PC and Music News

Digidesign is now shipping the latest release of Pro Tools. It offers numerous new music and post-production features and workflow enhancements for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, and Pro Tools M-Powered users. Topping the list of new features is a powerful, multifaceted new music composition and production tool called Elastic Time. The software also provides improved networking compatibility with Avid Unity ISIS shared storage systems and new support for HD video workflows.

Elastic Time allows users to easily change the tempo and timing of loops, music, dialog, and other sound files in real time without cutting up audio tracks. Users can now easily audition or import loops and audio files that instantly sync with a session's tempo. Users can also use the Elastic Time feature to quantize audio to the session grid or extracted grooves, and fine-tune regions with precise control over each individual beat.

Avid Media Station|PT 2.7 Software with Video Satellite Option: Running on a separate computer, new Avid Media Station|PT 2.7 software coupled with the new Video Satellite Option brings Pro Tools more deeply into the Avid workflow by enabling Pro Tools editors to quickly and easily play Avid video sequences in sync with Pro Tools|HD. The Video Satellite Option eliminates time-consuming video exports and removes all video-processing burdens from the Pro Tools|HD system by synchronizing playback with Media Station|PT on a separate, dedicated computer.

VirSyn announced a suite of 2 virtual analogue tape plug-ins :
- VTAPE Saturator (saturation/ compression/ hiss/distortion/ Zero latence).
- VTAPE Delay ( step-sequencer/ tempo sync up to 32 taps/ rotor effect/ tap tab/ filters Lo/Mid/ High/ real time without clicks/ Zero latence).

Until the 30th of November, VirSyn make an introductory price at 99€ (instead of 169).
You can have the VTAPE suite thru the FX Collection, which contains the new reverb REFLECT, for 229€. Demo avalaible on the website.

Works on OSX 10.4 and windows, formats: VST2.4, AU, RTAS

U-he proudly announces the release of Zebra V2.2. What's new:
• Factory presets were replaced with all new bank by Howard Scarr
• MacOS X 10.5 Leopard compatible
• Presets load way faster. User interface opens almost instantly
• A "compact install" for Muse Receptor compatibility was added to Windows installer
• A factory bank of oscillator module presets was added (also by H. Scarr)
• GUI consistency was improved (i.e. renamed some parameters, too long texts get shortened to fit)
• That infamous MSEG bug is fixed (single trigger MSEG may have caused deadlock)
• The Preset Manager remembers name & location of loaded patch, saved with song
• The editor window opens in the state where you last closed it (doesn't/can't save with song though)
• Global parameters such as FX Returns are available in modulation matrix
• Smoother ModWheel, Breath Controller, Expression and PitchBend
• Speaking of PitchBend, ranges can be set to 0 now to free the Wheel for other tasks
• MidiLearn now requires a conscious decision for a menu entry - preventing users from accidentally Teaching a parameter
• Preset scripting was improved so that 3rd party waveform converters are fully supported (still no decent documentation for scripting though)
• A bug in the reverb diffusion on SSE2 machines got wiped out - if that changes your sound, set "D-Feedb" to 0.00
• The Preset Manager can now be used to create new folders and refresh the directory listing (right/ctrl-click)
• .h2p is now default patch format - set to native to save patches for use within host applications (usually not necessary)
• Text rendering quality on Windows was improved
• There's no more need for Microsoft Runtime Libraries on Windows (finally!)
• One can now import patches made with the Computer Music edition of Zebra aka ZebraCM
• Number of voices can be set to 0 in an Arpeggiator step, making this step a "skip"
• …

Zebra is in available in AU and VST format on Mac and windows. You must have MacOS X 10.3.9 or higher (Panther, Tiger, Leopard) installed to use this software on Apple computers. On PC, Windows 2k/XP/Vista are required.

M-Audio Releases GForce Virtual String Machine, a new virtual instrument that evokes '70's string synthesizers and more: over a dozen of the finest vintage string synthesizers. Emulations included : the Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30 and more. The software manifests in over 60 different Sample Sets spanning the many different settings of these venerable instruments—over 3,200 meticulous samples in all.

More than a preset device, the Virtual String Machine does not stop at simply emulating the best string machines of all time. It allows users to layer any two Sample Sets and apply synthesizer parameters to each layer—creating different envelopes, filter settings, pitch LFO, pan positions, fine-tune amounts and more. The master output stage then provides a vintage-style phaser and/or ensemble to the final patch. While fully programmable, this software instrument also ships with over 500 factory presets.

The Virtual String Machine can function as a stand-alone instrument in conjunction with a MIDI controller. It is also a plug-in compatible with most popular host applications including Pro Tools LE®, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools M-Powered , Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, SONAR, Digital Performer, and ACID. Compatible formats include VST 2.0 (Mac/PC including VSTi), RTAS (Mac/PC) and Audio Units (Mac).

The Virtual String Machine is currently available and carries an MSRP of $149.95 US.

KeyToSound today announced the release of the Production Pack, a suite of essential audio stereo processors, including the following 4 plug-ins:

The Dynamic EQ - a 64-bit, zero-latency signal processor.
- 4 bands with solo feature and individual metering, threshold, ratio, attack, and release settings
- Frequency, bandwidth, and gain settings per band
- Global metering with up to +12db gain output

The Essential Compressor - an extremely versatile and transparent compressor.
- 64 bit processing with responsive VU level indicator for input and output signal
- +/- 24db headroom

The Precision EQ -. Featuring FFT representation of either the input or output signal.
- 7 bands with 7 different filter types per band
- Graphical drag and drop curve, Q, Frequency ...

Samples logic's Ambience Impacts Rhythms has been taken to the next level. This free update has been redesigned to allow the user additional control to shape and effect each instrument. Along with new hot skins, ADSR and delay controls have been implemented to streamline your production process.

What's New and Fixed:
• Hot new skins
• Fixed various default panning issues
• Fixed various default volumes issues
• Added velocity intensity variations to percussive kits
• Added ADSR controls to all instruments
• Rerouted Reverbs and Delays as inserts, not sends
• Added additional delay controls
• Non-working instruments have been fixed

Mac OS 10.4 or later. Windows XP or later
Kontakt Player 2.2.3 / Kontakt 2.2 or later
VST, DXi, RTAS, AU, Standalone

Free update

Available now. Download