New Gear Alert: Reference Headphones from Austrian Audio, Digital Pianos by Alesis, DPA’s CORE Headset Mics & More

Austrian Audio unleashes the Hi-X65 headphones for mixing and mastering.

Austrian Audio delivers the Hi-X65 over-ear reference cans, sure to provide laser-sharp audio reproduction.

Designed as professional monitoring headphones for mixing and mastering, the Hi-X65’s open over-ear design and high excursion driver ensure absolutely transparent sound to delight sound engineers and audiophiles alike.

The development of the Hi-X (High Excursion) technology results from decades of experience and today’s state-of-the-art technologies, and it’s the key to the astonishingly detailed sound of the Hi-X65 headphones. In addition to the large, open and detailed sound, the new Hi-X65 also provide the highest level of comfort. The ear pads are made of soft memory foam and have been completely redesigned to provide more space for the ears without increasing the external dimensions.

All moving and load-bearing components are made of metal for maximum load capacity. The Hi-X65 has a very sturdy folding construction and comes with a carrying bag.

The Hi-X65 headphones will be available in July 2021, priced at $419.

Alesis releases the Prestige Series digital pianos.

These two new powerful keyboards by Alesis deliver authentic feel and tons of on-board educational software.

Alesis has announced two new 88-key digital pianos: the Prestige and Prestige Artist. The new Prestige Series combines studio-quality multi-sampled voices, a custom-voiced 50W micro-array speaker system, and a luxurious graded hammer-action keybed to provide a truly authentic piano-playing experience that fits in any home.

From the rich harmonics and colors of the featured Grand Piano voices to the lush textures of the included Strings and Organ voices, and the nostalgia-inducing Electric Piano and Synth voices, the Prestige Series 88-key digital pianos feature the most advanced and versatile sound library ever created for a digital piano.

Both the Prestige and Prestige Artist have smart control panels that deliver all the features needed to learn, practice, and perform. The built-in voices can be layered and/or split to provide a rich ensemble sound. Lesson Mode divides the keyboard into two zones with the same pitch and voice, perfect for students to follow along with their piano instructor or duet with another player. Whether players are starting to play piano for the first time, looking for an upgrade to their current digital piano, or returning to the instrument after a long break, the Prestige series include a variety of educational software options to fit each player’s learning style.

The Prestige and Presige Artist digital pianos will be available in Spring 2021, priced at $449 and $599, respectively.

DPA Microphones announces two new headset mics.

Available in both directional and omnidirectional options, DPA unleashes the 4466 and 4488 CORE headset mics.

The 4466 CORE Omnidirectional and 4488 CORE Directional headset microphones are based on the design of DPA’s groundbreaking 6066 Subminiature Headsets. The new solutions feature the brand’s popular 5mm round microphone capsule, and provide the security, durability, and flexibility necessary for use in theatre, broadcast, worship, and corporate conferencing.

With a one-size-fits-all design and adjustable height and boom length, the 4466 and 4488 headsets accommodate small to large head types. A unique, three-point gripping system (above, below, and behind the ear) ensures a greater level of security, while the flexible ear hooks provide continued comfort during extended use.

The 4466 CORE Omnidirectional and 4488 CORE Directional headsets are available now, priced at $770 and $840, respectively.

Blue Cat Audio releases Blue Cat’s Late Replies 1.5.

Blue Cat Audio continues to further their popular Late Replies delay plugin with this new v1.5 update.

Blue Cat’s Late Replies 1.5 is a new version of the creative delay and reverb plugin with built-in effects, also capable of hosting third party plugins anywhere in the signal chain.

This new version introduces a new dual-mode user interface: you can browse and quick-edit presets with the new “easy mode”, or display the full-featured editor to create your own creative delay and reverb effects. With the new multicore processing engine that can spread delay taps (“replies”) processing across CPU cores, combined with multiple performance improvements, Late Replies can now create richer effects with reduced CPU usage.

Version 1.5 also brings native Apple Silicon support for the new M1 powered Macs, a new CPU load meter, and many other new features, improvements and fixes.

The free update can be downloaded here. Late Replies is on sale for 23% off until June 25th, and existing Blue Cat Audio customers will receive an extra discount by email. Demo versions are also available.

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