Week of November 19, 2006 Friday, November 24 2006 | dmac Voxengo Releases Overtone GEQ 1.2 Voxengo is happy to release the next version (v1.2) of Overtone GEQ. Overtone GEQ is a high-quality freeware graphic equalizer in PC VST format. Overtone GEQ is a 7-band harmonic (overtone) graphic equalizer with multi-channel support (supporting up to 8 input/output channels, host setup dependent: if you are using audio host application that conforms to VST specification of version below 2.3, 2 plug-in channels will be available only). Overtone GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side processing. Beside equalizing, Overtone GEQ applies harmonic enhancement processing. That is why Overtone GEQ is comparably CPU-heavy: it uses seven harmonic enhancement modules, one for each EQ band, that generate complex harmonic coloration. Overtone GEQ conforms to VST specification version 2.4, so it is able to interface with audio host applications in full 64-bit floating point resolution (if supported by host application). Overtone GEQ features: 7-band graphic equalizing +/- 12 dB gain range per band 2 graphic equalizer views Multi-channel processing Internal channel routing Channel grouping Mid/side processing Complex harmonic coloration 64-bit floating point processing Preset manager Undo/redo history A/B comparisons Context hint messages For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Friday, November 24 2006 | dmac Manytone Releases Two New ManyMore Soundsets: Ovation Acoustic/Electric Bass & Upright Acoustic Bass Manytone is pleased to announce the release of two new ManyMores: Ovation Acoustic Bass and Upright Acoustic Bass. ManyMores are soundsets in WusikSND format (that will play in both of Manytone's award winning synthesizers: ManyStation and ManyGuitar, and also on ManyOne and Eve) and in other leading formats including SoundFont and VSampler formats. Manytone Ovation Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar The Manytone Ovation Acoustic/Electric Bass includes both a DI soundset and a Mic'd soundset, so that the soundsets can be layered. It also includes many presets for ManyStation. Some of these presets have the Mic'd and Pickup sets layered and allow each set to be blended to fit a mix. A preset bank is also included for use in ManyGuitar. Manytone Acoustic Upright Bass The Manytone Upright Bass includes both a DI soundset and a Mic'd soundset, so that the soundsets can be layered to produce unique tones. The package also includes many presets for ManyStation. Pricing and availability Both soundsets are available now as downloads for the special introductory price of $19.95 each or $38.95 together (usual prices $29.95 and $49.95). For more information, visit their web site at www.manytone.com. Friday, November 24 2006 | dmac BIAS Ships SoundSoap 2.1 Universal For Mac OS X BIAS, Inc. today announced that SoundSoap 2.1 - a major update of the world's best selling audio noise reduction software plug-in and application for Mac OS X and Windows XP - is now available. In addition to several enhancements to both the Mac and Windows editions, the Mac edition is now Universal and provides 100% native compatibility for both Intel-based and PPC Macs. "One-click" Audio Cleaning SoundSoap 2.1 provides high quality noise reduction while still being easy enough for average consumers to use effectively. SoundSoap 2.1 runs as an audio plug-in within AU, RTAS, and VST host applications on Mac OS X or within RTAS and VST hosts applications on Windows XP. In addition, SoundSoap 2.1 runs as a stand alone application. While other solutions can tend toward complexity, SoundSoap 2.1's strength is that it depends upon highly advanced digital signal processing to do the "heavy lifting," without forcing users to confront a bevy of confusing controls. By clicking the Learn Noise button and adjusting just two knobs, even an audio novice can instantly remove most common problems such as hiss, fan noise from air conditioners, and other background noise. Noises such as clicks, crackles, hum, and rumble can also be easily removed with the click of a button and adjustment of a simple slider. Whether used for cleaning up digitized audio from vinyl LPs or cassettes, reducing background noise from digital videos, or improving the sound of lectures, podcasts, and other recordings, SoundSoap 2.1 offers effective noise reduction easily and affordably. Pricing and Availability SoundSoap 2.1 is available now for all registered users of SoundSoap 2 as a free download from the BIAS web site. Upgrades from SoundSoap 1 are also available and new customers may purchase SoundSoap 2 from the worldwide network of BIAS resellers or directly from BIAS for $99 US SRP. For additional audio cleaning power, SoundSoap users may also cross-grade to SoundSoap Pro - contact BIAS for more information. For more information, visit their web site at bias-inc.com. Friday, November 24 2006 | dmac Vienna Symphonic Library Ships Saxophones and Elements Instrument Collections The Vienna Symphonic Library team announces the release of two brand new Vienna Instruments Collections, Saxophones and Elements. Now available from Vienna's worldwide network of distributors and dealers, these two new products are the first of many upcoming releases to complement the existing 10 Collections of the Symphonic Cube. Saxophones The Saxophones Collection includes five instruments: Soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass saxophone, with a total of over 35GB of samples in 24-bit/44.1kHz. The focus has been directed equally to orchestral settings as well as to jazz. Famous examples of orchestral works using these instruments include the saxophone quartet by Alexander Glasunow, the alto saxophone concerts by Glasunow and Debussy, and the Castello from Mussorgsky's "Pictures." In addition, a host of articulations for jazz and big band are included, such as bends, tongue slaps, growling, screams, extended harmonics, key sounds, and more. In an unprecedented development, long and short downward ending phrases triggered as release samples have been added for heightened realism. Audio demos are available here. The Saxophones Collection retails for EUR395/$475 (Standard Library) and EUR345/$415 (Extended Library). The Extended Library is only EUR175/$210 for users of the Horizon Series Saxophones I who have registered the Vienna Instruments Saxophones Standard Library. Elements A showcase for water, metal, glass, and stone, Elements is a major expansion on the well-known Horizon Series Glass & Stones edition. It offers exciting new instruments such as the bass waterphone, an unusual, evocative instrument with a diameter of 14 inches. Its larger number of sounding rods, their increased length, the larger opening as well as the bigger resonating body with more water, furnish the musician with more unusual sonic possibilities and a wider variety of colors than the conventional waterphone. The oversized tam-tam, with a diameter of more than 65 inches, was treated with all the tricks of the trade, with a special nod to Stockhausen's opus "Mikrophonie" and others. It was struck with metal rods, cardboard and jigsaw blades, hit and rubbed with chains, and manhandled with fly swatters, an egg cutter, and even a massaging rod. The bottles contained herein are blown - with articulations such as sustains and flutter tonguing. The 18GB Elements Collection also features glass bells, musical glasses, a glass harmonica, a verrophone and a 5-octave lithophone. It retails for EUR295/$355 (Standard Library) and EUR195/$235 (Extended Library). For users of the Horizon Series Glass & Stones who have registered the Vienna Instruments Elements Standard Library the Extended Library is available for a handling fee of EUR35/$45. System Requirements PC Intel/AMD 2 GHz (3++ GHz recommended) with Windows XP or Apple G4 1 GHz (G5 or Intel Core Duo processor recommended) with Mac OS X 10.4 or higher. 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended) VST (PC) or AU (Mac) compatible host, also works stand-alone on PC and Mac DVD drive for installation Fast separate hard drive 88 key master keyboard (highly recommended) ViennaKey (Vienna Symphonic Library USB Protection Device) For more information, visit their web site at vsl.co.at.