PC and Music News

Sound Libraries and Pro Audio developer Prime Loops have announced a new section which contains a large selection of Free Music Production Tutorials, Tips & Tricks that you can download directly from their website. You can watch the videos online, or download them for your PC/Mac/iPhone or MP4 Compatible device. There are also a good selection of step by step PDF Tutorials with helpful screenshots which can be downloaded for free too.

The tutorials span a variety of genres and techniques for programmes such as Logic, Ableton, FL Studio, Reason, MPC and others with around 10 new video tutorials added monthly and future videos in the making for Garageband, Cubase, Pro Tools and many others.

Current Tutorials include 'The Reverse Vocal Effect' and 'Clever Automation' also 'Vocoder Vocals' and 'The Art of Compression' plus dozens more.

The tutorials cover basic to advanced techniques, and aside from the programme specific tutorials, there are also tutorials such as 'EQ Masterclass' 'Licensing your music for TV & Film' and many other tips and tricks that will appeal to all levels of music composers.

Softube has updated Metal Amp Room to v1.1.4.

Changes :

- Added presets from Tue Madsen.
- Framework updates that should not affect this product.
- Fixed GUI bugs on Pro Tools 8 (Windows only).
- Updated DSP framework to provide better stability and performance (Mac Native and Windows only).

KRK Systems today announced the availability of the R6 passive studio monitor. The R6 incorporates design cues from KRK's Rokit line, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet.

The R6, like its Rokit brethren, provides a sleeker, more modern look that KRK claims to be as functional as it is beautiful. A key component to the new look is the molded front baffle. This design feature virtually eliminates diffraction distortion caused by standard flat baffles.

The R6 leverages KRK's research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The curved front baffle was engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles. The baffle also houses a molded f ...

After nearly two years of research, Modartt is proud to finally present the long awaited and much improved version 3 of Pianoteq.

Version 3 includes two new beautiful piano instruments, Grand C3 and M3, which are based on a new acoustic model that simulates the sound radiation of the soundboard and cabinet. An advanced microphones setting lets you combine up to 5 microphones into 5 output channels to change the colour and perspective of the piano sound.

Using the newly extended model, Pianoteq 3 is now able to reproduce two new electric pianos with a gorgeous sound - the Rhody and Wurly add-ons.

Features :

- New acoustic model
- Mic position - up to 5 mics
- Multi channel - up to 5 channels
- New grand pianos C3 and M3
- New electric pianos: Rhody and Wurly
- New effects: Tremolo and Limiter
- New parameters: pickup position, sound speed, and more...
- New interface design
- Unlimited perspectives
- Advanced preset and parameter manager
- 64-bit version available for Vista x64


Priced at €249, Pianoteq 3 is available now in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions for both Mac OS X and Windows. Note that this new version is a free upgrade to all registered customers. The Rhody and Wurly add-ons can be purchased for €49. Audio examples are available at :

DSK Music has released the Hispasonic Sampled Series, a collection of free high quality multi-sample instruments in collaboration with Hispasonic.com.

Hispasonic Sampled Series includes :

- HS Vintage Keys: 6 classic keyboards (Clavinet, Dyno Rhodes, DX7 Rhodes, Hohner Pianet, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer).
- HS Saxotopia: 3 saxophones (tenor, soprano and alto).
- HS Dynamic Guitars: 3 guitars (acoustic, nylon and steel).
- HS Classic Grand Piano: Steinway piano in three variations: standard, bright and damped.

The instruments include multiple velocity zones and are available in four formats: Kontakt, SampleTank, SoundFont and GigaStudio (every format is about 270 Mb in size, ~195 Mb download).

Visit Hispasonic for more information (spanish), audio demos and download links :

Chameleon Labs has also announced the release of the 7602 MKII Mic Pre/EQ.

The 7602 MKII is the sequel to Chameleon Labs' popular 100% discrete, Class 'A', vintage inspired 7602 Mic Pre/EQ. The 7602 MKII employs a classic circuit design, polystyrene capacitors, a gold contact gain selector and custom wound transformers. New features include: selectable mic impedance, LED input metering, and sleek anodized aluminum knobs. A factory installed Carnhill® Mic and Output transformer modification ($249 MSRP) is now offered as an upgrade. The 7602 MKII now includes an inline transformer power supply. The rackmountable CPS-1 can still be ordered separately, but it is no longer required.

The 7602 MKII Mic Pre/EQ carries an MSRP of $739.