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Cakewalk Releases Sonar 4! "Cakewalk, developer of the world's best-selling music and sound software for Windows-based PCs, is pleased to announce the release of SONAR 4 Producer Edition and Studio Edition.SONAR Producer Edition has a well-earned reputation for delivering powerful production tools in a fast, streamlined user interface. With new version 4, Cakewalk has added powerful recording, editing, comping and navigation tools that optimize workflow for today's professional. In addition, version 4 combines innovative surround and AV capabilities along with precise engineering tools, making SONAR 4 Producer Edition the definitive audio production environment on the Windows platform. SONAR 4 Studio Edition is a special version of SONAR 4 designed for project studios and aspiring professionals. Studio Edition is built upon the same core engine and feature set of SONAR 4 Producer Edition. NOTE: SONAR 4 Studio Edition does not have the following features found in SONAR 4 Producer Edition: surround mixing and editing, Lexicon Pantheon Surround Reverb, Sonitus Surround Compressor, Sonitus:fx Suite, enhanced mixing console with assignable fx controls and per-channel EQ, Video Thumbnail track, POW-r Dithering, MPEX Time Scaling." Click here for more information. |
New Book - Power Tools: Software for Loop Music "Power Tools: Software for Loops focuses on creating music using samples and loops via popular software tools such as Sonic Foundry's Acid, Ableton Live, and Apple's Soundtrack. The book also covers technical issues specific to sample-based music, such as selecting soundware libraries and sample clearance, as well as mixing, processing, and editing techniques. Finally, the book explores specifics of performing live with these tools, using a laptop or portable computer rig. The accompanying CD-ROM includes free sampled loops and trial versions of software referred to in the text.This book also covers technical issues specific to sample-based music, such as selecting soundware libraries and sample clearance, as well as mixing, processing, and editing techniques. Learn about Ableton Live from someone who uses it professionally in a variety of applications. Learn about mixing and effects processing from a veteran producer. Learn alternatives to the expensive and often messy process of sampling commercially released records. Sampling is arguably one of the most important developments in popular music creation over the past twenty years, yet there aren't many resources that cover the newest software applications that make this type of production accessible to both pros and beginners. This book covers these concepts in an easy to understand manner." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from LinPlug, Cakewalk, Elemental Audio, Native Instruments, Hard Note Software, and Wusik.com in News. |
Finale 2005 "MakeMusic announced the release of its much-anticipated Finale(R) 2005 music notation software for Macintosh(R) and Windows(R) computers. The latest upgrade to the Company's award-winning music notation software offers a variety of powerful and timesaving new features for educators, students, composers and publishers. Exclusive New Features: * Finale Performance Assessment * Engraver Tuplets * Create SmartMusic Accompaniments * Row-Loff Marching Percussion Sounds * Human Playback(TM) Enhancements * Macintosh/Windows on a single CD together * Intelligent repeats, grace note and other music-spacing improvements, expanded Setup Wizard, new TG Tools plug-ins, transportable staff lists, the ability to record continuous data in HyperScribe(R), and third-party sound font support are among the many other new features. "SmartMusic technology has enabled us to give Finale 2005 a breakthrough education feature with its new Finale Performance Assessment," stated John Paulson, MakeMusic! President. "Teachers can now notate difficult passages from their band literature and make them into assessable and recordable assignments for their students. Students download the free FPA software, and then practice the assignments with special practice tools including a tuner, fingering charts, practice loops and more. Even before the first band rehearsal of the piece, the teacher can receive an FPA grade and recording of every individual student's competency and progress with the difficult passages." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Spin Audio, ProSounds, Native Instruments, Digital Audio Wave, Sibelius, DrumCore, Luxonix, Hartmann, and Riff Interactive in News. |
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MusicLab's MIDIoverLAN CP "Using computers in musical studio has become very common. Now computers not only work as sequencing equipment, but also as multi-track digital audio workstations. In modern studio environment a whole lot of computers may be networked locally so that among the other things they can share MIDI data, which makes use of MIDI cables and hardware MIDI interfaces unnecessary. Not only does such a local network (LAN) reduce the necesity of using external MIDI hardware, but it may also drastically increase the effeciency and flexibility of such a multi-computer studio. We have been working hard to make our MIDIoverLAN communicate not only between several MIDI apps on a single machine, but between those on several computers, which finally led us to creating a new enhanced version of MIDIoverLAN. It's now called MIDIoverLAN CP - our MIDI cross-platform solution for communication between MIDI applications both local and over network. Why cross-platform? MIDIoverLAN CP communicates not only PC computers. Our new solution can now communicate PC and Mac computers into unified MIDI network. Ever wished to flow MIDI stream over the local network without torturous setups of MIDI interfaces and cables? Want to get a fast MIDI connection between different applications in your computer? We are proud to announce MusicLab MIDIoverLAN CP - cross-platform solution for these problems." Click here for more information and to get MIDIoverLAN CP for a special 10% off!. Also, new announcements from Applied Acoustics Systems, Zero-G, MOTU, Voxengo, M-Audio, and Wave Arts in News. |
