Tone2 has released an update for their good old Firebird synth plugin. But that’s not all, with this version 2 they release it into the wild as a freeware version. Tone2 tells us it’s not longer profitable as a commercial product, however they do feel that this plugin should be enjoyed by anyone who wants to. So with this last update they relaese this 79 dollar synth into a Freebird!
Pulselocker is a music streaming and subscription service that lets DJs and music aficionados play millions of tracks, with the most popular mixing applications, online or off. With Pulselocker, DJs can stream full-length tracks, try new music before they buy, and buy the tracks they want to keep. Additionally, Pulselocker gives artists and labels new ways to monetize their current and back catalog. Based in San Francisco, Pulselocker is funded by Grammy award-winning artist, Ben Harris of Dirty Vegas.
Today we get a closer look at the iZotope Iris sampling re-synthesiser VST/AU/RTAS plugin by veteran EDM producer Dom Kane. This instrument is very innovative and in the beginning maybe daunting. So this video will give you a better view and knowledge about the possiblities of this plugin. Dom goes through an overview of the Iris interface and guides us through the use of the various panel controls, and how you can layer and and creat your own unique sounds!
Below are some of the new 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.
Mackie this week announced a complete redesign of its bestselling line of ultra-affordable powered studio monitors – the MRmk3 Powered Studio Monitors. A product of Mackie’s intensive music-centric voicing process, MRmk3 monitors are acoustically optimized at all stages to enhance the mixing, monitoring and multimedia experience in any home or project studio.
Sample Magic has announced the first update to its ‘Magic AB’ referencing plugin – the reference tool that allows producers to switch between the audio they are mixing and up to nine reference tracks in an instant.
We came across these at the past MusikMesse in Frankfurt, earlier this year. After that it got a bit quiet about them but yesterday Vestax announced that the special editions are now available as limited edition. Red and White have been their strong identify since the birth of Vestax. By tradition, each one of the hardware models has had just a couple of units in this special red finish, mostly not for resales. This time, Vestax is releasing them for everyone. The VCI-380Red and the VCI-380Wht are finished in Japan with a beautiful polished paint.
AudioReverb delivers studio quality reverb for Audiobus and your iTunes music library. It is an algorithmic reverberation app which combines the flexibility of vintage algorithmic reverbs with the sonic quality of convolution based reverbs.
In the world of abundance of USB2 sound interfaces it can be rather challenging to find the unit that fits your needs. With that in mind we took a look at the newly introduced Scarlett 18i8 up close. The interface is another addition to the rather successful Scarlett series. The previous Scarlett series were more like the starter series of USB interfaces. Focusrite now is extending this with new models that have more ins and outs. The 18i8 in that regard seems to be aimed at the mid-range.
Although credited as an Executive Producer on John Legend’s new Love In The Future album, Dave Tozer actually functions as a songwriter, musician, programmer and arranger in addition to his production work. Tozer met Legend through a mutual friend in Philadelphia during the late 90s when Dave was working as a musician and developing his production skills and John (then known as John Stephens) was a gifted music student at the University of Pennsylvania.
Today Pioneer introduces a new series of active monitors to the world with dance music in mind. The S-DJ X series have been developed with high-quality speaker technology. This technology, from Pioneer and sub-brand TAD, delivers accurate monitoring, a strong bass, and clear mid to high frequencies.
Singing superstar, Frank Ocean, has just completed a tour of Europe with an Allen & Heath iLive digital system at FOH. Requested by engineer, Dave McDonald, who has toured using iLive with Adele, AIR, and Florence & the Machine, the iLive system comprises an iLive-112 Control Surface with 8 in, 24 out, RAB2 ACE, connected to a modular iDR10 MixRack with 56 in, 24 out, RAB2 ACE and Dante. There was an analogue split between the iLive and monitor console.
What happened to the X32? It’s there… just a little bit smaller. The X32 COMPACT delivers the best of the flagship X32 console in a slightly smaller package for installs at smaller venues, houses of worship, theaters or discerning audio smiths who may not need as many local inputs or motorized faders.
In ‘general’ producers modify dynamics of drums with compressors. Celemony has released a video on how to shape the dynamic range of drum and percussion loops – the Melodyne way. In short, control the dynamic range of drum loops in more detailed ways than any compressor can!
In this video below Felix da Housecat explains why he loves his Traktor Kontrol X1s, the compact add-on controller engineered for seamless Traktor integration. He covers the new touchstrip, looping, using cue points, Flux Mode, and more. “It’s my new secret weapon“, as he states it.