PC and Music News

FXpansion, has also announced the debut of BFD version 2.1 the follow-up to its BFD acoustic drum software.

New features :

- Overloud's "Breverb BFD2 Edition" is now integrated into the BFD2 mixer – including, Hall, Plate, Room & Inverse algorithms.
- PSP's "Vintage Warmer BFD2 Edition" is now directly available in the BFD2 mixer.
- Improved synth engine supporting varied mic and articulation configurations.
- Many new third party expansion packs are in the pipeline to take advantage of these new features.
- Preset/Kit switching playlist, controllable via MIDI Program Change.
- In-place 'kit-piece preview' before loading.
- 'Load-on-demand RAM' optimization.
- Many new workflow enhancements in the Kit page, such as Copy, Swap and the ability to move kit-pieces between slots when loaded
- Workflow improvements in the "Grooves Page", including new edit tools like the Roll Tool; Drum Track enhancements; Redo as well as Undo

BFD2 is available direct from FXpansion's online store for $399 / €299 / £199, excluding local taxes where applicable. BFD2 upgrade from BFD1.5 is available for a limited time from FXpansion's online store for $199 / €149 / £99, excluding local taxes where applicable. BFD2 & BFD2 Upgrade will also be available at all respectable music retailers in most countries worldwide.

EastWest is offering users additional control over the company's PLAY-Powered instruments with the introduction of PLAY 2.0, which adds editing capabilities. The "editor" featured in PLAY 2.0 is the same software that the company uses to program its PLAY-powered virtual instrument collections.

The PLAY 2.0 upgrade will be available at a price of $299 / €149.

FXpansion, a London-based developer of computer based plug-in effects and synthesizers, today announced the debut of D-CAM: Synth Squad at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. FXpansion employs its proprietary advanced modeling technology to carefully reconstruct the unmatched sound of vintage hardware on the computer desktop. DCAM: Synth Squad will be available worldwide in Q2 2009, price TBA.

D-CAM: Synth Squad is comprised of three modeled synthesizers, Strobe, Cypher and Amber that combine the best features found in classic synths with new modern features. The synths are brought together with Fusor, a semi- modular synth-layering environment. D-CAM: Synth Squad is compatible with all major plug-in formats and sequencing environments, and comes complete with a large suite of ...

Focusrite unveils its first independent collection of VST/AU plug-ins; the aptly named 'Focusrite Plug-in Suite'.

The Focusrite Plug-in Suite provides a collection of EQ, Compression, Reverb and Gating VST/AU plug-ins for tracking and mixing. Each plug-in has a host of factory presets, delivering a suitable starting point for a number of popular sound sources.

The Compressor and Gate have been modeled on Focusrite's hardware devices, using the measurement of Focusrite's custom optos to achieve a vintage optical sound. (All Focusrite optos are tuned by ear, just like in the old days of analogue design, ensuring a faithful recreation of those classic vintage 1960s optical compressors.) The Gate also features multiple modes. It operates as a stereo gate and, in dual mono modes, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another; ideal for a number of creative gating techniques, such as tightening up a bass line.

The EQ module delivers a similar signature to the original Focusrite ISA EQ curves. Focusrite's R&D team worked tirelessly to create an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum. The control layout also mirrors that of the original ISA EQ section; a classic six band EQ, with shelving high and low bands, parametric low mid and high mid bands, and low and high pass filters.

The Reverb is based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs and delivers a remarkable level of sonic quality for the price. Simple controls over room size, Pre-filter and 'Air' lead you to the ideal reverb sound in seconds.

The new Focusrite Plug-in Suite will be available worldwide in January 2009 from a selection of pro audio retailers worldwide. Contact your local distributor for further details.

Solid State Logic is proud to announce that the quality, precision and DSP driven power of SSL plug-ins is now available in new affordable Duende Expanded & Duende Studio Pack options.

There are three new options available :

- Duende Mini Expanded: Duende Mini (includes Channel Strip) + Bus Compressor + 16 to 32 Channel Upgrade.
- Duende Mini Studio Pack: Duende Mini (includes Channel Strip) + Bus Compressor + 16 to 32 Channel Upgrade + Drumstrip + Vocalstrip + X-EQ + X-Comp.
- Duende PCIe Studio Pack: Duende PCIe (includes Channel Strip & Stereo Buss compressor) + Drumstrip + Vocalstrip + X-EQ + X-Comp.

Duende Mini Expanded & Duende Studio Packs are available as of February 2009 via SSL Resellers.

Duende Mini Expanded - $1049
Duende Mini Studio Pack - $1749
Duende PCIe Studio Pack - $1399

At this year's Winter NAMM Show, the Vienna Symphonic Library team have announced that they will be presenting a wealth of innovations at its largest booth in the history of the company. The revelation of the long-awaited Vienna MIR reverb software, the Vienna Suite audio plug-ins, as well as the current update of Vienna Ensemble 3 are giving the company enough reasons to travel with its massive sound proof Presentation Cube, which will appear at their booth, #7101 in Lobby A.

Furthermore, the largest virtual piano ever seen, the Vienna Imperial, will be presented along with other Vienna Instruments by the biggest NAMM team the company has ever brought to the United States.

Vienna MIR
After years of theoretical and applied research, technological changes, hardcore software develop ...