Steinberg Announces Cubase SX3! "Cubase SX3 offers stunning new facilities for composition and songwriting. Audio Warp, a real-time time stretching and pitch shifting tool, offers new audio and processing capabilities, including ACID(r) file support. Combined with the new Play Order Track, an innovative new tool for pattern-style composition, Cubase SX3 offers a fresh approach to loop-based composing and arranging. The new Inplace Editing system allows convenient editing of MIDI data directly within the Project Window in context with audio and video data.Workflow efficiency and user ergonomics are an increasingly important part of the software DAW environment. Cubase SX3 users can utilize the new user-definable workspaces to create virtual desktops, with a separate work area for each step of the production process, and switch between them with a key command. The Freeze functionality introduced in Cubase SX 2.0 to free up CPU resources in the host computer has also been extended to include audio tracks and insert effects, and is now faster and more effective. Easy and flexible integration of external hardware within the modern DAW environment has become paramount to many recording facilities and project studios. Cubase SX3 sports new MIDI Device Maps and panels that allow direct, user-customizable access to outboard MIDI hardware such as synthesizers. The External FX Plug-ins allow direct integration of external effect processors such as reverbs and compressors into the VST mixing environment. Now top class outboard hardware can now be integrated into the mixing process as easily as software Plug-ins, including automatic latency compensation." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Wave Arts, Electronisounds, Wusik Dot Com, LinPlug, Synapse Audio, Native Instruments, and Drums On Demand in News. |
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Cakewalk Announces Sonar 4!"SONAR Producer Edition has a well-earned reputation for delivering powerful production tools in a fast, streamlined user interface. With SONAR 4, Cakewalk has added powerful new recording, editing, comping and navigation tools that optimize workflow for today's professional. In addition, version 4 combines innovative surround and AV capabilities along with precise engineering tools. SONAR 4 Producer Edition is the perfect solution for composing, recording, editing, mixing, and remixing music productions; and for providing voice over, score, sound design and post audio for film, TV, video, commercials, and games. With its open support for industry standard technologies and hardware, the scalability of a native processing system, and virtually unlimited software capabilities, SONAR 4 Producer Edition represents the definitive audio production environment on the Windows platform." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Groove Monkey, Voxengo, Blue Sky, Riff Interactive, Waves, Native Instruments, Yamaha, and Arturia in News. |
Smart Loops' Pro Drum Works - $60 off! "Pro Drum Works Volume One is the ultimate audio loop library for recording musicians and producers. With Pro Drum Works, you can quickly create realistic, professional-quality drum tracks for virtually any rock, pop or country song. Simply copy and paste the loops as is into your ACID-compatible music software, or mix and match loops to create millions of possible drum tracks.Pro Drum Works is organized into three separate Drum Kits: Acoustic Kit, Thunder Kit, and Trap Kit. You get over 3,000 unique grooves and fills, each performed on all three Kits, for a total of over 9,000 loops and samples.Each Drum Kit provides a distinctive sound best suited for particular musical styles. Some highlights: - Extensive, 6 CD drum loop library of the world’s most popular rock and pop grooves, with hundreds of variations - Over 3,000 unique grooves and fills, performed on three different drum kits, for a total of over 9,000 loops - Includes 3 complete Drum Kits, each on 2 CDs: Acoustic Kit, Thunder Kit, and Trap Kit - Use with ACID, SONAR, Cakewalk Home Studio and any other ACID-compatible music software - Use grooves as is, or mix and match to create an unlimited number of possible drum tracks - Includes loops for pickups, intros, fills, verses, choruses, bridge sections, and endings - Includes individual “one shot” samples at multiple velocities for each drum and cymbal This professional loop library normally sells for $249.00. But all DigiFreq visitors can now get it for only $189.00! That's $60 off! But hurry, because this offer ends on September 30th. Just enter this coupon code on the payment page during checkout: Digifreqpdw Click here for more information and to order your copy of Pro Drum Works today! Bonus: Free shipping within the USA! Also, new announcements from MusicWorks, Intermedia Design, Native Instruments, SoundTrek, NUSofting, Sonicbytes, and Riff Interactive in News. |
