PC and Music News

Blue Cat Audio has just released Digital Peak Meter Pro v3.0, a totally redesigned version of its audio analysis tool which includes many new features and enhancements.

What's new :

- New user interface design.
- Bob Katz's K-System scales support (K-12 / K-14 / K-20).
- You can now blend RMS and Peak envelopes for the transformed output.
- New mid-side mode: you can now easily switch from Left-Right to Mid-Side stereo mode for instant mono compatibility check.
- Average values display.
- The output envelope can now be a combination of the peak and RMS envelopes.
- Main MIDI settings are now available from the main panel.
- Undo/Redo support.
- Import/Export presets in a host independent format and share them between the directX and VST versions.
- Window Opacity Management: make the plugin window transparent and see behind.
- New toolbar to access main functionality.
- Main MIDI settings are now available from the plugin user interface.
- Curves are now anti-aliased.
- Improved the display of parameters values in the MIDI settings panel and the host application.
- Improved graphs refresh rate.
- Reduced memory consumption when using several instances.
- Improved Skins loading performance.
- Default values for MIDI controllers have been changed to be more convenient.
- Blue Cat's Skinning Language 1.4.2 support.

This plug-in is available alone or within Blue Cat's Master Pack and Blue Cat's Analysis Pack bundles in DirectX and VST formats for Windows. A limited time offer is available for these products until the end of the month.

Prices :

- Blue Cat's Digital Peak Meter Pro: €41.65 (instead of €49) or $58.31 (instead of $68.60) [-15%]
- Blue Cat's Analysis Pack: €220.15 (instead of €259) or $308.21 (instead of $362.60) [-15%]
- Blue Cat's Master Pack: €269.10 (instead of €299) or $376.74 (instead of $418.60) [-10%]

MusikMesse vintage 2008 is coming ! Once again beer, sausages, plugins & Co will be there for the most gigantic music show in this good old Europe. This international trade fair for musical instruments, music software and computer hardware, sheet music and accessories will be held from 12 to 15 March 2008.

Of course the whole 440Network team is busy to get you informed about this major trade show in this "Frankfurt MusikMesse 2008 Special Report", so stay tuned !

Universal Audio has announced in its webzine that UAD Software version 4.10.0 is coming soon, probably later this month. Furthermore two new Powered Plug-Ins will also be released : the Precision Enhancer kHz, and the VCA VU compressor.

The Precision Enhancer kHz is a sophisticated tool with a simple control set, primarily designed to bring dull or poorly recorded tracks to life. However, with five distinct Enhancement "Modes", the Precision Enhancer kHz will find uses on virtually any source. It can be used to minimally massage the middle and upper frequencies of a mix, or drastically alter the presence or dynamics of individual tracks or groups; Unlike other enhancers that function by frequency delay or filtered clipping, the Precision Enhancer kHz works on specialized techniques of equalization and dynamic expansion that can be used as a highly versatile effect.

The VCA VU Compressor/Limiter is an emulation of the first commercially available VCA compressor, the dbx 160. Originally designed and sold by David Blackmer in 1971, this solid-state design set the standard for performance and affordability. "VU" is the common nickname for this widely regarded studio staple, famous for its simple control set and firm compression characteristics. The VCA VU aims to capture all the sonic nuances from a "golden" modeling unit and the simple control set of the hardware, including Threshold, Compression (Ratio) and Output Gain. Like with the hardware, LED threshold indicators are provided, as well the Input/Output/Gain Change VU meter for which the unit is famous.

Our partner, DontCrack.com announces that they have added Applied Acoustics Systems to their growing list of hot developers plugins. From now on, all AAS virtual instruments such as the famous Lounge Lizard and many others, are available through the DontCrac[k] web store.

As usual, all products including AAS's are eligible to DontCrac[k]'s "Buy More, Pay Less" offers. Anyone around the world can from now on get hold of any AAS products via instant download delivery and at very attractive prices if you buy smart! Only at :

PreSonus has just announced new drivers for its FaderPort and the FireStudio :

FaderPort beta native driver for Logic Pro and Logic Express versions 7 or later

This new native driver incorporates new functionality to the FaderPort not supported by HUI mode. The new functionality includes mix/edit/transport window view, write and latch automation as well as overall improved performance.

FireStudio drivers for Mac Leopard and Windows Vista

The updated FireStudio drivers offer complete compatibility for Mac Leopard and Windows Vista operating systems. Support for the Monitor Station Remote (MSR) is also included with the updated drivers.

We've just published a new review in our article section about the brand new version of the flagship software from Ableton.

As says -i snor, our reviewer : "It's hard to believe, but Live 7 is already there. The miracle software from Berlin-based Company Ableton, both a tracker and a sequencer at the same time, is constantly evolving: we were just beginning to control Live 6 and its numerous new features when its follower arrived, of course filled with improvements and surprises. Throughout this article we'll try to see, apart from describing the new functions, if Live 7 fills the gaps left by the previous version, what it brings and what it removes from our music, on stage and in the studio."