Toolbox August 2010

Roland Octapad SPD 30 What Digital percussion pad Why Trigger technology from Roland's V Drums, the pads feature an extremely natural and responsive playing feel. How Includes 50 kits and responsive playing feel.

By Mike Rozkin

All prices are MSRP unless stated otherwise

Roland Octapad SPD-30

What Digital percussion pad


Why Trigger technology from Roland's V-Drums, the pads feature an extremely natural and responsive playing feel.

How Includes 50 kits and hundreds of cutting-edge drum and percussion sounds. Onboard effects include 30 types of multi-effects that can be used on individual kits, and Ambience with an Equalizer and Limiter that can be applied to the overall Octapad SPD-30 sound. The Phrase Loop recording feature allows the player to loop recorded sounds in real time, and then overdub additional parts or sounds. With the ability to record three parts per phrase, Phrase Loop is a powerful creative tool for live performance and recording.

Price $799


V-Plugs Uranium Compressors

What Compressor plug-in


Why Applies compression by increasing the quiet parts and attenuating the louder ones. This innovative technology enables you to achieve radical dynamic manipulations with a smooth, warm sound.

How Features that make this possible include a modern compression sound based on V-Plugs SDC technology, content dependant compression, radical compression effects, smart gate for the compressed signal, MS compression for mastering and stereo sources, standard and parallel compression, advanced monitoring, and stereo link in percentage.

Price $96


Native Instruments DEEP FREQ

What Effects processing suite


Why Focuses on frequency manipulation to transform audio material in innovative and inspiring ways.

How Created by sound designer and producer Denis Gökdag, DEEP FREQ provides 150 multi-effect combinations based on the sound processing engines of Absynth, Guitar Rig, and Reaktor integrated in KORE. Through complex combinations of filters, resonators, frequency shifting, resynthesis, granular synthesis, and other advanced algorithms, DEEP FREQ can alter and reshape the tonality of beats, melody lines, vocals, and any other audio material.

Price $79


Propellerhead ReBirth

What Techno micro composer for iPhone


Why The software application that started a sea change in the ’90s, ReBirth is a true reproduction of Propellerhead’s acclaimed music-making software from 1997 for the iPhone.

How 2 x TB-303 Bassline Synthesizer with pattern sequencer, the original Acid House and Techno bass synth. TR-808 drum machine: Roland's subheavy 1980 beat computer. TR-909 drum machine: the go-to beatbox for everything House and Techno. A number of great-sounding effects and audio shapers including tempo-synced digital delay, distortion, compression, and special pattern-controlled filter.

Price $6.99


IK Multimedia AmpliTube iRig

What Mobile guitar amp and effects rig system for iPhone/iTouch/iPad


Why You can plug your guitar into your iPhone and jam anywhere. You'll have at your fingertips the sound and control of three simultaneous stompbox effects, plus amplifier, cabinet, and microphone, just like a traditional guitar or bass stage rig.

How Add amps and effects as you need them, expand your rig with up to 10 stomps, five amps, five cabinets, and two microphones in the AmpliTube iRig app custom shop. iRig Plug Interface Adapter is the easiest way to get your instrument's signal into your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad mobile device. Simply plug iRig into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the iRig, plug your headphones or amplifier to the output, and you are ready to rock.

Price AmpliTube iRig $39 plus Amplitube FULL $19


Zoom H1

What Portable handheld recorder


Why Two onboard microphones are configured in an X/Y pattern, for stunning stereo imaging depth and clarity. The pocket-sized H1 delivers crystal clear 24- bit/96kHz stereo recordings perfect for music, interviews, lectures, recitals, band practice, and more.

How Can accommodate up to 32GB micro SDHC memory cards, providing over 50 hours of recording time. The new pocket-sized recorder is powered by a single AA size battery, which provides up to 10 hours of continuous operation. H1 users can purchase an H1 accessory kit for just $24.99 that includes a windscreen, AC adapter (USB type), USB cable, adjustable tripod stand, soft carrying pouch, and mic clip adapter.

Price $99


PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2

What Digital mixer



How The new mixer provides 24 input channels, rather than 16. As with the 16.4.2, each input features a trim pot, XLR mic input with XMAX mic preamp, 1/4-inch TRS balanced line inputs, and unbalanced insert points. Where the 16-channel model offers six aux buses, the 24.4.2 provides 10 aux buses. Fat Channel provides extensive metering and the programming interface for the new fully parametric EQ, dynamics processing, high-pass filter, and signal routing. In addition to on/off switches for each band, the entire EQ can be switched on and off. Also the gate/expander adds Key Filter and Key Listen features, and the limiter adds a variable threshold.

Price $3,299 street