Monthly Archives: September 2006

Native Instruments Announces Komplete 4

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Native Instruments is excited to announce KOMPLETE 4, the new version of its powerful software bundle. With a universal selection of state-of-the-art instruments and effects, reinforced through several powerful updates to some of its key components, KOMPLETE 4 continues to mark the cutting edge in software synthesis and to provide an invaluable resource for all areas of modern music production and performance.

KOMPLETE 4 incorporates the latest ABSYNTH 4, BATTERY 3, and FM8 versions, which add significant creative capabilities over their predecessors and offer increased integration with Native Instruments’ host system KORE and its KoreSound format. The new KOMPLETE package also includes AKOUSTIK PIANO, the acclaimed grand-piano emulation that gives musicians and producers access to a comprehensive range of world-class, performance-ready piano sounds.

Native Instruments has refocused the content of KOMPLETE 4, which now offers 12 instruments and effects that cover the full range of applications and musical styles in modern audio production. The sampling instruments INTAKT and KOMPAKT are no longer part of KOMPLETE, and will be discontinued as individual products effectively immediately. Comparable functionality is provided by the more powerful KONTAKT 2 and BATTERY 3 samplers. Owners of the individual versions of INTAKT and KOMPAKT can make use of a special crossgrade offer for KONTAKT 2.

All owners of KOMPLETE CARE 2006 will receive a free update to KOMPLETE 4. The KOMPLETE CARE update program will not be extended beyond its current 2006 version due to a change in Native Instruments’ product-release policy. From now on, relevant product releases will be consolidated and combined with a corresponding annual revision of the KOMPLETE bundle, which will be made available to existing KOMPLETE users at attractive update prices.

ABSYNTH 4, BATTERY 3 and FM8 include Universal Binary versions that support both PowerMac- and Intel-based Macintosh computers. Further Universal Binary updates for instruments contained in KOMPLETE 4 will be made available in 2006 according to the release schedule as detailed on the NI website, and will be free of charge for owners of KOMPLETE 4.

KOMPLETE 4 will be available in October 2006 for a suggested retail price of $ 1499 / 1299 Euro from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop. An update for owners of KOMPLETE 3 will be available for $ 339 / 299 Euro. Owners of KORE or two qualifying products will be able to purchase an upgrade to KOMPLETE 4 for $ 1149 / 999 Euro.

All owners of KOMPLETE CARE 2006 as well as all customers who activate KOMPLETE 3 after September 13th 2006 will receive an update to KOMPLETE 4 free of charge.

Customers who purchase KOMPLETE 4 and KORE after September 13th will receive a free copy of MASSIVE, Native Instruments’ new software synthesizer. This special limited-time offer expires December 31st 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com.

Native Instruments Komplete 4

Posted in Audio, Software, Technology

Sonicbytes Announces Official Release Of Phrazor

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Sonicbytes is happy to announce the official release of Phrazor. The latest development cycle adds numerous features covering all existent and new domains. This release elevates Phrazor to an all-purpose audio workstation with an outstanding workflow and live expressiveness.

Phrazor is available for Windows and functions as a VST Instrument or VST Effect and it is also a fully fledged VST Instrument and Effect Host. It costs Euro 49 (USD 69) and a demo version with working save/load functions is available.

New features since Preview #6

Starter Kit

  • 47 tutorials covering all important features
  • Help pages in about panel
  • Factory containing 170+ clips and prepared tracks
  • 3 GTG Synths
  • Complete Kjaerhus Classic Series bundled
  • 76 ready to use drummaps
  • Updated PDF manual (80 pages)

Workflow

  • Save command for projects, tracks, slots, programs and clips
  • Lock mechanism for programs and states
  • Info for projects, tracks, slots, programs and clips
  • Browser menus for grooves and drummaps
  • Drag tracks to clips (extracts clips from tracks)
  • Smart tab selection in browser/manager
  • Save message box when closing Phrazor standalone
  • Set tempo dialog (doubleclick on BPM)
  • Automap functions for clips and states
  • Filetype “Clipmap” stores complete remote-assignment-sets

