PC and Music News

Native Instruments today announced that a demo version of Kore 2 is now available.

The demo version comes with a special demo library that contains 100 KoreSounds with Sound Variations, showcasing the vast range of production-ready sounds available in the Kore 2 factory library.

The Kore 2 demo version is now available as a free download for Windows and
Mac OS X on the NI website.

Here it is : PowerCore software v.3 !
This update is available for PowerCore Element, PCI, PCI mkII, Express, Unplugged, Compact, FireWire and X8.

Mac : plug-ins and drivers are Universal and support both Intel and PowerPC Macs.
Mac & Windows : Support for PowerCore X8 hardware added.
Mac & Windows : Tube-Tech CL 1B added + 4 hours of trial time.
Mac & Windows : Softube Vintage Amp Room PowerCore added + 4 hours of trial time.
Mac & Windows : improved preset handling on all TC Electronic plug-ins, with new preset up/down, a/b and reset buttons for faster preset browsing and comparison of settings.
Mac & Windows : new native Sidechainer plug-in with versatile high/low cut filters.
Mac & Windows : new versions of 24/7-C, ChorusDelay, Dynamic EQ, Filtroid, Master X3, Master X5, Mega ...

Intermorphic releases Noatikl, a generative MIDI music engine. It creates musical information in the form of MIDI notes, and can also generate and send MIDI controller information to control settings of your favourite synths, FX units and samplers.

There are variants available for both Win and Mac OS X, including plug-in versions AU, VSTi, DXi MIDI Effects, MIDI Effects, etc. as well as a stand-alone version.

You can use Noatikl to generate new musical ideas, break composer's block, augment an existing musical work, create ambient tracks, experiment with generative music systems, generatively change synth, FX and sampler settings, etc.

The co-founders of Intermorphic, Pete Cole and Tim Cole, were both co-founders of SSEYO Ltd, the company that developed the famous SSEYO Koan Music Engine (more infos on the SKME here).

Designed for mobile and desktop production, the compact Fast Track Ultra interface utilizes USB 2.0 technology, making suitable for all current PC and Mac computers.

The Fast Track Ultra introduces M-Audio's brand-new MX Core DSP technology. The MX Core mixer employs an array of eight individual DSP cores to deliver near-zero latency, effects (e.g. to apply reverb while tracking vocals) and a matrix for sophisticated channel routing options—accessible via an intuitive control panel that utilizes a separate mixer for each pair of outputs, all without burdening the computer.

The Fast Track Ultra features four preamps with M-Audio Octane technology. Features include +48V phantom power, signal/peak LED indicator lights and a pull-out gain knob that activates a 20dB pad. The first two in ...

Precisionsound announces its winter sales. That means that all its samples and sounds libraries will benefit from a 30% discount.
The winter sales 2007 will be closed 17 January 2008.

PG Music has released Band-in-a-Box 2008 for Windows, along with 10 new RealDrums Sets, 5 Styles Sets and 3 new MultiStyles Sets. Band-in-a-Box 2008 is packed with new features including RealTracks, MultiStyles, enhancements to the popular Audio Chord Wizard, RealDrums style changes, and much more.

To celebrate, PG Music is offering special pricing on Band-in-a-Box upgrades and bundles, plus two new Bonus Paks loaded with Add-ons and software programs - but only for a limited time. Prices start at $129 for new users. You'll receive a free Bonus 12-Pak with any order of Band-in-a-Box 2008 for Windows or add 12 more items by upgrading to the Bonus 24-Pak for only $25. These Bonus Paks are only available during the Holiday Special.

Blue Cat Audio has released an update for four of its audio analysis DirectX and VST plugins : Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro, FreqAnalyst Multi, StereoScope Pro and StereoScope Multi. It includes the ability to give a name to each analysis curve for the 'Multi' series, new zooming capabilities, an improved spectrum analysis for better comparison accuracy, and faster display refresh rates for smoother analysis.

Blue Cat Audio has also announced a special Christmas Offer - a 20% discount on its entire catalog.

Gladiator is here !

Tone2 has just released PC version of its new virtual synthesizer, the very promising Gladiator (Mac version to be available before Christmas, we will announce it asa it's available). Instead of using usual synthesis, Tone2 has created Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM) Synthesis. This new synthesis method is based on a large and expandable repertoire of standard waves like pulse, unique synthetic waveforms as well as resynthesis waves like trumpets, organs, pianos and voice samples. These waves can be modified in real-time, altering its harmonic structure, syncing, waveshaping (see below the incredible variety of synthesis tools, filters, etc.). In total there are more than 30,000 different spectra available for combination and modulation.

Some of the synthesis feat ...

This week, we present a new review in our Articles section : Sony Media Software Acid Pro 6.
It's the awaited return of Sony Media Software's tracker, and as says Roby, the author of the review, and partner of PCMusic : Version 5 has led to deep changes, and Acid Pro 6 seems to follow the same philosophy. With more functions than ever, the most famous tracker makes its comeback.
As it could claim now to be a serious rival of Ableton's Live, Acid Pro 6 should take a place of choice, next to Cubase, Pro Tools and others in numerous home-studios.

The Stereo Pack bundle includes Stereoizer, Stereoplacer and Monofilter, allowing the user to analyse, enhance control and fine tune audio with a high degree of precision.

These plug-in could be used to :

- Re-adjust the stereo image of individual sounds
- Add stereo depth to mono source files
- Wide/narrow existing stereo images
- Improve bass definition
- Re-focus bass frequencies where stereo FX have been used
- Correct problems in sounds sampled from vinyl
- Correct phase issues
- Make frequency splits
- Re-master old recordings
- Prepare for mastering to vinyl
- Tighten smeared stereo imaging
- Handle live recordings and instruments
-etc.

The bundle is compatible MacOSX and PC, and the plugs are available in VST and AU formats. Demo versions are available and the bundle costs $99.