New Audio Gear Alert: SPL’s MTC Mk2 Monitor Controller, The Return of Oberheim & More

SPL announces the MTC Mk2 next-generation monitor & talkback controller.

SPL furthers their popular MTC monitor and talkback controller with the new Mk2 model.

With the new MTC Mk2, SPL introduces the successor of the MTC monitor controller. The classic SPL MTC has been updated with new features adapting it to the demands of modern music production environments. Advanced source and speaker selection, multiple monitoring modes, an integrated premium talkback system, headphone amplifiers with Phonitor Matrix, an additional input for a dedicated artist mix, and an internal audio operating voltage of +/-18 volts all make the MTC Mk2 the next-generation monitor and talkback controller.

SPL’s Phonitor Matrix helps engineers mix on headphones. While music is normally produced and mixed for playback on stereo speakers, listening on headphones is different from listening on loudspeakers. The biggest difference is the lack of crossing signals of the sound signal from the left speaker to the right ear, and from the right speaker to the left ear. These crossing signals are missing in conventional listening using headphones because no signals are crossing from one side of the headphones to the other. This results in an unnaturally wide stereo stage and sound sources are not played back at their correct position in the stereo field. The SPL Phonitor Matrix can correct this false stereo image with its analog circuitry.

The new SPL MTC MK2 will ship in Q4 2022, priced at $1,299.

Oberheim returns to operations and releases their first new synth in 35 years: the OB-X8.

Oberheim makes an epic return to operations, led by the OB-X8 synthesizer.

In a momentous industry development, Oberheim Electronics, one of the most venerated names in synthesizer design, has announced its return to operations to meet the rising global demand for its instruments. The company has launched its first new product, the OB-X8: an eight-voice polyphonic analog synth that combines all of the key features of the legendary OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 products from the 1980s—including all the original presets that gave them their signature sounds.

Check out an introductory video to the OB-X8 here.

The OB-X8 will be available at the end of June with a US MAP of $4,999.

Neumann expands their headphone portfolio with the open-back NDH 30.

Meet the open-back version of Neumann’s popular NDH 20 headphones.

Following the success of the award winning NDH 20 released in 2019, the NDH 30 is a reference-class studio headphone for the most demanding mixing and mastering applications in both stereo and immersive formats. The NDH 30 reproduces the linear sound image of a Neumann loudspeaker setup, perfectly calibrated via MA 1 Automatic Monitor Alignment, in a portable format.

While the NDH 30 retains the high-quality metal construction of the closed-back NDH 20, it is way more than just an open-back version. The entire acoustic system is a new design, including optimized and perfectly positioned dynamic drivers that rival the sonic resolution of planar magnetic transducers. Harmonic distortion is extremely low and, thanks to frequency selective absorbers, the NDH 30 has a remarkably even response across the entire audio spectrum.

The NDH 30 is available this month, priced at $649.

KIT Plugins & Blackbird Studio release the Motown-inspired BB Mo-Q plugin.

KIT Plugins and Blackbird Studio join forces to offer the BB Mo-Q Motown-inspired EQ.

The powerful BB Mo-Q plugin recreates one of the original Motown EQs used on many legendary tracks from “Lets Get It On” (Marvin Gaye), “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” (The Temptations) and “Dancing In The Street” (Martha and The Vandellas).

The BB Mo-Q features a musical, character driven, iconic retro-EQ, with full automation, 7 pre-defined passive frequency bands that provide all the curves needed to sculpt your mixes, A-grade processing, featuring KIT Plugins’ Gen 2 Full Range Modeling technology, with oversampling option dedicated to providing professionals and at-home producers/engineers with the purest quality, and over 100 presets curated by accredited industry working engineers.

The BB Mo-Q is available now, priced at $99. For a limited-time only, customers who purchase KIT’s BB Mo-Q now through June 13th will receive a 20% discount.

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