GENERAL NEWS
MICROFREAK IS SUPER FREAKY
$549 | www.arturia.com
Nothing ‘me-too’ about this new Arturia release. Say hello to the MicroFreak, Arturia’s first digital hardware synthesizer. Combining the best of both worlds, MicroFreak includes a multi-mode digital oscillator with an Oberheim SEM-inspired analogue filter. Seven of the oscillator modes are the result of a collaboration between Arturia and Eurorack specialists Mutable Instruments, and hence let users control the sound of its Plaits module in the comfort of an all-in-one hardware synth. One of the most striking features of MicroFreak is its PCB keyboard. Despite having no moving parts, it’s pressure sensitive and, according to Arturia, lightning-fast, and also offers poly-aftertouch, making the ‘Freak a more than capable MIDI polyphonic expression controller when connected with USB-MIDI. At its price, MicroFreak is a worthy “my first synth” contender, as well as a ‘what the heck, I’ll take it’ 2nd, 3rd, or 15th synth for the collector or experimental sound designer.
CMI Music & Audio: (03) 9315 2244 or www.cmi.com.au
RODECASTER PRO GETS MULTITRACK RECORDING
$849 | www.rode.com
By way of a new firmware update 1.1.0, Rode Microphones has enhanced its RodeCaster Pro podcast production console with the highly requested multitrack recording feature. The update also brings a more user-friendly interface and channel selection. All existing customers will be able to update their RodeCaster Pro with multitrack recording, and all new units will feature the update. The multitrack feature will record 14 tracks; A stereo ‘live mix’ track, as featured since its release, a mono track for each of the four microphone inputs, and a stereo track each for the USB, 3.5mm TRRS, Bluetooth and sound pad.
