Week of January 18, 2004 Thursday, January 22 2004 | dmac Spectrasonics Previews Stylus RMX Groove Module at NAMM... Spectrasonics a sneak preview to NAMM show attendees of their upcoming Stylus RMX Realtime Groove Module, a brand new virtual instrument to be released later this year, which vastly expands on the company's 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. Stylus RMX will have dozens of new features, a completely redesigned interface, a new core library and a strong focus on real-time manipulation. The new core-library in Stylus RMX will have thousands of grooves and sounds that were created by Spectrasonics' international sound design team, and produced by Eric Persing. The Stylus RMX core library will contain more than double the amount of sounds originally offered in Stylus, and contains all the original material as well. The new sounds and grooves in Stylus RMX substantially broaden the musical range of the original Stylus sounds to many new genres. Mixes are frequently broken down into individual tracks for flexibility and infinite combinations. Also new in Stylus RMX are hundreds of kits, as well as user kit construction. Users can create their own customized groove libraries, save them into the plug-in, and even share them with other Stylus RMX users on different platforms and hosts. Stylus RMX will be compatible with Apple's OSX and Microsoft Windows platforms. Plug-in formats supported will include Audio Units for Mac OSX, Steinberg VST, and Digidesign RTAS for both Macintosh and Windows. For more information, visit their web site at www.spectrasonics.net. Pluggo 3.1 for Mac OS X Released... At Winter NAMM, Cycling '74 announced that they have released Pluggo 3.1, a new version of its native audio processing plug-in software. Pluggo 3.1 is now compatible with Mac OS X and adds Audio Units to the list of supported plug-in formats. The introduction of Audio Units to existing VST and RTAS support allows Pluggo to work with Emagic Logic Audio, MOTU Digital Performer 4, and Apple Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack. Pluggo 3.1 is also compatible with multiple processors. Pluggo offers over 100 creative and unusual real-time audio effects and includes the Essential Instruments collection, a set of elegant and immediately effective synthesizers and samplers. In addition, users can create their own custom plug-ins using Max/MSP, Cycling '74's companion authoring software. Pluggo effects include filtering, delay effects, distortion, granular synthesis, audio routing, sampling and synthesis, reverb, and sound localization. In addition, Pluggo offers modulation, synchronization, and audio and control routing capabilities between plug-ins. Pluggo 3.1 users who want to build their own plug-ins entirely from scratch can create them using Cycling '74's Max/MSP software. Support for effects automation, parameter management, presets, host synchronization, and undo is provided in the development environment. Pluggo 3.1 is a way to develop a single plug-in that works in RTAS, VST, and AU host environments. A free runtime plug-in environment installer can be downloaded from the Cycling '74 web site. Price and Availability Pluggo 3.1 is now available from Cycling '74 dealers worldwide and directly from www.cycling74.com. The MSRP is US$199, and the upgrade from Pluggo version 2 is US$99. Pluggo 3.1 is a free downloadable update for registered Pluggo 3 users. For more information, visit their web site at www.cycling74.com. Wednesday, January 21 2004 | dmac Todays NAMM updates... Newcomer Synthogy Unveils Ivory at Winter NAMM... Synthogy, an all-new audio software company dedicated to producing Virtual Instrument products, unveiled "Ivory," its first virtual instrument product, at Winter NAMM 2004. Custom built by Synthogy and produced by pre-eminent piano sound designer Joe Ierardi, Ivory features over 3,500 samples designed to faithfully recreate every nuance of the venerable Grand Piano. Ivory features Synthogy's proprietary 32-bit sample-playback and DSP engine, which was specifically built from the ground up to bring out the resonance, response and character of three of the world's finest Concert Grands -- the German Steinway D 9' Concert Grand, Bosendorfer 290 Imperial Grand and Yamaha C7 Grand. The product features over 20 Gigabytes of all new samples, which were brought to life in the finest studios and concert halls. All 88 keys of each piano were individually sampled in up to 8 dynamic levels, including the extended low octave on the Bosendorfer, providing the user with total control over every nuance of every note. Ivory will be available for AU, VST and RTAS, for both PC and Mac OSX. The product will ship in Q1, 2004, and carries an MSRP of $349. For more information, visit their web site at www.synthogy.com. GigaStudio 3.0 Announced Winter NAMM 2004... TASCAM has announced the long-awaited new version of GigaStudio -- GigaStudio 3.0. This new version, a from-the-ground-up rewrite of the original application, adds dozens of new features for composers, sound designers and music producers. Available in three versions -- Orchestra, Ensemble and Solo -- it offers up to unlimited polyphony, 96kHz/24-bit sample support, ReWire support, VST FX, and GigaPiano 2, real-time convolution and a new look and feel. GigaStudio 3 adds a list of new features designed to make music production easier while producing the most authentic sampled instruments ever created. Unlimited Polyphony -- in GigaStudio 3 Orchestra, dependant on hard drive speed. 