Week of March 6, 2005 Saturday, March 12 2005 | dmac MIDIoverLAN CP Now Offered in Two Editions MIDIoverLAN CP Standard for Mac MusicLab has announced version 2.2 of MIDIoverLAN CP, as well as the creation of a new Platinum Edition version. The Standard Edition provides up to 16 "LocPipe" / "NetPort" MIDI devices to transfer MIDI stream between several MIDI/Audio oriented applications (sequencers, samplers, softsynths). The new Platinum Edition provides up to 64 "LocPipe" / "NetPort" MIDI devices. (Each "NetPort" / "LocPipe" is equal to 16 MIDI channels) With MIDIoverLAN, you can send and receive MIDI data between computers on a local network, useful for synchronizing sequencers or just to offload CPU-intensive synthesis and sampling applications to other computers. In addition to connecting multiple computers, the program can also be used to route MIDI data among applications on the same computer. Changes/additions in version 2.2 of MIDIoverLAN include: Separately controlled port IN/OUT MIDI devices (Mac/PC); MIDI monitor component is added (Mac/PC); Windows 2000 SP4 is now supported (PC). MIDIoverLAN CP is available for both Mac OS X and Windows. The Standard Edition is priced at $129, and the Platinum Edition costs $169. A trial version is available for download. For more information, visit their web site at musiclab.com. Saturday, March 12 2005 | dmac Virtual Mixing Console 1.2 Update Released SpinAudio has released a new version of Virtual Mixing Console, an application that you can turn your computer into automatable multi-channel digital mixer with VST effects processing and a host for playing VST instruments. This latest version adds improved plug-in synchronization, Waves VST plug-ins support and improved compatibility with Native Instruments Intakt/Kontakt/Kompakt, Steinberg Halion, G-Media ImpOSCar, Korg Legacy Collection, SpeedSoft VSampler and Arturia Moog Modular. Key features: Real-time multi-channel low-latency audio streaming through ASIO 2.0 Audio engine optimized for multi-processor and HyperThreading-enabled systems Effects processing using VST plug-ins Support for VST DSP Acceleration cards VST Instruments support Comprehensive MIDI support with port groupping, channel and key-zone remapping Full MIDI Automation VST Tempo Sync to external MIDI clock Sync to MIDI Start/Stop Transport Start/Stop Sync Mixer with flexible signal routing Up to 8 inserts per strip Up to 8 full-featured FX Send buses Up to 64 groups Built-in on-channel 4-band parametric EQ Built-in 10-band mastering parametric EQ Up to 8 fader banks for automation Navigation bar for quick access to channels Full screen view mode System Requirements: Platform: Intel Pentium, and compatible CPUs Operating Systems: 2000/XP Minimal Configuration: Pentium 1 GHz, 256 Mb of RAM, Video adapter that supports running in high color mode. 7Mb of free hard disk space. Virtual Mixing Console is now available for purchase in SpinAudio on-line shop with a price of 59 USD. For more information, visit their web site at spinaudio.com. Friday, March 11 2005 | dmac Propellerhead Starts Shipping Reason 3.0 Combinator MClass Mastering Suite Propellerhead Software announced the availability of version 3.0 of Reason. The brand new sound bank, the Combinator device, the new sound browser and the new Remote technology turn Reason into a powerful workstation for both music production and live performance. The expanded sound bank in Reason 3.0 is more than comprehensive, with sounds spanning from the expected to the obscure and abstract, offering enough material for just any style of music. Reason 3.0 is now pre-configured with new Remote technology for use with all the leading controller keyboards and control surfaces on the market. To use Remote, all the user needs to do is to hook up any supported controller to the computer and Reason will identify it and handle pre-configured controller mappings for all Reason devices. Reason 3.0 integrates more remote keyboards with tighter implementation than anything that has been ever done before. Reason's Remote technology supports over 35 controllers with more to come. Reason 3.0 also comes with the MClass mastering tools. The suite consists of a mastering EQ, a stereo imager, a sweet sounding compressor and a maximizer to further polish one's sound. At the heart of the Reason 3 is the Combinator device. It's a grouping device, a rack within the Reason rack, that lets the user load complex instrument patches consisting of any number of Reason devices then play them as one instrument. The result is an extremely flexible yet simple-to-understand way of playing and creating rich-sounding instrument patches, complete with effects and modulation setups. Reason 3 is now available for a MSRP of $449EUR/$499USD. For more information, visit their web site at propellerheads.se. Friday, March 11 2005 | dmac Version 3.1 Update to HALion Announced HALion 3.0 HALion 3.0 Steinberg announced an update to its HALion 3 virtual sampler product. HALion 3.1 features new capabilities as well as numerous enhancements, and will is available as a download for all registered users. HALion 3.1 sees several new features introduced to the HALion platform. A new feature already seen in Steinberg's HALion Player product is Q-Controls. These user-definable controls offer fast access to up to eight parameters directly on the Macro-page or in an extra, floating window. Individually adaptable for each and every loaded program in HALion 3.1, Q-Controls also automatically switch to their assigned parameters when a new program is selected. Many new libraries by content creators have already been engineered to include predefined Q-Controls best suited to shaping each specific instrument. User-defined Q-Controls settings are saved with each HALion program or bank, and can also be recalled as a preset. This new system is integrated with another new feature: the HALion MIDI Learn mode. Allowing fast assigning of MIDI controllers to almost any sound-forming parameters within HALion, the MIDI Learn function in HALion 3.1 allows MIDI CC data to be instantly "learned" (automatically assigned) to any of the eight Q-Controls. This allows quick and easy integration of MIDI controller hardware to make using