PC and Music News

Toontrack Music is proud to present the Monster MIDI Pack. This pack contains more than 400 MIDI files, individually played by drummer Peter Fredlander. Available as 4/4 straight and 4/4 Swing in various tempos and divided into :

· Hats intro variations
· Hats open/closed grooves
· Cymbal grooves
· Hats/ride sidestick grooves
· Tom & Snare grooves
· Fills
· Intro Fills

The Monster MIDI Pack works with EZdrummer and Superior Drummer®, optimized for standard drum kits : 1 kick, 1 snare, 2 toms, 1 floortom, 2 crash-cymbals, 1 ride-cymbal (GM).

The Monster MIDI Pack is available now for $19/€15 in the Toontrack webshop.

Let me introduce you to Jasuto, the first truly modular synthesizer for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Jasuto seems to be like a tiny Reactable for your iPhone. Best of all, there's also a VST version ! The iPhone app and VST versions can communicate with each other over your wi-fi network. When in this mode the app acts like a high resolution multi-touch remote controlling the VST in your host software. You can also sync patches via this method as well, giving you the ability to share them with others or just back them up…




Jasuto is available now through the iTunes Store at a price of $1/€0.79.

BBE Sound has developed a suite of dynamics and audio enhancement tools for every facet of digital audio production. The BBE Sonic Suite supports RTAS and AudioSuite formats.

BBE Sonic Suite Includes :

• D82 Sonic Maximizer – Heralded as the "Magic Black Box," the BBE Sonic Maximizer restores natural clarity and depth to the sound image
• H82 Harmonic Maximizer – Multi-Band Enhancer generates harmonics for adding emphasis to frequencies from low-end punch to top-end sizzle
• L82 Loudness Maximizer – A simple yet effective Mastering/Dynamics Limiter that fattens up tracks for a polished, professional feel

The BBE Sonic Suite will be available at a price of $279.

Today we are glad to publish an article about MOTU BPM aka Beat Machine Production.

BPM combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80's and 90's. It comes with a 15 GB library and it can sample too.

Want to learn more ?

Then...

NUSofting has announced Strings Dream Synthesizer, a new instrument plug-in able to reproduce the infinite array of rich, analogue pads from the most famous strings machines in synthesizer history - emulating the classic Eminent Solina as well as its sister keyboards from Elka, Crumar and even their Japanese cousins.

Strings Dream Synthesizer does not use samples. Instead the "octave divider" circuitry typical of those early polyphonic synths has been natively emulated, so that all sounds are computed in realtime in true VA fashion.

The fundamental "Ensemble" effect (like the vintage Solina chorus) accurately follows the architecture of its hardware counterpart, including the BBD chip behaviour for truly rich modulation. However, it has been extended for a wider range of "chorus" effects.

Strings Dream Synthesizer is easy to use. Its layout and features take their cue from and expand upon the familiar Solina design, with only the necessary controls to achieve the textures of the other strings machines.

Features :

- A full ADSR envelope generator and Waveform selection (for several strings and organs sounds).
- Volume fader and switch for each of 6 stops (C.Bass, Cello, Brass, Horn, Viola and Violin). The fader for each stop allows an almost infinite number of mixtures.
- A powerful parameter to tune the relative phase of Violin wave against the other voices.
- Brightness and highpass filters are also adjustable.
- More performance flexibility with MIDI velocity and polyphonic mode selectable.
- Note also that the C.Bass and Cello are monophonic with full legato mode and you can select one of eight keyboard split points, allowing you to layer the mono voices with the others.
- Chorus "Ensemble" effect.
- Four-stage Phaser for those famous "Jarre pads".
- Exclusive reverb with the ability to morph on request to that "trembling" sound of the vintage spring reverb units.

Strings Dream Synthesizer will be released in May 2009, first as VST plug-in and later as an AU plug-in. Estimated price $89 USD.

BPM version 1.02 is now available as a free, downloadable update for all registered BPM users. Version 1.02 introduces more new features, including Step Sequencer shortcuts and abilities, MIDI beat clock sync, MIDI modulation, expanded Metronome controls, and One Shot pads.

Here is a brief overview of the new features in BPM version 1.0.2 :

• Loading slice loops into banks — you can now drag & drop a slice loop onto a bank to automatically load individual slices onto the bank's 16 pads.
• One shot pads — "one shot" means that the entire sample will play (note-off info is ignored).
• Step Sequencer enhancement — you can now copy the pattern in any step sequencer line and paste it to another line.
• Double Resolution — this new step sequencer feature lets you quickly double the resolution of the step grid.
• Preview volume slider — you can now control the volume of preview playback in the browser.
• Enhanced metronome — you can now turn the metronome on or off as desired and control its volume.
• Beat clock sync — the stand-alone version of BPM now resolves to incoming Beat Clock.
• MIDI modulation — BPM parameters can now be controlled with MIDI modulation, similar to MOTU's other instrument products.