Latest News & Articles
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.
SPL Passeq now available
SPL announces that their Passeq Analog Code plugin is available now for purchase. The original Passeq hardware is the first passive EQ which provides three separate frequency ranges for both boost and cut stages. One famous, if not the most famous, passive design was the Pulteq EQ from the decades of the 1950’s and 60’s.
de la Mancha releases ClipStar
ClipStar is a soft clipper effect plugin, designed to prevent peaks in a subtler way than hard clipping, increase loudness and add pleasing saturation. Where ClipStar differs from other clippers is that it can leave the low frequencies untouched, where distortion is more evident, and allow a greater boost in gain without noticeably degrading the signal. You can use ClipStar for peak protection, for loudness gain or for sympathetic distortion depending on your mood and the phase of the moon.
IK Multimedia introduces the Authorization Manager
IK Multimedia has completely reworked its registration and authorization system for its entire line of Mac/PC software and plug-ins and is pleased to announce the release of the new Authorization Manager. The Authorization Manager is a standalone application that greatly simplifies the registration and authorization process so users can be up and running with their IK software fast and hassle free.
Geist is FXpansions new sampling instrument
These past weeks FXpansion teased us with some ‘obscure’ videos on this new instrument they were developing. Little later we got a name. They called it Geist. And today the Geist is out the bag! FXpansion is showing Geist in full, it is their new sampling instrument…
Free Maschine update with VST/AU plugin hosting coming soon
With the next update for Native Instruments Maschine (version 1.6) the biggest new feature will be hosting of VST/AU plugins. A feature that has been requested by many users from the start. So with this coming 1.6 update you will allowed to use VST and AU plugins as sound sources and effects in your Maschine project. This includes both the whole NI range of instruments and effects as well as any third-party plugin.
Korg sets the Monotron free for Circuit Bending
By ways of great exception Korg has released the schematics of their little Monotron synthesizer. Allthough this little cuty was being hacked the day it came out, now there is an official schematic to follow. As the Monotron is a complete analog synth it is ideal for ‘circuit bending’.
New USB Audio Interfaces from Tascam available now
Tascam recently released two new USB Audio/Midi interfaces for their US series. The US-800 offers eight inputs and four outputs. Where the US-1800 offers 16 inputs and four outputs.
Reliving the past with the M4000D Digital Mellotron
Watching the video below just took me back in the days instantly. Wow, just check those sounds. Like the Mellotron was never gone! This new digital Mellotron was very well received at the past NAMM 2010. It has been developed by Mellotron and is solely their own product and has nothing to do with any other manufacturer.
MeeBlip – The Hackable Digital Synth
Meet MeeBlip, the hackable digital synth, developed by Peter Kirn (CDM Blog) and James Grahame. MeeBlip is a hackable, affordable digital synthesizer, made for accessible sound and hands-on control. It can be someone’s first synth. It can be a unique-sounding addition to your music setup, playable with MIDI hardware and software. It can be a synth you open up and modify, learning about sound creation, code, and electronics. Or it can be the basis of new projects and ideas.
Lexicon introduces PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle
In a move that brings the sounds of its PCM96 Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor to more users than ever before, Lexicon today announced the introduction of its PCM Native Effects Plug-In Bundle. The new software package makes all the effects processing of Lexicon’s acclaimed PCM96 available as a plug-in that adds a wealth of inspirational new sounds to a user’s DAW that are not available anywhere else.
Strange Agency Curtis just turned 2.0.
Curtis from the Strange Agency is the first granular synthesizer for the iPad. Granular synthesis works by combining many tiny grains of sound from an existing recording, creating new sounds with the texture of the original, now with endless temporal possibilities. Play the sound forward, backward, or even at a single point! Unlike scratching a record, pitch doesn’t depend on how quickly you move through the recording. Try with spoken word, singing, synths. Mangle your recordings or create soft, gentle textures!
Rosegarden 10.10 a.k.a. Betty Prior released
The Rosegarden team is proud to announce the release of version 10.10 of Rosegarden, an audio and MIDI sequencer and musical notation editor for Linux. Rosegarden is a well-rounded audio and MIDI sequencer, score editor, and general-purpose music composition and editing environment. Rosegarden is an easy-to-learn, attractive application that runs on Linux, ideal for composers, musicians, music students, and small studio or home recording environments. This “Betty Prior” version is a significant bug fix release, and they encourage everyone to upgrade as soon as possible.
Available soon – New Grace Design M903 headphone amp
Ten years ago, we launched the model 901 headphone amplifier. 4 years later, the m902, which set the standard for a new category of compact, precision playback tools. Today, Grace Design proudly unveil the m903, which is simply the most refined and feature rich headphone amp, DAC and compact monitor controller available.