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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.

Sonic Implants’ Symphonic Brass Collection

"Sonic Network, maker of Sonic Implants sample libraries and an industry leader in the creation of instrument sounds for film and television composers, has announced the release of the newest addition to Sonic Implants' premium Symphonic line, Symphonic Brass. This 3 DVDs collection features solo and ensemble French Horns, Trombones, Trumpets and Tubas, and like the acclaimed Symphonic String Collection, is another 'must have' library for composers and producers. Recorded in the same hall as Symphonic Strings, using the same award-winning engineers and featuring Boston Pops musicians, the Brass collection packs a truly unique set of features including the largest set of brass articulations available, multiple section sizes (1st chair, 2nd & 3rd chair, 1st - 3rd chair, and 1st - 4th chair), up to 4 alternate takes on select articulations, plus release samples and looped sustains. With Sonic's well-deserved reputation for superb playability and quality, this Symphonic Brass Collection is sure to be the library of choice among top composers and studio musicians.

Produced by veteran sound-designer Jennifer Hruska, Symphonic Brass was recorded by Emmy and RIAA award-winning engineers Antonio Oliart and John Bono at Sonic Temple Studios, the same hall used to record the Symphonic String Collection. To ensure a perfect balance with the string collection the players were placed in the hall in the correct orchestral spatial positions with the same B&K 4011 front microphones placed in the same front-of-hall position. Top-notch players were utilized and recording takes were kept short to preserve the players lips. The result is a beautiful, consistent tone for all recordings and a sample library that is the perfect compliment to Sonic's Symphonic String Collection.

Boston has no shortage of world-class players and members of the Boston Pops and Boston Ballet Orchestras shared their incomparable musicianship and beautiful instruments for the creation of Symphonic Brass. Recordings include Solo French Horn, 2 French Horn Ensemble, 6 French Horn Ensemble, Solo Trumpet, 2 Trumpet Ensemble, 3 Trumpet Ensemble, Solo Baritone Trombone, 2 Tenor Trombone Ensemble, Baritone & 2 Tenor Trombone Ensemble, and solo Tuba. Unique to the Sonic Implants Symphonic Brass Collection is the versatility of the brass choir section sizes, thereby allowing composers to control their section sizes according to what's required for their musical parts. For example one can write different parts for 1st chair trumpet and 2nd & 3rd chair trumpets, 1st part French horns and 2nd part French horns, baritone trombone and tenor trombones, etc. Recorded and programmed ensembles were included for fast composing of a large section sound." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Sonic Studio, Zero-X, Voxengo, Digigram, eMedia, and TC Electronics in News.

PowerTracks Pro Audio 9

"PG Music Inc. has released Version 9 of its popular PowerTracks Pro Audio sequencing software for Windows® with a “new look” workspace, automatic audio harmonies, and more than 30 other new features for seamlessly integrated MIDI/digital audio music production. With this new release, PowerTracks Pro Audio users now have the unique ability to load any MIDI file, instantly view the “pro” chord changes on-screen, render MIDI to audio with ease, and harmonize any audio track with up to 4 audio harmony parts.

The amazing new audio harmonies feature employs industry leading TC-Helicon technology to generate up to 4 harmony parts from any solo audio track, either vocal or instrumental. There are three different harmony modes available: Chordal Harmony mode determines the harmony parts based on the song's chord changes, Multi-Part Harmony mode generates harmonies from selected MIDI tracks in the song, and Melody Pitch Tracking mode performs pitch correction, changing audio notes, or automatic double tracking based on a MIDI melody track.

The “new look” of PowerTracks Pro Audio 9 includes floating, dockable toolbars and a new Tracks window featuring audio wave overview or MIDI piano roll display for each track in a macro view made for easy editing. Tracks can be labelled with eye-catching instrument icons, and there’s quick access to all of the settings and effects for each track, including built-in DirectX audio effects and DXi software synthesizers. Preset effects groups can be assigned to common types of audio tracks and users can also create their own customized track setups complete with their own icon image and a preset effects group. Other new features in PowerTracks Pro Audio 9 enhance recording, mixing, and editing tasks." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Steinberg, ERA, Edirol, and Soundelux in News.

