The Musician Network: The Blog

Dear Customers, dear Friends!

We have just uploaded the new NAMM Show instruments! Click here to see the pictures: www.ritter-instruments.com/available.php

 You can play most of these basses & guitars at upcoming NAMM Show in Anaheim California next week from January 24th to 27th. Visit me in Hall C at Booth #4178.

This year I will release my new R8-Singlecut CONCEPT bass & “The BLUE DRAGON” guitar! (Limited Edition of 25 guitars).   Here are some pictures:

R8-Singlecut CONCEPT bass & “The BLUE DRAGON” guitar!

The OCEAN MAGMA Surface!!!

Nashville Emerging Artist, Summer Collins had no idea the song she would co-write on her monthly trip to PCG Nashville, would end-up having such a profound impact in the hearts of so many.  Uncanny, at exactly the same time that Collins was writing the song, “Young” with award winning artist and songwriter Briton Cameron, a close family friend was killed in Afghanistan on the other side of the globe.  Upon return to her hometown of Fayetteville (Ft Bragg), NC, and learning of Tyson Nick’s death, she knew in her heart that this song was meant not only for him, but moreover for the wife and 3 children that Tyson left behind.  The even greater tragedy lay in that Tyson had retired after 24 years of service in the US Army Special Operations Command just 3 months prior and also that his youngest son was just 2 years-old, and a large part of his decision to retire.  Check out Summer’s video for “Young” on YouTube, here:

PCG Nashville Alumni Brad Long

Start the Year off Right!

Don’t miss PCG Institute Alumni Brad Long’s Industry Showcase

Click the invite for more information on Brad and his new single!

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Precision-engineered components, high power-handling capacity, and powerful, well-balanced sound: the passive ZX1-Sub is the latest member of Electro-Voice’s compact and lightweight ZX loudspeaker family. Presenting an optimal combination of performance, portability and efficiency, the ZX1-Sub is well suited to both mobile applications and fixed installation.

A range of features make the ZX1-Sub a standout choice in its class. Its EV-engineered 12” EVS-12S woofer operates in the 42 Hz to 200 Hz (-10 dB) frequency range and boasts a frequency response of 53 Hz – 125 Hz (-3 dB). The nominal impedance of the subwoofer is 8 ohms and its maximum sound pressure level is 127 dB. A robust, 15-mm-thick internally braced wooden enclosure with two side handles, a structured coating and a sturdy steel grille ensure both reliable performance and rugged durability in day-to-day use. The ZX1-Sub’s two recessed NL4-type connectors are wired in parallel, permitting the input signal to be looped through and making it possible to operate full-range loudspeakers such as the ZX1 together with the ZX1-Sub using a single amplifier channel. With its compact dimensions (40 x 44 x 46 cm), the latest member of the ZX series weighs-in a just under 20 kilos.

Product Marketing Manager ProSound EMEA, Markus Schmittinger, is delighted with the new arrival: “It has never been easier to give a solid foundation to a compact PA,” he says. “The ZX1-Sub was conceived primarily for configurations involving EVID, ZX1 and EVU systems, but it will also optimize system performance when paired with loudspeakers from other manufacturers.”

Features:

• EVS-12S 12“ LF driver
• Frequency range (-10 dB): 42 Hz – 200 Hz
• Frequency response (-3 dB): 53 Hz – 125 Hz
• Maximum SPL: 127 dB
• Sensitivity: 94 dB (1 W / 1 m)
• Impedance: 8 ohms
• Power handling: 400 W cont., 800 W prog., 1600 W peak
• Two recessed NL4-type connectors
• Integrated adapter for pole-mounting full-range systems
• Robust steel grille to protect the loudspeaker
• Internally braced 15-mm plywood enclosure with a structured coating and integrated handles for easy transportation
• Weight: 19.8 kg
• Dimensions: 40 cm x 44 cm x 46 cm (H x W x D)

Electro-Voice ZX1 Sub

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 26, 2012 — Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is pleased to announce the impending release of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Plug-In for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform and Apollo Audio Interface. Created by UAD Direct Development partner Brainworx® and Shadow Hills Industries founder Peter Reardon, this true-to-life plug-in emulation of the hallmark Mastering Compressor expertly tempers dynamics and tames transients like no other device on the market.

