Recording - September 2010 - 9

MOTU Introduces Pocket-Sized Audio Interface
The MicroBook is a new audio interface from MOTU. It’s a 4-input/8-output USB bus-powered interface that delivers high-quality audio in a compact, rugged enclosure. The MicroBook has a single mic preamp with 20 dB pad and 48V phantom power, a 1 /4" high-impedance guitar input, and 1/4" TRS balanced stereo line inputs. Outputs include 1/4" TRS balanced Main outs, an 1/8" TRS Line out, a front-panel headphone output in 1/4" TRS, and coaxial S/PDIF digital on RCA. The interface comes with an XLR-to1 /4" adapter, allowing conventional microphones to be connected to the unit’s 1/4" TRS mic input, even with phantom power enabled. Other features include user-storable Precision Digital Trim level-trim settings for all analog inputs, a duplicate 1/8" TRS minijack on the line inputs, userprogrammable output routing to three different output pairs—Main (mirrored in S/PDIF), Line, and headphone outputs—with five different sets of monitor mixes stored as user-recallable programs, a built-in test tone and pink noise generator, 10-bus CueMix FX digital mixing with modeled compression and Britishconsole eq, audio analysis software, and more. The MicroBook is compatible with Mac and Windows computers, and comes with AudioDesk DAW software for the Mac, a USB cable, and mic cable adapter. Price: $269 More from: MOTU, www.motu.com

New Studio Microphones From Shure
Shure has announced two new microphones in its high-end KSM lineup, the KSM42 and the KSM44A. The KSM42 is a side-address cardioid dual-diaphragm condenser mic designed primarily for studio vocals. It has a specially tailored frequency response and extensive internal and external pop filtering, offering very wide dynamic range and smooth control of proximity effect. The KSM42 has a dual 1" diaphragm, a 3-stage pop protection grille, and comes with an open-cage shockmount with low-profile magnetic pop filter. The KSM44A is an update to Shure’s popular KSM44. It is a side-address large-diaphragm condenser mic offering three patterns—cardioid, omni, and figure-8. The updated design has lowered self-noise and increased SPL handling, resulting in an additional 7 dB of dynamic range over the original microphone. The KSM44A has a dual 1" diaphragm, a subsonic filter to remove rumble below 17 Hz, a 3-position low-frequency filter switch, and an integrated 3-stage pop protection grille. Shure also announced the availability of stereo pairs of its KSM137 and KSM141 instrument mics, packaged with the A27M stereo microphone adapter mount. Prices: KSM42, $999 ($799 street); KSM44A, $1249 ($999 street); KSM137 Stereo Pair, ($832 ($665 street); KSM141 Stereo Pair, $1088 ($870 street). More from: Shure, www.shure.com

XILS Re-creates Rare Synthesizer In Software
The PolyKB is a new software synthesizer from XILSLab. It’s an emulation of the RSF Kobol, a rare and powerful polyphonic synthesiser built in France in the 1980s and used by heavy hitters like Hans Zimmer, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and others. The PolyKB is a subtractive synthesizer based around two non-aliasing waveform-morphing oscillators and a self-oscillating 4-pole lowpass filter. It adds a complete modulation section and can do sounds ranging from heavy basses and warm pads to aggressive leads and crystalline keyboard timbres. It comes with a polyphonic sequencer and arpeggiator, has new stereo voice and modulation management features, and runs on Mac and Windows computers as a VST, RTAS, or AU plug-in (an iLok or eLicenser USB key is required for authorization). Price: $199 More from: XILS-Lab, www.xils-lab.com/pages/polyKB.html
RECORDING SEPTEMBER 2010

http://www.motu.com http://www.shure.com http://www.xils-lab.com/pages/polyKB.html

Recording - September 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - September 2010