Latest News & Articles
ESI introduces new Aktiv studio monitors
Off the back of their higher end UniK series delivered earlier this year, ESI has announced the release of a new line of affordable studio reference monitors – the Aktiv 05 and Aktiv 08.
New firmware with HUI support for A&H GS-R24
Allen & Heath has released a major firmware and driver update for its acclaimed recording console, the GS-R24. The new firmware includes integrated support of the HUI protocol for direct integration with DAW applications with HUI MIDI control presets, such as ProTools and Reaper, and users also benefit from a range of enhancements to the FireWire interface driver.
Apple OS X Mountain Lion Available Now
Apple today announced that OS X® Mountain Lion, the ninth major release of the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, is available as a download from the Mac® App Store℠. With more than 200 innovative new features, Mountain Lion includes iCloud® integration, the all new Messages app, Notification Center, system-wide Sharing, Facebook integration*, Dictation, AirPlay® Mirroring and Game Center. Mountain Lion is available as an upgrade from Lion or Snow Leopard for $19.99.
Karma-Lab releases KARMA for Yamaha Motif
Karma-Lab has released KARMA Motif Software, a dedicated PC/Mac program for the Yamaha Motif XS and XF (US $199). This brand-new entry in their line of software applications brings the award-winning and patented KARMA algorithmic music technology (previously only available for Korg workstations) to the Yamaha Motif, giving it new interactive groove generation and arranger-like capabilities.
Sugar Bytes Turnado 1.5 Update Released
Since it’s launch in the last year, Turnado has been helping musicians and producers push their sound in new directions. The world renowned beat-boxer and vocalist Beardyman is among them and we’ve been working together with him to bring you this exciting and powerful update. Turnado 1.5 brings you a set of brand new features that have been designed, in collaboration with Beardyman, to improve the live improvisation capabilities of Turnado on stage, and in the studio. Furthermore, Turnado 1.5 supports the new ProTools AAX plugin interface.
Kemper Profiling Amps – Artist talk with Andy Sneap
Andy Sneap is one of the go to producers for modern metal productions. Kemper Profiling Amps caught Andy right after the production of the current Testament Album “Dark roots of earth!” He shares with us how the “Profiler” did work for him since he discovered it in September 2011. Thanks to Andy Jones and Oz Owen for shooting and editing this for Skating Dog Productions!
The Dark Zebra – Special Soundset for U-He Zebra 2.5
A bank of over 400 presets, a collaboration between Hans Zimmer and Howard Scarr. Practically all Zebra sounds in the The Dark Knight as well as The Dark Knight Rises soundtracks are included, plus several more that didn’t quite fit into the scores. Furthermore, the pack includes Hans’ custom built version of Zebra, dubbed ZebraHZ. Many of the more recent patches make use of the extra features available in ZebraHZ.
Native Instruments RAW VOLTAGE Maschine Expansion Introduced
Native Instruments today introduced RAW VOLTAGE, a new MASCHINE Expansion which captures the sound of a huge modular synthesizer system. For instant use with MASCHINE or MASCHINE MIKRO, RAW VOLTAGE contains kits, instruments and patterns that share the unique, rich and organic sound characteristics of analog synthesis.
XILS-lab Oxium performance soft synth plug-in available now
Oxium is a unique, yet cost-conscious (€99.00 EURO/$129.00 USD) performance-orientated soft synth plug-in, adept at giving equal billing to still-sought-after classic analogue sounds and more adventurous modernistic tones.
Free Food from iZotope for Iris!
iZotope have just released a free sound library for Iris Synthesizer plugin. Food celebrates the longstanding sound design tradition of using edible items for sonic inspiration. Sourced from a diverse range of delicious samples, Food transforms creative kitchen commotion into rich sonic ingredients, perfect for cooking up your own audio adventures.
TK Audio introduces TK-Lizer – The Tone Shaper
The new TK-lizer is a Baxandall type of EQ, high and low bands are selectable between shelving or bell, very useful for fine tuning of your low’s, mid’s and high’s. The EQ also has a built in M/S function which lets you process the mid and side signals separately. You can also affect the stereo width of your music by using the level controls in M/S mode. The three bands are based on the legendary Baxandall circuit from the 50’s.
Official Release Date Ohmstudio and Pricing Available
Ohm Studio, the first full-featured DAW for real-time online music production, has been in open beta since the end of May. It now features 14K users who created 21K projects – some solo, others collaborating with partners, and some others taking part in definitively fun public jam at weekly events. More importantly, the overall quality of the projects is pretty stunning and the Ohm Force team witnessed live how fast tracks were recorded and put up together, thanks to effective real-time collaboration.
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.
The Denon SC2900 We Got Him!
Last week we where in Madrid to get the first look on the new Denon SC2900 multi media player. And today it arrived at the Gearjunkies TechLab! Review will be online soon!
Mostly Robot: Behind the Scenes of Sonar 2012
Native Instruments today presented a brand-new video of Mostly Robot, the all-star band made up of five exceptional artists: Jamie Lidell, Tim Exile, Jeremy Ellis, Mr Jimmy and DJ Shiftee. Conceived by Native Instruments and utilizing an advanced array of NI hardware and software, Mostly Robot played their debut performance at this year’s Sónar Festival in Barcelona to great acclaim. This new video covers both the actual performance and preparation of the show, blending interviews with exclusive backstage and performance material, and giving viewers the opportunity to witness the birth of this modern supergroup firsthand.