Week of March 20, 2005 Saturday, March 26 2005 | dmac RoomVerb M2 Updated to Version 2.2 SpinAudio has released a new update for the RoomVerb M2 reverb plug-in for Windows and Mac. The updated version features a new, improved reverb engine that provides denser, more realistic reverberation and better stereo image spatialization. The update comes bundled with a redesigned set of 250 ready-to-use factory presets. Main features of RoomVerb M2 include: Plate and Outdoor acoustic space simulation modes Time and Spectral Domain Spatial Decorrelation Technology Reverb Modulation with a choice of random LFOs Comprehensive control of Early and Late reflections Separate 3-band parametric equalizers for Early and Late reflections Acoustic space environment modelling through air and material frequency-dependant absorption simulation filters with a set of more than 40 presets included Two Built-in Gates with True Stereo RMS Detection 250 ready-to-use factory presets Preset management system with categorial and keyword search Optimized code for modern processors Free demo version and audio demos are available for download from SpinAudio web site. RoomVerb M2 2.2 plug-in is available for purchase in the SpinAudio OnLine Shop and through SpinAudio distributors. The product MSRP is 145 USD. Registered product users can download the new version for free. For more information, visit their web site at spinaudio.com. Saturday, March 26 2005 | dmac Jamstix 1.0 Virtual Drummer Released Rayzoon Technologies has now released Jamstix, a VSTi PC-based virtual drummer that allows real-time jamming with MIDI or audio-in as well as the arrangement of complex drum tracks synchronized with a VST host/sequencer. Jamstix has its own sound engine with over 380MB of multi-sampled drums with controllable ambience, but it can also sub-host other drum VSTis, such as BFD or DFH Superior, bringing a whole new level of interactivity and expressiveness to these sound libraries. Jamstix analyzes MIDI input to identify chord patterns and velocity as well as audio input (velocity only) in real-time and develops rhythms and adjusts parameters instantaneously, to give you the feel of playing with a human drummer. The Limb-Priority-Control mechanism ensures that the output is at all times playable by a human drummer. You can layer rhythms and fills and accents as you wish and never have to worry about whether the result sounds realistic. A built-in arranger allows easy control of rhythms, intros, fills, and endings in sync with your sequencer. The rhythm editor allows you to modify or create rhythms. Jamstix comes with a library of 250 rhythms ready to use. Extensive pitch and velocity mapping allows the adaptation of any key layout and over 30 MIDI-automation parameters allow control of various aspects of Jamstix by the host sequencer. Jamstix offers four separate stereo outputs with compression and an additional twelve stereo outputs as pass-through outputs to sub-hosted VSTi that require it. Jamstix also offers MIDI output to the host sequencer as well as export to MIDI file for maximum flexibility. A demo version as well as audio examples are available on the company's web site. Price: $99 For more information, visit their web site at rayzoon.com. Wednesday, March 23 2005 | dmac New Update for Voxengo's Convolution Reverb Plug-In A free version 1.4 update for Pristine Space is now available for download. Pristine Space is a convolution reverb processor in PC VST plug-in format with eight independent convolution channels. Pristine Space can be used in mono, stereo and various surround channel configurations. Version 1.4 fixes several minor issues that were compromising general plug-in's stability. Another improvement in this version is an increased preset bank size. It can now hold up to 64 presets. This version also features an advanced "Latency +512" global option which should be used in conjunction with the impulse files generated by Voxengo Impulse Modeler. Pristine Space features: Up to 8 convolution channels Loading of up to 8 impulse files Non-destructive impulse editing Linear-phase impulse equalizer Several latency options Routing options Serial convolution processing WAV and AIFF format support Multi-channel file support Built-in sample rate converter True zero-latency processing Search paths mechanism Factory presets "A-to-B" comparisons Support of all output sample rates Low quality mode for conserving CPU cycles SSE/SSE2 and 3DNow! optimizations Pristine Space is available on-line for USD 139.95. It is also available in bundle with Impulse Modeler and Deconvolver applications for USD 169.95. For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Wednesday, March 23 2005 | dmac Analogue Sequencer Loops Virtual Instrument from Zero-G Zero-G and Xfonic Ltd have announced the release of A.S.L. - Analogue Sequencer Loops, a virtual instrument representing classic analog synths and hardware analog sequencers superbly captured at 24-bit sampling resolution. The mastermind behind the new library found within A.S.L. is Ian Boddy, one of Europe's leading synthesists and veteran sample library Producer for Zero-G, who has plundered his extensive arsenal of vintage and modern analog synths and analog sequencers. You'll find 1000 loops and over 1.5GB of brand new material on A.S.L., designed to complement Ian Boddy's and Zero-G's 'Morphology' virtual instrument. For complete flexibility in tempo and instrument selection, a version of Native Instrument's INTAKT sampler, for both Mac and PC completes A.S.L., providing an easy to use, on-screen interface for additional sound shaping abilities without disturbing your