PC and Music News

The new microKORG XL is coming, that's for sure now... but when ? Honestly we can tell and we don't know anything about the spec either...

We only have a picture and a couple of crappy videos...

We will probably have more news at the upcoming NAMM 2009. Stay tuned til then !

Steinberg has just announced that it has acquired the eLicenser technology of crypto and security solutions provider Syncrosoft Hard- und Software GmbH for an undisclosed sum.

The assets acquired from Syncrosoft include the development team and know-how behind the successful USB and Soft-eLicenser products used by Steinberg and several other companies. Steinberg will offer the eLicenser solutions to third parties, which will continue to utilize the MCFACT technology.

"We're very pleased to open up a new area of business for Steinberg, namely to offer an outstanding eLicensing solution to the audio industry and beyond," says Andreas Stelling, Steinberg's General Manager. "We want to add further services to the existing solution, and in doing so to offer more benefits for end customers. We're looking forward to working with all current Syncrosoft eLicenser customers, and to expanding this platform over the long term.

Steinberg software customers will also benefit from this acquisition, as it will improve the integration of the eLicenser solution within our software products," Stelling continues.

Universal Audio has announced that the next update of the UAD software will bring the long-awaited RTAS compatibility. So finally Pro Tools LE users will be able to enjoy the fantastic sound of UA plugs, what a great news !

As a good news never comes alone, the Harrison 32C and Little Labs IBP plug-ins will also be released with the new OS v5.2.

No release date for now but if you read between the line on this web page, new OS will certainly be out before the end of the year !

Smart Loops has released MIDI Drum Loops Vol. 4, an all-new collection of real-feel, live drum grooves. Volume 4 includes 100 unique drum grooves and fills, inspired by artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, and rock drumming legends Jeff Porcaro, Bernard Purdie and John Bonham. These loops are great for blues, country, jazz, shuffle-rock, and other musical styles.

Compatible with GM note mappings, loops are provided in three formats: Standard MIDI File Type 0, Standard MIDI File Type 1, and MIDI Groove Clip (for Session Drummer 2). All drum grooves are un-quantized to retain the live feel of each performance.

MIDI Drum Loops Vol. 4 is available now for $19.

FabFilter has just just launched a holiday sale : until December 31, there is a 25% discount on all FabFilter bundles. So if you don't already know their plug-ins such as FabFilter Timeless (God I love this delay !), well maybe it's time for you to discover something great !

Rayzoon has just released Jamcussion, an hand percussion add-on for Jamstix 2. Not only does it add a wide range of percussive sounds and new style and player models but it also expands the interface of Jamstix 2 to allow the simulation of three dedicated percussionists, complete with separate bar, song and kit editing.

Features :

- expands the Jamstix interface and A.I. with 3 new percussionists
- features its own kit editor, bar editor and brain elements
- 35 percussion instruments covering a wide range of styles and locales
- adds 12 new instrument slots to the Jamstix kit concept
- 26 styles modeling West-African, Latin, Modern and even Middle-Eastern rhythms
- two percussionist player models
- 11 percussion kits, including African, Latin, Darbuka and Udu kits
- 7 quickstart songs
- can be used with the Jamstix A.I., e-drumkits or traditionally via MIDI by the host

Jamcussion is available now at the Rayzoon online store for the holiday discount price of $59.