Audiometry for iPhone
The human auditory system is sensitive to a wide range of sounds, both in terms of frequency pitch and intensity loudness.The lowest sound in pitch we can typically hear is about 20 Hz, and the highest sound 20kHz. However, we are not all equally sensitive with all differing frequencies…
Find out just how far your ears can hear ranging frequencies with Audiometry, an iPhone app which is a must have for all audio enthusiast.
With Audiometry, you will test your frequency threshold, using static volume tones. Using the iPhone headphones, you will be asked to adjust the iPhone volume, for clear and effective playback tones. Your left and right ear will be tested alternately with every frequency, from the above frequency ranges. After the test has been completed, you will get a report of your hearing frequency response.
Future versions of the app will include a dB test (for loudness rather than just frequency), and the ability to save and share tests with others. It’s hardly a substitute for going to a real ear doctor (if you have serious issues, you should definitely do that), but considering all the damage your iPhone may have done to your ears, the least it could do is help you figure out how much.
Closer look on Peak Pro 6.0.4
Peak is an unusual tool, in a way, in that it remains a stereo waveform editor only, whereas most of its competitors have added multitrack compatibility. On the other hand, Peak also bundles an unusually rich set of tools in the box, which explains the higher price of the full-blown Pro versions.
Peak Pro comes bundled with a wealth of goodies. There is, of course, the program itself, along with SoundSoap LE, Bias’ excellent noise remover; WireTap Pro, an audio capture tool; a bundle of 32 VST effects from Maxim Digital Audio; and the wonderful SFX Machine LT plug-in, which contains nearly two dozen unusual effects.
Third-party AU/VST effects and instrument plug-ins are supported too.
Additionally, you get a suite of analysis tools in the form of Bias Reveal LE, a gorgeous four-band EQ, Bias Sqweez dynamics, and the dynamite Vbox plug-in matrix.
As if that wasn’t enough, AMG’s ONE sample player is included, along with audio files from PowerFX, Hollywood Edge and Sound Ideas. Believe it or not, the XT version gives you even more, adding SoundSoap 2 and SoundSoap Pro, along with the Master Perfection Suite.
If you’re an experienced Peak user, you’ll notice immediately that the interface has been given a bit of spit and polish for this version. Peak has always had a reputation for being very easy on the eye and, more importantly, easy on the brain, and that approach is maintained here.
What’s New in this Version
– Add support for transferring recordings from iProRecorder via WiFi.
– Fixed a problem where CD-TEXT in a DDP fileset containing accented characters could have those characters missing on discs produced from that DDP fileset.
– Fixed a problem in which Playlist output could contain a burst of noise (i.e., in bounced files or burned audio CDs).
– Many more enhancements.
Launch of Waldorf Largo
Waldorf have released Largo, their first ever software instrument. It’s a synthesizer that the developers say features the same kinds of sounds as the Blofeld and Q hardware synths, giving the user a diverse sonic palette, from complex pads to screaming leads.
Many producers and synthesizer enthusiasts asked for a full-blown Waldorf Synthesizer for their virtual rack. So have I, and now Largo. Largo is the first pure software synthesizer with Waldorf DNA. And again – it is the cutting edge sound that makes the big difference.
Largo has three oscillators with a variety of waveforms that include shapes from the PPG and Wave hardware synths. Two multi-mode filters can be used in parallel or series, and each has a drive section and can self-oscillate. There are three LFOs, one of which has a step sequencer-style waveshape arpeggiator generator, and there’s a selection of effects, including chorus, flanger, phaser, overdrive and delay. Largo runs as a plug-in inside VST and Audio Units hosts.
Octopus BlackSea – mmmmm nice :-)
Played around with this little beauty during Xmas:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JISVw7xiR5w]
And I must say it is rather impressive, below a short description taking from the producers website
Octopus is a MIDI sequencer – simply put, a machine to generate control data for sound-producing devices, e.g. synthesizers.
Octopus’ most outstanding trait is probably its recognition by an authoritative audience as a musical instrument. The merit lies in the fact that comparable products are traditionally perceived as “just” intricate electronic devices.
User experience and musical creation are the centerpieces of the Octopus design. Its embodiment is a no-compromise machine.
The recipe is to combine a high-end user interface, a domain-specific data framework, and the power of modern real-time computing technology.
Good site for Reason Refills and for other platforms – C64, Pads, Apollo
Came across this site the other day and YES they had a very good collection of free refills (you need to sign up though, but it is free to register)
Just a tip on the way: I have been collecting refills for some 7-8 years by now and I have never purchased any commercial refills and still I today have a refill collection (and yes again only targeting the type of music I produce – electro, synth, EBM etc) closing in on 12Gigs – so make sure to surf around and download all the demo refills and free refills you can find and I assure you will never need to by a commercial one 
Some of the stuff that I liked was;
the Whale refill
the C64 refill
and the Apollo refill
But make sure to support all the good musicians out there here is one good source for starters:
Audio Objekt – Laugh or Cry or perhaps Smart?
It sure is a good laugh
Sorry for those of you who do not understand Swedish, but I have also heard that these guys are getting assitance from Ralf Hutter on their next album
Go for it guys
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEPUlR3QraE]
Cool new Kaossilator from KORG
The KAOSSILATOR is a new pocket sized instrument that packs Korg’s world renowned synth sound along with innovative performance features into an ultra-compact unit. Anyone can instantly play musical phrases by simply tapping or sliding their finger across the KAOSSILATOR’s touch pad — no previous skills required! The KAOSSILATOR is a portable, travel friendly device that runs on batteries, so you can have fun creating music anywhere your life takes you, with seemingly endless possibilities
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeQOuNBuJwg]
Exciting or horrible with AndOne
Normally these attempts are horrible, LOL
“Bodypop 1 1/2” is the newest release from And One featuring a string of covers. According to singer Steve Naghavi the choice for this EP was made when he noticed that today’s scene youth has no idea of the essential anthems from “our good, old musical heroes”. As a result the band covered classics by Depeche Mode (“Never Let Me Down Again”), Front 242 (“Operating Tracks”), D.A.F (“Der Mussolini”), Nitzer Ebb (“I Give to You”) and The Cure (“Kyoto Song”). The band also added two more live cover versions on top next to a bonus video clip for “Steine sind Steine”. Released on Out Of Line and available from December 14th, 2007 on. Recommended! Tracklist:
Never let me Down Again
Operating Tracks
Der Mussolini
I Give To You
Kyoto Song
The Walk (live)
Fools (live)
CD –Rom Track �Steine Sind Steine” Video
And of course as usual an AndOne video to enjoy – spice up your day
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7hhVWXAPjY]
TB 303 – VST
Spectralhead Audio has released SilverBox, a VST instrument plug-in for Windows based on Roland’s legendary TB-303. Finally someone who honors the old vintage legends :-). Just a pitty its only available on Windows – shape up guys.
Features :
- Authentic monophonic analog bassline emulation
- Easy-to-use interface
- Oscillator with saw/square waveforms
- 18 dB/oct. analog modeled multimode filter, lowpass/highpass/bandpass modes
- Sequencer with piano roll, accent & slide
- Variable pattern length (1-16)
- Advanced randomize functions
- 16x oversampled distortion with minimum aliasing (soft, hard clipping, soft foldback, hard foldback)
- Optimized DSP code using SIMD instructions
- Customizable MIDI CC automation
What the manufacturers claim:
At the beginning of the 80s, a new bass synth appeared on the market. Aimed at bass-guitarists, it featured an in-built sequencer with slides and accents. Only about a decade later did it become one of the most popular instruments in certain styles of acid, techno, house and trance music. Since that, numerous copies and software and hardware emulations have been born, which all try to grasp the character of this wonderful synth. We did our best to reincarnate this instrument as an authentic-sounding, convenient and easy-to-use VSTi plugin. Countless hours were spent on analysis and measurements, with the goal of making the most-authentic sounding emulation. As a result of the research, SilverBox was born, 25 years after the creation of the machine.
Don´t miss out on Audio Damage – Good stuff
Audio Damage has a couple of really nice VSTs, especially fond of their Dr.Device unit
Dr. Device is two (two! two!) hi-octane analog-style effects in one. First in the chain is a multi-mode filter, featuring our own private reserve 4-pole lowpass, along with 5 other tasty musical modes. Then, your audio takes a trip through our true-stereo analog delay. Couple these effects with a two-node XYZ pad, motion recording, and kinetics (you have to see it to believe it) and you’ve got an effect well-suited for both live performance and studio tweaking.
Oh and by the way – this is an intriguing story…
Trust the Germans to stretch mechanical sound reproduction to the limits of sanity. Optimal Media Production’s VinylDisc features three minutes of vintage vinyl goodness on top of a standard 70 minute CD, enabling you to stage an ‘analog vs. digital’ comparison test in the comfort of your own home with only a single disc. It’s a brilliantly silly gimmick that just might entice a few members of the digital generation into dabbling with turntables. I’m OK with that.
“The VinylDisc is a combination audio CD and special record. It consists of two attached layers. The silver layer contains digital audio information, while the black upper layer can be played on every record player.
DATAMASKIN
