Week of December 5, 2004 Thursday, December 9 2004 | dmac Version 3.2 of Acoustica Audio Editor Announced Editor Screenshot EQ Screenshot Acon Digital Media announced the release of an update to their audio editor, Acoustica. The latest version contains several new features such as automatic track splitting, region markers, file meta information (tagging) and automatic noise reduction as well as smaller enhancements for increased usability. The automatic noise reduction feature allows use of the built-in noise reduction even when there is no part of the recording available that contains noise only. Also aimed at LP or cassette to CD transfers is the new automatic track splitting feature with adjustable noise level threshold and minimal pause length. The handling of markers is greatly improved. Labels and the new region markers are listed in optional region list and label list windows where they can also be removed or renamed. New in version 3.2 is the support for file meta information such as titles and artist names. Acoustica supports such meta information for files in the MP3 (ID3 tags), OGG and RIFF Wave formats. The complete list of new features in version 3.2 is: Automatic noise reduction that does not require the noise analysis step Automatic track splitting Faster loading of audio files Support for region markers Meta information editor for title, artist name and other additional data New dockable windows containing labels and region markers The output meter is now dockable Several new usability features, including new short cuts for faster user interaction. Price and Availability Acoustica is available for $34.90 (USD) as electronic delivery or for $49.90 (USD) as a CD shipment. The software is available for purchase or as a free 30-day trial. The upgrade to version 3.2 is free for registered Acoustica 3.0 and 3.1 users, whereas registered holders of previous versions can upgrade for $19.00 (USD). For more information, visit their web site at acondigital.com. Thursday, December 9 2004 | dmac Soniformer 2.3 Update Released Version update 2.3 of Soniformer, a mastering compressor in PC VST format, is now available for download. Version 2.3 fixes minor issues, introduces panning envelope and a compression disable switch which transforms Soniformer into a multi-band stereo field adjustment tool, with a lower CPU overall usage. This version also implements minor performance optimizations, increases the maximal number of control points in envelopes to 32 (previously only 16 control points were available) and features an output clipping led, and an input-output level difference counter. Another useful improvement of this version is a narrow band sweeping function which allows you to listen to a selectable narrow sonic band in order to detect various sonic artifacts which then can be tamed by Soniformer. Voxengo Soniformer features: Spectral compression Envelope-driven parameters 32-band spectrum analyzer Mid/side processing Gain change meters Stereo linking envelope Stereo width envelope Stereo pan envelope Two level detector types "A-to-B" comparisons Factory presets Mono-to-Stereo, Stereo-to-Stereo processing Sample rates up to 192 kHz supported Native assembler DSP code 64-bit internal precision Voxengo Soniformer is available for purchase on-line for USD 59.95. For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Wednesday, December 8 2004 | dmac Synapse Audio update Orion Pro to v5.8. Updates: Delay/Attack time adjustable for each LFO. Sophisticated Editor with automatic pitch detection and easy multi-sample creation. Internal effects unit, for better SoundFont compatibility. Also new are Styles, introduced in Orion Platinum 5.8. With Styles patterns and presets can be saved in one unit, allowing easy sharing of complex sequences across projects, or with other users. More @ synapse-audio.com Wednesday, December 8 2004 | dmac HarpTime and Microrock Released for OS X in AU and VSTi Formats Microrock Already available for Windows, NUSofting has now released two of their physical modeling virtual instruments, HarpTime and Microrock, for Mac OS X, supporting both the AudioUnit and VST interfaces. HarpTime, as you might guess, is a virtual harp instrument, modeling a range of different instruments including folk and ethnic harps such as the Celtic, Japanese (koto), Paraguayan, and African harps. HarpTime is offering in both "Pro" and "Fun" versions, with the latter applying most parameters on a global basis, affecting all strings at once, for a simplified interface. Microrock is a monophonic synthesizer designed to produce bass and lead guitar type lines. In addition to the physically modeled string elements, Microrock provides overdrive, distortion, wah, stereo chorus, vibrato and delay effects. HarpTime Pro is currently priced at $59.90/Euro $48.90, while HarpTime Fun carries a price tag of $29.90/Euro 26.90. Microrock is $46.90/Euro 36.90. Demo versions are available for download. For more information, visit their web site at liqihsynth.com. Tuesday, December 7 2004 | dmac SaxLab VST/AU Virtual Saxophone Released LinPlug has now released, SaxLab, a VST/AU-format wind instrument synthesizer with several unique features. SaxLab uses multi-sample playback of wind-instrument samples and incorporates a specially designed four-voice