Archives for 2003

Roland has announced a major software upgrade for both the VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD Digital Studio Workstations. Introduced in 2001, the VS-2480 series was the first self-contained recording workstation to offer 24-track/24-bit digital recording with 64-channel digital mixing, onboard effects processing, full mouse-based waveform editing, moving-fader automation, and optional on-board CD burning.

The new Version 2.011 System Software features a comprehensive Control Surface Mode. The new mode allows the operator to use the buttons, knobs, and motorized faders of the VS-2480 to control parameters of many popular software-based recording and sequencing programs.

Roland's powerful VS-2480 audio workstations become full-featured controllers for Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Performer, and other recording software applications with the new Version 2.011 OS

This hands-on style of control frees the user from the constraints of mouse-based mixing. With its plethora of buttons, knobs, faders, and transport controls, the VS-2480 makes an excellent control surface for use with practically any software application.

The new software includes several pre-configured templates that map the VS-2480’s buttons, knobs, and faders to key parameters of popular computer-based sequencing and recording programs. Included are templates for Emagic Logic 5™, Steinberg Cubase™, and a HUI™ template for any software application that can be controlled by Mackie’s HUI controllers, such as Digidesign ProTools™ and Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer™.

This update essentially turns the VS-2480 into a fully capable hardware controller for most audio recording and MIDI sequencing applications.

Version 2.011 also allows VS-2480 owners to design their own user templates for controlling and editing other programs or any hardware that responds to MIDI control. This means a musician can perform most major operations for supported programs directly from the VS-2480 without having to use the computer’s mouse or keyboard.

In addition to the Control Surface Mode, Version 2.011 enhances the VS-2480’s compatibility with the VS-2400CD Digital Studio Workstation. The 2480 can open and read sessions created in a VS-2400CD, and sessions created in the VS-2480 can be saved as a VS-2400 project. This provides totally seamless compatibility and exchange of song data and tracks between these two popular workstations.

Version 2.011 System Software is now available as a free download from the Roland US website. VS-2480HD and VS-2480CD owners can find the download at http://www.rolandus.com/support/updatesdrivers.

Roland U.S. Web Site

Archos is shipping its new AV320 and AV340 portable digital players, positioning them as the first true personal video players that can record and play back movies with stereo MP3 audio.

The Archos Video AV300 Series portables are no slouches when it comes to straight audio, with either 20GB or 40GB of hard-disc storage for MP3 audio files in any format: 30-320 Kbits/s, constant or variable bit rate. The new models also offer direct MP3 audio recording at 30-160 Kbits/s, variable bit rate only.

Audio connections include stereo analog line in and digital line in/out, as well as a built-in mic for voice recording. Video can only be recorded via analog composite video in, with playback through analog composite video out.

MusicMatch software is bundled with the players, allowing users to convert entire personal CD collections into MP3 format with ease.

The Archos AV340 Audio/Video Player/Recorder with Optional AVCam 300 Accessory Module Attached (left)

The AV300 Series models can be used for computer data back up and transport. A high-speed USB 2.0 interface (or optional FireWire connection) allows you to transfer data, video, music or photo files, to and from any desktop or notebook computer equipped with a high-speed connection.

The new portables can also handle photos with ease, offering direct transfer of photos from any digital camera using optional memory card readers, and capacity for up to 400,000 digital photos. An optional AVCam 300 accesory module ($199.95 US) turns the unit into a digital still camera.

Continuing the flexible modular design, the AV300 series also offers an optional FM tuner and recorder module ($29.95 US) that allows you to listen to radio stations or to record favorite songs in MP3 format direct from the FM tuner. A retro-record buffering system lets you record entire songs, even if you press the record button after a song has started.

Built-in video playback is through a 3.8-inch color LCD screen. But the real power behind the Video AV300 is in its ease to record video from any video source. On the go enthusiasts are able to record their favorite video content direct from any video source, TV, or VCR. They can also quickly download and save large volumes of MPEG-4 video files via the Internet. Once the video is saved to the Video AV300, users can play back the video either on the built-in color display or on any TV or PC in near-DVD-quality.

“At home people have TVs, stereos, DVD players and PCs for personal entertainment. Now consumers want to watch the latest release of a movie, a favorite TV show, or a music video while killing time, or additionally listen to MP3 music in the car or share videos and photos with friends, all while on the go,” said Henri Crohas, president and founder, Archos.

“People also want to record music from their stereos or video from a TV, but they do not want to have to go through a PC. The Video AV300 series provides a single personal device that does it all.”

Recording from analog video sources, and playing back in VHS resolution, the AV300 series allows for comfortable viewing of full-length movies, entire seasons of TV shows, complete collections of music videos, or simply a young producer’s own personal home videos.

Archos Web Site

McIntosh Laboratory will officially launch a new home theater control unit and amplifier, the MHT200 A/V System Controller, at the Home Entertainment 2003 show in San Francisco, CA, later this week.

The new controller is already available from McIntosh dealers with a suggested retail price of $6,100 (US).

The MHT200 is a complete DTS / Dolby Digital / Dolby ProLogic II Audio/Video package. It features eight 140 Watt channels of amplification, making 6 channels available to power a home theater system, while the remaining 2 channels allow the enjoyment of a difference source, such as a CD Player, in another room.

8 analog audio and 6 digital audio inputs, along with component, S-Video and composite video switching, assure that the MHT200 will meet the demands of complex home entertainment and home theater set-ups.

The MHT200 provides 24-bit DSP processing for Dolby Digital, Dolby ProLogic II, and DTS Plus 6.1 processing. A 24-bit stereo A-to-D converter is applied to the analog input and four 24-bit stereo D-to-A converters are used at the DSP module output.

The MHT200 has internal sequential switching of a unique noise generator for system calibration. Calibration can be performed manually or the MHT200 will automatically calibrate the room’s speaker levels and delay times with the supplied microphone.

A tuner expansion slot is provided for a McIntosh TM-1 AM/FM tuner module.

McIntosh Laboratory Web Site