Import/Export

  • Drag MIDI clips from Phrazor to host or any other application
  • Multiple files can be dragged to Phrazor (e.g. importing multiple MIDI files at once)
  • Save all clips to folder function
  • MIDI Export of single or all clips

GUI

  • Main panel layout reworked
  • Titlebar shows project filename
  • Filenames of selected objects displayed in browser/manager
  • Values displays for all sliders
  • Alternative time display (hh:mm:ss)
  • Visualization of loading programs
  • Visualization of the plugin scan process
  • Mono GUI
  • Icon for standalone version

MIDI Engine

  • Mute/solo for pure MIDI tracks
  • Output delay for calibrating audio/MIDI drift
  • MIDI Sync. Master (sends Clock, Start, Stop, Continue, SPP)
  • MIDI Transport Slave (receives Start, Stop, Continue, SPP)
  • Optional only-tempo host synchronization
  • Dragging tracks automatically updates MIDI source tracks
  • Track playmode “Automatic”
  • MIDI Control surface
  • Thru option for remote-clips
  • Visualization of pending states

Audio Engine

  • Pre/Post fader sends
  • Thru/Mute send option
  • Visualization of track groups (linked by sends)
  • Dragging tracks automatically updates send-source and multi-output targets
  • Reset all mute/solo function
  • Intelligent “Auto-Connect” in mixer panel
  • Fade inertia on tracks for smooth mixing
  • ASIO driver improvements (standalone)
  • Built-in multi-filter component

MIDI Editing

  • Visualization of selected ghost notes
  • Buttons for important functions (selection, clipboard, quantize etc.)
  • Visualization of active notes in keyboard
  • Auto-scroll option follows cursor
  • Drummap selection in clipeditor
  • Automap functions
  • More edit functions like trim and auto-length
  • Merge into clip at cursor

Songlist

  • Virtual project workspace allows one-click project loading
  • Projects can be loaded via MIDI song select or program change
  • Integration in project notes panel

VST Improvements

  • Better compatibility (no non-working plugin known)
  • Load VST directly via dialog
  • Randomize function in parameter panel
  • Close all editors function
  • MIDI learn for plugin parameters
  • Optional “Prog. Change Thru”
  • Take button for faster library building
  • Drag VST dll’s to Phrazor

Render to WAV

  • Complete project and loop renderingv
  • Render to track with autonaming
  • Loops are perfectly trimmed
  • Rendering up to 384 KHz in 5 different formats

Manager

  • Find and classify files by simple keyword selection
  • Freely assignable key columns and words
  • Check-in utility to take up files from other users/pc’s
  • Provides filetypes projects, tracks, slots, programs and clips

Playlist

  • Auto-scroll option follows cursor
  • Buttons for important functions (selection, clipboard, quantize etc.)
  • View selection for playpart parameters (velocity and transpose)
  • Auto selection in playlist

General/Options

  • Default cliplength, channel and snap settings
  • Auto-lock for programs and states
  • Better keyboard support
  • Reworked installer, separated vst-dll’s and Phrazor folder
  • Works on Muse Receptor and mobile devices (e.g. usb-sticks)

For more information, visit their web site at www.sonicbytes.com.

Posted in Audio, Softsynths, Technology, VST

BandmateLoops.com Releases Enfusion Loop Library

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

BandmateLoops.com is proud to unveil a new multi-instrument style loop collection. Bandmates Enfusion features a powerful blend of signature breakbeat rhythms and hypnotic trance synth and effects. The beats are complemented by rich synthetic bass, leads, pads and effects. Enfusion serves as a solid foundation for creating authentic club mixes.

Bandmates Enfusion includes:

  • 78 Signature Breakbeat Style loops
  • 38 Synth Pads, Leads and Arpeggios
  • 15 Effects and Percussion

Bandmates Enfusion is available in Apple Loop, Acidized Wave, Rex2 and ReFill formats for compatibility with most major music packages.

BMT-031 Bandmates Enfusion is available 24/7 via electronic delivery for $21.95 USD. Audio demonstrations and sample loops available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.bandmateloops.com.

