It’s hard to get your arms around this concept, but apparently there’s a market for Outdoor German Shepherd Speakers. Here’s their pitch: This is for dog lovers! Not only does it look like a real German Shepherd, but it also produces great sound. With a specially designed enclosure and a built-in soundport, this dog speaker produces [...]

SONiVOX is hyping their new Vocal Production Synthesizer, a new product from their Nemesynth Audio Research Group. SONiVOX claims the Vocalizer is a completely new concept in modern music production that couples a new synthesis engine with an open input based architecture. Vocalizer is one part effect plug-in and one part virtual instrument. Vocalists, non-vocalists [...]

With absolutely no modesty, the innovators at Sugar Bytes have announced “the most complete guitar software of all times.” And watching the video below…they might be right! The actual guitar player has been transformed into a step sequencer system that allows you to control playing styles, chord progressions and song structures. Guitarist can be played [...]

Dr. Dre, P. Diddy and now Q… Harman International has announced the Quincy Jones Signature Headphone Line by AKG. The new line includes three models: the Q701 reference-class premium over-ears, the Q460 portable on-ear mini headphones and the Q350 in-ear headphones. Musician, artist, humanitarian, Quincy Jones is a true original. His productions, which include the best-selling album [...]

Native Instruments has released five new products with their new KOMPLETE 7 Instruments and Effects range. The new products include the modal synthesizer REAKTOR PRISM, the studio reverb REFLEKTOR, the organ emulation VINTAGE ORGANS, the effect suite TRAKTOR’S 12 and the amp emulation RAMMFIRE. All products are based on the technology of KONTAKT, REAKTOR and [...]

Korg has announced a limited edition of the WaveDrum with a solid black metallic rim and an exclusive black suede Remo drum head. The original Korg WaveDrum was introduced to the music world back in 1994. This innovative musical instrument was known for its innovative design, performance possibilities, unique sounds and whopping price. Out of [...]

Christian Blomert has released TouchABLE, a new Ableton Live controller app. Features: — Clip grid » Navigate around the set using touches. » Need to go faster? Use more fingers! » Clips & scenes with full color and name feedback » 8×15 clips in fullscreen, 8×7 clips in half screen » Access to arm & solo functions » Playing position feedback inside [...]

Musicovery is a eh, music discovery software, which allows you to program your own radio station based on mood. The Musicovery mood matrix displays 2 axis, from calm to energetic and dark to positive; by clicking and fine tuning the position on the mood matrix, the company claims you can dial in the exact vibe you [...]

Apple is set to announce a new iPod Nano, iPod Touch and expanded 60 second song samples on iTunes this week. Evidence surfaced from a Chinese case manufacturer, which revealed the new form factor for the 6th generation nano, as well as the iPod Touch with a camera/flash portal similar to the iPhone 4. The [...]

Sean Costello has announced ValhallaShimmer, an algorithmic reverberation plug-in for Mac and PC that is designed to produce BIG sounds, from concert halls, to the Taj Mahal, to the halls of Valhalla. There are several reverberation modes available, to allow the user to dial in the preferred initial sound. By adjusting the Feedback, Diffusion and Size [...]

Following the success of the Korg DS-10 micro synth for the Nintendo DS platform, the Korg M01, a palm-sized Music Workstation based on the Korg M1, is set to debut for the holiday season. The Korg M01 is multitimbral and had the original sound engine from the M1, scary when you consider the size difference between [...]

Nine Volt Audio has released Stickbreakers Vol 2: Ten Man Taiko, a sample set that presents ten percussionists playing ten deep and resonant Japanese taiko drums in a 1200 seat hall. The playing was recorded from stage, balcony and two separate hall microphone positions, each capturing tight hits, loose hits, extra loose hits, tight rim [...]

Wacom has announced the second generation of nextbeat, their DJ MIDI controller. Now we can’t say that we’ve seen many of these puppies in the wild, but Wacom is giving the platform at least one more refresh to see if it can garner some additional market share. nextbeat MK2 is a fully integrated DJ system, incorporating [...]

Propellerhead Software has officially released Reason 5 and Record 1.5 and FutureMusic has the first comprehensive Reason 5 and Record 1.5 reviews. The new versions introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production. Hip-Hop producers who are already familiar with the Reason production [...]

Vienna Symphonic Library has released Vienna Instruments PRO, a new software sample player based on their proprietary and improved audio engine. While it provides full compatibility with all existing and future Vienna Instruments sample collections, it features several innovations, such as a Humanize function that brings human behavior into the virtual world of sample-based orchestral [...]

Artificial Audio has released Quartz, a modulation effect plug-in for Mac and PC. Quartz is a unique multieffect plug-in that turns the simplest sounds into ever evolving rhythmic soundscapes. It is also a source of creative modulation which can be used to control parameters outside of Quartz such as software instruments, plug-ins or even external MIDI [...]

To celebrate their 100th Anniversary, Denon has announced seven special editions including the DP-A100 turntable and the AH-A100 Headphones. Both elegant and attractive models will be available for a limited time. More information on the Denon 100th Anniversary Edition Products.

Native Instruments has released Abbey Road 80s Drums, with two drum kits for use in the free Kontakt Player and the Kontakt 4 sampler. Abbey Road 80s Drums contains two characteristic instruments that significantly contributed to the sound of the respective musical decade – a vintage Yamaha 9000, and a Slingerland Magnum Chrome with single-headed concert [...]

It’s no secret here that we are unabashed fans of DJ Shiftee, the current DMC World Champ. Shiftee is one of the few turntablists out there that is not afraid to bring his own unique personality, style and humor to the art of DJing. DJ Shiftee has embraced YouTube for a variety of fun How [...]

Laurie Nicoll has unveiled the SHamp, an onboard, compact amplifier that fits into the sound hole of your acoustic guitar to boost the volume. Easily installed, a cable connects SHamp to your pickup jack to give your acoustic music “punch” that is missing in acoustic environments. SHamp produces enough power to give your performance the [...]

Ewan Hemingway, a Computational Physics student at Edinburgh University, has unleashed Androidome, an Android monome app. According to Hemingway, “the app itself doesn’t actually do a whole lot out of the box, it simply provides an interface for sending and receiving data to and from your computer.” That said, it will be quite useful for [...]

TubeOhm has released PURE D16/24 Grain, a virtual synthesizer VST plug-in for Windows. Grain is an experimental synth that employs Grain synthesis. You can load you own Samples into the synth, drive through the sample, modulate the grain or stop the Grain on a position in the sample. After the Grain oscillator you can use VCA, [...]

Inspired by the success of the Dubspot and Ableton’s Live 8 Tour, which utilized the Akai APC40 controller, Ableton then jumped in bed with Novation to launch a similar endeavor to showcase the Launchpad. The Ableton and Novation Live Beats Tour hit the USA and then Portugal to spread the excellent Launchpad’s abilities to [...]

ArcAttack, tesla coil musicians who we’ve showcased previously here at FutureMusic, have taken their performance to the masses via America’s Got Talent. The group, who construct all their own gear from scratch in one of the member’s garage, utilize two huge Tesla Coils, which act like speakers, to perform recognizable songs. For America’s Got Talent, [...]

Whetstone Industries has unveiled a new audio/video modular production desk, dubbed Cavidesk, which stands for Computer-Audio-Video-Integrated Desk. Following three years of development and testing, the desk features a large, integrated trough to clandestinely hide power and a/v cables. Designed as a modular workstation for computer intensive video, audio and control systems, the desks feature powder [...]

Avid has announced their new HD Series interfaces, HD I/O, HD OMNI and HD MADI, which offer customers flexible configurations to support a variety of analog and open digital formats for audio recording, mixing and playback. They also announced the new HEAT (Harmonically Enhanced Algorithm Technology) software that allows customers to add the realism [...]

