PC and Music News

EKS has just announced that there will be another version of its DJ controller Otus called Otus RAW.

Otus RAW has a more traditional approach to controlling software. Described as "the perfect bridge between the CD players of today and digital possibilities of tomorrow", it will feature 7 1/2 inch jog wheel, high quality physical pitch slider, touchpad for effect/mouse control and 4 velocity pads for effect/sample/cuepoint launch.

Otus RAW will be added to the Otus product line during the autumn 2008.

SampleModeling, a company created by Dr. Giorgio Tommasini (Stradivari Violin, Gofriller Cello) and Peter Siedlaczek (Advanced Orchestra, Classical Choir, Smart Violins, Orchestral Colours, Classical Collection, String Essentials), is pleased to announce the release of its first product : "The Trumpet".

The Trumpet, a new 300 MB Kontakt 2 Player-based instrument, consists of seven instruments belonging to the same family: three different Bb trumpets, suitable for solo or sections, Cornet, Flügelhorn, German and Piccolo Trumpet. The three Bb trumpets may be played with several mutes, including Straight, Bucket, Cup, Harmon (with or without stem). Two different plungers are also available for wah-wah effects.

The Trumpet offers realism and expressiveness by incorporating SampleModeling's proprietary "Harmonic Alignment" and "Modal Resonances" technologies into an "Adaptive Model" based on the physical properties of the instrument, whose aim is to minimize the differences between the real phrases and those played by the virtual instrument. Innovative techniques for sample modulation, along with advanced Artificial Intelligence MIDI processing, are used for real time construction of all articulations and morphing across dynamics, vibrato, legato, portamento, falls.

The Trumpet is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, DX, RTAS and AU formats but also in standalone mode at a price of €149 + VAT (if applicable). Note that video and audio examples are available at :

After the Kontakt 2 version, AudioWarrior today annouces the release of TRON 'Mello-Rack' for Halion 3.1 which is available now for download at a price of $49.

Sennheiser unveils its new MKH 800 Twin at the 2008 NAB Show. Based upon the original MKH 800, the MKH 800 Twin multiplies recordists' abilities by offering polar pattern switching after the recording session !

The MKH 800 Twin can be thought of as a multi-pattern microphone without the pattern switches. So how does it generate the various patterns? The MKH 800 Twin is equipped with both front and back capsule outputs. In a standard multi-pattern mic the pattern of the mic is derived by adding and subtracting the back capsule. Thanks to the MKH 800 Twin's dual outputs, recordists can simply plug both of these capsules into a DAW or recorder and create the pattern desired during mix-down.

The MKH 800 Twin will be available in April 2008 at an MSRP of $3,356.

ToonTrack and Waves are proud to offer great savings on this very hot bundle. Now, you can purchase Waves Renaissance Maxx Native and ToonTrack's EZ Drummer together for only $630 (regular price $779).

Now that's what we call a good deal!

It's the "clear the warehouse" time at audioMIDI.com! They simply compiled a list of hot products that must go right away! Contact them with YOUR price... "No REASONABLE offers will be refused" is printed on the page...

Limited quantities, open box inventory, and b-stock items won't be around for long. So, don't wait, call now!

Ableton is proud to announce the upcoming release of Live 7 LE. Built on the same fundamental concepts as Ableton Live, this version offers most of Ableton Live 7's new features. It includes :

- Studio-quality recording up to 32-bit/192 kHz*
- Sixty-four audio tracks and unlimited MIDI tracks per project
- Powerful and creative MIDI sequencing for software instruments
- More than twenty built-in audio effects, including a host of creative delays, filters, distortions, studio compressors and EQs*
- Two software instruments &mash; Simpler for creative sample-based synthesis, and Impulse for dynamic, sampled drums*
- VST and AU effects and instruments support; automatic plug-in delay compensation*
- Real-time time-stretching and warping of AIFF, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC and MP3 files fo ...

Not much to say nowadays...

Just wanted you to know that Ardour v2.4 and Guitar Rig v3.1 are out, take a look at our Software Section.

Wusik has just announced the launch of a new offer for current Wusikstation V1/V2 and
V3 users. It consits in a special Pre-Order option for Wusikstation V5.

If you order today, you get the full V4 Four Gig Collection Upgrade right away. You just need to wait for V5 latter this year. Users with Wusikstation V1/V2/V3 can upgrade the engine for $39.95 or get the new V5 sound package for $79.95. Following extra sounds are also included : General Midi, ArtVera's NewAge Collection and the Maestro Grand-Piano.

Tanager AudioWorks unveils Chirp, a little software that turns a user's computer keyboard into a MIDI keyboard controller.

Chirp combines a photo‐realistic keyboard interface, 10 programmable trigger pads and several controls for easily entering pitch bend, modulation, sustain and note velocity data. The product works with any music or recording application requiring MIDI input or capable of sending MIDI note data. Piano keys are mapped to specific computer keyboard keys, the user can define which keys on his or her laptop are to be used to input notes or chords. The programmable trigger pads can be assigned to any MIDI events, and the mouse (or laptop glide pad) can be used to enter MIDI continuous controller information.

Chirp is available now for Mac OS X and Windows at a retail price of $39.99.

Puremagnetik has just released "Purple Kit", a new Micropak for Ableton Live 7, Kontakt 3, Logic and GarageBand. Designed for funk and hip-hop styles, it is a 3-piece maple drumset. This 500MB collection of 24-bit samples has been captured with multiple articulations, stick types and microphone positions. All parameters are easily accessed with Ableton Live 7 Macro controls or can be loaded as 3 unique kits for Kontakt, Logic and GarageBand. Purple Kit also includes a collection of Live Clips, Apple Loops and Beat Machine Loops for Kontakt.

The Ableton Live 7 version of Purple Kit integrates into Ableton's Drum Rack format and is compatible with both Ableton's Sampler and Simpler instruments. Purple Kit for Kontakt 3 includes a customized "Easy Edit" interface for conveniently mixing microphone levels around the kit.

Puremagnetik subscriptions start at $5.75 per month.

SAE Institute launches global networking facility for both students and alumni. mySAE.org is a "Facebook-like" for SAE students and alumni, the perfect way to keep in touch with like-minded individuals from other SAE Institutes around the world.

mySAE.org gives students the opportunity to exchange information and find peers around the world with a number of map-based features. Members can also express themselves using photos, video, blogs, links and audio. A fun way to interact with SAE members past and present, but it also has a great professional dimension too with over 2,000 members already signed up. Each member's profile has provision for the addition and upkeep of a personal CV, making the potential for networking second to none.

For more information, please follow the link below :

Klein + Hummel unveils two new subwoofers : The O 810 and O 870.

Described as the perfect compliment to Klein + Hummel's extensive range of monitors, they both can be used either as unit dedicated to reproducing the LFE channel, or as a way to provide low-frequency extension and increased maximum SPL for the main loudspeakers. Robust drivers, a rock-solid cabinet, and carefully designed ports guarantee a tight, articulate, and distortion-free low frequency reproduction down to 18 Hz, even at high replay levels. The built-in 7.1 Channel High Definition Bass Manager is compatible with all formats from mono through to the latest 7.1 high definition systems. Eight channels of analog, or an optional 8-channel 24-bit 192 kHz digital input card, ensure flexible interconnectivity for modern studios. Four-mode LFE channel processing ensures maximum compatibility across all formats. 4th order crossovers and flexible acoustical controls allow for seamless system integration. Built-in volume control allows for centralized system replay level adjustment independent of the source, and the electronics can be remote located to reduce cabling.

The O 810 and O 870 can be used in music, broadcast, and post production studios for tracking, mixing, and mastering. They may be positioned next to a wall or flush mounted into a wall, and can be mixed freely in multichannel systems with other loudspeakers from the Klein + Hummel range.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Voxengo has updated VariSaturator to v1.2.

Changes :

- The "Dry mix" parameter implemented.
- Output routing arrangement changed - it is now possible to route the same internal channel to several outputs.
- "Loud noise" issue happening in Reaper fixed.
- A possible cause of a rare occasional crash resolved.
- Cubase/Nuendo freeze after their track level meter dragging fixed.
- Parameter automation freezing in Logic/Mac OS X fixed.
- "Mouse wheel sensitivity" global setting renamed to "mouse wheel precision".