PC and Music News

AuraPlug has released Whamdrive, a free VST plug-in for Windows to shift the pitch of an incoming audio signal. It allows you to pitch an incoming audio stream in realtime with an external MIDI foot controller or with the GUI controls. Whamdrive features 14 different pitch modes. The effect also includes a distortion unit with cabinet simulation. It has a special equalization method (uses only one knob) which gives you wide, strong, EQ control.

Features :

- Stompbox design.
- Real-time, low latency processing for live performances.
- Pitch Shifter unit with 14 different pitch modes.
- Distortion unit with cabinet simulation.
- Tone control.
- All parameters are MIDI controllable.
- Easy to use.

Whamdrive is available now for Windows as a VST effect plug-in and it is free.

MeldaProduction has announced the release of MDynamics, an advanced dynamics processor with a clear sound designed for mastering. However, due to its very high speed and zero latency it is suitable for any purpose.

Features :

- 2 independent compressor/expander units with ratios from 1:4 to 20:1 and infinity, adjustable range and knee.
- Advanced gate unit with adjustable size and knee.
- Custom processing shape - by enabling this feature MDynamics immediately inherits original processing envelope and you can modify it using the MeldaProduction envelope system (MES) technology, that lets you easily create any dynamic processing shape you like.
- Advanced and easy-to-use user interface.
- Advanced dynamic detector featuring manual and 4 automatic modes with adjustable limits and speed. Besides standard attack and release parameters MDynamics provides peak/RMS settings and peak hold feature.
- Actual source level indication inside the shape graph.
- Adjustable upsampling 1x-16x to minimize aliasing.
- Signal maximization.
- 3 signal shaping modes, dry/wet control and other supportive parameters that ease your work with MDynamics.
- 64-bit processing and unlimited sampling rate, recommended maximum is 384kHz.
- Global preset management - using a title button you can save your settings, which are shared on the computer, so you can easily access them in other songs.
- Very fast, optimized for SSE and SSE2 processors.
- Full automation (except custom shapes).

MDynamics is available for Windows in VST format. It has an MSRP of €149 but is currently available for the introductory price of €50.

MIT grad student David Merrill unveils Siftables, a curious little thing which may have a lot of applications in the audio world... Check out this video !

MoReVoX has released MoReVoX, a new drum sample library created with distorstion in mind.

DriveDrums has been developed by generating distortion through different kind of devices. Vacum Tubes, Analog Tapes, Preamps are been used to create samples with light to aggressive and violent distorsion. Samples have been divided into two categories: Drive Samples and Over Samples. The Drive Samples have been developed starting from the classic hardware harmonic distortion, so all the samples contain a smoother distortion character (Tape compression warmth, subtle valve saturation). The Over Samples instead are based on distortion; the samples have been developed finding their character in conjunction with the hardware distortion (Valve/Console Preamps, Analog Tape Saturation, Heavy Valve Compression, Dedicated distortion outboard).

MoReVoX DriveDrums contains 30 Kicks, 30 Snares, 8 Toms Racks, 30 Cymbals and more for a total of 800 Samples 24Bit|44.1khz. It is available now in Drumagog, Drum Rehab, Battery 3 and Raw WAV formats for $99 (download) / $129 (DVD).

Bootsie has just announced the release of the successor of its BootEQ equalizer plug-in.

Beside some enhancements in the EQ department BootEQ mkII features a detailed modelled pre-amp section including finest transformer and tube style saturation emulation and audio coloring capabilities.

New EQ improvements are affecting the LF frequency range where now more control is given due to selectable frequencies and a switchable low-cut or peak mode. All other filters and curves remain unchanged.

The soundengine was developed around a further improved and reworked TesslaSE transformer algorithm, runs now in 4x oversampling mode and also contains massive SSE and assembler optimizations.

This free plug-in is available in VST format for SSE compatible PC's. Supported sampling rates are 44.1 and 48kHz.

Univers Sons/Ultimate Sound has just released Percussion Store, a new collection of percussion sounds.

Packed with 100% original sounds, Percussion Store contains more than 150 percussions coming from all over the world for a total of more than 6000 samples:

Afoxe, Agogo, Bata, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau, Birdcall, Blocks, Bongos, Bonko, Cajon, Castanet, Caxixi, Chimes, Chocalho, Claves, Congas, Cowbell-Campana, Cricket, Cuica, Cymbals, Derbuka, Djembe, Dundun, Ganza, Guiros, Jingle Bells, Maracas, Moroccan Tabla, Ocean Drums, Pandeiro, Quinto, Rainstick, RecoReco, Repinique, Shaker, Shekere, Sistre, Sonnaille, Surdo, Tamborim, Tambourine, Tarol, The Blue, Timbalito, Timbau, Tom-Tom, Triangles, Tumba, Udu, Whistles, Wood Block, Yoruba Tamb.

As usual the Ultimate Sound Bank team were really committed into recording quality: first they did use an excellent recording studio with a percussion expert sound engineer, and then use excellent gear: Brawmer and Neumann microphones, Manley, Fearn & Neve preamp and compressors, high end analog to digital converters and the best sounding soundcards in the market.

Percussion Store doesn't contain any loop, only single shots. Of course every instrument was deeply "multi-sampled" in 24 bits / 96 kHz, at dozens of velocity levels when applicable, different playing techniques (depending on the instrument), different hand positions, rolls, etc...

Percussion Store is now available for $149 / €129, and includes the full version of UVI Workstation.