Digital Audio
Zoom™ has just introduced the new Zoom H1 recorder @$99. Scheduled to ship in late July 2010 this wonderful stereo recorder is the cheapest price in the market. The optional APH-1 accessory kit @$24 adds everything else one would need. You can save a little money by going with the H1/APH-1 Bundle @$119.
Yamaha™ has just introduced the all new Pocketrak C24 digital recorder $199 and the new Pocketrak W24 digital recorder $299. The C24 is a perfect fit for the music teacher looking for something really light and portable (2oz), gets great recordings, comes with a clip for a music stand, and has a built in tuner and metronome, and built in USB (no cable needed).
The new Alesis ProTrack $149 handheld stereo digital recorder for iPod turns your player into an amazingly capable portable recording device! Simply slide your iPod into the ProTrack and you're ready to record quality 16-bit/44.1kHz audio - anywhere.
Looking for the most affordable way to get into a Pro Tools system? Introducing the new Fastrack II with Pro Tools Essentials software for only $119. Comes complete with the M-Audio Fastrack II audio interface and Pro Tools Essentials software all in one bundle. 10+ units ordered on an official school PO gets AVP (Academic Volume Pricing) @$99 each.
Propellerheads has introduced Record @$249.
Record gives you unlimited audio tracks, world-class effects and mixing gear, and a whole new take on music recording. With an intuitive, straightforward interface and a hands-on approach to capturing performances, Record was designed for musicians - not audio engineers. This is recording done right.
The new Zoom Q3 Video/Audio Recorder has reduced its price from $249 to only $199.The Q3 uses the same microphone capsules as our industry-leading H4n Handy Recorder and is perfect for recording anything where great audio and video are a must. From live musical performances and rehearsals, interviews, conferences to video podcasts, journalism, education, perfect for CBPA assessment recording for Washington music teachers, the Q3's pristine audio quality takes your videos to another level. Designed with everything you need to make your movies right out of the box, the Q3 includes HandyShare software for editing, and a 2GB SD card for up to 1 hour of video recording time. And the Q3 will also accept up to 32GB SDHC cards for a staggering 16 hours of movie making!
Looking for a portable hardware recording unit? The Zoom H4n has reduced its price from $349 to only $299. The Zoom H4n is an updated version of the original H4 and is much more sturdy with lots of better features. This one promises to be the hottest seller of portable recorders for 2010!
Superscope Technologies have introduced two new hardware based recorders. The Superscope PSD 410 @$799
is a professional portable SD Card audio recorder including the music practice features Superscope is famous for…Tempo and Key Control, A-B Looping, Voice Reduction, Accompaniment Mode, and much more. The USB interface allows for easy transfer of files from your SD Card to your computer or onto a USB storage device. Battery operation offers true portability, and the large full color LCD provides an ease of use never before experienced in a portable digital recording system. The Superscope PSD 450 (shipping in May) @$1199
includes all features found in the PSD 410 and adds a 40GB Hard Drive for direct recording with plenty of memory for file storage. Also built-in is a CD Burner for creating an audio CD of your files or for creating custom playlists. Use your favorite CD's for practice and accompaniment.
Need to be able to convert all of those old album LP's into digital recordings in your computer?
Alesis has introduced the Alesis PhonoLink adapter @$49.
PhonoLink makes it easy to direct-connect nearly any turntable, tape deck, mixer, or other stereo, line-level audio source to USB for stereo recording. The AudioLink Series USB-audio cable outputs studio quality stereo, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz digital audio thanks to its internal analog-to-digital conversion system. PhonoLink connects plug-and-play to your Mac or PC for an all-in-one USB audio solution.
Blue Mic™ has introduced a wonderful new USB mic called the Yeti @$149.
The Yeti is the most advanced and versatile multi-pattern USB microphone available anywhere. Combining three capsules and four different pattern settings, the Yeti is the ultimate tool for creating amazing recordings, directly to your computer. THX Certified for exceptional sound and performance.
Fun Things!
Yamaha has introduced the new Tenori-onW @$999. A radical idea in music making,
the Tenori-on combines a MIDI controller, tone generator, sampler and stunning visual user interface. Most importantly it’s a unique new way for anyone to approach playing and composing music. Music instantly becomes a wall of light graffiti as you paint the sounds across its 256 LED buttons. Also available is the Tenori-onO @$699 for those on a budget.