New Book: Using Adobe Audition "Finish your video and multimedia projects with compelling audio tracks. From the first recording to the final mix or encode, this guide to Audition 1.5 delivers the working knowledge you need to master the aural aspects of your project. Beginning with an accessible review of the essentials of audio production you get practical examples and tutorials that demonstrate all the techniques you need-whether you are adding narration, getting out the hum, fitting the music key to your singer's range or using loops to create custom, royalty-free, music tracks.Create tracks with the confidence that you have practical training. Author Ron Dabbs is a seasoned pro with 30 years of diverse experience. You get step-by-step instruction on how to record sound, edit, use loops, mix and everything in between including how to: · Install Audition and optimize the system for peak performance · Navigate and customize the interface · Apply basic recording and miking techniques · Edit, add effects, and assemble tracks · Use multitrack recording, MIDI files, and ReWire, to enhance tracks · Analyze audio content to identify and resolve problems · Mix and master for Compact Disc and Surround Sound Optimize your tools. Audition offers unparalleled integration with other Adobe applications. Speed your production with the use of application options, scripting, shortcuts, workflow-integration techniques, and SMPTE synchronization. The companion CD includes demos of music loop libraries, third-party DirectX and VST plug-ins, filters, encoding software, utilities, and other resources that will help you crank up the volume." Click here for more information. |
Ableton Live 4 "In Live 4, users will find a complete and inspiring approach to MIDI sequencing, pattern recording, drag-and-drop sampling, virtual instruments and MIDI hardware support. Ableton has also made substantial extensions and enhancements to existing functionality, including such features as swing/groove for audio and MIDI clips, a powerful new channel-routing scheme, simplified recording, sample reverse, and several exciting new creative options for the Session View.MIDI sequencing in Live has been designed to get the user started within seconds. Software instruments appear in Live's built-in Browser. Dragging an instrument from the Browser into the mixer creates a MIDI track containing that instrument, ready to play and record. MIDI effects and audio effects can instantly be inserted into the same track by dragging, with no need for menus or abstract routing concepts. The signal flow within the track is intuitively set up by drag and drop. The Track View provides instant access to all instrument and effects controls. Live 4 also includes the 'Simpler' sampling instrument, which allows for instant sampling, polyphonic playback and creative exploration of any sound dragged into its display. 'Impulse' is a polyphonic percussion sampler with drag-and-drop sample import and powerful and innovative sound-shaping controls. In addition, Live hosts any VST or Audio Units (Mac OS X only) plug-in instruments. MIDI tracks with no software instrument can deliver MIDI to external hardware synthesizers, ReWire client programs or other MIDI tracks in Live. Live 4 also includes 5 MIDI effects. The ‘Scale' effect, for instance, forces incoming notes onto a chosen musical scale and fits well with 'Random,' which creates random deviations in note pitch." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Native Instruments, Samson, Alesis, Line 6, Korg, Mel Bay, Sennheiser, Voxengo, and FX-Max.com in News. |
Off Topic: FaceFilter Studio - Fix Your Portrait Photos Yes, I know this has nothing to do with music, but as musicians we're all creative types, right? I figure there must be a few musicians out there who are into photography and I thought I would pass along this info... "Digital photography has given us unlimited resources by which to try and capture that elusive perfect portrait. But try as we might, most portraits are never perfect. There are usually slight imperfections that we wish could be easily changed. Luckily, along with digital photography has come digital photo enhancement software. Most software of this kind can change color tones, remove red eye, etc, but now there is a product that can actually change facial expressions and much more. It’s FaceFilter Studio from Reallusion.With FaceFilter Studio's unique facial improvement technology, anyone can enhance expressions, reduce oily gloss, neutralize heavy shadow, remove facial blemishes, wrinkles and red-eye, enhance skin tone and automatically correct color in digital photos. The image editing tools of FaceFilter Studio are so complete, you can even use a "digital brush" to remove unwanted pounds from those you photograph. FaceFilter Studio also provides a greater degree of improvements to today's higher resolution digital cameras, supporting images up to 12 mega pixels in resolution. FaceFilter Studio also offers automatic sensing of a subject's facial features, removing the need of "fitting" the facial feature. FaceFilter Studio is perfect for individual images as well as group photos, allowing similar enhancements or corrections to be applied to multiple subjects from a clipboard. Improvements to your digital images now take only minutes and give you professional results every time. Are these claims true? I’m happy to report that yes they are true!" Click here for more information. |
