Producerino

Solid State Logic just released a new version of their award-winning DAW controller, the Nucleus 2.

While this thing will set you back a whopping €4,249 (about USD$4,500) you get a sturdy ethernet connected DAW controller with built-in audio interface, metal chassi, studio monitoring hub, touch-sensitive motorised faders, SD-card storage, high quality jog wheel, 3-port USB hub, visual feedback via self-illuminating buttons/LEDs/level metering, second set of outputs to make it easier to compare mixes on different speakers and well.. a whole lot more.

Read more @ SolidStateLogic.com (€4,249)

Watch the Nucleus 2 in action here:

While there’s a real and shiny Wurlitzer 200A on eBay right now for $3900 you could always opt for the next best thing (ok, maybe not but you know what I mean) and get the Waves Electric 200 Piano plug-in in which they’ve sampled two individual Wurlitzers with different tone to help you get the sound used by legends like Stevie Wonder, Queen, Marvin Gaye, Pink Floyd and many more.

The plug-in comes with built-in compressor, limiter and amp  as well as effects like phaser and reverb and you can even mix in sounds from the internal piano mechanics (hammer, key up and similar) for a sense that you’re actually playing one for real.

The Electric 200 can be run either standalone or as a plug-in for both Windows and Mac (VST/RTA/AU/AAX) and while the plug-in normally will set set you back $69 it’s on Black Friday sale right now for a mere $39.

Read more @ Waves.com: Electric 200 Piano

Akai announced that they’ve updated their highly portable controllers LPD8 and LPK25 to wireless versions.

The LPD8 Wireless still sports eight pads and knobs but now comes with a full-level function that removes the velocity sensitivity if so wanted. The LPK25 Wireless keyboard now looks a little bit sturdier than before but comes with a sustain pedal input. For those of you who didn’t like the previous brown/orange-ish color scheme (me included) both of ’em now only use red/black too.

Both the LPD8 and LPK25 will be Mac, iOS and Windows friendly through USB and Bluetooth and will start shipping in December for £70 each (~USD$78)

Read more: Akai.com: LPD8 Wireless
Read more: Akai.com: LPK25 Wireless

Arturia has updated their MiniLab to MiniLab Mk II, an affortable, portable two-actave controller featuring 25 slim and velocity sensitive keys, eight RGB backlit pads, 16 rotary knobs and a whole lot of software to go along with it. The upgrade from the previous version is focused on an improvement of the internal components, the controller knobs, the keybed and the outer casing.

The responsive touchstrip mod wheel and pitch bend are now located above the keys instead of left of it (which saves some space) and you have dedicated buttons for octave  shifting.

As for software you get Ableton Live Lite for the production needs, Analog Lab Lite (vintage keyboards) for electronic sounds as well as UVI Grand Piano Model D which emulates a Steinway Model D piano. Owners of the MiniLab Mk II gets exclusive deals on upgrading to the bigger software packages too (like Analog Lab 2 and V Collection 5).

The MiniLab Mk II is currently priced at USD$119 (€99).

See the demo here:

Read more @ Arturia.com

FabFilter fans, rejoice! The makers of the acclaimed Pro-Q 2  EQ and Pro-C 2 compressor just extended their plug-in line-up with FabFilter Pro-R, a reverb plugin that promises natural reverbs without over-technical controls.

Their take on this is what they call a musical approach, focusing on easy-to-use controls for brightness, character and distance to achieve the sound you’re after. To help you out further there’s a space control setting that automatically adjusts the decay time for specific room models as well as a real-time spectrum analyzer and both a decay rate EQ and a 6-band post-EQ to help you design the reverb.

FabFilter Pro-R is available as digital downloads for both 64- and 32-bit Mac and Windows (VST, AU, AAX, RTA) and will set you back around USD$178 (€169)

Buy @ FabFIlter.com

Watch the demo here: