TB-Dither – new quantization and noise shaping plugin
ToneBooster has announced the release of TB-Dither, a quantization and noise shaping plugin for Windows and Mac.
TB Dither is a plugin designed to modify the bit depth of audio signals, for example when authoring a CD or for archival purposes, with minimum quality degradation. Such process typically involves dithering, quantization, and noise shaping.
TB Dither supports industry-standard dithering noise types such as RPDF (rectangular probability density function, 1 LSB wide) and TPDF (triangular probability density function, 2 LSBs wide). A GPDF (Gaussian probability density function) is provided as well.
TB-Dither features
- Zero-latency processing.
- Support of all sampling rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz.
- Supports industry-standard RPDF and TPDF dithering noise.
- Unrivalled flexibility to shape dithering and quantization noise.
- Suports any bith depth between 8 and 24 bits.
- Dedicated modes to listen to quantization noise only.
- Advanced noise-shaping overload protection algorithm.
TB-Dither for Windows and Mac (VST/AU) is available to purchase for 9.95 EUR.
ToneBoosters has also updated it’s plug-in line to version 3.0.3.
Changes in v3.0.3
- All plugins
- Fixed a minor GUI memory leak.
- Dither
- First release.
- Barricade
- Improved accuracy of RMS output VU meter.
- Improved quantization and noise shaping algorithm (derived from TB Dither).
- EBULoudness
- Fixed an issue causing the loudness history graph not displaying correctly when closing and re-opening the GUI.
- Mitigated a crash due to a bug in Wavelab when using EBU Loudness on stereo tracks.
- Module
- Fixed a bug that could result in inresponsiveness of Module.
- ReelBus
- Added ‘legacy’ saturation mode to simulate v2.9 behavior.
- BusCompressor
- Added channel linking control and stereo gain meters.
- Improvement in transient detection/compression algorithm.
Deebox Chopra – new sample library in Native Instruments Kontakt
100 Akres has announced Deebox Chopra, a new sample library in Native Instruments Kontakt and Wav formats.
Deebox Chopra is a drum rompler which features drum sounds from an iconic 80s drum machine run through a series of high quality analog outboard gear to 2″ tape to add a bit of “hiss” and extra warmth.
The easy to use LCD interface allows you to choose between eight signal chains that were pre-tweaked by our engineer to bring out different tones of the recorded electronic drum kit. These presets range from clean with low hiss to gritty tape distortion with a flick of the tape distortion switch.
Deebox Chopra features
- 49 drum sounds, 8 different signal chains.
- Recording chain used includes: 2″ tape machine, DBX 160xt , API 550 eq, Pultec eq, and a Holy Grail pedal.
- Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release knobs available for further drum tweaking (Kontakt version only).
- Tape distortion switch for extra crunch added to the drum sounds (Kontakt version only).
The library is available to purchase for $19 USD (Kontakt) / $14 USD (Wav).
Aalto synthesizer for Windows and Mac updated to version 1.5
Madrona Labs has updated its Aaltosynthesizer for Windows and Mac to version 1.5.
Aalto is a semi-modular software synthesizer with an innovative, patchable UI, distinctive sounds, and a charming personality.
Changes in Aalto v1.5
- Fixed an issue that was slowing down Aalto dramatically on some Windows systems.
- Fixed an issue requiring a runtime support pack on some Windows systems.
- Improved latency through the patcher when running at large host buffer sizes.
- Aalto now draws at full resolution on Macintosh Retina Display, in compatible hosts.
- Aalto is now compatible with Soundplane version 1.0 and higher.
- Fix mousewheel direction on Mac OS 10.7 and higher.
- Accelerated drawing to the screen on Mac OS with OpenGL.
- Optimized drawing scheduling to avoid glitches, especially in Logic.
- User and factory presets now share the same location.
- Improved ergonomics of patcher with larger handles and smoother graphics.
- Fixed a drawing problem with bipolar dials.
- Improved drag ergonomics for dials.
Aalto for Windows and Mac (VST/AU) is available to purchase for $99 USD.
Soundsdivine releases Memorymoog synthesizer library for Kontakt
Preview of the presets from Soundsdivine’s MM+ synthesizer for Kontakt .
Based on the Moog Memorymoog Plus .
MM+ features
- 3 Oscillators.
- 31 Waveforms.
- 2 Filters.
- 2 Aux Envelopes.
- 1 Programmable Arpeggiator.
- 3 Monophonic Pitch Sequencers.
- 2 Additional Sequencers.
- 25 Custom Impulse Responses.
- 5 FX inc. Transient Shaper / Phaser / Delays & Reverb.
- 6.97GB (compressed) samples from the Moog MemoryMoog.
- 200+ Presets.
The sample library is available to purchase for 79 EUR incl. VAT.
Korg to develop a new ARP Odyssey
KORG INC. is proud to announce that a faithful recreation of the legendary 1970s analog synthesiser, the ARP Odyssey, is being developed by Korg for release later in 2014.
The ARP Odyssey was released in 1972 by ARP Instruments, Inc. and quickly became famous for its unique rich sound and innovative performance controls. It was a staple for many recording and performing musicians worldwide and was used on countless hit records over many years. The Odyssey was one of the highlights of the ARP company and became a long selling product. With slight updates and improvements it was sold through to 1981.