Cycling '74 Releases Max/MSP 4.5 "Cycling '74 has released Max/MSP 4.5. This is the first major upgrade to Max/MSP in several years, available for both Mac OS X and Windows XP. New DSP functions: Mastering quality single and multi-band dynamics objects using OctiMax technology for compression, expansion, limiting, and noise gating. Also comes with a complete dynamics tutorial to help the novice learn more about the subtle details of dynamics processing.User Interface: All in one spectral display with spectroscope; Edit multiple filters simultaneously using one filtergraph, or view and edit filter coeffecients on the z-plane with zplane; Imageburgers allow the use of images in place of objects/subpatchers as visual mnemonics. Patcher Attributes: Patcher attributes (pattr) provide a more effective, efficient, and integrated means to handle state management tasks than previously possible in Max. Programming Languages: Extending the functions of Max with text based code has never been easier, now with support for Javascript, Java, and Mach-O support for C developers. Not only does this make programmers lives easier, but non-programmer users have access to an even wider range of possibilities in Max. Several Javascript and Java examples/objects are included that non-programmers will find useful in every day Maxing." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Arboretum, Yamaha, Voxengo, Alienware, Kjaerhus Audio, M-Audio, and Artificial Ear in News. |
Instant Sound Forge "The third book in CMP's new V.A.S.S.T. series produced in cooperation with the Sundance Media Group, Instant Sound Forge is a general guide to the operation of the application and a graphic "cookbook" of specific techniques for using Sound Forge to fix (hide mistakes) and sweeten (improve) audio.Sony's Sound Forge is a powerful mono and stereo digital audio recorder and editor that beginners and professionals use for audio production of radio, TV, music, video, animation, Web design, and multimedia. Novices can quickly achieve great results by gaining command of the basic recording and editing functions, while professionals will learn how to use the application's more sophisticated tools, advanced features, and shortcuts to streamline their workflow and achieve new audio heights." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from PG Music, Native Instruments, Wizoo, Spin Audio, and Yowstar in News. |
FXpansion's BFD XFL Expansion Pack "BFD XFL is the first add-on pack for FXpansion's BFD premium acoustic software drum module, expanding and intensifying the BFD system. BFD XFL's 5 DVDs arm you with 22GB of hyper-detailed drum components, all recorded with the same top-end studio gear and microphones as the original. BFD XFL revisits Eldorado Studio to give you the same lush ambience that gave BFD its unique, authentic character.BFD XFL expands upon the sonic possibilities of the original BFD by providing a broader range of Kit-Pieces, some struck with brushes and mallets, toms with damping tape on the skins, and a kick with a felt beater. The cymbal collection is diversified with splashes, chinas and accents, while all rides include bell samples. BFD XFL also gives you a selection of kit-oriented percussion hits, including cowbells, jamblocks, tambourines, and even handclaps and fingersnaps. BFD XFL brings you closer to assembling your dream kit, by providing a range of exclusive and unique Kit-Pieces. A variety of hard-to-find snares are supplied, such as a Pearl Chad Smith signature and a vintage 1940s WFL Ludwig dual strainer. A huge selection of rare and desirable cymbals are featured, including an antique Bosphorus ride with rivets, and many artist stock prototype rides and crashes." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Mackie, K-Sounds, e-Lab, PreSonus, AudioEase, Native Instruments, and Voxengo in News. |
Sonar Insider: Turbocharge Your Sonar Experience "If you’re a sonar user, this is the book you’ve been waiting for. Regardless of your level of experience, these tips and techniques — from one of the world’s leading authorities on musical technology — will improve your music-making, streamline your work flow, and put you in control of the power this program offers.Presented in an easy-to-read, technically-savvy manner and packaged with illustrations, the Sonar Insider isn’t just a rewrite of the manual. It represents the knowledge gained through years of experience working with this popular program. Get the most out of your musical potential. Streamline the recording, editing, and mixing experience. And gain a competitive edge with these expert tips Written by industry expert, Craig Anderton." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Innovative Music Systems, Jasmine Music Technology, FMJ-Software, Minnetonka, Voxengo, Soundart, Genelec, Levelground Media, Celemony, TerraTec, and Beta Monkey Music in News. |
Vocaloid Miriam "MIRIAM is a virtual female vocalist modelled on the voice of Miriam Stockley, and when MIRIAM is installed into your PC you will literally be able to create singing of superb quality and realism. MIRIAM can sing ANY words you wish in English - literally anything - be they beautiful lyrics or comical trivialities, Monteverdi madrigals or manic chants. You can create vocal tracks in almost any style of singing, with any lyrics you want. You just enter the melodies, type in the lyrics, and synthesize.With VOCALOID, creating your own professional sounding backing vocals is quick and easy - even for complex harmonies and arrangements. And as you develop your VOCALOID editing skills, you will find that even lead vocal lines become a reality, thanks to the arsenal of expression tools provided, which permit manipulation of the finest nuances. In addition to singing any words or combination of syllables you can imagine, MIRIAM will spread any sustained vowel (or voiced consonant) across as many notes as you like, with perfect legato. You can select from several different natural vibrato types and drag and drop your chosen type to any note or notes, and control the time-position and amount of the vibrato for superb expressiveness and realism." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from FX-MAX, Mystik Media, ARTURIA, E-mu, Ableton, Camel Audio, and Cakewalk in News. |
