main Out)
– Mute FX (Main Out)
– Mono (Main Out)
– External Input
– Reverb
– Echo
– Cue Phones 1 to 4
– Snapshot 1 to 8
– Mic Gains
– Inst. Gains
– Volume Phones
Several functions can be activated at the same time. Example: Button A is set to Cue Phones 1. That means the phones submix is heard via the Main output (the studio monitors). Now to be able to also change the volume of the phones submix itself, set button B to Volume Phones 1. Activating both will allow you to listen to the phones submix via the main output, and also to change its volume (the fader in the third row) by turning the encoder knob.
In stand-alone mode of Fireface UCX and UFX there is no TotalMix FX on the host computer. Therefore the settings for the ARC are no longer available. Instead a fixed set of functions is activated:
– Turn Encoder: Main Out volume
– Push on Encoder: Dim for Main Out
– Recall button: Recall function for Main Out
– Prog: no function
– Buttons A to F: load Setup 1 to 6
The Alesis IO Mix mixer for iPad is one of the first Musikmesse unveilings of 2012.
What they say…
Now, for the first time ever, you can mix and record up to four channels of audio into your iPad.
The Alesis iO Mix is the first device that turns your iPad into a powerful portable studio, allowing you to record multiple mics or instruments directly into GarageBand or any other compatible Core Audio app.
With the Alesis iO Dock, Alesis was the first to make your iPad studio-compatible. Now with the Alesis iO Mix, your iPad becomes your studio. All the connections you need are onboard, including four combo XLR-1/4″ input channels and balanced, stereo 1/4″ outputs. The Alesis iO Mix also has a video output, making it perfect for everything from presentations and corporate meetings to home entertainment and live performance visuals.
ROOM FOR FOUR
With the Alesis iO Mix’s four-channel capability you finally have everything you need for mixing and recording on your iPad, all in one device. There’s no more clunky dongle connections or USB cables needed. Your iPad is seamlessly integrated into a compact mixing console that will be immediately familiar and easy to use. When you close Alesis iO Mix’s hinged door, your iPad is completely enclosed and secure — you’ll hardly be able to tell that they’re separate devices.
CONNECT & CREATE
The Alesis iO Mix allows you to connect virtually any piece of recording gear to your iPad: microphones, instruments, speakers, headphones and more. Four combo XLR-1/4″ input channels are exactly where you need them on the rear of the unit. Each has trim, channel gain, pan, and low & high EQ controls located right in front of you. Push-button High Pass Filters are also available on each channel to eliminate low-frequency interference in live mixing and recording situations.
STUDIO TO GO
With its compact design, iO Mix is the perfect portable studio. Bring it to your band’s practice space, coffeehouse gig or weekend recording session. Switchable 48V phantom power allows you to use studio condenser microphones and iO Mix’s guitar-direct switch makes guitar recording easy. You don’t even need an amp! Simply connect your guitar or bass, flip the switch and use your iPad to add effects like reverb and delay. Balanced, stereo 1/4″ outputs and 1/4″ headphone output are also onboard along with a switchable limiter for clip-free recordings.
WIRELESS WHENEVER
The Alesis iO Mix is Core Audio-compliant, allowing you to use it with virtually any app in the App Store. Plus, your iPad’s WiFi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and 3G connectivity, allow you to tailor your sound at a moment’s notice or playback audio through compatible wireless speakers. Download new effects or filters to deal with unexpected live sound needs, or download songs, videos or entirely new applications to keep your audience entertained during a gig or the band’s creative energy flowing during a recording session.
VIDEO VERSATILITY
Along with its four-channel mixing and recording capability, the Alesis iO Mix’ s ability to playback video makes it ideal for applications that were previously impossible. You can use the Alesis iO Mix to not only mix and record, but also playback live performance visuals behind the band. The Alesis iO Mix is also great for corporate presentations and business meetings, allowing up to four speakers to be mic’d and have video playing back simultaneously. With the optional Alesis Module Mount, you can attach the Alesis iO Mix to a nearby mic stand and have easy access to instantly adjust any mixing, recording or video-playback parameter.
Turn your iPad into a portable mixer and flexible recording studio, with the iO Mix, only from Alesis.
