New Gear Alert: API 500 Series Stereo Compressor, ADAM T Series Monitors, Tonestack Fuzz & EQ Pedal from BAE & More

We’re back with another round of gear alerts from NAMM 2018. For even more coverage, be sure to check out our Photo Recap as well!

API announces the 529 stereo compressor for 500 Series.

The API 529 is based on the signature sound of the famous 2500 stereo compressor, now available in 500 Series format.

Based on the unprecedented success of the 2500, the 529 takes many of the features and controls from API’s famous stereo compressor and puts them into their first dual slot 500 Series module. Carefully designed to deliver a wide range of compression options, the 529 delivers warmth, clarity and punch, whether used for subtle adjustments or heavy compression effects.

The new 529 compressor features API’s patented “Thrust” circuitry for a punchy low end, along with an Old/New switch that lets you choose between classic and modern compression characteristics: Old for vintage-style feedback compression and New for today’s more common feed-forward compression. The Auto-makeup Gain button allows for ratio and threshold adjustment without affecting the output level.

Using API’s discrete op-amps and transformer technology, the 529 provides the legendary analog sound of API. Like all API products, the 529 features API’s unique 5 year warranty.

The 529 has an introductory price of $2,195; units will be available for shipping in mid-February.

ADAM Audio announces the T Series monitors.

Many of the features available in ADAM’s premier monitors have been implemented into the new, more affordable T Series.

The T Series by ADAM is a new, accessibly-priced range of nearfield studio monitors for audio recording and production professionals. The T Series brings significant technical achievements to a new, lower price point with two models: the 5” woofer T5V and the 7” woofer T7V.

Multiple technical innovations designed for ADAM Audio’s flagship S Series and iconic AX Series have been included in the T Series monitor range. This includes the U-ART Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter, along with the High Frequency Propagation System (HPS)—yielding extremely consistent horizontal and vertical dispersion across the frequency spectrum—DSP innovations for the crossover system, and Class D amplifier systems.

The T Series will be available soon, with the T5V priced at €199/piece, and the T7V priced at €239/piece.

Meet Pro Tools 2018.

The Target Playlist speeds up tedious tasks like vocal comping.

Avid announced the latest version of the world’s flagship DAW, with Pro Tools 2018. Version numbers will now be based on the year and the month they are released, in keeping with the growing emphasis on their subscription model.

Part of Avid’s comprehensive ecosystem of creative tools and powered by their MediaCentral platform, Pro Tools 2018 is intended to enhance creativity and accelerate workflows for greater collaboration. New features include Track Presets, retrospective MIDI record, MIDI editing enhancements, Playlist Comping enhancements, and more. The new retrospective MIDI record feature ensures that users will never lose a performance, while shortcuts to quickly transpose, trim notes and edit velocities make music creation quicker and easier.

Additional details on new Pro Tools 2018 features include:
• Track Presets enabling quick preset browsing to build sessions on the fly.
• New playlist comping workflows to save valuable screen real estate, and provide the ability to edit grouped tracks with ease and work quickly from Waveform view.
• The ability to easily convert sessions to cloud-enabled product files for faster collaboration.
• Mix Window EQ Graphs to intuitively display the combined EQ effects inserted on a track.

BAE announces the Tonestack fuzz & EQ pedal.

Second in BAE’s line of stompboxes comes the Tonestack, delivering authentic vintage fuzz with a comprehensive three-band EQ circuit.

The Tonestack is the second stompbox designed by BAE Audio and follows the popular Hot Fuzz, which debuted at NAMM last year. The dual-stomp pedal features a silicon fuzz circuit based on the classic fuzz of the ’70s, paired with a powerful three-band EQ circuit that allows unprecedented tone shaping.

Tonestack is composed of two separate sections with individual true-bypass stomp switches. The first is the fuzz section. This silicon-based circuit can be dialed with controls that will be familiar to users of ‘70s silicon fuzzes: an Attack knob determines the amount of distortion applied, while the Level control is used to set the desired output volume from the pedal.

The second section is a three-band EQ circuit. The ability to turn the EQ on and off with its own true-bypass footswitch enables guitar players to have different tonal options for different parts of a song. Kick in a midrange scoop with a bass boost for riffing on the lower strings, switching the EQ off for chord work higher on the neck. Or dial in your perfect rhythm guitar tone and kick on a nice midrange boost for the solo.

Pricing for Tonestack is not yet available.

Waves Audio announces the Scheps Omni Channel.

Andrew Scheps and Waves continue their collaboration with the Scheps Omni Channel—a one-stop shop for all of your processing needs, from saturation to EQ, dynamics to effects, and more.

Designed with GRAMMY-winning mixer Andrew Scheps (Adele, Jay-Z, Metallica), this flexible channel strip delivers Andrew’s time-tested combinations of compression, EQ, saturation colors and more—all crafted to work together seamlessly and cohesively.

Scheps has perfected certain combinations of go-to processors—some based on classic hardware units, some being innovative modules developed from scratch—each with its own unique character. They are all now provided to you in one flexible yet fully cohesive channel strip plugin.

Scheps Omni Channel features six modules that you can use in any order, consisting of: Pre (for saturation), Compression, EQ, DS2 (a comprehensive de-esser/dynamic EQ), Gate, and Insert (where you can add other Waves plugins right into Omni Channel).

Check out an introductory video to Scheps Omni Channel here.

Scheps Omni Channel is on sale now for $49 ($149 reg).

PreSonus expands StudioLive AVB Ecosystem with NSB Series stage boxes.

PreSonus offers a smart, flexible, and durable solution for splitting signals from stage to FOH with the NSB Series stage boxes.

Designed to work seamlessly with PreSonus StudioLive Series III mixers/recorders, the new PreSonus NSB 16.8 and 8.8 AVB-networked stage boxes deliver signals from stage to console over a lightweight CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cable. You can remote control the NSB Series’ inputs, preamps, and phantom power from a networked Series III console or from the free PreSonus UC Surface touch-control software.

The 16×8 NSB 16.8 offers 16 locking combo mic/line inputs equipped with PreSonus’ remote controlled, Class A solid-state XMAX preamps, including gain compensation for shared input scenarios. The 8×8 NSB 8.8 offers eight of these mic/line inputs. Both models provide eight outputs with locking XLR jacks. A built-in, two-port AVB switch lets you daisy-chain multiple units, or use the PreSonus SW5E AVB switch to support larger shows and installations.

NSB Series stage boxes come in a rugged steel chassis designed to survive the rigors of the road and are equipped with sturdy handles. Their classic stage box form factors allow NSB Series stage boxes to sit well on the stage, or they can be rack mounted with an optional rack-ear kit. Both models also are compatible with stage pockets from Ace Backstage.

PreSonus NSB 16.8 and NSB 8.8 stage boxes are expected to be available in the first quarter and early second quarter of 2018, with anticipated street prices of $799.95 and $599.95, respectively.

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