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

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

Native Instruments is excited to announce BATTERY 3, a significant revision of its popular drum and percussion sampler. The addition of time-stretching and advanced loop capabilities, innovative “play parameters”, a powerful master effects section and an integrated wave editor all serve to strengthen the role of BATTERY as the premier creative drum and percussion sampler, with an enormous library of more than 100 high-quality drum kits providing a wealth of studio-quality material for all styles and genres.

BATTERY 3 is based on a powerful new sampling engine that offers high-quality time stretching and a new “Beat Mode” for improved loop-handling capabilities, enabling musicians to get the most out of any sample library. BATTERY 3 can also turn programmed beats into truly dynamic performances through new “articulations” that allow for authentic real-time flams, drags and rolls, while the “humanize” function can now add a subtle natural feel.

The customizable cell matrix in BATTERY 3 has been extended to hold up to 128 sounds per kit, while color coding of cells now provides a better overview. A new wave editor offers direct surgical access to any individual sample in BATTERY on-the-fly, opening up an additional powerful level of in-depth customization and creative sound shaping.

While the existing cell-specific effect section has been further improved in BATTERY 3, the new version also adds a comprehensive master multi-effect section that is especially useful both for sound design and for live use. Equipped with high-quality filter, dynamic and delay algorithms, the master effect section also incorporates a high-end convolution reverb that can even accept individual drum kit cells as impulse sources via easy drag-and-drop assignment, opening up a new resource of creative sound shaping and experimentation.

BATTERY 3 ships with a huge and highly versatile sound library that includes more than 100 unique and ready-to-use drum kits, spanning a huge musical spectrum from jazz and rock to hip-hop and techno, and including a wide range of exotic ethno-percussion and special effects assortments. The library is based on over 23.000 individual samples, with both kits and samples becoming more accessible through a significantly enhanced sound browser in BATTERY 3. Creating and customizing drum kits has also become much more convenient due to a new “cell library” that holds more than 2.500 individual drum cells, all pre-categorized according to their musical role and application.

BATTERY 3 will be available in October 2006 for a suggested retail price of $ 219 / 199 Euro from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop. An update for owners of will be available for $ 119 / 99 Euro.

BATTERY 3 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 Audio, Drums & Percussion, Samples, Technology

Sony Media Software has released two new Theme Packs for the recently unveiled automated scoring software, Cinescore . “Ideal Vacation: Music for Life” and “High Tech World: Kinetic Tracks,” give Cinescore users even more musical options for their scoring projects.

“Ideal Vacation: Music for Life” gives users a diverse template of rock, pop, country, latin and world music. “High Tech World: Kinetic Tracks” is a production music powerhouse for making modern music soundtracks. Both The “Ideal Vacation: Music for Life” and “High Tech World: Kinetic Tracks” Theme Packs will be available this month (Sept. ’06) and will retail for $99.95 (MSRP).

Sony Media Software is also offering users a free Cinescore 1.0a update that provides interface and key command improvements, giving users the ability to customize the Theme Chooser window, quickly access themes based on specified sort criteria and easier navigation\while editing. Cinescore users can also now preview their music in the Video Preview window.

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

Posted in Sheet Music, Software, Technology

A-Designs Audio is proud to introduce the ATTY2′D (pronounced ‘attitude’), a multi-channel passive line level controller that is the big brother of the successful ATTY stereo passive line level controller introduced in 2004.

Housed in a 1U rack-mountable chassis, the ATTY2′D features two stereo and two mono channels–all four sporting their own individual mute switches and large aluminum cast rotary level controls. A single master mute switch is also located in the center of the front panel for fast termination of audio signal to all channels.

The ATTY2′D can allow engineers to gain control of their classic preamplifiers with no output attenuation by padding the line level signal to their AD converters without clipping. At the same time, it allows preamplifiers to be pushed harder for a completely different audio effect in the signal path.

As another example, the demand for active monitors coupled with today’s audio software can certainly create an issue when the computer crashes and the active monitors are set to 11. The ATTY2′D provides a solution by using the muting setup for separate channels or the master mute for all channels when working with more than one pair of active monitors or in 5.1 surround sound. And using the ATTY2′D for active speaker control is perfectly seamless; the unit is 100 percent passive, therefore no unwanted color/electronic signals are added to the audio path ensuring the purest signal possible.

Currently shipping, the ATTY2′D features a US list price of $585.00.

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

Posted in Audio, Technology

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

Following Audio-Technica’s recent enhancement of its 3000 Series UHF True Diversity Wireless Systems with the addition of automatic frequency scanning, the company is now offering the new ATW-T371 handheld cardioid condenser microphone/transmitter in its ATW-3171a system.

Incorporating Audio-Technica’s Artist Series ATM710 cardioid condenser element, the ATW-T371 wireless microphone is designed to be handheld or mounted on a microphone stand. Featuring rugged metal construction, soft-touch controls and a multi-function LCD display, the microphone is powered by two 1.5V AA batteries with a life of 6-8 hours. A dual power switch permits selection of high power for maximum range, or low for extended battery life.

The 3000 Series is a 200-channel frequency-agile UHF wireless system designed for a wide range of applications including live performance, touring, fixed installation, public address and worship. Its Automatic Frequency Scanning function automatically determines and sets the best available frequency (open channel) – useful when employing multiple wireless systems, thereby avoiding interference and intermodulation. Up to 16 simultaneous systems per frequency band are compatible, with a total maximum of 32 simultaneous systems across two bands.

The 3000 Series systems and components are available in two UHF frequency bands: 795.500 to 820.000 MHz and 840.125 to 864.875 MHz, with 200 selectable frequencies in each band. Soft-touch controls offer quick, easy access to the most important functions during set-up and operation. In addition, the 3000 Series features Audio-Technica’s digital Tone Lock® squelch, plus an easy-to-read LCD information display in each unit that provides convenient visual indications of settings and operation status.

With estimated availability during late September, the ATW-T371 will retail at £319.95 (inc VAT).

For more information, visit their web site at www.audio-technica.com.

Posted in Microphones, Technology