Tracktion 3 Music Production Software

Price: $129.99 — Project Bundle; $319.99 — Ultimate Bundle

Mackie has just released Tracktion 3, the newest version of it popular digital audio and MIDI production software. While maintaining its user-friendly single-screen interface, Tracktion 3 now includes an additional 150 features for greater control and ease of use. Compatible with both ReWire 2.0 and Quicktime video playback, the software now features a loop browser with multiple pre-recorded loops in various file formats and time stretching and pitch shifting functions. Tracktion 3’s countless instrument and effects plug-ins are supplied by the likes of Native Instruments and IK Multimedia. Additionally, the only limit placed on the number of useable tracks or effects is by the user’s computer — Tracktion 3 allows for unlimited tracks. Extra features such as safe recording, which continues recording unless a designated command key is hit, fill out this new software.

www.mackie.com

CME UF50 Keyboard Controller

Price: $389

One of four new keyboard controllers introduced by Central Music Company (CME), the UF50, an upgrade from the previous UF Series, boasts improved control coupled with multiple shortcuts. The 49-key semi-weighted action keyboard now includes a low-power, high-speed duplex wireless MIDI interface with USB plug-and-play capability, as well as a MIDI-in added to the expansion slot. Users benefit from production flexibility with pitch bend and modulation wheels, as well as nine assignable control faders, eight assignable control knobs, six assignable shortcut knobs, and CME’s own U-CTRL functions. The UF50 also features sustain pedal and volume pedal jacks, template save functions, scales and tuning adjustments, increased velocity curves, adjustable aftertouch curves, and increased continuous controller data density, making the keyboard an affordable and reliable choice.

www.cme-pro.com

RapcoHorizon Dominator Cables

Prices not available at press time

RapcoHorizon recently introduced its new Dominator brand line of high-end guitar, microphone, and speaker cables, featuring four individual types of wire, each with unique sonic characteristics. With the addition of a universal electronic component, the “Tuned Series” guitar cable line actually “tunes” the output of the guitar to the input of an amplifier or effects pedal, strengthening attack and string tone. The Dominator microphone cables use either black Neutrik connectors with gold contacts or standard Nickel connectors and contacts. The speaker cable line features 10, 12 and 14 heavy wire gauge configurations and also includes the “SilverFlex Series” speaker cables, which boast silver-plated, mega-stranded bare annealed copper conductors.

www.rapcohorizon.com

Behringer ULTRABASS BVT5500H Bass Amplifier Head

Price: $589.99

One of two new bass amplifier heads recently introduced by Behringer, the ULTRABASS BVT5500H features VTC Tube Modeling technology that creates an authentic tube amp sound. The powerful 550-watt unit includes a switchable overdrive channel and switchable limiter that allow for even louder tube amp reproduction without distortion. The BVT5500H also allows for a high level of user control with its voicing selector, which provides five sound variations. Additional controls include a 9-band graphic EQ, an effects loop for external devices, and dedicated bass, mid, and treble controls. Three speaker outputs and power amp-in and preamp-out connectors complete the unit. An active, temperature-controlled cooling system and extremely durable power supply with toroidal transformer ensure flawless performance.

www.behringer.com

Sennheiser MD 5235 Microphone Head

Price unavailable at press time

The ninth capsule designed for Sennheiser’s 5000 Series of wireless handheld transmitters, the new MD 5235 adds greater versatility to the line with its highly rugged design and excellent feedback rejection. Ideally suited for the 5000 Series’ latest model, the SKM 2500, an RF wireless mic, the MD 5235 features the sturdy dynamic capsule needed to handle vocals in loud stage environments, ensuring the highest sound quality. Based on the evolution 935 cardioid dynamic vocal mic, the MD 5235 allows for pronounced vocal punch and projection, regardless of volume or style of music. It is available in black or silver.

www.sennheiserusa.com

MXL Cube and 190 Microphones

Price: $69.99 and $149.99, respectively

Now shipping from MXL, the new Cube and 190 cardioid condenser microphones combine cost-efficiency with application versatility. The Cube, with its 1-inch gold-sputtered diaphragm and 20Hz — 20kHz frequency response, handles vocal, acoustic, and percussion needs capably. Its comparatively compact size and low profile enables it to fit within tight recording setups, but still produce a full-bodied sound. Likewise, its price makes it an enticing choice for home recordists on a budget. The 190 features a custom chamber tuned to complement the capsule’s response, as well as a frequency response identical to the Cube’s, creating a pleasantly open sound. Subsequently, the 190 delivers excellent fidelity for a wide range of applications and instruments. The microphone also includes a 10db attenuation switch. Both mics feature low-noise FET design, Mogami wiring, and six micron condenser pressure gradient capsules. Additionally, both the Cube and 190 come complete with protective cases and a mic clip and shockmount, respectively.

www.mxlmics.com

Ultimate Ears triple.fi 10 Pro Earphones

Price: $399.99

Combining the triple driver technology of the UE-10 Pro studio reference monitors with a more cost-efficient design, Ultimate Ears’ new triple.fi 10 Pro earphones offer remarkable fidelity for a variety of professional and casual listening applications. Like its more expensive brother (list price $900), the triple.fi 10 Pro boasts three individual balanced armature speakers per ear. The small, in-ear tips come in various sizes and feature a noise isolating design to filter out background interference, aided by over-the-ear loops that hold the earphones securely in place for optimal reference. Included with the triple.fi 10 Pro is a metallic travel case, universal fit kit, 1/4” adaptor jack, cleaning tool, and sound level attenuator. Markedly less expensive than Ultimate Ears’ popular UE-10 Pro monitors while still providing studio reference quality, the triple.fi 10 Pro is a very musician-friendly unit.

www.ultimateears.com

Klein + Hummel M 52 Monitor

Price not available at press time

Klein + Hummel has unveiled the new and improved M 52 miniature active control monitors. Updating the previous M 51, the new M 52 is a lightweight and portable control monitor featuring a three-inch driver and built-in amplification capable of reaching over 100dB. The M 52 weighs in at under six pounds, making it ideal for traveling musicians as well as studio situations, which require flat, accurate response where space may be limited. Versatile and user-friendly, the unit features front-panel volume and power control. The M 52 can be DC-powered by a 12-20 volt battery and features magnetic shielding. The resonance-free, all-aluminum enclosure allows the M 52 to be used near a computer or disc drive with no interference to sound quality. It can be mounted with optional hardware to many surfaces or to a rack. The M 52 D adds on to the features of the 52 with S/PDIF and AES/EBU digital inputs that synchronize with any signal between 32kHz and 48kHz at 24-bit resolution.

www.klein-hummel.com