New Music/Audio Book Releases

"With the popularity of DVD’s, video games, and surround sound, and advances in high definition video and audio, the industry is seeing vast new interest in digital audio technologies. Today’s home studio is capable of putting out finished audio tracks of professional quality. Pro Tools is the most widely used Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in the world. It used on more music recordings and audio post production projects than any other system and has developed into a very deep and capable technology with a user base in the hundreds of thousands. The Pro Tools Bible will serve as comprehensive tutorial and complete reference for Pro Tools users of any experience level." Click here for more information.

"Pro Tools for Dummies - Shows musicians and home recording enthusiasts how to get up and running with Pro Tools, the leading software for professional music recording; Features minibooks on recording basics, PC and recording hardware, MIDI, editing, mixing, mastering, synchronization, and advanced Pro Tools use; Offers information on the hot-selling Digi002, Digi001, and Mbox packages for home recording buffs; Provides more complete information than other books, including basic tips on the recording process; Written by a professional musician who has been a touring and studio drummer as well as a sound and recording engineer." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from discoDSP, Izotope, Luxonix, AcidMusicLoops, and Voxengo in News.

MOTU MachFive for Windows

"The Windows version of MachFive, MOTU's universal cross-platform sampler software, is now shipping with disk streaming and several additional enhancements. MachFive now supports all major Windows plug-in formats (VST, DXi, RTAS and HTDM) and Windows host applications, including Pro Tools, SONAR, Cubase SX and Nuendo.

Additional MachFive enhancements include the ability to import Kontakt soundbanks, as well as REX (Recycle) version 1 and 2 files. MachFive automatically maps each audio slice in a REX file to consecutive keys on the keyboard for convenient sample-style triggering. Both of these new features are also being made available to MachFive/Mac users as a free Version 1.08 updater, now available at www.motu.com/downloads.

MachFive is now available for both Mac OS 9/X and Windows 2K/XP at a suggested retail price of $395." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from M-Audio, Discrete Drums, Beta Monkey Music, and MakeMusic in News.

MusicLab Releases RealGuitar

Adobe Announces Adobe Audition 1.5

"Adobe Systems Incorporated announced a new version of its award-winning audio editing, mixing, and mastering software, Adobe(R) Audition(TM) 1.5. This major upgrade combines innovative editing and effects tools with enhanced integration across Adobe's product line to deliver a more efficient workflow. The innovative new Frequency Space editing feature in Adobe Audition 1.5 includes Spectral View, which enables users to visually isolate and select any sound that spans a range of frequencies for a particular duration, and apply effects to or edit that sound. This can be used in cleaning up an interview marred by a cell phone ring, or heightening the impact of a professionally-recorded session.

The new Pitch Correction tool enables users to fix off-pitch vocal performances and create pitch-based special effects. Cleaning up audio is easy with the Automatic Click/Pop Eliminator, and the new Center Channel Extractor adjusts the relative volumes of vocals and instruments in a mix. Adobe Audition 1.5 also adds more than 500 new royalty-free production music loops -- now totaling more than 5,000 -- as well as 20 sample sessions.

New support for transferring audio with ReWire makes Adobe Audition 1.5 a great host for ReWire-enabled applications, such as Propellerhead Reason. VST plug-in support makes thousands of third-party effects available to Adobe Audition users, who can easily share VST effects with Adobe Premiere Pro users. Video support in Adobe Audition has also been enhanced -- video filmstrips appear in the Multitrack View, markers from Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 are imported with AVI movies, and support has been added for a wide range of video formats." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Riff Interactive, Yamaha, and Native Instruments in News.

