MusoTalk and the Latest Groove Gadgets: A Critical Look

Cubase 15 is on the horizon, bringing with it some brand-new features that will make every DAW fan’s heart race. At the forefront is the Omnivocal Beta, a feature already being hailed as a small revolution. In the best speaker style, it can make your lyrics sing with two different voices – both male and female. For those not thrilled by the idea of multi-voiced support, the improved stem separation might be of interest. Cubase now allows you to extract individual stems from a complex mix and edit them separately – a feature that was previously reserved for specialized software.

In addition to these big bangs, Cubase 15 does not lack in detailed improvements to make the user experience even more seamless. A new pattern sequencer promises variety for all beat-makers lost in the world of digital sounds. Interestingly, Steinberg has optimized its software for the latest Mac version, which might mean that Apple users have to shell out a few more bucks. At least no one can say that Cubase is shying away from innovation.

The update costs 99 euros, an investment that could prove worthwhile for ambitious home producers. Even if no one is really keen on constantly buying new hardware, Cubase ensures that the software is always up to date. A must for anyone who doesn’t want to settle for the usual sounds.

With the HEDDphone D1, Berlin unleashes a fresh innovation on the market that is catching attention. Unlike traditional studio headphones, the D1 does not rely on old-established technologies like dynamic or planar drivers. Instead, it shines with the brand-new DPCD technology, which promises lower mass and higher stiffness. This is the stuff beat dreams are made of. This new membrane technology promises faster impulse response and eliminates troublesome self-resonances.

The HEDDphone D1 also comes with a surprisingly low impedance of 32 ohms, making mobile musicians’ hearts beat faster. So you don’t necessarily have to tether yourself to hi-fi equipment to experience the full sound. Despite this advantage, the sensitivity is high enough to pump up the volume even on an iPhone or iPad. The combination of futuristic sound and high wearing comfort makes both tech enthusiasts and audiophiles rave alike. If you’ve always dreamed of treating your ears to better times, you’re in the right place.

And price-wise, you remain within the green zone at 700 euros, especially considering the technical finesse on offer here. Thus, the HEDDphone D1 becomes a loyal companion that should not be missing on any technological discovery journey. A true all-rounder that makes every audio nerd’s heart race.

Barely larger than a Gameboy, yet with the power of an entire studio – the TONEX Plug from IK Multimedia offers more functions than one would believe can be packed into such a small unit. The multi-talent combines headphone amplifier and USB interface in a handy housing that weighs little more than a tangle of cables. With over 40,000 tone models and space for 30 user-defined presets, this plug is a true sound chameleon.

But that’s not where the fun ends. The TONEX Plug houses a variety of effects, including noise gate, compressor, EQ, modulation, delay, and reverb – almost too much of a good thing, one might say. And as if that wasn’t enough, you can also wirelessly connect to backing tracks via Bluetooth to round off the mobile jam. The option for USB-C connectivity ensures that even the most modern tablets and laptops aren’t left out in the cold.

The best part: All this power is available for the handy price of about 150 euros. The TONEX Plug offers up to six hours of battery life, ideal for long sessions that don’t need a fixed location. A must for up-and-coming guitarists and nomads of the modern sound world looking for new ways of sound creation.

The MOTU 10pre raises the bar for audio interfaces. Built for the demands of modern sound production, it combines current technologies like Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 to meet the needs of both home and professional studios. With up to 256 channel input/output options via AVB network ports, the 10pre never leaves a mixer out in the rain – no matter how demanding the session.

This signal distributor is not only a connectivity monster: With ten high-quality mic, line, and Hi-Z inputs, even the wildest sound ideas can be captured directly. Thanks to the 48-volt phantom power and gain of up to 74 dB, you’ll never run out of level while recording. Here, every channel becomes a potential sound artist, making audio routing a child’s play.

Moreover, the integrated DSB mixer ensures flexible signal paths and smart effects that can be edited in real-time. From studio setup to mobile productions, the features of the 10pre serve all requirements. All in all, it’s a powerful tool package that stands for creativity and flexibility – both in small and large studios. An audio device designed for future-proof projects that doesn’t close itself off to new standards.