Guitar Combos by Native Instruments is a series of three charismatic amp emulations that combine studio-grade sound quality with maximum ease of use. The Guitar Combos series consists of the Twang Combo, the AC Box Combo and the Plexi Combo. The Twang Combo is modelled after the Fender Twin Reverb and delivers a wide range of clean and crunch tones suitable for Pop, Jazz, Blues and Country styles. The AC Box Combo is modelled after the Vox AC-30 and delivers a wide range of clean and crunch sounds that lend itself to Pop, Rock, and Alternative styles. The Plexi Combo is modelled after the Marshall JMP50 and delivers a wide range of crunch and overdrive sounds, which makes it the first choice for various flavors of Rock, Metal and Psychedelic.
Guitar Combos will be available in May 2005 for $79 for each combo. Furthermore, a bundle version with all three combos will be available for $199.
Apple has just updated its audio software Logic to version 7.1, which now features : full native plug-in delay compensation and over 70 new key commands. It provides greater facility for creating and managing Apple Loops and a convenient new method for re-ordering Channel Strip plug-in configurations. Logic Pro 7.1 further extends the creative options with 5 new plug-ins including a Bass Amp and two hybrid synthesizers. The update is rounded out by a host of optimizations and refinements that significantly improve the performance and stability of both Logic Pro and the included, updated version of Waveburner, and much more (Follow Tempo Option for Recorded Audio, Support for 9 additional Control Surfaces,...).
Logic Pro 7.1 is available to all Logic Pro users possessing an XSkey authorized for Logic Pro 7.0 and costs $19.95. ps : an update to v7.1 is available for Logic Express too
Synthetic Drums 2 is a huge new collection of drum and percussion sounds, created in cooperation with more than twenty of the world's most innovative electronic music producers and sound designers. The latest addition to the NI soundline range is loaded with 36 drum kits that offer material for all contemporary and upcoming styles of electronic music - including various flavours of techno and house,hiphop, R&B, ambient, two-step, drum&bass, tech funk, IDM, breakbeat, electro, industrial,electronica, big beat, downbeat, experimental and avantgarde.
All drum kits in Synthetic Drums 2 exist in Battery 2 and Kontakt formats, and will be soon available.
Native Instruments has announced that Electronic Instruments 2 XT is now available. Electronic Instruments 2 XT is the extended version of NI second Reaktor instrument collection. Each of the eight instruments in Electronic Instruments 2 XT can be run both standalone as well as in all major plugin formats. The eight instruments included in Electronic Instruments 2 XT are:
Steinberg today announced the release of a new version of its standard ASIO protocol: ASIO 2.1. The latest version of the Audio Stream Input Output now offers support for the DSD format. Following from an intense technological cooperation with Sony, Steinberg has updated its ASIO protocol to support the Direct Stream Digital standard. ASIO 2.1 allows the transport of DSD format audio between audio applications and hardware that support the standard.
Camel audio announced PhatSpace bundle, made of two multi effects : CamelSpace and CamelPhat. CamelSpace is a dynamic and rhythmic multi-effect with pan, volume, flanger, filter, stereo delay and more. CamelPhat 3 is a colouring dynamic multi effect more four distortion modules with warm and soft to crunchy and fat, added EQ, compressor, three filters, two LFOs and one envelope follower.
This bundle cost 115€ or 65€ each plugin and wiill be avalaible from camel audio web at the end of April.
Native Instruments has announced Reaktor 5. This major new version introduces the new "Reaktor Core Technology". The Reaktor Core layer offers up to 64 bit internal resolution, and now instruments in Reaktor 5 now also come with their own custom user interface, thanks to extensive new panel customizing options. All panel elements in the new version of Reaktor are completely "skinnable", which includes faders, knobs, buttons, and even meters. Reaktor 5 now offers powerful multi-stage envelopes similar to those in Absynth and FM7, and complete with tempo grid, slope control and looping functions; a large number of new modules for extended data storage, voice routing and MIDI functionality.
Reaktor 5 will be available in May 2005 for 499 euros and upgrade for owners of Reaktor 4 will be available for 149 euros.
