Spike, no vampires included...?!

[elektro80]

Mackie Introduces Spike: A Complete 24-bit/96kHz Computer-Based Recording System


September 7, 2003- PLASA, London - Mackie Designs Inc. today introduced an all-inclusive compact recording system with a musician-friendly retail price of just $419 USD. Available in Q4, 2003, the Spike Powered Recording System includes all of the hardware and software necessary to track, mix and record music on a Mac or PC, including Mackie's new XD-2 USB 24-bit USB Audio/MIDI interface, integrated Tracktion audio recording and sequencing software, a copy of Ableton Live Mackie and more.

"Many musicians looking to get started in the world of computer-based recording are discouraged by the complexity and limitations of existing software and hardware systems," commented Dan Moore, Recording Product Development Manager at Mackie. "Spike is really about providing a turnkey, out-of-box recording solution that will allow even the most technically challenged musician to be tracking and editing their music in a matter of minutes rather than days."

Included Hardware:
The hardware portion of the Spike Powered Recording System is the new 2-channel XD-2 USB Audio/MIDI interface with 24-bit, 96kHz resolution and support for ASIO 2.0, WDM and OS X Core Audio. The XD-2 features two of Mackie's exceptional new low-noise digital mic preamps that deliver extremely low distortion, plenty of headroom and the clean, detailed sound quality that have become hallmarks of Mackie mic preamps. Each input channel features a "combo" jack that can support a line level or an instrument input in addition to the mic preamp. Other input/output options include SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O as well as stereo monitor outputs and front panel headphone jack and level control.

The XD-2 features low latency monitoring feature by use of a "Mix" knob located on the front panel along with a Monitor level control. Other input/output options include SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O as well as stereo monitor outputs and front panel headphone jack.

The XD-2 also features an onboard SHARC DSP chip that supports a full suite of dynamics processing for recording. This includes a 4-band parametric EQ, a Compressor/Limiter and a Gate/Expander, all of which can be re-arranged in order along the signal path for each input or output channel. The onboard DSP also allows for low latency monitoring of effects while recording.

Included Software:
The software bundle that ships with the Spike Recording System is designed to be as easy to use as the XD-2 hardware interface itself. It begins with a copy of Tracktion, a new mutitrack recording and MIDI sequencing software application from Raw Material Software. Tracktion's intuitive interface allows users to record, overdub, edit, mix and play back any combination of audio tracks or MIDI sequences. Through a drag-and-drop interface that maximizes the use of a single screen, Tracktion provides unlimited track count, full VST and VSTi support automation.

Tracktion ships with a number of bundled effects and soft synths. As part of the Spike Powered Recording System, Mackie is also including is a copy of Abelton Live Mackie, a powerful loop-based sequencing software application for live performance based on the award-winning Live software from Ableton.

Mackie is bundling two free plug-ins with the Spike Recording System: the new AmpliTube LE guitar cabinet and distortion modeler from IK Multimedia, as well as the new Warmer-Phaser modulator based on the popular Blue Tubes bundle from Nomad Factory.