Posted in Loops, Samples

Native Instruments Announces FM8 Software Synthesizer

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Native Instruments is excited to announce FM8, the long-awaited successor of the popular FM7 software synthesize. With an enhanced high-resolution audio engine, intelligent sound morphing, added performance features and a new KORE-compatible preset manager, the FM8 makes the timeless and highly expressive musical potential of FM synthesis available in a thoroughly modernized instrument that fits perfectly into today’s studio and stage setups.

The typical sonic signature of the FM7, with its pristine and crystal-clear character, reaches the next level in the FM8 due to its new high-resolution audio engine. Increased internal resolution provides ultimate clarity and definition that significantly benefits the whole sonic spectrum of the instrument, from lead and bass sounds to pads, sequences and effects.

FM8 also introduces intelligent sound-morphing, a powerful tool for performance and sound design that is especially valuable for FM synthesis. A four-way sound-morphing matrix allows natural transitions and blends between as many as four different parameter sets, while an intelligent algorithm makes sure that results remain musical. An integrated advanced randomization feature offers further intuitive ways to explore the vast sonic potential of FM synthesis without expert knowledge.

The redesigned and reorganized user interface of FM8 emphasizes greater ease in accessing its synthesis functions through a stronger distinction between “easy access” and expert editing sections. The natural performance qualities of FM8 are brought to life through the addition of a highly versatile arpeggiator section, that includes a full-featured pattern editor with groove presets and shuffle function. Furthermore, FM8 integrates a new multi-effect section with 12 different algorithms, capable of adding even more sonic variety and a charming analog feel to the wide array of digital sounds that the FM8 can create.

FM8 ships with more than 900 preset sounds for all styles and genres, including both original FM7 patches and the complete FM7 Sounds Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 libraries as well as 200 new sounds that take advantage of the advanced capabilities of the new version. The powerful new sound browser in FM8 is based on the preset categorization and management system pioneered by KORE, and achieves optimal integration with Native Instruments’ innovative host system through use of the KoreSound format.

FM8 will be available in October 2006 for a suggested retail price of $ 339 / 299 Euro from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop. An update for owners of FM7 will be available for $ 119 / 99 Euro.

FM8 is also a part of the KOMPLETE 4 product bundle, which will in turn be available as a free update for all owners of KOMPLETE CARE 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com.

Native Instruments FM8 Software Synthesizer

Posted in Plug-Ins, Softsynths, VST

Klein + Hummel Introduces O 300 Nearfield Studio Reference Monitor

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Klein + Hummel, the latest addition to the Sennheiser family of brands, is introducing the O 300 triamplified three-way nearfield studio reference monitor at AES 2006 San Francisco. The O 300 delivers the same stunning quality of the famed O 300 D minus the digital input and control hardware, resulting in a cost-effective price without sonic compromise. As its more fully-featured sibling, the O 300 delivers superlative, uncolored sound, precise bass response, picture-perfect dispersion patterns, and a stunningly real soundstage with remarkable image focus and depth. Its precise and revealing detail enables the mixing engineer to make critical judgments with supreme confidence.

By utilizing a dense, new, extremely low-resonance material called LRIM, Klein + Hummel was able to mold the waveguides required for optimal dispersion directly into the baffle. The elliptical shape of the high-frequency horn makes the dispersion angle in the vertical plane more narrow thus reducing the amount of early reflections off the console surface which would otherwise interfere with the direct sound from the speakers (comb-filter effects), thereby improving spatial definition. At the same time, the effective horizontal listening area is made wider, giving the recording engineer greater freedom of movement in front of the console. The use of LRIM has also made it possible to align the acoustic centers of the two drivers exactly on one plane, parallel to the baffle, thereby preventing time and phase coherency problems at the crossover frequencies. This allows the individual drivers to work together perfectly to produce a precisely detailed soundstage.

The unit’s eight-inch cone woofer is made of a special lightweight polypropylene material that has excellent self-damping properties. Its long-excursion voice coil enables this driver to produce very low frequencies at high sound pressure levels with practically no distortion. In contrast to common bass-reflex systems, which tend to blur the low end, the acoustic suspension system of the O 300 delivers tight, articulate bass, which is strikingly clear, detailed, and natural, particularly in transients.

