Archive for October, 2009

Spectrasonics Releases Trilian – Total Bass Module

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Spectrasonics has released Trilian Total Bass Module, a new virtual instrument dedicated to all types of Bass sounds – Acoustic, Electric and Synth.

Spectrasonics claims Trilian has been designed from the ground up to be the most versatile bass virtual instrument available today with a new level of expressive, real-time performance for acoustic and electric basses – plus cutting-edge synth bass tones with powerful editing and extraordinary sound quality. Trilian is the successor to Spectrasonics’ award-winning Trilogy bass instrument, with the new instrument offering a deeper control of musical expression and much greater flexibility of sound shaping.

Trilian’s 34GB library is 10-times the size of Trilogy and features all new acoustic, electric and synth basses. With its comprehensive design, Trilian brings many different types of bass together into one extraordinary-sounding virtual instrument.

Powered by next generation STEAM Engine technology, Trilian is the first instrument to feature core library integration with Spectrasonics flagship Omnisphere(r) synthesizer – allowing Trilian’s sounds to be used within the Omnisphere environment for further sound design and keyboard/bass splits.

Spectrasonics’ Trilian costs $299 / €229 and is available now. More information on Spectrasonics Trillian.

Focusrite Releases Scarlett – Plug-In Suite Based On Red Series

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Focusrite has announced Scarlett, a professional plug-in suite based on the famed “Red” line of dynamic processors. The collection claims to provide “the definitive collection of compression, gating, EQ, and reverb plug-ins for tracking and mixing.”

Each Focusrite plug-in has a host of fast and easy-to-use presets, providing a great starting point for processing everything from vocals and guitars to synth bass and percussion. In addition, every plug-in parameter can be finely tuned to achieve the desired sound. So for preset users and perfectionists alike, Scarlett is destined to become the new ‘go-to’ plug-in.

Features:
» Unmatched Sonic Quality:
From the team behind the Forté Suite and the famous Focusrite hardware line. Focusrite has provided that final polish and shine to thousands of hit records over the last two decades.
» Faithful Recreation Of Classic Compressors & Gates:
Modeled on original ear-tuned hardware optical compressors, exclusive to Focusrite, Scarlett’s dynamics modules deliver that authentic 1960s Opto sound.
» Multi-modes Enable Creative Gating Techniques:
The Gate can operate in stereo mode and, in different dual mono configurations, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another. Ideal for tightening up a bass line, for example.
» Classic Focusrite EQ Curves & Controls:
Scarlett uses the same Focusrite six-band EQ approach as the Red 2 and ISA EQs, with filters, parametric mids and shelving, all modeled to offer an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum.
» Professional Reverb With Concise Controls:
Based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs, this reverb delivers a remarkable level of sonic quality for your recording projects. Easy to use controls get you to the ideal reverb sound in seconds.
» Stunning GUI With Life-like Port-hole VU Meters:
Scarlett features a red anodized aluminum look, extremely detailed metering and other visual elements from Focusrite’s illustrious recording history, making Scarlett look as good as it sounds.

The Scarlett from Focusrite plug-in suite is now available for $99 and comes in the VST, AU and RTAS flavors for both Mac and PC. More information on theFocusrite Scarlett plug-in suite.

Syntheway Releases Virtual Sitar – Virtual VST Plug-In Instrument For Windows

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Syntheway has released Virtual Sitar, a new VST instrument for Windows designed to emulate an Indian Sitar.

Features:
» Mastered sitar samples recorded with special equipment in a low noise environment. Full length sustain, no loops (natural decay).
» Includes 18 predefined sounds.
» Optimized CPU and memory usage.
» ADSR envelope generator with Attack, Sustain, Decay and Release parameters and several modulation targets.
» Multiple-Mode Filter: The values are automatically computed when you select any of the filter types. Filter switch includes: LP (Low pass), BP (Band pass), HP (High pass), notch, peak, low pass and high pass shelving filter with adjustable cutoff and bandwidth.
» Variable room simulation – Reverb effect can control the “room ambience”
» MIDI Automation: Added complete MIDI CC#. The following MIDI Continuous Controllers (MIDI CC) messages are recognized and affect the described parameters:

Syntheway’s Virtual Sitar for Windows is available now for $25.90. More information on the Syntheway Virtual Sitar.

