PC and Music News

As E-MU prepares the release of its next generation Emulator X3 Streaming Sampling Synthesizer software, they have released, for free, the full version of the Proteus VX Software Sound Module software which includes the enhanced v2.0.1 Proteus X Composer Bank (a special E-MU tweaked version of the Composer bank) that can be used in all versions of the Proteus X or Emulator X software.

For more information, please visit the link below :

Behringer unveils the new U-CONTROL UMA25S, a super-slim controller keyboard with a fully fledged USB audio interface.

Features :

- Ultra-slim design
- 25 velocity-sensitive keys
- 8 assignable rotary controllers, pitch bend, mod wheel and transport controls
- Stereo USB audio interface with mic and line level inputs
- Headphone with boom mic included
- Gig bag and strap included
- DC, battery or USB powered
- Ships with energy/XT2 Compact BEHRINGER Edition DAW software and 100 plug-ins
- Mac and Windows (XT and Vista) compatible

US MSRP - $189.99

De la Mancha has announced the release of version 2.0 of pitchfork which is now multi-band.

pitchfork is a 3 band pitch shifter / modulator, covering everything from subtle doubling to total pitch destruction. Each band can be shifted in pitch and has its own tempo sync LFO for modulation madness or subtle wandering. You can split the bands into low, mid and high ranges, or leave all 3 as full spectrum bands to double or treble up the original audio.

Features :

- 3 bands, can be split into low/mid/high frequencies or full spectrum
- each band can be shifted and modulated independantly by it's own shifter/LFO
- shift each band by +/- 36.00 semitones
- tempo sync LFOs from 1/16th to 32 beats
- LFOs have 20 waveforms with PWM for pulse and smoothing for random
- LFO gives further modulation by +/- 36.00 semitones
- LFO phase adjustment +/- 360 degrees
- mute each band for sound design
- midi CC's assigned to each control

pitchfork is available now for Windows in VST format and is priced at $15.

ReFX has just released Nexus² which comes with over 70 new features and improvements. Here are most important ones :

- Expansion Dance Vol.2 already included! - 128 new presets, 500 MB of new samples
- Three skins (Black 'evil', Black 'good' and Cobalt) included for free
- New FX: analog phaser from Arts Acoustic - up to 16 stages. Smooth as silk
- New FX: stereo enhancer - widen or narrow the stereo field
- Feature Matrix: layers can be switched on/off separately
- New section: oscillator mix level
- Oscillators can be switched on/off separately
- Volume- and pan-control for each oscillator

Nexus² is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU and RTAS formats at a price of €299.99 / $349.99. Upgrades are available. Note that a Syncrosoft eLicenser (dongle) is now required and can be purchased from reFX if you don't already have one.

Propellerhead has announced the release of three new software bundles : Reason Premium Edition, Studio Combo, and Rhythm Combo.

The Reason Premium Edition ($599/€499) includes a full version of Reason, bundled together with the four complete Hypersampled ReFills (Reason Drum Kits, Reason Pianos, Abbey Road Keyboards and Reason Electric Bass sound libraries).

The Propellerhead Studio Combo ($299/€249) bundles the four Hypersampled Reason sound libraries — Reason Drum Kits, Reason Pianos, Abbey Road Keyboards and Reason Electric Bass ReFills — in one package.

The Propellerhead Rhythm Combo ($149/€149) bundles the Reason Drum Kits and Reason Electric Bass ReFills into one package.

All three packages will be available in Europe and Asia on August 5, 2008 and in North America on August 25, 2008.

Tascam has launched the GT-R1, a new portable recorder for guitar and bass players.

Based on the DR-1 recorder, the GT-R1 features a pair of built-in condenser microphones which allows to capture rehearsals and live shows. Musicians can also plug directly into the instrument input to record with amp simulation and effects. The GT-R1 includes a rhythm player for instant inspiration, and a 1GB SD Card and rechargeable battery are included to get started right away.

Features :

- Portable stereo recording with built-in condenser microphones
- MP3 or WAV file recording, up to 48kHz/24-bit
- 1/4" Instrument input for Guitar or Bass
- Amp simulation and multi-effects
- Over 80 rhythm tracks in a variety of styles
- Overdub function allows users to record over an existing track
- Powered microphone input
- Low cut filter and analog limiter on input
- Loop and change the speed of music playback without changing the pitch to learn and transcribe new music
- Guitar and Bass canceller allows musicians to play along
- Includes 1GB SD Card and rechargeable battery
- USB 2.0 Connection to computer for file transfer and charging
- Optional AK-DR1 includes a tabletop stand, microphone clip and windscreen

For more information, please visit the link below :