Waves Audio has unveiled the third processor in the Waves Post Production line, the W43 Noise Reduction Plug-in. Inspired by the classic, long-out-of-production Cat. 43 hardware noise reduction tool, Waves new W43 builds upon the legacy of this hard-to-find unit that has been a post production favorite for decades. The W43 delivers high-quality, minimal artifact [...]

Novakill has released ANGSTkILLERmini, a simple FM oscillator synth for Windows with a hidden modulator, which uses a Sine wave to modulate the phase of the main oscillator, or carrier. Features: » beefed up tempo-synced LFO with 19 waveforms » 6-point modulation envelope » traditional ADSR VCA envelope » powerful Unison mode » Mono/Poly operation » revised Gate effect » overdrive Novakill’s ANGSTkILLERmini [...]

Denon DJ has unleashed several new products during the DJ Expo. We’ve already told you about the DN-MC6000, but the concern also launched the DN-SC2000 MIDI Controller and the DN-X600 2-Channel mixer. The SC2000 contains a two-layer system, which allows the unit to control two decks at once (with visible deck color change), or be [...]

Denon DJ utilized Atlantic City’s DJ Expo to unveil their new DN-MC6000 Mixer and MIDI Controller. The MC6000 is a four-channel/eight-source standalone digital DJ mixer with MIDI interface housed in a solid steel chassis. The MC6000 contains an audio interface (with a 2 in/2out stereo soundcard included), which enables the DN-MC6000 to act like an [...]

Native Instruments has officially announced the Traktor Kontrol S4, an integrated hardware/software DJ system. Traktor Kontrol S4 combines a special version of the Traktor PRO software with an advanced hardware controller, both developed in unison. Traktor Kontrol S4 represents a new level of software and hardware integration that makes DJing more versatile, more intuitive and more [...]

iKey Audio, a division of GCI Technologies (aka Gemini —Ed), has debuted the HDR7, a new portable digital recorder. The HDR7 features digital recording of anything from MP3s (in 3 different bit rates) to WAV files (up to 24-bit/96kHz); on-board high-quality condenser mics in X/Y configuration; an SD/SDHC slot that will accept up to a 32GB [...]

Acoustical Surfaces has announced Acoustic Geometry, a new line of sound treatment products. Their first new product group is called The Curve System, an affordable line with the project studio in mind. Acoustical Surfaces claims the Curve System of Diffusors, Absorbers, and Corner Traps simplifies the creation of natural-sounding professionally–accurate acoustic spaces. The core of The [...]

Wok has released Lexor, a chorus plug-in for Windows. Wok claims that Lexor delivers “pristine chorus sound, free of unwanted artifacts or signal coloring” thanks to “precise mathematical calculations for a pure and plain signal modulation.” The language on the site is a bit wonky, but if you’re looking for a VST chorus plug-in you [...]

Do you want people to know you’re wearing headphones from 3 miles away? Then have we got a pair of cans for you! Razer has unveiled their Orca Gaming and Music Headphones. Yes, you read that correctly, Or-ca. This pair of headphones features a color scheme that the company describes as: “venomous green.” Equipped with a [...]

Focusrite has announced the Saffire Pro 14, an eight-input, six-output FireWire audio interface for Mac and PC. Featuring two Saffire mic preamps, I/O routing and 24-bit/96kHz A-D/D-A conversion with JetPLL jitter-elimination technology, it’s fits in nicely with the current Saffire series of interfaces. Features: » Two mic preamps with 48V phantom power » Eight inputs (2x Mic/Line/Inst, 2x [...]

Audio Damage has released Axon, a new style of percussion sequencer/synth. The Neuron Sequencer in Axon is a fundamentally different way of thinking about rhythmic sequencing that will result in new electronic music patterns and styles. Axon’s sequencer can either drive external synths and samplers or its own internal voices, of which there are seven FM-based [...]