Elysia Announces mpressor Plug-In

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Elysia has announced the mpressor plug-in, an emulation of their creative compressor. Elysia enlisted the engineers from brainworx to model the mpressor’s discrete circuitry and its special character for their first plug-in. The result is a universal compressor, as well as a dynamics effect machine, which will reportedly enhance the potentials of your sequencer.

The plugin has all the great functions of the hardware which can be combined in many ways: Auto Fast for attack makes life easy even on longer attack settings. The Anti Log function offers an alternative release curve that can be engaged for instant pumping effects. In addition to standard ratios, the mpressor also provides negative values. Combine this with its extremely fast attack times, and you will be able to create completely new signal envelopes.

Features:
» True Emulation: The compression behavior and the sound character of the hardware have been recreated in a complex process to match the hardware as close as possible.
» Oversampling: In order to achieve the best results also on lower sample rates, the mpressor plugin uses an increased internal resolution in these cases.
» Mousewheel Support: Setting parameters with the mouse can be pretty annoying – for this reason the controllers of the mpressor can be easily moved with the mouse wheel.
» Auto Fast: Originally developed for the alpha compressor, this switchable semi automation ensures a perfect attack on the basis of the value set by the user.
» Anti Log: This alternative characteristic of the release curve follows an antilogarithmic course instead of the linear one and produces a much more audible result.
» Negative Ratios: The characteristic curve bends and goes back down! Heavy pumping, backward sounds, etc. – perfect for very cool compression effects.
» Audio Filter: The mpressor plugin of course also features another popular function of the hardware version: the easy yet very flexible Niveau Filter.
» External Sidechain: You want to create frequency dependent compression or have it accented by the groove? The sidechain function makes it all possible!
» Gain Reduction Limiter: This novel limiter is not placed in the audio path as usually, but restricts the virtual control voltage of the plug-in instead.

The Gain Reduction Limiter regulates the virtual control voltage and keeps even the most extreme settings under control – completely independent from the threshold and ratio settings. The additional filter is a perfect fit for changing the compressed signal in its sound character. The possibility to control the mpressor by an external sidechain to get things grooving makes for further flexibility.

The mpressor will be released in November in the RTAS, VST and AU formats with a TDM version following in December. No pricing has been announced. More information on the Elysia mpressor plug-in.

Google Cooking Up Music Service?

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

There’s been some chatter surfacing this week that Google is planning a new music service. Google already has a free music service in China, but the new North American version unfortunately won’t be givin’ it away.

Rumor has it that Google is attempting to launch the new service before the holidaze, but there’s not much to go on at this point…stay tuned!

Thermionic Culture’s Little Bustard Valve Summing Mixer Now Available

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Thermionic Culture has released Little Bustard, their second valve-summing-mixer which has been designed to complement the Fat Bustard by increasing the number of inputs channels. However, the new 19″ 2u Little Bustard can be used independently by itself as a stand alone mixer.

Features include 16 input channels arranged as 6x stereo pairs with fixed gain at unity level with on/off switches, 4x mono inputs with mute switches and pan pots which can be defeated by another switch adding an extra 6dB of gain. The master output section has independent left right 31 position output indented pots with a gain range from 17db to +2db.

The valve stages use a pair of ECC83/12AX7 on the gain stage, and a pair of PC86s for the output stage. The master section will also have a simple output level indicator. To create a monster-summing mixer, The Little Bustard’s outputs can be plugged into the Fat Bustard’s AUX inputs increasing the number of channels to 28.

More information on the Thermionic Culture Little Bustard.

