Native Instruments launched a limited-time February special on TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 – the highly acclaimed 2+2 channel DJ control mixer. Until February 28, 2014, customers can purchase TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 for $200 / 200 € / ¥ 14,000 / £ 180 off retail value. Normally priced at $799 / 799 € / ¥ 83,800 / £679, TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 is available at the NI Online Shop and retailers worldwide.
Having mixed extensively at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios throughout the 90s, Ben Findlay is primarily a live engineer these days. Having mixed live shows for Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant, Cat Stevens, Sting and other major artists, he clearly enjoys ‘life on the road.’
Following the successful re-launch of the Tracktion Software brand in early 2013, Seattle-based TSC has released Tracktion Version 5 (T5). This eagerly awaited update to the popular recording application combines an intuitive workflow with a ground-breaking feature set at a remarkable price. Beginning on January 23, 2014, Tracktion 5 is now available for download from www.tracktion.com at $29.99 for upgrades or $59.99 for new licenses. The software operates on Mac, PC and Linux systems.
Famed producer/mixer/engineer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Blessthefall, We Came As Romans, Of Mice & Men) has released “Gain Reduction“, a groundbreaking compressor plug-in that puts Joey’s signature vocal production sound in the hands of the masses.
Recently we did the review for the Kickstart Plugin from Nicky Romero and The CableGuys. A nice little plugin we liked. So we thought to look at some more plugins from the CableGuys. This is a german company well known for their plugins volumeshaper, midishaper, filtershaper and the curve2 synth. Today we test the FilterShaper plugin, which is in its third incarnation now and has got some nice tricks up its sleeve.
Loopmasters proudly announce The Ultimate Bundle, a collection of year defining Loops and One Shot samples gathered from bestselling Loopmasters packs of 2013. Featuring a staggering 2013 samples spanning a huge range of styles including House, Techno, Dubstep Electro House, Dub and Reggae, EDM, DnB and more!
Below are some of the new 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.
One of the new products that Arturia introduced at the past NAMM show was the new Spark 2 software engine. Arturia presented a new look, new feel version of the powerful software engine that drives its drum machine-redefining SPARK Creative Drum Machine and SparkLE Creative Drum Machine hybrid hardware/software instruments.
This week we have selected a video from Eclectic Method. In about three minutes he shows us some classic samples and the tracks they’re used in over the years. Eclectic Method (aka Jonny Wilson) started out as a digital outlaw who spliced together music, TV and film and set it to high-energy dance beats. When he started Eclectic Method, he created a project so progressive that the simple tag of VJ would never do.
Image Line have introduced the beta version of their Minihost Modular, which is a modular environment for hosting/interconnecting VST/AU plugins based on a custom modular engine especially developed for this purpose. As a standalone, Minihost Modular can be used as an advanced VST/AU host with modular routing with some sequencing recording/playback capabilities.
Novation is a brand every producer, from bedroom to mastering studio, has heard of or used equipment from. They make absolute outstanding synthesizers, both as hardware or software solutions. Recently they released a few new hardware machines, like the Bass station II, which we reviewed earlier. Novation also released the Mininova synthesizer. A synth that grabbed our interest and we were happy to take a closer look at. Novation Mininova, is it mini or is it big?
Smithson-Martin announced that Emulator Artist, Shane Felton from UK has created an incredible Emulator template for ProTools. They call this ProTools Touch and it can be used on any Windows computer with touchscreen capabilities. An OSX version of this will be available for download shortly.
The video below is a short preview preview of Nektar Panorama products integration with the exciting Bitwig Studio music creation software. Last week we could report already that there was (finally) a date for launch announced for the Bitwig software, March 26th 2014.
Sony have introduced the newest version of their Mac-based audio editing application, Sound Forge Pro Mac 2. New features include in-depth metering utilities, top-tier vocal processing, and the freestanding Convrt™ Batch Processing Automation Tool. Seamless integration with SpectraLayers™ Pro 2 provides the finishing touch, delivering the ultimate in waveform and spectral editing program integration.
On the path to the world premier at Dancefair, in The netherlands on 15 and 16 februari, Roland is releasing more details and videos on the new AIRA Series. Below is part one of the artists interviews on the the TR-808 drum machine.