Week of December 18, 2005 Friday, December 23 2005 | dmac Native Instruments releases version 5.1 of Reaktor Native Instruments has released version 5.1 of Reaktor, which, along with some bug fixes and compatibility improvements, includes several new and updated/optimized Ensembles, Instruments and Macros: Synthesizer: Gaugear. Equinoxe Deluxe. FM4. 2-Osc. Oki Computer 2.1. Sequencer: SQX. Snapper. Sample Transformer: Splitter. Grooveboxes Massive 1.1. Effects: Flatblaster 2.0.2. Tutorial Ensemble: Stacked Macro Tutorial. Reaktor Core Library: Several Core Macros fixed. Fixes, changes and additions: A number of optimizations have been made to ensure a smoother, more efficient running of Reaktor. Pro Tools 7 compatibility. Cross-platform compatibility of plug-ins. User library folder now offered as the default "Save As..." location. Also includes fixes to: MultiSin. SongPos. RampOsc. LFO. Envelope. Tapedeck. Single Delay. Table modules. Allows reading and editing of EIXT Ensemble files. New System menu entry: Rescan User Folder. Preference: R4 Start/Stop behavior. Preference: Autogrow structure window. Various internal Reaktor Core improvements. Several smaller fixes inside the engine architecture. More @ native-instruments.com. Friday, December 23 2005 | dmac Image-Line Software Releases FL Studio 6 FL Studio, Image-Line's all-in-one software music production suite for PC, has received a major upgrade to version 6. FL Studio 6 is an exciting combination of core enhancements and new plugins. Leading the changes is the new, larger, resizable Mixer, with fully flexible inter-track routing and PDC functions. MIDI functionality has been extended to include a wider range of external controllers as well as foot-pedal support. The Play List and industry-leading Piano Roll have been improved, ready to work hand-in-hand with a rack of exciting new plugins such as Direct Wave advanced sampler, EQUO morphing graphic equalizer, Reeverb 2 and Delay Bank (a multi-bank delay), to name just a few. FL Studio's browser hasn't been overlooked either, with new search features and state recall functions. FL Studio is the complete and versatile virtual music studio for creating songs from any genre, as well as backing tracks, loops and realistic drum loops. You'll be creating wav, mp3 or MIDI songs within minutes of launching it. NEW PLUGINS DirectWave is a powerful and versatile sampler EQUO is an advanced morphing graphic equalizer Fruity Delay Bank is a powerful delay/filter plugin with 8 available banks Fruity Multiband Compressor is a three band stereo compressor with limiter functionality Fruity Reeverb 2 simulates different types of acoustic spaces Fruity Squeeze is a bit reducing, distortion 'Puncher' and filtering plugin Chrome is a visualization plugin Envelope Controller ENHANCED Revamped Mixer with enhanced free track routing Plugin Delay Compensation Sytrus v2 included in XXL edition Visually revamped Browser with various enhancements FL Studio is now an even better value with 45 different built-in effects, over 21 included high-quality generators, and more than 20 additional plugins. A FREE Trial version (only save disabled) is available from the download section of their website. FL Studio will come in 4 different editions: FL Studio Express Edition: Downloadable US $49; Boxed: N/A FL Studio Fruityloops Edition: Downloadable US $99; Boxed: US $139 SRP FL Studio Producer Edition: Downloadable US $149; Boxed: US $209 SRP FL Studio XXL Edition: Downloadable US $299; Boxed: US $399 SRP All product upgrades are FREE for existing download customers Boxed versions are available from our International Distributors. For more information, visit their web site at image-line.com. Friday, December 23 2005 | dmac db-audioware Releases Aura Pro Virtual Guitar Amplifier db audioware has released Aura Pro, a premium virtual guitar amplifier with classic British roots. Aura Pro offers guitarists complete musical versatility, featuring warm and gutsy valve tones as well as crisp solid state sounds. To achieve the authentic sound and feel of a good analogue hardware amp - in software - Aura Pro was traditionally designed then refined in live audition sessions by musicians using db audioware's QFX audio technology. Operating as a plug-in effect, Aura Pro supports Audio Units and VST on Mac OS X, and VST on PC Windows. For practice sessions or live performances, Aura Pro can also be run