Week of July 31, 2005 Friday, August 5 2005 | dmac Antares Announces AVOX Vocal Plug-In Suite AVOX Throat AVOX Duo Antares Audio Technologies has announced the impending release of AVOX - The Antares Vocal Toolkit for Macintosh and PC. AVOX combines five vocal processing plug-ins to give musicians, producers and engineers the power to enhance vocal tracks in any musical style as well as design unique vocal effects for audio post-production applications. The AVOX Antares Vocal Toolkit includes: THROAT Physical Modeling Vocal Designer THROAT is a new vocal tool that allows one to process a vocal through a physical model of the human vocal tract. THROAT begins by neutralizing the effect of the original singer's vocal tract and then gives you the ability to specify the characteristics of the modeled vocal tract. THROAT's controls allow the modification the voice's glottal waveform as well as the ability to globally stretch, shorten, widen or constrict the modeled vocal tract. For even more detailed control, THROAT's graphical Throat Shaping display allows the individual adjustment of the position and width of five points in the vocal tract model, from the vocal cords, through the throat, mouth and out to the lips. Finally, THROAT's Breathiness controls allow the addition of variable frequency noise to the model, resulting in a range of vocal effects from subtle breathiness, to raspiness, to a full whisper. While THROAT has been designed to allow subtle modifications to a voice's vocal quality, the range of the controls also allows the creation of vocal tract models well beyond the limits of physical human anatomy, offering the possibility of vocal characteristics that are simply unattainable by any other means. DUO Vocal Modeling Auto-Doubler The DUO Vocal Modeling Auto-Doubler automatically generates a doubled vocal part from any existing monophonic vocal. Unlike conventional doublers that simply apply pitch and delay variation to the original part, DUO makes use of Antares' unique vocal modeling and vibrato processing technologies to create a doubled part that actually sounds like a second singer according to the company. In addition to allowing programmable variation in pitch, timing and vibrato depth, for even more realism, DUO includes a simplified version of THROAT's vocal modeling to provide timbral variation for the doubled part. DUO's output section gives independent control of the level and stereo position of the original and doubled voices. CHOIR Vocal Multiplier Neither a harmonizer nor a conventional chorus effect, CHOIR is a processor that actually turns a single voice into 4, 8, 16, or 32 distinct individual unison voices, each with its own pitch, timing and vibrato variations. The voices can, if desired, be spread across the stereo spectrum. When multiple instances of CHOIR are assigned to individual harmony parts, the result is a large vocal ensemble. PUNCH Vocal Impact Enhancer PUNCH is a processor that, as its name so ably implies, gives a vocal more dynamic impact, allowing it to cut through a dense mix with clarity and power. It provides a combination of compression, gain, limiting, and overload protection with a user interface designed for speed and simplicity. SYBIL Variable Frequency De-Esser SYBIL is a digital implementation of a classical vocal de-esser. SYBIL tames vocal sibilance with a flexible compressor with threshold, ratio, attack and decay controls as well as a variable sidechain highpass frequency to match any vocal performance. AVOX will available in late August for RTAS (Mac OSX and PC), VST (Mac OSX and PC) and Audio Units (Mac OS X) at a U.S. MSRP of $599.00. For more information, visit their web site at antarestech.com. Thursday, August 4 2005 | dmac EchoBoy Pro Tools Plug-In Gains 96 kHz Support Echoboy TDM SoundToys Inc. (formerly Wave Mechanics), a developer of high-end digital signal processing (DSP) tools announced the availability of a new upgrade for EchoBoy. Available free of charge to existing EchoBoy users, the new upgrade adds 96k support for both TDM and RTAS formats as well as HTDM to support older ProTools| 24 MIX systems. A free 14 day production-ready trial version, and upgrade for registered users is available for download. EchoBoy at 96k requires a ProTools|HD Accel card for true TDM, or a compatible native system for RTAS or HTDM. HTDM is also available for older ProTools| 24 MIX systems at 44/48kHz. One GHz or faster CPUs are recommended. Analog emulation lets EchoBoy TDM create the sound of a wide array of echo and delay devices, past and present. EchoBoy's new Advanced Analog Mode and selectable 'Echo Styles' allow users to change the entire sonic signature from pristine digital delay, to high quality tape echo, to lo-fi analog delay pedals, and classic echo boxes. Featuring intricate rhythm capabilities thanks to SoundToys' new True Groove rhythm technology, EchoBoy TDM lets users change the rhythm of their delays to allow the echo to swing and jam along with the mix. EchoBoy TDM includes adjustable swing/shuffle and accent for a truly musical echo sound. Users can tweak the feel control from 'rushin' to 'draggin' so the echo hits right where it sounds best. MIDI tempo locking also lets users lock to the session tempo with the flip of a switch. EchoBoy TDM is loaded with over 300 professionally crafted presets and a host of other features including single, dual, ping-pong and rhythm modes, dynamics control, 3-band EQ with decay shaping, stereo imaging control, advanced analog mode and true TDM support on Pro Tools HD and HD Accel systems (96kHz requires ProTools| HD Accel). Pricing and Availability EchoBoy TDM is currently available from SoundToys and its network of distributors for just $495.00 MSRP. EchoBoy TDM works in Digidesign's TDM, RTAS, HTDM and AudioSuite plug-in formats and supports Pro-Tools|HD, LE, HD Accel, and 24 MIX. For more information, visit their web site at soundtoys.com. Thursday, August 4 2005 | dmac Version 2.5 of MadTracker Adds VST and ReWire Support Main Screen Mixer Screen Yannick Delwiche has released version 2.5 of his free music composition tool: MadTracker. With this release, MadTracker combines the power and speed of the tracker interface with the advanced possibilities of VST plugins and ReWire support. MadTracker is targeted for any level or type of composer. MadTracker is based on the