Steinberg just announced a major update to its The Grand virtual concert grand piano virtual instruments. The Grand 2 features an entirely new added grand piano (users can easily switch between the two models with a single mouse click) news surround capabilities (The Grand 2 can be placed anywhere inside a virtual room, with the position adjustable from directly within the user interface) and a range of features designed to maximize computer resource efficiency.
The Grand 2 will be available for 239 euros (or $239 !!) from May 2005. Existing customers can update to the new The Grand 2 version for 89 euros.
Launching on April 10th 2005, IK Multimedia's SampleTank 2 SE and AmpliTube LE, will be bundled with Mackie's Tracktion software as well as Mackie's audio hardware interfaces. Registered IK users of the bundled versions with Mackie are eligible for discounted upgrades from IK to the full versions of the IK Multimedia software.
Edirol unveils its new audio interface, the UA-101. This USB 2.0 audio interface allows simultaneous recording of 10 channels of audio at 24-bit, 96kHz, or up to 6 channels of audio at 24-bit/192kHz. Two high quality mic pre-amps allow you to record directly into the UA-101 through the XLR/TRS combo jacks. The UA-101 features S/PDIF in and out ports. The USB port is switchable between USB 2 and 1 so that the UA-101 can even be used as a stereo audio interface with computers not equipped with USB 2 ports.
UA-101 will cost $695 and will be available in June.
TC Electronic announces the PowerCore PCI mkII. With a potent combination of 14 state-of-the-art processing plug-ins and 4 x 150 mHz DSPs, the new blue colored PCI card is the obvious choice for any professional sound engineer with a VST, AU or RTAS (supported via the VST to RTAS adapter) compatible audio system. The plug-in bundle that comes with PCI mkII, contains the same 14 plug-ins as the PowerCore FireWire, and the whole package will be shipping in May 2005 at 1140 euros (retail ex. VAT.
IK Multimedia will present CSR-1: Classik Studio Reverb, a new suite of various reverbs modeled after classic high end studio reverb hardware masterpieces. CSR-1 includes a suite of four different reverbs algorithms (Classik Hall / Room, Classik Ambience, Classik Plate, Classik Inverse) and each Reverb has its own interface and parameters. CSR-1 will be available by the 3 rd quarter 2005 for 399 euros (and $) and will support VST, RTAS, and AU.
Note that a TDM version for ProTools systems will be available by the 4 th quarter 2005.
At Musikmesse, Arturia will unveil a new brass virtual instrument. This Brass Live is dedicated to trumpet, trombone and saxophon sounds. Brass Live will allow user to modify all parameters of the sound, such as attack, pressure, pitch, vibrato, noise, timbre and others.
No release date known at this time.
p.s. Arturia has partnered with IRCAM to create Brass, which will be available in June
Beer, sausages, plugins and synthetizers ! All these products - that MacMusic is fond of - deal with Frankfurt. This 600,000-inhabitant charming town, in Hesse, is not only famous for Goethe's birthplace, its Cathedral and its lovely gothic houses, but it also welcomes the Musik Messe that starts today and closes on Saturday. Of course MacMusic is busy keeping you informed, in this report and in the news, with all the gems that will be presented in Frankfurt.
On April 20, Arturia will release version 1.5 of the minimoog V. Version 1.5 includes improvements to the audio engine and strives to be even closer to the original Minimoog's behavior :
- An improved filter (that is even more stable, closer to the original, and more reactive towards the envelopes. It is also improved in the FM mode).
- Improved envelopes, perfectly reproducing the Minimoog original envelopes
- Reshaped Saw-Ramp and Triangle wave forms.
This update will be free to all registered users and will be downloadable from www.arturia.com
Digidesign just announced Pro Tools M-Powered software. This new version of Pro Tools music mastering software is designed to be used with compatible peripherals made by M-Audio. Pro Tools M-Powered uses Pro Tools LE's core technology and ships with more than 30 plug-ins for creative signal processing and effects, according to Digidesign. It works with software plug-ins designed for Pro Tools by third parties, as well. It will also include Ableton Live Lite 4.0, an audio and MIDI sequencing and virtual instrument application. Sessions created using Pro Tools M-Powered can be opened by Digidesign Pro Tools TDM and LE systems.
