PC and Music News

Akai Professional announces that it has launched APC40.com, a dedicated web site for its APC40 Ableton Performance Controller.

APC40.com contains all of the information about the APC40 in one place, including text, images, video, an interactive product tour, the APC40 quick start guide, event listings, news, free downloads and more.

The APC40 will launch worldwide on May 30, 2009, with a retail price of $599 and an anticipated street price of $399.

Ohm Force unveils Cohmpost , a new free plug-in for both Mac (AU/VST) and PC (VST). Here is the description found on Ohm Force's Blog :

"You just NEED some Cohmpost in your music. Get it in AU for Mac, VST for Mac or VST for Windows. For your information, no kittens were harmed while creating the Cohmpost (just a bit ruffled, promise). Lawyer warning : Please do not use Ohm Force Cohmpost Mac version unless you totally agree with the license agreement."

... so if we want to know what it sounds like exactly we just gotta try I guess...

Waveformer is a multi purpose synthesizer sounds library designed by MESA+ sound-engineers for Ableton Live 7.

Waveformer is based on wavetables formed by 66 waveforms that act as oscillators for Ableton Simpler. Each waveform has been carefully designed in order to avoid unwanted aliasing-noise and multisampled across the keyboard range to improve sound fidelity.

The presets have been developed and processed using Ableton Sampler's FM and Waveshaper features, then converted for Ableton Simpler in order to extend accessibility by all Ableton Live 7 versions (LE included). Waveformer is composed by 270 Ableton-Instrument-Racks presets all organized with macro knobs for instant sound tweaking. Waveformer includes 271 Simpler presets, 4 Drum Rack presets and 212 Ableton Clips.

Specifications :

• Wavetables Synth for Ableton Live
• 66 PCM Waveforms
• 270 Ableton Instrument Racks
• 271 Ableton Simpler Presets
• 4 Ableton Drum Rack Kits
• 212 Ableton Clips
• 1652 Wav 32bit/48KHz

Waveformer is available now as a download only product for €25. Note that a free reduced version Waveformer is also available for download. It is based on only 10 waveform and it contains 40 Ableton Instrument Rack presets.

Waldorf has announced that the keyboard version of their analog modelling synth Blofeld is now shipping.

Features :

- 60 Megabyte sample memory
- Class compliant USB MIDI for PC,Mac and Linux
- 16 part multimode
- maximum 25 voices polyphony
- highest quality standard keybed with 49 weighted keys and aftertouch
- Internal power supply
- Pitchbend and modulation wheel
- Virtual analog, wavetable, and sample based oscillators
- MIDI in/out
- Sturdy metal case
- Stainless steel rotary encoders
- Backlit 128x64 pixel LCD
- Over 1000 sounds
- 3 oscillators, 2 filters per voice
- Selectable drive curves
- Frequency modulation for oscillators and filters
- Three LFO, four envelopes per voice
- Extensive modulation capabilities
- Complex arpeggiator
- Powerful effects section
- weight: apprx 8,-- kgs

The Blofeld Keyboard has an MSRP of 849€.

Voxengo has just released version 2 of its PHA-979 track phase alignment audio plug-in. PHA-979 allows professional mixing engineers to time- and phase-align any sound material to achieve better sonic coherence and clarity in the mix.

New Features :

• Multi-platform support
• Mid/side balance control
• RMS signal level readouts
• Positive/negative time delaying
• Delay time calculator
• L/R channel swap function
• Undo/redo
• Preset manager
• User interface coloration
• User interface re-scaling
• Plug-in instance naming
• Bypass switch

One-month introductory price of $69.95 is now effective, which is 20% off the regular price. Upgrading from the previous version costs $44.95 if previous version was purchased earlier than 90 days from now : otherwise upgrade is free during this grace period.

ToneMatrix is a pretty cool free online app. Basically it is a simple sinewave synthesizer triggered by an ordinary 16step sequencer. It reminds me of the Tenori-on, not as versatile but really fun to play with !

Check it out at :