Galaxy Steinway 5.1

"Best Service has released Galaxy Steinway 5.1. Powered by Native Instruments Kompakt Engine, this virtual instrument features a Steinway Grand Piano recorded at one of the world´s most up to date and technically advanced studios - Galaxy Studios in Belgium.

Although optimized for full 5.1 surround sound, you can choose to load a subset (Stereo front L/R 1.5 Gbyte) and you will still be amazed by the sheer quality of sound. Enjoy being surrounded by an exceptional instrument recorded at an extraordinary location.

The piano was recorded at Galaxy Studios, Belgium. Galaxy Hall, size 320 square meters, 8 meters room height. Via Neve Capricorn digital console directly linked to ProTools. Microphones: close miking with 5 Bruel & Kjaer mics, room mics from Neumann plus SPL / Brauner Atmos System for the 5.1 recording of the grand piano.

Additional features: Six discrete channels in 16/24 bit / 48 kHz resolution. Separate microphone for the LFE channel. Mapped in whole tones. Ten velocity layers provide a natural sound quality over the whole dynamic range. Sample length up to 40 seconds, hence no loops. Grand total approx. 6.5 Gigabytes of audio samples." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Cycling '74, Antares, FXpansion, Zero-G, and Nomad Factory in News.

Tassman 4 for Mac OS X and Windows

"Applied Acoustics Systems announces the official release of Tassman 4 for Mac OS X and Windows, an upgrade of their award-winning Tassman sound synthesis studio. Tassman 4 offers musicians and sound designers an even broader range of creative possibilities with a new synth and preset library created by top sound designers, the possibility to process live audio inputs, sync to host capability and improved acoustic modules. Tassman 4 also includes new functionalities for the management and design of presets such as an output effect section, new effect modules and a performance mode.

"With this upgrade, we have focused on exploiting the unique creative potential of Tassman and developed new tools to make the use of sounds from such a wide range of synths easy and efficient," said Marc-Pierre Verge, CEO of Applied Acoustics Systems. "This work is the fruit of an exciting collaboration with Ilio, our new North-American distribution partner, which has enabled us to combine our innovative technology with their tremendous expertise in sound design."

Based on AAS' state-of-the-art physical modeling technology, the Tassman is an entirely modular sound design solution, offering a near infinite range of creative possibilities for realistic emulation of acoustic instruments, analog and FM synthesizers, and unique hybrid constructions simply not possible by any other means of synthesis." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Hard Note Software, Native Instruments, Soundminer, Digigram, and Mackie in News.

New Versions of Vegas and DVD Architect

"Sony announced the availability of its new Vegas+DVD Production Suite of software tools, which includes Vegas 5(R), DVD Architect 2 and a Dolby(R) Digital AC-3 Encoder software. Sony Vegas(R) 5 software, the latest version of the award-winning non-linear professional video and audio editing application, now offers increased functionality, more specialized features and the most extensive audio upgrade to date. With advanced, real-time scalable production for SD, HD, HDV and other formats across unlimited tracks, Vegas software is the ideal application for professional DV, DVCAM(TM) and audio editing and encoding, and an overwhelming favorite among digital video and audio professionals who are looking for a single-platform solution for A/V editing and finishing.

New features in the Vegas 5 software include 3D track motion and compositing, keyframable Bezier masks, network rendering, transition progress envelopes, subtitle/text export to DVD Architect(R) software, Flash(TM) .swf import, ACID(R) software loop properties support, keyboard event pitch shifting, 5.1 audio plug-in support at the master bus level, film-style 5.1 surround panning, downmix monitoring, external control surface support, envelope automation recording, customizable UI's and keyboard mapping, media subclips, realtime A/V event reverse, support for external Sony hardware devices such as the DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 video disk recorders and J-H3 HDCAM(R) player, and more.