Korg is also proud to welcome Mr David Friend as our chief advisor on the Odyssey. David Friend established ARP Instruments, Inc. along with Alan Robert Pearlman and is a past president of ARP Instruments, Inc. He was also the lead designer of the original Odyssey in addition to designing or co-designing many other products.
After ARP, Mr Friend became a successful technology entrepreneur. In 2010, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Emerging Technology category for the New England Region, he has been a lecturer at MIT’s Sloan School of Management and is now Chairman & CEO of Carbonite, Inc. He has been a trustee of the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.
In the last few years, KORG INC. has released several top selling analog synthesizers such as the monotrons series, the monotribe, the volca series and the hugely successful MS-20 mini, a faithful fully analog recreation of the 1978 MS-20. With Korg’s technology capabilities and planning ability for analog synthesizers, and in collaboration with David Friend, we believe the legendary ARP Odyssey will become a “must have” for an all new generation of music makers.
The ARP Odyssey is scheduled for release in September 2014. – See more at: http://www.korg.com/us/news/2014/0217/#sthash.E2XWNMxZ.dpuf
Texas Instruments Speak and Spell
The classic “toy” from the late 70s and 80s. Still sounds good after all these years.
Review:
The Speak & Spell is a handheld computer voice synthesizer by Texas Instruments. It consisted of a small display, membrane keyboard, a speaker and a cartridge slot for added expansion. It was marketed as a learning tool for children, coming out in 1978 and manufactured in various forms up until the early 90s.While the design is bright and ugly the great feature that has endeared it to millions of people, including musicians, is the voice synthesizer. The voice synthesizer chip, the TMC0280 is capable of emulating sounds into spoken words. The original Speak & Spell came with 200 words for several language versions (English, French, German and Italian) and contained minigames like Mystery Word, Secret Code, and Letter. To expand upon the words that the unit could use a number of cartridges were released. The sound is robotic and male. It’s no wonder musicians like Kraftwerk and OMD utilized the Speak & Spell in their songs. Depeche Mode named their first album after it.
While there were various versions of the Speak and Spell, including Speak & Math and Speak & Read, as well as software emulations, the original Speak & Spell is a neat little red box with a handle to carry around with. The voice synthesizer is wonderful, especially if you’re a musician and you want to dump a load of sounds into a sampler to use in something. As a toy for kids these days? Not much. A great retro box full of wonder and a bit of magic? Definitely. For someone wanting to buy one these days, they are getting harder and harder to find and their prices are becoming ridiculous.
Korg Monotribe x2 – Berlin School style “How To”
‘thainmlh’ explores making Berlin School style synth music using a couple of Korg Monotribe synthesizers and a pair of Electro Harmonix Memory Toy analog delay pedals, background video description below:
A follow up to my video “Korg Monotribe x2 – Berlin School Example” which has had over 50,000 views at this point (much to my surprise…)
Again we use two Korg Monotribe Analog Synthesizers (with built in sequencers) slaved together for 1970’s style Berlin School sequences, This time, it is a “how to” in an attempt to answer the many questions posted to the original video. (This has higher audio quality)
KORG EPS-1 String Machine/E-Piano 1983
Korg EPS-1 with a delay effect from the Roland DEP-5.
EPS comes from “Electronic Piano & Strings”. The fully analog EPS-1 is one of the few touch sensitive string machines. It is a quite long keyboard. It has not only strings – it also has a piano section with several (non mixable) presets. On the piano section you can add a stereo effect (TREMOLO or CHORUS, both with parameters for SPEED and INTENSITY). Both sections have an equalizer.
The Contradiction of Silence
Inspired by the calm, tranquil beauty of the forests, lakes and wide skies of their Swedish homeland, world-renowned design company Bolon is proud to launch their new collection, ‘Silence’. Already known for their work with designers and architects such as Missoni, Paul Smith and Jean Nouvel, this launch features a creative collaboration of a different, yet equally exciting kind – with acclaimed choreographer Alexander Ekman. Famous for his modern interpretations of classic dance, his previous work includes projects with the Boston Ballet Company, Sydney Ballet Company, The Juiliard School and The Royal Swedish Ballet.
More here: bolon.com/silence
Nord Wave – Vintage Digitals (sample pack)
Nord Wave – Vintage Digitals Vol1, by Don Solaris.
Here’s what he has to say about the sound library:
Instead of going for the factory presets of various machines and sampling those, we went one step further. We went for the original ROM waveforms. And more importantly, their original loop points. The goal was high – to ensure 100% authentic sound. No cross-fade looping techniques here, everyone can do that nowadays and did we mention it totally kills the soul of the sample (due to the x-fade process itself).
Hence we used totally different approach and you bet these loops in here required a lot of screwdriver work to match original factory loop points. But the result is 1:1 original playback where you can no longer distinguish a copy from the source.
available at: http:///donsolaris.com/nord
This Nord Wave library is 99 multisamples made from the following machines:
- Roland U-20
- Roland JD-990
- Roland JV-1080
- Yamaha SY-22
- Yamaha SY-85
- Yamaha TX16W
- Ensoniq SQ-1
- Kawai K-1 rII
DATAMASKIN
