SEC NEWS

Avid chooses SEC as the Swiss Avid Audio Elite Partner

We’re proud to announce that Avid has chosen SEC as the only Avid Audio Elite Partner in Switzerland.

Elite Partner is the highest level of Avid dealership, working directly with Avid to provide the best solutions for professional clients in audio, post and broadcast industries. Only Elite Partners can provide the full palette of Avid solutions and know-how all the way up to D-Control and complex post-production systems.

After over 20 years of working with Avid, formerly known as Digidesign, we’re very pleased by the trust Avid has invested us and are looking forward to offer even better service to current and future clients. But before that, we'll pop a cork of something sparkling. Cheers!

Avid

Sunhill Goes HD

Sunhill Project Studio recently took the big step up to the industry standard when they upgraded their 002 system to a full blown Pro Tools HD3. Accompanied by Lynx Aurora 16 HD and large selection for high-end plug-ins, Sunhill is now fully file-compatible with major studios worldwide. After evaluating Pro Tools HD prior to the upgrade, Patrik Schwitter, the owner of Sunhill said “The final decision took about 3 seconds after hearing the first notes through Pro Tools HD, it just sounds so much better”.

Sunhill Studio

Technical Update 8.7.10

- Pro Tools 8.0.4 is now available also for LE and M-Powered. 8.0.4 adds full support for i5 and i7 iMac and MacBook Pro models, full support for 32-bit and 64-bit Windows, new Windows drivers, various tweaks for automation, editing, Avid Unity and Interplay workflows, recording, MIDI, stability, relinking and importing.

Pro Tools 8.0.4 downloads

McDSP Classic Pack Sale -58%

This is the time to get the Classic processors of McDSP for unbeatable price. Including Analog Channel saturation modeling, CompressorBank dynamics, FilterBank EQ and MC2000 multi-band compressor, the Classic Pack Bundle gives you all the classic McDSP plugs at one go. But only until Thu. 8.7. so order now.

Order here

Waves Platinum 25% off in July

This July you can save 25% with Waves Platinum Bundle, TDM or Native, new and upgrade. With over 30 plug-ins from dynamics, equalization, and reverb to pitch correction, spatial imaging, and beyond, Platinum is ideal for tracking, mixing, mastering, and sound design.

Waves Plug-ins

New Pro Tools Custom Keyboard In Stock

The most important Pro Tools controller just got a swanky update. The new Pro Tools Custom Keyboard for Mac is based on Apple’s latest full sized Aluminum keyboard. It’s a perfect match to all new Macs and a must-have for every serious Pro Tools user.

The same color coding and shortcut labeling as in ICON D-Control gives you direct access to editing and transport commands, seriously speeding up your work and lowering your stress hormone levels. We seriously couldn't work without them. In our stock now, order yours today and be the first kool kid on the (studio) block.

Contact SEC

New Mac mini

Apple introduced today a completely new Mac mini sporting many major improvements. Available with Core Duo 2 2.4GHz and 2.66GHz chips and two times faster graphic performance than the previous model, the new Mac mini allows up to 8GB RAM - easily upgradeable through a removable bottom panel. New features include also HDMI, built-in power supply and SD card slot. Sounds like a perfect machine for your living room or for Pro Tools LE after being tested and approved by Avid.

Apple

Technical Update 14.6.10

- New firmware 07JUN2010 available for Smyth Realiser A8 with big fixes and more precise tweaking modes. Creating 7.1 measurements with just one loudspeaker is now much easier.

Smyth Realiser A8 Firmware download

Pro Tools LE to HD Upgrade - Last Chance to Save 50%

The phenomenal success of LE to HD special has transformed countless hobby studios to professional facilities. But all good things must come to an end so don’t miss the opportunity to get your studio up to the pro level with upgrading your LE to HD at up to Fr. 13’000.- savings.

Just let us know what kind of productions you do and we’ll help you to choose the right Mac, storage, and the rest to get you smoothly up to the world standard of audio production. And to be sure you won't be left behind, call us now to avoid last minute order processing complications.

