PC and Music News

Heil Sound has introduced the PR 48 large diaphragm dynamic microphone designed for kick drum use.

The PR 48 features a 1.5-inch diameter element, and is mounted in a vulcanized double shock mount, which offers complete isolation within a rugged cast metal housing. The PR 48 metal housing was designed with a slanted entrance to the 3 pin XLR so the cable assembly is easier to connect. A specially designed low pass filter sets the -3 dB hinge points at 30Hz and 8kHz with a +10 dB peak from 50 Hz to 80 Hz. The response rolls off at 8kHz, which helps control unwanted top end "noise" inside the drum, while keeping frequencies critical to kick drum harmonics found when the beater meets the drum head. The microphone provides a 600-ohm balanced output and can handle over 150 dB of SPL.

The PR 48 is available now at a price of $220.

LiquidSonics has updated its fantastic reverb plug-in Reverberate to version 1.230.

Reverberate seeks to provide a richer and more dynamic sounding reverb from impulse responses by optionally modulating an amalgamation of two, separately controllable IRs using an LFO. Further modulation is possible using the post-processing effects; an all-pass interpolator chorus provides a fuller sound and an over-sampled analogue prototype paragraphic equaliser is provided with dual LFOs. These features make for a livelier sound than typically associated with some convolution reverbs.

This new version features 29 new true stereo presets powered by 26 new true stereo IRs bringing the total number of factory presets to 48. Many of the new presets utilise 8 channels of convolution (using IR1 and IR2 both loaded with true stereo impulse responses) providing a full, rich reverb.

Priced at £30, Reverberate is available for Windows (VST) and Mac OS X (VST/AU).

Here comes the "Yellow Tools Christmas Special" :

"For the 10th anniversary of yellow tools, this year's Christmas Special will be something really great!

30% discount for all yellow tools products* - including the Independence Download Instruments.

Additionally all customers who purchase Download Instruments for a total amount of 100 EUR or higher still also get the Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite for free - so you can really save money this Christmas!This Special starts on December 1st and ends on December 31st 2009.

* the yellow tools Authorisation Key (USB Dongle), EDU versions and Multi-Licenses are not part of this special."

For more details, visit :

Urs Heckmann, aka u-he, is happy to let you know that he has released ACE (Any Cable Everywhere) in version 1.0.

According to u-he, ACE delivers top quality sound at a highly competitive price. The selection of modules and clear layout make ACE the ideal instrument for newcomers delving into the fascinating world of modular synthesis. The number of ways to connect modules together is practically infinite, and you will soon discover how much more fun it is to make your own sounds in ACE than in a non-modular synthesizer.

Features :

• 2 x LFO (1 sine, 1 sine/tri/saw/sqr) 0Hz - 20kHz.
• 2 x ADSR (same as Bazille).
• 2 x VCO (saw/PWM) 0Hz - 20kHz, VCO1 with SubOsc.
• 2 x VCF (two variable outlets each: LP1/LP2/LP3/LP4, HP/BP/BR).
• 2 x VCA/Pan.
&b ...

XLN Audio announces the release of the Funk ADpak for Addictive Drums.

The Funk ADpak, focusing on contemporary funk beats and sounds, lays down the groove and lets you produce hot funky music in no time. Funk features a granite sparkle Pearl Reference Series kit with a 22" bass drum and a thick 14" snare drum. The four included toms range from a small 10" tom down to a 16" floor tom. The cymbal section consists of three crashes from Sabian and Paiste along with a 13" Paiste heavy hi-hat and a 22" Sabian Artisan ride.

The Funk ADpak comes with more than 400 live recorded MIDI grooves in contemporary style and a wide range of tempos and feels. The included Master Funk Grooves are long MIDI files, up to 32 bars divided into Verse, Bridge, Chorus and Middle8 ready to be dragged and drop ...

Crysonic today announced the release of Sindo v3 and availability in Native Mac OS X AU, VST (PPC /Intel Mac) and PC VST formats.

Sindo v3 is Crysonics third generation professional stereo image Expander (widener) / Narrowing audio plug-in processor. It includes an industry first Stereo image compression feature, this is not to be confused with audio level compression however it is a proprietary stereo field width compression system developed by crysonic which is fully automated and working at zero latency allowing the user to attain maximum stereo width and retain mono compatibility with minimal side effects. Another important new and proprietary tool made available with Sindo V3 is the multi-band Stereo Dynamics section with smoothing which further adds better stereo presence and def ...