Week of January 1, 2006 Thursday, January 5 2006 | dmac blocc hiPass 1.0 released blocc digital signal processing is releasing hiPass in VST plugin format for windows plaforms. A new approach to filter design mathematics makes this high pass filter a unique tool. Blocc hiPass offers an unprecedented high spectral selectivity while at the same time maintaining an absolutely flat passband response. The features - VST 2.3 plugin for any Win32 platform - filter slope from 6 dB/oct up to 192 db/oct - double precision internal processing (52 bit accuracy} - transparent 64 bit signal path when used with Sonar 5 double precision audio engine - split channel stereo control - configurable overshoot display - comes with a number of presets as starting points hiPass can be purchased for Euro 35.00. A demo version is available at www.blocc.biz/download Limitation of the demo version: - saving of presets disabled - parameter automatisation disabled More @ blocc.biz Thursday, January 5 2006 | dmac Syntheway DAL Flute v2.0 VST Instrument Released Syntheway has released v2.0 of its DAL Flute VST instrument. Changes in v2.0: Redesigned sound engine Less CPU use, most noticeable on Intel processors 24 presets redesigned in a wide range of styles Totally redesigned GUI - New buttons and knobs and some cosmetic changes Added: New Flute multi-samples are combined into hybrid environment Normal, Bright and Pan Flute modes MIDI Automation. Support via MIDI Continuous Controller data Customizable Pitch Bend Range Drag and Drop option for Glide/Pitch effect, by clicking-and-dragging a point in an X-Y axis MIDI Channel selector button Embedded CHM help/info file and button on GUI Bug fixes: Default pitch changed Fixed problem with note trigger not working properly. (mainly FL Studio, possibly others) Small bug fixes DAL FLUTE is a hybrid flute emulator combining multi-samples of real flutes with a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engine. Offers control over several parameters allowing you to sculpt new and interesting sounds. Features: Hybrid Synthesis that combines sample-playback engine with native DSP processing. Powerful multi-mode filters, envelopes, and LFOs give a wealth of creative possibilities. Flute Selector: Normal, Bright and Pan Flute modes (Rotary switch selection) 24 presets redesigned in a wide range of styles ( 8 for each mode: Normal, Bright and Pan). FULL MIDI Automation: Complete MIDI Continuous Controller The flute simulation in DAL Flute is controlled by the following parameters: LFO2 Section: 1 LFO -Low Frequency oscillator- with 6 waveforms (Sine, saw, ramp, triangle, pulse & S&H) + Speed, Pulse Width , Depth 1 LFO -Low Frequency oscillator- with 5 waveforms (Sine, saw, ramp, triangle & pulse) + Speed, Pulse Width , Depth Envelope2 Section: Filter Envelope: ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) and Control the amount of the Filter Envelope Generator (Knob setting the Gain of the envelope) Amplifier Envelope: ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) Moog Filter Section: Cutoff Frequency: Controls the Filter's Cutoff Frequency Resonance: Emphasizes the Cutoff Frequency Glide / Pitch Section: Variable note glide speed Variable Pitch Mono and Retrigger switch: Possibility of turn the synth into Mono Mode and Retrigger switch X-Y axis Glide/Pitch: Drag and Drop option for Glide/Pitch effect, by clicking-and-dragging a point in an X-Y axis LMiscellaneous Section: Signal's Harmonic Spectrum (Freq. analyser) MIDI Channel selector : 1 to 16 Output Control: Emphasis and Volume knobs OS: Windows Formats: Instrument (VST) Cost: US $29 For more information, visit their web site at syntheway.net. Wednesday, January 4 2006 | dmac MAZ Sound Tools Releases Papelmedia GM 2006 MIDI Sound Library MAZ Sound Tools has released the General MIDI compatible sound library Papelmedia GM 2006. It contains the formats SF2 and VSampler 3. The 128 carefully balanced instruments and 15 different drum kits provide not just excellent individual sounds, but at the same time they sound as well-balanced as conventional GM modules. Thanks to the open file formats the user is free to use the individual instruments or modified versions for any non-GM composition or own soundbanks. For owners of Cakewalk's Sonar 3 Producer Edition and the included VSampler 3.0 DXi OEM version, MAZ is offering a special deal until January 2006: the upgrade price to the full-featured and sequencer-independent VSampler 3.5 is reduced from 49 Euro down to 29 Euro. The sound download section has been extended by a free 110MB drumloop package (WAV + VSampler) and some other instruments. For more information, visit their web site at maz-sound.com. Wednesday, January 4 2006 | dmac Big Fish Audio Releases Mahadi-African Rhythms Loop Library Mahadhi ya Afrika! In Africa, traditional music is not written down, but handed down from generation to generation. You'll feel that tradition as you dance to the rhythms of Africa with this collection of live percussion loops. Traditional instruments include the agogo, bembe, conga, djembe, ekwe, shekere, kalimba, talking drum, saworo, shaweru and more. Authenticity is the key to this journey that takes you to the heart of Africa. If you want to experience this culture in it's purest form, Mahadhi puts the rhythms of Africa at your fingertips. There are 27 folders organized by BPM. In each folder are various instrument folders. Instruments include: agogo bembe conga djembe ekwe ogenne djundjun shekere talkdrum shaker goje kalimba sakara chimes saworo shaweru juju samba Contents: 1,837 Loops from 90-170 BPM Format: Apple Loops, REX, WAV Retail: $99.95 For more information, visit their web site at bigfishaudio.com.