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New Sounds and Samples on Sample Saturday

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.

Behringer XiControl for X32 App Available

Behringer XiControl for X32 App Available

BEHRINGER has today announced the immediate availability of the XiControl iPad App for its flagship X32 Digital Console. The app is a free download from Apple’s App Store and is compatible with all versions of the iPad including the 1, 2 and New iPad. Once installed, the app allows complete mixing control over the X32 Digital Console, opening a world of new possibilities.

Sebatron SMAC – Stereo Musical Audio Compressor Announced

Sebatron SMAC – Stereo Musical Audio Compressor Announced

These days if you’re cutting a record on digital equipment, it’s almost imperative to have some sort of audio compression acting on the signal. Audio compression helps all the dynamic subtleties to be properly boosted as well as maintaining control over fast or sporadic transient spikes. Audio compression can take place at the tracking stage , the mixing stage and then the mastering stage. If valves were used at the tracking stage then indirectly that’s even more compression and if analog tape or tape emulation was used then again that’s more compression. If the sounds were recorded through a speaker , like a guitar amp , then that’s more compression. If it has distortion , then it has a type of compression. If you heard it on radio or television then it has more compression on it . If you heard it online , you most likely heard something compressed…and in different ways.

Brainworx bx_saturator – Gearjunkies Review

Brainworx bx_saturator – Gearjunkies Review

M/S is a stereo technique which is used in almost all of Brainworx (BX) audio plug-ins. The BX saturator is a M/S 2-band saturation tool (4 bands in total). Every band has its own parameters for amount of distortion (called XL), distortion drive, pre/post options as well as saturation compensation settings. In addition you have at a global level a master XL parameter as well a master drive parameter. For both the M and S channels you have two separate crossover selections as well as separate gains. For convenience there is an added mono-maker with a frequency control parameter.

Return of the Turntable – Audio Technica AT-LP1240USB

Return of the Turntable – Audio Technica AT-LP1240USB

Yesterday we came across this news that surprised us, well just a bit. Why? Well, as we live in a time where, especially in the DJ market, devices are going completely digital, a company returns with a device that was on its way out the door. Audio Technica announced this week a new turntable, updated with the latest technology and USB, but still, a turntable. Of course this doesn’t mean that turntables will make a ‘comeback’ in the DJ world but if you want to play with turntables at least you can buy them. Last year Technics stopped producing their SL-1200’s completely, so if you want those you couldn’t even buy them anymore.

Paolo Apollo Negri Talks Waldorf

Paolo Apollo Negri is considered one of the finest Hammond organ players throughout the world, but his love for synthesizers has grown stronger and stronger in his live sects and studio works with The Link Quartet, Wicked Minds, Black Widow, Low Fidelity Jet-Set Orchestra and many others, as well as during his solo career. His last release, “Cobol”, is a synthesizer wonderland, where Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard, with its different type of synthesis, plays a central role, creating spacey landscapes, evocative intros and old fashioned polyphonic analog solos.

Dynaudio Introduces New Main Monitor Solution – M3VE

Dynaudio Introduces New Main Monitor Solution – M3VE

The M3VE main monitoring solution combines world-class driver and cabinet technology from Dynaudio Professional with cutting-edge amplification and signal processing from Lab.gruppen and Lake. M3VE takes monitoring to a whole new level with a significant upgrade from its predecessor – the renowned M3A 3-way monitor. To top it off, the speakers are powered by a four-channel Lab.gruppen PLM10000Q amplifier, using the integrated, active crossover between LF and MF by Lake, while passively filtering the MF/HF cross-over point.

Native Instruments Kontrol F1 – Gearjunkies Review

Native Instruments Kontrol F1 – Gearjunkies Review

It is not quite the secret that Native Instruments stands at the top of the ‘digital dj’ing world’ with their Traktor DJ software. Especially here in Europe they have a firm grip on the market and are the most used DJ software available. However, Serato comes in a strong second and is growing as we speak. Many DJs love the no-nonesens approach of Serato and also the collaboration with Ableton with The Bridge brought a lot of attention to the brand. I have been able to work with this Kontrol F1 for some time now and will give you my findings about this controller. I’ll try to keep it short and concise. However this is more difficult said then done as the Kontrol F1 is such a comprehensive controller / software combination.

Something For The Weekend: Hans Zimmer Talks The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises is currently the biggest film in the world. To score this film German composer Hans Zimmer wired up his beloved Moog Modular and let the vintage oscillators sing. Zimmer’s body of work in the film industry includes such prolific films as Rain Man, Thelma & Louise, and The Lion King. For the past few years Zimmer has been working very closely with Christopher Nolan composing scores for Inception and the Batman trilogy. In this video Hans Zimmer and Richard King discuss the sound design of The Dark Knight Rises, fast forward to 5:12 to hear Zimmer’s thoughts on using a Moog Modular as part of the score.

New Sounds and Samples on Sample Saturday

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.