Specials

McDSP Retro Pack Bundle -60% 15-17.6.

Whoa! McDSP offers a killer deal to go with the LE to HD upgrade: 60% discount on Retro Pack Bundle, including 4020 Retro EQ, 4030 Retro Dynamics and 4040 Retro Limiter. This is the chance to get the smooth retro sound for truly old-fashioned price for both HD and Native rigs. But only for 3 days from 15.6. to 17.6. so don’t miss it.

McDSP plug-ins

Technical Update 9.6.10

- Pro Tools HD 8.0.4 available for Mac Pro, G4 and G5 not supported. 8.0.4 is not yet available for LE and M-Powered 8.0.4 but coming soon.

Pro Tools HD 8.0.4 for Mac OS X 10.6.1, 10.6.2, and 10.6.3 (Snow Leopard)

Pro Tools HD 8.0.4 for Windows XP SP 3 (Home or Prof, 32-bit), Vista SP2 32 bit

TC plugs -50% Until 15.6.

TC Electronic drops a bombshell Summer Special: All TC plug-ins at half price. Now you can have the legendary algorithms from M6000 plus loads of other essential high end plugs at unbelievable discount. Contact us for details.

TC Electronic Plug-ins

Only In June: Waves Mercury -35%

This month you’ll get the mother of all plug-in bundles, Waves Mercury, for sweet 35% less. All plugs from Waves - over 250 of them - in one phatt package. But order now before the price goes up. As usual we can get you a better deal than online so simply call 055 280 50 62 to get all the tools you need at once.

Waves plug-ins

MacBook Speed Bumped to 2.4GHz

The most affordable laptop from Apple got a speed bump today. New features of the white MacBook include Intel Core 2 Duo CPU bumped from 2.26GHz to 2.4GHz, battery life upped up to 10 hours from 7 hours and new NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics chip which replaces NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. The rest stays the same (2GB or 4GB RAM, 250GB, 320GB or 500GB HDD, 8 x SuperDrive).

Apple

Technical Update 14.5.2010

- Pro Tools 8.0.1cs2 updates for Pro Tools 8.0.1 HD, LE, and M-Powered now available, compatible with PowerPC Macintosh, original Mbox, and Expansion|HD chassis. Fixes issues with Relinking, Solo, Locked Region Groups, Conforming, MIDI, Scoring, Playlists, Launch, Open Directory, CD Importing and ICON D-Command (HD only).

Pro Tools CS Updates downloads

SNS EVO 2.1 Available

The new EVO 2.1 shared storage offers twice performance, twice the capacity, Fibre Channel, iSCSI, NAS, up to 64 TB, multi-stream 2K video and much more. With EVO, you can share 32TB internal RAID 5 storage in one box, without the need for expensive Fibre Channel Switches.

Studio Network Solutions EVO

Revolutionary Smyth Realiser A8 - Any Studio, Any Speakers, Anywhere

Imagine taking any loudspeaker system, any control room, up to 7.1 surround, anywhere you want - in headphones. Calibrated to your own ears for completely convincing “being there” effect. To the point that you can’t hear the difference between headphones and the loudspeakers.

Crazy? Magic? No, Smyth Research Realiser A8.

Loaded with massive DSP and knowhow of Dr. Stephen Smyth who developed industry changing DTS and APT-X100 algorithms, Realiser A8 causes more dropped jaws than anything we’ve ever seen. Love to see people instinctively turn their heads in surprise when you solo a surround channel in the back. And when they look back, the surround *stays* in the position because your head movements are continuously tracked. The result is so real that you end up taking the phones off and on again and again in disbelief.

The package comes complete with the 8-channel main unit, miniature in-ear mics, remote control and a head tracking system so you can measure any room and loudspeaker system yourself. No one-size-fits all phase mess approximations here. Don’t take our word, come and hear for yourself. We have an A8 with various headphones ready for your ears. For early birds we offer a free calibration in our acoustically treated control room with several high-end loudspeaker systems.

