Latest News & Articles
TC Electronic announces the PowerCore PCI mkII
With a potent combination of 14 state-of-the-art processing plug-ins and 4 x 150 mHz DSPs, the new blue colored PCI card is the obvious choice for any professional sound engineer with a VST, AU or RTAS* compatible audio system. The plug-in bundle that comes with PCI mkII, contains the same 14 plug-ins as the PowerCore FireWire, and the whole package will be shipping in May 2005 at EUR 1140 retail ex. VAT.
PowerCore PCI mkII is designed for professional audio tasks, and with the included and optional plug-ins it can be optimized for a variety of applications such as mastering, vocal processing and sound design. Included plug-ins are: Classic Verb, Mega Reverb, Chorus?delay, EQSat Custom, Vintage CL, 24/7 C, Voice Strip, PowerCore 01, Tubifex, Master X3, Filtroid, Character™, Dynamic EQ, and DeNoise.
Cakewalk releases Project 5 Version 2
Project5 Version 2 has been streamlined to put the features you need most —and larger than life sounds —easily in view and right at your fingertips. Project5 delivers the solid real-time performance, stability, and ease of use of traditional hardware music workstations—but, with the additional power, flexibility, and portability of PC software. Project5 Version 2 includes a complete set of superb quality instruments and effects; powerful recording, looping, sequencing, and arranging tools; dynamic creation tools; and is the ultimate open synth host available.’
“Music technology has evolved rapidly, making possible new forms of inspiration and creativity,” commented Greg Hendershott, Cakewalk Founder and CEO. “So we took a clean sheet of paper, challenged all the old assumptions, and went to work to create a product that would change how people create and perform music. Our guiding principle for this product is ‘Music.Inspired’. Project5 Version 2 blurs the boundary between studio and stage, allowing you to capture the moment as it happens.”
Steinberg presents the Grand 2
Steinberg today announced the much-anticipated update to its The Grand virtual concert grand piano product. The Grand 2 features an entirely new added grand piano, surround capabilities as well as a range of features designed to maximise computer resource efficiency.
Building on the acclaimed The Grand VSTi, the new version offers numerous new features and capabilities. The Grand 2 features an entire, new grand piano model, painstakingly sampled from a real concert grand made by one of the world’s leading manufacturers. Users can easily switch between the two models with only a single mouse click. Added key click and pedal sounds as well as hammer samples further increase the level of realism offered. The unique new four-channel surround implementation allows The Grand 2 to be placed anywhere inside a virtual room, with the position adjustable from directly within the VSTi’s user interface.
Native Instruments present major updates en new products
With the 2005 MusikMesse starting today Native Instruments presented some major updates and new products. Like we reported before NI released Reaktor 5 today. But that is not all. GUITAR COMBOS also received a great deal of attention. Based on GUITAR RIG’s award-winning technology, they emulate three legendary guitar combos with stunning authenticity and are particularly easy to use. Some 4500 excellent drum samples, spread over 36 unique drum kits were also released in the form of SYNTHETIC DRUMS 2. A long line-up of famed artists produced this sample library, ensuring a distinctive flavour. Of course all the recent NI releases were also featured, with a special emphasis on KONTAKT 2 and ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS 2 XT.
Update Logic 7.1. kit available
Logic Pro 7 to Logic Pro 7.1 Upgrade Kit – Upgrade your Logic Pro 7.0 to version 7.1 and take advantage of full native plug-in delay compensation, expanded Apple Loops integration, new Bass Amp and hybrid synthesizer plug-ins, easy re-ordering of plug-ins, and more.
The Logic Pro 7.1 update adds a generous collection of new features and sought after enhancements such as full native plug-in delay compensation and over 70 new key commands. It provides greater facility for creating and managing Apple Loops and a convenient new method for re-ordering Channel Strip plug-in configurations. Logic Pro 7.1 further extends the creative options with 5 new plug-ins including a Bass Amp and two hybrid synthesizers. The update is rounded out by a host of optimizations and refinements that significantly improve the performance and stability of both Logic Pro and the included, updated version of Waveburner.
TerraTec Producer has announced Komplexer
TerraTec Producer has announced Komplexer, a new VSTi plug-in for Windows that offers both virtual analog synthesis and wavetable synthesis.
Komplexer has eight macro controllers onboard and features three oscillators, two multi-mode filters, four ADSDSR envelopes, three LFOs, and includes the ability to import Waldorf microQ sounds.
Using the macro controllers, presets can be modified to suit every taste using just eight parameters. Of course, this VST instrument also affords users unrestricted access to all of the sophisticated synthesis engine’s 400 parameters. Features such as the arpeggiator and LFO 3’s synchronizable user-specific waveform serve to create striking soundscapes that adapt automatically to the given song tempo. The integrated vocoder lets conjure compelling vocal effects.
