Canadian Musician - September/October 2020 | Page 70
HOT
GEAR
PreSonus Atom SQ Hybrid MIDI
Controller
PreSonus has released the Atom SQ performance-based hybrid MIDI
controller. Being part sequencer, part performance pad, and part
keyboard, the company says the Atom SQ is its most flexible MIDI
controller to date.
With the Atom SQ, musicians can build patterns quickly with the
TR-style step sequencer and finger drum grooves with the responsive
pads. They can also launch expressive arpeggiations or lay down
basslines and melodies from the same controller. The PreSonus Atom
SQ features deep integration with PreSonus Studio One and Ableton
Live, presenting a seamless extension of those DAWs’ capabilities. And,
with eight assignable rotary controllers and an expressive touchstrip, it
is customizable to fit the user’s performance style.
The Atom SQ is equipped with 32 velocity- and pressure-sensitive
pads, laid out in a TR-style staggered configuration. It also has a slew
of “new-school” features, including a context-sensitive screen that
changes its display depending on what the user is doing, and backlit
RGB LED pads for colour coordinating samples and loops.
For more information, contact Erikson Audio: 514-457-2555,
[email protected], www.eriksonaudio.com.
Spitfire Symphonic Motions Virtual
String Instrument Plug-In
Spitfire Audio has released the Symphonic Motions virtual instrument
plug-in.
This new addition to the Spitfire Symphonic Range is meant to offer
the flexibility and ease to design expressive shorts and intricate rhythmic
patterns, enhancing the realism of scores. Symphonic Motions features top
string players from London performing a range of rebowing movements,
rhythms, and playing techniques, all recorded in The Hall at AIR Studios.
These performances are presented in an easy-to-use grid interface inside
the dedicated plug-in for instant access to almost infinite combinations of
tempo-locked rhythms, techniques, and realistic rebowing.
The grid interface, inspired by the EMS VCS3 synth, positions “pegs”
via an onscreen 12 x 40 grid arrangement, giving access to recordings
across 12 intervals, organized in a grid with a wide range of possible
configurations. Users can instantly select which technique sits on each
of those 12 key ranges, toggle their pegs, or generate randomized
combinations for instant inspiration.
For more information, go to www.spitfireaudio.com.
AMS Neve 1073 OPX Preamplifier
To mark the 50 th anniversary of the 1073 microphone preamp, AMS Neve
has launched the 1073 OPX, a new octal microphone/line/instrument
preamp designed to meet the needs of modern studio environments.
Designed and still manufactured in the U.K., AMS Neve’s 1073
remains one of the most popular mic preamps for top-end producers
and engineers thanks to its unique tonal quality and ability to deliver
warmth, low-mid punch, and subtle harmonic distortion. With the
launch of the 1073 OPX, AMS Neve has taken its ‘70s classic and updated
it for today’s workflows by packing eight 1073 remote-controlled
preamps with Marinair transformers into a 2 U rack unit. Front and rear
connectors give comprehensive connectivity to any studio/live/broadcast
environment while modern remote-control software gives twoway
control with total recall of all settings. Input sources benefit from
the transformer-coupled input stage and can be connected directly to
the front-mounted mic/line/DI input for recording in the control room.
For more information, contact Systemes Guinois: 514-931-2000,
[email protected], www.systemesguinois.com.
70 CANADIAN MUSICIAN