As part of their ongoing customer support, Korg has announced the microSAMPLER Bonus Sample Pack. This expansive collection of professionally sampled sounds is available as a free download to all microSAMPLER users.
Recently we had the pleasure to do a review on the FabFilter Pro-C compressor plugin. This time it’s the FabFilter Pro-Q. This is an allround EQ plug-in for mixing and mastering, with up to 24 bands and a nice and helpful interface for easy and precise editing.
Ok it’s already sunday but this just came in and I thought I am gonna share this with you: A video of the band Atomic Tom. This video was filmed unannounced on Friday October 8, 2010 aboard the New York City B Train, over the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn and edited from 3 iPhone cameras. All footage is performed 100% live and executed in one take. The band is playing this track on their iPhones with music instrument apps. I am not sure I am believing the story behind it. It seems the band had their real instruments stolen and did an ‘impulsive’ gig on the subway. Ah well, … in the end it doesn’t matter because the ‘fun’ factor of this video is high enough (for my standards). Enjoy!
Native Instruments has started to tour the new S4 KONTROL, Native’s own DJ controller for their Traktor DJ software. Yesterday the dutch importer Amptec gave an exhibition of this much anticipated controller at Bax-Shop in the Netherlands. Gearjunkies was invited to get a first ‘hands-on’ look at this new DJ controller from Native Instruments.
These are the releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.
Ask someone to describe hip hop music and they might say “slow beats at 90BPM, gritty samples, and politically charged rhymes from the streets.” They might not know it but they’re describing hip hop as we know it thanks to Hank Shocklee. It’s no exaggeration to say that not since George Martin has a producer had as much influence in the direction and development of a cultural movement. Hank doesn’t stop to reflect on all his accomplishments, however. He just continues to do what he always has… make music. Since the early 2000s, Shocklee moved his elaborate hardware based production workflow out of the studio rack and into the Reason rack.
For this interview, there were too many great stories to fit into a single interview so be sure to check out Hank Shocklee’s deleted scenes. They follow after the artist interview!
TC Electronic is proud to announce that PowerCore 4.0 software for Mac is now ready for download. At the same time this marks the final release of the Vintage Guitar Bundle that is now available for both Mac and PC. The Mac version supports OSX 10.5 (Leopard) running in 32-bit on PowerPC- and Intel-based computers as well as 10.6 (Snow Leopard) running in 32-bit and 64-bit kernel mode on Intel Macs. In short, this new version features highly optimized multi-core support as well as a large number of driver related fixes.
The at the MusikMesse of this year announced CTRL-ONE and CTRL-SIX controllers by Gemini have received their final ‘facelift’ and are now shipping with VirtualDJ LE software. Since the advent of the “laptop revolution” in the DJ realm, DJs have had to struggle to find a controller to work with the DJ software that gives them the feel of their traditional decks and turntables. Gemini set out to make these controllers just for DJs, giving them a familiar interface along with their favorite playback, mixer, and song-shaping tools.
Real Moog sound now fits your back pack and your budget. The Slim Phatty’s 100% analog signal path, intuitive user interface, rugged construction and rich MIDI, USB and Control Voltage functionality make it a must-have for producers, touring musicians and DJs. At just 17” wide, it goes where no other Moog has gone before. Earth-shaking basses, scorching leads and more are now housed in a high-quality instrument ideal for laptop artists and space conscious musical road warriors.
Just as we are putting the last touches on our Pro-Q review. FabFilter are telling us they will release a new plugin next week. The limiter plugin Pro-L will be available from October 21, 2010. FabFilter Pro-L is a top quality, feature-packed limiter plug-in suitable for both mastering and mixing.
IK Multimedia is pleased to introduce SampleTank FREE – a full-featured version of SampleTank 2.5, with a 500MB specially selected sound library. Musicians may now experience for FREE the full power and flexibility of the industry’s leading sound sample playback engine and build their compositions to perfection.
Propellerhead Software today announced the immediate availability of Record Drum Takes—big league rock and pop multitrack drums played by skilled session drummers for Propellerhead’s brand new recording software Record. Record Drum Takes builds a steady foundation for any rock or pop creation.
Drawmer has unveiled the HQ, a combined precision high-quality monitor pre-amp/volume controller and DAC aimed at devotees to high-fidelity audio everywhere. Bringing together Drawmer’s respected expertise for precision design in both the analogue and digital domains, the HQ is a critical listening device incorporating a highly accurate pre-amp and offering finely balanced volume control over a variety of analogue and digital input sources, with extremely low inter-channel crosstalk. The HQ also boasts a state-of-the-art DAC for clean conversion of digital sources to analogue for reference monitoring.
The Moog SlimPhatty is the long awaited follow-up to the hugely successful Little Phatty. All the sound of the Phatty, but in a petite tabletop or rack-mountable form. And with an RRP of £699 (inc VAT), it’s the most affordable Moog Synth on the market. The SlimPhatty can sit on a table top or mount in a rack. Rack ears and a handsome wood casing are optionally available. The Slim is built on the architecture of the best-selling Little Phatty synth for great Moog sound and simple intuitive user interface.
Pioneer introduces an updated version of the well-loved HDJ-1000 DJ headphones in two new colours. Now offering a more comfortable fit, easier low-range listening and available only in black or gold. The HDJ-1000 Limited offer the exceptional sound quality, lightweight design and futuristic look of the widely used HDJ-1000. But their new, innovative features deliver the next level in professional DJ headphones.