Week of January 11, 2004 Saturday, January 17 2004 | dmac NAMM 2004 updates... Apogee Introduces AD-16X and DA-16X 16-Channel, 192kHz Converters... Apogee Electronics has unveiled its X-Series converters at the Winter NAMM show: the AD-16X & DA-16X. These units support standard sampling rates up to 192kHz, option cards that will connect both units directly to Pro Tools HD and FireWire devices, and the C777 clocking technology found in the Big Ben master clock. The AD-16X & DA-16X offer Apogee standards such as "SoftLimit" and "UV22HR" and the latest Apogee attribute, the C777 clocking technology found the Big Ben. The C777 uses an all digital process to stable clock signals that results in undetectable jitter and an enhancement to the sound quality. Also new to the X-Series units is Apogee's redesigned power-supply scheme. The new power system of the AD-16X & DA-16X incorporates a specially design Synchronous Switching power supply that works in conjunction with the C777 clock and Apogee's award winning filtering technology to provide superior transient response, low heat and noise performance beyond that of traditional linear power supplies. AD-16X 16 channels of premium 24-bit A/D conversion AES, ADAT/SMUX Output Word Clock I/O Sample rates up to 192k, using Big Ben's C777 clocking technology Optional direct connection to Pro Tools HD with X-HD card Optional direct connection to S400 & S800 FireWire devices with X-FireWire card DA-16X 16 channels of premium 24-bit D/A conversion AES, ADAT/SMUX Input Word Clock I/O Sample rates up to 192k, using Big Ben's C777 clocking technology Optional direct connection to Pro Tools HD with X-HD card Optional direct connection to S400 & S800 FireWire devices with X-FireWire card Availability: March, '04. For more information, visit their web site at www.apogeedigital.com. Boss Announces Flagship BR-1600CD Digital Recording Studio... New at the 2004 Winter NAMM show is BOSS' BR-1600CD Digital Recording Studio. Capable of recording up to eight XLR or 1/4-inch inputs simultaneously and playing back 16 tracks of digital audio, this CD-burning studio is ideal for recording a band, multi-mic'd drums or multiple performers. And with new Drum, Bass and Loop Phrase tracks, users can create full backing arrangements. The BR-1600CD comes loaded with COSM modeling effects and a Vocal Tool Box, plus a 40GB hard drive, CD-RW drive, USB and more. The BR-1600CD's eight XLR inputs with phantom power are ideal for miking a drum set or multiple vocalists. Up to eight tracks can be recorded simultaneously using the easy "Multi-Track" recording mode. Each input includes a compressor, 3-band EQ and low cut filter for shaping the sound. Users can also tap into onboard effects ideal for guitar, vocals and more. These include overdrive/distortion and guitar amp modeling similar to the popular BOSS GT-6, plus acoustic guitar and bass effects, mic modeling, a Vocal Tool Box with auto pitch correction and a Harmony Sequence function for creating harmonies. More than just a digital recorder, the BR-1600CD is a full production machine, offering three independent backing tracks. The programmable Drum and Bass tracks come with PCM sounds for creating complete arrangements, while the Loop Phrase track lets users choose from onboard phrases or load their own drum and bass loops via USB. The USB port also makes for a great way to transfer tracks between the BR-1600CD and a computer, while Roland's V-LINK technology allows music and video to be integrated when used with an optional Edirol video machine. For more information, visit their web site at www.bossus.com. FXpansion @ NAMM... FXpansion have gone to NAMM and have displayed 2 of their upcoming projects: Based on an open, modular architecture, Drum Nine allows you to integrate sampled and multisampled percussion, analogue-modeling and digital synthesis, audio and MIDI loops, VST instruments, and VST and built-in effects, in to a single easy environment. It allows you to combine these elements in any way you see fit to build expressive, great sounding percussion tracks with unmatched ease and efficiency. The beating heart of SoL is a collection of modular units meticulously crafted from the highest quality DSP algorithms including analogue modeled oscillators with FM and PM, physically modeled strings, membranes and bodies, self oscillating multi-mode filters, and swung-time asymmetric LFOs just to name a few. Sounds ummm lovely! Spectrasonics Stylus RMX unveiled @ NAMM Spectrasonics gave an exciting sneak preview of their upcoming Stylus RMX Real time Groove Module, a brand new virtual instrument to be released later this year, which vastly expands on the company's best selling Stylus virtual instrument. The Stylus RMX plug-in is being developed by Spectrasonics new in-house software development team, and is the first product to use the company's powerful new S.A.G.E. (Spectrasonics Advanced Groove Engine) technology (See below). Stylus RMX will have dozens of innovative new features, a completely redesigned interface, a new core library and a strong focus on real-time manipulation. IK Multimedia shouts out Sonik Synth 2 @ NAMM... Sonik Synth 2 is a new dedicated virtual instrument plug-in and the highly anticipated sequel of the original Sonic Synth. Sonik Synth 2 sounds are created using multiple layers of up to 16 Multi-timbral parts with effects and a variety of synth engines combined together to offer amazing sounds at a new standard of quality for a synth plug-in. Covering a wide range of rich ethereal soundscapes, deep and moving bass tones, killer leads, moody orchestral textures, spectral and vocal formant pads and all of the workstation variety of keyboard sounds and drums in one package! Sonik Synth 2 gives the user ultra-fast access to more than 500 sounds designed with powerful layering of more than 1,000 individual parts made up of high quality multisampled instruments, waveforms and performance elements. Each of these parts can also be combined by the user to obtain millions of different sonic possibilities giving this synth workstation plug-in the flexibility of endless creativity. Friday, January 16 2004 | dmac fat-ass distor - Waveshaping distortion released fat-ass plugins are proud to announce a new addition to their range of weird and wonderful (ok, some are just weird) audio production tools. distor is a unique waveshaping distortion for the Windows VST platform, made using the Synthedit plugin development tool. At the heart of distor is a variable shape and polarity waveshaping algorithm, capable of anything from warm fuzz to utter filth. It also features pre and post multimode filtering, hard limiting and full automation capabilities. List of features: Unique waveshaping algorithm Pre and post multimode filters (LP, BP, BR, HP) Hard limiting Full VST automation Full automation by MIDI CC# Eight starter presets distor is available to purchase for £10.00 via the fat-ass website, a demo is also available for free download. For more information, please visit fat-ass.tk. Friday, January 16 2004 | dmac NATIVE INSTRUMENTS announces TRAKTOR FINALSCRATCH 1.5 for Windows and Mac NATIVE INSTRUMENTS is excited to announce that TRAKTOR FINALSCRATCH, the revolutionary digital DJ system co-produced with Stanton Magnetics, will receive an important update soon. The upcoming TRAKTOR FS 1.5 software will finally bring FINALSCRATCH to the Windows platform, opening up a new world of possibilities for many DJs and musicians. TRAKTOR FS 1.5 will run natively on Windows XP and will deliver the same low latencies as the previous Linux version, while at the same time offering much easier installation, enhanced ScratchAmp handling, support for network and Firewire drives, improved performance and numerous other advantages. The Mac version of TRAKTOR FS 1.5 will also bring important optimizations for use with Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther", giving FINALSCRATCH superior performance and stability on Apple´s latest operating system. The TRAKTOR FS 1.5 update will be made available in February. For a limited time, it will be offered as a free download to all customers who purchased FINALSCRATCH 1.1 after January 1st, 2004. All other customers will be able to receive the update as a $49 / 49 Euro direct download. For users who prefer to receive the update in physical form, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS will offer an update CD for $69 / 69 Euro, available through the online shop on the NI website. For more information regarding TRAKTOR FINALSCRATCH, please see finalscratch.com. Friday, January 16 2004 | dmac NATIVE INSTRUMENTS announces development focus on Windows XP and Mac OS X Together with many musicians and producers across the world, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS fully embraces the numerous advantages that Windows XP and Mac OS X have to offer over their predecessors in terms of performance, stability and usability. NATIVE INSTRUMENTS stands for a total commitment to deliver quality musical instruments that perform as flawlessly as hardware. All future development efforts will therefore be completely focused on Windows XP and Mac OS X to ensure the best possible user experience on these powerful platforms. NATIVE INSTRUMENTS is looking forward to further push the boundaries of software synthesis on Mac OS X and Windows XP in 2004. Thursday, January 15 2004 | dmac ConcreteFX have released our new PC VSTi Digital Digital is a phase shaping synthesis which uses phase distortion , waveshaping and frequency modulation to recreate the sound of classic 80's synthesizers   Features of Digital: Digital uses 4 operators which can be arranged in 15 different ways, these arrangements include all four- op FM arrangements & ring modulation algorithms.  Phase distort - each operator uses phase distortion to change waveshapes, allowing you to recreate the sound of Casio CZ synths  Waveshaping - 19 waves including all the FM and CZ type waves , also you can use multi-mode waves which use two waves appended together   Filters - each operator has a 12/24 low/high/band pass/band reject + ring mod or comb filters.  Modulators - Digital has eight envelopes, step sequences, LFO's and four key splits. Envelope can have up-to 32 stage, each stage having variable slopes. Each envelope has user-definable loop & release points for complex patterns.   Modulation matrix - a powerful modulation matrix allows you to modulate all the controls using envelopes , LFO's , step sequences, keysplits, any midi controls ,velocity, note played and in/out volume. Effects - Cross delay / reverb , chorus/flanger/phaser , three band equalizer and distortion effects. User - defined colour setup Digital comes with 160 presets and manual in pdf format and is available for $65/Euro50/£35 from Paypal and Shareit. More information, demos, screenshots can be found at their website, at concretefx.com. Thursday, January 15 2004 | dmac NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY now available for Mac OS X! NATIVE INSTRUMENTS is excited to announce that the unique effects processor NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY is now available for Mac OS X. The new version of NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY fully supports the modern technologies and interfaces of Mac OS X, including AudioUnits, RTAS, VST and standalone operation with CoreMIDI and CoreAudio. With this, the complete NI product range is now available on Apple´s most recent operating system. The NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY update 1.5.5 is immediately available to all registered users as a $29 / 29 Euro direct download. For users who prefer to  receive the update in physical form, NATIVE INSTRUMENTS will offer an  update CD for $49 / 49 Euro. Customers who bought their copy of NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY after November 1st, 2003 can download the update for free or receive an update CD for a discounted price of $19 / 19 Euro. Registered users of NI-SPEKTRAL DELAY Pro Tools Edition can also download the update for free. For more information, please see ni-spektral.com. Thursday, January 15 2004 | dmac VirSyn CUBE 1.5 enters the realm of additive Resynthesis! CUBE 1.5 enters the realm of additive Resynthesis ! New Features: In Addition to the features of CUBE 1.0 this update will give you: - Import of WAV/AIFF Samples in mono or stereo for Resynthesis - The sound analysis is based on Fourier therorem. - Decomposition of Sample into 512 partials. - Each partial has internal envelopes for Frequency, Level and Pan position - The length of the analyzed sample can be virtually unlimited. - Single notes, Loops and entire pieces can be analyzed and resynthesized. - Time warp envelopes with up to 64 Breakpoints control the movement through the resynthesized sample. - Special “Formant” Analyzer enables the automatic extraction of the sound characteristic. - Single notes, Loops and entire pieces can be analyzed and resynthesized. - The resynthesized sound can be manipulated through the same high level controls of CUBE 1.0. - Easy to use: no special preparation for samples is needed. Some general new features: - SOLO Function for each source. - Global level for each source. - Microtuning. CUBE 1.5 will be available January, 21th. Registered Users of CUBE 1.0 will get the downloadable upgrade for free ! More @ VirSyn Software. Wednesday, January 14 2004 | dmac DX Modulation Pack Ported to SAWStudio ANWIDA Soft has announced a new version of their DX Modulation Pack for SAWStudio, providing six modulation effects for the SAWStudio audio software from RML Labs(www.sawstudio.com). The DX Modulation Pack for SAWStudio includes: phaser, flanger, chorus, tremolo, c-delay and modulated resonant LP/HP filter. Main features: 64 bit internal precision Highly optimized DSP code Full MIDI support Automation support for all controls (including preset changes) Factory presets Built-in preset manager Presets are compatible with the ones of the DirectX plug-ins Native SAWStudio preset support The value of control parameters can be inserted manually Stereo out (mono->stereo, stereo->stereo) For more information, visit their web site at www.anwida.com. Wednesday, January 14 2004 | dmac VST updates... Native Instruments Battery v1.3.2 released for OS X. ConcreteFX Digital released. Tuesday, January 13 2004 | dmac White Noise Audio Software Releases Additive Synth Version 1.0 of White Noise Additive Synth has been officially released as a VSTi plug-in for Windows. The sound engine allows for massive possibilities with its timbre-morphing oscillators and filters. It excels at evolving ambient pads, basses, leads, vocal sounds, and wierd sounds impossible to get in other synths. Here are some os its specs: 2 Spectral Oscillators 128 partials each oscillator each oscillator has 128 "time frames" to allow sounds to evolve and change over time. FM capabilities Ringmod, compression, reverb, distortion, stereo chorus/delay and phaser Load .BMP Files as spectrums 2 Envelopes which can modify any parameter 2 LFO's with multiple wave shapes, including arp patterns Demo sounds, songs, and documentation are available on-lihe. A VSTi demo is also available. White Noise Additive Synth is available now for $99. For more information, visit their web site whitenoiseaudio.com. Tuesday, January 13 2004 | dmac BitHeadz Announces Unity 3.3 for Windows XP BitHeadz has version 3.3 Unity Session, Unity DS-1, Unity Synth Expander, and Unity AS-1 products for Windows XP. The major benefit of this new version is support for the Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems. The additional support is in direct response to the growing customer base that depends on these platforms for their music and audio production needs. Unity 3.3 also provides support for VST and RTAS compatible applications including Cakewalk's Sonar, Digidesign's ProTools, and Steinberg's Cubase SX. Other applications such as Sibelius and Finale are also supported. The new PC versions have all the sample editing, file support and included content that are featured in the previous versions. For more information, visit their web site at www.bitheadz.com. Tuesday, January 13 2004 | dmac reFX presents SLAYER 2 reFX presents the long-awaited successor to Slayer - Slayer2! "Slayer2 starts from where its predecessor left-off. In particular, the physical model of the guitar has been completely revamped, improving the quality of the simulation dramatically. Not only does Slayer2 sound a whole lot better, it is also much more flexible." Up to 16 effects can now be used simultaneously; half of them before, and half of them after, the amplifier. You can place any of the sixteen available stomp-box effects in any of the sixteen available effect slots. And when you want to change the order of the effects, just drag'n'drop. More @ reFX. Sunday, January 11 2004 | dmac VST updates... apulSoft WormHole released. DashSignature TubiLeSax v1.8.6 released.