The world’s first mixer/multi-channel interface for iPad
Mix and record up to four channels, or a stereo mix into your iPad
Works with mics, instruments, speakers, headphones, video monitors and projectors
Four combo XLR-1/4″ input channels, each with trim, channel gain, pan, and low & high EQ
Switchable 48V phantom power for use with studio condenser microphones
Guitar-direct (DI) switch for guitar recording without an amp
Balanced, stereo 1/4″ outputs and 1/4″ headphone output with separate volume controls
Direct Monitor switch for latency-free input monitoring while recording
Switchable limiter for clip-free recordings
Hinged door completely encloses and secures your iPad
Core Audio-compliant: works with virtually any app in the App Store
Video output for connection to TVs and projectors: perfect for presentations, meetings and VJs
Mountable to a mic stand using the Alesis Module Mount (sold separately)
Complete routing and signal-management controls
Power supply also charges your iPad
What we say…..
Whilst claims like “The Alesis iO Mix is the first device that turns your iPad into a powerful portable studio” are not exactly true (Mackie DL1608 comes to mind), the Alesis offering will almost certainly come in well under the mackie pricepoint and value for money is a phrase always associated with Alesis, although i’m not exactly sure that i would prefer this solution to using a RME UCX and some multichannel audio software if recording. The slight downside is that it lacks the wireless possibility of the mackie, which really was one of the best audio uses for the ipad that i’ve seen. We hope to get our hands on the Alesis io Mix at Musikmesse in Frankfurt this week and report back with some in-depth analysis.
Pioneer expand their DJ range’s overall functionality, by bringing a interesting new effects box to the market. We didn’t quite expect this, but seeing the integration in the promotional video below, it does certainly look a lot of fun in use.
The most interesting feature here is the ability to build up and store your own custom effects chains where you can prebuild scenes that allow you quick and easy access during your live performances, ensureing that you don’t have to scramble about whilst your playing. You could certainly craft your own signiture sound by careful selection of the processing taking place and as Pioneer are making a number of “effects of the stars” type packs available upon the units release, you should be able to learn from them and develop your own style fairly quickly.
So what do Pioneer have to say?
Key features of the Pioneer RMX-1000
1. Club quality and fully customisable remix station unit
The ultimate multi-use unit, the Pioneer RMX-1000 can be used with mixers, CDJs and laptops in the booth, or with a PC in the studio for recording and producing.
With fully customisable settings, the Pioneer RMX-1000 offers the kind of flexibility never before seen in hardware. The control parameters can be completely modified using the remixbox software included.
The hardware offers three ways to access settings. Default activates Pioneer’s intuitive factory settings. And User settings can be stored on the unit, or on an SD card to be taken along to the booth – DJs simply plug their SD card in to get immediate access to their personalised controls. And Pioneer plans to make settings from internationally renowned DJs such as Chuckie, Kissy Sell Out, Kutski, James Zabiela, Doorly and Laidback Luke available for DJs to download.
The unit’s user-friendly, intuitive controls are divided into four categories:
Scene FX
The Scene FX wheel allows DJs to build up and break down tracks by combining ten types of effects.
Use the top section to build up, adding effects like Noise, Echo and Spiral Up and the bottom section to break down, cutting sounds with effects like Crush Echo, Spiral Down and Reverb Down.
Twist the central knob to move from Wet to Dry to add pitch and intensity to the effect that’s in play.
Plus, two sub-parameter dials allow DJs to manipulate the Time and Resonance parameters for even more character.
Isolator FX
Inherited from Pioneer’s high-end DJM-1000 mixer, the Pioneer RMX-1000’s isolators allow DJs to change the main audio input’s rhythm and timbre using hi-, mid- and low-frequency bands.
Plus, three effects are loaded into the dials for even more flexibility: Cut/Add, Trans/Roll and Gate/Drive.
X-Pad – with exclusive Pitch control
DJs will be itching to get their fingers on the Pioneer RMX-1000’s intuitive X-Pad. Evolved from Pioneer’s flagship mixer, the DJM-900nexus, the touch-sensitive X-Pad reaches new levels of ingenuity on the Pioneer RMX-1000.
DJs can instantly get involved with the unit’s drum samples by tapping the individual sample buttons (Kick, Snare, Clap and Hi-Hat), or by using the X-Pad to roll (repeat) the samples at different speeds.
DJs can record their own beats and patterns on the fly by switching on Overdub, then use Roll and Mute to manipulate each sample in a variety of impressive combinations.
The Quantize button snaps each tap of the sample pads to the nearest beat, so DJs always sound on time.
And for truly unique performances, DJs can add up to 16 samples across the four sample banks, which they can instantly trigger and manipulate during live performance.
For unprecedented flexibility on the fly, DJs can edit the sample banks through remixbox and even alter them during play.
And, as if that wasn’t enough, the RMX-1000’s exclusive Pitch knob alters the pitch to add even more character to each repeated beat.
Release FX
The DJ’s get-out-of-jail-free card, the Release FX allows DJs to elegantly and seamlessly exit complex effect combinations and return to the original track.
Three modes with three customisable speeds – Spin Back, Echo and Break – allow DJs to choose exactly how they want to return to normal play.
For even more flexibility, DJs don’t have to exit totally from the engaged effect; they can come partially out and go back in by manipulating the highly sensitive Release switch. Or they can cut the original track out completely so just the engaged effects are heard.
2. Fully customisable with specially designed remixboxsoftware
Designed by Pioneer exclusively for the RMX-1000, the remixbox software allows DJs to prepare mind-blowing sets – while the hardware leaves plenty of room for spontaneity on the night.
And DJs can use the software to modify the unit’s features and change its parameters for a truly personalised DJing experience. By hovering their mouse over the remixbox’s virtual Pioneer RMX-1000, DJs can edit features, change parameters or adjust effects on the hardware itself.
1. First DJ-dedicated controller for Virtual Studio Technology/Audio Units
As the first VST/AU controller dedicated to the DJ industry, the Pioneer RMX-1000 brings the operability of hardware into the recording studio.
By just plugging the unit into a laptop, DJs and producers can use the Pioneer RMX-1000’s dedicated controls to manipulate the VST/AU’s exciting features.
There’s no need to fiddle around with the mouse and keyboard: just hit a button, twist a dial, or turn a knob – the Pioneer RMX-1000 literally puts every effect right at producers’ fingertips.
2. Other features
High-quality sound design reduces noise for clear and pristine sound.
The Quantize function can be applied at any stage during play or production for real-time music analysis and automatic synchronisation of the beat.
NEW Auto BPM function automatically measures and follows the tempo of the music.
USB-MIDI connection means the Pioneer RMX-1000 can be used as a MIDI controller.
Compact and sleek design makes the Pioneer RMX-1000 highly portable – and it looks good as part of any DJ set-up.
The Pioneer RMX-1000
Main specifications – Pioneer RMX-1000
Inputs
RCA x 1
6.3 mm jack x 1
Outputs
RCA x 1
6.3 mm jack x 1
Other ports
USB B port x 1
Sampling rate
48 kHz
A/D and D/A converter
24 bit
Frequency response
20 Hz – 20 kHz
Total harmonic distortion
Max. 0.005%
S/N ratio
102 dB
Head room
20 dB
Software
remixboxTM, RMX-1000 Plug-in
External dimensions
(W x D x H)
334 x 157 x 57 mm
Mass
1.3 kg
The RMX-1000 will be available from May 2012 with a RRP around £600.
So, waaay back at the start of NAMM week, we got the first teaser vid of the new Native Instruments Traktor F1 remix controller, which was tipped to be called the X2.
Well, now it’s offically surfaced its actually the Traktor Kontrol F1, but the feature set seems pretty much as predicted.
The unit will ship along with Traktor 2.5 software, which brings in the “Remix Deck” functionality. The NI CEO introduced the device by saying
“So those of you that like Ableton but actually didn’t feel that it’s quite a DJ product, this is it. We take the whole production clipping aspect right into a DJ application, and these pads light up in just the same color as the cells in the Remix Decks.”
Well, it certainly seems to deliver exactly that, and here’s a Vid of DJ Shiftee putting it though its paces (once the mc shuts up!)
