AraldFX and Dash Signature has released the Mac version (AU, VST and AU Universal Binary) of Grand Electrix Virtual Piano, an emulation of the famous CP70 electroacoustic piano.

To celebrate the Mac release the price is reduced to only 50 USD for two weeks, until 10th of September 2006 (then it will get back to full price $79 US). The license at $50 US includes both Mac OS X and PC Windows versions.

“Grand Electrix” is a sample based virtual instrument featuring a new stream from disk custom technology (”direct from disk”), for very low memory and CPU usage. Samples are streamed in real time from the computer disk, so there is no need for large amounts of RAM.

Features:

• 180 MB multisample full decay, no loops, crossfading layers
• Stream from disk custom technology for very low memory and CPU usage
• Complete control on Velocity response, curve, min max, sensivity
• 3 Band EQ
• Tremolo
• Chorus
• Temperament Menu (microtuning)
• Stretch tuning adjustable

Samples are derived from the acclaimed Hollow Sun library “Definitive CP 70″. A demo of Grand Electrix Virtual Piano is available here.

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

Posted in Apple Mac, Computer, Piano, Recording, Software, Technology

GVOX has announced the lastest update to MasterTracks Pro.

MasterTracks Pro for Windows has been fixed. The easiest to use MIDI sequencer on the market is once again in full working order.

GVOX knows that many have shared in the frustrations of some of the bugs that were in MTPro 6.8.3. The software primarily worked, after you may have contacted technical support or visited our knowledgebase. The bugs in the code frustrated our developers too. However, our new, crackerjack developers went right to work on MasterTracks Pro after completing the rebuilding of Encore and Musictime Deluxe for Mac OSX.

The following bugs were fixed:

• Edit sysex, program crash
• Slide data didn’t work right
• Single clicks in the track editor didn’t open windows
• Shift/click to the record controller info didn’t work
• Request to make “Choose Instrument” dialog bigger so no need for scroll bar didn’t work
• Menu inactivated at song end, including Save Preferences
• Click any .mts file to open - error message “: only allowed with drive letter” would show
• Thru on a B-port channel, it plays through the correct channel, but on the A-port
• Songs couldn’t be reordered like on Mac
• Stuck Sound when hit stop in middle of sustained note
• Empty field boxes in the Track Editor Program Name column were filled with a whole bunch of grayed-out characters
• In Windows 2000 and XP taskmanager ran at 99%
• Now tempo offset affects current time
• Current time” changes according to time base setting
• Mousing deactivated main menu
• External sync was non functional
• Timing/tempo issue in playback/record caused a gradual “lag”

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

Posted in Computer, MIDI, Microsoft PC, Recording, Software, Technology

Now with convenient DB25 connectors, the new AN-16/o converts 16 channels of uncompressed, 24-bit digital data transmitted via A-Net into sixteen discrete mic- or line-level analog audio output channels.

Aviom’s newly updated AN-16/o Output Module is now shipping—with the flexibility of improved mic and line output levels, convenient DB25 multipins for audio connections, and heavy duty locking Neutrik EtherCons for network connections. The AN-16/o Output Module will make its debut at AES 2006 (Booth# 123).

The new AN-16/o provides sixteen balanced mic- or line-level analog outputs, with switchable output levels per channel pair. Audio outputs feature secure DB25 multipin connectors. With both mic- and line-level outputs available, connecting to a console is simpler and more flexible.

The AN-16/o can be used both on stage and at front of house to provide outputs to consoles, as well as to amplifiers and speaker processors. Adding a split for recording or broadcast is as quick as running a Cat-5e cable to the additional locations and connecting additional AN-16/o modules as needed. Any number of AN-16/o Output Modules can be connected in a system, providing unlimited lossless digital splitting of an audio stream.

The built-in A-Net Expansion jack also allows easy integration into an existing Pro16 Monitor Mixing System, as well as a path for building 32-channel systems (16×16 or 32×0) on a single Cat-5e cable. The AN-16/o is also fully compatible with the AN-16SBR System Bridge, which supports 64-channel systems in a variety of bi-directional configurations. All network connections on the AN-16/o now use heavy duty locking Neutrik EtherCon connectors.

