New Gear Alert: MOTU 8pre-es Interface, Soundtoys 5.2.4 Update, MixPre Series by Sound Devices & More

MOTU now shipping the 8pre-es interface.

MOTU’s 8pre-es features a whopping 52 channels, onboard DSP effects, comprehensive monitoring options, and much more.

MOTU’s new 8pre-es is a 52-channel Thunderbolt/USB audio interface for Mac, Windows and iOS. It offers 8 high-quality mic inputs in a single rack space, ESS Sabre32 DAC technology on 8 balanced outputs, ultra-low latency drivers, DSP mixing/effects, and a feature set closely matching MOTU’s recent 828es model.

Each mic input delivers -129dBu EIN, 118dB dynamic range, and remote control for individual gain/pad/48V phantom power. The ESS Sabre32 DAC technology delivers 123dB dynamic range on 8 balanced, DC-coupled quarter-inch (TRS) outputs, and the same proven audio quality as MOTU’s flagship 1248. Control room features include a built-in talkback mic with front panel “Talk” button, “A/B” monitor select, mute, and sum-to-mono buttons for the chosen monitor outputs.

Advanced features include word clock I/O, two banks of optical I/O (with one bank switchable to stereo TOSLink), two front-panel headphone jacks, USB audio class compliant firmware for connection to iOS devices (with a standard camera adapter sold separately), new Touch Console web app control from any mobile device, flexible matrix-style routing and splitting, standalone mixing with Wi-Fi control, and AVB-TSN audio networking for system expansion.

The MOTU 8pre-es is available now for $1,195.

Soundtoys announces the 5.2.4 Update is now available.

Soundtoys announces version 5.2.4, which features several key bug fixes and ensures an overall smoother experience for all users.

Soundtoys 5.2.4 is a free maintenance update for all version 5 product owners. This release includes a variety of bug fixes and updates, and adds improved support for macOS High Sierra. All Soundtoys users with any version 5 plugin or bundle can log into their Soundtoys accounts to download this free update.

Highlights of Soundtoys 5.2.4 include (but are not limited to) the following: Little Plate now included in the Soundtoys 5 installer, fixes for rare audio dropouts/glitches on Windows systems, fixed rhythm editor to allow for creation of multi-bar rhythms, fixed Pro Tools automation hotkey support for all plugins on Windows, and fixed AudioSuite support for different stem formats (mono-mono, mono-stereo, stereo-stereo)​.

Full details can be found here on Soundtoys’ release log.

Sound Devices releases the MixPre-3M and MixPre-6M multitrack recorders.

Sound Devices’ MixPre interfaces offer the ability to overdub and add effects—all without the use of a DAW.

Sound Devices, LLC introduces the MixPre-3M and MixPre-6M, powerful multitrack audio recorders with built-in USB audio interface. Designed specifically for musicians, the ultra-portable M-Series interfaces record up to 12 tracks of studio-grade audio (up to 96kHz/24-bit), and integrate features like overdub, track layering, punch in/out, bounce, reverb, vocal air, and metronome.

The M-Series models feature Sound Devices’ world-class Kashmir mic preamps and ultra-low-noise A-D architecture, offering the tone and warmth of analog recordings. The M-Series interfaces can also stream multiple channels of audio via USB to a computer, which is ideal for music composers working with a DAW—however track layering and overdubbing a multi-layered song is possible without the use of a DAW.

MixPre-3M offers the ability to record up to 3 tracks at once, 3 onboard preamps, 5-in/2-out I/O via 3 XLR inputs, and a 3.5mm auxiliary input connector. MixPre-6M offers the ability to record up to 6 tracks at once, 4 onboard preamps, 8-in/4-out I/O via 4 XLR inputs, and a 2-channel 3.5mm auxiliary/mic input connector.

MSRP for MixPre-3M is $549; MSRP for MixPre-6M is $799.

Acustica Audio releases the Water plugin suite.

Acustica aims to reproduce the characteristics of rare vintage hardware with the Water suite.

Water is a powerful VST/AAX/AU plugin suite carefully crafted with the goal of building a set of characterful tools that reproduce the sonic behavior of ultra-rare vintage hardware devices. Water implements new functionality to these classic-inspired tools, making it flexible and suitable for the demands of modern productions.

The Water suite includes three different plugins: Water Channel Strip, Water EQ (Passive Germanium Equalizer standalone module), and Water Comp (Limiter/Compressor standalone module).

The Water EQ is created from an original passive stereo Germanium topology EQ unit dating back to 1961, and a set of “homebrew” additional hardware circuits, hand-built using original components. There is the option to switch on and off the pass-though tone distortions of the original hardware, allowing you to avoid or embrace the frequency, phase, and harmonic distortions of the gear.

The Water Limiter/Compressor is based on a 1968, discretely-built diode bridge device that delivers an overwhelming sound. With three of some of the very best transformers in the audio path, it gives a smooth, larger-than-life coloration that is reminiscent of classic legendary tube devices.

For each plugin included in the Water suite, there is a “Standard” version and an alternative “ZL” version, which operates at zero latency at the cost of extra processing resources, and is thus suitable for use when tracking.

The Water suite is available now for a special introductory price of €103.20 (reg. €129).

Kush Audio announces free upgrade for Omega Model N.

Kush’s updated Omega Model N now sports new input/output functionality, along with several other bug fixes.

Kush’s Omega Model N produces a dark, thick, and round tone, just like the coveted Neve preamp it is inspired by. Just a kiss imparts a dusty patina, and when pushed hard, it gets downright fuzzy and soft.

With the Omega N version 1.0.6 update, Kush has implemented key upgrades, which allow you to control how hard the input hits the transformer, modulate the output to match the needs of your mix, and toggle Kush’s custom oversampling algorithm for all instances of Omega N across your entire session. You can also turn Oversampling off to preserve system resources, then flip it back on just before mixdown to get all the benefits of oversampling with none of the CPU load. Version 1.0.6 also includes several bug fixes.

Omega N is available from Kush via monthly/yearly subscription, or for download, priced at $29.

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