Latest News & Articles
Native Instruments introduces Action Strings
Native Instruments today introduced ACTION STRINGS – a phrase-based instrument featuring a 60-piece string orchestra. Running in KONTAKT 5 or the free KONTAKT PLAYER, ACTION STRINGS delivers driving string phrases and short motifs with an extremely natural and expansive sound. The flexible instrument provides producers of all skill levels with a inspiring resource for adding drama and movement to film and game scores, as well as rock, pop and urban tracks.
Sony Sound Forge Pro Mac available now
Sony Creative Software, a leading global provider of professional editing and authoring solutions, today released Sound Forge Pro Mac 1.0 software, the newest addition to its line of award-winning audio and video production software products. A multichannel audio recording and editing application, Sound Forge Pro Mac software was developed from the ground up on a clean slate for OS X and features an elegant interface that redefines the audio editing experience. The application ships with a full suite of audio mastering and repair plug-ins, making it a comprehensive solution for audio professionals who work on the Mac platform.
Vestax HMX-05 Headphones Introduced
Casting shapes for the sound artists pursuit. This is the origin of Vestax as a musical instrument manufacturer. Vestax don’t want you to listen to an unnecessarily fabricated version of your favourite song. They want you to listen to the groove and sound the artist intended. HMX-05 is designed with our obsession for sound as a musical instrument manufacturer. Vestax long history in the DJ and pro audio industry allows them to listen carefully to the feedback of pro users and consumers alike. The result of this research is simply the best headphone they have ever designed: HMX-05.
Synth Courses launched from Producertech
Producertech’s Synth Courses have been designed to teach you the inner workings of the most popular software instruments available today, in order to teach you how to skilfully edit patches as well as create your own from scratch, which is an essential part of music production. The courses, which are delivered via streamed movies, thoroughly explain the key stages of synthesis and give numerous examples of patch creation throughout, to help put all of techniques taught into perspective. In addition to the instrument presets and written notes that accompany the lessons, there are a host of extra patches or samples provided by Producertech’s sponsor LOOPMASTERS. Furthermore, students have direct access to tutors either via email or on the forum when help is required.
Reloop brings back the Mixtape with Reloop Tape!
More news from the BPM Show. Reloop have announced they will bring back the Mixtape. Well kinda! The Reloop Tape is a device for recording your mix quick and fast. Whenever inspiration hits you and you want to record a new live mix to share with friends or promoters online, the Reloop Tape gives you the opportunity. Reloop has created a smart solution to this problem with the launch of TAPE – an easy and secure digital recording USB device with the retro design of the beloved mixtape.
New Sounds and Samples on Sample Saturday
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.
Allen & Heath new firmware for 3 Xone products
Allen & Heath will be releasing new firmware updates for the Xone:DB4 and Xone:DB2 digital FX mixers, and the Xone:K2 MIDI controller. Previewing at the BPM show, the new software provides enhanced FX sections and configuration for the DB4 and DB2 mixers, and greater integration between the DB4 and the K2 controller.
Introducing Vestax Spin2 DJAY Controller
With the BPM Show starting this saturday, the first announcement just rolled in. Vestax will introduce a specifically designed controller for the algoriddim djay software. Spin2 is the world’s first 2-channel DJ controller to directly connect and natively control algoriddim djay for Mac, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch with integrated connections. Spin2 comes with all essential tools to DJ in a simplified layout, and with djay’s seamless integration with iTunes you can easily trigger loops, jump to cue points, add effects, play samples, scratch, beat sync and mix your favourite songs in your music library. Plug in your Mac, iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, launch djay and you’re ready to rock the party!
FabFilter Pro-DS intelligent De-Esser released
FabFilter has released a brand-new addition to its line of professional effect plug-ins: FabFilter Pro-DS, a highly intelligent de-esser plug-in. Featuring ingenious vocal sibilance detection, powerful processing options and insightful metering, truly transparent de-essing becomes effortless with FabFilter Pro-DS.
Something for the weekend: Where Nord Keyboards are born!
Nordkeyboards (Clavia) have posted a cool video of a tour through the Nord Factory. So you could say a tour of the place where the Nords are born. The video shows that all their instruments are built by hand in the Stockholm Factory.
Official: Native Instruments announces TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2
Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2, the world’s first 2+2 control mixer combining the industry’s leading DJ controller design with a high-quality soundcard and a host of new features, all housed inside an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis. New creative features inside the acclaimed TRAKTOR PRO software expand creative possibilities while premium-quality Innofaders™ assure rock-solid dependability when DJing, making KONTROL Z2 the first professional club mixer from Native Instruments.
Loopmasters Guy J. Artist Series Give-Away
We already informed you about the new concept from Loopmasters, their Artist Series. It’s an evolution of the DJ Mixtools series. Now artists release their own music as tracks but also as separate stems and individual samples. This way DJ’s get content for their sets and for example new controllers like the Kontrol F1 from Native Instruments. Perfect content for the Remixdecks in Traktor, we think. The first release in the new Artist Series is the Transitions EP from Guy J. And the cool thing is we are giving away three EP’s!
Pioneer DDJ-SX Video Overview
Yesterday Pioneer launched the DDJ-SX controller. It is the world’s first native controller for the brand new Serato DJ professional software, which launched yesterday as well. The DDJ-SX has been carefully designed and developed in partnership with Serato to deliver intuitive control of the included software’s exciting features. Dedicated buttons and dials give pro-DJs plug-and-play control of Serato’s four decks, up to eight Hot Cues, six samples, and ten high-quality FX Powered by iZotope.
Radial introduces the Q4 class-A parametric equalizer
Radial Engineering Ltd is pleased to announce the Q4, what could very well be the world’s first 100% discrete state-variable class-A parametric equalizer.
Arturia Spark Creative Drum Machine update v1.5 available
As of yesterday, October 2nd, Arturia is shipping their 1.5 update version of the Spark Creative Drummachine. Version 1.5 has several new features like the Tune feature and the added Oberheim SEM V filter and other performance oriented features.