PC and Music News

Leoné MusicReader has just released... MusicReader, an innovative software that makes reading music easy and convenient. The software offers solutions for all kinds of problems musicians have with (paper) sheet music, both individually and in orchestras and ensembles. This includes easy page turning, a convenient music library and flexible annotation making. It also anticipates on the developments of sheet music offered online. Digital sheet music can easily be converted to MusicReader and paper sheet music can also be digitized by using an easy to use scanning and conversion program.

MusicReader runs on all Windows XP and Vista laptops and desktops, but is especially designed for the use of pen and touch screens, such as on Tablet PCs. The company also offers a variety of hardware options to make the use of the software even more convenient.

There are two versions of MusicReader available, Solo Basic ($59) and Solo Pro ($99). MusicReader Solo Basic version contains the annotations, navigation and music conversion features. In Solo Pro also full screen and two page display, measure detection and tuner/metronome/music player are present. Note that an evaluation version is also available.

Propellerhead has just released ReCycle 2.1.2, a maintenance update that addresses a few important issues.

Changes :

- ReCycle is now compatible with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard.
- ReCycle is now compatible with AMD64 Processors.
- Minor alterations to the authorization procedures have been made, reducing the risk of having to enter your serial number again, after installation.

ReCycle 2.1.2 is a free update for owners of ReCycle 2.1 and it is a recommended installation for all ReCycle 2.1 owners.

IK Multimedia is proud to introduce the "Plug & Mix Madness" promotion starting on February 21st and lasting through April 30th 2008, customers may purchase and register any of the qualifying IK Multimedia plug-in based music production software, hardware combinations or bundles and they will receive one FREE IK effect plug-in download of their choice! (UP TO A $269/€199 VALUE-FREE).

Purchase and register full or crossgrade versions of the eligible IK products within the promotional time period, then select one from these multi-award-winning effect plug-ins for FREE :

- AmpliTube® 2 - Guitar Amp and FX Modeling Plug-in
- Ampeg® SVX - Bass Amp & FX Modeling Plug-In
- AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix - Guitar Amp and FX Plug-in
- Classik Studio Reverb - A suite of four high-end studio-qualit ...

MPC-Samples.com has released the drum sample pack 'Vintage Cymbals', a single instrument collection containing 96 full stereo cymbal samples, cut to vinyl and re-sampled through valve processors to give a warm, vintage feel. Suitable for all models of Akai MPC including the latest MPC5000 and MPC500 models, this pack features 16 bit, stereo WAV and SND files laid out into MPC programs for quick loading.

Vintage Cymbals is available for download at a retail price of $29.99.

Puremagnetik has recently released TeeBee, a collection of instruments and loops for Ableton Live, Kontakt and Logic sampled from the famous Roland TB-303 synthesizer.

Programmed to flawlessly emulate the original synthesizer, Puremagnetik has employed many of the new features in Live 7, Kontakt 3 and Logic 8. Instead of using the DAW's built-in effects to emulate sounds, Puremagnetik has actually sampled the unique filter and envelope stages of the original TB-303. The TeeBee download includes 24-bit 96khz sample content and over 50 looped phrases styled after classic TB-303 articulations. For Ableton Live users, Puremagnetik has developed a version for Live 7 and a "light" version for Live 6.

Puremagnetik subscriptions start at $5.75 per month.

Keyfax has released a new video called "Using Cubase 4 Recording The Band". Shot live in Santa Cruz and featuring rock band "the Liminal," this DVD lifts the lid on what it takes to record a band in the 21st century armed with Cubase as your recording medium.

The DVD shows how to hook up a hardware interface, how to deal with mic-ed amps and drums, monitoring, recording procedures and techniques, and how to prepare the best mix for mastering. Everything in the program is geared towards the practicality of a multi-musician, band type of recording experience.

"Using Cubase 4 Recording The Band" includes the raw audio files on the DVD (Cubase 4 Project file, plus the final mix) and is available from all good music stores or direct from the Steinberg web site for $44.95.