IK Multimedia announces CSR-1 Reverb plug-in
IK Multimedia is proud to present CSR-1: Classik Studio Reverb, a suite of various reverbs modeled after classic high end studio reverb hardware masterpieces. While impulse reverbs have gained a lot of popularity because of their particular emulation of environment reverberation, they typically lack the particular musical sound and editing possibilities that famous studio digital reverbs have always offered. As an alternative or additional virtual studio tool, high quality algorithmbased reverbs like CSR-1 are designed to get the maximum musicality and a sound that top engineers have made hit records with for years. CSR-1 offers a suite of reverbs that are modeled to the sound of popular classic reverbs with the advantage of full editing control to perfectly fit any musical need. An high quality, musical reverb processor with flexibility previously available only in high-end, signature hardware reverb processors.
NI releases Reaktor 5
Reaktor 5 Unveiled at Musikmesse – Reaktor 5 is the next generation of the modular sound design studio that fuses synthesis, sampling and effects. The latest version introduces the new “Reaktor Core Technology”, resulting in a major technology leap that dramatically widens the scope of Reaktor-based instrument design. With a massive instrument library, powerful new routing options, vastly expanded panel design options, a revised user interface and a host of other improvements, the new version of Reaktor is more than ever an unlimited creative resource for musicians and producers as well as a an open-ended tool for forward-thinking instrument designers.
Steinberg releases ASIO 2.1
Steinberg today announced the release of a new version of its world standard ASIO protocol: ASIO 2.1. The latest version of the Audio Stream Input Output now offers support for the DSD format. The SDK for the new version is now available for download from www.steinberg.net.
Following from an intense technological cooperation with Sony, Steinberg has updated its ASIO protocol to support the Direct Stream Digital standard. ASIO 2.1 allows the transport of DSD format audio between audio applications and hardware that support the standard. “At Steinberg we are firmly committed to developing open and inclusive audio technologies,” states Claus Menke, Steinberg’s Head of Product Management. “DSD support within ASIO opens up new possibilities for audio application and hardware manufacturers to include DSD in their products.”
DSD forms the technological backbone of SACD, or Super Audio Compact Disc, a high-resolution, surround-capable audio medium. About ASIO, Steinberg’s Low Latency, High Performance Audio Standard.
The Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) architecture forms the backbone of Steinberg’s Virtual Studio Technology. ASIO supports variable bit depths and sample rates, multi-channel operation and synchronization. The user gets low latency, high performance, easy set up and stable audio recording within VST. The entire system becomes controllable and offers complete and immediate access to the audio system’s capabilities. Since its introduction, ASIO has become a supported standard by many leading audio hardware manufacturers – for good reason.
MusikMesse has started today!
This morning the Franfurter Messe opened its doors for the 2005 MusikMesse Show. Gearjunkies has send two reporters to Frankfurt to keep you up to date with the latest (new) products and trends in the music \’gear\’ industry! We will be reporting from the Messe on a daily basis. So best is to check out our site as often as possible. Click on the RED MusikMesse banner at the top of this website and you will get all the news instantly.
Virsyn announces the new CUBE 2
With the upcoming MusikMesse in Frankfurt we expect Virsyn to present their new CUBE 2 Spectral morphing resynthesizer. With the upcoming release of CUBE 2 the award winning additive synthesizer CUBE opens an exciting new world of sound design: take your samples as base material and shape them into an entire new instrument by modifying the spectral evolution of it’s sound characteristic with simple painting operations. The exceptional resynthesis quality of CUBE 2 let you manipulate your samples in ways no sampler can ever dream of.
Legendary Audio releases The Masterpiece!
Legendary Audio announces the worldwide launch of its aptly-named Masterpiece analog mastering system. Conceived by veteran mastering engineer Billy Stull, with all circuitry designed by audio legend Rupert Neve, the Masterpiece is simply the most comprehensive and unique analog mastering processor available today.
Nearly three years in the making, the product is a 6U frame equipped with eight vertically-oriented filter modules that are reminiscent of vintage Neve designs. In the Masterpiece’s standard configuration, these modules are comprised of four stereo pairs collectively offering a wide palette of sonic amenities, including precision peak and shelving equalizers, a full-featured dynamics section, highly authentic tape texture (thanks to a real tape drive circuit), incremental phase rotation and various classic audio functions.
Although many of the modules’ topologies are based upon older designs, every circuit was meticulously updated to attain the highest modern specifications. “By reworking the ICs, transformers and such we’ve really coaxed a lovely sound out of this box,” says Neve. “In many respects, the Masterpiece reminds me of the famous consoles I made for George Martin in the late ’70s and I’m very pleased with the pristine audio quality we’ve managed to achieve with it.”
Technosaurus announces the Effexon
Technosaurus is pleased to present the latest unit of our Small Monster Series: The Effexon.
Stanton announces 4 new CD players
Whether you want a tabletop CD player with vinyl control or the sleek form of a dual rackmount player, Stanton has the bases covered with the new C-Series.
Genoqs designed a new style MIDI Sequencer
Instrumental MIDI Sequencer designed to transpose prototypical features
of traditional musical instruments to the realm of electronic music.