One of Seven45 Studios’ cronies just sent us a promo video for their new six-string Guitar Hero controller, dubbed PowerGig, which we first wrote about in March. Considering they just probably dumped the equivalent of Iceland’s GNP into a volcano merely for promotion, it looks like they will be available for the upcoming holiday season…

Apple will debut a new iPod Touch this fall with dual cameras, more memory and a host of new features. We can’t confirm if the Retina display will make it over from the iPhone 4, but it will include a version of FaceTime, Apple’s video conferencing over Wi-Fi feature. Look for an announcement in the next [...]

The hype surrounding Teenage Engineering’s OP-1 is picking up steam again thanks to a couple of clips from the Swedish House Maffia. The first clip below showcases Maffia “performing” on a OP-1 in their pajamas. The video certainly isn’t going to drive Maffia concert sales, but their music video demonstrates some of the OP-1’s potential.

Love to play the piano, but don’t want to miss the big game? Now you can have the best of both worlds with the Craft Line Mediano. The Mediano is an upright piano with a retractable flat screen television housed inside. Now we have no idea what this action does to the piano’s acoustics, although [...]

HiVi has recently introduced the T200B, a professional monitor electro-acoustical design for multimedia applications. T200B can either be a near-field monitor solution or upgrade your computer’s sound. The T200B is an active 2.0 system design housed in a dynamic and forward-design enclosure. The full functioning LCD remote controller can control each speaker independently. Each speaker is [...]

Griid, the Ableton Live control system for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, is now available via Apple’s App Store. With the focus performance and user-experience, Griid claims to provide an intuitive and transparent interface to the Ableton Live clip grid. Griid is an advanced clip grid interface which allows you to control Ableton Live, running on [...]

Vir2, who have been somewhat on a tear as of late, have premiered Violence, a Kontakt-powered virtual instrument that focuses on extremely unusual textures, manglings, distortions, and perspectives on the solo violin. Created for both musical use and sound design, Violence features an unprecedented deconstruction of a solo violin recorded from numerous angles: bowed, [...]

Sample Logic has released Metallix, a toolkit of morphed metallic instruments, percussives, atmospheric soundscapes, pads, and tempo-synced audio loops for cinematic music production with Ableton Live. Based on recorded metallic instruments and sounds,the instruments (presets) and clips (loops) are integrated into Ableton Live, which makes for a smooth workflow with easy to use intuitive user controls. [...]

WOK has unleashed Dronos, a drone sound generator VST plug-in for Windows. Dronos claims to create rich, smooth evolving tones with just one keypress. The focus lies on a warm, analogue sound that is still tonal playable, and an easy user interface with just the most necessary controls. Wok’s Dronos comes in two versions: a free monophonic version [...]

Togu Audio Line has released the TAL-NoiseMaker, a free virtual analog synth with built-in effects. The NoiseMaker is an improved version of their Elek7ro and has a completely new synth engine and a lot of improvements in sound and usability. The synth also includes a small effect section with a reverb, chorus and a simple bit [...]

Logitech has premiered the Rechargeable Speaker S715i, a portable speaker dock for iPod and iPhone that features eight custom-designed speaker drivers and an eight-hour rechargeable battery. The new Rechargeable Speaker S715i offers eight drivers, twice that of their previous speaker docks, and includes a long-lasting rechargeable battery. The Logitech Rechargeable Speaker S715i delivers audio via two [...]

After we posted our story about Native Instruments’ acquisition of Chad Carrier, formally of M-Audio, many Torq users became anxious about the future of their beloved Digital DJ system. Even though we mentioned that Torq 2.0 was being handled by the AIR group in Germany, and will most likely debut the fruit of their labors [...]

Etsy has debuted the ikyaudio white sea cucumbers audio speakers. Basically PVC pipes with speakers inserted for 200 beans. They’re kinda spendy considering you could probably make these your self for a quarter of the price, but who has that kind of time these days. Anyway, if you got an industrial flavored loft or domicile, [...]