Drums On Demand Vol. 3: Upbeat & Aggressive "Great for several music genres, Drums On Demand's new "Upbeat & Aggressive" is a 2-CD set featuring 1,700 royalty free loops, Loop Layers™ and matching single hits in 25 easy-to-use Song Sets. Users simply drag and drop from an average of 45 modular verse, chorus, fill, bridge, break, intro, ending and other loops to to quickly build a drum track that feels and sounds like a live session drummer with a veteran engineer at the console.To further enhance creativity and control, nearly 250 Loop Layers™ are also included. Simply put, Loop Layers™ are isolated and separated kick, snare, rim, hat and ride loop patterns (based on the major grooves in a Song Set) that allow you to create and mix your own multichannel groove loops, breakdowns and sparser elements you might need. Each Song Set includes an average of 11 Loop Layers™, 237 in total. And with some editing, the possibilities are almost endless. When combined with the other loops and single hits in a Song Set, Drums On Demand provides a kind of control never before available with stereo loops. The matching sets of single hits (more than 500 in all ) include 3-velocities of Kick, Snare, Closed Hat, Hi-Tom, Middle-Tom, Low-Tom. Plus, single-velocity open hat and rim/side stick. There are also 40+ megs of crashes, rides and other cymbals that work within all Song Sets." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Sound Quest, Sonicbytes, buro, Wusik.com, Alien Apparatus, and Down Stage Designs in News. |
Magix Audio Cleaning Lab 2005 "MAGIX, the worldwide leader in music and video editing software, announced MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2005, the perfect solution for cleaning and burning favorite analog and digital music and audio from a variety of sources, including LPs and cassettes, downloaded MP3 music, and soundtracks from old VHS tapes. MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2005 combines a sophisticated CD and DVD burning engine with exclusive MAGIX advanced pro audio technology to deliver the ideal music burning utility. It takes music from any source and improves it by removing unwanted noise, enhancing for sharpened fidelity and clarity, and adding special effects like 3D sound for an incredible listening experience.Priced at only $39.99, MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2005 eliminates unwanted hisses, clicks and scratches from old recordings and home videos. The professional tools in MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2005 remove the guesswork -- making high quality audio restoration, sound optimization, digital re-mastering, and CD and DVD burning easy and accessible to anyone. This flexible program allows as much control as the user desires, from fully-automatic for fast, effortless results to complete manual control for customized sound. MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab 2005 offers automatic cleaning and re-mastering wizards that detect unwanted noise while effortlessly optimizing sound quality. Presets for correcting common problems, such as clicking sounds on old, dusty LPs or the annoying tape noise heard in frequently-played cassettes, make restoring any music collection quick and easy. Simply select a track and a cleaning or re-mastering problem preset from the drop-down menu. These presets can even be customized and saved for batch-processing future projects, or the manual draw mode can be used for more detailed removal of individual scratches." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Kjaerhus Audio, Magix, Soundart, Mackie, Cycling '74, Camel Audio, and Steinberg in News. |
VirSyn CANTOR Vocal Synthesizer "The human voice is the most sophisticated and versatile instrument used in musical expression. With CANTOR an exciting new era of realtime vocal synthesis begins right now. Imaging entering your lyrics in plain english and then “sing” your lyrics instantly just by playing the melody on your MIDI Keyboard. Add realistic expression with realtime parameters controlling vibrato rate and depth or changing the character of the singing voice from female to male.But CANTOR even goes beyond creating realistic “human” singers. Many parameters have no relation to human vocals like “Metallize” which turns your virtual singer more into a singing Gong... The voice editor allows you to edit the character of your virtual singer by defining the base spectrum for vowels and consonants. For those of you ever wanting to create your own alien language the Phoneme editor gives you full access to the atoms of the vocal synthesis engine. With this editor you can define the formant structure and the noise characteristic of each phoneme used by the vocal engine. And remember that for any edits your are going to do the changes are immediately audible in realtime!" Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Yamaha, Native Instruments, Rock House, Precisionsound, and M-Audio in News. |