“The Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor hardware is capable of delivering so much character and color, from subtle to very dramatic. It was important to me that any plug-in emulation provided the same sonic experience,” said Shadow Hills’ Peter Reardon. “Thankfully, the team at Brainworx and Universal Audio have faithfully brought this hardware product to life in the digital world.”

As the go-to compressor on recordings by Muse, Gnarls Barkley, Coldplay, John Mayer, Regina Spektor, and more, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor features a world-class signal path, controlling music dynamics in two stages — first with an Optical section, then with a Discrete (VCA) section. Both sections can be bypassed, providing a variety of compression sounds (Optical, Discrete, and combined) from a velvet touch to an iron fist.

Like the hardware version, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor plug-in offers selection of three distinct output transformers (Nickel, Iron, and Steel) — taking the signal from “clean” to “colored” and “dirty” — as if selecting from the output stages of three distinct classic analog consoles.

Whether employed on a vocal chain, drum buss, or on the master fader, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor’s unique control and character will inspire creativity.

Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Plug-In Features:

• Meticulous emulation of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, licensed and endorsed by Peter Reardon
• Created by Brainworx, developed exclusively for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform
• Separate Optical and Discrete (VCA) dynamics sections for two-stage serial dynamics control
• Transformer matrix switches between Nickel, Iron, and Steel output transformers — like selecting between 3 distinct vintage console outputs
• 90Hz sidechain filtering for musical compression of low-frequency program material
• Large, accurate VU meters provide Optical, Discrete, or Output gain views
• Custom presets created by Shadow Hills founder and designer Peter Reardon

Available as part of the upcoming UAD Software v6.3.2 release, scheduled for early November, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor will be available for $299 US from UA’s Online Store.

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 26, 2012 —Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is pleased to announce the impending release of the Precision K-Stereo™ Ambience Recovery Plug-In for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform and Apollo Audio Interface. Created by Universal Audio in collaboration with famed mastering engineer Bob Katz, the K-Stereo Ambience Recovery plug-in extracts ambient cues from source recordings — allowing users to precisely enhance the stereo depth and imaging of mixes without unnatural artifacts.

“The K-Stereo plug-in gives mastering engineers an easy, organic-sounding solution for excessively small mixes or mixes that need more space and depth — from classical to jazz, rock, or hip-hop,” said Bob Katz. “Because we’re effectively ‘pulling out’ the ambience that’s already in the recording, the results sound much more natural. I’m happy to be working with UA to bring K-Stereo to the UAD platform.”

Designed for critical 2-track mastering or post-production applications, the K-Stereo plug-in offers a “do-no-harm” approach to adding depth and width to busy or narrow-sounding mixes. Using elements of the Haas effect and other psychoacoustic principles, the plug-in transparently enhances existing ambience and early reflections without adding artificial reverb or changing the ratio of center elements to side elements.

Precision K-Stereo Ambience Recovery Plug-In Features:

• Unique ambience recovery and stereo processing tool, created and patented by famed mastering engineer Bob Katz
• Extracts ambient cues from the source material, naturally adding depth and width to the stereo field
• Perfect for fixing busy or “narrow” mixes at the mastering stage
• 3-band Ambience Filter EQ for further shaping the effect
• Mid/Side gain controls available to adjust the center-to-side balance
• Left/Right Gain controls for final stereo image balancing and leveling
• Custom user presets created by Bob Katz

Available as part of the upcoming UAD Software v6.3.2 release, scheduled for early November, the Precision K-Stereo Ambience Recovery Plug-In will be available for $199 US via UA’s Online Store.

Download photos and press releases on UAD Software v6.3.2, including the Precision K-Stereo Ambience Recovery Plug-In, here:
http://www.uaudio.com/media/downloads/uadv632presskit.zip

Learn more about the award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform here:
http://www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html

About UAD Powered Plug-Ins
Powered by Universal Audio’s popular UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware, UAD Powered Plug-Ins offer the world’s most authentic analog hardware emulations and award-winning audio plug-ins on Mac and PC. UAD plug-ins deliver rich, analog sound quality that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with native recording systems.

