The effect section of Cromina String Machine
WOK has release CromFX, the effect section of Cromina String Machine as separate plug-in with enhanced options. You can select from 4 different chorus types (modeled after vintage circuits), 3 phaser models and 2 delays. Here’s what WOK has to say…
CromFX is the perfect addon for our string machine, but can of course add brightness and warmth to any sound source. In the chorus section you will find the lush and warm chorus of Cromina plus 3 more variations, modeled after famous designs from Korg™ and Roland™.
For the phaser we added 2 more designs which support host sync, as the two delays (one additional analog tape style delay) do.
CromFX is available as a VST plugin for Windows.
Harlem Nights
Harlem Nights – I have a MOOG! (MG-1, Electribe TR-808).
this is of course a typical “gear show” video, but worth to listen to, it’s nice..
Marc Doty demos the rare Wersi Bass Synthesizer.
MOTU’s rhythm production virtual instrument – BPM
MOTU is now shipping BPM Version 1.5, a major update of MOTU’s rhythm production virtual instrument and UVI sound library for Mac and Windows.
BPM 1.5’s expanded library of over 19 GB of kits, patterns, samples, loops, and instruments covers dozens of new musical styles, such as big beat, dancehall, dub, electro, hard trance, house, drum ‘n’ bass, progressive, and others. New software features include enhanced support for hardware MIDI controllers, a note repeat function, and bank effects that can be saved with kits.
“With its expanded sound library and enhanced MIDI controller support, BPM delivers the ultimate cutting-edge virtual instrument rhythm programming experience,” said Jim Cooper, MOTU Director of Marketing.
Beat Box Anthology
BPM 1.5 includes Beat Box Anthology, a comprehensive 4 GB collection of legacy rhythm sounds (over 10,000 samples) from 80 classic drum machines from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s — iconic rhythm machines from decades past that established the legendary sounds that still drive today’s beats. Users can browse individual samples, kits, and patterns from three categories of devices: classic, analog, and digital, the “classic” category being reserved for machines that attained true cult status, such as the 808 and 909 series. Samples are also organized by type (kick, snare, etc.) for easy browsing.
Utmost care was taken in sampling the original instruments, with 24-bit 96 kHz audio quality and professional mastering of all samples at Sterling Sound in NYC.
FlexLoops and musical styles
BPM 1.5 includes hundreds of new FlexLoops™, which are fully programmable kits+patterns that give users control of every loop element, from individual samples to specific FX parameters. Dozens of expanded musical styles are represented, including:
Big beat
Dancehall
Dirty south
Dub
Electro
Hard trance
Hip hop
R ‘n’ B
House
Jungle
Drum ‘n’ bass
Minimal
Progressive
Ragga
Trip hop
Vinylized
Users can combine kits and patterns from each style to quickly create unique hybrid beats. BPM 1.5 also introduces bank aux FX, which allow users to create three independent effects processing chains for a bank of sounds, apply the effect chains as desired to each individual component sound of the bank, and then save the effects with the bank. This new feature makes the effects an integral part of the bank, so that when the bank is saved with a pattern, the result is a fully programmable FlexLoop.
Enhanced MIDI controller support
As a software-only virtual instrument, BPM 1.5 has been enhanced with programmable MIDI remote control features that allow it to work seamlessly with third-party hardware controllers, including pad controllers and MIDI keyboards. BPM ships with hardware template files for several popular drum pad controller products, such as the Akai™ MPD Series. When loaded into the hardware, the template file quickly programs the controller for use with BPM.
Users can further customize their beat making experience using BPM’s new MIDI Remote preferences, a long list of BPM functions that can be attached to any MIDI controller key, switch, fader, or knob using “MIDI learn” functionality.
The new MIDI Select feature gives users direct access to each pad — up to 64 simultaneous pads per scene — for quick editing and tweaking directly from a MIDI controller. For example, if a user needs to tweak the filter cutoff on the crash cymbal, they simply play the crash cymbal pad and then twist the assigned knob to tweak the filter.
Note repeat
To repeat the currently held note, users hold down the Note Repeat button. Any note repeat value, from triplet 64ths to dotted quarters to 32x, can be chosen. The note repeat button can be used on-screen or mapped to any control item on a MIDI controller. Users can even change the repeat value on the fly from their controller. Volume (velocity) of repeated notes is controlled with aftertouch pressure.
BPM 1.5 upgrade package
The BPM 1.5 upgrade package includes:
— BPM 1.5 installer CD
— Updated BPM 1.5 soundbank DVDs
— New Beat Box Anthology soundbank DVD
— Beat Box Anthology serial number (iLok authorization code)
The Beat Box Anthology serial number is used to deposit an authorization in the user’s ilok.com for download into their BPM iLok.
Availability
BPM 1.5 is now shipping. Price remains the same at $295. Registered 1.0 users can upgrade to version 1.5 for $79.
A limited-features version of XILS 3
A limited-features version of XILS 3 has been released by XILS-lab: the Limited Edition XILS 3 LE, a new version of the XILS 3 software synthesizer plugin that offers the complete first version of the software, minus the new features added with the 1.1.0 update (two new envelopes, LFO, S&H, sequencer editing, new matrix connections, and so forth).
So what is it? XILS 3 LE is a matrix-style virtual modular synthesizer based on the architecture of the EMS VCS3 synth. Capable of creating sounds that range from classic to modern, XILS 3 LE offers a special matrix design capable of more than 450 connection permutations and numerous routing possibilities. The plugin has a built-in sequencer also based on the EMS 256 sequencer, which can be used to create original and complex patterns.
