New Gear Alert: PreSonus’ Next-Generation FaderPort, Bitwig Studio 2.4, Burl Integrates Waves SoundGrid & More

PreSonus now shipping next-generation FaderPort.

PreSonus updates their popular FaderPort DAW controller.

This new generation of the classic FaderPort USB production controller incorporates elements from PreSonus’ award-winning FaderPort 8. A great solution for anyone who mixes in the box, the new and improved FaderPort provides a 100 mm touch-sensitive, motorized fader for writing fades and automation in real time, and 24 buttons covering 40 different functions, all in a compact chassis that easily sits on any desk.

FaderPort offers the ability to quickly zoom in on audio files for editing and control track levels with the touch of a finger. You even get a footswitch input for hands-free start/stop (footswitch not included). There is an HUI mode available for Pro Tools, as well as custom MCU operation modes for Logic Pro X, Cubase, and Ableton Live, guaranteeing a smooth user experience. FaderPort also works optimally with PreSonus’ Studio One Artist, which is included with the unit. No driver installation is necessary; just plug the control surface into a USB port and take command of your mix.

The new FaderPort is priced at $199.95.

Bitwig Studio 2.4 is here.

Bitwig Studio 2.4 features improvements to workflow and key upgrades to the Sampler and other devices.

This new version of Bitwig Studio comes with a completely overhauled Sampler and major workflow improvements, which greatly advance Bitwig Studio’s production and performance functionality.

In Bitwig Studio 2.4, the Sampler is reborn. It now comes equipped with granular and wavetable techniques, which open up infinite sound design possibilities for the stage or the studio. MIDI coming into Bitwig Studio also now preserves its channel data by default. Layered editing can now work by channel with intuitive view/edit modes and various options for how notes are colored.

The Sampler and channel functions aren’t the only areas to receive attention. The audio degrader, Bit-8, has gained new quantization methods and parameters, providing dirtier or even cleaner modes of destruction. Joining the other layer devices is Note FX Layer, good for creating parallel note effects. And with hovered parameters and their values now displayed in the window footer (beside all available click actions), devices have been reworked in ways big and small.

Bitwig Studio 2.4 will be released this summer, and it is a free upgrade to everyone with an active upgrade plan. Beta testing will begin shortly.

Waves and Burl join forces for SoundGrid/Mothership integration via the BMB4 Motherboard.

Burl and Waves are now offering SoundGrid compatibility for the Mothership via the BMB4 Motherboard.

The Burl Mothership is now Waves SoundGrid-compatible, enabling audio-over-Ethernet connectivity for the Mothership B80 and B16, offering a high channel count per connection and low latency by utilizing an ordinary gigabit Ethernet connection.

Waves SoundGrid is an audio-over-Ethernet technology which allows users to stream high counts of digital audio channels (up to 128), and to process that audio through plugins at ultra-low latency (as low as 0.8 ms), all taking place over a 1Gb network—beneficial for simple project studios, live venues, or for complex-networked recording and broadcast facilities.

The BMB4 Motherboard effortlessly adds the power of SoundGrid to your system, with up to 64 channels of extremely low-latency audio networking, plugin processing and real-time monitoring with plugins.

The BMB4 is priced at $1,999.

Roland announces GO:MIXER PRO smartphone audio mixer and Virtual Stage Camera app.

Roland’s new GO:MIXER PRO improves upon the first generation model with key upgrades to I/O and the addition of the Virtual Stage Camera app.

The GO:MIXER PRO smartphone audio mixer and Virtual Stage Camera app are two powerful new tools for content creators who share videos on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Convenient and simple to use, GO:MIXER PRO and Virtual Stage Camera offer an integrated hardware and app solution that makes it easy for users to create engaging, high-quality video content with a smartphone, helping them increase views and attract more followers.

GO:MIXER PRO allows creators to connect and mix up to nine audio sources at once, including pro-quality powered microphones, guitar/bass, and line-level gear like keyboards and drum machines. Dedicated controls provide easy volume adjustment, and the resulting stereo digital audio output is sent straight to the user’s smartphone for capturing in a video or audio app. A headphones output with level control is also provided for monitoring the mix and listening to backing audio from the smartphone while performing.

The new Virtual Stage Camera App is the ideal partner for GO:MIXER PRO, allowing users to quickly create fun and attractive videos that look like they were done with more sophisticated video equipment. This free app removes the background from a performance video in real time and replaces it with movie footage or stills stored on the smartphone. Virtual Stage Camera can also instantly produce a blue/green screen background in a video for later manipulation in a video editing app.

Pricing for GO:MIXER PRO is not yet available.

Radial announces the Catapult Mini is now shipping.

Go modular over Cat 5 with Radial’s Catapult snake system, featuring the new Catapult Mini.

The Radial Catapult Mini is the latest addition to the modular Catapult snake system, which provides the ability to drive four analog audio channels over a single shielded Cat 5 cable. The Catapult Mini TX (transmitter) and RX (receiver) both feature a compact steel chassis with a hardwired fan-out to four XLR connectors, providing a simple and rugged solution for delivering balanced analog audio between any two destinations without signal loss or degradation.

What makes the Catapult system unique is that it connects via Cat 5 Ethernet cable, which is widely available, lightweight, and economical. As many buildings are already pre-wired for Cat 5, the Catapult Minis can take advantage of this to easily transmit audio between distant rooms without the need to install or supply new cabling.

All of the Radial Catapult modules are compatible with each other, and each is sold individually, providing the option to mix and match as needed. The Catapult Mini TX and RX can be used together as a pair to create a compact four-channel audio snake, or they can be matched with other Catapult modules that include splitting capabilities or transformer isolation—allowing you to select whichever combination best suits your application.

The Radial Catapult Mini is priced at $89.99.

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