About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1958 by recording pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., and refounded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio is best known for its classic, hand-built analog hardware and advanced UAD Digital Signal Processing technology for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. Headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology, following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.” www.uaudio.com

Universal Audio UAD2

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • October 1, 2012 — Universal Audio (UA), a leading manufacturer of professional audio recording hardware and software, is pleased to announce a complete re-imagination of the popular UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform. Highlighted by the new flagship UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator card, featuring eight SHARC processors, the UAD-2 Series offers new Custom and Ultimate software bundles and more affordable pricing for all UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD DSP Accelerator models. 

New OCTO DSP Accelerators — Heavyweight Processing Power
The new top-of-the-line UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator ($1,499US) features eight SHARC processors on a single PCIe card and easily installs into a PCIe-equipped Mac or PC workstation or compatible expansion chassis — giving music producers and engineers twice the processing power of its UAD-2 QUAD DSP Accelerator counterpart. For UAD power users running large audio sessions with high UAD plug-in instances and/or high sample rates, the UAD-2 OCTO DSP Accelerator is the uncompromising professional solution.

New UAD-2 “Custom” Bundles — Pick Any 3 UAD Plug-Ins
For just $400US more than a UAD-2 DUO, QUAD, or OCTO “Core” DSP Accelerator model, UAD users can now step up to UAD-2 Custom bundles, selecting any three individual UAD plug-ins within 45 days of their new UAD-2 hardware registration. With a world-renowned UAD plug-in library that includes Ampex®, Manley®, Lexicon®, Studer®, EMT®, Empirical Labs®, Neve®, SSL®, Roland®, and more, UAD-2 Custom bundles deliver a potential software value of more than $1,000US (depending on UAD plug-ins selected), at significant savings to new UAD-2 users.

New UAD-2 “Ultimate” Bundles — The Definitive Collection
Combining the most powerful UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware with the most complete UAD plug-in bundle available, the new UAD-2 OCTO Ultimate (PCIe card format) and UAD-2 Satellite QUAD Ultimate (FireWire format) packages offer an extensive library of more than 55 UA-developed plug-ins, up to and including UAD Software v6.3*. These UAD-2 Ultimate packages represent the definitive collection of more than 10 years of UAD plug-in development.

More Affordable UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core Models
Alongside the new UAD-2 hardware and software introductions, UA is debuting new, more affordable pricing for the “Core” models of UAD-2 SOLO, DUO, and QUAD PCIe hardware and UAD-2 DUO and QUAD Satellite FireWire hardware. All UAD-2 Core models include the popular “Analog Classics” plug-in bundle, featuring the LA-2A Classic Audio Leveler, 1176LN/1176SE Classic Limiting Amplifiers, Pultec EQP-1A, and RealVerb Pro plug-ins. Additional UAD plug-ins can be purchased from UA’s Online Store.

“We’re excited by the additional power and flexibility that this new UAD-2 lineup provides,” says CEO and Founder, Bill Putnam, Jr. “Not only has the processing power doubled with the UAD-2 OCTO model, but it’s now easier for users to customize their UAD-2 packages right out of the box. And with our new aggressive pricing for SOLO, DUO, and QUAD Core models, UAD-2 is now even more accessible to producers who want to add authentic analog tone in their recordings.

Estimated US Street Prices for UAD-2 Desktop (PCI-Express) and Satellite (FireWire) DSP Accelerators:
 

More information on the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform:
http://www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html

High-resolution images and other resources:
http://www.uaudio.com/press/resources/photos/uad2.html

*The UAD-2 Ultimate packages do not include any Direct Developer (3rd party) plug-ins, nor plug-ins released after UAD Software v6.3.

About UAD Powered Plug-Ins
Powered by Universal Audio’s popular UAD-2 DSP Accelerator hardware, UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins offer the world’s most authentic analog hardware emulations and award-winning audio plug-ins on Mac and PC. UAD-2 plug-ins deliver rich, analog sound quality that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with native recording systems.

About Universal Audio Inc.
Founded in 1958 by recording pioneer Bill Putnam Sr., and refounded in 1999 by Bill Putnam Jr., Universal Audio is best known for its classic, hand-built analog hardware and advanced UAD Digital Signal Processing technology for recording, mixing, and mastering audio. Headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, UA is focused on merging the best of vintage analog and modern digital technology, following its rich recording heritage and motto, “Analog Ears. Digital Minds.”www.uaudio.com

©2012 Universal Audio, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. The “Universal Audio” name, UA “Diamond” logo, “Apollo,” and “UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins” are trademarks of Universal Audio Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.