Avid Empowers Musicians to Elevate Their Sound with Bold New Live Performance and Recording Solutions

Next-gen DJ software, a cutting-edge new synthesizer, effects and emulations for Eleven Rack and new Mbox family options deliver breakthrough tools for taking digital audio creations to the next level

Avid today introduced a series of new live performance and recording solutions for independent musicians looking to take their digital audio creations to the next level. The new tools-which include the M-Audio Venom virtual analog synthesizer, Torq 2.0 DJ software, the Eleven Rack Expansion Pack and new Mbox family options-deliver innovative, professional features and flexible, open workflows so artists can create distinctive and compelling audio, in the studio or on stage.

Venom: New Virtual Analog Synthesizer Brings Unprecedented Sound Options to Customers of All Skill Levels

Merging Avid's expertise in virtual instrument development and keyboard design, the M-Audio Venom synthesizer delivers an aggressive take on the emulation of classic analog synthesis-combining the warm sound and character of vintage keyboards with the intuitive control and workflow advantages of modern digital processing to provide cutting-edge sound options to musicians of all skill levels.

This new entry into the synthesizer market represents a dramatic departure from traditional virtual analog keyboards with the following features:

• Extensive sound design capabilities-allow customers to create distinctive sounds using 41 oscillator waves and 53 drum sounds sampled from renowned vintage keyboards. Users can add realism to their mixes with a DSP-induced oscillator drift, and additional sound complexity with a 12-voice polyphony with three oscillators per voice, as well as 16 modulation routings.

• Full-sized keyboard and ergonomic design-enables customers to comfortably create music and play using a 49-note, full-size, synth-action keybed and intuitive top-panel controls.

• Included Vyzex Venom software editor-provides a clear visual representation of all synth settings and parameters so users can arrange sounds into banks, rename patches, save backups on their computers and collaborate with other users. Users can also mash up multiple patches and create new hybrid sounds with the built-in patch collider.

• Built-in USB audio/MIDI interface-gives customers the ability to record audio from instruments, mics or other sound sources, or process external audio using Venom onboard effects and filters, without the need for additional audio interface hardware.

• Compatibility with Pro Tools and third-party recording solutions-opens up workflows so customers can work directly with Pro Tools®, Pro Tools M-Powered, Pro Tools SE and or third-party DAWs, including Ableton Live, Propellerhead Reason, Apple Logic and GarageBand, forming a powerful, all-in-one music creation, mixing and recording solution.

Pricing for Pro Tools + Mbox bundles begins at $699.99 for Pro Tools + Mbox Mini, $899.99 for Pro Tools + Mbox and $1,099.99 for Pro Tools + Mbox Pro. Pricing for standalone Mbox interfaces begins at $299.99 for the Mbox Mini, $499.99 for the Mbox and $799.99 for the Mbox Pro. All options will be available worldwide on March 21, 2011.

For regions outside of the U.S., please see your local retailer for pricing. For more information on features and availability, visit: www.avid.com