Loopcloud 3.0
Price: Free – with in-app purchases for extra loop libraries
We explored the previous version of Loopcloud a few months back and compared it to other online loop libraries available. One of the things that was highlighted back then was the focus on particular genres of music. The latest version of the software allows users to import their own samples and loops, overcoming those past constraints.
Once the browser has opened, click on the ‘+’ button and import any loops or samples from your drive for use in future projects. You can add tags and metadata to make them identifiable later. This could be a great addition to the product and will be worth investigating. Version 3.0 is available now from the Loopcloud website.
Novation SL MkIII
Price: 49-key: £540, 61-key: £630 (retail)
The Novation SL series has always been excellent; it featured very clever technology that allowed the controllers to communicate directly with the host software. Novation has launched Mark 3 of the SL series, which is possible to integrate with other devices and is marketed to be the ‘central hub of your studio’. Featuring five high-quality LCD screens to display information, the keyboards now include a built-in 8-track sequencer and an improved key bed with exceptional key tracking. Although expensive, this could be the perfect keyboard for a main school studio.
QCon Pro and EX G2
Price: Pro: £445, EX: £335 (retail)
Now that studios are no longer built around large-scale mixing consoles, a lot of mixing takes place ‘in-the-box’. However, many engineers still like the hands-on approach to mixing and a market for hardware mixer controllers has developed.
Icon Pro Audio has launched a range of affordable controllers. The Pro features nine motorised faders, a jog wheel, transport controls, and all of the important buttons for controlling a DAW. And, unusually, the EX expander unit can be used on its own to provide eight motorised faders if you don't need everything on the Pro. The devices can be combined to create a hardware surface with up to 32 faders of control for your DAW.
