TC-HELICON VOICETONE SYNTH
WE HEAR VOICES. THEY SAY, “PROCESS ME!”
THE PITCH The most in-demand, dramatic vocal effects from
today’s music, all in one stompbox.
THE BIG DEAL HardTune does that pitch-jumping that urban
R&B and Cher’s “Believe” have in common. Massive Band vocoder
handles everything from vintage emulation to highly articulate robot
voices. Voice-controlled synth mode lets you get the robot sound
solely by singing — no keyboard needed!
WE THINK Whether you fine these effects to be essential or
clichéd, getting them has never been easier — especially live.
$395, tc-helicon.com
M-AUDIO STUDIOPHILE DSM3
TWO WOOFERS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
THE PITCH M-Audio’s highest-end studio monitor, codeveloped
with sister company Digidesign.
THE BIG DEAL Dual
“midwoofer” design pumps
out as much bass as a larger
single woofer, while widening
the sweet spot in which
you can hear your mix accurately.
Onboard DSP controls
the crossover and tunes
the speaker to the room.
WE THINK M-Audio’s
dual-woofer EX66 blew us
away in Nov. ’07, so we’re
anxious to see if this takes
the idea to the next level.
$899.95 each, m-audio.com
NOVATION SL MK. II
PREMIUM CONTROLLERS RELOADED
THE PITCH Novation checks off the wish list of many a
loyal ReMote SL user.
THE BIG DEAL Touch-sensitive knobs and faders
mean you don’t need to move a control to see what it does.
Backlit buttons. Improved feel and response of drum pads.
Automap 3 Pro software instantly maps controls to apps
and plug-ins, and lets you use multiple Novation controllers
— including the Nocturn and older ReMotes.
WE THINK 25, 49, or 61 keys, plus the keyless Zero
model, which adds longer faders and a DJ crossfader.
$TBA, novationmusic.com
CAKEWALK SONAR V-STUDIO 100
V-STUDIO TO GO
THE PITCH Record multitrack audio to a PC using included Sonar VS
software, or record in stereo without a computer to the onboard SD card slot.
THE BIG DEAL Audio interface/control box has touch-sensitive,
motorized 100mm fader and Sonar’s Active Controller technology.
Enough inputs for two mics, a guitar, and a stereo keyboard, plus RCA
inputs for an iPod or similar player. Can be a standalone digital mixer with hardware-
powered EQ, compression, and reverb.
WE THINK This little hybrid is a great way to take the capabilities of the V-Studio 700
(reviewed Apr. ’09) on the road — and the price is lower than we expected.
$699, sonarvstudio.com
MIXOSAURUS DAW DRUMS
HARD DRIVIN’ DRUMS
THE PITCH Ultimate sampled acoustic drums for
computer-based studios.
THE BIG DEAL Mixosaurus sampled a single drum kit,
played as if recording a song, for cohesive sound. Huge
122GB sample set plus deep Kontakt Player 2 implementation
enables ultra-realistic articulations and mixing. Comes on its
own hard drive so there’s no install time.
WE THINK The audio demos we’ve heard are extremely
impressive.
$799, mixosaurus.com
BOSE L1 COMPACT
MOST PORTABLE BOSE PA YET
THE PITCH The premium sound of the L1 Model II
(reviewed Feb. ’08) just got easier to carry — and afford.
THE BIG DEAL Subwoofer is integrated into base,
unlike larger L1 systems. Can be set up with mid-high speakers
atop the column or in tighter quarters, collapsed into the
base as shown.
WE THINK The ability to leave it in collapsed mode and
carry it one-handed just might make it the ultimate
keyboardist’s gig amp.
$999, bose.com/livesound
CLAVIA NORD C2
PLAY TWO MANUALS,
CARRY UNDER ONE ARM
THE PITCH Successor to the ultralight Nord C1
clonewheel organ.
THE BIG DEAL Firmer action than C1. Drawbar buttons double as stops
for new pipe organ sounds. Output routing can send B-3 sounds to the 11-pin
Leslie and 1/4" hi-level jacks while all other sounds go out the main stereo pair. Key click
level is now adjustable.
WE THINK We loved the portability and sound of the C1 (see Keyboard, May ’07), and we can’t
wait to review the C2.
$TBA, nordkeyboards.com