The mad scientists at JazzMutant are sneaking Mu, a new Max For Live MIDI controller for Ableton Live that unleashes the full feature-set of the Lemur platform. The problem for this ground-breaking French company is: too little, too late?
Well, it certainly isn’t too little, since you can tell from the short demo (see below) that there’s a lot of power under the hood (that will nicely evolve over time), but it may be just too late for Mu to really gain traction outside of JazzMutant’s core users.
The reason is simply with many other very cost effective controllers now available for Ableton Live, such as the Novation Launchpad and the Akai APC40 to name just a couple, can a product like the Mu really compete anymore in the market with it’s high entry fee?
Remember Pong? Well, some geeks have decided to actually make it a “sport” using the latest projection technology. The inventors dub Sportpong as “an interactive physical computer game.” The “field” is projected on the floor, where two or more players can battle in teams against each other, because singles would just be too much exercise for the rubber-limbed.
A reflector paddle on each foot the players hit the ball to the goal or to defend your goal.
Apple has announced that the Wi-Fi iPad will bow on Saturday, April 3rd in the US, followed by the Wi-Fi + G3 edition later in the month. Additionally, both versions will hit Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. in late April.
Beginning on March 12, consumers can pre-order both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple’s online store or reserve a Wi-Fi version to pick up on April 3 at any Apple store.
The Future: A swarm of MIDI controller apps will bow in April as well, which will emasculate the JazzMutant Dexter and Lemur product line in short order…
We usually don’t report on beta releases, or mid-range updates for that matter, but we are fiercely following Native Instruments’ Maschine development because we feel that this particular platform will reveal what NI calls, The Future Of Sound, or at least their future to some degree.
The free update includes enhanced host integration, drag ‘n’ drop MIDI and audio, new Vintage Sampling Modes (MPC60 / SP1200), MPC sample import, and many workflow improvements. Not much more is specified, so you’ll have to download the new version and see what Aces NI has up their sleeve.
Many Maschine users are waiting for a tighter integration between Traktor and Maschine to enhance live remixing into their sets with a more minimal setup. The savvy Mike Henderson has adroitly demonstrated some of these capabilities and has helped several artists, including Richie Hawtin, to link the two programs. However, it’s going to take Native Instruments to make this plug ‘n’ play.
Katapult is new flexible mapping application for Mac OS X and Windows designed for the Novation Launchpad that goes far beyond Automap. It allows you to map customizable multipage-layouts to the Launchpad and send the MIDI output to any application or device. It also supports bi-directional communication, meaning that your software can update the controls on the Launchpad surface if desired.
Map up to 16 pages of different layouts to the Launchpad. Katapult supports bi-directional communication. Twist a knob in your software, and the corresponding control on the Launchpad is updated like 21st century motorised faders. Want one controller to update another? Katapult lets you chain controllers together for multidimensional modulations. You can even customize the colors of the LaunchPad’s buttons. Nice!
SPL is readying their new DrumXchanger, a plug-in that can replace drum sounds in multitrack sessions regardless of their level. The plug-in works in real time and replaces samples utilizing the German company’s Transient Designer technology for drum hit recognition rather than sound creation.
SPL claims all drum hits, including even the faintest ghost notes, are faithfully recognized regardless of their dynamic level. The samples can be mixed with the original sound and there is also a ducking function available, which only reduces the level of the original drum hit itself without affecting the ambience around it.
Besides the basic functions to process the original and sample signals, DrumXchanger includes two fully operational Transient Designer processors, as well as high-pass and low-pass filters for the original, sampled, and output signals. All samples can be pitch-shifted one octave above or below in real time, while a delay control allows precise sample replacement.
In addition, SPL has included a basic library with high-quality 24-bit/96kHz samples. The library, created exclusively with SPL’s preamps and processors, includes three drum kits with one snare, one bass drum and four toms each. Every multisample is made up of up to 80 sounds in sixteen dynamic levels and five variations. Why they tossed in this stocking stuffer with DrumXchanger is not readily apparent, but maybe they created these samples and had no idea what to do with them. We’d suggest releasing them for free on their website to gain viewership and goodwill with longtime and new customers. But hell, what do we know…
DrumXchanger will be available for a substantial $449 / €299, but no release date has been announced. The native version comes in the RTAS, VST, and AU flavors. More information on the SPL DrumXchanger.
Numark’s new V7 motorized turntable controller is now available at your local grocer’s freezer. The V7 basically what you’d get if you chopped off one of the decks of the company’s hit NS7. The new model should appeal to anyone who was intrigued by the NS7, but didn’t want to hire a semi in order to bring it out to gigs. Like it’s brethren, the V7 runs Serato’s Itch software.
The V7 retains many of the features of the NS7 and contains a link function, which enables DJs to combine one or two V7s with their favorite mixer and their Mac or PC for a custom performance environment.
The announcement is not good news to Stanton, whose main competitive advantage over the NS7 was that their top-of-the-line System.1 deck was simply more portable.
V7 contains a compliment of effects controls, which enables DJs to access the same effects as in Numark’s NSFX and the V7 includes a professional 24-bit audio interface that supports dual decks. It is outfitted with premium faders, knobs and buttons including controls for selecting tracks and blending audio effects in the included Serato ITCH software.
This motorized turntable controller employs technology first debuted by Numark in their NS7, in which turntable and control information is exchanged at more than ten times standard MIDI resolution. This data stream creates the solid, latency-free control and because V7’s communication protocol is based upon MIDI, it can be used as a controller with a variety of MIDI software, not just ITCH.
V7’s direct-drive turntable motor is derived from Numark’s TTX, and delivers 12-inch-platter feel on a more-manageable seven-inch platter with high-torque “modern” and low-torque “classic” feel settings. Extensive track-access, loop and cue controls keep the DJ’s hands and eyes away from the computer.
Numark’s V7 costs $999 and is available now. More information on the Numark V7.
Crysonic has updated Sindo to version 3.5. The latest version of Sindo is Crysonics third Generation Professional stereo image Expander (widener) / Narrowing Audio plug-in Processor. Version 3.5 introduces new features such as customizable UI interface colors and an industry first Stereo image compression feature — this is not to be confused with audio level compression however it is a proprietary stereo field width compression system developed by crysonic which is fully automated and working at zero latency allowing the user to attain maximum stereo width and retain mono compatibility with minimal side effects.
Another important and proprietary tool made available with Sindo is the multi-band Stereo Dynamics section with smoothing, which further adds better stereo presence and definition without coloring the sound. Low frequency stereo separation can also be separately targeted with adjustable cut-off frequencies and width amounts together with the ability to preview. Sindo 3.5 features a unique stereo field display showing information regarding stereo phase coherence/ correlation and compression amounts for both Left and Right Channels when active. These and many other enhancements are now part of Sindo V3.
Sindo 3.5 offers a uniquely powerful stereo toolkit for digital editing, mastering and tracking for all stereo audio material. Sindo allows to dramatically broaden and ’sweeten’ the spaciousness of the stereo image whilst retaining mono compatibility and not affecting the tonal character of the original sound. The Global and individually adjustable frequency Rotations can be used to Pan the center stereo image without altering the mix level balance.
Designed for efficiency Sindo 3.5 comprises of an intuitive user interface with full automation of all parameters and new enhancements such as the ability to double click on any dial to set it to default. The fatiguing ‘phasiness’ found in other processors of this type has been avoided by adhering to established audio engineering principals. Two Phase-compensated Hi and Low Shufflers are also included to further enhance and improve the spaciousness without introducing unwanted artifacts.
Crysonic’s Sindo 3.5 costs $129 and comes in the Native Universal Binary AU, VST flavor for Mac and VST for PC users. There’s a New Release Special for $50.95 until the 4th of March 2010, regular price $129 All previous Crysonic customers can purchase Sindo for $31.95. More information on Crysonic Sindo 3.5.
Image-Line has released Drumaxx, a percussion modeling instrument that gives the user control over 16 physically modeled drum pads that can be routed to independent outputs for external effects processing.
Drumaxx is not based on samples or even commonly used synthesis techniques, where oscillators are mixed and the result is always electronic. Drumaxx uses modeling algorithms to create bass drums, hi-hats, snares, realistic and electronic sounds too. But what about the traditional Achilles’heel’ of synthesis, cymbals? Drumaxx creates cymbals and metallic percussion also.
At the core of Drumaxx is a model where the vibrating membrane is represented as a mesh of interconnected points. Each point is given physical properties including mass, inertia, stiffness, damping, and all that good physics stuff. For the musician, this means Drumaxx gives you control over multiple parameters such as material, thickness, tension and shape. More importantly, the parameters can be modulated in real-time as a function of velocity or external controls. The drum body is also under user control too, including body material, size, vibration damping, and shape. All this gives you multi-dimensional performance options, a Matrix of variables providing nearly infinite possibilities.
Features:
» 16 Physically modeled drum pads
» Multi-output for individual effects processing on each pad
» Huge range of modeling possibilities covering sounds from cymbals to kettle-drums
» Velocity modulation matrix for detailed expressiveness
» Integrated Step sequencer with trigger-key playback
» Integrated effects
» Single-pad version ‘Drumpad’ available for tight integration with FL Studio
Image-Line is launching Drumaxx with the pay what you think it’s worth system. Until the 31st of March you can pay a minimum of $13 / €9 to cover our costs. Image-Line will donate $1 from each sale to support Haiti earthquake victims. Sounds like a Win-Win to us!! More information on Image-Line Drumaxx.
Waves Audio has released Vocal Rider, a plug-in that automatically “rides” the levels of vocal tracks. Instead of manually riding a console fader, or tediously drawing in every level change on a DAW track, Vocal Rider does it automatically, making it a true timesaver.
First, the user sets the target range of the vocal level in relation to the rest of the mix. Vocal Rider then compensates for all deviations from the target, intelligently raising or lowering the vocal volume, instantly. Unlike compression, Vocal Rider adds absolutely no additional coloring to the track. The new Vocal Rider Live component includes an exclusive Spill control to differentiate the vocal from background instrumentation and noise, for better tracking and performance.
Features:
» Allows users to keep steady vocal and dialog levels automatically.
» Saves time by automating the vocal riding part of the mixing process.
» Writes the automatic riding to an automation track for fine tuning.
» Real-time means no latency and no pre-scan needed.
» Up to 24-bit 96kHz resolution.
» Supports TDM, RTAS, Audio Suite, VST, AU.
» Windows 7 and Mac OS X compatible.
Controls:
» Target sets the reference range for vocal mix positioning.
» Vocal Sensitivity differentiates vocal content from noise floor and ambience.
» Vocal Activity LED indicates when vocal activity is detected.
» Attack sets the vocal detection attack behavior.
» Music Sensitivity determines the amount Vocal Rider adapts to instrumental levels.
» Music Sensitivity LED indicates Vocal Riders response to instrumental levels.
» Range Min/Max set the boundaries of the Rider Fader movement range.
» Effective Range displays the total gain range available for automatic riding.
» Idle Arrow sets the Rider Fader value when there is no vocal activity.
» Rider Fader is Vocal Riders automatic control.
» Automation Mode controls the Rider Fader operation.
» Output trims the vocal output gain, post-auto riding.
» Clip LED shows when output is clipping.
Waves Vocal Rider costs $400 beans for the Native version and a whopping $800 bills for the TDM. More information on Waves Vocal Rider.
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