Virtual Lighting Studio: An Online Studio Lighting Simulator

Virtual Lighting Studio is an awesome new free studio lighting simulator that doesn’t require any installation — you use it directly in your browser. It offers a large number of options for customizing your setup (e.g. number of lights, light type, gel, positioning) and the result is updated in real-time on the virtual model’s head.

Virtual Lighting Studio (via Strobist)

Pioneer launches RMX1000 Remix Station, now no tune is safe (video)

Pioneer has been dishing out its line of digital DJ tools for long enough that you’d hope it knows what the spinners want, and these days it seems that’s remixing tools. The RMX1000 is a new effects based unit, that looks like an evolution of the firm’s EFX range. It still cooks up those chops, rolls, and reverbs, but also has a companion “Remixbox” software, as well as studio-friendly VST / AU functionality. The software lets you overwrite the default set-up with one of your own, and there’s an SD card slot so you can leave yours at home, but still bring your settings to the club. Word is that pro DJ settings will be available for download, so nosey DJs can see how James Zabiela likes his high-pass filters. The effects themselves come in four flavors: Scene, Isolator, Release and X-Pad. Connectivity-wise it’s rocking a pair of RCA and 1 / 4-inch plugs for both in-and out-put, and there’s USB for the computer / MIDI hook-up. It’s set to land in June with a $1000 price tag, but in the meantime if you want to see if it’ll be worth your savings, hit-up the video after the break.

Electronista

Pioneer

Akai releases MPC Fly for iPad, waits ’til you get the pun (video)

We already knew Akai was refreshing its legendary MPC range, but the newest member to the family — the Fly — has to be about the cutest. It kinda looks, initially, like a knock-off MPC noveltycase, until you realize those pads are real, and that software on screen is legit. The case-and-device approach seems a smart idea, so it feels like one unit — it even juices your slate when you charge its built-in battery. The trade-off is an extra two pounds of weight, and almost an inch of thickness. Somewhat lighter is the app which rocks effects, a sound library, sampling, supports WIST (Wireless Sync-Start Technology) and works on any iPad — but you’ll need a second-gen tab to use the hardware. Before you bemoan that this is some sort of cash-in, the whole idea is that you can lay down ideas on the (ahem) Fly, and pick them up later back in the studio. If you want to see more, drop some bass over the break for a video.

Akai

Behringer outs three iPad-housing USB mixers

When it’s not bringing the crazy that is iNuke, Behringer turns out some pretty serious audio gear. The latest offering? Three new mixers that throw an iPad into the EQuation. A dedicated app serves as an interface, while the iPad provides the brains and the power source. They’re no dumb terminals though, as you’ll also find a dedicated audio interface, mic pre-amps and a new dual-engine KLARK-TEKNIK FX processor, complete with 32 configurable “studio grade” presets (reverb, chorus, flange and so on). The trio comes in three sizes: 16 channels for the iX1642, 24 on the iX2442, and 32 for the big ole iX3242. Behringer’s keeping the volume down on pricing and availability right now, but they’ll be on display at NAMMthis week if you want to have a fiddle. Not going? Then fade-in the press release after the break for more info.

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