“My first inclination was to pull the headphones off. Which I did. Suddenly I’m not hearing anything! The room was as silent as a tomb. Suddenly I realized that the only sound in the room was coming out from the Stax [headphones].” - AV Guide

"This unimposing box houses some extreme technology and a breakthrough in surround sound listening via headphones. It is not some gimmicky manipulation of phase to simulate 5.1 surround, it is a totally new concept and process, and I can tell you, hello, it works." - StereoMojo

Smyth Research A8 Realiser

Off Topic Updated

An artist with amazing vocal range, beautiful album covers that touch your soul, the wonderful world of death metal, and much, much more complete tastelessness awaits you in our updated off topic page. Enjoy and have a nice weekend.

Off Topic

Free Elysia Niveau Filter

Check out the Niveau Filter section of the famous mpressor plugin. Add punch to muffled snares, reduce the harshness from active pickups, create some wonderful Dub and LoFi sounds, etc. It's fast, efficient, and sounds great - listen to the examples at the link below. And yeah, it’s kinda reasonably priced as well. Can’t beat Fr. 0.-.

Free Elysia Niveau Filter download

2nd Barefoort MM27 Demo Pair Ready To Meet Your Ears

Boy, these babies are hard to get but we finally managed to get our second demo pair of Barefoot MM27s for on-site client demos. The industry-wide buzz about Barefoots has created a massive backlog which is even increased by the fact that Thomas Barefoot insists on hand crafted quality made in USA.

So book your slot now before somebody just keeps them and and wants to send us money instead of the loudspeakers. Actually, that’s exactly what usually happens. The hyper flat frequency response, huge sweet spot and incredible transient reproduction tend to convince even the most sceptic ears.

Barefoot MM27

New SoundToys Decapitator

Analog saturation is the secret ingredient that many mixers have been adding to their mixes with exotic vintage gear, creating also all the unwanted side effects like noise, hum and ever changing sound. Many convolution plug-ins offer static recreations of known outboard units but SoundToys followed another road with the new Decapitator. Decapitator is more than just an emulation of the analog sound. You can hear the subtle changes reacting to the track, following the dynamics of the instrument.

Decapitator allows you to get that sweet analog glue to your mixes or create over the top distortion, all with one plug-in, with total control over all the aspects of the sound.

“I like it on everything. I’m addicted.” Tchad Blake – Peter Gabriel, Sheryl Crow, Brazilian Girls

SoundToys plug-ins

New MacBook Pros

Apple introduced today the refreshed MacBook Pro line. Available at familiar 13”, 15” and 17” scree sizes, the new models offer new Intel i5 and i7 CPUs at faster clock speeds up to 2.66GHz (15” and 17”), up to 10h battery capacity(!), 4GB RAM as standard, and trackpads supporting "inertial scrolling" à la iPhone. The graphics systems have also been revamped with dual graphic chips with on the fly switching for flexible power and display speed management. Build-to-order options include now SSD and sharper 1680x1050 display for the 15” model.

Apple

Avid Buys Euphonix

Avid, the parent company of Digidesign, today announced that they will acquire Euphonix. Avid plans to further develop an open standard protocol that greatly expands the ecosystem of compatibility between the Euphonix control surfaces and a wide range of Avid and third-party audio and video applications, including Media Composer and Pro Tools. For existing Euphonix customers, Avid will continue to support EuCon protocol that enables its control surfaces to interface with third-party software.

Avid Press Release

Technical Update 1.4.10

Pro Tools 8.0.3cs2 updates for Pro Tools 8.0.3 HD, LE, and M-Powered are available for download, fixing issues with relinking, automation, session close, MachineControl, CD importing, launch, Open Directory, shared storage, Avid Unity.

Pro Tools CS Update downloads

Fourth HD|3 System at Hardstudios

Hardstudios upgraded their mobile studio to the same DAW power as the three main studios. Used for live broadcast and multitrack recording, the HardMobile now offers a complete Pro Tools HD|3 studio on wheels with 64 inputs for even most demanding jobs.

