Studio One may change the rules of the game
Introducing Studio One – The Future of Music Production is Here. a groundbreaking music creation and production application for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista that makes audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and audio mastering ridiculously simple right out of the box, yet provides a wealth of professional features.
Fresh code, innovative drag-and-drop MIDI mapping and plug-in management, auto-configuration with PreSonus hardware, insanely good audio, unlimited tracks and plug-ins per track, and a powerful, inventive Start page that literally puts the whole project right in your hands are just a few of the compelling features that make Studio One the next generation in audio software. Far from just another music-production program, Studio One changes the rules of the game, giving you a complete solution from raw tracks to finished master, while supporting the latest standards and technologies.
Studio One is based on a cutting-edge audio engine that delivers unparalleled sound and automatically switches between 32-bit and 64-bit floating-point processing on the fly (even with a 32-bit OS), ensuring the highest quality audio at all times. It is compatible with any ASIO-, Windows Audio-, or CoreAudio-compliant audio interface, including, of course, the entire line of PreSonus interfaces.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIxV-BsqdyY]
Features:
- Elegant single-window work environment
- Powerful drag-and-drop functionality
- Unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
- Content browser with convenient sort options and preview player
- Integrated mastering solution with automatic mix updating, waveform editing, effects, Red Book CD burning, and digital release
- Automatic delay compensation
- Advanced automation
- 64-bit processing (even on 32-bit machines)
- Easy-to-use sidechain routing
- Awe-inspiring 64-bit effects suite
- Stunning virtual instruments
- User-friendly sampler
- Most intuitive MIDI-mapping system available
- Real-time audio timestretching and resampling
- AU, VST2, VST3, and ReWire support
- K System metering
- Gigabytes of inspiring content
- Compatible with any ASIO-, Windows Audio-,or Core Audio-compliant audio interface
AudioMulch 2.0 Revealed
AudioMulch 2.0 is not just a new version, it is the next generation of AudioMulch. It will provide a foundation for a new cycle of feature development and improvements that will be rolled out in regular updates after the 2.0 release. AudioMulch has long been a cult favorite for people wanting to patch together unusual sonic tools and performance rigs. That puts it in a category with apps like Reaktor or Max/MSP, but unlike those tools, AudioMulch has a lot of stuff built for you already.
New in version 2.0:
- An all-new UI, built from the ground up, with drag-and-drop patching and faster MIDI control and parameter access
- Gray is out; black is in.
- Dockable windows stretch across multiple screens.
- Up to 2X performance efficiency increase
- Patchable MIDI routing, finally – so MIDI matches up with the power of audio in the first version
- Metasurface, tempo, and transport can now be controlled by MIDI and automated
- Complex time signature support, automated time signature changes, additive meters
- Improved support for consumer multichannel audio (see note below)
- Startup enabling of audio, MIDI, networking
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.
MusicRadar's good review on Garageband 09
GarageBand now has a more Logic-like look.
As of yesterday, Apple’s iLife ’09 software suite was available to buy, which means that you can now get your hands on the latest version of GarageBand.
To mark the occasion, MusicRadar was invited along to a press briefing at Apple’s London headquarters, and we came away with a copy of the new software. So, what are our first impressions?
One thing to point out from the outset is that you’ll need OS X 10.5 (Leopard) if you want to run GarageBand ’09. In fact, that goes for all the other applications in the bundle, too (iPhoto, iMovie and iWeb).
This means that, if your operating system isn’t already up to date, you’ll have to shell out £83/$129 (the cost of Leopard) on top of the £69/$79 that you’ll have to pay for iLife ’09.
We should mention here that Apple is currently offering Leopard, iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 in a £149/$169 bundle, but there’s no discount available if you just want to buy the former two products.
While we’re on the subject of system requirements, it should also be made clear that if you want to use GarageBand’s new Learn to Play features – we’ll be covering these in a separate article, by the way – you’ll need to be running an Intel-based Mac with a dual-core processor. As far as Apple is concerned, non guitar- or keyboard-playing PowerPC users will have to remain so.
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.
discoDSP Discovery Pro for MAC
12 oscillators Virtual Analog VSTi and Audio Units Synthesizer featuring 4 layers, WAV and SoundFont (SF2) support, 2X oversampling/undersampling, built-in arpeggiator, sync, FM, 12 filter types, panning modulation, stereo delay and gate effects, graphic envelope modulation. Imports Nord Lead 2 SysEx data.
Features :
– 128 Patch Memories per bank
– Parameter Morphing using Modulation Wheel or MIDI velocity
– 2x oversampling
– 2x oversampled distortions
– Bank browser (by clicking arrows in display led and bank name)
– More than 300 presets in 3 banks (including a percussion one)
– Nord Lead 2 and 2X patch import
– 4 Layers per Patch, each with :
* 1 Wave Oscillator. Can load WAV files using high quality interpolation. User banks are easily added
* Resonant Filters (LowPass, HighPass, BandPass, BandReject, Formant, 8 taps phaser, X 12/24 dB and Y 12/24 dB are Moog modeled)
* ADSR for Amp & Filter. Amplitude envelope can switch between linear and exponential curves
* 2 LFOs
* Modulation Envelope
* Graphical Modulation Envelope
* Arpeggiator
* Built-in Chorus, Phaser, Panning Delay and Gate effects
* Symmetric, Asymmetric and Asymmetric 2 Distortions
* Limiter
* Portamento
* Poly/Mono/Legato modes
Finally I can buy the KORG NanoSeries…
….they are finally launched in black 
Well joke aside I have tried these for some time now and I believe for the frequent flyer musician they are a must have. NanoKontrol looks great, with a good number of knobs, buttons and sliders, useful (if rubbery) transport controls. It’s hard to overstate how cheap and plasticky these things are. The faders are tiny and toy-like, the cases would need to be taped down to stop them moving across the table.
