PC and Music News

Following the launch of its new Structure sampler workstation last month, Digidesign extended the Structure family with the introduction of two new versions that will allow even more users to benefit from the plug-in's capabilities. Developed by Digidesign Advanced Instrument Research (A.I.R.) group and optimized exclusively for Pro Tools software, Structure LE ($149 USD) provides many of the same powerful and creative features as its big brother for a fraction of the price, while Structure Free offers a great introduction to Structure sample playback at no charge.

Structure LE and Structure Free both support playback of native Structure files (all versions of Structure can play any file created with any version of Structure). Both also support playback of unencrypted SampleCell (1 and ...

NuGen Audio has released version 2.6 of Stereoizer in both Mac OS X VST/AU and Windows VST formats, featuring an updated GUI and several control enhancements.

Stereoizer is designed for adding adjustable stereo spread to mono or stereo input signals. Stereoizer can generate the full range of stereo enhancement, from subtle depth control to full dynamic shifting and phase realignment. Great for percussion parts, lifeless pads, static lead sounds - anything that needs that little bit extra.

Originally available for Windows Stereoizer is now also available for Mac OS X in VST and Audio Units formats. It costs $39 and demo versions are available.

New features:
* New GUI.
* Dedicated Bypass control.
* Undo.
* Redo.
* A/B memories.
* A/B memory recall.
* Integrated peak-hold level meter.
* Level margin.
* Numeric parameter readouts.
* Direct numerical parameter entry.
* Mono-collapse feature.
* Primary algorithm on/off control.

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Mu Technologies recently released the Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary VST versions of Mu Voice, a new plug-in that allows you to tune your vocal recordings, apply special effects and add natural sounding harmonies when mixing your track. Mu Technologies has developed proprietary spectral analysis and synthesis techniques for vocal processing providing a unique tool for your recording studio. With an internal delay of 5.8 ms Mu Voice is the ideal vocal processor to perform live on stage.

Mu Voice is currently available for the introductory price of $199 ($259 MSRP); demo versions are available. AU, RTAS and stand-alone versions are expected to be released soon.

CEntrance, Inc., announced that MicPort Pro has begun shipping. MicPort Pro is a portable, low noise USB mic preamp featuring 24-bit/96kHz performance, 48V phantom power, zero latency monitoring, loud headphone output, and knobs for input and output level. MicPort Pro offers driverless, "wizard-free" installation and lets users record with most Windows XP/Vista and Mac OS X audio applications. MicPort Pro ships with a 6' USB cable and a carrying pouch. Users can download free software tools for recording and mixing from the CEntrance website.

List price for MicPort Pro is $149.95 in the U.S. with a MAP of $124.95.

VirSyn introduces REFLECT, an algorithmic reverberation plugin which combines the flexibility of vintage algorithmic reverbs with the sonic quality of convolution based reverbs.

The creation of high quality reverb needs a realistic simulation of the important early reflections together with a smooth and colorless reverberation tail. The early reflections are the most important clue for the human ear to get a feeling about the dimension and character of a room. Most algorithmic reverbs offer a number of different algorithms to simulate different natural rooms like chamber, halls or artificial ones like plates.

REFLECT uses impulse responses from real acoustic spaces and classical reverb algorithms to emulate their acoustical properties.