New Gear Alert: Roland HP700 Digital Pianos, CL8a Condenser Mic from Samson, Free D16 Plugin via Novation & More

Roland introduces the HP700 Digital Piano Series.

Roland places a strong emphasis on education, entertainment, and connectivity with the new HP700 Digital Piano Series.

The HP700 series is the latest addition to Roland’s renowned selection of digital pianos for the home. The HP704 and HP702 models bring new levels of performance and sophistication to first-time piano buyers, combining gorgeous sound and elegant styling with modern Bluetooth connectivity. With authentic playability and numerous built-in education and entertainment features, an HP700 instrument provides a strong foundation to inspire musical growth and support family enjoyment for years to come.

Both instruments are filled with new technologies that stimulate musical expression, and feature Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL Piano Modeling engine for realistic acoustic tone and responsiveness. The Hybrid Keyboard on the HP704 combines the look and feel of a wooden keyboard with durable molded materials, while the Progressive Damper Action pedal on both models provides true acoustic pedal behavior for executing advanced techniques.

For the HP700 series, Roland has carefully selected and meticulously manufactured finishes to present attractive instruments that owners will be proud to showcase in their homes. The HP704 and HP702 models are available in white, charcoal, dark rosewood, and light oak finishes. The flagship HP704 is also available in a classic polished ebony finish.

For information on pricing, click here.

Samson introduces the CL8a studio condenser microphone.

Samson’s new CL8a large diaphragm condenser mic features an onboard preamp, selectable pickup patterns, and onboard controls for pad and LF rolloff.

The Samson CL8a multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser microphone delivers balanced, detailed sound from its custom tuned condenser capsule. Inside the CL8a capsule is a dual 1.1″ gold-sputtered, 4-micron thick diaphragm providing the versatility for capturing solo performers and multi-instrumental groups. The dual-diaphragm design of the Samson CL8a microphone unlocks a range of selectable pickup patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, and bidirectional), delivering flexible miking options for a variety of studio situations.

A selectable two-pole high-pass filter at 100Hz removes unwanted low frequency content like stage rumble or wind noise. The robust capsule and electronics are able to withstand tremendous sound pressure levels of up to 147dB, allowing you to capture powerful low frequency content without distortion. The CL8a includes a 10dB attenuation pad, which is used to prevent overloading the onboard preamplifier by lowering the input sensitivity of the microphone preamp circuit.

The Samson CL8a will be available in June 2019, priced at $149.99.

Novation offers free D16 Nithonat plugin and 50% discount on D16 products.

A modern interpretation of the classic Roland TR-606, D16’s Nithonat is now on offer for free via Novation’s Sound Collective.

Novation has revealed the latest offer for members of their Sound Collective community: the availability of D16 Group’s Nithonat plugin for free, and a 50% discount off everything else in the D16 online store.

Nithonat is a supercharged plugin emulation of Roland’s classic TR-606 drum machine for Mac and PC, expanding on the original design with an array of extra sound-shaping controls, improved step sequencing, multiple outputs to the host DAW, MIDI Learn and more. It’s a characterful, fully synthesised virtual beatbox primed for bringing a touch—or a fistful—of vintage flavor to your Hip-Hop, EDM, R&B, and Pop beats.

Nithonat will be available for download from April 4th to June 6th, and the 50% D16 store discount runs from April 4th to July 4th.

Sonarworks and Focusrite offer free Reference 4 Headphone Edition license with product registration.

Registered Focusrite hardware users can now access Sonarworks Reference 4 Headphone Edition for free through May 1.

Sonarworks is offering Focusrite users a free software license of Reference 4 Headphone Edition for those who register their Focusrite hardware products with Focusrite’s Plug-In Collective before May 2nd, 2019.

New Focusrite hardware users need to register an account on the Focusrite website, while existing users can log into their account and download the software and license before May 2nd. The software license is valid until October 1st, 2019.

Zero-G releases Psychoacoustics, an electro acoustic sound designer.

Available for the Kontakt platform, Zero-G’s Psychoacoustics offers over 2GB of expertly curated organic and inorganic sounds.

Psychoacoustics is a collaboration between award-winning sound designer and composer Si Begg, musical instrument maker and sound artist Sam Underwood, and Zero-G. The raw sound material was created and recorded using various unique acoustic and electro acoustic sound-making devices. These were then edited and processed into usable sound files and incorporated into a fully scripted Kontakt Instrument developed by Zero-G.

Psychoacoustics combines a state-of-the-art dual-channel interface and unique impulse responses to give you an incredibly flexible tool for creating a huge variety of beds, drones, pads, percussion, FX, and unclassifiable sounds. It comes with over 200 presets and 2.5GB of raw material.

Psychoacoustics is available for purchase here at an introductory promo price of $47.96 until April 18th (reg. $59.95).

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