Mac and Music News
Through Saturday November 7, 2009
| Nov 6 - 03:57 PM | Virtual Instrument > TeamDNR |
Synplantation Volume 1 for Sonic Charge Synplant is a package of 32 unique and usable sounds, as well as a bank of the same sounds with all FX removed. This first bank focuses on punchy basses, dynamic plucked/emulative sounds, and dark, emotive pads.
Available now for $5. Audio examples are available at :
| Nov 6 - 02:29 PM | Audio Hardware > Little Labs |
The VOG was originally designed to capture the chest resonance of vocalists or voice over artists, enabling them to still have a proximity type effect without having to be so close to the mic, hence the name, VOG, or Voice of God. However, when I heard it on kick drum and bass, it became clear this would be the go to device to make these instruments sound huge.
The VOG lets users sweep a sharp peak resonance from 20 to 300 Hz, while anything below the peak is rolled off at a steep -24dB per octave. This lets users focus on the low end they want, while eliminating low-end mush and unnecessary woofer excursion.
A subharmonic can be the focus, or the fundamental, or upper harmonics. On a kick drum, for example, the overall effect of turning VOGs frequency knob sounds like someone is tightening or loosening the drumhead. In a mix, VOG allows users to place the bass spectrum instruments so they do not interfere or get in the way of each other.
The VOG should be shipping in December 2009 and will have a suggested retail price of $420.
| Nov 6 - 12:11 PM | Audio Hardware > Miktek |
Not all new companies arrive with considerable fanfare, but Miktek did; garnering a Pro Audio Review Excellence Award for the CV4 large-diaphragm multi-pattern tube condenser microphone.
Premiering products also included the C5 pencil condenser as a single or matched-pair, and C7 dual large-diaphragm FET condenser.
Miktek microphone components are sourced from top manufacturers in the US, Europe and Asia and hand-assembled at their factory in Nashvil ...
| Nov 6 - 10:47 AM | Music Hardware > Dave Smith Instruments |
The new version boasts 60 potentiometers among its complement of 78 rotary controls. "The response to the pot edition of the Prophet '08 has been overwhelmingly positive," said company founder Dave Smith, "so we decided to extend that functionality to the Poly Evolver, as well." Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob's values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees. That simplifies filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers.
There have also been some cosmetic changes. "We needed both lined and unlined knobs to distinguish between the pots and encoders, so we're using Prophet-style knobs," said DSI's Andrew McGowan. "And we've updated the panel graphics a bit without changing them significantly." The wood end panels are now made from bubinga.
The updated Poly Evolver Keyboard is available now with an MSRP of $2,899.00 and an MAP of $2,599.00. The conversion kit requires nothing more than a screwdriver for installation and is available directly from DSI for $399.00 or factory installed for $449.00.
| Nov 5 - 04:59 PM | Plug-ins > Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) |
Now, the Vienna Symphonic Library team is pleased to announce a special offer for users who purchase and register both of these software products between October 13 and November 30, 2009. These customers will receive any free Single Instrument Download they choose from Vienna's list of more than 50 downloadable solo instruments and ensembles.
For more details, please visit :
| Nov 5 - 03:23 PM | Music Software > Ableton |
To mark the occasion, and as a special thank you, Ableton has put together a package of special offers, new products and birthday handouts. There's something for everyone, so join the party :
• Free Live Packs
For Live 8 and Suite 8 users: Ableton is giving away 10 free Live Packs from Ableton artists - songs and sounds from 10 truly innovative artists including Múm, Apparat, Thavius Beck, Swayzak and Junie Morrison (formerly of the Ohio Players). These Live Packs are a rare opportunity to delve inside real songs by real artists and see how these guys work their Live mojo.
• 20% off Live 8 and Suite 8, including upgrades
During Able10, Ableton Live 8 ...
| Nov 5 - 02:14 PM | Music Hardware > Yamaha |
Now the Tenori-On evolution continues as Yamaha unveil the eagerly awaited and more 'wallet friendly' addition to the Tenori-On family - The Tenori-On TNR-O 'Orange' .
The new Tenori-On 'Orange' offers the same levels of creative power as the original but has been made significantly more affordable. For example Yamaha have replaced the very cool but expensive magnesium casing of the original with a heavy duty and durable plastic casing. They also have removed the battery option and the back panel LED's.
