Week of January 4, 2004 Saturday, January 10 2004 | dmac New Virus OS Adds Moog Filters Access Music has released OS6.5 for the Virus C, KC, Indigo2 and rack XL, which adds among other things an emulation of a classic Moog filter. OS6.5 features a brand new low pass filter algorithm which has been carefully modelled after the Mini Moog. The self-resonating "Analog Filter" which comes in 4 variations (1 pole 6dB/oct, 2 poles 12dB/oct, 3 poles 18dB/oct and 4 poles 24dB/oct) even exceeds it's role model in terms of flexibility. On top of that, the saturation of the virtual ladder filter is controllable using Access' new DCE (Discreet Circuit Emulation) technology. The update also comes with 60 new sounds by Howard Scarr, Ben Crosland and Matt Skaggs which have been especially programmed for the new filter. OS6.5 is free of charge and available now from the Access website. There is also a new section which outlines the filters capabilities with loads of audio examples. For more information, visit their web site at www.access-music.de. Friday, January 9 2004 | dmac Precisionsound releases Weltmeister Accordion for HALion and NI Kontakt The CD-ROM contains 567 individual 24 bit Mono WAV samples and 17 programs, each for HALion 1.*, HALion 2.01 and NI Kontakt. Almost every note has been sampled with 2 velocity levels and individual release samples. It's the bellow in/out dragging that's splitted into velocity zones. All samples have been tweaked for playability and realism within the sample programs. You get a fast response when playing, no need for staccato samples. The modulation wheel gives you the ability to do manual vibratos. All 5 key register positions has been sampled and divided into 4 * 4 + 1 sample programs: "Mini", "Optimal", "Extended", "Dream" and "Noise". No basses. You get the "Pianica 32A" SampleSet for FREE with the CD-ROM and the Weltmeister Accordion BUNDLE (HALion/Kontakt Download) Go to precisionsound to hear the DEMO songs, more information and ordering. Friday, January 9 2004 | dmac Cakewalk Sonar v3.1 released Cakewalk have released a Sonar v3.1 update patch for copies of Sonar 3 purchased directly from Cakewalk or from North American retail outlets ONLY. This patch will not update the Sonar 3 downloadable Web Demo version, the Sonar 3 Test Drive kit, Sonar 3 European releases, or Sonar 3 Japanese releases. The Sonar 3.1 European Updates will be available by February 2004. The Sonar 3.1 Japanese Updates will be available Q1 2004. This free update includes new features and over 100 bug fixes. Summary of new features: HyperThreading / Multiprocessor Optimization. Support for arbitrary sample rates. High-quality sample rate conversion when importing audio. Ability to convert sample rate during audio export. Maximum tempo has been increased to 1000 BPM (currently limited to 250BPM). Play List has been revived. Placeholders for Missing/Orphaned plug-ins. Adjustable EQ Plot Resolution. Reset All Meters command. More @ Cakewalk. Thursday, January 8 2004 | dmac Jack Tools Lets OS X Audio Apps Communicate Now available for download, Jack Tools is a Mac OS X implementation of the Jack Audio Connection Kit (Jack). Jack is a low-latency audio server, written originally for the GNU/Linux operating system. It connects any number of different applications to a single hardware audio device; it also allows applications to send and receive audio to and from each other. Jack is different from other audio server efforts in that it has been designed from the ground up to be suitable for professional audio work. It focuses on two key areas: synchronous execution of all clients, and low latency operation. Jack Tools installs everything necessary to take full advantage of Jack on OS X. This includes: The Jack server - The infrastructure you need in place to use Jack. The Jack Audio Server (JAS) - JAS is a CoreAudio "user space" driver that allows any OS X CoreAudio application to become a Jack client. The Jack audio plugins - Both AU and VST "Jack-aware" audio plugins are provided, which further expand the limitless audio routing possibilities when using Jack. Both VST formats (Mach-O and CFM) are provided. The JackPilot application - JackPilot offers an easy to use GUI interface that allows you to control the Jack server, and manage the audio connections between applications and/or plugins. Jack Tools is available for free download at www.jackosx.com. Thursday, January 8 2004 | dmac New Albino 2 VSTi/AudioUnit from LinPlug Rob Papen and LinPlug have announced the ALBINO 2 Synthesizer. In 2002 Rob Papen approached Peter Linsener of LinPlug with his idea of a sound-designers dream synth. A few months later ALBINO was born. Now an update, the ALBINO 2, is due for release in the first quarter of 2004. System Requirements: VST2.0 or AU capable host software MacintoshTM, Mac OSXTM 10.2 or higher, 500 MHz or higher CPU PC, Windows 95 or higher, 500 MHz or higher CPU The Albino 2 will be sold in major music stores (distributed by time+space and Internet Corporation) and available for online purchase from the LinPlug website. Price is 199 Euro, )US-$ price to be announced). Upgrade is 39 Euro (49 US$ outside the EU). The upgrade is free for people who purchased November 1, 2003 or later. For more detaled information, visit their web site at www.linplug.com. Wednesday, January 7 2004 | dmac FL Studio v4.5.1 has been released FL Studio v4.5.1, Image-Line's all in one software production suite for PC has once again come of age with a bunch of new features and a couple of bug fixes. The biggest addition to the FL Studio v4.5.1 arsenal is the new Sytrus soft synth (trial version inlcuded), boasting: six operators each with additive harmonics, subtractive synthesis, FM synthesis, ring modulation and a very comprehensive and intuitive modulation matrix. Image-Line are also currently running the XXL package deal offer which enables you to purchase FL Studio 4.5.1 and all of the extra plugins at a discount price. What's new in 4.5.1 New Sytrus generator (Trial version included)! New 'auto' mode in arpeggiator (finally works like a classic arp now). New playback function in piano roll. New strum tool in piano roll. New Fruity Flangus effect plugin. New ReWire (host & client) support. Playlist / piano roll selection now updated when changing PPQ. Added ASIO clock source selector (for compatibility with the Tascam US-122) Added ASIO CPU check for more stabillity (prevents freezing GUI). Removed the obsolete 'tiny slices' rendering setting & improved rendering. Added beep metronome sound. Bugfix in Fruity Slicer plugin. Bugfix in channel grouping while loading songs. Little bugfix in playlist. Little bugfix in preset switching. Downloadable version:  o FL Studio Express Edition at US$ 49  o FL Studio Fruityloops Edition at US$ 99  o FL Studio Producer Edition at US$149  o Sytrus       at US$ 79  o FL Studio XXL: Max. US$267 (price to be determined depending on the plugins you already own) Boxed versions: Boxed versions are available from our International Distributors here. For more information, go to flstudio.com. Wednesday, January 7 2004 | dmac NAMM 2004: Anadigm to Show Analog Synthesizer with Software Controls at NAMM Making its first public demonstrations of audio applications for field programmable analog arrays (FPAAs), Anadigm will show how its reconfigurable ICs can be used to create the industry's first analog synthesizer fully integrated with software-based controls at The NAMM Show booth 1790 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Jan. 15 through 18. A "fabless" semiconductor company headquartered in Campbell, Calif., and Crewe, U.K., Anadigm provides FPAAs and associated design software that greatly reduce the time, effort, and expense required to create analog interfaces in audio, telecommunications, and industrial applications. A multimedia demonstration of AnadigmDesigner2 v2.4 can be viewed at the Anadigm Web site (address below). A free trial copy of AnadigmDesigner2 v2.4 is available for download at here. A complete evaluation kit with a development board, entry-level software, and updated documentation is now available at a promotional price of $199. Pricing for FPAA silicon starts at $4.95 in 1,000-piece quantities. For more information, go to www.anadigm.com. Wednesday, January 7 2004 | dmac Orion Pro 5 released Synapse Audio have released v5.0 of Orion Pro. This update includes the following additions: New drum module (same as in Platinum 5). Stereo Pan/Width effect added. Metronome and Count-In functions added. MIDI Keyboard splits possible for all generators. We were quick off the mark, and produced a review of Orion Pro 5 in our reviews section and scored 3.5/4. Check it out... Wednesday, January 7 2004 | dmac VST updates... FL Studio v4.5.1 released. Tuesday, January 6 2004 | dmac PSPaudioware updates... New updates and releases from PSPaudioware - PSP EasyVerb (MSRP 69$) is a reverberation effect plug-in (VST and DirectX for PC; VST for Mac OS X; AudioUnit and RTAS for Mac OS X and RTAS for PC versions should be available in January 2004). PSP EasyVerb contains nine high quality reverb algorithms designed to simulate physical spaces (ambience, room, chamber, club, hall, arena, cathedral) or popular reverb machines such as plate and spring reverbs. In developing this plug-in, we endeavored to make it simple to use, while offering enough control over each algorithm for you to customize the effect to your specific needs. In other words we wanted to offer you a reverb that is operationally easy, but sonically complex! - PSP MasterQ is a high quality parametric equalizer designed to operate at sampling rates ranging from 44.1 to 192kHz . The plug-in (VST and DirectX for PC; VST for Mac OS X; AudioUnit and RTAS for Mac OS X and RTAS for PC versions should be available in first quarter of 2004) contains seven filters: 12 or 24 dB/oct low cut and high cut filters, low shelf and high shelf filters, and low mid, middle and high mid peaking filters?all of them with adjustable frequency and Q factor over a wide range. The plug-in also includes a high precision EQ graph to display an overview of the EQ curve, as well as display the individual characteristics of each filter. - PSP MixPack is a collection of 4 plug-ins processors in DirectX and VST format for PC; VST for Mac OSX; VST; MAS for Mac OS 9 (RTAS and AudioUnit version) in development) designed to improve the quality of digital sound recordings that often lack quality due to excessive digital sterility and harshness. As the name of the collection suggests, the plug-ins which make up part of this series are specifically for use during sound mixing. However, the quality of the algorithms employed also allows them to be used in mastering. The kit consists of: PSP MixBass a specialized low-frequency processor which is designed to assist in attaining a punchy, analog bass sound. PSP MixSaturator a specialized processor designed to produce a saturated sound, typical of such analog devices like tape recorders and valve circuits, PSP MixPressor a compressor which enables the user to obtain sound quality typical of classic devices with valve and optoelectronic circuits, and  PSP MixTreble a universal high-frequency processor based on well-known analog devices. Monday, January 5 2004 | dmac Focusrite Rolls Out ISA 430 MKII Producer Pack Focusrite and Digidesign have rolled out the new ISA 430 MKII Producer Pack channel strip. The new unit combines various Focusrite analog channel strip technologies into a single product and offers multi-format compressors, gate, de-esser, limiter and other features. It's available now. The Focusrite ISA 430 MKII Producer Pack is an analog channel strip combined with additional features and designed to be a comprehensive audio production tool. It includes the Focusrite transformer-based mic pre with variable impedance and Air feature; a multi-format compressor (vintage optical circuit and VCA circuit); ability to function as four modular processors, including mic pre, EQ, dynamics and stereo ADC; expanded version of the Focusrite ISA 110 EQ design; post mic pre output; de-esser; soft limiter; and optional stereo 24-bit, 192 kHz A/D. The ISA 430 MKII Producer Pack is available now for $2,695. For more information, visit focusrite.com. Sunday, January 4 2004 | dmac Add Warmth to Digital Tracks with Voxengo's Latest Plug-In Voxengo's Warmifier is a new PC VST plug-in which processes signal in a way similar to tube-based audio equipment to give you a classic tube warming effect right in your PC DAW environment. Warmifier can be applied both to the complete mix and to the individual instruments. You have several parameters at your disposal that allow you to control the strength and the colour of the warming effect. Also, you have several valve types to choose from. Each valve type offers a different degree of coloration. Warmifier is on the subtle side of valves and so it is best used for adding the final polish to the program material according to Voxengo. Features: Seven valve types 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 Introductory price is USD 39.00. Warmifier is available for download at the Voxengo website. For more information, visit their web site at www.voxengo.com.