Get Ready for Pro Tools 8
Pro Tools® 8, the most advanced audio creation and production software, is coming soon! It features a gorgeous new interface; dozens of new plug-ins; five new virtual instruments; exciting new scoring, MIDI, editing, and mixing capabilities; deeper controller integration; enhanced performance; and more.

Protooler has a good commentary here:

Record the Entire Band with 003 Rack+ Factory

With eight premium mic preamps and a wide variety of I/O to connect your instruments and other gear, 003® Rack+ Factory provides the power and capacity to record from multiple mic sources — all at once. 003 Rack+ is coming soon, and is available for pre-order.

8 mic pre’s?   They should have done that years ago!  Hopefully, they are GOOD preamps… 

     MTV, CMT (Viacom?) and the Grand Ol’ Opry filed papers in Washington DC Tuesday to try to stop the impending onslaught of high tech gadgets that plan to use the same frequency spectrum for wireless broadcasting.  According to a c|net report, Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Dell (among others) want to use the frequencies between licensed TV and wireless channels (AKA “white space”) to enable new digital camcorders, mp3 players, etc. to access the internet.  The new devices seek out an “empty” space and attempt to avoid “taken” frequencies, but some of us remember the old wireless days when truckers’ CB rigs could blast into virtually any venue (church, school assembly, rock concert). 

     While proponents of these new devices say it could lower internet costs by increasing competition, it seems like a step backwards to those of us who were finally beginning to trust wireless microphone systems.   What will the future hold?  Will we have to pay AT&T/Sprint/Verizon a monthly fee for a “private” wireless channel or will these new digital spambots threaten all frequencies?  Imagine 5 years from now when wireless “spamming” becomes a closet industry (and your wireless vocal mic’s frequency is taken over by recorded message for some political candidate). 

     Anyone remember  when touring groups actually had to tech. rehearse their movements onstage to avoid tangled mic lines?   

So the Iron Chefs at Digidesign have been cooking up a new virtual instrument plugin and this one’s gotta be designed either for phlebotomists or the Trance Loop/Electronica crowd.  Judging from the samples, you beatmakers out there should be well pleased.  I was severely disappointed in the example of an Acoustic Piano sound, but impressed at the ultra-modern beats with extra-wide spatial imaging on everything else they listed.  Yea, I’m a plug-in junkie and I’ll be downloading this.  It will probably be just like the Eleven Plugin;  –I’ll fall in love with it and when it expires it will be about $300 more than I think it’s worth.  Heck, I could probably find a real acoustic piano (used) for that…but why expect killer piano sounds from a plugin called “Transfuser.”  But enough of my sardonic wit,  go check it out for yourself. 

 One more thing, be sure to ignore any “Transfuser” criticism you might hear from Christian Science or Jehovah’s Witness-affiliated websites.

Rumor has it that 100 lucky people will get calls tomorrow to invite them to purchase the first Tenori-on units to enter the U.S.   Chances are good that you will have to wait at least until June, but if you’re interested, go here and get in line.

This is the first time I’ve seen a 1 TB Firewire/USB/SATA drive for this cheap!

$299 list from Discmakers.   $269 from Seagate (free shipping to U.S.). 

Froogling produced slightly lower prices, but none of those “Deals” were active at the moment.  

Ladies and Gentlemen, you can never have too many external drives (especially for audio storage).  If only Seagate produced gasoline (petroleum, etc..)…

Mic Shootout

 UkeHunt posted TAB and tutorial here:

I heard Coulton do this live a few months ago and he was such a captivating songwriter;  –great sense of humor and a knack for thinking “out of the box.”

Ukehunt is working on a buyer’s guide.  I wanna read that when it’s finished!

From Discmakers.com comes a reasonably-priced duplicator.  The new Forte ($499 U.S. MSRP) automated CD/DVD duplicator is a stand-alone unit and is easy to use.  According to the press release, the Forte has a 20x DVD±R/40x CD-R drive and features a 25-disc input/output capacity.  It has a 160GB  internal hard drive that stores up to 31 full-sized DVD images. Duplication speed output is  seven DVDs or 14 CDs per hour.

I love equipment shootouts;  –especially when the underdog makes a great showing.  Today’s shootout comes from Audio Geek Zine where Jon has matched a GLS #S-57 against 2 Shure mics and an AT-2020.  I thought the S-57 did a fine job and at $30 Bucks a mic, you sure can’t beat the price!  More info at Speakerrepair.com.

Shootout!!