In applications where cable runs exceed the 500ft/150m supported by A-Net on Cat-5e, the AN-16/o can be used with media converters and fiber optics.

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

Posted in Audio, Recording, Technology

NevaFong have announced the release of “Envelight Set” for Cakewalk Z3ta+, a new loadable wavetable set with 57 new waveforms and a sound set of 128 top-notch sounds.

Long-standing work experience with various synthesizers made it possible to create sounds which will be interesting both to beginning users and experienced musicians wishing to add new elements in their compositions.

The wavetable set includes 57 new waveforms. Unique waveforms are created on the basis of FM, additive, and subtractive synthesis and experimental modulations.

The soundset also includes 128 high-quality presets sorted by categories: Bass, Fat, FX, FX tone, Keyboard, Lead, Pad, Various.

Background and solo sounds are powerful and soft, with exotic and classical flavors to suit any genre.

Envelight Set costs $45. Demo mp3s are available for download on the Neva Fong website.

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

Posted in Computer, Recording, Samples, Software, Synth, Technology

Rayzoon proudly announces the release of Jamstix 1.7, another massive update for their ground-breaking virtual drummer.

The focus of this update is an improved audio engine that reduces CPU usage and the addition of the brand-new ‘Keyboard Jam’ mode. Aside from this, there are dozens of additions and enhancements, new rhythms, new automation parameters as well as several bug fixes.

All Jamstix owners can download the update free of charge here.

Update Details:

• Lowered CPU usage through optimized audio processing and improved voice reduction
• Implemented new jam mode “Keyboard Jam”
• Added 20 new rhythms as follows:
  • 7 world rhythms, including cha cha, calypso, merengue and soca
  • 6 rock rhythms
  • 4 R&B rhythms
  • 2 jazz rhythms
  • 1 reggae rhythm
• Automatic fills are now also available in ‘Manual Jam’
• PDF manual is now fully searchable
• Console gain meters are now stereo instead of mono sum
• Added ‘Time Sig Changes’ option to OUTPUT tab. Host synch-up is accelerated if unchecked, fixing possible loop alignment issues
• Improved ‘Shaping’ function in various ways, including suppression of clicking at high levels
• Added ‘Dampening’ slider to the ‘Ambience’ control panel to simulate smaller rooms
• Added options ‘Create 2-Bar Pattern’ and ‘Create 4-Bar Pattern’ to arranger rhythm name right-click menu, which allow the quick creation of multi-bar patterns
• Bars that have snare or tom accents are now shown with a black center line in the arranger
• Added ‘2x 16th’ as an option for the hihat quarter column
• When editing hihat quarter and eighths columns, the velocity is now only reset to default if it is currently zero
• Improved fill start time suppression options
• Added option ‘Simplify by suppressing 16th notes’ to the fill options
• Improved reggae rhythms and added ’shuffle’ keyword to them
• Improved hihat choking sound when choked by low velocity closed hat event
• Added ‘Drive/Laid-Back Timing’ automation parameter which allows setting a constant earliness (drive) or lateness (laid-back) of the drums
• BFD mappings now have anti-machine gun mode enabled
• Increased limb transition time for snare ghost notes to account for stick drag time
• Improved hihat import logic for 8ths and added missing logic for 16ths
• Mapping tab output lock state is now recalled via ini profile
• Selecting ‘Normal’ character no longer switches off shuffling
• Clicking ‘Free Jam’ no longer clears the current arrangement
• When using fill filter start time limits with fills that issue rhythm silencing before the start time limit, the rhythm is no longer silenced until the fill is allowed to start
• Added new automation parameters to dynamically control fill options during a performance
  • Fill - Start Limiter
  • Fill - Rhythm Silencer
  • Fill - Toms On Snare
  • Fill - No 16ths
• Added warning message if sounds are missing
• Output grouping now also applies to percussion sounds
• Added voice limiter to restrict maximum voice load to around 60 (90 on min reduction level)
• Improved + column hihat velocity logic and fixed suppressed semi hats in that column under certain cirucmstances
• Added ini option ‘SpeedFilterBPM’ to set a BPM above which certain 16th notes and all 32nd notes in fills and accents will be suppressed to avoid unnaturally fast performances
• The velocity threshold for switching from snare head to sidestick can now be adjusted in the general ini settings (Velocity_Autoside, 0..1). Default is 0.5 (used to be 0.7 so adjust if you need the old style)
• The velocity thresholds for the reduction logic can now be adjusted in the general ini settings:
  • Velocity_Reduction1 0..1 Default=0.4
  • Velocity_Reduction2 0..1 Default=0.3
  • Velocity_Reduction3 0..1 Default=0.2
  • Velocity_Reduction4 0..1 Default=0.1
• Added notice above arranger in free and keyword jam indicating that Jamstix is controlling the arrangement in those modes
• Fixed increasing CPU usage over time in Podium and forte
• Fixed problem with Jamstix ‘freezing’ after loading first internal sample in some hosts under certain circumstances
• Fixed a problem that could lead to an infinite loop when using empty default mappings or missing stock sounds under certain circumstances
• Fixed delayed playing of accents suppressed by a silent rhythm or post-fill pause
• Fixed GUI freeze in n-Track when closing several listboxes without selection
• Fixed MIDI export tempo offset by 1BPM when the host sends tempo information in .9999 format

