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Image-Line releases Vocodex

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:12:47 +0000

Image-Line has released Vocodex, a vocoder plug-in for Windows.

What is Vocoding? You have heard vocoding many times, even if you don’t know what it is. Vocoders are the classic robot voice from many sci-fi movies. Vocoders analyze the real-time frequency band activity of one sound, the Modulator, to control frequency band activity in another, the Carrier. A vocoder consists of a series of narrow-band frequency gates that allow through only those frequencies from the Carrier that are detected in the Modulator source. So if a human voice is used to vocode a synthesizer chord, it will sound like the synthesizer is talking.

Vocodex features

Speech enhancement contouring of noise or modulator pass-through.
Modulator noise reduction to reduce ambient noise bleeding through carrier.
Voice doubling and reverb capabilities.
Built-in “Soundgoodizer” for limiting and warm output.
Up to 100 bands individually locatable anywhere in the spectrum.
Band unison to create a fat & lush sound.
Sidechain carrier & or modulator input.
Inbuilt carrier synthesizer powered by Sytrus.
And more per-band effects to discover.

Vocodex is available as a VST effect plug-in (and as an FL Studio plug-in) for $99 USD. New Image-Line customers can get a 10% discount on their first order with this promo link.

More information: Image-Line / Vocodex

Mini-review: Wave Alchemy Drum Machines 01

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:45:04 +0000

Didn’t I just say in another review that there are plenty of drum machine sample libraries already? So what does Wave Alchemy’s Drum Machines 01 have to offer that you haven’t seen before?

Looking at the drum machines they sampled you might think the answer is “not that much”. The library includes samples from three previously released sample packs featuring the following machines: Vermona DRM mkII, Jomox AiRBase99, Jomox MBase 11 and Jomox XBase 999.

There is a good chance you already have some samples of a few of those machines, but that doesn’t mean Drum Machines 01 doesn’t bring anything new. Since the samples were taken from analog drum machines you will still get some “fresh” content every time someone comes around with a new pack of the same old drum machines.

Wave Alchemy used some outboard gear for this sample library:

All samples have been beautifully recorded through an API 512c preamp with a small selection of the sounds being sonically enhanced through the use of an Empirical Labs Distressor and highend SSL equalizers.

The kit list in the manual mentions the use of the API 512c preamp, Empirical Labs Distressor EL8, SSL E Series EQ and Compressor, and SPL Transient Designer.

The Vermona DRM mkII and Jomox XBase 999, two of the drum machines sampled.

Drum Machines 01 features

1,400 24-bit 100% royalty free analogue drum hits
466 XBase 999 drum samples
453 Vermona DRM mkII drum samples
237 AiRBase99 drum samples
245 MBase 11 kick drums

Check out some of the sounds from Drum Machines 01 in the demo mp3 below.

So what do I think?

Product: Drum Machines 01 by Wave Alchemy
Format: 24bit (mostly mono) wav files
Price: £22 GBP
(individual micro packs are available for £8.99 GBP each)

Wave Alchemy clearly takes sampling seriously. They did a smashing job sampling these drum machines to a high quality standard. The variety of drum sounds available is good, but note that over half of the 1,400 sounds are kick drums sounds. The hits are generally really tight and punchy sounding and even though I already have a boatload of electronic drum samples, I still found a lot of new sounds in this library.

In short, a high quality pack of electronic drum sounds. If you don’t have any sounds from these drum machines yet, be sure to check out Drum Machines 01. Wave Alchemy has a free collection of samples from this library available to download (you need to register an account, which is also free).

More information: Wave Alchemy / Drum Machines 01

Native Instruments releases 4 Acoustic Piano Emulations

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:41:34 +0000

Native Instruments has announced the release of the BERLIN, NEW YORK and VIENNA CONCERT GRAND as well as UPRIGHT PIANO, four software instruments that offer detailed reproductions of some of the world’s most revered pianos.

Previously available within the acclaimed AKOUSTIK PIANO, these instruments can now be purchased individually to specifically accommodate a certain sound or musical genre, or as a bundle that offers the full range of piano tones.

All four pianos are powered by the industry-leading KONTAKT engine, and are playable in the free KONTAKT PLAYER as well as the full KONTAKT sampler. The three concert grands and the upright piano recreate each nuance and detail of the original instruments by combining elaborate multi-sampling with sophisticated emulation of soundboard resonance and pedal behavior. Making full use of the advanced sampling and scripting features of the KONTAKT engine, they remain both efficient and convenient to use for a wide range of musical styles and applications.

Each of the original instruments was carefully set up and recorded using a special recording technique that completely minimized room ambience, resulting in pristine sound quality.

Native Instruments Acoustic Piano Emulations

The BERLIN CONCERT GRAND is based on a modern masterpiece of German piano construction, and carries the original’s vitality and expressiveness throughout the entire dynamic range.
The NEW YORK CONCERT GRAND is the authentic rendition of the standard in concert halls worldwide, especially suited for jazz and classical solo material.
The VIENNA CONCERT GRAND replicates an acclaimed Austrian piano design, with eight full octaves of powerful, orchestral sound.
Complementing the three concert grands, UPRIGHT PIANO offers the warm and intimate tone of one of the world’s best concert pianos.

BERLIN, NEW YORK, VIENNA CONCERT GRAND and UPRIGHT PIANO are available in the NI Online Shop at $79 USD / 69 EUR per individual instrument. A bundle of all four instruments is available for $189 USD / 169 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Piano Instruments

VirSyn announces Autumn 2009 Promotion

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:24:17 +0000

VirSyn has announced the Autumn 2009 Promotion, a chance to buy VirSyn plug-in at discounted prices.

From now on until November, 30th 2009 you can save up to 41 % if you buy one or more products from our FX line.

VirSyn Autumn 2009 Promotion

99 EUR instead of regular price of 169 EUR:
- BARK – The Multiband Filter
- FDELAY – The Rhythmiser
- KLON – The Vocal Designer
- REFLECT – The Algorithmic Reverb
- TDESIGN – The Transient Former
- VTAPE – The Analog Tape Suite
129 EUR instead of regular price of 199 EUR:
- MATRIX – The Voice Coder
- PRISM – The Pitch Designer
189 EUR instead of regular price of 229 EUR:
- FX Collection (REFLECT + VTAPE)

More information: VirSyn

FatLoud releases After Hours

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:11:04 +0000

FatLoud has announced the release of After Hours, a free collection of hip hop, r’n’b & urban drum, percussion, bass, synths, keys, strings (and more!) loops & hits.

After Hours containing 189 professional mixed & mastered 24bit loops & hits, everything delivered as multiformat collection in WAV, Acid, REX, AIFF, Apple Loops & Reason 4.0 ReFill.

All loops & samples in this library are licensed to you (as FatLoud Newsletter Subscriber) “Royalty Free” so you can use them in your commercial compositions at no extra cost!

After Hours features

52 drum-hits.
67 drum loops.
24 instrument hits/chords.
56 instrument loops.
24-bit / 44.1kHz material.
Formats: AIFF/Apple Loops, WAV/Acidized™ WAV, REX/ReCycle, Reason Refill 4.0.

After Hours is available as a free download for all newsletter subscribers.

More information: FatLoud / After Hours

Spectrasonics updates Omnisphere to v1.1

ronnie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:17:54 +0000

Spectrasonics has released version 1.1 of Omnisphere, the flagship virtual instrument, which combines a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, a massive library of remarkable ‘Psychoacoustic’ sounds, and many innovative features.

On the heels of the release of their epic new Trilian® Total Bass Module virtual instrument, Spectrasonics has announced the release of version 1.1 of their award-winning Omnisphere® Power Synth – featuring native 64-bit Windows support, core library integration with Trilian and more. The new v1.1 is also Mac and Windows 32-bit compatible. For users who have both virtual instruments, sounds from Trilian can now be opened inside Omnisphere – allowing deeper editing of the Trilian sounds, as well as the creation of layers and splits with both instruments’ sounds in the same environment.

Changes in Omnisphere v1.1

Trilian Library Integration – Support for loading Trilian factory soundsources, patches and multis in Omnisphere.
64-bit native support on Windows.
Support for new STEAM Engine features introduced in Trilian, including: Round Robin soundsources, Release layers, Multichannel soundsources, Legato articulation triggering.
Memory Management features: ‘Lite Version’ feature, sample thinning, training/purging for maximizing efficiency and faster loading/auditioning.
Various interface improvements – Soundsource Zoom page mixing, Edit page soundsource images, memory meter, etc.
RTAS support for any number of processors in Pro Tools.

Omnisphere is available to purchase for an MSRP of $499 USD / 379 EUR. The v1.1 update is free for all registered users and is now available as a download from Spectrasonics website.

More information: Spectrasonics / Omnisphere

Loopmasters releases Broken Rules Hardcore Tekno

ronnie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:11:59 +0000

Loopmasters has released Broken Rules Hardcore Tekno, a unique and one of a kind sample pack that will offer the true sound of Industrial Strength Records.

This exciting sound source offers mind blowing loops, distorted kicks, freaked out synths & dry one shot hits that are the key elements in making Industrial Tekno & Industrial Hardcore.

The pack contains perfectly cut Rex files, wild FX loops, and distorted madness to charge up your productions. This stunning pack is produced by David Flores aka Broken Rules. As one of ISR main featured artists it seemed only fitting to have him unleash the first attack on your sample collection.

Broken Rules has been mashing sounds, and designing hardcore textures since 2000. This sample pack contains all you need to make Hardcore Tekno with the most authentic sounds, FX and loops from this L.A. based music producer.

Broken Rules Hardcore Tekno features

771 samples
840 MB of Content
6 Flexi Demos 16 Bit Wav
27 Flexi Traxx 24 Bit Wav (Ableton Live ready)
50 Sound FX
208 Loops
208 Rex Files
272 One Shots

Broken Rules Hardcore Tekno is available to purchase in Wav and REX2 format for £17.95 GBP.

More information: Loopmasters / Broken Rules Hardcore Tekno

synthgeek releases sg-glitchgate

ronnie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:05:25 +0000

synthgeek has released sg-glitchgate, a free VST effect plug-in for Windows.

This is an experimental gating plugin- basically a rhythmic gate, but not set up in the standard way. There are two periodic gates which can be used for anything from regular rhythmic chopping to random rhythmic manipulations and strange dropouts. The gates are followed by a delay unit designed to enhance the glitchiness- it does not sync to tempo, and the delay time and gain can be randomized. There are 5 LFOs to add to the fun. A few presets are included to give you an idea of how things work.

The periodic sequence idea was largely inspired by stuff from xoxos, and uses his “regular” module to provide the pulses used in the gates. See http://www.xoxos.net

sg-glitchgate is available to download as a freeware VST effect plug-in for Windows PC.

More information: synthgeek / sg-glitchgate

Matthew Lindsay updates NCL EQ to v1.1

ronnie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:41:20 +0000

Matthew Lindsay has released version 1.1 of NCL EQ, a flexible high-quality 10 band parametric equalizer plug-in for Windows.

It’s designed to be clean, precise and to minimise digital artifacts such as frequency warping. Uses include mixing, tracking, and mastering.

Changes in NCL EQ v1.1

Improved multi-core support
Reduced file size

NCL EQ is available to download as a freeware VST effect plug-in for Windows PC.

More information: NCL EQ

Subsun releases Wobbles

ronnie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:13:43 +0000

Subsun has released Wobbles, a free effect plug-in for Mac.

Wobbles is a free-ware vibrato plugin for Mac OSX 10.4 and higher.

The effect features adjustable shape, depth and speed. Chorus and phaser type effects can also be achieved by using the dry/wet knob.

It has not been widely tested, so please let me know if you have problems! If there is interest in this plugin then I might update it with a couple more features (tempo syncing, custom LFO shapes).

Wobbles is available as a freewave effect plug-in for Mac OSX 10.4 and higher (VST/AU).

More information: Subsun / Wobbles

rekkerd.org

Image-Line releases Vocodex

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