CL3 was showing at the AES the Gemincore, a small but exceptional amplification module. About the size of a big matchbox, this circuit in Class D is both powerful (250W in 4 Ohms, 150W in 8 Ohms, 1000W peak, 97% efficiency, NO heatsink!) and of exceptional qualities in both the noise and distorsion department. The electronics can be bought in kit form, for a 2 ways expandable to 4 amplifier, or for OEM integration in active monitors (expect other studio monitors featuring these later ;) We could hear the result of the tight PWM at work thru passive and active ASA monitors with both truthful and pleasing details (but neutral still), stereo image, depth, transients… I've found out some details in some Björk songs I've never heard before.

CL3: Kit: amplifier module 237€, Powering unit, 120€
Stereo Gemincore amplifier 2500€
ASA range starts from the active Baby at 2600€ per pair up to the passive Grand Monitor Pro

FLExible Audio shown on the Audioaddict booth at the AES it's brand new Monday microphone in prototype state, as usual for FLEA handcrafted. It is a low cost mic with a F7 (read M7) capsule just like the "bottle" models Fester, Morticia and Lurch, a Siemens tube, a big output transformer. It'll be followed by the Tuesday with a more sensitive K67 capsule not to mention the other days of the WEEK after. I could try the FLEA 12 (replica of the C12) on a the brand new Little Labs preamp rack it was really sweet on my voice (bass-baryton).

Price TBA, Monday and Tuesday availability later this year.

ATD2 presented at the AES the just finished prototypes of the coming FAR XM 8.D. It is a midfield 3 way active monitor precursor of the forthcoming new XM range. Each monitor features 2 sets of AES/EBU inputs and outputs, D/A converters at 24 bits/96 kHz, DSP running at 24 bits/48 kHz with a 10 bands EQ, delay, filters… Each way has a amplificator of respectively 120 Wms, 40 Wms and 40 Wms. Even with the monitors still in prototype state and uncalibrated the depth and the stereo image is already impressive.

8 series 1800€ per monitor, available in june.

Native Instruments releases an update to version 5.1.1 for its Reaktor. This update features :

- Fixed multichannel AU compatibility with Logic 7.2
- Fixed cross-platform plugin streaming bug
- Fixed a plugin streaming bug occuring when controls are controlling other controls in an ensemble
- Fixed Protools TDM Mac bug (ensembles containing core cells causing Protools error messages)

You can download this update in our software section.

Sagan announced a pre-release version of Metro 6.3.5.4. Thise release adds a new slider in the jukebox window, adds a new plug-in option 'configure to stereo output', and Play Quantize has been implemented for MIDI soft synths. This version also fixes some bugs (Intel-Mac plug-ins errors, program name banks problems, better .ins file support and others). Metro is a fast-operating, easy-to-learn high-powered sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. It stands alone as a complete and integrated MIDI, audio and video production system.