the Q-Controls more direct and tangible. The unique Sound Categories system introduced with HALion 3.0 has been refined to offer more categories, including individual drum instruments such as snares, cymbals, kicks and high hats. With HALion 3.1, HSB content is also automatically sorted into the appropriate categories which are displayed as individual coloured folders in the Browser windows. Also new to HALion 3.1 are ReWire compatibility as a standalone application, offering users of ReWire host applications such as Pro Tools all the advantages of the HALion sampler platform. HALion 3.1 also sees the introduction of a new advanced disk streaming mode, further improving the disk streaming performance available. Price and availability The update to HALion 3.1 is available now as a free download from ftp.steinberg.net. For more information, visit their web site at steinberg.net. Monday, March 7 2005 | dmac Version 1.8 Update to Impulse Modeler Released Voxengo has released an updated version of their reverb impulse creation tool for Windows. Impulse Modeler is a tool which allows you to design your own room impulse responses ranging from small rooms to large echo halls to small "intimate" cabinets to echoing soundscapes. You have the opportunity to design materials and room's geometry. A range of other options are also available. The version 1.8 update increases calculation speed by 25% or more, especially on heavy geometry designs. Impulse Modeler now features emitter groups which allow you to create several differently positioned impulses using the same design. Another useful improvement in this version is the implementation of polar patterns for receptors. These polar patterns partially recreate common microphone polar patterns and can be used for the same purpose during impulse design. Impulse Modeler features: Vector graphics editor Grid support for easier editing 8 frequency bands for precise material definition 8, 16, 24 and 32-bit output 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000 Hz output sampling rates Many example designs and materials Overall room size is controlled with a single slider Impulse Modeler is available on-line for US$39.95. For more information, visit their web site at voxengo.com. Monday, March 7 2005 | dmac Version 2 of Kubik Virtual Instrument Released ConcreteFX has released a new version of Kubik, their wavetable sequencer synthesizer capable of creating a range of sophisticated moving sounds by changing the waveforms played by the synthesizer over time, similar to those from the Waldorf MicroWave and PPG. Some Kubik Technical Specifications 64 Wave Wavetable Two Wavetable Oscillators with secondary unison oscillator Nine Types of Oscillator Combinations - Add, Sub, Mix, Ring, FM, Sync, Waveshaper, S&H, PWM Two Filters that can be used independently, in parallel or series. Twelve Filter Types - 12db LP, BP, BR, HP, 24db LP, BP, BR, HP, Ring, Formant, Comb, Tuned Noise Pre-filter distortion on 12db and 24db filters Eight 32 Step Envelopes with variable slope and looping and release sections Eight Multi-wave LFO ... Kubik can be purchased for a price of $60/43Euro/£30. For more information, visit their web site at concretefx.com. Monday, March 7 2005 | dmac ConcreteFX Introduces MicroDicer VSTi for Windows ConcreteFX has annouced MicroDicer , a new PC VSTi beatslicer created to fill the need for s simple, easy to use, and inexpensive slicing program. With MicroDicer you can drag a wav or rex/rex2 sample in, which will be automatically sliced and assigned to MIDI notes. You can then drag from MicroDicer into your host and the MIDI settings for the slices will be automatically exported into your host. The full version of MicroDicer is available for $40/Euro 30/£21 from PayPal or Shareit. For more information, visit their web site at concretefx.com. Monday, March 7 2005 | dmac Minnetonka Announces Sonar Integration, VST Release for Pro Logic II Encoder Minnetonka Audio Software continues to push forward with their SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II encoder, announcing both VST support and integration with Cakewalk's SONAR. The new VST plug-in of the Pro Logic II encoder will be unveiled at the Dolby booth during the upcoming Game Developers Conference in San Francisco March 7-11, 2005. Just like Minnetonka's stand-alone software-only product, the VST version of SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II allows you to easily encode surround sound into stereo delivery formats. The simple, straightforward SurCode interface accepts 6-channel surround input. SurCode outputs an Lt/Rt encoded stereo stream that can be recorded and used in any stereo transmission medium, compatible with millions of decoders around the world. SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II also contains a decoder, essential for properly setting the encode parameters. The encoder/decoder can also work in real time to monitor the results of encoder option changes while they are being made. Minnetonka also plans to provide integration for all of its SurCode surround encoders with Cakewalk's Sonar, starting with their SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II. This newest version will be unveiled during a SONAR seminar and in the Cakewalk demo pods of the Intel booth at the Game Developers Conference. Sonar users who purchase SurCode will be able to launch the application from within Sonar by exporting their surround projects right into SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II. SurCode for Dolby Pro Logic II is priced at $495USD. About Dolby Pro Logic II Dolby Pro Logic II encoding is a matrix surround technology, multiplexing five channels of audio into a two-channel, stereo compatible signal. On playback, the Dolby Pro Logic II decoder in your receiver derives five full-range channels, relying on amplitude and phase differences between the channels of the stereo signal. Not only can Pro Logic II be decoded by virtually every Dolby Digital home theatre system sold today, but media encoded in Dolby Pro Logic II is backwards compatible with the millions of Dolby Pro Logic receivers and decoders in use worldwide. For more information, visit their web site at minnetonkaaudio.com.