In addition, XILS 3 LE comes with hundreds of presets that provide instant access to a broad range of sounds and styles ranging from modern electronica to classic 1970s retro and experimental, according to the manufacturer. You can use these ready-to-go presets or program your own in order to create a whole new set of sounds.
Since it is protected by serial number, no USB dongle is required to run this virtual instrument. XILS 3 LE is compatible with Mac OS X 10.3.9 and later (Audio Units, VST, RTAS, Avid Pro Tools 7.0 and later) and Windows 7 / Vista / XP (VST, RTAS, Pro Tools 7.0 and later).
XILS 3 LE may be purchased for 30 EUR (approximately $39). After purchasing this Limited Edition version, you can upgrade to all the latest and future features provided by XILS 3 for 109 EUR (about $144); this version requires a USB dongle (iLok or eLicenser).
The full version XILS 3 adds following features to the Limited Edition:
- New modules: Two envelopes, one MIDI synced LFO, one MIDI synced S&H, and one voltage processor (for increasing the modulation shapes)
- New sources and destinations for the matrix: A menu allows a wide range of destinations or sources, without increasing the matrix size by very much
- Matrix Pins: Four different colors for four different amounts, plus a new sort of pin for inverting the signal
For more information, please visit xils-lab.com.
Sound Equalisation, a detailed video tutorial for beginners and intermediates on the subject of equalisation
Samplecraze has announced the release of Sound Equalisation, a detailed video tutorial for beginners and intermediates on the subject of equalisation covering filters, slopes, various types of EQs and the terminology used.
The subject of EQ has always been one of confusion and misinformation. The understanding of how EQ works and the structure of filters and their responses seem to be an area rarely covered by technology sites.
This free primer video tutorial hopes to close those gaps and introduce the subject in a manner that can be understood by everyone. The ensuing EQ video tutorials will go further in depth and cover advanced functions and theories.
More information: Samplecraze / Sound Equalisation
MPC BATTERY I, a free sample pack for Akai MPC
Marco Scherer of plasticAge music has released MPC BATTERY I, a free sample pack for Akai MPC and Native Instruments Battery + Maschine and all other samplers able to import wave samples.
There are many MPC sample packs out there but every time I download one I feel that they underutilise the capabilities the MPC offers. So I decided to create a pack that makes extensive use of the MPC’s filters, envelopes, LFOs, effects, loop, etc.
The pack consists of 10 drumkits and 24 synth patches, where mostly all kits have their very own effect settings and offer several variations. Altogether 34 kits, 52 variations and 413 samples. Furthermore some of the kits come with a demo loop. The kits were created on a MPC1000 but are compatible to the MPC500, MPC2500, MPC4000 and MPC5000.
Everyone who doesn’t own a MPC has the option to download the pack in Battery 3 format. Be ensured that the kits make use of Battery’s features as well. But even if you don’t use a MPC or Battery – just download it and load the samples into your own favorite sampler. The samples come in WAV format in 16 bit and 44.1 KHz and are compatible to any sampler I know of. All tonal samples have their root key in the filename.
Feel free to download and share the pack with everyone you know. But please be so kind and leave some feedback. The more feedback I get the bigger is the chance for another free sample pack.
More information: MPC BATTERY I
H.G. Fortune launches Avatar ST
H.G. Fortune launches Avatar ST, a both FREE and Pro synth for Windows.
“Avatar ST is featuring a new generation of HG Fortune synths. Basically it is most suited
for a large variety of pads, soundscapes, atmospheres or related FX sounds but can do other sounds like e.g. certain kinds of basses too. The 16 Step Modulator allows sounds to be fairly rhythmicated in various ways if wanted. Also you can have one section step modulated while the other is not as there are two complete sections with oscillators, modifiers, VCA EG, Delay, Pan and Reverb send, plus a grain processor and a filter to be inserted via different audio routings. In addition there are a lot of modulation options you might select from in order to taylor your sound.Twelve Tutorial patches have been created in order to help you exploring this synth.”
Features:
- 2 x 2 PCM wave oscillators with 384 waves in 3 banks
- 2 x Osc Mix section with one XY-Pad plus mix option for direct and step modulated out
- 2 x Mystify with three selctable types (Brite, Soft, Dark)
- 1 x Grain Processor
- 1 x Filter with 4 types (LP, HP, BP and Feedback) incl. 1 ADSR EG
- 2 x VCA EG (ADSR)
- 2 x Delay, 2 x Pan
- 7 x LFO, 1 x S&H, 16 Step Modulator, Keytrack and Modwheel
- 1 semi parametric 3Band Stereo EQ, 1 small Reverb for adding some nice flavour
- 16 voices, 8 Lazy Buttons
Major differences between Basic Free and Pro version:
- Pro Version = 16 voices, 128 internal patches, 384 internal waves (3 banks)
- Basic Free = 4 voices, 64 internal patches, 256 internal waves (banks #0 & #2),
- SF2 & wave loading only with Osc B2
Price (Pro): 39 EUR
Find more information here.
Moog in bikinis
“Right now my foot’s getting painted with some of the special connective paint which is going to turn me into a sort of like human wire.” – Calvin Harris
Roland TB-303 emulator and a drum machine
Pulse Code Inc has released 4 iPhone music apps as free downloads through Aug 8th, including a Roland TB-303 emulator and a drum machine.
Here’s a rundown of the 4 free iPhone music apps:
- Android FX – a robot tone synthesizer and sound effects generator.
- BtBx – a drum machine style music sequencer.
- DB-303 – a virtual Roland TB-303 Bass Line synthesizer.
- Joke Bot – a robot comedian that at it’s heart is a text-to-speech engine.
DATAMASKIN