independently as a standalone program on Mac OS X or PC Windows. Aura Pro retails at USD 79 | EUR 69 | GBP 49 and is available for immediate purchase and download from the db audioware website. As a special introductory offer, the first 100 copies are selling at half price. For more information, visit their web site at db-audioware.com. Wednesday, December 21 2005 | dmac LiveLab Releases LiveSlice 1.3 Another free update to LiveSlice, version 1.3 incorporates a number of new features. LiveSlice now works as an effect allowing you to record loops--live--for instant LiveSlicing. Additionally this release includes a number of workflow improvements the most significant being Drag'n'Drop support. New flash demos available soon. The following features and bug fixes are new since Version 1.2. New features: * Live input * Drag'n'Drop slices to tracks * Preview slices in the arranger * Midi through * Loops can now be renamed and saved with a different filename * When a loop is not found on disk (ie a new recording) it is automatically saved with the song * New feature: stretch - automatically pitches all events to make the duration match the project tempo * Manual sync will now override host sync information (workaround for hosts that provide incorrect sync info) * Clicking middle mouse button on a parameter will reset (before it would clear the event underneath) * Manual sync will now override host sync information (workaround for hosts that provide incorrect sync info) * Zoom in slicer improved. Reduced the general wobblyness, Zoom / Pan is now activated on double click * Manual updated Bug fixes: * fixed a bug in the file browser that could lead to crashes * fixed problem with some controls not responding when running multiple instances of LiveSlice * Quantize would allow overlapping events - fixed * Fixed tempo problem in Sonar using DirectiXer * Slices were not reversed in the gui * Loop output settings are now cleared on "clear all" * First event in a track would have too high attack and release * Snap no longer affects "lock to loop" * Error checking when importing cue-points as slices (fixes "silent slices" and "wrong slice num. reported" bugs) * Setting a midi controller to event and then to track mode caused the parameter to stop responding * Manual sync would sometimes cause double triggering of the first event * Gridlines going solid bug fixed * Fixed crashes when triggering empty arrangements and using manual sync For more information, visit their web site at www.livelab.dk. Wednesday, December 21 2005 | dmac Soundlabel Releases Piano Attack II Soundlabel has released the highly anticipated second version of their Piano Attack sample library: The Logic 7, EXS24/ Kontakt 2 Multi-format DVD-ROM. Piano Attack is a unique sample collection of hammered, beaten, prepared, and abused pianos. At Soundlabel, pianos were liberated from their black and white keys trying to capture all the unexpected sounds from the inside. Soundlabel created this unique sound library for composers, musicians and sound designers. The unexpected sounds from the inside include phrases, loops, beats, bangs, and zings. The Logic 7, EXS24/ Kontakt 2 multi-format DVD-ROM consists of: 210 EXS24 patches 411 Logic 7 channelstrip presets BPM patches (40-310 bpm) 274 Kontakt 2 (monolith) patches 157 REX files The Piano Attack multi-format DVD-ROM is available as a boxed version at www.soundlabel.com for 239Euro. International distributors: Mi7 for Europe Big Fish Audio for the USA You can find demos at www.pianoattack.com and there are free patches and samples available at the Soundlabel website. In the coming months, Piano Attack will be released in the more popular sampler formats. For more information, visit their web site at soundlabel.com. Wednesday, December 21 2005 | dmac Roland Continues MV-8000 Production Station's Evolution With OS Version 3.5 In a show of commitment to the MV-8000 platform and in response to top requests from MV users in the field, Roland announces the newest software upgrade for the MV-8000: Version 3.5. This free upgrade adds several important "recorder-like" functions to the MV's feature set. New features include audio-track and mute automation, recordable MFX control-knob movements, 3-band EQ added to the Audio and Instrument parts, a Pencil Tool added to the Piano Roll window, and a Patch Preview mode added to the Import function. Version 3.5 is the fourth OS version