DYNACORD POWERMATE 1000 & POWERMATE 1600 POWERED MIXERS

Dynacord introduces the all-new PowerMate1000 (6 mic/line & 4 mic/stereo line) and Powermate1600 (12 mic/line & 4 mic/stereo line) powered mixers.

The discrete microphone preamps on the PowerMate 1000 and PowerMate 1600 combine outstanding audio quality with extremely low noise and distortion, setting new standards in professional mixing technology. Professional quality features include: ergonomically designed gain controls with a range of 60 dB, group-switchable phantom power, vocal voicing filters, 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mids, four aux sends, PFL, mute, dust-proof ALPS faders, 2 x 7-band graphic EQs, feedback filters and four stereo channels.

PowerMate’s topology, dynamic headroom, protection package, dynamic limiter and audio performance are on a level normally associated with a professional-quality, 19-inch concert sound amplifier.

Integrated high-efficiency Class-H power amplifiers deliver an impressive 2 x 700 watts into 4 ohms, and an absolutely safe 2 x 870 watts into 2.66 ohms with minimal heat build-up. All the protective circuits found on Dynacord’s 19-inch amplifiers are found here, including protection against overheating, short-circuits, DC voltage and HF and back EMF protection. An LPN filter and a super-fast dynamic audio limiter are further Dynacord-typical features.

PowerMate’s two parallel and individually controlled 24-bit stereo digital effects devices with 48-bit algorithms offer a total of 2 x 99 live-optimized presets in professional studio quality. User-friendly Up/Down keys are used to select between room reverb, plate reverb, echo reverb, chorus reverb, mono/stereo delay, modulated delay effects (like chorus and flanger), and a large number of other special effects.

ELECTRO-VOICE ZX4: A NEW GENERATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE LOUDSPEAKERS

As a main or a monitor, ZX4 offers unparalleled power, portability and versatility. Electro-Voice released the ZX4 15” 2-way loudspeaker, designed with main mix and monitor duties in mind. It features an integrated pole mount and, for varying stage depths, is capable of 45° or 55° angles via integrated monitor feet. ZX4 offers high output capability and high sensitivity in a remarkably lightweight package (44.5lbs). At a U.S. MAP of only $499, ZX4 puts the new generation of EV products within the grasp of today’s Performer.

The ZX4 is the latest molded polypropylene loudspeaker from EV, who has led the world in the design of lightweight, high-performance speakers for over two decades. The contemporary styling of the ZX4 is based on the newly released ZX5. To deliver 400 Watts continuous power handling (1600W peak), ZX4 utilizes a DH3 compression driver mated to a 90° x 50° Constant Directivity horn, along with the all-new EVS15SF woofer. Sensitivity is 100 dB and max SPL is 132 dB.

For more info, check out www.electro-voice.com.

WASHBURN GUITARS LAUNCH PILSEN IDOL SERIES

Washburn Guitars recently announced the newly designed “Pilsen Idol” guitar. The “Pilsen” (named after a blue collar neighborhood in Chicago) is Washburn’s best value American made guitar. The guitar features Washburn’s popular Idol shape with a thicker body for those that want a guitar with more bottom-end. Washburn also modified the top from the original Idol to a traditional carve. Gil Vasquez – head of Washburn’s USA production facility – says, ”We set out to build a USA-made guitar for working musicians that simply want a great playing and great looking guitar at an affordable price.”

The new Pilsen Idol features a mahogany body with carved top, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, Seymour Duncan Custom pick-ups, Tone Pros bridge, Grover 18:1 tuners, 22 jumbo frets, 24 3/4” neck scale and the Buzz Feiten tuning system. The Pilsen will retail for $1,659.90 with a deluxe gig bag included.

For more information on Washburn Guitars go to www.washburn.com

BERKLEE PRESS RELEASES NEW MUSIC THEORY BOOK

Berklee Press has just announced the release of Berklee Music Theory, Book 1, the first in a series of titles designed to help musicians develop their music listening, reading, and writing skills through exercises and ear training practice. This is the first time Berklee College of Music’s legendary music theory curriculum has been published.

Written by Paul Schmeling, Chair Emeritus of the Piano Department at Berklee College of Music, the book begins with the most basic aspect of contemporary music: rhythm. It goes on to present rigorous, hands-on, “ears-on” exploration of the inner workings of music, presenting notes, scales, and sounds as they are heard in jazz, blues and popular music. All Berklee Press books are distributed by the Hal Leonard Corporation. More information on Berklee Press and its titles is available at www.berkleepress.com.

PROPELLERHEAD REASON 3.0 TAKES THE VIRTUAL STUDIO TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Reason 3.0, the latest version of Propellerhead Software’s award-winning music production instrument, is now shipping. This update focuses on live playing. Reason 3.0 comes packed with unique features that will make it a strong alternative to the hardware workstation synthesizer, whether you are composing, producing, or playing out.

New remote features in Reason make integration with external controllers and hardware much more seamless. Version 3 introduces the "Combinator" a sophisticated device that allows you to build elaborate chains of Reason units - synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, and effects, pattern sequencers - and save them as Combi patches.

Reason 3 also introduces the MClass Mastering Suite MClass, which offers four separate pro level mastering units designed to add power, presence and an overall professional feel to Reason mixes. This new version also includes a number of other features and added soundbanks. New Reason 3.0 gives you one-step loading of complex, customizable instruments and effect setups, a new instrument-packed soundbank, instant integration with MIDI keyboards and controllers, a new intuitive file browser, plus a suite of mastering tools. Reason 3 is available for an MSRP of $499. For more info and demos visit www.propellorheads.se/products/reason

WAVES REVOLUTIONIZES EQ WITH Q-CLONE PLUG-IN

Q-Clone is a new Waves product utilizing unique (patent-pending) technology that lets outboard hardware equalizers be used in a new way. By capturing the sound of hardware, Q-Clone allows you to use that sound freely throughout your session, adjusting the sound of each track just as you would if you had dozens of that same hardware equalizer

Q-Clone has two components: Q-Capture (which is used to capture the sound of your hardware) and Q-Clone (which shows you the equalization curve of your hardware). Q-Capture constantly samples the hardware unit’s sound, tracking every twist you make on your gear’s knobs in real time. The calibration feature lets you tune Q-Capture precisely to your unit’s headroom and dB range.

Q-Clone is available in nearly all plug-in formats including RTAS, HTDM, AudioSuite, VST, DirectX (Win), MAS (Mac) and Audio Units (Mac). Many EQ presets, additional information and demo software are available for Q-Clone on Waves website at www.waves.com