crossfade system designed to create realistic wind instrument sounds. SaxLab's includes a wide range of soundsets for the various instruments of the saxophone family, an effects section that includes chorus and reverb, as well as real-time modulation options. Special attention has been paid to making the performance controls as rich and responsive as possible, so that the instrument can be realistically played. SaxLab is the successor to Dash Signature's TubiLeSax VST instrument, introducing many new features and an improved sound engine. An upgrade path from TubiLeSax to SaxLab is available for registered users of TubiLeSax. The info is sent by mail to all registered users within the next days. SaxLab contains a range of features designed to make your music-making more efficient and enjoyable. These include: Many different SoundSets for various saxophone instruments. Monophonic multi-sample playback with internal four-voice crossfade. Adjustable mix of three sound layers for each note: the "Air" layer, the "Keys" layer and the "Pitched" layer. Air/Keys and Pitched sound layer crossfade point is set by MIDI velocity. User-definable, velocity-sensitive amplitude envelope. Tonal characteristics of the instrument's overall sound can be defined by the user. Real-time control of the instrument's brightness. Three modes of mono performance: Legato, Retrigger, Alternate Control of PitchBend and Scoop. Random pitch deviation and body frequency deviation per note. Envelope, LFO and MIDI-controlled vibrato and tremolo. Stereo chorus and stereo reverb effects. Simple tuning selection via a "one-click" menu. MidiLearn available for every control. Sample accurate timing, full automation and settings are saved with the song System Requirements: VST2.0 or AU capable host software Macintosh: Mac OSX 10.2.6 or higher, 750 MHz or higher CPU PC: Windows 95TM or higher, 750 MHz or higher CPU Purchase: SaxLab will be sold in all major music stores from January 2005 on and is immediately available for online purchase from the LinPlug website. License Fee/Suggested Retail Price: 129 Euro in the EU, $149US outside the EU. Upgrade from TubiLeSax is 89 Euro in the EU and 99 US$ outside the EU. For more information, visit their web site at linplug.com. Monday, December 6 2004 | dmac Discovery Firm Inc release "This is Vietnam" The unique atmosphere of Vietnam is captured in this new library. Recorded in Ho Chi Minh City, the rich traditional instruments and sounds on this disc are presented in ACID/WAV/REX2/BATTERY/KONTAKT/MACHFIVE formats. "Asia and Europe come together in this evocative collection from Vietnam. The historical influence of China, Japan, and France is evident in Vietnam’s culture and music, and captured on this collection. Enjoy an eclectic range of instruments and musical flavors, including Vietnamese spoken word and rap music, as well as traditional instrumental songs and sounds, such as Jews-harp, samisen, xylophone, syakuhachi, the dan bau, and more." A total of 413 files constitute the disc in ACID/WAV/REX2/BATTERY/KONTAKT/MACHFIVE formats. Experience the unique atmosphere of Vietnam in digital audio. More @ discoverysound.com. Monday, December 6 2004 | dmac Ferrara Percussion announces D-TRIG, Drum Trigger Interface Software D-TRIG is software that is the first of it's kind and revolutionizes the way drum pads or drum triggers are used with VSTi or MIDI Instruments. With a vast choice of excellent sound libraries available with VSTi plugins, and the growing need for more pad inputs combined with the flexibility that only software can provide. D-TRIG can bridge the gap between your drum pads or drum triggers and the computer. D-TRIG allows you to connect the drum pads or drum triggers directly to the computer via an ASIO Audio Card with analog inputs to either a MIDI device or VSTi Plugin. D-TRIG can handle up to 32 simultaneous inputs/outputs with excellent trigger accuracy and speed. No longer are you bound to the sounds of your drum sound module. Now you can use VSTi instruments as a live drum kit with all of the quality sound libraries and VSTi plugins available today. D-TRIG is a VSTi v2.0 host and can load many of the commercial VSTi plugins available today as well as the many VSTi synths available on the web. We are offering the opportunity to participate in a beta program. Percipients of the beta program will receive a beta copy of the software now and a free copy of the software when the final product is finished. More @ ferrarapercussion.com or d-trig.com for more information. Monday, December 6 2004 | dmac OS X AU and VSTi HarpTime and Microrock released! Finally available for the Mac platform (OS X) both in AU and VSTi format, two advanced "Physical Modeling" synthesizers: Harptime Pro and Fun versions. HarpTime can reproduce the beautiful of the Celtic harp, as well as that of many similar types, such as Japanese (koto), Paraguayan and African harps. Microrock Pro. Microrock is a monophonic synthesizer that is ideally suited for bass, lead and powerchord lines. It is designed to deliver an aggressive and expressive sound for solos and riffs. Space rocking and psychedelic. (this Microrock version includes a Limiter/Puncher effect activable on master output) Download the demo and listen to the mp3 audio examples here. More @ Nusofting.