PC and Music News

Yamaha today releases a new operating system (Version 1.10) for their Motif XS line of music workstations, adding new functionality and features and bringing more flexibility and creativity to their users.

New features :

- Support for USB ASCII keyboards.
- Saving of user name for network computers.
- Copy punch In and Punch Out from Locations 1 and 2.
- Holding notes while changing track or part in Song/Pattern mode

Yamaha has also released a new Voice and Multi-Part editor with enhanced Drum Kit and Utility features.

Based on the technology already proven with Octopus, genoQs Machines has released Nemo, their new MIDI sequencer.

Nemo is a highend machine, continuing their tradition of realtime everything MIDI instruments. With the interaction and function model of Octopus being adapted to a new interface, Nemo's particular strength lies in its compact, portable format.

Features :

- 90+ Tactile switches and 9 endless encoders for interactive access
- 93 LEDs (tri-color) used to display both numeric and quantitative data
- 64 pages (i.e. "patterns")
- 4 tracks per page, 16 steps each
- 4 concurrent pages, i.e. 16 concurrent tracks
- Page tracks freely chain-able to structures of up to 64 steps
- Per track velocity, pitch, length and start factors, MIDI channel and CC
- Individual clock multiplier/divisor per track
- Individual and editable runtime directions per track
- Polyphonic steps, of up to 7 notes (chords or multi-trigger)
- Track self modulation, via step events
- Cross modulation of tracks (via the Effector)
- MIDI note and CC recording and playback per track
- 32 MIDI channels via 2 dedicated MIDI ports

Nemo is available now for a fee of €1399.

Toontrack has just announced the release of its long awaited Superior Drummer 2.0.

Superior Drummer 2.0 has been re-developed for optimized use with e-drums with more effective use of sample layers and much improved loading times. It includes custom MIDI played by Nir Z accessed through the all new customized MIDI engine and arranger EZplayer pro, it also features stand alone capacity through Toontrack solo. From premium UK based software developer Sonalksis Superior Drummer 2.0 has been fitted with 5-band EQ, high and low pass filter, compressor, gate and transient designer filters.

The new interface is reminiscent of EZdrummer with its simple handling and lay out but gives its user layer upon layer of in depth features to create the "ultimate drum track".

Superior Drummer 2.0 is available now in VST, AU and RTAS formats for Mac OS X and Windows at a retail price of $349 / €249. Note that upgrade and crossgrade offers are also available. This first release contains the Superior Drummer 2.0 sampler engine and Vol.1 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series". Vol.1 contains extensive recordings from Avatar Studios in New York.

The second release, Vol.2 of the "New York Studio Legacy Series", is planned for Q1 2009 and will complement these recordings with sessions from the legendary Hit Factory and Allaire studios in New York city and upstate New York.

IK Multimedia has just announced the release of the Total Guitar and Bass Gear Bundle, a bundle of plug-ins which includes the entire "Powered by AmpliTube" range.

Features :

- AmpliTube® 2, Ampeg® SVX, AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix , AmpliTube Metal and AmpliTube X-GEAR
- Over 150 analog models of classic guitar & bass gear
- 5 separate modules: tuner, configurable Stomp pedal board, Amp head, Cabinet + Mic, and Rack Effects
- 51 stomps, 26 amps, 33 cabinets, 11 mics and 23 rack effects on 2 rigs in a single interface
- Standalone and VST/AU/RTAS plug-in for all popular DAWs
- Includes SpeedTrainer for playing along with your favorite recordings
- Control your rig via StompIO or traditional MIDI controller and X-GEAR
- Mac OS X (including Leopard) and XP/Vista compatible

For a li ...

Steinberg lowers the prices of Cubase 4 and WaveLab 6 as of July 1st, 2008 to €599.00 (SRP). The pricing for several upgrades has also been reduced. Customers who have recently purchased Cubase 4 at the old recommended retail price may request a voucher for a special rebate on a future purchase in the Steinberg Online Shop.

Native Instruments has just released Urban Arsenal, the latest entry in the Kore Soundpack range. Created in collaboration with established urban music producers and sound designers, Urban Arsenal provides a "versatile assortment of professional hip-hop grooves, drum kits and instrument sounds" for use in KORE 2 and the free KORE PLAYER software instrument.

Urban Arsenal is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 EUR.