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

Posted in Computer, Drums & Percussion, Recording, Software, Technology

The Musical Genome Project is a new sampleset series by Nucleus SoundLab for Wusikstation, Reason 3 and SF2/SFZ. MGP concentrates on inexpensive, sub-$30 libraries focused around specific musical themes. The goal of MGP is high-quality sounds everyone can afford.

ChordWaves I is the first sampleset in the Musical Genome Project series. ChordWaves I contains a variety of synth chords programmed on modular synthesizers - which are ideal as song-starters for all forms of electronica. They also make excellent atmospheric textures when run through appropriate effects.

The Wusikstation version contains:

• Over 450mb (32-bit) of raw samples
• 16 multisamples comprised of nearly 150 waveforms
• 100+ Wusikstation v3 presets by a variety of professional sound designers

The Reason 3 Refill contains:

• The same samples as above, compressed into a 150mb Refill
• 24 Custom Combinator Patches
• 16 NN-XT Patches

ChordWaves I is now available for the low price of $14.95 (single-format), $19.95 (all formats - Wusik/SF2/SFZ/Reason) or shipped on DVD for $24.95.

For more information, visit their web site at www.nucleus-soundlab.com.

Posted in Audio, Computer, Loops, Music, Recording, Samples

OttoPhilter is the 7th of the Twister Series, a new line of Audio Unit effects from Music Unfolding.

OttoPhilter is an auto/touch wah filter with LFO control and sub-octave generation and a second auto/touch wah filter on the sub-octave.

There’s a level meter tied to the touch wah sensitivity to help you adjust OttoPhilter to suit your playing dynamics. OttoPhilter has two driven resonant filter sections - one on your input signal and one for the generated sub-octave. The filters sweep by using triggered envelopes or tracking the input signal or using LFOs.

OttoPhilter is $19.99 and is available for OS X as a Universal Binary. Download a demo of OttoPhilter here.

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

Posted in Audio, Effects, Recording, Software, Synth, Technology, VST

IK Multimedia is pleased to announce that three new Bundle collections of IK’s award-winning music production tools are now shipping: The “Total Studio Bundle,” The “Total Effects Bundle” and the “Total Workstation Bundle.”

With savings of up to 67% off the full prices for registered IK Users, the IK Total Bundle Series is the most comprehensive collection of instruments, samples and effects available, suiting all musicians at every level of expertise.