Sound Toys Announce Decapitator & PanMan

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Sound Toys has announced Decapitator and PanMan, two new exciting plug-ins.

Decapitator was born when fans of ST’s analog saturation from plug-ins like EchoBoy and FilterFreak asked for a dedicated saturation plug-in. Sound Toys then modeled dozens of classic and modern gear known for their saturated tone, both subtle and extreme,. Decapitator is the sound of analog gear and the ability to push it way too far. Featuring several base saturation models to choose from, tone control, and a mix control to get that perfect balance. Decapitator will come in the TDM/RTAS/AudioSuite, VST, and AudioUnits flavors.

PanMan is panning taken up to that “SoundToys level” according to the company. MIDI locked programmable rhythm patterns, groove and feel control, and cool modern innovations. Plus classic features from analog hardware like the old PanScan including triggered panning with definable trigger count. PanMan will come in the TDM/RTAS/AudioSuite, VST, and AudioUnits formats as well.

No pricing or availability has been announced.

Shure Trots Out SRH750DJ DJ Headphones

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Shure has announced the SRH750DJ DJ Headphones, featuring high impedance and maximized power handling optimize the cans for use on high-output DJ mixers.

Other features include comfortable, padded ear cups 90 degrees of rotational swivel and allow easy placement on one ear when mixing. The SRH750DJ have a replaceable cable and include a set of replacement ear pads, a carrying bag and a threaded 1/4″ (6.3)mm gold-plated adapter.

Features:
» High impedance and maximized power handling for DJ mixers
» Enhanced frequency response tuned to deliver high-output bass with extended highs
» Closed-back, circumaural design rests comfortably over the ears and reduces background noise
» Adjustable, collapsible headband with 90-degree swivel ear cups for comfort and easy one-ear placement
» Legendary Shure quality to withstand the rigors of everyday use
» Bayonet Clip securely locks cable into ear cup
» Replaceable ear cup pads ensure long product life
» 3m (10ft) coiled detachable cable provides plenty of length and easy storage
» Carrying bag included

The Shure SRH750DJ DJ Headphones will cost $150 when they bow in November. More information on the Shure SRH750DJ DJ Headphones.

Christian Bannister Unleashes The SubCycle Multitouch Instrument

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Christian Bannister, a musician, designer and developer located in Portland, Oregon, turned us on to his Subcycle multitouch instrument.

Here’s how he describes the Subcycle in his own words: This is part of a series of sketches exploring the potential to bridge the gap between sound visualization and musical instrument. With multi-touch interaction it is possible to manipulate multiple characteristics of a sound—visually, and simultaneously. This shift has the potential of bringing the experience of synthesizer as music instrument to a whole new place. This approach allows the performer to have a more tactile and immediate experience of the synthesizer and also creates a visual reference for the audience. In the performance of electronic music it is fairly common that the audience is alienated from the process and performance of the musician. This project hopes to create a common visual language and experience for the electronic musician and the audience by enhancing the perception of sound and music on both sides.

More information on Christian Bannister’s SubCycle project.

dubreq Releases Stylophone Beatbox – $25 Pocket Fun

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

dubreq has introduced the Stylophone Beatbox, a new sample-based instruments aimed at the hip-hop community.

Stylophone Beatbox is the portable electronic beats machine with all new electro sounds including samples from the UK’s beatbox champion MC Zani, as well as percusssion, and steel drums. Also new is the record and scratch functions that allow you to playback loops of your work. Another feature is the tempo adjust switch for beat pitch control during loop playback.

Features:
» Three new sounds: Beatbox, Percussion and Steel Drums
» The MP3 input feature allow you to scratch along with your favorite tracks.
» Record Loop and Playback function
» Tempo Adjust
» Volume control
» Includes adapter

The video below is mentally challenged, but it does give you an idea of what the Beatbox is capable of…watch it at your own intellectual risk:

The Stylophone Beatbox costs $25 and is available now. More information on the dubreq Stylophone Beatbox.