M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 Controller "The new Keystation Pro 88 is the first USB master MIDI controller designed specifically to let you perform, program and mix music directly with your computer. Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned pro or just ready to take your music to the next level, our 88-key hammer action is so expressive that you simply won’t want to stop playing it. And the complement of 59 (yes, 59) assignable controls delivers more than enough tactile command over your favorite soft synths and digital audio sequencers like Reason and Live. This bus-powered master controller unifies everything you need to experience the full potential today’s virtual studios—and at a price and weight lighter than you’d expect. Some of the features include: * 88-key hammer-action, velocity-sensitive keyboard * 24 MIDI-assignable rotary controllers * 22 MIDI-assignable buttons * 9 MIDI-assignable Alps faders * MIDI-assignable pitch bend and modulation wheels * MIDI-assignable foot switch and foot pedal inputs * controllers assignable to MIDI controllers, notes, transport controls, program changes (including LSB and MSB), sys-ex, and RPN/NRPN * independent MIDI channel assign for all controllers * four keyboard zones for layers and splits * multiple dynamic velocity curves * large custom LCD displays controller number, assigned controller, edit icons and edit values * and much more..." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Voxengo, Stanton, Focusrite, Ugo, and Native Instruments in News. |
Steinberg's HALion 3 "Continuing in the legacy of the MIPA award-winning HALion 2.0, the next generation of HALion offers a raft of new technologies and features. Among the impressive range of new capabilities is RAMSave(tm), a new memory-
saving technology developed to aid working with large sample sets. The sleek new user interface has been redesigned to make HALion 3 more flexible and user-friendly than ever before, while the new sound management tools make file handling in HALion even easier.The list of HALion import formats has grown even further with the release of version 3, which now also includes the Kontakt and Kurzweil formats. Rounding off the new functionality are flexible new routing features and 27 new effects, which further add to the creative power at the user's fingertips. "HALion 3 is the best version to date of what was already an outstanding product," commented Helge Vogt, Steinberg's Product Manager for HALion. "We're confident that we have created a product that offers some of the finest facilities in the world of virtual samplers, and will prove very attractive for both existing HALion users and those using competing products." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Cakewalk, OpenAria, TC-Helicon, and Digital Audio Labs in News. |
Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science "This book is for everyone who wants to increase their mastery of digital and analog audio: musicians, producers, A&R, mastering, recording and mixing engineers. It is suitable for all levels of students and professionals. To master audio you must become a master of audio. Producers and Mix Engineers: Find out the best ways to prepare your files and mixes for further mastering.Mastering is the last creative step in the process of producing an album. Bob Katz unravels the technical mysteries and explains the artistic techniques. Don’t leave for the studio without this book! Mastering Audio discusses audio philosophy and art: sequencing, leveling, processing: how to make an album radio-ready; mixing as it relates to mastering. Plus, leading-edge audio concepts in an easy-to-grasp, holistic manner, including new chapters: * an ear-opening investigation of the mysteries of jitter * managing dither and wordlengths * high sample rates * distortion, headroom * monitor calibration * metering * depth perception * compression and expansion * sequencing, spacing and leveling and album equipment interconnection and much more" If you're going to be mastering your own audio, then you need this book. Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Native Instruments, Kristal Team, Ultimate Sound Bank, Concrete FX, and QSC in News. |
Sounds Of Polynesia "EastWest Sounds is proud to announce the release of Sounds of Polynesia brought to you from Zero G! This eclectic virtual instrument gives musicians the ability to integrate the rich sounds of the South Pacific in to any studio. Sounds of Polynesia is a unique compilation of indigenous instruments and native vocals recorded primarily in New Guinea and Munum village in the Morobe Province. Most of the instruments featured in this amazing
product come from Papua New Guinea ('PNG'), a nation in the western region of the South Pacific Ocean, to the north of Australia. It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with over 800 languages and over 3000 dialects.A wonderful & unique virtual instrument for everyone who would like to discover the rich sounds of the South Pacific and use them in their music. The sample library was produced by Airileke ('Airi') Ingram who recorded a host of indigenous instruments. There are also village ambience tracks from Airi's village Gabagaba in Central Province of Papua New Guinea and Munum village in the Morobe Province, and spoken and chanted vocals. The whole of this remarkable library is presented within a stunning new state-of-the-art plug-in interface by NATIVE INSTRUMENTS which is a version of their INTAKT sampler, which was specifically designed for rhythmic loop playback, manipulation, and mayhem. The convenient one-screen interface features tremendous sound shaping abilities without disrupting the creative flow, including a first-class multimode filter, an envelope follower, two LFOs, effects, and more. The loops have been set up so that they can be automatically synced to tempo, either via the Beat Machine or the Time Machine." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from GuitarWavs, Voxengo, Granted Software, Glaresoft, and Expert Sleepers in News. |