The new software will run on Mac OS X and is expected to ship in early April for US$349.
SonicBirth is now available as Preview version 4 , which adds the ability to export as a VST plug-in, and features three new elements : XY pad, Audio file, and Audio player. SonicBirth is an Audio Units plugins designing application which allows you to build your own AudioUnit plug-ins.
Chris Randall announces in his portal Analog Industries that Audio Damage we're eginning to port his products to AU. His already known Mayhen FX suite, Ratshack, Digitalis (Deverb and Discord) will be necessary to add its flaming Ronin. This is the good news for the logic's users that they will solve more of a problem of compatibility of these plug with Fx VS TAU configure.
URS Plugins offers an April promotion enabling buyers of any one of the following products (Native or TDM) to get a BLT Program EQ (Native or TDM) free:
-URS Classic Console EQ Bundle
-URS Classic Console Graphic EQ Bundle
-S series MIX EQ
-FullTec Program EQ
TriTone Digital announces an update to v1.1 and 1.11 for Hydratone. The hightlight of the update are 2 new EQ models, To avalon 737 and amek9080 they add to 550 API and ISA 110. The update 1.11 changes: implement latency message (33 samples) repported to the host and misc code cleaning. HydraTone EQ plug-in is base on multi-staged convolution, and allows to blend both valve based and solid state equalization derived from historic circuits.
AudioEase has just and quickly updated Altiverb v5 to version 5.0.1. This release fixed automation problems in HTDM version, speeds up load times, fixes 'resource not found -192' bug, and adds "alternative IR searcher' for Preset selection.
Mackie has announced the availability of demo version 2.0 of its Audio-Midi sequencer Tracktion. This new release introduces an enhanced MIDI editor, more comprehensive keyboard rol and the ability to map hardware MIDI controllers to filter parameters. This version also adds a new 64-bit mix engine, improved external synchronization support, eight auxiliary sends and returns, and full integration for Mackie Control Universal and C4 controllers.
The demo version is available on Mackie web site and full version will be in shop in May 2005.
Heizenbox the Granulizor v2.2 beta 1 is now available. This release improves Length Quantization, Buffer Record Quantization and Filter synchronization, allows you to assign and change presets with MIDI keyboard and fixes several bugs.
Heizenbox is a granulizor plugin for VST hosts running on Mac OS X
MPEG Streamclip is an application that converts MPEG files (including transport streams) into muxed, demuxed, QuickTime or DV files with more than professional quality, so you can easily import them in Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro and Toast 6.
CreamWare announces Authentic Sound Box (or ASB), two new digital emulations of classic synthesizers. The first one is the Minimax ASB, a recreation of the famous Minimoog, which fully integrates with your computer via USB and offers polyphony and preset management. The second one is the Profit-5 ASB, a recreation of the classic Prophet V synth, with features similar to those of the Minimax ASB.
Minimax ASB will be available in the first half of June, and the Profit-5 ASB is expected in August. Minimax ASB will cost around $899 and Profit-5 ASB will cost $999 (excl.VAT).
JoMoX, just after the limited series of the Neuronium, the private baby of Jürgen Michaelis is preparing the Xbase 999. We knew the original Xbase which is certainly one of the most important beatbox released in the 90's, with its FAT analogue sound, now it's time for a big evolution. The 999 builts up not far a well known japanese product and features:
- Analogue beatbox save the digital instruments of course.
- 9 instruments (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Lo Tom, Hi Tom, Hi Hat, Clap, Rim, Crash and Ride), all polyphonic, from Hi Hat to ride it's 8 bit samples for the crunch and 16 samples for each instruments.
- MIDI from head to toe
- Improved kick, analogue toms like in the Airbase, HH has a dedicated multimode analogue filter.
- Improved sequencer with still the possibility to control ...
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