Notation Software
Finale 2011 is shipping! Lot's of fixes and new improved features here to include: improved lyric entry and spacing, over 375 Garritan sounds, new fonts, expanded percussion playback, easier staff layout, improved pickup measure and lot's more.
A major new development is the introduction of Sibelius Student Network Pack @$1249.
The Network Pack includes one seat of the full Sibelius 6 product for the teacher, and 20 seats of Sibelius 6 Student for the student workstations, all linked together using the Sibelius Licence Server. With the Licence Server, schools can install Sibelius Student on as many computers as they like, including those in, say, the library as well as in the music classroom, and the Licence Server will only allow 20 client copies to run at any time. Once the original network pack has been purchased, schools can add on additional student seats at only $49 a seat.
Theory and Ear Training
Auralia 4 music ear training software is just being released $124. This major update introduces an exciting new series of features including courses, enhanced lessons and solfege support. There is also built in support for many standard syllabi including AP* Music Theory! The interface has been extensively revised - it's clean and fresh, and best of all...its cross platform (Mac/Win)! The new setup wizard allows you to quickly configure the most important settings and automatically sets up the record keeping and assessment.
Musition 4 drill based music theory principles is just being released $124. This is the perfect companion for Auralia 4 ear training software. Complete with 34 topics, a clean and simple interface and sophisticated yet easy to use record keeping features, Musition is the ultimate music theory tool. Musition 4 now has support for AP* Music Theory! This includes a Syllabus, Tests and Courses that have all been customized for students taking an AP* Music Theory class. Best of all...its cross platform (Mac/Win)!
Keyboards
Yamaha has introduced the all new CP1 Premium Piano @$4999. Words cannot describe how good this piano sounds and how well it feels to play. 17 acoustic and vintage electric pianos are included with the all new NW Stage wooden keys. Incredible! If the price is a little steep, you may choose to go with the CP5 Premium Piano @$2599. A unique new SCM (Spectral Component Modeling) tone generation system faithfully recreates the 17 selected sounds of acoustic and vintage electronic pianos. Moreover, CP5 has a 305 additional sounds and various effect to make them perfect for wide musical applications.
M-Audio has introduced the 3rd generation of the Oxygen keyboard series to include the 25,49, and 61 note keyboard controllers. The Oxygen family of USB MIDI controllers delivers next-generation functionality from M-Audio®, the leading innovator in mobile music production technology. Oxygen controllers feature eight assignable knobs and nine assignable sliders*, plus dedicated transport and track select buttons. DirectLink mode automatically maps these controls to common DAW functions** including transport, mixer, track pan and plug-in parameters. Built-in factory presets offer support for popular virtual instruments right out of the box—no complicated setup required. Velocity-sensitive keys and a sleek, compact design round out a portable keyboard that’s perfect for both production and performance.
Song Creation Software
Fruity Loops Studio 9 has been released @$59 educational pricing and Lab 5 @$249.
Fruity Loops Studio 9 is a music production program. It is fully featured and is used by many of music industy's top producers today. Load it up and start making professional beats and music straight from your home computer.
Band in a Box 2010 for Macintosh is here. Designed for the new Mac Intel, they have added additional "Real" instruments, including guitars, piano, bass, saxes, trumpet, trombone, pedal steel, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and many more. RealDrums replace the MIDI Drum track with real recordings of top studio Jazz/Rock/Country drummers. These are not "samples," but are full recordings, lasting from 1 to 8 bars at a time, playing along in perfect sync with the other Band-in-a-Box tracks.
Sound Libraries
Digidesign has just introduced Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack $459.
The Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack is the ultimate professional virtual instrument collection for Pro Tools, featuring all five best-in-class virtual instruments — Structure, Strike, Velvet, Transfuser, and Hybrid — at an unbelievable price!
Gary Garritan has introduced the new Garritan Personal Orchestra 4 @ $149. This is much improved sound quality as well as a price drop and the new Aria player is much more efficient and works better with all other music software. This is a great add on for Sibelius 6 or Finale 2010 users.