The midrange is handled by a treated fabric dome with a three-inch voice coil. Since its mass is much lower than that of cone drivers, it has the advantage of being able to achieve superior impulse response and extremely uniform amplitude response. As a result, midrange reproduction is impressively true-to-life, especially with the human voice.

The one-inch high-frequency driver is equipped with a titanium/fabric dome that combines the transparency of a titanium dome with the low distortion of a fabric dome. This driver has been finely matched to its elliptical waveguide, ensuring exceptional directivity.

All three drivers are magnetically shielded, permitting placement of the speakers directly next to video monitors or computers. O 300 is available in anthracite finish as standard; optional silver, white and custom colors are also available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.klein-hummel.com.

Klein + Hummel O 300 Nearfield Studio Reference Monitor

Posted in Monitoring, Speakers

TC-Helicon Now Shipping Harmony4 Plug-In For PowerCore

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

TC-Helicon, inventor of VoicePro, VoiceDoubler and many other respected vocal processors employing cutting-edge harmony technology, announces the immediate shipping of the Harmony4 plug-in for TC Electronic’s PowerCore platform.

With TC-Helicon’s Harmony4 plug-in, producers, engineers and songwriters can fatten existing harmony tracks and add new 1- to 4-part harmonies after the singer has left the studio. Harmony4 is available for PowerCore at EUR 570 and GBP 389 retail ex VAT.

TC-Helicon’s harmony algorithms will already be familiar to users of VoicePro, VoiceLive, and VoiceWorks. Up to four virtual singers with individual gender, vibrato, levels and various humanization controls are created from a single vocal track. Harmony4 also features the latest generation harmony technology with robust pitch detection and Hybrid Shifting™ algorithms.

The UI of the Harmony4 plug-in was designed with the utmost user-friendliness in view, and several schemes that simplify the choice of harmony are offered: From automatic scale-based harmony that intelligently follows melismatic singing, to MIDI note control allowing any possible melody to compliment the lead vocal.

Harmony4 for Pro Tools TDM will be released in the fall of 2006.

For more information, visit their web site at www.tc-helicon.com.

TC-Helicon Harmony4 Plug-In For PowerCore

Posted in Plug-Ins, Technology, VST

Pianoteq Releases Pianoteq 1.0.2 With Intel Mac Compatibility

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

The new update 1.0.2 of Pianoteq VSTi/AU now supports Mac Intel CPUs, something that many Mac users have been waiting for. This update also slightly improves performance for Core and Athlon CPUs.

Pianoteq is the very first and only truly modelled piano. It represent a brand new generation of pianos that gives the musician possibilities to tweak the piano sound in a way that until now only has been possible with an acoustic piano. Pianoteq only takes up 8MB on the disk and is thus possible even for use with a modern laptop.

For more information, visit their web site at www.pianoteq.com.

Pianoteq Pianoteq 1.0.2 With Intel Mac Compatibility

Posted in Apple Mac, Piano, Plug-Ins, VST

Big Fish Audio Releases Hip Hop City Contruction Kits

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Hip Hop City is a slammin’ collection of 50 construction kits covering a variety of funky Old and Nu School Hip Hop styles. Inspired by the music of such artists asThe Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Trick Daddy, Missy Elliot, Lil John, Jay-Z, Lil’ Kim, Junkie XL, Busta Rhymes, Roc Raida, J-Kwan, and many others. Hip Hop City features tons of programmed drums, hundreds of turntable loops, bass, funk guitar, keyboards, synth leads, horns and percussion and more.

Contents:

  • 2.9 GB on disc (1.39 GB of 24bit WAV files)
  • 1,140 WAV loops and hits on disc
  • 50 Construction Kits with BPM’s ranging from 70-140 in various keys

A Hip Hop City demo is available here.

Format: AIFF/Apple Loops/REX/WAV

Retail: $69.95

For more information, visit their web site at www.bigfishaudio.com.

