New Gear Alert: Mixerblocks Modular Console, Helios Type 69 Preamp/EQ by UAD, Auralex SonoLite Sonokits & More

Finegear presents Mixerblocks.

Design a console that is 100% unique to your workflow, thanks to Finegear’s Mixerblocks.

The Mixerblocks series is a modular and expandable analog audio mixing console. A variable number of channel strips can be connected like building blocks to a main I/O docking block. Each channel block can have one or more extra blocks connected to it, adding supplementary effect sends, returns or submix groups to the configuration.

Musicians, producers and sound engineers can customize the configuration of their console according to their needs. Mixerblocks adapts to various music production environments, from home studios to rehearsal rooms to live concerts, and it is compatible with the lifestyle of groups on the go and to the collaborative workflow of music making.

Mixerblocks is a DIY project, offering a choice of sheet metal or MDF (coming soon) enclosures for its modules. The Main Docking Block is priced at €180 (without MDF)/€210 (with MDF); the Basic Channel Block is priced at €90 (without MDF)/€105 (with MDF); the power supply is priced at €180.

Click here to shop for Mixerblocks.

Universal Audio releases Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Plugin Collection.

Universal Audio’s top-to-bottom emulation of the classic Helios Type 69 Preamp/EQ oozes vintage vibe for days, bringing back the unmistakable sound of rock’s golden years.

The all-new Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection for UAD-2 hardware and UA audio interfaces features an exacting end-to-end circuit emulation that improves upon UA’s original standard-defining Helios Type 69 “EQ-only” Legacy plugin.

The Helios Type 69 console was at the center of hundreds of iconic albums from rock’s “Golden Age.” From must-own albums by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd, to Bob Marley and the Wailers, David Bowie, Black Sabbath and AC/DC, the Type 69 delivered fat, unmistakable attitude, with a punchy midrange and an assertive growl.

In developing the new Helios Type 69 plugin, UA’s team of engineers dug deep into two original Type 69 Olympic-era “golden units,” faithfully modeling their custom-made, feedback-style, 70dB input section—along with a complete emulation of the coveted Lustraphone mic input transformer. This particular circuit capture is the only “triple-amp” preamp on the UAD plugin platform, and offers the same complex flavors as the original hardware.

The Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ Collection is available now for $299 ($199 upgrade price from Helios Type 69 Legacy plugin).

Auralex now shipping SonoLite SonoKits.

A properly treated room is just as important as the gear that inhabits it—and it doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg; be sure to check out Auralex’s SonoLite Sonokits.

The new SonoLite SonoKits by Auralex are highly affordable wall-mounted acoustic absorption panel packages that allow you to reduce unwanted acoustical reflections and tame chaotic reverberations in all kinds of acoustical settings.

SonoLite SonoKits are convenient and modular configurations of Auralex’s SonoLite Panels and SonoLite Bass Traps. SonoLite panels are fabric-wrapped Studiofoam acoustical absorption panels that provide excellent broadband frequency control, with a stylish velour fabric covering. SonoLite SonoKits are cost-effective, and an excellent choice for residential applications such as home studios and home theater.

The SonoLite panel can be used for wall or ceiling applications, and the Bass Trap panel can be installed in either vertical or horizontal orientations where walls and ceilings meet. Assembly hardware with fly points are included.

For pricing on SonoLite SonoKits, contact your Auralex dealer.

Focusrite offers free AudioThing Software and 50% Discount.

New to Focusrite’s Plug-In Collective is a collaboration with AudioThing, offering users 3 free plugins and mega-discounted access to many more.

Focusrite has announced a new offer for its Plug-in Collective community from February 8th to March 29th: the availability of 3 free AudioThing plugins (Valve Exciter, Valve Filter and SR-88), along with a 50% discount off AudioThing’s other plugins and sample libraries. Registered Focusrite hardware users can access the free software and discount from their Focusrite accounts.

Valve Exciter is a Harmonic Enhancer plugin with vintage valve emulation. The exciter section features hand-tuned filters with the ability to sweep the center frequencies via the Harmonics knob.

Valve Filter VF-1 is a multimode resonant filter plugin with vintage valve emulation. The filter section is modeled after a classic ladder filter with low-pass and high-pass modes.

SR-88 is a sample-based plugin emulation of the Sound Master Memory Rhythm SR-88, a rare analogue drum machine from the 80s.

Learn more about the Plug-In Collective here.

G-Sonique releases X-Prog 4600 virtual instrument.

G-Sonique’s X-Prog 4600 is an expansive virtual instrument offering a wealth of mix-ready, proggy synth tones.

X-Prog 4600 includes 172+ high quality, multi octave/multi-layer instruments and sounds ready for music production. With X-Prog 4600, you can choose from hundreds of high quality sounds in just a few seconds, modify them with internal parameters, or use external VST effects (filters, modulators, reverbs, delays, etc…) to create your own unique tones.

You can layer two or more instruments together to create new kinds of sounds (use two X-Prog 4600 Layered together with different instruments/presets, but with same melody) and use various external G-Sonique VST effects to take your sound to a whole new level.

Check out a video of X-Prog 4600 in use here.

X-Prog 4600 is priced at €39.90 (introductory price €18.90 for the first 100 customers).

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.