Hello New Gear – May 2024

The beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X Limited Edition studio headphones celebrate the manufacturer’s 100th anniversary. With a frequency response of 5 to 40,000 Hz, an impedance of 48 ohms, and a sound pressure level of 98 dB (@ 1 mW/500 Hz), 112 dB (@ 1 V/500 Hz), these circumaural, closed-back, dynamic headphones also impress with their technical specifications. This makes the new edition of the legendary DT 770 PRO a perfect choice for studio reference headphones!

The Shure MV7 Plus dynamic podcast microphone bridges the gap between two worlds. You can either use it as a traditional analog XLR microphone, or connect it directly to a computer or tablet. With its multi-coloured LED touch panel interface, the microphone allows you to control the gain, headphone level, monitor mix, and mute. Its AD converters operate at 16 or 24 bit and 44.1 or 48 kHz. With a frequency range of 50 to 16,000 Hz, the MV7 Plus is perfect for speech and voice applications!

The new generation of this sampling groovebox is a true performance explosion compared to its predecessor. Elektron Digitakt II now offers 16 stereo or mono tracks, all of which can be used for audio or MIDI. With lots of effects from filters and overdrive to 3 LFOs per track, as well as adjustable clock dividers and individual pattern lengths per track, it provides limitless creative possibilities. 400 MB of sample memory and 20 GB of internal memory offer plenty of space for new ideas – your ideas! Watch the video below for more details:

A complete Friedman rig in a compact, pedalboard-friendly format – that’s the Friedman IR-D Preamp, a 2-channel tube pedal preamp for electric guitar. The preamp is based on the Dirty Shirley/Twin Sister modified JTM45 circuit design, which delivers the classic British tone. You can hear and see how it sounds and what else the pedal has to offer in the Bonedo video below:

Yes, that is a solid piece of oakwood that houses the SOMA Terra Special Edition. This special edition of the digital touch keyboard synthesizer is limited to just 66 units with a handcrafted enclosure. The synth is 12-voice polyphonic and offers 12 dynamic metal note sensors with aftertouch, 4 dynamic metal sensors for controlling various sound parameters, and 8 controls for synthesis parameters, volume, and effects. 32 different synthesis algorithms provide a huge variety of sounds. You can hear what this sounds like in the video below featuring the standard version of the SOMA Terra:

The IK Multimedia ToneX One is an amp and distortion pedal with AI Machine Modeling technology for guitar and bass. 20 presets can be stored on the pedal and over 20,000 more are available online for free. The pedal offers direct access to volume, bass, mids, and treble, as well as gate, compressor, reverb mix, and gain. Moreover, it also functions as an audio interface if required. Sound examples can be found in the video below:

Limited to just 2,000 units, this reverb pedal for electric guitar combines the Dark Star’s Dark Pitch Shifted Delayed and Bit Crushed Reverb sounds with the Sunlight’s Bright Modulated Comb Filtered and Bandpassed Reverb sounds. The combination of two classics from Old Blood Noise Endeavors invites you to experiment with wacky sounds far beyond traditional reverb. Endless reverb tails, anyone? The Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Light Dual Reverb is aimed (not just) at experimental electric guitarists looking for that special sound!

The Arturia AstroLab is a stage keyboard with 61 semi-weighted full-size keys. Whether in the studio or on stage: with 1,300 internal sounds and up to 10,000 sounds accessible via Arturia software, you always have the right sound at your fingertips. With 10 different sound engines ranging from virtual analogue, sample-based, and wavetable synthesis to FM, granular synthesis, and vocoder, it offers a huge variety. You can find a detailed overview of the possibilities with many sound examples in the video below:

The IK Multimedia ToneX Pedal is an amp and distortion stompbox pedal that authentically reproduces the sound of amps, speakers, and overdrive/distortion pedals. It is suitable for guitar and bass and provides 150 customisable presets, but you can also capture your own gear. A 24-bit / 192-kHz USB audio interface is also included. To celebrate Musikhaus Thomann’s 70th anniversary, we’re offering this special edition at a fantastic price. You can find all the details on our product page!

The Lewitt RAY is a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone that uses sensor-based AURA technology to enable fully automated levelling and autofocusing of the voice. Inside is a 1-inch gold-plated true condenser capsule. The frequency response ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz and the noise floor is only 8 dB (A). The microphone comes with a DTP 40 Lb leather case, LCT 40 SH shock mount, LCT 40 PSx magnetic pop filter, and LCT40 Wx windscreen. The video below explains how the microphone works:

Antares Auto-Tune is synonymous with pitch correction and the latest version, Antares Auto-Tune Pro 11, has just been released. The plug-in, available for Windows and MacOS in AAX native, VST3, and AU formats, comes with features such as a Graph Mode interface, cross-project editing of different Auto-Tune tracks in one window, natural Flex-Tune real-time pitch correction, real-time pitch shifting and formant correction, and modelling of the throat. You can also use it to fix or manipulate the timing of a performance. Furthermore, Auto-Tune Pro 11 includes a new 4-voice harmonizer effect. And if you can’t get enough of the classic Auto-Tune sound, use Classic Mode! More in the video below:

The Vahlbruch Kaluna II HV Tube Drive all-analogue overdrive/distortion pedal is equipped with an ECC83/12AX7 double triode tube that runs on 250 V and a silent MagTraB switch. In addition to the familiar gain structure of the first version (V1), this new version features a new structure switch with a choice of higher (HOT) and lower (LOW) gain modes. As always, the pedal is handmade in Germany. A real recommendation for anyone who’s got something to distort!