PC and Music News

Goldbaby has released the Tape-101, a sampled instrument library dedicated to the legendary 80's analog synth Roland SH-101. As usual Goldbaby hasn't just sampled the synth naked, he had to let the sounds get caressed by tape first !

Features :

• First synth to get "Goldbaby's tape love"
• 1658 x 24 bit samples
• Over 70 x Instrument Patches
• Compatible with Logic's EXS24 and Kontakt 3 (Full retail version needed)

The Tape-101 is available now for $49. Audio examples are available at :

The MBase 11 by JoMoX is available now. This analog Bass Drum synth has the following features :

• 110 presets (10 User RAM, 100 FLASH)
• Fully analog sound engine with storeable parameters
• Analog envelopes
• LFO with 8 waveforms: Saw +/-, Sine +/-, Tri +/-, Rect +/-, modulates the pitch, midi syncroniseable
• LED display, 7-segment 3 digit
• Midi In/Midi Out
• 1 data wheel, 1 potentiometer, 5 buttons, 16 LEDs for parameters and functions
• 1 mono out 1/4" RCA jack, ~0dBu output level
• External input: analog trigger, sensivity adjustable

The MBase 11 has an MSRP of €249.

Image Line has announcd the release of Deckadance v1.5. Available for Mac and PC, this version gains a new audio, supports batch beat-analysis of the songs (reducing load times/CPU load during a performance) and time-stretching/compression technology. DJs can enjoy new playlist design with variable font sizes, view modes and the ability to import iTunes playlists.

To aid setup, the input and outputs of the program now appear as stereo channels making installation and routing of audio inputs/outputs more intuitive. Finally, users can choose between "Auto" or "Manual" beatgrid analysis modes, on a song-by-song basis, according to their preferences and the complexity of the source audio.

The newest release of Deckadance 1.5 also provides :

• Native support for the last generation of midi controllers (Vestax VCI-300, DJ-Tech Kontrol One, Stanton SCS-3D, Hercules DJ Control Steel, EKS Otus, Omnitronic MMC-1)
• Improved seek waveform that shows the start and cue points
• OpenGL render engine for Windows
• Unicode support for playlist/browser items
• Beatgrid move via mouse over the waveform
• Improved DVS engine when elastique time-stretching is disabled, etc.
• Option to switch between the old and new sound engine by the improved interface of the setup panel
• Fully compatible with Open Labs DBeat portable DJ instruments

MOTU has announced the release of a new maintenance update for Volta, its virtual instrument plug-in that allows users to play and automate modular synthesizers — or any hardware equipped with control voltage (CV) inputs — from their favorite host audio workstation software. Version 1.02 has numerous enhancements and is recommended for all users.

Volta v1.02 is available as a free, downloadable update for all registered Volta users. For complete details, see the PDF documentation included in the updater download.

FabFilter today announces the release of Timeless 2, the successor to the original Timeless delay plug-in.

Key features :

• Two independent delay lines with tap feature and host tempo synchronization with fully adjustable offset
• Classic perfectly modeled tape delay mode that changes the pitch when the delay time changes
• Unique time-stretch mode that speeds up or slows down the sound, keeping the pitch constant when the delay time changes
• Individual delay line panning
• Freeze button to keep repeating the current delay line buffer
• Two independent multi-mode filters with 11 different filter characteristics, based on FabFilter's unique digital filter technology
• Unique mid/side processing mode that lets you delay the mid and side signals ...

CME unveils the WIDI-XU, a stunning "flash disk-like" wireless MIDI interface. The WIDI-XU is the smallest member of the WIDI family, needing no MIDI IN/OUT port, just an USB plug.

Simply plug it into your computer, to enable wireless Duplex MIDI data transfer with other CME WIDI products. The WIDI-XU is quite compact and cheap, making it a great choice as a wireless MIDI system for computer use. The WIDI-XU even provides one-to-multi communication; one WIDI-XU can connect to many wireless MIDI devices, up to 64 MIDI channels. The WIDI-XU also has the same capability as other larger WIDI products, for example: 80m maximum wireless range, powerful error correction with automatic notes-off and on-line detection etc.

Main features :

• USB class compliant for Win XP and Mac OS ...