Open Labs has announced SoundSlate, a virtual instrument player and hardware Digital Audio Workstation for your keyboard workstation or MIDI controller, contained in a 1U rackmountable case.

Open Labs’ claim that SoundSlate “redefines music production and performance by incorporating Open Labs’ music operating environment including the virtual instrument host Riff, 8000+ of sounds and effects, a robust audio i/o, and a powerful computer core running Windows XP into a 1U-ultra compact case that packs a punch.” Unlike all other dedicated electronic musical instruments and workstations, SoundSlate’s optimized Windows OS natively supports virtually any music application or plug-in developed for a PC. From Pro Tools to Nuendo, Native Instruments Komplete to Spectrasonics Omnisphere, SoundSlate does it all with ease.

RIFF
Written from the ground up by Open Labs, Riff is a multi-effect and multi-instrument rack for musicians and sound designers. It is also a VST host that runs as a standalone application. Its advanced features include: Live Controls, which allows the user to create any number of virtual controls in real-time that can be mapped to various effects and other parameters. Advanced intelligence allows any number of virtual controllers to manipulate any number of other virtual controllers, providing automation for virtual instruments and effects. Rewire allows for this powerful host application to be used within any DAW program.

Riff allows a user to stream the ASIO or VST input signal through chains of individual VST effects so you can use your Open Labs instrument as a real-time multi-effect processor. It enables a user to play several VST instruments at the same time. You can layer several instruments to create complex sounds. Or, users may play instruments on different MIDI channels: It turns a computer into a multi-timbral sound generator.

MimiK
MimiK keyboard cloning software, an option, will clone the sounds of any MIDI equipped keyboard or hardware sound module, allowing you to store all your keyboards in SoundSlate.

Open Labs’ SoundSlate costs $1999. No official release date has been announced.

Ableton and Cycling ‘74 have released Max for Live, the bridge-product that puts the power and potential of Max/MSP inside Live. Co-developed by Ableton and Cycling ‘74 over a period of more than two years, Max for Live effectively opens up the Live platform, allowing users to create and edit their own devices.

Users are free to create whatever they can think of: unique synths and effects, algorithmic composition tools, or hybrid
hardware/software music machines. Devices created with Max for Live are seamlessly integrated into Live’s interface and workflow, just like the “home-grown” Ableton instruments and effects.

Max for Live is a chance to join a society of makers and share ingenuity, and an essential product for all musicians and
producers who want more than the conventional and predictable. For those not interested in building their own devices, Max for Live is still an interesting opportunity. It includes a collection of premium instruments and effects, pre-made and ready to use alongside Live’s native devices. But more interestingly, once the builders start building, even passive Max for Live users will potentially have access to countless innovative new tools.

Max for Live includes:
» Step Sequencer — Play up to four concurrent sequences, each with up to 16 steps. It also features adjustable step size and step probability, sequence shift buttons (up, down, left, right), a “random” mode and comprehensive real-time MIDI options.

» Buffer Shuffler — This audio effect “shuffles” incoming audio by buffering the audio, then replaying it in whatever order you’ve specified. Each channel of the stereo signal can be shuffled with different patterns (unlike Beat Repeat) and there is also a “dice” mode that randomizes the shuffle pattern at each bar crossing.

» Loop Shifter — A creative loop playback device. Uses MIDI notes as triggers for playback states, each MIDI note representing one such “state”: a combination of playback rate, loop points and filter settings. Plus “morphing” transition between states, auto-mapping system and “auto-play” mode that randomly chooses MIDI notes for automatic state selection.

» Pluggo for Live — More than 40 devices from the Pluggo collection. These include audio effects and instruments, all re-built and optimized for use within Live.

» Tools, building blocks and tutorials — Numerous new MIDI and audio effects, ranging from common studio utilities like graphic EQs to creative MIDI utilities such as humanizers. Plus “Building Blocks” – each carefully annotated to help you learn how they were made, as an introduction to Max programming.

» Button matrix step sequencer — Turns the button matrix of the APC40 or Launchpad into a hardware
interface for programming MIDI sequences.

» Official Live API — Provides programmers with access to some of the inner workings of Live, including tracks, clips, notes, names and values, selection states and more. This API also provides access to controller hardware via Live, for creating new mappings that can completely repurpose a hardware device.