creative flow. (The sound library can also be loaded into other Native Instruments samplers including Kontakt for even greater flexibility). A.S.L. features the following sound categories: Analogue Drums Bass Sequences Electronic Percussion FX Loops Hi-Hat & Noise Loops Melodic Sequences Sine & Pure Sequences These are further subdivided into 7 tempo groups ranging from 90 - 150 BPM. With the Intakt interface's ability to play back loops at varying tempos these are provided purely to conveniently divide the library into easily digestible chunks. Not only can you sync, stretch, and pitch the loops, but also filter, effect and modulate them as well. A powerful sound-shaping filter, flexible envelopes, syncable LFOs and distortion, syncable delay and lo-fi effects can inject even more energy and individuality into the loops. Since the software interface is based on the KONTAKT audio engine, working with it is fast, easy, and sounds great! 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 Retail Price: 129.00 GBP / $219.95 / 179 Euros For more information, visit their web site at zero-g.co.uk. Wednesday, March 23 2005 | dmac Upgraded Version of Live Lite Included with All Pro Tools Systems Digidesign has announced that Ableton Live Lite 4 Digidesign Edition will soon ship with every Digidesign Pro Tools TDM and LE system as part of the Music Production Enhancement Suite. Registered owners of the previous version of Ableton Live Digidesign Edition can download a free update to the new software version for a limited time from Ableton's website at ableton.com. Live Lite 4 Digidesign Edition features some of the latest enhancements included in Ableton Live 4 software. Compared to the previously bundled Ableton Live Digidesign Edition, Live Lite 4 Digidesign Edition features new MIDI functionality, more precise control of volume, pitch and timing for audio, and offers a variety of audio and MIDI effects as well. In addition to Live Lite 4 Digidesign Edition, the Music Production Enhancement Suite also includes Propellerhead Software Reason Adapted, and IK Multimedia's SampleTank SE, AmpliTube LE, and T-RackS EQ. Ableton is offering a discounted upgrade path to the full version of Live 4 from the Live Lite version bundled with every Digidesign Pro Tools system. You can choose the downloadable upgrade for EUR/USD 249 or the boxed upgrade for EUR/USD 279. You can upgrade at ableton.com. For more information, visit their web site at digidesign.com. Wednesday, March 23 2005 | dmac Elemental Audio Updates Plug-Ins, Renames Finalis Finis Elemental Audio Systems today announced a name change for its new peak limiter and the availability of updates for all of its commercial audio plug-ins. Formerly known as Finalis, Elemental Audio Systems' limiting plug-in and newest product has been renamed Finis. The plug-in updates, released for Firium, Eqium, Neodynium, and Finis, address several issues and offer improved user experience and audio quality. All supported plug-in formats, including Digidesign RTAS, Steinberg VST, and Apple Audio Unit (AU), are affected by the updates. The new versions are free to all current, registered customers. Finis, the plug-in formerly known as Finalis, is a brick-wall peak limiter and loudness maximization plug-in. Finis combines a simple interface with an intelligent processing engine to provide smooth limiting. Currently available at an introductory price of $139 US, Finis has a retail price of $159 US. Introductory pricing ends on April 14, 2005. Firium and Eqium offer two distinct approaches to equalization. Firium is a linear phase equalizer with built-in spectrum analyzer that allows users to draw their desired EQ. Eqium, an unlimited band EQ toolbox, allows users to create a custom EQ exactly to their specifications using any combination of its eleven filter types. In addition to traditional filter types, Eqium offers filters for noise removal and special effects tasks. Both EQ plug-ins provide pristine audio quality and can be used for mixing and mastering purposes. Firium and Eqium are available for $129 US each or $169 US bundled. A compressor and dynamics processing plug-in, Neodynium employs processing techniques to provide greater control of audio levels. Neodynium brings a visual approach to compression that supplies invaluable information for optimizing and directing compression efforts and ensuring effective compressor use. Neodynium is available for $159 US alone and may also be purchased bundled with other Elemental Audio Systems products. All plug-ins are both Mac and Windows compatible. For more information, visit their web site at elementalaudio.com. Wednesday, March 23 2005 | dmac Mig Music Releases New Sound Bank for NI's B4 Mig Music has programmed a new collection of organ sounds for use with the Native Instruments B4 virtual instrument. The B4 Organ Sounds Collection contains 120 new sounds including House Organs, Rock Organs, Jazz Organs, Chillout Organs, Blues Organs, 60's Organs, Classical Organs and more. The collection loads as single bank of 120 sounds (b4a format file) for ease of use straight into the B4, and can be used royalty-free. The B4 Organ Sounds Collection can be ordered online for £19.95, and delivered as an electronic download. The company is also offering special introductory deal. Anyone who buys the B4 Organ Sounds Collection before June 30, 2005 will receive a copy of the Mig Music Tr909 Midi Dance Collection which contans 512 Techno/Trance/House Midi Drum Patterns in Standard Midi File Format, usually sold separately for £19.95, as a free bonus. For more information, visit their web site at migmusic.com.