Week of August 14, 2005 Tuesday, August 16 2005 | dmac Updated Version of LF-Punch VST Effect Released Version 1.2 of LF-Punch low-frequency adjustment FX in PC VST plug-in format is available for download. This version implements a high cut filter. This allows you to filter out higher harmonics in the processed low-frequency signal. So that--instead of sounding distorted--lower frequencies may be "colored" and "reshaped" to have a different overall sound. LF-Punch plug-in dynamically emphasizes selected center bass frequency, performs adjustable amount of phase-shifting and then applies smooth distortion. Optional compression can then be applied to the resulting sound. Note that LF-Punch first splits the broad-band signal into low- and high-frequency bands and applies FX to the lower band only. Voxengo LF-Punch features: FX center frequency control Phase-shifting module Variable distortion Built-in compressor FX monitoring switch Two processing modes "A-to-B" comparisons Mono-to-Stereo, Stereo-to-Stereo processing All sample rates supported Native assembler DSP code For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Tuesday, August 16 2005 | dmac PSP Introduces MasterComp Dynamics Plug-In PSP MasterComp is a stereo dynamics processor plug-in for PC (a Mac version in development). It includes a wide range of controls that make it a versatile tool for mastering compression and expansion, as well as bus processing during mixing. Features Double precision (64-bit floating point) and double-sampled (FAT mode) algorithm Low distortion thanks to MasterComp's precise level detector, which includes an optional automatic attack and release time adjustment Wide range of controls Over-threshold compression and expansion Advanced side chain filtering, channel linking and compression tilting capabilities Mix control allows you to blend processed and clean signal Brick wall output limiter with automatic release time Advanced PPM/VU meters with textual readings and adjustable parameters Suggested requirements for PC Windows XP or Windows 2000 VST, DirectX or RTAS compatible host application 512 MB RAM P4 2GHz or PM 1.6GHz High Color S-VGA, 1024x768 MSRP: $389 in the bundle with PSP VintageWarmer and PSP MasterQ; $249 sold separately Upgrade offers for current users of VintageWarmer and MasterQ available (up to 60% off) The full version of MasterComp will be available on Friday, August 19. For more information, visit their web site at pspaudioware.com. Tuesday, August 16 2005 | dmac Nostalgia Virtual Instrument from Zero-GM Nostalgia is a new Zero-G/XFonic virtual instrument powered by Native Instruments, featuring over 1.3 gigabytes of sounds and more than 1,300 patches from four decades of electronic instruments. Programming wizard and all-round synth enthusiast Steve Howell has used his 30+ years of experience and knowledge of these various instruments to create representations of some of the world's greatest synths, keyboards and beat boxes. Seamlessly looped samples of a heritage of instruments that have paved the way for where we are today - over 40 years of innovation and pioneering spirit encapsulated in one collection. Whatever your chosen musical genre there's a place for these sounds in your music. Whether it's old-skool lo-fi beatboxes, huge Gothic Tron sounds, smooth Prophet pads and strings, beefy Moog basses or leads, classic electric pianos, swirly string synths, cheezy toys, classic samplers, brittle digital synths, evolving S+S textures ... you name it - with over 5,000 samples and more than 1,300 patches, it's probably there. The whole library is presented within NI's Kompakt sampler interface. Multi-mode filters, envelopes, and LFOs give this library flexibility and a wealth of creative possibilities. The integrated reverb, chorus, and delay effects are also included. The sound categories are as follows: US Classics Euro Classics Japanese Classics Playback Keyboards Organs Electro-Mechanicals Digital ROMpler synths Vintage Samplers Cheap n Cheezy Obscure Synths Drum Synths Classic Beatboxes Obscure Beatboxes Sci-Fi Atmosferics String Synths Basses. Supported Interfaces & Standards: VST 2.0, DXi, ASIO, Audio Units, Core Audio, RTAS, Mac & PC. Minimum Requirements Windows XP, Pentium III/ Athlon 400 MHz, 256 MB RAM Mac OS 10.2.6 or higher, G3 500 MHz, 256 MB RAM MSRP: $199.95 US Dollars / 169 Euros / 114.95 pounds sterling. Nostalgia is now shipping. For more information, visit their web site at zero-g.co.uk.