MusicLab's RealGuitar "RealGuitar is a sample-based virtual instrument with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar part performing on keyboard.The true power of RealGuitar lies in 3 brand new technologies incorporated in this innovative guitar performance tool: - New multi-channel layering technology, incorporating a custom library of specially recorded samples taken from every fret of all 6 strings of a real guitar. - The unique Floating Fret Position technology, which imitates change of fret position of a guitarist's hand on the neck. This gives you the possibility of playing on up to 104 guitar frets using just 43 keys of a standard keyboard! - Our original Guitar Touch technology letting you easily imitate basic guitar techniques (strumming, plucking, sliding, bending, muting, etc..), using standard MIDI keyboard and MIDI controllers, such as Pitch Bender, Modulation Wheel, Sustain Pedal, Aftertouch." DigiFreq visitors get 10% off RealGuitar! Click here for more information and the 10% discount. Also, new announcements from Wusik.com, Voxengo, Beta Monkey Music, and Steinberg in News. |
Ableton Announces Live 4 "Ableton proudly presents Live 4, Ableton's most significant release to date. Live 4 extends Live's real-time music-making approach to the complete range of today's
music-production techniques.In Live 4, users will find a complete and inspiring approach to MIDI sequencing, pattern recording, drag-and-drop sampling, virtual instruments and MIDI hardware support. Ableton has also made substantial extensions and enhancements to existing functionality, including such features as swing/groove for audio and MIDI clips, a powerful new channel-routing scheme, simplified recording, sample reverse, and several exciting new creative options for the Session View. "In creating Live 4, we faced the challenge of adding our most requested features, while keeping Live simple, solid and inspiring to use," says Ableton CEO Gerhard Behles. "The new functionality simultaneously widens Live's scope and strengthens the qualities that make the program stand out. We would like to express our gratitude to the Live users who urged us to make this happen, and to make it happen in the right way." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Applied Acoustics Systems, Green Monster Music, SpinAudio, MakeMusic!, and Digidesign in News. |
BIAS SoundSoap Pro "BIAS, Inc. is shipping SoundSoap Pro - the high-end audio restoration plug-in for Mac OS X and Windows XP, aimed at professional audio producers, engineers, musicians, sound designers, videographers, and forensic scientists. Along with the company's highly successful SoundSoap (targeted at entry-level users, and nominated for the prestigious TEC award), BIAS now provides noise reduction solutions for users at all levels.Rather than splitting the restoration process into separate plug-ins, SoundSoap Pro uses a unique, integrated interface that allows the user to access any tool quickly and easily from within a single plug-in window. Tool navigation tabs are labeled (left to right) "Hum & Rumble," "Click & Crackle," "Broadband," and "Noise Gate" - reflecting the suggested order in which the operations should be performed, to obtain the best possible results. The tabs even provide convenient parameter feedback, allowing the user to monitor the primary tool settings globally, regardless of which tool is currently selected. SoundSoap Pro's approach to multi-band noise reduction focuses on speed, usability, and performance. SoundSoap Pro groups 512 bands into 12 discrete threshold and reduction sliders - delivering dramatically enhanced efficiency, ease-of-use, and superb sonic results. The sliders may be easily grouped with a lock button, and 12 vibrant level meters assist in threshold adjustments. When used with SoundSoap Pro's additional attack, release, and tilt controls, even the toughest broadband noise can be easily and dramatically reduced, while dramatically minimizing the chance of any inadvertent artifacts." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Granted Software, Dave Smith Instruments, FabFilter, and Groove Monkee in News. |
Take Your Music Anywhere - The XPower Powerpack 300 Plus One of the coolest products you're going to want is this product I recently found out about that I think everyone should have. Here's an excerpt from my full product review..."Have you ever been in an emergency situation where your car stalled and needed a jump-start? How about when a flat tire needed changing but the spare didn't have enough air? Did you ever experience a home power outage and needed emergency lighting or electricity for your radio, television, or cordless phone? What about non-emergency circumstances such as camping or a job site where you needed to power some small tools or appliances? Most people will say that they've experienced at least one or maybe even all of these predicaments. So what if I told you there is a new product on the market that can solve them all? It's called the XPower Powerpack 300 Plus from Xantrex Technology." What does this have to do with music? Well, think about it. If the power goes out in your home, you can still do some jamming. Or maybe you want to do some composing while you're out on the road or on a camping trip. Just plug your keyboard or audio recorder into the Powerpack, and away you go. I take my Powerpack with me whenever I leave the house, and keep it plugged in whenever I'm at home so I can be sure it's ready to go when the lights go out. For more information, Click here to read my review. Also, new announcements from Cycling '74, Wusik, MusicXPC, and Yamaha in News. |