New features for the DVD Architect 2 software include programmable end actions, subtitle creation and multiple audio track support, enhanced disk optimization tools, real-time external monitor playback via i.LINK(R) connector/IEEE-1394, Flash(TM) .swf import, support for 24P DVD encoding, elementary stream import, and much more. As an added bonus, the Vegas+DVD Production Suite and Vegas 5 software will include a stand-alone version of Boris Graffiti(R) 3.0 LTD for enhanced 2D and 3D titling, along with Red Giant Software's Magic Bullet Movie Looks(TM) plug-in effect for Vegas 5 software that provides simulated film looks for digital video projects." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from PreSonus, reFX, Prosoniq, Voxengo, and Yamaha in News.

Ultimate Sound Bank's X-Treme FX

"X-Treme FX is a virtual instrument dedicated to sound effects, foleys and atmospheric sounds. For sound designers it means having a brand new soundbank and the ability to work faster than ever with a great set sound shaping tools (layers, filters, envelopes, LFOs…). This means it will be easier and faster to build complex sounds. And it’s perfect to trigger the included sound effects easily!

X-treme FX is also a great composition tool that will inspire original ideas. In practice, few instruments feel so refreshing to use, and provide so effortlessly sounds that can be described as unconventional, cinematic and weird. It’s the ideal basis to great atmospheres. And thanks to the quality of the UVI-Engine, you can count on an uncompromised sound quality throughout the plug-in.

Xtreme FX puts thousands of creative sound effects at your fingertips: the soundset occupies over 3 Gigabytes of disc space, roughly equivalent to 15 effects audio CDs. X-Treme FX is incredibly faster and more affordable than using such soundbanks. Included categories are: Science-Fiction, Drones & sub, Natural sounds, Urban sounds, Foleys and Musical effects. Scenes are provided: one preset loads up an ensemble of related sounds, perfect for live mixing or creating a virtual soundscape. Throughout the library you’ll find sounds that are off the beaten track, original and expressive." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Ultimate Sound Bank, Digidesign, LinPlug, VirSyn, RME, IK Multimedia, M-Audio, and SoundToys in News.

Nudge Editing Tools for Cakewalk's Sonar

"There are many times when I’ve found myself wanting to quickly and easily move selected data either backward or forward in a Sonar project. Unfortunately, something like this can be tedious because it involves multiple steps. To make the process easier, I decided to develop a new set of editing tools that allow you to move selected data with the single click of a button.

The Nudge Editing Tools for Sonar (which are compatible with Sonar 2 and Sonar 3) allow you to move data by ticks or note values. For example, if you have a MIDI or audio clip or a group of MIDI notes that you want to move by a precise amount within a track (or even multiple tracks), all you need to do is select the data, and click a button. The Tools provide buttons for various clock tick values as well as for various note duration values. Once you have the Tools, you won’t know how you lived without them!

With these Tools you can quickly and easily move any selected data backward or forward in time within your project either by clock ticks or by note durations. You just select your data and click a button. That's all there is to it.

You can use the Tools to line up data to a specific time in the Time Ruler by using the Ticks options. Or you can move selected data so that it sounds on a different beat. Or lets say you have a bunch of music clips that start at different times and you want to keep them all at their relevant starting times, but just move everything over a few ticks or by a certain note duration... just select the clips and click a button on the Nudge Tools window. I use these Tools all the time, so I know you'll love them." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from TerraTec, Yamaha, Celemony Software, Scarbee, Keyfax, Native Instruments, and Post Musical Instruments in News.

Voxengo GlissEQ 2.0

"GlissEQ is an analog-style equalizer in PC VST plug-in format. The most interesting thing GlissEQ offers is its dynamic equalization performance. This `dynamic nature' of GlissEQ gives you a much more friendly, assisting filtering experience. Boosting up the highs will not necessarily create the fatiguing effect of overload. Instead, you will get a pleasant transient-emphasizing effect bringing life and dimension to your track: thus, GlissEQ sounds simply musical.

