Όλα τα τελευταία νέα για τη Μουσική Τεχνολογία και την Ακουστική, κατευθείαν από τις επίσημες ιστοσελίδες των εταιρειών, συγκεντρωμένα σε ένα blog!

Εκπληκτικές δυνατότητες ρυθμίσεων, σε live συνθήκες, από το νέο VoiceLive Touch 2 της ΤC-Helicon


Εκπληκτικές δυνατότητες ρυθμίσεων, σε live συνθήκες, από το νέο Voice Live 2 της ΤC-Helicon

H ΤC-Helicon εξελίσσει το VoiceLive Touch και δίνει στους τραγουδιστές την πρωτόγνωρη δυνατότητα για δημιουργικό έλεγχο της φωνής τους, σε συνθήκες Live. To VoiceLive Touch 2 παρέχει μια πλήρη σειρά, από επαγγελματικής ποιότητας εφέ, για φωνή. Διαθέτει οθόνη αφής, για έλεγχο των ρυθμίσεων, σε πραγματικό χρόνο και έχει έξι κανάλια looper, με ειδικά εφέ.

Τα πλήκτρα αφής, που διαθέτει το Touch 2, επιτρέπουν τον πειραματισμό με εφέ και τονικό χρωματισμό, κατά την διάρκεια του τραγουδιού, χωρίς ανεπιθύμητους θόρυβους. Το slider bar επιτρέπει τη δημιουργία sweep εφέ, περιήγηση στα Presets και ρύθμιση των παραμέτρων. Η μεταπήδηση, μεταξύ των 36 performance functions, γίνεται στιγμιαία στο Touch Matrix και η χρήση των εικονιδίων κάνει το editing πανεύκολο, ενώ η πρόσβαση σε βαθύτερες παραμέτρους είναι διαθέσιμη μόνο όταν χρειάζεται. Τέλος, με την πίεση του πλήκτρου «Ηit», μπορούμε να προσθέσουμε στιγμιαία εφέ πάνω σε κάθε preset.

H λειτουργία looper, που διαθέτει το VoiceLive Touch 2, δίνει τη δυνατότητα στον κάθε τραγουδιστή να δημιουργήσει ολόκληρες συνθέσεις, μόνο με τη φωνή του. Το Touch 2 παρέχει stereo looping 6 καναλιών, σε όλες τις εισόδους, με εφέ. Έχει μετρονόμο και quantize, για τη δημιουργία τέλειων loops και εφέ, όπως, reverse, filter, slow speed, squeeze και άλλα. Η λειτουργία Genre επιτρέπει τη εύκολη περιήγηση ανάμεσα σε εκατοντάδες presets. Με την επιλογή ενός μουσικού είδους, το VoiceLive Touch 2 εμφανίζει μια λίστα με τα σχετικά εφέ, ενώ, μέσω του VoiceSupport, είναι δυνατό το preset downloading, από μια λίστα που ανανεώνεται κάθε μήνα.



Kurzweil MP15


Η πρόσφατη είσοδος του ΜΡ15, συμπληρώνει την ήδη μεγάλη γκάμα ψηφιακών πιάνων της Kurzweil.

Συγκεκριμένα, το ΜΡ15 διαθέτει 128 νέους ήχους αξεπέραστης ποιότητας για κάθε μουσικό στυλ όπως πιάνα, strings, organs, leas κτλ., καθώς και 60 έτοιμα patterns. Σημαντική είναι η λειτουργία του sequenser, που μας επιτρέπει να κάνουμε εγγραφή των κομματιών μας, ακόμα και όταν χρησιμοποιούνται τέσσερα χέρια στο κλαβιέ. Το interface του πιάνου είναι πολύ εύκολο στη χρήση και βοηθάει στη γρήγορη πρόσβαση, σε όλες τις λειτουργίες του οργάνου, ενώ έχει προστεθεί και μια ευανάγνωστη οθόνη υγρών κρυστάλλων. Μια Aux θύρα μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα να συνδέσουμε ένα MP3 player και να παίξουμε, ταυτόχρονα, μαζί με την αγαπημένη μας μουσική. Τέλος, η σχεδίαση της καμπίνας και το εμπλουτισμένο σύστημα των ηχείων, δίνουν στο πιάνο ένα εκπληκτικό ηχητικό αποτέλεσμα, εφάμιλλο του ονόματος της Kurzweil.


KingKorg Synthesizer


To KingΚοrg είναι ένα νέο Synthesizer, που απευθύνεται, τόσο για χρήση studio, όσο και για live performance και είναι βασισμένο στα θρυλικά Z1.MS2000 και RADIAS.

Πρόκειται για ένα VA Synth 61 πλήκτρων, με 24 νότες πολυφωνία, ενσωματωμένο Vocoder και μια μεγάλη συλλογή από presets και μοντελοποιήσεις κλασσικών ήχων Synthesizers. Στην επιφάνεια του KingKorg υπάρχουν, πέρα από τα κλασσικά Knobs λειτουργιών, τρεις ανεξάρτητες οθόνες υγρών κρυστάλλων, οι οποίες αφορούν πληροφορίες κυματομορφών και φίλτρων.

Στον τομέα των εφέ μας δίνονται τρεις μονάδες, που μπορούν να συνδυαστούν μεταξύ τους, προσφέροντας ένα εντυπωσιακό ηχητικό αποτέλεσμα. Δεν απουσιάζει, βέβαια και το arpeggiator, καθώς και μια έξοδος, που μας δίνει την δυνατότητα να καθοδηγήσουμε και ένα monotribe! Στο πίσω μέρος του KingKorg υπάρχει, εκτός από τα αναλογικά in/out και μια θύρα USB, που μας επιτρέπει τον έλεγχο του Synthesizer, μέσω ενός υπολογιστή.



Η Royer Labs κέρδισε το Technical GRAMMY® Award του 2013!


H Royer Labs είναι στην ευχάριστη θέση να ανακοινώσει ότι, στις 9 Φεβρουαρίου 2013, κέρδισε το διάσημο βραβείο Technical GRAMMY® Award!

Η ανακοίνωση της Grammy:

«Η γραμμή των ribbon μικροφώνων της Royer Labs έχει κάνει μεγάλη αλλαγή στον τρόπο, με τον οποίο οι ηχολήπτες ηχογραφούν μουσική. Η ribbon τεχνολογία της εταιρείας ηχεί πολύ φυσικά και φέρνει έναν πιο ρεαλιστικό, αναλογικό ήχο, όπως και αίσθηση στις ψηφιακές ηχογραφήσεις και την αναπαραγωγή ζωντανού ήχου. Στη δεκαετία του ‘90, η Royer Labs έφερε τα μικρόφωνα ribbon στo mainstream recording.

Παλαιότερες υλοποιήσεις ribbon μικροφώνων είχαν πέσει σε αχρηστία στη δεκαετία του ‘60, λόγω της χαμηλής εξόδου και επειδή ήταν βαριά και εύθραυστα. Η Royer σχεδίασε μια ριζικά διαφορετική γραμμή από ribbon μικρόφωνα, μικρά, ελαφριά, ανθεκτικά και με απίστευτο ήχο, η οποία ήταν επαναστατική και πήγε την τέχνη του recording πολύ μπροστά. Οι καινοτομίες της Royer συνεχίζουν να κερδίζουν τον έπαινο των παραγωγών, των καλλιτεχνών και των μηχανικών».

The Recording Academy

Εκπαιδευτικό βίντεο της Crown: Οι βασικές αρχές των συστημάτων ηχείων High Impedance!


Παλμοσκόπιο νερού στα 24Hz (Water oscilloscope at 24Hz)

Πάρτε ένα αυτοενισχυόμενο ηχείο, μια πηγή νερού, ένα μαλακό λάστιχο, μια γεννήτρια ημιτόνων, μια κάμερα των 24fps και κολλητική ταινία…



1930s Hammond Organ Sampled

Precisionsound releases Gospel Drawbars


Precision Sound tells us that their goal with Gospel Drawbars has not been to make a generic virtual recreation of an organ but to capture the character of a unique instrument, in this case one of the first ever Hammond organ models made, a Hammond AB from the late 1930s.