The IK Total Bundle Series offers the perfect solution for recording, composing, producing and mastering any style of music, be it orchestral, pop, rock, hip-hop or experimental. These bundles contain all the essential instruments and effects found in a high-quality recording and post-production studio environment, designed to help take music production to the next level.

Three separate collections are available:

Total Workstation Bundle
All of IK’s premier software virtual instrument workstations in one complete package; designed to provide sounds for every genre and style of music.

3 virtual instrument workstation plug-in suites
SampleTank 2.1 XL sample workstation with over 1,700 sounds
Sonik Synth 2 synth workstation with over 5,000 sounds
Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral workstation with over 1,300 sounds
Over 8,000 multi-sampled sounds and 21.5GB of samples included for all instruments types and music genres
An all-around comprehensive solution for all sample-based instrument needs

Total Effects Bundle
Offering 4 different plug-in signal processing suites, the Total Effects Bundle is a complete professional signal processing package designed to get the most complete selection of award-winning analog modeled effects in a single package.

4 effects plug-in suites
Ampeg SVX complete bass-rig with signature Ampeg sound
AmpliTube 2 complete guitar amp and effects modeling solution
Classik Studio Reverb 4 high end reverbs modeled on classic outboards
T-RackS analog modeled mixing and mastering suite
Over 90 DSP effects included. The widest range of analog modeled effects in one package.
The only effects bundle solution covering all basic studio needs for Mixing, Mastering, Reverbs, Guitar and Bass

Total Studio Bundle
The entire collection of IK effects and instruments plug-ins, all the necessary professional quality production tools for everything needed to record, compose, produce, master in every style of music.

7 effects and instruments plug-in suites
SampleTank 2.1 XL sample workstation with over 1,700 sounds
Sonik Synth 2 synth workstation with over 5,000 sounds
Miroslav Philharmonik orchestral workstation with over 1,300 sounds
Ampeg SVX complete bass-rig with signature Ampeg sound
AmpliTube 2 complete guitar amp and effects modeling solution
Classik Studio Reverb 4 high end reverbs modeled on classic outboard gear
T-RackS analog modeled mixing and mastering suite
Over 90 DSP effects included
Over 8,000 multisampled sounds and 21.5GB of samples included for all instruments types and music genres
The most complete selection of effects and instruments in one package covering all studio needs.

All registered IK customers of ANY IK product version (full, upgrade and lite) are eligible to purchase the bundle packages at the upgrade prices.

The Total Bundle Series from IK Multimedia is currently available from all IK distributors and dealers worldwide.

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

Posted in Production, Recording, Technology

Livelab.dk has released version 1.44 of LiveSlice.

New features/changes:

• GUI optimized - more than twice as fast - especially when using large arrangements
• 72 arrangements - 3 banks of 24
• playback position is only reset the first time the play button is pressed
• track clear changed (mouse buttons reversed): LMB does a complete clear, RMB leaves empty events
• improved event display when moving events

Bugfixes:

• single slice trigger timing bug fixed
• gui play button bug fixed (is now updated correctly)
• settings page display bug fixed
• changing number of visible tracks now refreshes properly
• parameter value set and display bugs fixed
• Audiomulch crash when closing file dialogs fixed

For more information, visit their web site at www.livelab.dk.

Posted in Computer, Recording, Software, Technology

Sonomic, home to the largest online library of samples, sound effects, and royalty-free music, and Zero-G, one of the world’s largest and longest established developers of Sample CDs and soundware, are proud to announce that over 120 Zero-G titles are now available as Downloadable CDs from Sonomic.

Downloadable CDs offer all of the sounds from a physical CD title as a single compressed file that can be downloaded with one click. Zero-G Downloadable CDs include numerous Keyboard KeyBuy, Future Music Platinum, and Sound On Sound Five Star award-winning titles, such as Chemical Beats, Jungle Warfare, Planet of the Breaks, Total House, Deepest India, Funk Guitar, Phantom Horns, NY Cutz, Nu House, and many more.

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

Posted in Computer, Loops, Recording, Samples