NEXUS2 comes with over 70 new features and improvements. Here are most important ones:
NEXUS is a next generation rom synthesizer of highest quality that will make your dreams come true. Forget about the usual bread & butter ROM synthesizers whose sounds are boring, stale and lacking punch.
NEXUS explores new territory and delivers complex, ultra-fat and up-to-date soundstorms that could not sound any better from the most expensive and best hardware – all at the tip of your fingers.
NEXUS provides you with everything you need to create the new hit. Do you need the most powerful dance leadsounds to become famous in your club or a Gregorian choir to create the atmosphere of the next trance hit? Whatever you need, NEXUS will supply you with what you have always been longing for.
Features like the freely programable arpeggiator, the versatile trancegate or the factory-library optimized for the most popular genres make this the best ROM synthesizer on the market.
Even though the sound is first rate, your CPU is spared. You can expand NEXUS with new sounds by installing genre-specific expansion packs or customize the look of the GUI with our themed skins.
Features :
Over 4 gigabyte of previously unreleased sample material
Over 650 presets including all popular genres
Expandable. Three expansions available. More already in production. New samples and new presets
Production quality built-in reverb (ArtsAcoustic)
Skinable. Five skins to choose from
Gustavo Bravetti has put together a free, exclusive FM8 drum kit in Ableton Live for CDM readers. More on the kit, FM8, and how to make the most of it, plus our download, at the Kore@CDM NI minisite:
Free Exclusive Download: FM8 Drum Kit for Ableton Live from Gustavo Bravetti
Reaktor is a great piece of software but somehow somewhat forgotten in the music production scene, at least to my knowledge. I am very fond of my Reaktor and today I stumbled over something that might light things up a little on the Reaktor front, sure hope I am right, hehe
Anyone who uses Native Instruments Reaktor should prepare for a positive reaction because Musicrow has just the thing for you: Golden Ensembles 2. It’s a huge pack of 38 ensembles for use with Reaktor 5.
These ensembles include synthesizers, effects and creative audio tools, and all of those include hundreds of presets. The main event in this package has to be Musicrow’s new mega-synth Cobra, but it’s stacked up nicely with instruments like Orpheus 2, Oberline, Piano Magic, Trancoid and more. Effects include vintage processor emulators such as Vintage Chorus and Plate Reverb, and sound design tools include White FX and Executer, a boldly named plugin coming from Haifa.
QuikQuak has announced the release of Fusion Field, an easy to use diffusion reverb that QuikQuak has created in response to requests for a RaySpace ‘light’ and a version of Glass Viper’s own diffusion reverb.
Features :
– A clean stereo reverb, with an even decay.
– High quality standards, with low CPU resources.
– Fast editing, for that quick grab effect.
– A single impulse source quickly gathers a complex diffusion.
– Intuitively linked Decay and Spread dials.
– Clear reflected sound, with a fast diffusion build up.
– Great for adding sheen to vocals, strings and ambiences.
– Plain visual feedback of filters.
– Zero latency.
– Completely reworked and enhanced diffusion reverb, based on RaySpace and Glass Viper.
Removing the character of uneven early reflections and various room shapes leaves the sound pure, so it’s able to hold the sound in time. Simply enhancing the sound image without obtrusive additional tones allows for more space in the mix.
While not using traditional all-pass filters, Fusion Field gathers reflections immediately, using unique ‘leaky’ feedback technology. This has the accuracy of an intensive frequency based algorithm, with the movement and zero latency of time based calculations. It also has relatively low CPU usage for such a high quality sound.
Try the demo yourself and choose the “Fusion Field Full” preset, this gives the longest decay and no filtering.
If you send a short sound through the plug-in you will hear the sound as though frozen in the air, and decay perfectly smoothly in about two minutes.
Superior Drummer® 2.0 has been re-developed for optimized use with e-drums with more effective use of sample layers and much improved loading times. It will include custom MIDI played by Nir Z accessed through the all new customized MIDI engine and arranger EZplayer® pro, it will feature stand alone capacity through Toontrack solo. From premium UK based software developer Sonalksis Superior Drummer® 2.0 has been fitted with, 5-band EQ, high and low pass filter, compressor, gate and transient designer filters.