160 voice polyphony in GS3 Ensemble, 96 voices in GS3 Solo VST Plug-In support -- use your favorite effects in GigaStudio Rewire support -- GigaStudio now provides virtual MIDI and audio connections between a sequencer and GS3 24-bit sample support -- a new dimension of detail, without affecting polyphony 96kHz sample support -- load 24-bit/96kHz instruments for increased realism Expanded mixer -- now supports 128 channels and 32 fader groups Quick Edit -- by popular demand, edit real time parameters on the fly New User Interface look and feel -- a modern overhaul to the look of GigaStudio for improved workflow and usability Intelligent MIDI -- Legato, Alternation, Random modes and more Sample Recording -- Now the premier sample player can record samples, not just play them back. New GSIF 2.0-compatible soundcards now support input as well as output for recording or processing directly into GigaStudio Kernel-level MIDI -- Our new MIDI input technology virtually eliminates latency and reduces jitter on the incoming MIDI data Convolution Surround placement -- using a native version of GigaPulse with extra channels for surround GigaPulse -- This processor models the resonance of a space, microphone or instrument body for the most realistic sampled instruments ever. A playback-only version, GigaPulse SP, is included with Orchestra, Ensemble and Solo. GigaPulse Pro is included with GigaStudio 3 Orchestra, and offers the ability to create your own reverb impulses and add them to instruments. GigaStudio also retains the features of earlier versions: Streaming samples -- only GigaStudio allows you to load samples over 4GB, for the most realistic instruments possible Sound Libraries -- Some samplers attempt to convert and load GS instruments, but lose articulations, sound quality and big sample sizes Runs on inexpensive PC hardware Quicksound -- rapid instrument searching of your hard drive Articulations -- switch playing techniques by pressing a key, allows for highly authentic phrasing and performance Low latency -- kernel-level processing give GigaStudio low latency For more information, visit their web site at www.tascam.com. Wednesday, January 21 2004 | dmac Dash Signature and ProSounds Release Special daAlfa2k Bundle Dash Signature have teamed up with ProSounds to bring you a special bundle which includes the daAlfa2k VSTi (which already includes 224 presets) plus the entire range of daAlfa2k soundsets from ProSounds, giving you instant access to over 850 sounds!! The extra bundled presets are categorized into basses, leads, pads & textures, soundFX and essential soundz. The cost of this special bundle is just $49.95, a saving of $30 on the usual separate selling price, and is available immediately at both web sites.   For more information about daAlfa2k visit dashsignature.com  For more information about the ProSounds soundsets for daAlfa2k visit pro-sounds.net Tuesday, January 20 2004 | dmac Todays NAMM updates... Apple To Split Logic Range... First up, Apple announce the creation of two branches of Logic - Logic Pro 6 and Logic Express 6. Logic Pro 6 consolidates 12 pre-existing, products into one comprehensive package for just $999 (US). Logic Express 6 provides a basic set of professional tools to allow students and educators to compose and produce music with sophisticated results at an affordable price of $299 (US). Logic Pro 6 includes Logic Platinum, the award-winning audio recording and sequencer application, and the entire line of 53 audio DSP plug-ins and professional-quality software instruments. Logic Pro 6 is a recording studio in a box with everything professional musicians and audio engineers need to compose, record, edit and mix their music, including professional software instruments, multitrack recorders, mixing desks and sound effect processors. Logic Pro 6 also includes the ability to create 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, support for up to 128 audio tracks, virtually unlimited input channels and a sample rate of up to 192k. Based on Logic Pro 6, Logic Express 6 is a computer music production application designed to fit the needs of students and educators with a basic set of professional tools to compose and produce music with sophisticated results. Logic Express 6 features powerful audio production tools, including over 28 effect plug-ins and sample-based software instruments. Logic Express 6 also includes support for up to 48 audio tracks, 12 input channels and a sample rate of up to 96k. Since everything learned in Logic Express 6 is directly transferable to Logic Pro 