“Before we were using dedicated harddisk recorders without any visual feedback, which made things a bit complicated, especially when quick overdubs were needed. Now we have the industry standard system in the mobile as well and overdubbing is as easy as in our other studios.” says Michael Brändli. “And with the HD|3, we’re not only 100% file compatible with our main studios for superfast workflow, now we can even use it as a full blown studio when A, B and C are full.” Already booked for jobs for Swiss TV and Radio, the HardMobile is going to have a busy summer around the country.

www.hardstudios.ch

Free Sonnox App for iPhone

Check out the free Sonnox App for iPhone and iPod touch. You can download tutorial videos and demo videos for later viewing as well as read interviews of top engineers telling how they use Sonnox plugs.

Sonnox App

Sourmash Upgrades to D-Control ES

Sourmash Studio is the latest Swiss D-Control studio, sporting a 32-fader D-Control ES as the heart of the totally rebuilt studio in Döttingen, Aargau. Run by Dave Snow, the specialist for hard-hitting rock and metal, Sourmash offers a true rock’n’roll atmosphere for relaxed sessions where the gear doesn’t get in the way of the creative flow. The integrated ICON solution consisting of Pro Tools HD|3 and D-Control offers a total recall of all session parameters down to the remote-controlled mic pres form Digidesign and Grace Design, and guarantees a complete control over the project from the first note to the final mix.

According to Dave: “For me it was clear that the only kind of system that can keep up with my speed was a seamlessly integrated DAW/controller package. And since Pro Tools HD is the industry standard and only D-Control could offer all the features that are crucial for my way of working, the choice was easy in the end. And it didn’t hurt that the D-Control ES looks super cool.”

www.sourmashstudio.ch

Technical Update 15.3.10

- Eleven Rack 1.0.2 firmware available fixing various issues and adding new features
- Latest versions of Sonnox plugs are now Pro Tools 8.0.3 compatible. Software installers are available by using the download URL contained in your Sonnox plug-in registration email.

Eleven Rack Firmware 1.0.2 download

TV Icon Nik Hartmann goes ICON

Swiss radio and TV icon and a Pro Tools user since 15 years, Nik Hartmann had his D-Command ES system installed by SEC recently. Geared up for broadcast audio and video post production, the 24-fader ICON system includes a Pro Tools HD3, Mac Pro 8-core, Digidesign PRE, calibrated Genelec 5.1 digital monitoring and a formidable plug-in collection. The D-Command ES controller is integrated in an Argosy Mirage console, providing superb ergonomics and smooth looks.

"For me it's a kind of a mix of a project studio and an idea factory. It's important to me that when an idea comes, everything functions as expected - and with this system, it does. I'm extremely happy with the setup and after working some time with the D-Command, I find it simply sensational" says Nik.

medienmacher.ch

Sonnox Restore Spring Cleaning - Thx!

Big thanks to everybody who came to see and hear how Josep from Sonnox showed his cleaning tricks. Many people came with some truly hair-raising old recordings and it was extremely interesting to see what could be done with the new Sonnox Restore to dig the audio up under the noise, distortion and crackle.

The most fun to watch were the astonished faces - including us - when Josep pulled all his tricks and made horrifying buzz, pops and hiss to disappear in few minutes with just one plug-in suite. Until now most of the attendees were using at least three different products to achieve anything comparable. To us it’s pretty clear what we will recommend as the first choice for audio restoration, Sonnox Restore offers clearly the best price-to-feature ratio in the market.

Sonnox plug-ins

Welcome To Spring Cleaning With Sonnox Restore Wednesday 10.3.

Join us for the Sonnox Spring Cleaning event next Wednesday in our showroom as Sonnox Oxford Product Specialist Josep M. Solà presents the brand new Sonnox Restore Suite.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover how to restore old recordings and get rid of noise, buzz, clicks, crackle & pops that mess up your production sound. Already getting rave reviews from the press, Sonnox Restore is the long-awaited new member of the award winning Sonnox Oxford plug-in family.

