YAMAHA POCKETRAK CX ULTRASLIM STEREO RECORDER
THE PITCH It’s light like Yamaha’s successful Pocketrak 2G, but more music-oriented.
IMPROVEMENTS VS. POCKETRAK 2G Better mics in an X-Y configuration, rechargeable AA-size “Eneloop” battery for up to 40 hours use, microSD slot plus 2GB internal memory, peak limiter, vari-speed playback for slowing down hot licks. $499 list/approx. $400 street, www.yamahasynth.com
SONY ACID PRO 7 STAY IN THE LOOP . . . OR GO BEYOND ITTHE PITCH The software that started the loop-based musicmaking phenomenon is looking a lot like a fully-pro DAW these days.
MAJOR NEW STUFF Real mixer window for audio and MIDI tracks, track freeze for getting more soft synths out of your CPU, greatly expanded bussing, better beatmapping for songs with multiple tempos and/or time signatures, and Vista compatibility.
STILL HAS Some of the best time-strecthing and pitch-shifting in the business.
INCLUDED SOUNDS Garrtian Aria sample player, iZotope effects rack, NI Guitar Combos amp modeling, Submersible Kit- Core drums, and over 3,000 audio loops. $399.95 list, www.sonycreativesoftware.com
ROLAND C-30 GOING FOR BAROQUETHE PITCH Digital harpsichord with realistic key action and historical tunings.
THE BIG DEAL Keys really respond like you’re plucking a string, right down to the key-release samples. Does other keyboard sounds, including fortepiano, celeste, and portative pipe organ.
WHO’S THIS FOR? College music departments, performers of early music, and serious classical aficionados.
CAN YOU PLAY BOOGIE-WOOGIE ON IT? Ever heard “Come On-a My House” by Rosemary Clooney? $4,999 list, www.roland.com/classic
SONICPROJECTS OP-X PRO OB-HAVE!THE PITCH There’s one classic American analog synth we haven’t seen in soft synth form . . . until now.
RUNS ON Windows as a VST plugin, Mac or Windows as a Native Instruments Reaktor object, and the Muse Receptor.
SOUNDS LIKE The real thing — really. Download the free demo and try it for yourself. $149, www.sonicprojects.ch
HAMMOND 44 MELODION PLAY KEYBOARDS ANYWHERE
THE PITCH With 44 keys, it has the widest range of any breath-powered keyboard made. Play unplugged, or plug the 1/4" output into an amp.
SOUNDS LIKE Sweet reedy tone between a harmonica and an accordion.
COOL FEATURE Internal pickup is passive, so playing through an amp requires neither batteries nor an AC adaptor. $545 (Hammond est.), www.hammondorganco.com
WALLANDER WIVI INSTRUMENTS VISUAL BRASS AND WOODWINDS
THE PITCH Move instruments, and the listener, around in a virtual concert hall to control what an orchestra sounds like.
THE TECH Not samples, but additive synthesis based on behavioral modeling. Supports breath controllers, true divisi playing, and a host of other properties that you can set for each instrument onstage.
THE SOUND Our first listen says it’s a breakthrough in getting brass and woodwinds sections to sound right. Brass 1: $599.99; Woodwinds 1: $399.99; Woodwinds 2 and 3: $299.99 each, www.wallander instruments.com
BIG FISH AUDIO RETRO COOL ROYALE SOUNDS WITH CHEESETHE PITCH Inject some of that Quentin Tarantino vibe into your music.
THE STYLE That so-cheesy-it’s-good intersection of ’60s soul, ’70s funk, spy movies, cop shows, Kung Fu, spaghetti westerns, and surf rock.
THE CONTENTS Audio loops and construction kits in Apple Loops, REX, WAV, RMX, and Acid formats. $99.95, www.bigfishaudio.com
