Violet Design was showing the brand new Black Hole, a new condenser microphone in its final tuning stages. If the name is rather obvious in origin, the main points of this mic are not there -the hole may be handy to manipulate it but that's all-. First, it uses 2 new paired capsules in a special opposite to one another positioning. Second, it introduces a practical shockmount/stand holder (the rubber beads you may see thru the hole) which can be unmounted in 2 seconds. If it's not enough to draw in your interest, it has 3 switchable polar patterns (omni, cardio and figure of 8), a max SPL of 136 dB and low THD, and a transformerless Class A discrete amp circuit.

Price TBA, available later this year.

BoomBuzzSoftware released groovetool 1.12. Now includes the option to create multiple quantize templates at once- an attempt to make the auditioning process easier. Update also includes a reset button. All customers recieve two years of free updates, and there is a ton of stuff in the works for this little app. groovetool is already becoming an indespensible tool for artists around the world.

More info on the BoomBuzzSoftware web site.

Microtech Gefell was showing for the first time the UM 930 a large diaphragm dual capsule mic with switchable characteristics aimed at broadcast and sound studio uses. The UM 930 has omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hyper cardioid, figure of 8, polar patterns. The frequency responses (40-18000Hz) shows an up to 5 dBs emphase after 10 kHz, and depending of the pattern, a slight lift from 2 kHz on. Other characteristics include: dynamic range 135 dB, max SPL 142 dB, s/n ratio 87 dB A-weighted, noise level 13 dB. The UM 930 is available with various finishes (including 24 carat gold) but more importantly with 3 types of mounting. The Twin version available on demand gives access to 2 polar patterns of choice only but both at the same time thru a 5 pins XLR.

Price and availability TBA (but this year)

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.