Not only fresh plugs but also cold beer and hot coffee awaits you so book your free seat now by clicking the link below. We’ll then send you a confirmation with a plan how to get here. Important: The happening is not in our office but in our showroom in Uznach. Call us for a personal demo in the afternoon with your own material, few slots are still available.

Book Your Free Seat Now

Technical Update 2.3.10

- Virtual Katy VK Premium Collection 3.0.2 is now compatible with ProTools 8.0.3 on both OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard.

VK Premium Collection downloads

Waves March Specials -25%

This March the following bundles are 25% off: SSL 4000, API, V-Series and Studio Classics. As always: We can make you a better price than Waves Store, you don't have to expose your credit card to internet, and last but not least, we can take care of the Waves’ dreaded online authorization for you. Order from us and you’ll have the iLok licenses ready in no time and a normal Swiss invoice for your tax deduction.

Waves plug-ins

Elysia Available at SEC

We’re proud to welcome Elysia plug-ins to SEC. The first, mpressor is modeled after the famous Elysia hardware compressor of the same name in collaboration with the experts of Brainworx. It’s not another me-too dynamics plug-in, but offers a brand new perspective to dynamic processing.

Or as somebody who should know what he’s talking about, says: "The mpressor redefines the meaning of compression. It looks at it from a different angle and basically throws the whole traditional concept on it's head." - Michael Bauer (The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Coldplay)

Elysia plug-ins

Free Brainworx bx_cleansweep V2

Brainworx now offers a free, nifty tool to clean up your mixes. A hi/lo filter with gain trim as the first plug in is always a good idea to keep the unnecessary rumbling out and leave space upstairs for other instruments. Bx_cleansweep V2 is a 2-band EQ offering the new "AntiCrush" 6dB HP & LP filters. They are taken from the critically acclaimed mastering EQ bx_digital and have been modeled after analog 1st order filters.

Brainworx bx_cleansweep V2 free download

Off Topic Updated

Father to son-wisdom, A&R negotiation strategies and a practical guide over native DAW vs. Pro Tools HD. These are this week’s pearls in our Off Topic page. Have a sunny weekend.

OFF TOPIC

Avid Kaufleuten - Thxxx!

Thanks to everybody who came yesterday to the Avid extravaganza in Kaufleuten. Two halls plus foyer filled with spankin’ gear and steep knowledge left our brains buzzing with fresh data (not only because of the drink coupons). Thx also to the hardworking Avid crew, it was great to have the big time show with top professionals in Zürich.
See all of you next time!

Avid Creation Tour Kaufleuten - Book Now To Secure Your Seat

Although couple of hundred tickets are gone already, there are still some seats left for the premium professional audio/video event of the season. Avoid the dreaded Kaufleuten queue and book your free ticket online now. If the guys on the stage can help Prince, Tom Jones and Grönemeyer sound as good as they do, they can help you sound better too. See you soon.

Detailed Program and Registration

Prism Sound Page Online

Prism Sound makes absolutely top notch AD/DA converters, winning numerous awards and listening tests. Having a deep knowledge about digital audio from their test and measurement gear business, Prism Sound offers truly astonishing quality and flexibility for the most demanding studios.

"We tried them and they were better" - Mark Knopfler

Prism Sound

Lynx Page Online

Since over ten years, Lynx manufactures fine I/O boxes and PCI cards for hooking up your computer with myriad of audio formats. Both Aurora 16 and Aurora 8 I/Os are available with a Pro Tools HD I/O card option and offer plenty of I/O in a small one rack height package. The new Aurora 16-VT also includes onboard gain pots for accurate gain control for your analog gear.

Lynx

AKA Design Page Online

You may only see gear when you look at your control room but your clients see also where the gear is screwed into. Even an expensive Mic Pre will look cheap in a shoddy rack you bought from that guy's garage sale 10 years ago.

