Insound launches "Save The Album" campaign

Insound.com, the online retailer for independent music, has launched a campaign to "Save The Album." The campaign is designed to help celebrate a format that has endured recent threats at the hands of single track sales and subscription offers. Noted and respected indie artists The Decemberists, Bloc Party, The Mountain Goats, Devendra Banhart, Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Walkmen, and Lou Barlow have recorded short video pieces celebrating their favorite albums. The "mission" and the videos can be seen at www.savethealbum.com In support of the campaign, Insound.com, which had until now exclusively sold albums on CD and vinyl, will also be launching a new album-only, MP3-only digital store this week. All music will be available exclusively in the format in which it was designed to be released. Individual tracks will not be available for purchase. Additionally, the MP3 format will also allow consumers to easily move the music to any portable device they choose. "While the sale of individual tracks certainly makes sense technologically for pop music, it is fully not in the best interest of the independent music community. It hurts not only artists, but also labels, retailers, and distributors," said Matt Wishnow, President of Insound. "If I love Spoon, I love them for Series of Sneaks, Kill the Moonlight and Gimme Fiction and not for particular songs on those albums. We want to continue to nourish fans who feel this way about the album while allowing those fans to get their music in whatever format they prefer – CD, LP or MP3." Capaign Website: www.savethealbum.com Insound Website: www.insound.com This is a Press Release...

Beyerdynamic intros Headzone portable 5.1 'control room'

Beyerdynamic also introduced Headzone, a portable surround sound mixing system. Headzone is ideal for a variety of applications including broadcast, post-production, recording studios, mobile recording and video game sound design. "Headzone's portability offers an affordable and flexible alternative for audio engineers to mix surround sound," explains Paul Froula, Pro Audio Business Manager. "No longer is a live truck or recording studio required to create a professional-grade 5.1 surround recording." Utilizing current DSP technology, Headzone provides superior headphone-based 5.1 surround sound reproduction. It also offers a unique patented ultrasonic-headtracking system, which locates the orientation of the listener's head with respect to the source material and adjusts the audio accordingly. Headzone allows complete freedom of movement. Based on the set-up commonly seen in a mixing studio, an engineer recording with Headzone can move around while the source material remains fixed in position. Headzone also offers an advanced room simulation program, which allows the users to create an ideal auditory space within which to monitor the surround audio and, therefore, provide the optimal "sweet spot." As a result of the system's portability, audio engineers have the capability to monitor in their ideal studio anyplace, anywhere. On the web at www.beyerdynamic.com...

Tweakbench updates all their VST plug-ins

Tweakbench has updated all 22 of their VST plug-ins, addressing all known bugs. Knobs have changed to linear motion and controls now respond to Ctrl-dragging for precision. Tooltips have also been added to almost every control. A new bass synth plug-in, Ritual, has also been released. Ritual uses some unique oscillators and a custom cascade filter system to add analog warmth. It also has extensive modulation options via a 16 point modulation matrix. Carillon 1.1 - added randomize function Dropout 2.2 - new drawable curves GUI - CPU performance & stability improved Field 1.2 - new auto-play trigger works in all hosts - CPU performance & stability improved Minerva 1.1 - CPU performance & stability improved Monomate 2.2 - CPU performance & stability improved Padawan 1.1 - CPU performance & stability improved - parameter naming bug fixed - midi channel bug fixed Papaya 1.1 - added randomize function Peach 1.2 - CPU performance & stability improved - midi channel bug fixed Pippo 1.2 - CPU performance & stability improved Rebar 1.3 - CPU performance & stability improved Tapeworm 2.0 - new vintage tape grain added per key - CPU performance & stability improved Toad 1.2 - CPU performance & stability improved - midi channel bug fixed Triforce 1.6 - CPU performance & stability improved - added phase control to triangle voice Breakdown 2.2 - new drawable curves GUI - additional filter modes added - CPU performance & stability improved Cairo 1.3 - CPU performance & stability improved Grumblebum 2.6 - CPU performance & stability improved Maelcum 1.1 - CPU performance & stability improved - new auto-play trigger starts the tape in all hosts Mashup 2.2 - new drawable curves GUI - CPU performance & stability improved Pudding 1.2 - CPU performance & stability improved Sideslip 2.2 - new drawable curves GUI - added fine control of the grain rate - CPU performance & stability improved Yoink 1.2 - added new loop point controls - CPU performance & stability improved Website: http://www.tweakbench.com...

Beyerdynamic introduces Opus 900 Wireless System

Beyerdynamic has introduced the Opus 900 wireless system. Featuring rugged construction and powerful transparent sound, the Opus 900 system is designed to meet the rigorous operating criteria of multi-channel systems for touring, theater, broadcast and large installations. "The flexibility, reliability and affordability of the Opus 900 make it the premier wireless system for professional applications," states Paul Froula, Pro Audio Business Manager. "Based on beyerdynamic's popular Opus 500 Mk II and 800 systems, the Opus 900 features exceptional audio quality, stable transmission and easy operation – critical components in any professional application." The Opus 900 system offers a variety of transmitters, making it ideal for a wide-range of applications. Transmitters for the system include the DM 960 S, DM 960 B and the DM 969 S dynamic transmitters; the EM 981 S and the CM 930 B condenser transmitters; the TS 900 M and TS 900 C pocket transmitters with re-chargeable contacts. Both the TS 900 M and TS 900 C are outfitted with ACT infrared interface for frequency setting, LCD for selected channel, group and battery status (5-stage), gain control, silent on/off switch and 4-pin mini-XLR input connector. Three receivers, offering 99 pre-programmed frequencies, are available for the Opus 900 system; the NE 900 S single channel, NE 900 D dual channel and the NE 900 Q quad channel receiver. Both the NE 900 D and NE 900 Q are housed in a standard 1U/19-inch rackmount and feature an integrated antenna splitter, while the NE 900 S is housed in a 1U/9.5-inch rackmount. Each model has an engineer-friendly "jog wheel" for fast access and reconfiguration of the system. In addition, all offer a monitoring headphone output with volume control and balanced XLR per channel, Remote-In and-Out port and PC controllability. Find out more at http://www.beyerdynamic.com This is a Press Release...