Beside this wonderful `dynamic nature' version 2.0 of GlissEQ offers a built-in FFT spectrum analyzer. Moreover, the spectrum of the track can be exported to any other instance of GlissEQ thus making interchannel spectrum overlays possible. This can help you to free frequency ranges in one track to allow the instrument in another track occupying these frequencies breathe.

Version 2.0 is a free update for all existing registered users of the previous GlissEQ version." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Steinberg, Native Instruments, Digital Media Dreams, Rock House, Scarbee, Riff Interactive, and SonicBytes in News.

REAKTOR 4.1 Now Available

"Reaktor 4.1 features countless improvements, revisions and fixes which take REAKTOR to a whole new level of usability and reliability. An overview of key improvements is listed below:

* New Screensets functionality for storage and recall of screen layouts - greatly enhances workflow on ensembles with multiple and/or large panels
* New plugin Auto Save functionality for reliable restoration of plugin state within host sequencer projects
* Extended control for the size, and automatic resizing, of the plugin window
* Audio Units implementation reworked
* Parameter automation improved
* New Batch conversion function (for converting Reaktor file formats)
* Enhanced Sample Map Editor
* Enhanced usability and workflow, including optimized context menus, and improved user interface
* Improved stability, including event-loop safeguarding
* Numerous modules revised and improved
* Optimizations for audio quality, performance and memory usage

Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Peace Love Productions, Steinberg, SoundHack, Sound Devices, Zygoat, Voxengo, Digigram, and Scarbee in News.

WaveArts FinalPlug

"Wave Arts is pleased to announce FinalPlug! FinalPlug is the new peak limiter/volume maximizer plug-in, which features comprehensive bit depth truncation and dithering options. FinalPlug represents a continuation of Wave Arts' line of essential sound processing tools, joining TrackPlug, MasterVerb and WaveSurround Pro.

Features include:
* Sonically transparent peak limiting, use as peak limiter or volume maximizer
* Effective on individual tracks or an entire mix
* Mono to mono or stereo to stereo operation
* Bit depth truncation from 4 to 24 bits
* TPDF dithering
* Comprehensive noise shaping options
* Operation up to 192 kHz sampling rate
* Presets for CD and DVD-audio mastering and track compression

Comprehensive format support includes Mac OS X AU/MAS/VST/RTAS, Mac OS 9 MAS/VST/RTAS and Windows DX/VST." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from FX-MAX, Rock House, Sonic Implants, Image Line, Celemony, Wizoo, and Virsyn in News.

Steinberg Announces WaveLab 5

"One of the major new releases in Steinberg’s 20th anniversary year, WaveLab 5 encompasses a full set of DVD Audio mastering and authoring tools. Among the new capabilities included is support for up to eight audio channels throughout the entire signal chain for recording, editing, processing and mastering. The DVD Audio burning capabilities also include video data; WaveLab 5 also offers DVD Audio extraction, conversion, and archiving. More DVD Audio-specific features include an extensive DVD Audio authoring toolset, including Playlist editing, on-screen video menu design, picture slide shows, and DVD text.

The range of new capabilities encompasses not only DVD Audio, but aims to offer additional capabilities within the stereo and multi-channel audio domain. A new “Smart” Video Thumbnail Track for editing audio for video is included, as is support for trackbased insert effects, multi-channel metering, and support for Steinberg Surround Edition plug-ins.

“We’re very proud of WaveLab 5, as it is not only the first and only application currently available to support both CD-Audio and DVD Audio formats within a unified user interface, but also to combine all aspects of stereo and multi-channel high-resolution audio editing, processing, mastering and DVD-Audio authoring and burning,” commented Arnd Kaiser, Steinberg’s Senior Product Manager for Music Technology.

With full multi-channel surround support and DVD Audio mastering and authoring, WaveLab 5 will ship to Steinberg resellers on April 19th, 2004 and will cost $699.99." Click here for more information.

Also, new announcements from Magix, Cakewalk, Native Instruments, and Ableton in News.

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