PC and Music News

Analogue Solutions has recently released the Leipzig monosynth, a self contained TRUE analogue synthesiser. The voice circuitry is entirely analogue, using all discrete and op-amp components. There is no voice DSP. Leipzig has a similar sound and specification to the classic Moog Prodigy/Rogue synthesisers, but with many improvements such as MIDI and more modulation paths.

Features :

- Pure analogue voice circuitry.
- Fat Moog style filter.
- 2 VCOs with Glide and Sub-VCOs.
- Plenty of modulation routing possibilities.
- Extra tone controls and circuits for more sound variety e.g. LFO, CrossMod.
- Rugged steel construction and 'vintage' wood design.
- MIDI In for software sequencer control.

The Leipzig is priced at £549 (€700) excl. VAT and Delivery. Note that audio examples are available on their web site.

IK Multimedia has just announced that its "Plug & Mix Madness" promotion has now been extended until May 31st. So customers can still 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.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Waves has decided to offer Producer/Mixer Jack Joseph Puig's personal presets for his favorite Waves tools as a free download.

Puig is the latest Waves user from its extensive roster of artists to serve up his own presets for download. He has worked with countless hitmakers, including Green Day, U2, Sheryl Crow, the Rolling Stones, Black Eyed Peas, John Mayer, Counting Crows, No Doubt, Mary J. Blige and many more.

In order to download those presets you just need to log on to the Waves website, enter your User Name and Password and then click on the JJP feature icon.

Dangerous Music has announced the shipment of their first units of the DAC-ST, a mastering quality, stereo digital-to-analog converter option for their Monitor ST controller. The DAC-ST is the first available option in the line for the new Additional Switching System (A.S.S) one-rack space expander which can house up to two banks of two cards each, adding four additional functions switchable directly from the ST-SR remote.

Offering mastering quality on-board stereo D-to-A conversion and digital source switching for Monitor ST, the Dangerous DAC-ST option delivers superbly accurate D-to-A conversion, instantly accessed from the Monitor ST remote control. Integrated digital source switching allows the user to monitor all digital sources through the same converter, which is crucial for critical listening, confidence monitoring and level matching.

The DAC-ST suggested retail price is $1199 / €925, and includes the integrated power supply unit and expansion chassis with an extra space for a second user-installable option.

Synapse Audio has just announced the release of version 7.5 fot its sequencer Orion. This major update introduces a completely new audio engine with improved stability and support for multicore processors, as well as many workflow enhancements and a reworked VST 2.4 implementation for optimal VST plugin support. Furthermore, it is compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista now.

New features :

- New engine with multiprocessor support and higher performance at low latencies, at any PPQ
- Auto-Tracking EQs to create high quality mixes more easily
- New effect: Platinum Limiter (modelled after 1176LN)
- New arpgeggiator with additional options
- New VU Meters with peak-hold option
- Last session can now be automatically restored (hold SHIFT on startup to bypass)
- Container Plugins (MultiFX, BandFX) can store presets now, containing other internal effects.
- Sustenuto and Soft Pedal support
- Full VST2.4 compatibility and major VST host upgrade
- Stream To File supports direct streaming into MP3 and OGG
- Ready for Windows Vista (run as administrator)

The update is free for all Orion Platinum 7 users. Orion PRO is discontinued with this 7.5 release and will not be updated further. However the upgrade to Orion 7.5 will be available to all Orion PRO customers for a limited period of time and costs only $49 instead of the former price of $99. Note that a demo version of Orion 7.5 is already available.

Prominy has released SC Electric guitar, a new Kontakt Player based electric guitar sound library instrument featuring the sound of a Fender Stratocaster. According to Prominy, SC Electric Guitar enables you to compose and create natural guitar tracks that imitate real guitar playing.

Features :

- Over 64 gigabytes - approximately 123,000 samples.
- Real-time playability - SC SPM (Super Performance Multi).
- All five pick-up positions can be reproduced.
- Real chords - extensive number of the 'real' pre-recorded chord samples.
- Auto Stroke Detection.
- Feedback.
- Assignable Key Switch.
- Double-Tracking.
- The lower note samples (low C - low D#) are included.
- Direct signals from the guitar.
- Perfect sampled sounds of all fret positions on every string.
- Picking noises are recorded in multiple forms on all frets and strings.

SC Electric Guitar is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, DX, RTAS and stand-alone formats via the included Kontakt 2 Player, it costs $399.