PC and Music News

Native Instruments and Beatport today unveiled Beatport SYNC, a free music playback software for Mac and Windows that provides a unique feature set for modern listening habits. Based on the groundbreaking TRAKTOR DJ software, Beatport SYNC combines powerful music management capabilities with basic DJ mixing functions and full integration of the Beatport online store in one easy-to-use application.

Equipped with two playback decks and a crossfader section, it allows everybody to easily mix and match individual tracks into one consistent flow of music. Aspects like beat detection, tempo synchronization and loudness optimization are all handled automatically and intelligently by the software. The comprehensive track management functions also make it an ideal tool to handle today's evergro ...

Following the development of its monumental sample libraries and the groundbreaking Vienna Instruments software and audio engine, the Vienna team now introduces a new software solution called Vienna Ensemble. The exclusive Vienna Instruments mixing and host software is available as a free download for all registered users of Vienna Instruments and works on Macs and PCs. And there is even more good news for Pro Tools users: All Vienna Instruments Collections as well as the new Vienna Ensemble are now RTAS compatible on the Mac OS X platform.

Features :

- Custom-made for hosting Vienna Instruments
- Stand-alone application, ideal for running Vienna Instruments on external Macs and PCs: 8 ports with 16 MIDI channels each
- Plug-in formats RTAS (Mac PPC & Intel), AU (Mac PPC & Intel) and VST (PC and Mac PPC & Intel) for use with a host sequencer: 16 MIDI channels per instance
- Instant instrument switching gives immediate access to all instruments within the Vienna Ensemble user interface. A click on the desired instrument channel brings up its user interface instantly, no more redundant screen clutter.
- Instrument naming—all Vienna Instruments instances inside Vienna Ensemble can be labeled for a complete, at-a-glance overview.
- Total recall—orchestra setups can be saved with one click
- Definable play ranges for multi-instrument set-ups for studio and live use
- Inserts for AU (Mac) and VST (PC) effect plug-ins
- Panning and Power Panning for precise positioning
- Flexible routing with freely assignable busses
- Separated server solution that utilizes additional free memory, leaving host sequencer memory or memory used by additional Vienna Instruments plug-ins unaddressed.
- PC version: Windows XP and Vista (both 32 and 64-bit)
- Mac version: 32-bit for Mac PPC and Intel, 64-bit version coming soon

M-Audio is proud to announce shipment of the KeyStudio 49i music production system, an USB keyboard controller which integrates a 2-in/2-out audio interface and on-board premium piano sound.

Users can play the on-board piano as a stand-alone instrument—no computer or software required. The expressive, stereo-sampled emulation of a Steinway grand piano was crafted by the acclaimed Digidesign® Advanced Instrument Research Group, and also features reverb for enhanced realism without a computer. Users can also connect the KeyStudio 49i keyboard to a PC or Mac via USB and play a total of 128 sounds with the included M-Audio GM Module software. The keyboard incorporates a 2-input/2-output audio interface, allowing musicians to record vocals and instruments as well as listen to sessions and mi ...

Blue Cat Audio has enlarged its audio analysis plugins range with the release of the Blue Cat's StereoScope series, two new stereo image analysis DirectX and VST plugins for Windows. They both analyze the stereo image in details and provide a visual representation of the signal in the stereo field. They also allow the detection of potential mono compatibility issues.

Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro has specific features for single track analysis with MIDI and automation output, while Blue Cat's StereoScope Multi uses Blue Cat Audio's unique data sharing technology to analyze and monitor the stereo image of several audio tracks on a single screen.

These new plugins are available as separate products or within the Blue Cat's StereoScope Pack Bundle. Demo versions can be downloaded. A speci ...

Togu Audio Line has released TAL-Tube, a saturation plugin that have the characteristic of tubes and an additional amplifier mode. It's suitable for adding higher harmonics and can give more excitement and analog character to digital sounds. At extreme values it can also be used as a grungy distortion effect.

Features :

- Amplifier mode.
- Soft and hard mode (2 different tube types).
- Dry/Wet knob.
- Gain reduction display.
- 4x oversampled processing.
- Some presets.
- Low CPU.

TAL-Tube is free and is available as a VST effect plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary.

_audioMIDI.com and puremagnetik have teamed up to offer an exclusive Live Pack library for audioMIDI.com customers. The aM Essentials Live Pack will be free to anyone who purchases a copy of Ableton Live at audioMIDI.com. Musicians who already own Live may also purchase the aM Essentials Live Pack for only $19.99 exclusively at audioMIDI.com. You can find more info on the library here.

puremagnetik's "aM Essentials" Live Pack is a handpicked selection of puremagnetik's best sounds. Compiled exclusively for audioMIDI.com , this pack contains a comprehensive selection of instruments and clips for Ableton Live. Whether you produce electronica, rock, or jazz; puremagnetik's "aM Essentials" has the perfect palette of sounds to get you started producing with Ableton Live.

Features Include:

•  Over 120 Instrument Preset Racks
•  A Collection of Electric Guitar and Wurlitzer Loops
•  Audio Effects Chains from puremagnetik's "RackPak"
•  Extensively programmed Macro Controls for Ableton Live
•  Easy to Customize with "Modular" Instruments

Sound Skulptor unveils a range of high end microphone preamplifiers in kit form. Three different Mic Pre's are offered, based on vintage, universally recognized designs.

The DIY form of these products makes them affordable to most. The skills needed to built them are basic, thanks to the complete kits, careful design and to the very detailed instructions. For those who are not confident enough in their skills, they are also available fully assembled. Four boards can be freely combined into the 19", one unit high enclosure. Additionally, two DI inputs can be internally routed to any of the four preamps.

The MP73 is a three stages, single ended class A preamp based on the 1290/1073 from the world famous British consoles of the 70's. Input and output are coupled with Carnhill/St. Ives ...

Softube has just released Acoustic Feedback, a new guitar feedback plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU and RTAS formats. Acoustic Feedback is a realistic simulation of guitar feedback. After years of hard work spent on perfecting every detail of Vintage Amp Room, the developers at Softube felt obliged to create what they felt was the missing link between a real amp and an amp plug-in. The result is a simple and intuitive plug-in which emulates the feedback effect which occurs between the guitar and the amplifier. Bundled with a special edition of White amp from Vintage Amp Room, Acoustic Feedback aims to "rock your socks off".

Features :

- Realistic simulation (physical modeling) of guitar feedback.
- Fully responsive to vibratos, bends, slides, tremolos, etc.
- Simple user ...

AudioWarrior has released Free Djembe, a free studio-quality 24-bit Instrument that allows you play your keyboard exactly like a hand drum. Your MIDI controller's Pitch wheel will allow you to emulate a talking drum. Designed using Kontakt, Free Djembe is mapped with 10 expressive velocity layers with samples ranging from from C2 to C4 across a 15 key span. C3 is the center-Bass and spreading outwards towards C2 & C4 are the higher pitched rim shots.