Posted in Drums & Percussion, Samples

TerraTec’s KOMPLEXER VST Synth Now Available

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

After a long wait, TerraTec Producer’s KOMPLEXER “Synthesizer of Emotions” is available now. Offering both virtual analog synthesis and wavetable synthesis, TerraTec Producer’s KOMPLEXER – a high end synthesizer “Made in Germany” – sets new standards for VST plug-ins.

Eight macro controllers are onboard to afford utmost handling ease. Version 1.01 of the Komplexer is already available at the time of release with a number of improvements. Moreover, users can log on to the KOMPLEXER VST forum on the TerraTec Producer Website and be kept up to date with the latest news and can exchange experiences.

Worlds of sound
Featuring classic synth sound powered by three oscillators, two multimode filters, four ADSDSR envelopes and three LFOs, KOMPLEXER plays in the premier league of VST instruments. Courtesy of the application’s groundbreaking macro controllers, presets can be modified to suit every taste using just eight parameters. This is a tremendous improvement in handling ease that not only newbies will welcome. Of course, this VST instrument also affords users unrestricted access to all of the sophisticated synthesis engine’s 400 parameters. Features such as the ultra advanced arpeggiator and LFO 3′s synchronizable user-specific waveform serve to create striking soundscapes that adapt automatically to the given song tempo. In the 16×16 modulation matrix almost every parameter of the Komplexer can be accessed.

Perfect integration
KOMPLEXER brings professional sound to every VST-compatible application.

Beyond that, KOMPLEXER integrates seamlessly into all VST environments, adding even more practical appointments such as full automation capability to its impressive arsenal of features. KOMPLEXER can also be used without a VST-Host (Standalone Mode).

Waldorf microQ® Import
Its ability as the only VST plugin to import Waldorf microQ® sounds underscores KOMPLEXER’s status as an exceptional sound-sculpting engine.

Priced at 199.00 euros (MSRP), TerraTec Producer’s KOMPLEXER is available now.

Key features & special attributes

  • Virtual analog software synthesizer
  • Wavetable synthesis
  • Imports Waldorf microQ® sounds
  • Eight macro controllers
  • Up to 256 voices
  • Unrestricted access to the sound synthesis engine
  • Three oscillators featuring sync and ring modulation
  • Two multimode filters (8 types including comb filters)
  • Flexible modulation matrix
  • Four ADSDSR envelopes
  • Audio input with vocoder
  • Three LFOs (LFO3 with user waveform)
  • Arpeggiator
  • 16×16 modulation matrix
  • Five effect units offering delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, distortion
  • Fully automatable and controllable via MIDI controller
  • VST plug-in for Windows 2000, Windows XP
  • Standalone Mode for use without VST – Host

For more information, visit their web site at www.terratecproducer.com.

Posted in Plug-Ins, Softsynths, VST

Steinberg Releases New ASIO 2.2 Standard

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Planet-Musician

Full 64-bit support for Steinberg’s industry-standard technology.

Steinberg Media Technologies is proud to announce the release of a new, fully 64-bit-capable version of its ASIO technology. The ASIO 2.2 SDK provides software engineers with a complete set of tools for creating ASIO-ready host applications and drivers for 64-bit versions of Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

“ASIO 2.2 and its ASIO 2/64 component will form the backbone of a new generation of 64-bit host applications and audio devices for Windows,” summarizes Markus Stehlik, Steinberg’s Director of Engineering. “The new version of this open standard will also ensure both 32-bit and 64-bit driver versions are available to customers of audio software and hardware, easing the transition to the new 64-bit Windows versions. And because ASIO 2.2 was specified in close cooperation with other companies from the audio industry, we expect that the new standard will see wide adoption in the foreseeable future,” Stehlik continues.

The SDK is available for download now at www.steinberg.net.

The Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) architecture forms the backbone of VST. ASIO addresses any needs a professional audio recording solution might have, supporting variable bit depths and sample rates, multi-channel operation and synchronization. As a result, users can enjoy low latency, high performance, easy set up and stable audio recording within VST. The entire system becomes controllable and offers complete and immediate access to the audio system’s capabilities. Since its introduction, ASIO has become a supported standard by many leading audio hardware manufacturers.

For more information, visit their web site at www.steinberg.net.

Posted in Computer, Software, Technology