The best way to pimp up your studio is to put in some decent purpouse-built furniture, designed to work together and look cool. AKA Design offers desks for mixing consoles and controllers as well as complete custom solutions. We even offer a free design service with AKA, just drop us a plan of you place, which gear you need to integrate, and we’ll send you back a drawing how it will look like with proper ergonomic furniture. Visit our showroom to get not only the look but also the feel of the classy designs.

AKA Design

Technical Update 12.2.10

- Audio Ease Speakerphone 2.0.3 available for download, offering massive improvements in automation as well as several bug fixes

Speakerphone download

Off Topic Updated

Our notorious Off Topic page got an update. Topics like cheese, Coldplay and truth in advertising are welcome additions to our popular collection of bad taste and questionable behaviour. Broken links were fixed as well for your enjoyment. Have a trashy weekend

OFF TOPIC

Minnetonka Page Online

Check out Minnetonka’s encoding and decoding plug-ins for Dolby E and Dolby Pro Logic II on our new Minnetonka page.

Minnetonka Plug-ins

Brainworx Plug-ins Page Online

We’re happy to welcome Brainworx to our plug-in repertoire. These German guys are famous for a different approach to common mixing problems, offering bunch of completely new ways to solve myriad of audio problems with M/S technique. Brainworx plugs are not only brilliant-sounding and innovative, they also offer completely new ways of working with ICON controllers - especially the surround panner EQ is simply genius.

“I just wanted to tell you that I was blown away with the Brainworx plug-ins! I can't remember the last time I got a smile from ear to ear when I started tweaking the parameters of a plug-in. [...] I think your design is extremely well done and it shows a visionary type of attitude that I appreciate.” David Reitzas (Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Seal)

Brainworx plug-ins

Technical Update 8.2.10

- ProTools Prefs & Database Helper has been updated to version 2.3, tested with Pro Tools 8.0.3.

ProTools Prefs & Database Helper download

Sonnox Elite February Special -25%

Until the end of January you have a great chance to join the top engineers of the world who love Sonnox plugs for crunching out hit singles. The Elite bundle (Oxford EQ, Dynamics, Inflator, Transient Modulator, Reverb, Limiter and SuprEsser) has already 40% better price than individual plug-ins and now you can get all seven with an additional 25% discount - that’s less than half the price of the individual plugs. But not for long so order now.

“What I like about the Oxford EQ is how clean and pristine it is; so when I’m looking for an open, airy EQ the Oxford is always my first choice ... The Dynamics plug-in is awesome! It has tons of capabilities, a great gate, a limiter and some very cool algorithms for the different types of compression.” Charles Dye (Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Shakira)

Sonnox Oxford Plug-ins

Powerplay Doubles I/O Capacity of Studio A

As a part of the big upgrade, Powerplay Studios doubled the analogue I/O capacity of studio A’s Pro Tools HD to 48 simultaneous ins and outs with two new 192 I/Os, each sporting an additional AD and DA card. The 192 I/Os were a special order with Extra Low Output Modification to complement the levels of Studio A’s classic SSL 4000 E/G+.

According to Studio Manager Gian A. Caprez, “We wanted to give our clients the freedom of using all inputs and outputs of our 48 channel SSL simultaneously. The flexibility offered by over 200 inputs in various formats of the four 192 I/Os also lets us interface our 2” Studer A800MK3 and 48-track Studer D820 DASH machines without a fuss.”

We were very happy to provide Powerplay the tailored solution, our only problem was that they refused to pay in U47s as we originally requested and forced us to take money instead. Check out the link for the refreshed look of Powerplay Studios.

Powerplay Studios

Grace Design Page Online

Grace Design's gear keeps delighting our ears day after day. They share our philosophy: What goes in, must come out. The best gear is the gear that you don't hear. If you use a transparent high-end mic pre, you have way more freedom to sculpture the sound afterwards. You can always glue up your mixes with distortion from all kinds of gizmos and plug-ins if you want, but if you go into the box with a bad signal, your hands are tied before the mixing starts.

The same goes for monitor controllers; if you can't hear what you are doing due to a bad monitoring chain, you lost the game before it started. Check out the new Grace Design product page below.

Grace Design

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