for the MV-8000 platform and can be downloaded for free from RolandUS.com. For more information, visit their web site at rolandus.com. Sunday, December 18 2005 | dmac Sonalksis releases TBK Adaptive Resonance Filter Sonalksis has released TBK, which they describe as "the world's first 'Adaptive Resonance' filter" - an entirely new generation of filter that automatically adapts filter resonance and saturation characteristics according to a psychoacoustic model. TBK can be used to obtain slow, gentle sweeps; massive screaming distorted sounds, and just about everything in between. It is designed to be flexible enough to fulfil your needs whenever you reach for a filter, but without forcing you through a complex interface, or requiring time spent calibrating fine detail. TBK adaptively calibrates itself for you. Adaptive Resonance Technology Standard filters require the alteration of resonance with frequency to maintain stable sonic attributes, particularly when resonance or saturation levels are elevated. This can make setup complex, adjustments difficult, and makes obtaining a perfect filter sweep very demanding. However the TBK 'adaptive resonance' system uses a psychoacoustic model to ensure a faultless sound regardless of filter style, frequency settings or sweep motions. 'Adaptive Resonance' is the technology in the Sonalksis TBK that controls the interaction between frequency, resonance and circuit saturation with respect to this psychoacoustic model, in order to give an improved sonic aesthetic in any circumstances. Features: Adaptive Resonance Technology with adaptive saturation algorithm. Four available 'modes' of adaptive resonance. Multi-mode filter response types. High quality, analogue-modelled minimum phase filters. 64bit floating point precision internal processing throughout. Ultra efficient processing, with specific optimisations for native processors. Zero latency throughput. TBK is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU formats and costs $199.99 / €149.99. Demo versions are available. More @ sonalksis.com. Sunday, December 18 2005 | dmac NuGen Audio Announces Update For Stereoizer NuGen Audio has announced the update of Stereoizer to v2.2, a VST effect for windows designed for adding adjustable stereo spread to mono or stereo input signals. Now with dynamic stereo enhancement and additional stereo width controls to inject extra life and movement into your sounds. The updated free version Stereoizer LT is still available within the Stereoizer package. New in Stereoizer v2.2: Phase Invert Phase Shift Expanding Interface Linear Width Control Mono Compatible Stereo Dynamics New in Stereoizer v2.2 and Stereoizer LT v2.2: Fine Tune control adjust Rotary or Linear control switch Preset and user patches Better compatibility with Windows 98 and Windows 2000 Stereoizer is available now from NuGen Audio. OS: Windows Format: VST Effect Availability: Now For more information, visit their web site at nugenaudio.com. Sunday, December 18 2005 | dmac ElectroKraft Releases Sonar*Axe MIDI Instrument The Sonar*Axe From ElectroKraft.com is a futuristic, guitar-shaped MIDI controller that uses sonar to detect hand position, and a touch sensor to trigger MIDI notes. Plug it into any MIDI compatible synthesizer, keyboard, or drum machine to facilitate Theremin and/or percussive control. Using Sonar and Touch Sensors: The Sonar*Axe is set up similarly to a guitar in that your fretting hand's position is very accurately and quickly tracked by the sonar sensor which registers the appropriate MIDI notes. Your picking hand taps on a touch sensor to trigger the transmission of each note. Analogous to the way a MIDI drum sends MIDI note messages out to the drum brain. You can think of it as a combination of a MIDI Theremin and a MIDI drum in its operation and functionality. The Sonar*Axe is very easy to use and does not require any programming, just plug in and play. Controls: Standard controls include octave, sound bank, velocity, volume and tempo. Customizing: Through custom programming other options can be added such as pitch bend, sustain, modulation wheel, etc. The Sonar Axe can be set up to transmit percussion notes and synth notes over multiple MIDI channels simultaneously for polyphony as heard here. Purchase Info: Available direct from ElectroKraft.com for $425.00 plus shipping. For more information, visit their web site at electrokraftpickups.com.