Features:
» Create audio effects, MIDI effects and instruments
» Includes Ableton Live API to control Live Sets, tracks, clips, devices, notes, loops, parameters etc.
» Extend hardware devices: provides objects to access any hardware controllers that are connected to Live
» Includes a specialized version of Max from Cycling ‘74 (Please note: does not run independently of Max for Live)
» Comes with a selection of ready-to-use devices for audio and MIDI processing, algorithmic composition, real-time performance and hardware control
» Devices keep playing in Live while they are being edited
» Flexible user interface design: includes a collection of Live interface elements and other UI objects
» Includes hundreds of built-in Max objects for logic, MIDI, scripting, audio and video processing
» Supports video synthesis and animation via “Jitter” objects
» Includes step-by-step tutorials for learning to program with Max for Live

The Future: This is a game changer. By teaming with Cycling ‘74, Ableton has essentially gone Open Source without actually going Open Source. Not only a brilliant marketing play, but this turns the legions of Ableton Fan boys and girls into developers. This partnership, along with the upcoming Serato collaboration, will keep Ableton far ahead of their competition through 2011.

Max for Live is available now for $299 / €249. Users who already own Max 5 can buy Max for Live at a discounted price of $99 / €79. More information on Max For Live.

FabFilter has released Pro-Q, a new EQ plug-in for Mac and PC that claims to provide clean and accurate sound and a never-before-seen feature set.

With Pro-Q it’s easy and intuitive to create and edit up to 24 EQ bands with multiple curves. Pro-Q has a zero latency mode, but – unlike so many other EQs – greater transparency and precision is possible with the option to switch to a linear phase mode with adjustable latency. There’s also a built-in, real-time frequency analyzer that gives instant visual feedback of your signal’s frequency content – be it pre- or post-EQ.

With total control of the frequency curve and unparalleled visual feedback relaying instant analysis of the signal processing also comes superb sound quality. Pro-Q’s groundbreaking filter algorithms offer precise analog modeling and unlimited internal headroom. There’s also a mid/side EQ option for the ultimate in sparkle and width for your mixes.

The plug-in also incorporates FabFilter’s clutter free ‘what-you-use-is-what-you-see’ feature so only displays the curves that are in use with their associated controls.

Features:
» A great sound from state of the art filter algorithms with precise analog modeling and unlimited internal headroom (no clipping)
» Operates either in zero latency mode, or in linear phase mode with adjustable latency
» What-you-use-is-what-you-see to minimize screen clutter and maximize usability
» The ability to create new EQ bands just by dragging the frequency curve
» Select multiple curves to drag and edit in parallel
» Up to 24 EQ bands
» Filter shapes: Bell, High/Low Shelf, High/Low Cut with 6, 12, 24 and 48dB/oct slopes
» Each band can operate on the stereo signal or on the left or right channels independently for per-channel EQ-ing
» Mid/side mode to EQ the mid and side signals separately
» Built-in real-time frequency analyzer with Pre- and Post-EQ modes
» Ability to double-click for text entry of parameter values
» Different display ranges: 6dB range for mastering use, 12dB, and 30dB for sound shaping during mixing
» Interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switch, Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions, an extensive help file with interactive help hints, sample accurate automation, and AltiVec and SSE optimization

FabFilter’s Pro-Q is now available for $199 / €139. It can be used on Windows and Mac in the VST, VST 3, RTAS and Audio Units plug-in flavor. More information on FabFilter Pro-Q.

Waves has announced two new Post Production plug-ins, the WNS Waves Noise Suppressor, a real-time multiband processor for fast and effective broadband noise suppression on dialog tracks, and LoAir, a subharmonic synthesizer tool.

Designed from the ground up especially for Post professionals, the workflow, approach, and interface of the WNS will be immediately familiar to Post engineers. WNS offers all the flexibility, portability, power, and precision of software, like true Pro Tools integration, multiple simultaneous instances, and full automation.

Features:
» Zero latency means perfect picture sync
» Designed especially for dialog
» Low CPU usage
» Multiple simultaneous instances
» Significantly more affordable than hardware
» User-definable frequency range selection
» Up to 24bit, 192kHz resolution
» Supports TDM, RTAS, Audio Suite, VST, AU
» PC and Mac compatible

LoAir
For years, sound design and post production professionals have been waiting for a subharmonic synthesizer plug-in that delivers the earthshaking sound of hardware. The wait is over.

More than just a subharmonic generator, LoAir features adjustable frequency and low-pass filter controls to shape your ultra low-end. Plus, it’s the only subharmonic plug-in available which lets you process polyphonic content, as well as create an LFE track from stereo or 5.0 sources.

Features:
» Add weight, drama, and depth
» Enhance existing subharmonics
» Processes polyphonic source material
» Full session recall, full automation
» Mono, Stereo, 5.0-to-5.1, and 5.1-to-5.1 components
» Up to 24bit, 192kHz resolution
» Supports TDM, RTAS, Audio Suite, VST, AU
» PC and Mac compatible

Waves WNS costs $2800 and LoAir will set you back $100. iLok Authorization is required. More information on Waves.