Mac and Music News

Numerical Sound has announced the release of the Hollywood Impulse Responses (HIR), a collection of reverberation impulses inspired by the ambience of 20 major Hollywood blockbuster films released between 1977-2006. This selection of films was recorded in several famous recording studio's sound stages and symphony halls.

The impulses were designed to change the perceived timbre of an individual instrument, ensemble or even the entire orchestra. The user can now adjust the tone of a track by selecting the appropriate Dark, Warm, Flat, Clear or Bright impulse when mixing the wet signal in with the dry.
On top of that, 6 sets of RI's are high pass filtered at points of the frequency spectrum that match the range of acoustic instruments. These points are at the notes C2, G2, C3, G3, C4, and G4. According to Numerical Sound this instrument designed approach offer "much more sonic precision and clarity than any other currently available hardware or software reverberation".

The Hollywood Impulse Responses Package includes 2 CD Rom's, 1.1 Gig's in size, and is priced at $129.95 (MSRP).

Vienna Symphonic Library announces the release of seven Extended Libraries complementing its already existing Vienna Special Edition download products. All Special Edition modules including the PLUS libraries now offer additional instruments, available at Vienna's web shop as of today :

- Special Edition Strings — Extended Library
- Special Edition Strings PLUS — Extended Library
- Special Edition Woodwinds — Extended Library
- Special Edition Woodwinds PLUS — Extended Library
- Special Edition Brass — Extended Library
- Special Edition Brass Plus — Extended Library
- Special Edition Percussion & More — Extended Library

MusikMesse vintage 2008 is coming ! Once again beer, sausages, plugins & Co will be there for the most gigantic music show in this good old Europe. This international trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music and accessories will be held from 12 to 15 March 2008.

Of course the whole 440Network team is busy to get you informed about this major trade show in this "Frankfurt MusikMesse 2008 Special Report", so stay tuned !

Our partner, DontCrack.com announces that they have added Applied Acoustics Systems to their growing list of hot developers plugins. From now on, all AAS virtual instruments such as the famous Lounge Lizard and many others, are available through the DontCrac[k] web store.

As usual, all products including AAS's are eligible to DontCrac[k]'s "Buy More, Pay Less" offers. Anyone around the world can from now on get hold of any AAS products via instant download delivery and at very attractive prices if you buy smart! Only at :

Universal Audio has announced in its webzine that UAD Software version 4.10.0 is coming soon, probably later this month. Furthermore two new Powered Plug-Ins will also be released : the Precision Enhancer kHz, and the VCA VU compressor.

The Precision Enhancer kHz is a sophisticated tool with a simple control set, primarily designed to bring dull or poorly recorded tracks to life. However, with five distinct Enhancement "Modes", the Precision Enhancer kHz will find uses on virtually any source. It can be used to minimally massage the middle and upper frequencies of a mix, or drastically alter the presence or dynamics of individual tracks or groups; Unlike other enhancers that function by frequency delay or filtered clipping, the Precision Enhancer kHz works on specialized techniques of equalization and dynamic expansion that can be used as a highly versatile effect.

The VCA VU Compressor/Limiter is an emulation of the first commercially available VCA compressor, the dbx 160. Originally designed and sold by David Blackmer in 1971, this solid-state design set the standard for performance and affordability. "VU" is the common nickname for this widely regarded studio staple, famous for its simple control set and firm compression characteristics. The VCA VU aims to capture all the sonic nuances from a "golden" modeling unit and the simple control set of the hardware, including Threshold, Compression (Ratio) and Output Gain. Like with the hardware, LED threshold indicators are provided, as well the Input/Output/Gain Change VU meter for which the unit is famous.

Bad news : The Massey plugins society stopped the project of porting their plugins to the AU format.

Steven Massey himself explains the reasons on the gearslutz forum here.

We've just published a new review in our article section about the brand new version of the flagship software from Ableton.

As says -i snor, our reviewer : "It's hard to believe, but Live 7 is already there. The miracle software from Berlin-based Company Ableton, both a tracker and a sequencer at the same time, is constantly evolving: we were just beginning to control Live 6 and its numerous new features when its follower arrived, of course filled with improvements and surprises. Throughout this article we'll try to see, apart from describing the new functions, if Live 7 fills the gaps left by the previous version, what it brings and what it removes from our music, on stage and in the studio."

PreSonus has just announced new drivers for its FaderPort and the FireStudio :

FaderPort beta native driver for Logic Pro and Logic Express versions 7 or later

This new native driver incorporates new functionality to the FaderPort not supported by HUI mode. The new functionality includes mix/edit/transport window view, write and latch automation as well as overall improved performance.

FireStudio drivers for Mac Leopard and Windows Vista

The updated FireStudio drivers offer complete compatibility for Mac Leopard and Windows Vista operating systems. Support for the Monitor Station Remote (MSR) is also included with the updated drivers.