Cornutopia Software's SFXEngine "SFXEngine is powerful sound creation software. Using a plug-in based synthesis system, you can use SFXEngine to quickly and easily create any sound or add new audio effects to existing sounds.Like filters in graphics programs, the engines in SFXEngine are plug-in files that create or manipulate sound in some way. The 'Sample' engine will play a sample of your choice, and the 'Nitroverb' engine will add reverb. Up to twelve engines are placed in series to make a program. Modulation is power. Every engine in SFXEngine has a number of parameters, the Low Pass Filter engine for example has Cutoff frequency as a parameter. What makes SFXEngine so powerful is that any parameter or any engine can be modulated, changed over time in any way that you want. Environments give you another layer of processing. Using another set of engines, you can apply the same audio effects to all of your sounds. You might create a cavern environment, or a tunnel environment. You can add as many environments as you like to a project, and naturally you can load and save environments between projects. Batch processing is no problem in SFXEngine. When you're ready to save out all of your sounds, the render option will save each one as a wav file. You can specify which environment to use and whether to save all of your sounds or just one. You can save stereo or mono files, in 44100, 22050 or 11025hz, and sounds are optionally trimmed to zero so there is no need for further editing." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Steinberg, Digital Audio Wave, Synapse Audio Software, Kenton, and Studio Electronics in News. |
LinPlug CronoX 2.1 "At the heart of the CronoX are its unique audio Generators which can be used to create an extensive range of waveforms from rich, warm analog to 'way out there' weirdness! Four types of generator are available: Analogue, TimeSamp, Schrader, and LoopSamp. The 64-bit Analogue oscillator can be used to produce classic analog-style waveforms ranging from square to sawtooth.The TimeSamp Generator resembles a conventional sampler: you load a WAV or AIFF file into the Generator and then time-stretch it in realtime (time is available as modulation destination!), pitch-shift it without affecting the duration, and you can use key tracking to control the Time parameter, allowing you to create really weird sample-based waveforms! The Schrader Generator is another unique LinPlug design that creates a wavetable from any sample. Finally, although the Loop Sampler appears to function much like a conventional sampler, its start point and loop points can be individually modulated, once again providing great creative potential." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Yamaha, Applied Acoustics Systems, Propellerhead Software, and Pro-Rec in News. |
Cakewalk Announces Kinetic "With Cakewalk Kinetic, you're the Dance and Hip Hop producer. Simply put, Kinetic represents the fastest and easiest way to create electronic music. Even if you have no musical background, it's a snap to get started making tracks. And that's not all, your grooves are going to be huge because Kinetic features the best instrument sounds ever available on a PC.Kinetic features 100%-genuine Roland® sounds from their genre-defining groove boxes and synthesizers. The Roland name is synonymous with the cutting edge tones of Hip Hop, Dance, and Electronica. These instruments have been used by chart-toppers and underground legends for over 20 years. It would take thousands of dollars of hardware to create these sounds, but now they can instantly be yours—all you need is Kinetic and your PC. Kinetic doesn't just sound good; it makes musical creativity accessible to anyone, regardless of musical experience. Just select the instrument and style of music you want, and you are given hundreds of professionally recorded music patterns and loops to make music. To add your own flavor to the mix you, can modify these patterns or create your own. Then just point and click to trigger different instruments and you're composing your own song." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from Magix, White Noise, George Pendergast, Voxengo, and Laney in News. |
Arturia Storm 3 "Arturia announces that version 3.0 of its virtual studio, Storm Music Studio is now shipping. Launched in January 2000, updated in May 2001 and September 2002, Storm Music Studio now enters a new dimension with version 3. Discover the latest features of this popular Software:* Unlimited rack allowing to load as many instruments and effects as your computer can handle * Professional Audio/MIDI sequencer * Redesigned expandable mixing-table bringing a new EQ and some new routing possibilities * Piano roll for an easier programming of the instruments * Full-Midi management: Virtual instruments playable through a MIDI keyboard, Slave and Master MIDI sync, Import or MIDI files. * New Sound module loaded with 220 General MIDI sounds. Meet professional standards with what is probably the most fun and auto gratifying studio of the moment. 14 instruments and 10 effects allow you to explore any music style; the Hall enables you to interact with all Storm users online; and with the Composition Assistant, you can improve your song-writing skills, expand your creative possibilities, and quickly complete a project that sounds ready for radio airplay." Click here for more information. Also, new announcements from DTS, PowerFX, Novation, TabSmart, and PreSonus in News. |
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