To coincide with the unveiling of the new model Yamaha have also confirmed a free forthcoming firmware update for current Tenori-On customers. Following a range of user comments Yamaha are currently in the process of creating a new operating system which is expected to be available from January 2010.The update will address a number of areas including the syncing of Tenori-On to external DAW applications and offer an improved MIDI sync implementation.
Tenori-On 'Orange' will be shipping from December 2009 and the final European pricing will be announced during November.
| Nov 5 - 12:47 PM | Music Software > Ableton |
Max for Live will be available at the Ableton web shop. Pricing will be around USD 299/EUR 249 for Ableton Live 8 users, additional discounts will be available for users who also own Max/MSP 5.
| Nov 5 - 11:59 AM | Computer Hardware > Novation |
Launchpad is a compact controller designed to give electronic music makers of today the most interactive experience possible in Ableton Live. It communicates bi-directionally with the software to give users real-time session feedback: now you really can Play Live.
Launchpad has been jointly designed by Novation and Ableton, to bring the features of Live to the fingertips of the modern musician. The 8x8 grid of backlit buttons addresses a multitude of functions, with the help of mode selectors that transport the user around the Live interface.
Flip from launching clips to tweaking mixer settings in a stroke. Launch your song into a heavy build-up, then switch to a synth or a drum machine for an impromptu solo at the touch of a button.
The device itself is bus-powered from a single USB connection, and has a ten-inch square desktop footprint. Rubber feet ensure Launchpad stays secure on the surface on which it's placed, and an optional padded neoprene travel sleeve is available. It ships with a USB cable, plus a DVD ROM with Mac and PC installers for a special 'Launchpad Version' of Ableton Live 8, as well as 1GB of sample content from Loopmasters and Mike The Drummer. It also comes Automap enabled.
Available now at a price of $199.
| Nov 4 - 04:47 PM | Virtual Instrument > Toontrack |
New features :
• new Drumkit presets pull down menu including user preset saving facility
• new Mixer channel LEDs indicates the presence of signal pre-fader
• drag and drop install of Toontrack MIDI packs supported
• various adjustments to support the upcoming Electronic EZX
• knob circular modes are now always relative
• EZX library version info is now available from the Help menu
• several bug fixes
| Nov 4 - 02:14 PM | Plug-ins > TC Electronic |
We're all searching for effects and signal processors that can give our sound that distinctive edge. But if you're also looking for great value for money then you'll want to check out the latest plug-in bundle that's now available to all PowerCore users.
We've bundled the Tube-Tech inspired CL 1B compressor/limiter plug-in with the Tap Factory multi-tap delay/reverb hybrid plug-in to bring you a great value package that puts the fundamentals of music production right at your fingertips.
With these two plug-ins you'll be adding the finest in vintage analog dynamics control and the ultimate creative multi-tap delay/reverb hybrid to your sonic armory – and all for an incredible low price.
And if you already own the Tube-Tech CL 1B plug-in then there's even more good news - you get to upgrade to this new plug-in bundle for free. If you own only Tap Factory you can not upgrade for free.
Available now for $449/€349. For more details, please visit :
| Nov 4 - 01:24 PM | Plug-ins > McDSP |
The McDSP HD product line supports TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite formats, and operates on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered, and the McDSP Native product line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats, and operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered.
Hurry and make your purchase today, this offer ends November 30, 2009.
| Nov 4 - 12:11 PM | Plug-ins > Brainworx |
bx_cleansweep features a lo-pass and hi-pass filter - introducing BX's "anti-crush" 6 dB lp-filter, taken from bx_digital V2.
It is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU and RTAS effect plug-in formats.
| Nov 4 - 11:09 AM | Music Software > Ableton |
The new Live INTRO has all the essential basic features as Ableton Live at a lower price and comes including a huge Library of Sounds from Hip Hop, Rock, Soul, Techno - Including 7 GB of Sampled Instruments, Drum Loops, Beats and Breaks, 200 Audio and MIDI Racks and Effects and 500 Instruments and Drum Kits from the Ableton Live SUITE library! Also included a Getting Started Manual, Integrated Step By Step Tutorials and Practical Song Templates.
Key-Features :
● Studio Quality Recording up to 32 bit / 192 kHz
● Full REWIRE Support ...