established tracker concept. Unlike the traditional piano roll and its horizontal time structure, a tracker provides a vertical structure for the composition of music. Arrangements can be made in either real-time or in steps via a MIDI or regular PC keyboard. The usage of a tracker interface instead of a piano roll or matrix sequencer provides an environment for intuitive and efficient creation or adaptation of compositions. MadTracker 2.5 is the first tracker-based music program with ReWire support enabling composers to integrate MadTracker directly into their existing setup. Furthermore, full VST support provides an unlimited working space. MadTracker can either be used as a powerful stand-alone composition tool, or an addition to any existing studio. MadTracker demands little system resources, and runs on virtually every computer that runs any version of Windows.MadTracker comes bundled with a broad range of songs, samples and VST plugins to get users started right out of the box. There is also an active MadTracker community. Many changes within MadTracker are the result of user requests. Multiple types of competitions for users take place, either organized or spontaneous. The forum and chat room give rise to collaborations, remixes, constructive feedback and a general good time. A dedicated community section on the website gives access to on line articles about technologies, composers and other related topics. Improvements since version 2.3.2: Full VST support (effects, instruments, multitimbrality, automation, presets, etc.) Plugins database with configurable categories for quick plugin access ReWire support Built-in IRC (chat) client to get instant help and/or chat with other MadTracker producers New pattern manager Track EQ Full screen pattern editor MIDI file (*.mid) import and export Better MIDI-out support Image embedding (for covers and logo pictures) "No interpolation" option for samples (for chiptunes fans) Improved stability and CPU usage Improved interface Improved automation MadTrack 2.5 for Windows is available as a free download. For more information, visit their web site at madtracker.org. Wednesday, August 3 2005 | dmac Voxformer VST Vocal Channel Strip Updated Version 1.6 of Voxformer is now available. Voxformer is a multi-functional vocal channel strip plug-in in PC VST format. Combining several processing modules, Voxformer was designed to be a comprehensive solution for all your vocal processing needs - be it spoken or sung vocals. This version features several minor issue fixes. It also features an extended frequency selection range for the Presence module: it has been extended down to 100 Hz. This allows you to use 'presence' in the lower frequency range. This--in turn--usually allows to boost overall body of the voice - especially if it sounds weaker than desired. The "More Body To Voice" preset demonstrates this approach. Voxengo Voxformer features: Two built-in vocal compressors Switchable crossover (2 types) Gain reduction meters 4-band equalizer Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer Asymmetric compression Vintage saturation module De-esser module (2 types) Presence boosting module Noise gate module High quality mode "A-to-B" comparisons Mono-to-Stereo, Stereo-to-Stereo processing Any sample rate is supported Factory presets 64-bit internal precision Native assembler DSP code Voxformer is available on-line for USD 59.95. For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Wednesday, August 3 2005 | dmac MakeMusic Releases Finale 2006 for Mac and Windows Garritan Personal Orchestra Finale Edition MakeMusic Inc. announced the release of Finale 2006, music notation software for Macintosh and Windows computers. Users of Finale 2006 will experience: Dramatically improved music playback - Thanks to partnerships with other companies, Finale 2006 includes a built-in Kontakt Player from Native Instruments and the Garritan Personal Orchestra Finale Edition, which features more than 100 studio-quality instrument sounds. New tools for teaching and learning music composition - Finale 2006 advances music education with the new StudioView. By integrating key sequencer tools into each music staff, users can teach music composition and arranging using standard music notation rather than complex computer symbols. This combination of professional notation and sequencer features is paired with a mixer for real-time control of volume, panning, patch, mute solo, and record. New controls for absolute creative freedom - Features like TempoTap allow users to control the nuances of rubati, accelerandi, and ritardandi with the tap of a finger. These fine distinctions are captured in real time, while Finale plays the music, and automatically recorded for future performances. Tools such as Engraver Copy and Paste make professionallevel editing easy. One dialog box controls all aspects of cut and paste (even between documents). Personal settings are automatically saved. Finale 2006 expands the musical possibilities even further with an array of tools and features: Mid-Measure Repeats, Split Measures, Create Coda Systems, Chord Analysis, Resize Noteheads Automatically, Handbells Used Charts, support for a wide variety of Native Instrument VST/AU players, Textured Paper, Embedded Graphics, Music XML Import and Export (for Windows and Macintosh), Auto Slur Melismas, Score System Divider, Enhanced Human Playback, Embedded Fonts in Mac EPS files, Smart Shape Libraries, Auto Resize When Printing, Orff Instruments in Setup Wizard, Auto Insert Copyright Symbol, New Key Signature Context Menu, Composite Library Files, Mass Edit Context menu, and much more. MSRP is $600, with educational/theological discounts available. Upgrades from Finale 2005 are currently available for $99.95, and upgrades from earlier versions cost $149.95. For more information, visit their web site at codamusic.com. Wednesday, August 3 2005 | dmac Spectrasonics updates Spectrasonics has released new Audio Units (AU) updates of their virtual instrument plug-ins Trilogy, Atmosphere and Stylus Classic. The AU updates add compatibility for Apples new Mac OS X version 10.4 (Tiger), as well as AU Validation for Apple Logic 7, sample rate and tuning fixes and all known MOTU Digital Performer 4.52 and higher issues including a muting problem and lost presets when bouncing mixes to disk. More @ spectrasonics.net.