6, Logic Express 6 offers a smooth migration path to high-end audio production. Pricing & Availability Logic Pro 6 and Logic Express 6 will be available in March through Authorized Apple Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US) and $299 (US) respectively. Logic Pro 6 requires Mac OS® X, version 10.2 or higher, Mac OS 9.1 or higher, a Macintosh® computer with a 300 MHz or faster PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor, 256MB of RAM and 350MB of available disk space for installation. Logic Express 6 requires Mac OS X, version 10.2 or higher, Mac OS 9.1 or higher, a Macintosh computer with a 250 MHz or faster PowerPC G3, G4 or G5 processor, 128MB of RAM and 100MB of available disk space for installation. More information on Logic Pro 6 and Logic Express 6 can be found at Apple.com. PowerCore Version 1.8 Update Released @ NAMM... At the Winter NAMM show, TC Electronic announced the immediate availability of PowerCore version 1.8 software. Version 1.8 includes a new guitar amp simulator called Tubifex (formerly Voltronics), in addition to several performance enhancements. The update is available now as a free download from www.tcelectronic.com for all registered users.With the version 1.8 software update users can expect significant performance improvements on G4/G5 Macs and Pentium 4/Athlon 64 PCs. All included PowerCore plug-ins have been revamped to include the application-independent TC preset bank manager and faster screen redraws. Over 500 new presets have been added, including more than 300 just for the PowerCore 01 synthesizer alone. The new Tubifex guitar amp simulator plug-in brings the total number of virtual processors included with PowerCore to ten. Tubifex, the guitar amp simulator previously known as Voltronics, includes three tube stages and a speaker simulator. Each of the three stages is based on a classic 12AX7 design and can be individually adjusted from warm tones to overdrive. The speaker simulator was derived directly from the impulse measurements of a 2 x 12 cabinet. Additional adjustments can be made with the virtual microphone placement control, which simulates the subtle tonal variations achieved with different mic techniques. Tubifex also includes a fingerprint-based noise reduction filter that allows settings to be saved independently from the amp settings. An expander enables further improvement of the overall sound. As a 'hybrid' plug-in, Tubifex uses both native and PowerCore DSP resources. Combining the strengths of both worlds results in very low-latency processing, which enables guitar players to use Tubifex in real time. For more information, visit their web site at www.tcelectronic.com. Tuesday, January 20 2004 | dmac ProSounds Release FreeSoundz ProSounds have launched their FreeSoundz - an area at their web site where you'll find a wide range of free presets to download for your VST instruments. The latest addition to the FreeSoundz is a full bank of 128 presets for Dash Signature's EMM Knagalis called Ethnicity. Other presets currently available as FreeSoundz are banks for Rob Papen's Albino, Novation's Bass Station, Native Instruments FM7, Big Ticks Angelina and Dash Signatures daAlfa2k.   For more information about the new FreeSoundz area at ProSounds visit pro-sounds.net Monday, January 19 2004 | dmac Plogue Bidule Version v0.6502 Version v0.6502 Added a preference entry for choosing the number of wanted MIDI ports when running Bidule in ReWire Slave mode Bug Fixes: Audio Switcher : sometimes buzzes when changing active output Audio File Recorder: doesn't record properly when takes occur rapidly MIDI Step Sequencer: stuck notes sometimes happening MIDI Step Sequencer: OS X Display problems Clicks in processing mode changes. Crash in standalone mode when loading a bidule file made from ReWire mode. Uninstaller didnt remove ReWire Device. Crash when removing output connections from a VST (actually fixed in 0.6501.1) More @ plogue.com. Monday, January 19 2004 | dmac NAMM updates Apogee Introduces AD-16X and DA-16X 16-Channel, 192kHz Converters... Continuing their effort to develop plug-ins for Digidesign's Pro Tools TDM platform, Eventide today unveiled its H3000 Band Delays plug-in. Derived from Eventide H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer effects processor, the new plug-in will provide Pro Tools users with the feature set and functionality of the Band Delays algorithm from the H3000 in a plug-in format. The familiar interface of the H3000 is faithfully reborn with the new Band Delays plug-in, featuring the essential Hot Keys, which provides four top-level editing controls, providing quick access to scalable multiple parameter manipulation of the four most important adjustments to the effect. The Band Delays plug-in features eight tempo-based delays each with programmable resonant filters and independent panning controls. Emerging from the H3000's dynamic parameter modulation, the plug-in is capable of a wide range of exotic delay based effects. For more information, visit their web site at www.eventide.com.