Here’s a hi-res image of the controller
Lets take a look from the top down then…..
First thing to notice is the four filter knobs, i’d presume at this point that they would control the same hi/low pass filter thats found on the S4, though of course with these controllers, you can assign them to any parameter in the software to suit your workflow.
Next up are the faders, presumably preset to volume, so perfect for doing some manual fades.
Then we get down to the control buttons, sync will lock all of the samples loaded to the master tempo, and the QUANT(ize) button will make things lock to beat, so they are come in tempo perfect (the same as ableton) and i expect that the dial will also be able to change the quantize resolution to bar, quarter note etc.
Capture and size we still know nothing about, but you can definatly reverse samples so, thats probably what the reverse button is for.
As you can see from the buttons, there is no “trigger everything in a line” button, like you find on the ableton controllers, but with four fingers, you should be able to trigger things quite easily, so i cant see that being any great loss. The stop buttons at the bottom are a nice touch too, so that you can easily stop using the decks and go back to regular dj’ing.
The Native Instruments Kontrol F1 will be available from at the end of May and will retail at £199, including the Traktor Pro 2.5 Software.
Steinberg have today released a fairly major update for the ever popular Cubase 6 sequencer with a whole raft of new features to make it a worthy upgrade.
Key features of the Steinberg Cubase 6.5 upgrade:
2 New Synths:
Retrologue :
Classic virtual analog synthesizer with 300 quality presets
Two oscillators with up to eight detunable voices each plus a sub and noise oscillator
12 different filter types
LFO and ADSR for filters and amp envelopes
10 stage Modulation Matrix with Note Expression support
Mono and poly modes with legato and glide
FX section with modulation and delay
Padshop:
Advanced granular synthesis engine
Includes 400 carefully crafted presets
SoftGrain Wave ROM for custom sounds
10 stage Modulation Matrix with Note Expression support
12 different filter types, LFOs and ADSR for filters and amp
envelopes
Step Modulator for rhythmic triggering of oscillators
FX section with modulation and delay
2 New Plugins:
DJ EQ:
Simple yet powerful 3-band equalizer
Kill switches for cutting breaks
Morphfilter:
Classic filter types of Steinberg’s HALion 4 sound creation system
Blend seamlessly between two filter curves
Great for creating sweeps and dynamic glides
New functionality:
New Comping Tools:
Comp tool with handy click-and-drag features
Cleanup-lanes command to resolve event overlaps
Create-tracks-from-lanes function to convert each lane into a new audio track
Seperated track and lane solo function
Developed in close collaboration with studio engineers for best results
New Audiowarp Quantizing Features:
Fusion of hitpoint and AudioWarp system
AudioWarp quantize integrated into Quantize panel
Create warp markers from hitpoints automatically
Warp Marker rules support transient priorities for multi-track quantizing of Edit Groups*
Non-destructively quantize single audio loops or the entire arrangement just like MIDI!
Other Features:
FLAC Support:
Steinberg Cubase 6.5 now allows you to import and export FLAC files effortlessly, and save up to 60% disk space when recording audio tracks in real time.
Soundcloud Upload Features:
Upload sounds and mixes directly from Cubase to your SoundCloud account, and share your songs and sounds with the world. The dedicated Upload Manager takes care of everything, all you’ve got to do is enter your log-in details.
64 bit Rewire support:
Hook up to your favorite ReWire software and flip the switch to 64 bits. Steinberg Cubase 6.5 now connects ReWire client applications in a pure 64-bit environment.
The upgrade to 6.5 itself is free to anyone who’s purchased Steinberg Cubase 6 after the 1/1/12 and around £40 (exchange rate dependent) to anyone else working on a copy registered prior to this point. This means that all boxed copies purchased from this date forward will also include the update as well as part of the package.
The update for existing customers is an online only deal so please contact Steinberg for more infomation on upgrading your current install of Cubase 6.
Steinberg Cubase 6.5 New Synths Video:
Steinberg Cubase 6.5 New Effects Video:
Steinberg Cubase 6.5 New Editing Features Video:
Steinberg Cubase 6.5 New Intercommunication Features Video:
