PC and Music News

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.

Audeon's software synthesizer UFO is finally available for Mac OS X as a Universal Binary.

UFO is an innovative synthesizer plugin for Windows/OS-X, built upon Audeon's proprietary TransModal Synthesis engine wrapped in a unique and intuitive user interface. Programming a sound consists of placing dots on 2D controllers featuring perceptual attributes such as Periodicity, Brightness, Noisiness, Chaos, etc. Hundreds of simultaneous parameter modulations can be achieved by simply drawing coloured arrows on these 2D controllers.

Audeon offers a temporary discount on all versions of UFO. Until December 31st, orders placed on our online store using the UFO-XMAS coupon code will benefit from a 20% rebate off the regular price.

The editor has added lots of new features and improvements :
- Increased Audio Quality with less CPU usage
- Highly improved envelope code, making envelopes punchier and removing
occasional envelope aliasing noise.
- Arpeggiator and sequencer : keyboard entry mode via menu, allowing to enter notes by playing them.
- Added Ensemble and Compressor effect
- Optimized Amp FX (50% less CPU) and to a less extent other effects
- Increase the resolution of the modulating effects (chorus , flanger etc) ,
- FX commands : allows you to copy , paste , clear , swap , randomize , load &
save fx's
- Chord memory : this has 4 modes, off, learn, play & alt + strum timing.
- Unison 2 / 4 / 6 with detuning.
- Oversampling 16x added
-etc.

And furthermore, there is more than 400 new presets, using all the new features like Chord Memory, Unison and EnsembleFX. So there is now 66 banks and 1700 presets.