KORG NANO CONTROLLERS
nanoKEY Slim-Line USB Keyboard
nanoPAD Slim-Line USB Controller
nanoKONTROL Slim-Line USB Controller
The nano Series from Korg – Serious Music Production in a Seriously Small Space
Meet the most compact family of USB-MIDI controllers ever! Introducing the new Korg nano Series USB powered slim-line controllers – so small you can put them on your workstation, in front of your laptop, on a recording console or anywhere else you need versatile control over your DAW, virtual instrument/effect or DJ software.
Three Flavors to Satisfy Your Creative Palette
Despite their small size, all three controllers go HUGE when it comes to functionality, yet their intuitive layouts provide extremely easy operation for any user. The nanoKEY features a great-feeling 25-key velocity-sensitive keyboard that’s ideal for song production. The keys can also be set to send MIDI control data, further expanding its power. The nanoPAD features 12 highly responsive trigger pads, also capable of sending both notes and MIDI control data, plus an X-Y pad with roll and flam functions giving you a unique interface for realistic drum programming. The nanoKONTROL offers nine faders, nine knobs and 18 switches plus a full transport section for expansive control; plus it features a note input mode to help you lay down your next big groove!
Also available in black later this year
What’s a Controller Without Software?
Even if the Korg nano Series controllers are your first foray into MIDI control, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to get connected to software quickly. As an added value, the nanoKEY includes a download code for the full version of Korg’s M1Le, which faithfully recreates the legendary Korg M1 workstation. Plus, an upgrade path will let you graduate to the Legacy DIGITAL EDITION software suite, which has an even more expansive version of the M1, the renowned WaveStation and 19 great MDEX effects. The nanoPAD comes complete with a download code for Toontrack’s EZDrummer Lite, offering super-realistic, highly responsive drums in a convenient plug in, plus you can upgrade to the full version of EZDrummer for a special price. The nanoKONTROL includes a discount coupon for Ableton Live LE software. What’s more; a free downloadable Editor/Librarian will help you create setups to suit your specific control needs in all three models.
Free plug'ins for all MAC fans out there
Blue Cat Audio has announced that they’ll be making their large plugin library available, finally, for Mac OS X.
 We are happy to announce that we will be releasing Mac versions of our plugins before the end of the year. The public beta program for our free VSTs started today, while the Audio Units versions are still in work. These releases will also include updates for the PC versions.
We plan to release our freeware plugins first, and our commercial plugins will then follow, most of them being expected before Christmas. |
The first release — available now — will be a collection of the Blue Bat Audio Freeware plugs, meaning the first OS X plugin bundle will also be freeware, i.e. it’ll be downloadable at no charge.
Of course, this freeware taste is only a precursor to the “professional” plugins that Blue Cat has announced will be coming in the first quarter of 2009. “Professional” in this context means, of course, that they will be charging for them.
The Freeware Bundle will include a veritable litter of decent plugins:
- Blue Cat’s Chorus
- Blue Cat’s Digital Peak Meter
- Blue Cat’s Flanger
- Blue Cat’s FreqAnalyst
- Blue Cat’s Gain Suite
- Blue Cat’s Phaser
- Blue Cat’s Stereo Chorus
- Blue Cat’s Stereo Flanger
- Blue Cat’s Triple EQ
Not too bad I would say – go get it here >>
If you missed out on the latest version of the MAC SID player
You might have missed out on the new user interface which I have come to enjoy
SIDPLAY is a Commodore 64 music player. It emulates the sound chip and other internals of the Commodore 64 home computer to play back music that was originally written on it. The sound chip of the C64 is called the “Sound Interface Device” or SID, and therefore this music is known as SID music. The SID chip is basically a three voice synthesizer on a chip. The unusual combination of digital and analogue circuitry is the reason for its distinctive sound.
SIDPLAY strives to offer the best possible SID music experience on any platform. It has been designed with the High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC) in mind. This collection is the biggest and most complete collection of SID music on the Internet. It can be obtained for free from http://hvsc.c64.org/.
Electronic download pack for a nice price (4.99€)
Glitch Gumbo Vol 1 is a new download pack featuring electronic breaks and percussion loops. It is aimed at adventurous producers of breaks, IDM, techno and other electronic music styles. Glitch Gumbo Vol 1 is available in PC and Mac loop formats at the introductory price of 4.99 EUR.
The emphasis of this download pack is on experimental breaks and beats, while retaining a good dose of funk and groove. The loops build on ideas from IDM, techno and hip-hop to create an original collection of warped percussive sounds. The consistent use of timestretching, granular synthesis and programmed beat deconstruction techniques makes for a futuristic sounding download pack.
The loops are ideal for layering on top of other beats and textures. For the more experimental producers, they also lend themselves nicely to beat slicing, pitch shifting and other DSP trickery. Lastly, the beats can be used for spicing up hip-hop rhythms with a touch of glitch. All loops contain a convenient BPM tempo indication in the track title.
The Atypical Audio website provides previews of the loops as well as a Glitch Gumbo free download pack. This pack contains similar sounding loops made during the production of Glitch Gumbo Vol 1. Separate sounds are also made available for free in the form of two kits for Native Instruments’ Battery. All files can be downloaded from the Atypical Audio website.
– Glitch Gumbo Vol 1
– Electronic breaks and percussion loops
– Instant Download Pack of 66 loops
– Acid Loops & Apple Loops formats
– 16 bit / 44.1 kHz
– Royalty free
– Available from January 2008 on the Atypical Audio website
– Introductory price of 4.99 EUR until April 2008
– Website: www.atypicalaudio.com
Atypical Audio
www.atypicalaudio.com
DATAMASKIN
