Adobe has released a sneak peak at their upcoming version of Soundbooth. The speech recognition software looks to be especially useful. If you currently own CS3 you can unlock the public beta until CS4 comes out, all others can try it for 48 hours, so check it out!

From an Adobe Press Release:

The Soundbooth beta showcases a host of new features for creative professionals to complete their audio
production tasks more efficiently, including the new multiple track support which allows users to edit
multiple audio clips on a number of tracks, and the new ability for users to match volume levels across
audio files. Also included is the capability to preview MP3 compression settings before saving them and a
new speech recognition technology that lets users create transcripts of dialogue tracks quickly and search
them for words and phrases within a timeline.

Availability and System Requirements
The Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Soundbooth betas, once downloaded and launched, will be active for
48 hours after which time only CS3 customers will have extended access. Using their CS3 product serial
numbers, users will have the exclusive ability to unlock the betas and use them for free until the next
version of Creative Suite becomes available. Beta access will give users an opportunity to deliver
feedback, via Adobe Labs, for future product development.

Dreamweaver and Fireworks betas run on multiple operating systems, including Microsoft Windows XP
with Service Pack 2, Windows Vista and Mac OS X version 10.4.11 or later on PowerPC G5 or Intelbased
Macintosh systems. The Soundbooth beta runs on all those systems except for PowerPC-based
Macintosh systems. The betas can be immediately downloaded from Adobe Labs at
www.labs.adobe.com.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and
through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

reprinted from a KRK Systems press release:

May 15th, 2008 – Chatsworth, CA – KRK Systems, the world’s leading manufacturer of powered recording monitors, launched the second generation of their industry-standard Rokit monitor. The second generation Rokit incorporates several technologies from the company’s flagship VXT and E8B lines, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet. The new Rokits replace the current Rokit 5”, 6” and 8” models.

Since 2004 Rokit monitors have provided thousands of musicians, songwriters, producers and remixers with a value-priced monitor that delivered meaningful mixes that translate to all listening environments. The new Rokit remains true to this legacy while providing a sleeker, more modern look that is as functional as it is beautiful. A key component to the new look is the molded front baffle. This design feature virtually eliminates diffraction distortion caused by standard flat baffles.

The Rokits leverage KRK’s research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The Rokit G2’s curved front baffle was engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles. The baffle also houses a molded front-facing bass port that minimizes low-frequency phase distortion and unwanted frequency emphasis typical of rear-facing bass ports. The end result is a harmonious yet accurate blend of low and high-frequency components that result in a more accurate speaker. Additionally, the Rokit G2’s voicing has been slightly enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision.

“KRK has always been respected for engineering monitors that accurately reflect what is going on in the mix” said Tony Rodrigues, Vice-President of Marketing for KRK Systems. “Even in this day of ‘sweet’ sounding monitors that demo well in the store but fall down in a mixing environment, KRK has stayed true to its commitment of providing accurate, honest tools for home, project and professional studios,” added Rodrigues.

The new Rokit G2’s have a MAP price of $149, $199 and $249 for the 5, 6 and 8 inch versions, respectively. They are available now at leading music retailers around the world.

Reprinted from an iStockphoto press release:

Today, iStockphoto, the company that revolutionized the stock photography market by offering images online for prices as low as $1, announced it will add royalty-free audio tracks to its collection of downloadable stock content in September 2008. In so doing, iStockphoto will become the first company to offer stock imagery, video footage, vector illustrations, Flash files and audio for purchase under one payment model, on one convenient site.

iStockphoto is currently looking for composers, performers, musicians and audio technicians to submit music, spoken word/voice, instrumental, ambient and sound-effect audio track submissions. The iStock user community of more than three million members will be able to purchase audio tracks for one to 25 credits each depending on complexity and can be used in Web site production or to complement video footage and presentations. Every time an audio track is downloaded, 20–40 percent of the revenue will go to the contributing sound artist.

This business model, known as micropayment, was created by iStockphoto in 2001. It not only fueled the tremendous growth of the company, but has also proven itself to be a great way to provide supplementary and sometimes full-time income for contributing artists. In 2007, the company paid more than $20 million in royalties to its contributors.

“Our customers are looking for something that helps them effectively communicate ideas in new and exciting ways,” said Bruce Livingstone, founder and CEO of iStock. “By adding audio to the mix, we are now able to offer customers a complete palette of multimedia tools from which they can work.”

Becoming an iStock Sound Artist:
Sound artist applicants can review a tutorial and take a brief quiz at http://www.istockphoto.com/audio_1.0_intro.php. The artists will then be asked to submit three 5–30 second audio tracks for review and approval. Once accepted as artists, contributors may submit tracks that range from five seconds to four minutes in length. All tracks will be individually reviewed for quality and legality before being approved for sale. If you are a member of a performing rights organization, (e.g., SOCAN, ASCAP, BMI etc.) anywhere in the world, you are not eligible to submit audio content to iStockphoto, as this precludes the content from being royalty-free. Those who are members of a performing rights organization are welcome to submit to our sister site, Pump Audio, at http://www.pumpaudio.com.

Sound artists can choose to be exclusive immediately and will earn 20–­­­­­­­­40 percent on the sale of each track depending on the number of downloads they have achieved. For more information on the process or music and sound categories, please visit: http://www.istockphoto.com/audio.php

Track Size and Price Points