A spokesperson told us, "We have created a user-friendly control panel for blending a number of pre-made settings. The drawbar settings have been carefully chosen to include both mellow standards and trebles with attitude. We recorded all the settings through the organ's own Leslie speaker, in stereo, which gives a warm and pleasing colour to the sound. Gospel Drawbars has 22 recorded settings and 955 stereo wav samples in total, recorded at 24bits and 44.1 Sample rate."

You get 22 programs for NI Kontakt 2 and Logic EXS24. The NI Kontakt 3-5 scripted version has 22 bonus presets to start with for your own tweakings.

The total size of the library uncompressed is 1.10 GB.

All formats are included when you buy Gospel Drawbars.

Full version of Kontakt is required, this library does NOT work with the free Kontakt Player!

Pricing and Availability:
Gospel Drawbars costs $69 +$11 if you want it on DVD.

More information:
www.precisionsound.net

Buy One Sound Library, Get One Free

Camel Audio announces Alchemy offer during March


Camel Audio tells us that, for the next three weeks, you can choose any two libraries and you'll get the equal or lower value one free.

A spokesperson told us, "Are we sound of mind, or as mad as March Hares? Buy any Alchemy Sound Library and get another absolutely free till March 31! What's more, Taste of Camel is included with all new orders. Simply add two or more libraries to your cart and the discount will automatically be applied. Now is the perfect opportunity to fill the gaps in your collection and
make a sound investment for the future!"

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
www.camelaudio.com/Sound-Sample-Libraries.php

Kompletely Updated

Native Instruments announces KOMPLETE 9 and KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE


Native Instruments has announced the latest generation of its two KOMPLETE software bundles.KOMPLETE 9 includes 33 instruments and effects with six new additions, including the brand-new MONARKmonosynth, plus the completely redesigned BATTERY 4 drum sampler. KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE includes all 65 current KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects at the time of release and over 370 GB of content. NI tells us that each bundle now also features essential studio effects, delivering complete production solutions from initial idea to finished composition. Notably, KOMPLETE 9 and KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE are available for the same prices as their predecessors. Here's all the details in NI's own words...

The brand-new MONARK delivers the warm, organic sound of a classic analog monophonic synthesizer that has shaped four decades of popular music. Its smooth and natural sound is complimented by an intuitive, streamlined control panel that allows users to quickly dial in sounds and start creating music. Based on years of research, MONARK uses REAKTOR's powerful modular DSP framework to faithfully recreate the interaction of complex analog circuits, including the behavior of the filter when overloaded, filter and oscillator drift, and snappy envelopes that make stabbing melodic lines and even punchy electronic drum sounds easy to create. The sound has been fine-tuned by ear by MONARK's engineers to create a powerful mono synth with a level of richness and depth not previously found in software.

BATTERY 4 is a completely re-designed drum sampler delivering powerful contemporary drum programming options in a sleek, easy-to-use interface. It provides over 70 new and exclusive contemporary kits tailored to electronic and urban styles. All kits load with an adaptable color-coding system, providing instant visual recognition of their layout. Custom kits are quickly created with intuitive drag-and-drop actions. BATTERY 4 also features a number of new effects and effect enhancements: SOLID G EQ and SOLID BUS COMP from the SOLID MIX SERIES, TRANSIENT MASTER, plus tape saturation, LoFi, and a powerful convolution reverb. Users can create chains, re-order effects, and set up sidechaining with simple drag-and-drop actions. These features combine to deliver an advanced drum sampler with an instinctive workflow that aims to accelerate the creative process.

Along with MONARK and BATTERY 4, KOMPLETE 9 adds a set of essential instruments and effects for the first time. Like all NI studio effects, the updated SOLID MIX SERIES now operates as stand-alone plug-ins in any DAW, giving users a complete studio effects suite for creating polished, release-ready productions. SESSION STRINGS is an easy-to-use contemporary string ensemble for quickly adding modern arrangements to all styles of music. THE GIANT delivers the immense sound of the world's biggest upright piano, plus an additional cinematic mode perfect for atmospheric textures and soundscapes. The comprehensive bundle also features best-selling KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects such as the awardwinning KONTAKT 5, GUITAR RIG 5 PRO, and NI's flagship modular synthesizer REAKTOR 5, powering the dynamic PRISM and SPARK. MASSIVE, FM8, and ABSYNTH 5 cover the complete spectrum of synthesis for any production task. KOMPLETE 9 also includes TRANSIENT MASTER, REFLEKTOR, THE FINGER, and TRAKTOR'S 12 for a complete production suite with powerful options for both studio and stage.

KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE is NI's all-inclusive production package with all 65 current KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects at the time of release, over 16,000 sounds, and 370 GB of content on a single USB hard drive for easy installation. This one-stop production suite features all products included in KOMPLETE 9, plus the REVERB CLASSICS and PREMIUM TUBE SERIES studio effects, the essential cinematic strings collection ACTION STRINGS, the playable horn section SESSION HORNS, and the Rickenbacker®-approved SCARBEE RICKENBACKER BASS. Also included are the epic DAMAGE industrial percussion instrument, the 11-piece SESSION STRINGS PRO ensemble, the futuristic RAZOR and SKANNER XT synthesizers, and many more. Providing world-class sound and ease of use for all producers, composers, musicians, and sound designers, KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE's collection of premium instruments and effects redefines value in a bundle of this size.

KOMPLETE 9 and KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE also include an e-voucher worth $ 25 / 25 EUR, valid towards any KOMPLETE instrument or effect or MASCHINE Expansion at the NI Online Shop.

Native Instruments is offering nine lucky winners to win the new KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE bundle before its release. The competition takes place on the newly launched KOMPLETE Twitter Channel.

Pricing and Availability:
KOMPLETE 9 is available for pre-order at a suggested retail price of $559 / 499 EUR. KOMPLETE 9 ULTIMATE is available for a suggested retail price of $1099 / 999 EUR.
Updates for owners of KOMPLETE 2 through 8 are available from $149 / 149 EUR.
Expected in-store date is March 27, 2013.

More information:
www.native-instruments.com/komplete

MIDI Construction Kits For Chillout And Lounge

Equinox Sounds releases Chilled Jazz MIDI Kits


Equinox Sounds tells us that Chilled Jazz MIDI Kits features five Construction Kits in MIDI format for creating smooth relaxing Chillout Jazz and Lounge music. Each Kit is provided with it's component parts and comes labelled with the original tempo when recorded. You'll get MIDI loops and phrases containing drum loops, basslines, piano loops, saxophone, trombone and trumpet loops, keyboard loops, string lines, flute loops and more.

A spokesperson told us, "As these Construction Kits are supplied in MIDI format, they will provide you with as much flexibility as possible. You can edit and transpose them, assign any sound you want and get your own and original melodic lines. The editing possibilities are endless as you can play the performances at any tempo or pitch without artefacts. You can use these MIDI files as a jumping-off point to start your own track or base your production entirely around them as they are 100% royalty-free!"

Product Features:

  • 5 MIDI Construction Kits
  • 90 BPM
  • 100% Royalty-Free

Pricing and Availability:
Chilled Jazz MIDI Kits is currently available for $19.95 as a download

More information:
www.equinoxsounds.com

Reason 7 Is Here - New Features - Video

Audio slicing, new mixer, easy parallel channels


Propellerheads have just announced Reason 7 -with a host of new features and an enhanced Factory Sound Pack with more loops and sounds to get you started, Reason Essentials 2 has also been announced giving an entry level way in. With over 90 Rack Extensions already available, the Propellerheads boffins have focussed on "new creative and inspirational improvements for the mixer, the rack and the sequencer".

Anyone purchasing a qualifying product after March 1, 2013, will be entitled to an upgrade license and software download to be made available to you on the Reason 7 release day which we understand is Q2 - so April maybe?

The main new features in Reason 7 are:

  • New External MIDI Instrument Device
  • Automatic audio slicing and quantizing
  • New Mixer Bus Channels - parallel channel creation or quick track grouping
  • Spectrum EQ and Analyzer
  • Expanded Factory Sound Bank - with a selection of "powerful hard -hitting drum loops"
  • More audio import options and formats
  • Theres also mention of something called the Audiomatic Retro Transformer effect unit which apparently adds a "futuristic-vintage sound to any tracks". This is not quite ready yet though so we'll have to wait and see what it actually does.

Pricing & availability
Reason 7 and Reason Essentials 2 begin limited public beta testing today and will be available for purchase worldwide in Q2 of 2013 at the following suggested retail pricing:
Reason 7 EUR €405 / USD $449
Reason Essentials 2 EUR €120 / USD $129
Reason 7 Upgrade (from any previous Reason version) EUR €129 / USD $129
Reason Essentials 2 upgrade from previous versions FREE
Balance (includes upgrade to Reason 7 for owners of previous versions of Reason) EUR €429 / USD $449

More Information
Propellerheads.se

Korg Interview With MS20 Designers

35 years between versions


As we wait patiently for the MS20 Mini to arrive for review, they are still as rare as a rare thing - at least around these parts, Korg continue to tease us with snippets of information on the new incarnation of the 35 year old synth.

In this interview posted on the official Korg Japan website with the original designers (Mr. Fumio Mieda - left and Mr. Hiroaki Nishijima - right) we get some more snippets of information.



Is there a point at which MS-20 mini is better than the original MS-20?

We've added MIDI input and a USB port that were not available on the original MS-20, allowing the new model to be smoothly integrated into modern music production environments. Another advantage is that that it's slightly smaller than the original MS-20, saving space. In particular, the newly compact body is something you'll appreciate once you've used it.

Why Did you Choose to make it smaller?

We have great respect for the original MS-20, so we felt that it would be devaluing to make the new model exactly the same size as the original. That's why the size is different than the original. We also felt that it looked good in a slightly smaller size.

What gave you the most difficulty in recreating the design?

As with the original MS-20, there was much deliberation in deciding on the transistors. That's because the performance of an analog

synthesizer is greatly affected by things that don't appear on the spec sheet, such as the pairing characteristics of the transistors, and their response and consistency in the micro-current domain.

There were different filters in earlier and later versions of the MS20 - which did you use?

The MS-20 uses the KORG35 circuit that was on the earlier version of MS-20. Preferences vary between users, but we felt that the earlier version of the filter created a sound that had a more distinctive presence, and thus it was the appropriate choice for this reincarnation.

Do you have plans to release the circuit diagrams as with the Monotrons and Monotribe?

As we did for the monotron and monotribe circuit diagrams, we will consider this if there is user demand. However, the MS-20 mini is more complex than the monotron and monotribe, so it will be more difficult to modify.

Do you plan to revive the other models in the MS series - the SQ-10 perhaps?

We want to give people who have never actually touched an analog synthesizer the chance of experiencing how much fun it can be. Just how necessary such a device would be in the present day is something that we'll decide after seeing the response from MS-20 mini users.

The MS-20 Mini will be available soon - honest! At around £500/$600

More Information
Korg.co.uk

Yamaha New HiFi Amp Teaser

Just nice


We mostly know Yamaha for their keyboards, workstations and synthesizers- well perhaps motorcycles too. But they have a long history of making amplifiers for both sound reinforcement and hi-fi purposes.

I spotted this one, and it caught my eye -just because its one of my favourite pieces of piano music "Claire De Lune" by Debussy and its a sexy gear video.

It appears that Yamaha are releasing a new hi-fi amplifier in the AS range - remember those? It's easy to forget that before iPod docks, earbuds and bluetooth speakers, we used to listen to music on hi-fi systems, some integrated and some as separates (no, really!) - amplifiers that actually power passive loudspeakers - it seems like such a long time ago that I sold my last pair of passive speakers - Tannoy Super Golds, to an enthusiastic hi-fi buff.

More Information
Yamaha Separates

Product Presentation: Cakewalk Sonar X2a Touch

How does it integrate?


We had a visit from UK tech support for Cakewalk Oliver Davis this week - he's been working Sonar X2a on a Lenovo Thinkpad Twist.

Cakewalk's programmers are amongst the first to actually code touch functionallity into the DAW, rather than just have replace th mouse/trackpad with the finger and it shows.

Oliver Davis ran us through some of the operations you can use touch for which not only shows off the touch functions but was pretty rockin on the Lenovo - a compact touchscreen laptop running Windows 8.

Touch integration is available on all flavours of Sonar X2a (Producer, Studio and Essential)

More Information
Cakewalk.com

Strange Piano For Ableton Live

AfroDjMac releases Mom's Piano free Live Pack


AfroDjMac has released free Live Pack 73 - Mom's Piano. He told us, "It's a trippy piano sound with lots of character. I recorded samples of my mother's beautiful piano, that I mangled into a dreamy, glitchy, yet useful instrument for Ableton Live."

Pricing and Availability:
Free download

More information:
AfroDJmac

Learn Guitar, Bass, Drums And Vocals In Wales

The Institute launches new partnership in Cardiff with the University of Glamorgan


Having delivered cutting edge contemporary music education for 25 years, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance has announced the launch of a new partnership with the University of Glamorgan. Here's the press release that they have sent us...

From September 2013, the Institute is extending its superior music education experience to Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and in partnership with the University will be creating and offering a new and exciting Bachelor of Music Degree in guitar, bass, vocals and drums.

This new venture will not only provide musicians with a fantastic opportunity to study contemporary music to the highest standards in Wales, it will also allow them access to the University's inspiring facilities and environment. The programme will be delivered at the custom-built ATRiuM campus situated in the heart of Cardiff city centre, allowing students unrivalled access to work alongside fellow music production undergraduates and access to industry standard recording facilities.

Students on the BMus Contemporary Music Performance will also benefit from the opportunity to take an optional Rockschool Licentiate during their final year, allowing them to graduate with an additional and accredited teaching qualification.

Pete Whittard, Operations Director at the Institute, commented "this is a wonderful opportunity for the Institute to partner with the University of Glamorgan in creating a new and exciting degree in Contemporary Music Performance. We know that it will offer a professional pathway into a career in the industry for aspiring musicians and an outstanding undergraduate experience in Cardiff, one of the UK's most exciting cities."

Cardiff offers a diversity of cultural opportunities, is built on a heritage of music and is home to such musical successes as Manic Street Preachers, Tom Jones, The Stereophonics, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler and Feeder who all continue to inspire generations of music makers.

Professor Peter Robertson, Dean of Faculty for the Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries stated that"it is appropriate that we are launching in collaboration with the Institute, a flagship contemporary music performance course during this year when Cardiff plays host to the international WOMEX 2013 music expo and showcase event".

Institute alumni have been playing and performing successfully across the UK for many years with artists such as The Vaccines, Jessie J and Radiohead. The Institute in London boasts an outstanding teaching Faculty with a wealth of music industry experience, and is thrilled to partner with the University of Glamorgan to expand its renowned teaching methods into another important music capital.

More information:
www.icmp.co.uk
www.glam.ac.uk/cci

Easier Way Of Getting A Neve Desk

GC Pro Offers Financing Package and Custom Patch Bay for Neve Genesys Console


Guitar Center Professional (GC Pro), the outside sales division of Guitar Center that focuses on the needs of professional users, has announced, along with AMS Neve, the latest news regarding the Neve Genesys, a custom-crafted, expandable digitally controlled analog recording console that incorporates digital workstation control.

First, GC Pro, the exclusive Genesys distributor in the U.S., is offering a new aggressive financing package on the console, making it easier than ever for users to make the Genesys the centerpiece of their recording studio. All Media Capital will offer 100% financing plus any applicable sales tax, and the customer will only have to make two advance payments upon execution of the loan documents.

Second, GC Pro is offering a new custom patchbay system for the Genesys, created by Horacio Malvicino of Malvicino Design Group, a GC Pro Affiliate Program member. The system, which includes seven TT-96 point and two sixteen-input mic panels/foldback as well as one tie line Interface, provides maximum flexibility and full connectivity for all analog inputs and outputs available on the console frame, plus basic user connections for added outboard and external gear.

The system uses digital-ready patchbay kits from Audio Accessories with five contacts jacks for normalizing, along with oxygen-free analog ultra-flexible multipair audio cables and Neutrik connectors. All parts are hand crafted, by the Malvicino Design Group staff, in their facilities; all connections are made with silver solder for enhanced connectivity, reduced signal degradation and low noise while increasing durability; and all cables and snakes are clearly labeled for easy identification and easy installation. Every system is individually tested at the Malvicino Design Group facility in New York City. A complete engineering handbook with schematics will be provided with each system. Additionally, services offered by the Malvicino Design Group include providing Neve Genesys customers with a "one on one" system engineering and integration service. On site installation and commissioning will be available.

About the Neve Genesys
With its unmistakable Neve qualities of exquisite design, peerless craftsmanship and legendary Neve sound, the Genesys is a comprehensive, cost-effective solution to the challenges of audio in the digital age. The base configuration offers 16 channels of mic/line preamps, 16-channel DAW monitoring, 32-channel analog summing at mixdown, Total Reset, DAW control for Pro Tools, Logic, Nuendo and more, 8 auxiliary buses, 8 group buses, 2 main outputs, 4 effects returns, comprehensive metering, 5.1 mixing on each channel strip, 5.1 monitoring, 2 cue mixes, talkback services and an internal power supply. What sets the Genesys apart is its remarkable combination of features and affordability -- an affordable Neve analog console with Neve's legendary sound and digital control at a cost of less than $50,000 enables the widest possible range of professionals to make a genuine Neve console the heart of their studios. Furthermore, the Genesys has the ability to upgrade as studio owners' requirements change -- it can be expanded to over 60 channels in a straight or articulated frame, with options including motorized fader automation, recall, mastering-grade A/D and D/A converters, digitally controlled EQ and dynamics, remote mic amp control and much more.

Pricing and Availability:
See website.

More information:
www.gcpro.com/genesys

Tip-Top Audio vs Serge

TTA announce a collaboration with Serge, bringing serge modular to eurorack format


So some of you may not know who Serge Tcherepnin is, and I certainly hadn't even heard the name Serge until i started investigating modulars. And even then it just kind of popped up in a post and I didn't know what people were talking about. But Serge modular systems started production in 1974 with the premise of creating a powerful, musical and great sounding analog modular system that could be smaller, more compact and most importantly cost less than the Buchla's, Arps and Moogs of the day.

This new collaboration Tip-Top Audio marks a big step in the eurorack format, as they will be working directly with Serge himself

"It is going to be his system and his ideas."

There is lots of fuss about this over at Muffwigglers, so go and check it out.

More Information
Muffwiggler

Edd Butterworth
Eddbutterworth.co.uk

IK Multimedia Updates SampleTank App For iPhone 5

User interface enhanced and polyphony increased


IK Multimedia has announced the release of SampleTank 1.4, the latest version of its sound-and-groove-module app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. They tell us that the app is now fully optimised to support the larger screen of both iPhone 5 and the new iPod touch while providing eye-catching graphics that showcase amazingly on the Retina display.

SampleTank now also sports increased polyphony - up to 64 simultaneous voices are now available. IK says that this expanded note capacity gives users even more freedom to produce complex, professional-calibre arrangements in SampleTank's 4-track recorder, right on their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Here's more of what they have to say...

Lots in the Tank
SampleTank comes loaded with hundreds of world-class sample-based sounds and patterns, giving users a broad sonic palette for producing professional-sounding tracks and beats, or for use as a sound module for live performance.

SampleTank features 16 instrument categories and includes over 500 sounds, from drums to pianos to basses to synths to guitars and many more. Users can customize the sounds through editable parameters such as volume, attack, and filter; and with insert effects and a master reverb. Thanks to a newly streamlined user interface, navigation through Sample Tank's powerful features is now even easier and faster.

Get More for Less
Additional instruments, patterns and grooves are available in convenient instrument-specific expansion sound packs, making it easy for users to add the specific sound types they need.

IK offers two great options for controlling SampleTank externally: iRig KEYS is a 37-mini-key, bus-powered, ultra-portable keyboard; and iRig MIDI is an iOS MIDI interface that makes it possible to plug any external controller into an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Pricing and Availability:
The SampleTank App is available for €17.99 from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or a twww.AppStore.com/SampleTank. The app includes over 130 sounds and 1000 MIDI patterns that can further be expanded via In-App Purchase. The update is free for existing users.

A free version of the app, SampleTank FREE, is also available, which includes 20 instrument sounds and can be expanded with the optional sound packs via In-App Purchase.

More information:
www.sampletank.com/ios

Nuendo 6 Is With Us

Steinberg releases major update to post and audio production software


Steinberg has released Nuendo 6, the latest version of their state-of-the-art production environment tailored to post and audio production studios.

Timo Wildenhain, product marketing manager at Steinberg, told us, "Nuendo 6 has undergone intensive development, and we are proud to make this solution available to our customers."

Here's more details direct from Steinberg...

Nuendo 6 provides new mixing facilities featuring full-screen mode and scalability, Insert View for displaying activated insert slots, plug-in and channel search and integrated Control Room. The brand-new channel strip comprises high-pass and low-pass filters, a noise gate with sidechain support, various compressors and a brickwall limiter while the overhauled Channel Settings window provides immediate access to channel parameters.

Further highlights of Nuendo 6 are the EBU R128 standard compliant loudness metering with RMS metering scales, the Loudness Lane for tracking and editing loudness efficiently and the new ADR taker system including on-screen dialog for dialog recording and language dubbing.

Prominent plug-ins are MixConvert v6 for individual downmixing, Voxengo's 64-band CurveEQ and IOSONO's Anymix Pro 1.3 for automatic EQ and loudness adjustments to surround sound signal panning and upmixing up to 8.1 surround sound.

MemZap stores and recalls zoom settings and positions within the project, VST Connect SE plug-in allows for online collaboration and the Remote Control Editor is utilized for easy mapping of effect and instrument parameters to external controllers.

Other newly implemented features include a redesigned user interface, VariAudio 2.0, ASIO-Guard with drop-out prevention algorithms, a 1.5 GB library by Pro Sound Effects and 90 minutes of free online video tutorials.

The optional Nuendo 6 Expansion Kit (NEK) comprises features that turn Nuendo into a fully fledged composing application. Included are the new Chord Track, which detects and modifies the harmony structure of MIDI and audio tracks edited in VariAudio, and Chord Assistant, newly introduced to bridge chords and generate harmonic chord progressions. The feature set is complemented by Hermode tuning for dynamic retuning in real time, 300 new instrument sounds for HALion Sonic SE as well as the Retrologue virtual-analog and Padshop granular synthesizers.

Nuendo 6 features at a glance

  • The world's most efficient audio post-production environment, featuring industry-proven tools for TV, film, advertising, games and multimedia productions as well as full integration with the Nuage pro-audio hardware
  • Groundbreaking new mixing console follows the single-window concept and includes numerous functions that speed up your workflow
  • Nuendo 6 ADR taker solution for voice recording and language dubbing makes external ADR systems redundant
  • Fully integrated loudness measurement, featuring EBU-compliant metering plus a large choice of RMS metering scales and a dedicated loudness lane
  • Nuendo 6 channel strip upgrades your mix by offering direct access to studio-grade plug-ins 
  • Anymix Pro from IOSONO for state-of-the-art surround productions, highlighting the world's most flexible surround panner as well as quality upmixing algorithms
  • Voxengo CurveEQ with sound-matching technology for transferring the sound characteristics from one track to another
  • Redesigned user interface with lightning-fast parameter access, new channel settings window and MemZap quick-jump technology
  • Steinberg ASIO-Guard with intelligent dropout-prevention algorithms for an even more reliable playback
  • Remote Control Editor allows you to easily assign individual effect and instrument parameters to your hardware controller
  • Pro Sound Effects post-production library with 1.5 GB of sound material from animal noises to foley to warfare sounds in 24-bit quality

Nuendo 6 Expansion Kit features at a glance

  • More musical than ever thanks to the new Chord Track that helps you detecting the harmony structure of your song
  • Intelligent composing assistant helps you with the creation of simple pop to complex jazz chord sequences 
  • Pure tuning -- thanks to the Hermode technology the intonation of your synthesized notes are changed dynamically on the fly
  • Create your harmonies with VariAudio 2.0 and pitch them correctly all time
  • Retrologue lets you create fat and funky lead and bass sounds and offers those old-school analog synth sounds and biting sonic blocks
  • Padshop boasts granular synthesis at its finest to create fantastic-sounding spheres that expand your sound universe
  • Go hybrid with HALion Sonic SE and benefit from 300 pristine and rich-sounding instrument sounds
  • More plug-ins: Beat Designer, LoopMash 2, Groove Agent ONE, Mystic, Spector and Monologue

Pricing and Availability:

Nuendo 6 is available at authorized Yamaha resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. The Nuendo 6 Expansion Kit add-on is available through the Steinberg Online Shop.

The suggested retail price for Nuendo 6 is 1,699 euros, including German VAT. The suggested retail price for the Nuendo 6 Expansion Kit is 249 euros, including German VAT.

Various boxed and downloadable updates are also available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop.

Customers who have activated Nuendo 5 since November 14, 2012, are eligible for a free, downloadable Grace Period update to the latest version. Restrictions may apply.

More information:
Steinberg

Tony Maserati Talks Mixing

New Sonnox video series shows multi-Grammy winning engineer in the studio


Sonnox has announced a new six-part video series that shows multi-Grammy winning engineer Tony Maserati in the studio talking about mixing-related topics.

A spokesperson told us, "On a recent trip to LA, we dropped in to Mirrorball Entertainment, to chat with multi-Grammy winning mix engineer Tony Maserati. Fortunately we had a camera with us, so we filmed it! In the six videos, Tony discusses some really interesting subjects such as Subtractive Equalisation, and how mixing for today's music consumer is very different to what it was 10 years ago. 'Like' our Facebook Page, where we will post each of the six parts of this great interview over the coming weeks."

Pricing and Availability:
Just like Sonnox on Facebook to get access.

More information:
www.facebook.com/sonnoxplugins

New Soundcraft Digital Consoles Are Now Available

Sound Technology announces UK shipping of the Si Expression series


Sound Technology Ltd, Soundcraft distributor in the UK/ROI, has announces UK shipping of the new Si Expression series digital consoles.

A spokesperson told us, "Drawing on more than a decade of experience in the field of digital audio mixing, the Soundcraft Si Expression exploits some of the newest DSP, component technology and manufacturing techniques to deliver our most powerful cost effective digital console ever! Each console in the range is identical in its feature set so your only choice is how many faders and local mic amps you want. With a range covering the super portable 19" rack mount Expression 1 to the mighty Si Expression 3 with its 30+2 faders and 32 mic/line inputs there is a model to meet all needs."

Here's more details in Soundcraft's own words...

Taking the Si Expression 2 as a typical example, it features 24 recallable mic pre amps (32 on Si Expression 3 and 16 on Si Expression 1) plus 4 line inputs, 4 internal stereo FX returns, AES in, and a 64x64 expansion slot offering more than enough scope to use every one of the 66 input processing channels. Every input processing channel has dedicated processing for high pass filter, input delay, gate, compressor and four band EQ whilst keeping it under control is a comprehensive automation system augmented with four mute groups and FaderGlow™ to light the way so you are never lost.

All Si Expression consoles have busses, output processing and connectivity to match the versatility of the inputs; the 14 aux/group mixes can be configured as 14 mono mixes, 8 mono plus 6 stereo mixes or almost anything in between, whilst the 4 matrix mixes can be mono or stereo as needed. The bus and matrix mixes are complemented with four more mix busses dedicated to the internal Lexicon FX processors all in addition to the left, right and centre busses. Each bus mix features a compressor, 4 band EQ, BSS graphic EQ and delay always available all of the time. Output connectivity is comprehensive with all models featuring 16 balanced line outputs, headphone monitor out, AES out and of course the 64x64 option slot.

To complement the channel and bus processing all Si Expression consoles integrate four stereo Lexicon FX processors based on the MX400 providing a wealth of sounds, user adjustable parameters and dedicated tap-tempo keys. As the FX are hardware based, use of all the effects, even on the most demanding programmes does not affect other processing in any way and all dynamics, EQs, filters, delays, and GEQs remain available regardless what you are doing.

Flexible onboard and expansion I/O options ensure your Si Expression integrates effortlessly with other system components utilising any of the existing or upcoming Si series option cards including AES, Firewire/USB/ADAT, AVIOM™, CobraNet™, BSS Digital Audio Bus (BLU Link), Dante™ CAT5 or optical MADI.

The MADI card, as well as being an interface to multi-track recording systems or plug-in systems like Waves, enables linking the Si Expression to any of the Soundcraft or Studer stage boxes - including new Mini Stageboxes - to extend the I/O power and flexibility. Adding a stagebox to an Si Expression actually increases the number of channels you can mix at once not just how many inputs you have available to choose from!

It is said 'Power is nothing without control' and here the Si Expression excels with a comprehensive but 'simple to use' control surface incorporating a dedicated control for every parameter, a row of global mode encoders and colour touch screen ensuring operation is quick and easy.

As you would expect from any Soundcraft digital mixer the facilities are extensive and include legendary audio quality courtesy of the latest generation EMMA™ DSP processor, the same DSP platform that has helped propel previous Soundcraft Si series consoles to fame. All this power united with reliability, flexibility and usability puts the Si Expression in a class of its own.


Pricing and Availability:

Si Expression 1 - 16 mic pres, 14 + 2 faders - £2299 RRP inc VAT
Si Expression 2 - 24 mic pres, 22 + 2 faders - £2799 RRP inc VAT
Si Expression 3 - 32 mic pres, 30 + 2 faders - £3399 RRP inc VAT
All models are available now.

More information:
www.soundcraft.com
www.soundtech.co.uk

Korg Legacy Collection Gets 64-bit Support

Five software synths now work with 64-bit Mac and PC operating systems


Based on popular user request, Korg's Legacy Collection now provides support for 64-bit system architecture, to work in conjunction with 64-bit operating systems on both PC and Mac platforms.

The Legacy Collection is a complete software recreation of five legendary KORG Synthesizers - the MS-20, Polysix, Mono/Poly, M1 and WAVESTATION - complemented by the included MDE-X Effects Suite, which boasts 19 different effects algorithms.

Pricing and Availability:
Currently registered users of the Legacy Collection can update their software at no charge by logging in to their existing account at www.korguser.net. New users can purchase Legacy plugins at: www.korguser.net/shop/software.

More information:
www.korg.com/Legacy

Learn Ableton

macProVideo.com announces new Live 9 training videos


macProVideo.com tells us that they have been working hard behind the scenes with their partners atAbleton to create the world's largest and most comprehensive selection of Live 9 training. They say that, starting today, their Live 9 courses are hitting the Library, and there will be close to a dozen new titles released in the next month. Here's how macProVideo.com describes some of the courses:

Live 9 100 - What's New In Live 9
Live 9 is here and so is our FREE "What's New" course. Hang out with GW Childs and see the cool new features in Ableton's latest DAW masterpiece...

Live 9 101 - Go Live With Live 9
There's a reason why Ableton calls it "Live". Dive into this course and get all the inspiration you need to go live with Live 9...

Live 9 404 - Producing Techno and House
Join producer and Certified Trainer Noah Pred on a production journey as he creates a House & Techno track from start to finish in just two hours with Live 9! Come along for the ride...

Live 9 405 - DJing Techno and House
The future of DJing is here! House & Techno producer Noah Pred shows you all the ins and outs in this DJ-centric Live 9 course....

Pricing and Availability:
See website.

More information:
macprovideo.com

Two Limited-Edition Rob Papen Synth Bundles

EDM Synth Bundle and Urban Synth Bundle feature three instruments each


Rob Papen has announced availability of two limited-edition synth plug-in bundles, EDM Synth Bundle andUrban Synth Bundle, each comprising three carefully-chosen Rob Papen virtual instruments with combined savings of around 45%. Here's the details in Rob Papen's own words...

The aptly-named EDM Synth Bundle is a highly-flexible, Herculean offering, with masses of diverse sounds for EDM (electronic dance music) producers and DJs alike. As such, it comprises Predator -- a 'phat'- sounding killer soft synth that combines inspiring presets and first-class features to create the perfect 'go-to' synth for contemporary music production; Punch -- a speaker-rattling, body-shaking software instrument that delivers synthesized drums in the finest audio quality with breathtaking features for the contemporary music producer; and Blade -- a cutting-edge additive synthesis powerhouse with a human touch that all adds up to an amazingly flexible and useful virtual instrument with an able arpeggiator and an array of pitch, modulation, and effects parameters.

Likewise, Urban Synth Bundle has been especially created to cater to the thumping needs of urban music producers of dubstep, drum and bass, garage, and grime genres where bass is the place. This time, the perfect Predator and Punch pairing join musical forces with SubBoomBass, a dedicated virtual bass synth filled to the brim with excessive amounts of low-end ammunition to detonate tracks to the dance floor and beyond! Unsurprisingly, Urban Synth Bundle will also seamlessly fit the workflows of those creating hip-hop, rap, and R&B tracks.

So why not take advantage of this opportunity to save some money and add some superb-sounding Rob Papen virtual instruments to your EDM or urban music productions to raise their game? From big, warm, powerful, and funky to rugged, spangly, soaring, and tearing, those award-winning virtual instruments will well and truly have you covered. But best be quick... the limited-edition bundles will soon sell out!

Pricing and Availability:
Limited quantities of EDM Synth Bundle and Urban Synth Bundle serial downloads are available to purchase online from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide for €199.00 EUR/$239.00 USD/£169.00 GBP each. Alternatively, they can be purchased online directly from Rob Papen.

More information:
www.robpapen.com

Win Elysia Plug-Ins

alpha compressor and mpressor are up for grabs


Elysia tells us that they have created a new Facebook page for you to stay in touch with them and share your impressions and thoughts with other users. THey say that they are very much looking forward to interesting discussions, comments and questions.

In order to celebrate this new page, the company are giving away one alpha compressor plugin and onempressor plugin bundle to one winner drawn out of every new 1,000 fans. Just LIKE their page to take part in the drawing:

This promotion is valid until March 31th, 2013. Each new winner will be announced on Elysia's Facebook page and personally notified by them.

No purchase is required to take part. Winners will receive vouchers for free plugins. Payments of prizes in cash are not possible. Prizes will be distributed as software download versions.

Pricing and Availability:
The promotion is valid until March 31th, 2013.

More information:
Facebook

Seaboard Grand - Touchy, Feely, Multi-Dimensional Controller

Ribbed for extra expression


Here's something a little different, the ROLI Seaboard GRAND - its a controller with note, polyphonic pressure,polyphonic X and Y position control ouput too. The look is a monolithic design with a sort of spongy, single piece, ribbed keyboard layout.

We had a preview of it yesterday, where we were shown how expressive it can be. London based ROLI are making some bold claims about the Seaboard and have grand plans - but it does have a familiar theme - its not dissimilar to the Haken Continuum in that it outputs massive amounts of expressive data. And we've seen this concept before albeit in a more bizzarre form - remember the Eigenharp anyone?


The Seaboard however does have a more familiar keyboard layout and is therefore easier to play - although it does take a little getting used to - the left right pitch modulation means sloppy playing will be rewarded with sloppy pitching as I found to my embarrassment in a short hands on session yesterday. But it is possible to get the feel for it with a little practice as we were shown by the demonstrator.

The 88 note Seaboard GRAND gets its first public outing at SXSW where it will get no doubt get a jolly good poking from Mr J Rudess - we know he is a massive fan of the Continuum so is no stranger to the dark arts of poly pitch bend. But there is an interesting question - what exactly can you play with the Seaboard? Not many instruments are able to accept poly aftertouch, let alone poly pitch bend and other data. ROLI are working on that, the solution is threefold:

They are working with big name software instrument developers to enable multi-instance voicing - some plugs have the ability to be multi-timbral this would give you voices all on the same sound (or not if you prefer) to allow individual pitch bend manipulation of individual voices etc.

Additionally, they are working on a custom translation layer that will let you interface the Seaboard with your own software instrument choices. Thirdly there are plans to include an on board synthesis engine to allow stand alone operation. Details are not forthcoming though so we can't guess at the DSP power or synthesis types we are likely to see.

What we witnessed was certainly expressive and while mainly limited to acoustic type emulation - I can see a great potential there for expressive playing of electronic instruments too - indeed it would be great to see a CV interface for this to control modular analog gear - the resolution and expression could be put to good use there.

The first run of Seaboard GRAND models are available to preorder from April 2013 - we understand that there are a few of the electronic glitterati showing interest - but you'll have to be quick, there are only 88 being made of this flagship model.

We hope that for the rest of us, this technology will filter down to a more mainstream, affordable version.

More Information
http://www.weareroli.com/

London Electronic Music Event News

LEME announces 2013 dates and line-up


The London Electronic Music Event (LEME) has announced the dates and line-up for its 2013 Event with sessions from Goldie, Radio Slave, SoundCloud, Andi Durrant, Your Army, Mr Bongo, Sharooz and more...

LEME is a weekend of production workshops, business sessions, keynote panels and networking events bringing together artists, labels, entrepreneurs and like-minded electronic music lovers from around the world.

Now in its second year, LEME will take place 13-14 April, 2013 in Rich Mix, a state-of-the-art creative space spread across five floors in Shoreditch, London.

LEME gives 200 delegates the chance to custom-build their own timetable from 22 sessions led by expert speakers from all sectors of the electronic music industry.

Highlights of the 2013 programme include:

  • An Audience with Goldie
  • Music in the marketplace: How to shift more records
  • Running a Label; How To Break Through
  • Business Basics for the Freelance Musician
  • Making Your Mix Slam
  • The Perfect Arrangement
  • Mastering Alchemy: the Gold Standard
  • What Goes Where? The EQ Masterclass

Pricing and Availability:
Weekend tickets are availabe for the earlybird price of £120 with a discount of 20%.

More information:
www.londonelectronicmusicevent.com

SSL Offer

Special price on Mynx desktop box and Stereo Bus Compressor module bundle


SSL and UK distributor Sound Technology Ltd have announced a special offer on a bundle of a Mynx with the legendary G-Series Super-Analogue Stereo Bus Compressor module. Here's how they describe the gear...

Mynx is a simple, elegant and cost effective way to get the depth, clarity and characteristic sound of SSL SuperAnalogue processing into your recordings. Mynx is a cool desktop mini X-Rack that allows you to load your choice from the X-Rack module range into a simple two module slot desktop box.

The centre section compressor from the 1980's G-Series analogue console is an audio production legend. It is a simple unit with a simple purpose; it makes complete mixes sound bigger, with more power, punch and drive. It brings cohesion and strength to your mix without compromising clarity. The Stereo Bus Compressor Module brings this classic 'audio glue' to you with spectacular SuperAnalogue™ audio performance.

Pricing and Availability:
This promotional bundle which has a standard list price of £1658 ex VAT is available until 31 March for just £1399 ex VAT

More information:
SSL bundle

Vocal Samples For Trap Music

Prime Loops releases Official Trap Vocals sample pack


Prime Loops has released their Official Trap Vocals sample pack. Here's their press release:

"Everyone's talking Trap music but the burning question on most lips is 'What is Trap music?' Professional sample pack producers Prime Loops must have some idea as they're making a lot of noise about this genre as it emerges from the underground! Their latest release 'OFFICIAL TRAP VOCALS' takes the oracular elements of Trap and epitomises them in a sample pack that producers on every level can use to strengthen their trap tunes!

At the epicentre of every trap production is an audacious vocal or chant that propels an abundance of attitude and swagger into the mix! OFFICIAL TRAP VOCALS offers a vast selection of brazen phrases that not only encapsulate the attitude of trap, but also push the benchmark for trap vocal samples, allowing you to shower your mixes with the freshest, funniest chants on the scene!

OFFICIAL TRAP VOCALS will arrive on your machine via direct download, instantly allowing you to browse over 39MB of samples! Each vocal sample comes in a variety of alternative finishes, allowing you to find the right phrase to make your tune speak volumes above the rest! You can add any of these samples to any major software with a sample drag and drop and this 24-bit sample pack is yours 100% royalty free! If you're taken by trap, have a go on OFFICIAL TRAP VOCALS and see if Prime Loops are talking your language!"

Pricing and Availability:
£19.95

More information:
Prime Loops

Guitar, Bass, Drums And Vocals Courses

The Institute's Higher Diploma welcomes April intake


Looking to be a pro musician? It seems that the Institute in London are looking for students. They just sent us the following press release...

April marks the Institute's first intake of 2013 with its Higher Diploma, a specialist one-year full-time course created to train, equip and inspire students of guitar, bass, drums and vocals for a career in the music industry. It was the first full-time course of its kind developed in the UK, and it continues to set the industry standard in its development of aspiring musicians.

The Institute is widely recognised as Europe's leading school of modern music and features an unrivalled teaching faculty, many of whom regularly work and tour with the music industry's biggest artists.

The long standing reputation of the course and its proven track record has produced alumni that can be seen performing with high profile artists such as Radiohead, Eric Clapton, The Noisettes, Kylie Minogue and Babyshambles.

This intensive course is specifically for musicians and singers wishing to study a wide range of contemporary styles and looking to fast-track the development of their performing skills and overall musicianship. Students will experience plenty of practical playing time through modules focusing on styles, instrumental technique and reading notation. Weekly live performance workshops provide the opportunity for students to perform in a live band situation and regularly apply their skills into a practical context.

Programme leader Mike Sturgis says, "The Higher Diploma programme at the Institute is the most comprehensive and intensive course of its kind anywhere in the world. The curriculum, facilities, faculty and its unique positioning at the heart of the global music industry ensure that students are well equipped for a wide range of career opportunities. Our goal is their success."

The Institute's Higher Diploma has revolutionised the study of contemporary music in the UK. And the April intake of this unique course means that you will receive a saving of £200.

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
www.icmp.co.uk

Atoms For Peace Announce More Shows

Thom Yorkes new project gets new shows

Following the release of the new Atoms For Peace album AMOK last week Thom announced on Radiohead.com that the band would be playing more live shows than was previously thought. These are the new dates:

  • Saturday 6th: France - Paris Zenith
  • Tuesday 9th: Belgium - Antwerp Lotto Arena
  • Wednesday 10th: Germany - Munich Zenith
  • Friday 12th: Slovakia - Pohada Festival [onsale now]
  • Saturday 13th: Serbia - Exit Festival [onsale now]
  • Tuesday 16th: Italy - Rome: Rock in Roma @ Ippodromo delle Capannelle
  • Wednesday 17th: Italy - Milan: City Sound Festival @ Ippodromo del Galoppo
  • Sunday 21st: Germany - Berlin Melt Festival [onsale now]
  • Wednesday 24th: UK - London Roundhouse
  • Thursday 25th: UK - London Roundhouse
  • Friday 26th: UK - London Roundhouse

I for one am very excited about this album and although i havent had time to listen to the full thing yet, I very much enjoyed the video that they released last week, which you can see above. However I think it will be very interesting to see how the record translates into a live show as in essence the whole thing could be done by just Thom and Nigel as they were the ones who took the recordings done in San Francisco and turned them into a fully fledged album.

More Information
Atoms For Peace
Radiohead

A&H Releases GLD Remote iPad App

Digital mixing system controller is now available


Allen & Heath has announced the release of GLD Remote, the digital mixing system controller unveiled at NAMM 2013, providing a comprehensive suite of mixing controls for remote wireless applications using theiPad or the iPad Mini.

GLD Remote connects to the GLD-80 mixer on a wireless network and gives the user instant access to any of the mixer's channel faders and mutes, DCA faders and mutes, image controls, aux sends and assignments as well as channel input and output processing, mic-pre control and full metering. Whereas most other apps on the market offer limited control over the channel processing, GLD Remote gives control of high pass filters, gates, parametric and graphic EQ, compressors and input/output delays.

Other unique features for system setup include a real time analyser (RTA) to ring out monitors and EQ the PA, the facility to name and colour channel strips, custom layers with drag 'n drop strip setup to suit any application, and a mix view where monitor engineers can keep both master levels and contributions under control in a single screen. Additionally, GLD Remote provides channel PFL control to enable the engineer to remotely listen to feeds using a wireless monitor system.

R&D director, Rob Clark, commented: "GLD Remote unlocks comprehensive wireless control of processing and mixes resident in the GLD-80, ranging from monitor mix stage setup, venue roaming and PA tweaking, and secondary control applications for fixed installs. During set up, engineers can walk around a venue and individually mute or apply level, processing and delay changes to the PA, and discreetly mix from anywhere in the venue during the show, whilst monitor engineers will appreciate being able to balance monitors from the musician's position on the stage."

Pricing and Availability:
GLD Remote is available now as a free download.

More information:
GLD Remote

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Live Rig

An explanation of TEED's live set-up


Totally not what I thought he would be using. Which I thought would just be Ableton and a mic. Its good to someone using guitar effects and various other bits of gear. I particularly like the use of the 505, Roland's cheap and cheerful drum machine.

Although I would have liked to see some analogue beauties in there, he does say that this is something that he would like to add. Maybe he will get an MS20 mini when they're out and start using that in his set-up... Then he can have one for live and one for the studio.

More Information
T-E-E-D

More Symphony Orchestra Sounds

Producer Loops releases Symphonic Series Vol 5: Epic Action 2 sample pack


Producer Loops has released Symphonic Series Vol 5: Epic Action 2, which they say follows on from its predecessor with five more original compositions totalling 5.4GB of uncompressed data, composed and produced by Sergei Stern. Audio and MIDI loops are included as well as full arrangements for your sequencer in ACID/WAV, Apple Loops, and OMF formats. A spokesperson told us, "All of the live instruments found in a symphony orchestra are included alongside percussions. All loops and phrases feature 'solo' performances for maximum authenticity."

Here's more details direct from Producer Loops...

About Sergei Stern:

Sergei Stern is a classically-trained Russian born composer with a degree in classical composition and music for film. He creates music for multi-media and film.

About the Symphonic Series:

The "Symphonic Series" paves the way for producers and composers of all standards to incorporate highly innovative and natural-sounding orchestral loops into their work. This series will eventually cover a multitude of different orchestral styles, and is focused on "authenticity". Watch this space as we have many more exciting titles coming soon...

Product Specifications:

  • 5 Construction Kits containing audio loops and MIDI loops representing musical phrases
  • All audio loops are dry (no FX) and the same loops are also available with reverb (tail loops). All in 24-Bit, 44.1 kHz sample rate
  • 5 OMF files containing the exact arrangements of the tracks are provided, so you can import the full arrangements into all sequencers which support this format. These files are great to be used as reference files and to export small sections you pick out yourself while having the opportunity to make your own mix before you start exporting. This format is also great for DJ's and sound designers.
  • All loops are royalty-free to those who have purchased the product. "Commercial use" of the five original compositions "exactly as they are in the demos" is forbidden, though. One has to make "new music" using our loops to act in accordance with our license agreement.

Pricing and Availability:
Symphonic Series Vol 5: Epic Action 2 is available for instant download for £49.95 / 57,60 EUR / $63.14 USD.
A free Demo Pack including 10 loops is available.

More information:
www.producerloops.com

Avid Announces A Live Sound Webinar

Mixing and recording tips from Ken Pooch Van Druten


Avid has announced that it will be hosting a Live Sound Webinar with award-winning live sound and recording engineer Ken "Pooch" Van Druten on Wednesday 6 March at 6pm GMT. Here's the details..

WHAT: Award-winning live sound and recording engineer Ken "Pooch" Van Druten has toured with some of the biggest names in music, including Linkin Park, Beastie Boys, Eminem, Guns N' Roses, and Earth, Wind & Fire. This webinar takes a look at what sets Pooch's mixes apart from others.

WHO: In this free webinar with Avid host Robert Scovill, Pooch will take a look at his career and discuss how he got to where he is today, dissecting his approach to mixing with VENUE and providing insight into his systems and workflows. Pooch will also cover his mixing and recording techniques – through actual tour show files -- and answer audience questions.

WHEN: This webinar will take place on Wednesday 6 March 2013 at 6pm GMT

Pricing and Availability:
Free

More information and registration:
www.avid.com/pooch

Creative Delay Plug-In

FXpansion releases Bloom in VST, AU and RTAS formats


FXpansion has released Bloom, which they describe as a creative delay effect plugin with additional diffusion network, effects, advanced modulation and much more. A spokesperson told us, "Bloom's varied delay modes and lush diffusion reverb instantly introduce new textures and spaces to your productions. Dig a little deeper to discover new ways of using delay for sound design - use psychedelic effects like frequency shifting and chorus in the feedback path and modulate Bloom's parameters with step-sequencers and LFOs for an amazing variety of new sounds."

Highlights

  • Creative delay and diffusion effect plugin
  • Digital, Analogue BBD and Tape emulations
  • Syncable, reverse, ping-pong and freeze delay modes
  • Diffusion reverb, additional effects, EQ, drive and saturation
  • Flexible routing for processing blocks
  • 2x oversampling with 4x Hi Def mode for extremely high quality
  • TransMod modulation with step-sequencers, LFOs and more
  • Comprehensive MIDI control
  • 32-bit and 64-bit support
  • VST, AU and RTAS plugin formats on Windows 7 or higher / Mac OSX 10.6.2 or higher

Pricing and Availability:
Bloom is available as a download-only product from the FXpansion web shop.
Pricing is USD $99.00, EUR €79.00, GBP £69.00 inc VAT where applicable.
Introductory Offer: Bloom is $70, €55, £48 inc VAT for all registered owners of Geist, DCAM: Synth Squad, Tremor, Etch, Maul, DCAM Dynamics, BFD2 and BFD Eco (and customers purchasing Bloom at the same time as any of these products) until 31 March 2013.

More information:
FXpansion

Daft Punk Tease Us

Fifteen seconds of funk


Fifteen seconds is not much to judge a new album on, however if its fifteen seconds of Daft Punk Funk then I think we can safely say that the new album will be a return to the disco inspired turn of the century Discovery album.

It was confirmed that the french duo have been working closely with producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers (Chic, Diana Ross, Madonna) and stylistically this teaser seems to reinforce that. Is that Nile's guitar we can hear? I think we can safely say that yes it is. The 15 seconds even sounds like it could be a lost Chic track.

We are eagerly awaiting the new album.
More Information
daftpunk.com
Facebook

OP-1 In Action

DJ Thomas White plays house music at the Teenage Engineering NAMM party


Teenage Engineering tells us that, at their 2013 NAMM party, special guest and OP-1 user, DJ Thomas White, played a live set of house music with his OP-1. The set presented here was all contained on the OP-1 Tape tracks and no other equipment was used. A spokesperson told us, "You sure can do a lot with 6 minutes of Tape and some loop based music."

More information:
www.teenageengineering.com

Free Mic With Presonus Mixer

Buy a PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 with Smaart, get a free PRM1 Reference Mic


Presonus tells us that they are celebrating the release of PreSonus Universal Control 1.7 with integratedRational Acoustics Smaart audio-analysis and optimization software - and they want to spread the good cheer. They say if if you buy a StudioLive 24.4.2 digital mixer between March 1 and May 31, 2013, you'll not only get a great mixer and software bundle - including Universal Control 1.7 with Smaart - you will also get a free PreSonus PRM1 precision reference microphone. Here's the details in Presonus' own words:

Smaart Measurement Technology™ provides a spectrograph and real-time analyzer (RTA) that let you see, graphically, what's going on in your mix and quickly fix frequency problems and squelch feedback. But that's just the beginning. The new Universal Control 1.7 adds three amazing Smaart wizards that make it easy to view the frequency response of a venue, quickly calculate and set delay-system timing, and verify output connectivity. Now you can quickly tune your PA to whatever venue you're in-no engineering degree required!

To use these new wizards, you'll need a reference, or "measurement," microphone like the PRM1 - a super clean, omnidirectional mic with a flat frequency response for capturing the sound in the room as accurately as possible.

Normally, we offer the PRM1 reference mic for $99 U.S. but until May 31, you get it free with the purchase of a StudioLive 24.4.2!

Pricing and Availability:
This offer is valid at all U.S. PreSonus dealers and at dealers in several other nations. Customers outside of the U.S. should check with their local dealers to find out whether they are participating.

More information:
presonus.com/landing/smaartprm1

New Soundset For Rayblaster

Tone2 releases Ambisphere


Tone2 has released the Ambisphere soundset for Rayblaster, which they say is the ideal companion for contemporary songwriting, providing instant inspiration.

A spokesperson told us, "Jam packed with high-end quality sounds that will bring color to your songs, Ambisphere takes you on an aural journey filled with organic atmospheres, complex soundscapes, gritty textures, dark drones and evolving effects. Utilising Rayblaster's unique Impulse Modelling Synthesis (IMS) technology each preset provides depth, expression, complexity and beauty required to set the right mood."

What is RayBlaster?

  • A revolutionary new method of synthesis
  • Provides access to completely new sonic territory
  • High-end sound quality
  • Create distinctive sounds that are impossible to produce with other synthesizers
  • Allows your music to stand out from the crowd
  • Delivers professional sound quality that is never muddy and fits well into the mix
  • Sounds more detailed, appealing, fat and louder than conventional synths
  • Allows for Independent control over pitch, timing and timbre
  • Filter import: Mimic filters of other synthesizers or create your own fantasy filters.
  • Resynthesis allows easy import & manipulation of your own sounds
  • Huge sonic range and very flexible
  • Easy to use & fun to play
  • Over 500 ready-to-use sounds created by professional designers
  • Psychoacoustic processing
  • Low CPU usage allows to load many instances of RayBlaster without dropouts
  • Fair price

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
Tone2

Easier Access To Puremagnetik Sounds

Audition and download Live Packs with RackMagnet OSX app for Ableton Live 9


Puremagnetik has releases RackMagnet for Ableton Live 9. They tell us that RackMagnet bridges the world's largest library of Live Packs and your Ableton production environment. Music and sound artists can now access the entire Puremagnetik catalog in a desktop application that immediately downloads content directly into Ableton Live 9.

RackMagnet is currently for OSX 10.6 and above. It requires a working internet connection, and Ableton Live 9. RackMagnet will also work fine with Live 8 but its functionality is slightly different. Here's the details from Puremagnetik...

RackMagnet Features:

Seamless Live 9 Integration: RackMagnet's "Link to Live" feature puts your entire Puremagnetik library into Live 9 with a one-time, simple drag and drop operation. After that, download anything in RackMagnet and it immediately shows up in Live. Inspire your session with fresh sounds in two quick steps.

Sync to RackMagnet's Cloud: Load up gigabytes of Micropaks into your queue and save them for later. Or start downloading now and resume at your next session. With RackMagnet you won't have broken files or incomplete downloads.

Free Foundation Packs: Puremagnetik's Foundation series brings over 1GB of free sounds, custom tailored for Ableton Live 9 and Push. Instantly load a huge array of instruments and begin tweaking away on Ableton's new hardware controller.

Lightning Fast Downloads: All RackMagnet content is hosted on Amazon's Content Delivery Network. RackMagnet leverages local repositories worldwide to maximize transfer speeds. Get your Ableton Live Instruments super fast!

Built by Industry Designers: Puremagnetik's award-winning sound design team brings over 40 years of combined professional audio industry and university experience. Puremagnetik sound designers have worked directly with Ableton since 2003.

Find it and Download: All Live Packs have been meta tagged and categorized. Simply search "Moog", "glitch", "piano" or anything really - find it and save to your queue.

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
RackMagnet

More Sounds From Waldorf Rocket

Beta test sound demo - latest


Details on the new, affordable Waldorf Rocket synth continue to roll out in the form of audio demos. This one from Jürgen Driessen uses Rocket sounds only, though enhanced with a bit of DAW - reminds me a bit ofLeftfield..

We're hoping to see some Rocket action up close when we rush to visit the Wladorf booth at next months Musik Messe.

But just for now we'll have to stick with the teasers and this list of features. Oh, and the fact that Axel Hartmann had something to do with the design of the panel - possibly. If your German is up to much, our friends over at MusoTalk.de had one on their weekly podcast. Unfortunately mine isn't..

Technical specifications:

  • Analog multimode-filter (VCF) with Low Pass / Band Pass / High Pass
  • VCF-input
  • Highly flexible oscillator-section with pulse width modulation and hard sync
  • Up to 8 oscillators in unison for chords or Ultra High Density Sawtooth
  • Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) for modulation
  • Envelopes for VCA, VCF and Sync
  • Booster circuit to generate aggressive sounds
  • Arpeggiator with different rhythmic patterns
  • Glide
  • USB powered
  • MIDI in and out
  • Extensive control panel with high-end pots and switches
  • Control via MIDI and USB
  • MIDI clock sync
  • Line output
  • Loud headphone output
  • Launch key for easy pre listening

More Information
Waldorf-music.de