PC and Music News

IZotope releases Alloy, a new plug-in that provides key sound shaping effects for your tracks and busses, bringing them to life with six processors designed to give character to every element of your mix :

• Dynamics : new Vintage mode, sidechaining, more.
• Transient Shaper : enhance percussive sounds.
• De-Esser : tame vocal sibilance.
• Exciter : with Harmonic Scaling XY pad.
• Limiter : zero latency, advanced phase tools.
• Equalizer : exceptional sonic quality, precise controls.
• MacroPresets : over 150 presets.

Alloy is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS, DX and MAS plug-in formats at a price of $249.

SoundToys is about to unveil a new plug-in at the upcoming AES.

Decapitator models the saturation or distortion created when driving professional analog studio equipment. SoundToys analyzed vintage and modern classics from Neve, API, Ampex, EMI and Thermionic Culture, and more to create accurate models of high-end studio gear. Decapitator creates that highly sought after analog sound from subtle harmonic changes to extreme driven distortion.

Decapitator features an intuitive interface with the look and feel of classic analog gear. A selection of tone controls including high cut, low cut, and a single "Tone" knob give you additional shaping control that take many of these classic sounds past their original design. The "Punish" button pushes even more gain through the modeled saturation circuits for more extreme drive. It also features a "Mix" control for blending the original sound with the sound of Decapitator, without the need for routing and bussing, and built-in auto leveling controls the output volume for a perfect balance automatically, even in the "Punish" mode.

Available 4th quarter 2009 for TDM/RTAS/AudioSuite, AudioUnits, and VST. More details and demo versions will be posted on their website as they become available.

Nomad Factory proudly announces the launch of their long-awaited Pultec Program EQ Emulation Plug-ins called PULSE-TEC EQs. From October 1 to 10, 2009, the new PULSE-TEC EQs will be sold exclusively at DontCrack alone or as part of a 27 plug-ins bundle offer proposed at the incredible price of only $249. PULSE-TEC EQ's is $149 alone.

The PULSE-TEC EQs combines the legendary Pultec Mid-Range Equalizer MEQ-5 and the Pultec Program Equalizer EQP-1A into a single plug-in. The PULSE-TEC EQs sections can be enabled or disabled individually or used simultanously for a full range of powerful analog equalizations. Nomad added an analog pre-amp section which adds input and output level controls, as well as a simple 'Clipper' limiter at the master output section.

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Novation unveils Launchpad, their hands-on, interactive controller for Ableton Live.

Launchpad is a compact controller designed to give electronic music makers of today the most interactive experience possible in Ableton Live. It communicates bi-directionally with the software to give users real-time session feedback: now you really can Play Live.

Brainworx has just updated its mastering processor bx_digital to version 2.0.

Features :

• 3 Modes (M/S mastering, M/S recording, L/R stereo).
• New and unique 6-knob Center Section (individual PAN for Mid and Side Signals).
• 11-band EQ (TDM, RTAS, VST, AU) incl. Shifter EQs up to 22 kHz.
• Built-in De-Esser / dynamic EQ (1 kHz - 22 kHz).
• Improved Mono-Maker (20 Hz-2kHz).
• Precise Correlation- and Balance-Metering.
• Individual Bypass and Link for every feature.
• 4 Presets, Copy/Paste, Undo/Redo for all functions.
• New Auto-Solo and Auto-Listen modes for TDM & Native.

bx_digital is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS and TDM plug-in formats. It costs €398 including VAT ($502) for the native versions; €598 including VAT ($879) for TDM. All users of bx_digital v1.x (Native & TDM) can upgrade for €98 / €149 (Native / TDM).

Arturia announces that is has updated its reproduction of the legendary Yamaha CS-80, the CS-80V to version 2.0.

The main improvements are :

• VCF audio quality improvements
• Ring modulator audio quality improvements
• A revolutionary preset navigation system called SoundMap
• Lower CPU utilization on Mac OSX
• Better Audio Unit compatibility (Digital Performer most notably)
• Ability to use NRPN midi messages for automation
• Better handling of control surfaces while changing preset
• Fresh batch of presets made by a selection of top sound designers
• MIDI RPN "pitch bend range" message is now recognized
• New Syncrosoft copy protection
• Numerous bug fixes

The upgrade is free for all registered users.