Digidesign® is now shipping X-Form™, a new high-quality AudioSuite™ plug-in that represents the pinnacle of time compression/expansion and pitch-shifting technology. X-Form delivers unparalleled time stretching and formant-correct pitch shifting to Pro Tools® and Avid DNA™ systems to produce natural-sounding results—even at the most extreme settings—making it ideal for music production, sound design, post production, or any other application that requires time-stretch and pitch-shift processing.

“The secret to X-Form’s natural-sounding, polyphonic, time-stretching algorithm is frequency domain processing, a technology proven more effective than the ‘frame overlap’ algorithms used in most time-stretching products,” reveals Digidesign Senior Product Manager Bobby Lombardi.

Getting high quality, professional results is easy. X-Form features minimal controls to simplify the workflow, yet delivers stunning sound quality whether audio is processed from 1/8 to eight times its original length, or shifted up or down three octaves. Simply choose from two algorithms—Polyphonic or Monophonic—and let X-Form do the rest.

The Polyphonic algorithm is ideal for use on complex audio files, such as chords or an entire stereo mix. This algorithm is truly “best in breed,” and when used with the Transient Sensitivity control, allows you to compress or stretch drum loops and other percussive material without losing crucial attack transients. When working with solo instruments or vocals, simply choose the Monophonic algorithm. Each algorithm was designed to provide exceptional results capable of preserving proper stereo imaging, attack transients, and timing accuracy—even at exaggerated settings.

X-Form is available now via authorized Digidesign dealers and through the online DigiStore for $595 US MSRP.

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

Posted in Audio, Plug-Ins, Production, Recording, Studio, Technology

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.

Posted in Plug-Ins, Softsynths, VST

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.

Posted in Plug-Ins, Technology, VST

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.

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

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

Eventide today announced that its popular Anthology II plug-in bundle will be available as a Universal Binary and is optimized for the new Intel-powered Mac computers. This new Mactel upgrade will allow users to take full advantage of Apple’s newest computers, including the Mac Pro with quad-core architecture, for faster processing speeds when operating Eventide’s powerful and comprehensive set of digital plug-ins.

Available in October of 2006, the Mactel upgrade will be free to current Anthology II customers and will be available via Eventide’s website, through authorized Eventide dealers, and outside North America through authorized Pro Tools dealers.

Anthology II adds six new plug-ins to the Anthology bundle: two 48-bit double precision vintage equalizers; EQ65 Filter Set and EQ45 Parametric Equalizer, both 48-bit double precision; two new configurable channel strips, Ultra-Channel, featuring Eventide’s signature micropitch shifting effect for thickening, and E-Channel, optimized for maximum instances; Precision Time Align, provides the ability to bring individual tracks into phase; and Quadravox, a four-voice diatonic pitch shifter with delays.

Anthology II also includes the latest versions of the nine plug-ins that comprised the original best-selling Anthology bundle: H910, H949, Instant Phaser, Instant Flanger, Omnipressor®, Eventide Reverb, Octavox, H3000 Band Delays, and H3000 Factory. Like Anthology, Anthology II is fully compliant with ICON, D-Control, D-Command, Venue, Pro Tools 7.2, and is Mac and PC compatible.

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

Posted in Apple Mac, Plug-Ins

FabFilter has released updates to FabFilter Twin and FabFilter Volcano. The new versions contain bug fixes as well as improvements and new features.

•Added MIDI program change handling. Any preset can now be loaded by sending bank select and program change MIDI messages.

•Added optional interactive help. When this feature is activated, help texts will appear when the user moves the mouse over any control in the plug-in interface.

•Fixed a bug that could cause Twin or Volcano to freeze on Apple G5 Quad systems when changing presets.

•Added a ‘polarity’ option to the LFO’s in Twin, which can be used to produce either waveforms between -1 and 1 (original behaviour) or positive-only waveforms between 0 and 1.

•Reduced memory usage of Twin by 50%.

•Slightly reduced memory usage of FabFilter Volcano and improved filters to use less CPU.

•Other minor bug fixes.

The new versions are fully backwards-compatible with earlier versions and should load songs and presets written by the older version without any problems. These updates are free for existing users and grants others a new evaluation period.

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

Posted in Plug-Ins, Software, Technology, VST