The new interface is reminiscent of EZdrummer® with its simple handling and lay out but gives its user layer upon layer of in depth features to create the ultimate drum track.
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All new construction windows with features such as: • ADSR • X-pads – Load instruments from any Toontrack® library to add positions or to double instruments on the position of your choice. • The ability to read and combine all dfh Superior and EZdrummer® sound librarie |
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All new internal mixer featuring bussing capabilities and with built in FX delivered by Sonalksis such as: • 5 Band EQ • Highpass and Lowpass filter • Gate • Compressor • Transient |
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKADOmFqRMs]
Overview
A software / hardware combo that allows for control of the analog filter inside a Commodore 64 that is running Cynthcart from a host computer (eg, Macbok, PC).
Software
• 16-step filter sequencer
• Set the speed of the filter sequence (with intervals between values reaching 2ms)
• Set the length of the sequence from 1 to 16 beats
• Offset value allows for shifting the filter values up or down on a larger scale
• MIDI mode allows sending data directly to control the filter (this mode disables the sequencer)
Download the Max/MSP patch here:
http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/downloads/max_patches/C64_FILTER.zip
It requires Max/MSP runtime which can be downloaded from http://www.cycling74.com/.
Screenshot
Interface
The hardware is very simple, and is based around an Arduino board that is using a bit-banging SPI technique to write data to a 100KΩ digital pot (model MCP42100). Approximately 7 of the 8 bits of data actually change the value of the filter (this could be due to the resistance value of the pot).
Any microcontroller that can either do SPI natively or through bit-banging should be able to handle this simple operation.
Software, schematics + code >>
Audeon UFO Signal Flow
Yet another synthesis technique?
Audeon objectives: build a synthesizer where controls would be:
UFO is:
About TransModal Synthesis (TM):
Thanks to Audeon’s strong background in signal processing and algorithm design, we came up with a set of innovative and flexible synthesis algorithms gathered under the name “TransModal Synthesis”. The name comes from the fact that instead of operating in several distinct modes, these synthesis modules can perform smooth transitions between their oscillation modes (periodic, chaotic, random, etc) or their filtering mode (low-pass, high-pass, etc). This capability makes them much more flexible and expressive than synthesis modules with waveform or filter type selectors for instance.
TransModal Synthesis algorithms include:
Sound programming:
A good synthesis engine is nothing without a good user interface to go with. We designed UFO’s interface with two goals in mind:
Thanks to this interface, combined with the underlying synthesis algorithms, programming a sound is quick and intuitive.
Demo Version Download
(Save and Automation are disabled, A hissing noise can sometimes be heard, 6 Mb) :
Audeon UFO VST Synth DemoAudio demos:
Morphing (Mp3 File)
This example demonstrates the Morphing feature, between a wind instrument and a percussive sound. You will hear the source sound first: a pan flute / bottle type of sound, then the target sound: a kind of steel drum, and finally UFO slowly morphing from the source to the target.
Texture (Mp3 File)
To make this demo, we dialed the “Infinite space” preset, then pressed two keys at the beginning of the recording and released them at the end (no sequencer, no arpeggiator). A quick and easy way to compose ambient tracks!
Hardcore (Mp3 File)
starting with a virtual didgeridoo, this track evolves into a somewhat dark techno style. After the ethereal pads found in the first demo, some of the sounds in this track explore the opposite side of the sonic palette, showing the dirty and grainy sounds that can be achieved by pushing the oscillator to the edge.
Audeon UFO Screenshot
semi-modular software synthesizer
Future Audio Workshop unveils Circle is a new semi-modular software synthesizer, designed to be easy to use, allowing you to concentrate fully on sound design and performance. Circle, a new semi modular software synthesizer. Designed to be easy to use and intuitive through simple work flows. Circle comes with lots of great, ready to use sounds. Choose from a large varied pool of sound generators, effects, filters and modulations. Unrestricted modulation allows you to experiment with sound in new ways. Works as Standalone, Audio Unit, VST and RTAS.
What makes it unique is it’s interface. It has a fantastic new work “Flow” and feedback mechanism all presented via a high contrast single page user interface making it much easier to tweak and program than most synths.
Part of this flow is a scheme where modulate sources (LFO, Envelopes, Sequencers) have corresponding color coded “circles”. Simply drag the circle to the parameter you want to modulate and you’ll hear a preview. Drop the circle and the parameter is now connected to the modulation source (see a link to videos below). Very cool! The color coding makes it very easy to identify which modulation source is tied to what parameter making it easier to learn how Circle works.
The interface offers real-time feedback on parameters for the selected sound. For example, if you hit a note on your controller, this sends a circle down the volume envelope. Hold a key down and watch the LFO shape pulse. Again, this feedback system makes it much easier to see what’s happening inside the synth and then tweak to get a different result. Awesome!
Aside from the interface a few other features to note are:
Circle is now available for $199.00 / €149.00. Even you have other similar sounding synths in your rig, you should try the demo to get a feel for this innovative user interface.
More Info:
Create music today, rather than tomorrow…
With features such as no loading-time, all-in-one synth, fx and sequencer, drum machine track, high quality time-stretching/pitch-shifting, REX2 and VST plugin support…you just can’t go wrong with energyXT2.
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| » no loading time » all-in-one synth, fx and sequencer » HQ time-stretching & pitch-shifting |
» clip-based automation » runs on Linux, out-of-the-box! » great user community |
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» 100% re-worked workflow
» elastique time-stretching and pitch-shifting
» drag & drop REX2 groove support, with slice editing
» non-destructive audio reverse
» shuffle/swing on midi, audio and drum tracks
» clip based automation embedded into midi, audio and drum clips
» warm and clean sounding phase modulation synthesizer with sample support
» multi-fx processor
» drum track with sample support
» main mixer with unlimited sends, inserts and group channels
» searchable browser with sample preview
» midi, audio and drum clips can be saved as self-containing library clips
» enhanced controller maps
» Works out-of-the box on Linux
The sequencer in energyXT2 works the same way as in Cubase and Logic and offers audio recording, different track types, clip based automation of mixer/EQ and VST plugins. It also has some unique features like drum-machine track, per audio clip resample & elastique time-stretching and modeless editing. Tracks can be arranged into folders to save screen space and VST plugin editors can be docked into separate tabs.
The built-in synth/sampler is a phase modulation synthesizer and sample player in one. You can layer and split synthesized and sampled sounds anyway you want. There are all the standard features like multi-mode filter, LFO’s, vibrato and glide. Add per sound phaser/chorus/flanger and per program reverb and delay send effects and you have yourself a workstation. The sound is very “Warm and clean” : bass/pads | bass/lead | synth pad | filter | bass sweep | fm synth | detuned bass | feedback synth
The new drum track in energyXT2 works like an audio track with a built in drum sampler. The drum editor looks like a real drum machine and samples can be dropped right into it for quick drum set construction. Drumsets can be saved as presets. To create a new drum track, simply drag a drumset preset or just a wav file into the sequencer, and the drum track will be created for you automatically.
All settings in the main mixer cam be automated from the sequencer, including volume, pan, mute, EQ and effect parameters. There are no limit to how many insert and send effects you can use in a project, well except for your CPU that is. Group channels are available for sub mixing, and can be automated just like normal mixer channels and supports insert and send effects as well. The mixer is dockable, and presets for different mixer views can be customized.
VST plugins, samples and presets can be dragged into the sequencer tracks and mixer effect slots. energyXT2 will autodetect if you drop a VST instrument into the sequencer, create a new MIDI track and connect it to the instruments automatically. Same if you drop a drum sample, a drum track will be created for you, ready to play!
energyXT2 offers a modular design, but its up to you if you want to use its features or not. The “Comps” view visualizes all the VST plugins, sequencers and audio inputs/outputs used in your project. In the comps view, you can easely set up energyXT2 as a standalone effect processor. Drop a few effetcs into the comps view, route audio input thru the effect plugins and then to the master out.
Cerebrum contains eight drums, two samplers, a bassline synth and some algorithmic functions to tie them all together. These functions include abilities from standard sequencing to velocity randomization.
Fast features:
