PC and Music News

XILS-lab is proud to announce the release of its new product : the polyKB. The polyKB is a recreation of a very rare, very powerful polyphonic synthesizer released in the 80's by a french company. It is a polyphonic substractive synthesizer based on two waveform morphing, aliasing free oscillators and a self oscilating 4 poles low pass filter.

One of its features, never heard on other analog synthesizers, was the continuously modulated waveform, sort of a modulated waveform morphing. Recreating this feature in the digital domain, without aliasing was a very big challenge.

Features :

• two aliasing-free morphing oscillators: from triangle to pulse, through saw.
• one 4 poles low pass self oscillating filter
• two envelope generators (ADSR)
• two MIDI sy ...

SPL has released a beta version of DrumXchanger, a plug-in that can replace drum sounds in multitrack sessions irrespective of their level.

The beta version is now available for download for Windows and Mac OS X. A 750 MB sample library is included. An iLok is required.

Steinberg is pleased to announce an upcoming free update to its Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 Music Production Systems. The free update to version 5.5 adds new features and capabilities as well as a range of enhancements to existing instruments, functionality and workflow.

"We're proud to offer such a large range of improvements in a free update, it's a way for us to thank our customers for choosing Cubase," comments Helge Vogt, Steinberg's Product Marketing Manager for Cubase and the HALion product range. "The enhancements cover many areas of the application, from multi-core support and a new video engine to added automation features and updates for the onboard instruments, to name but a few. The 5.5 update underlines our vision for Cubase, that it is not just a piece of software, it's ...

For all the track and songwriters with tight deadlines and a mobile work situation out there, Toontrack, in collaboration with DSP developers par excellance Overloud, has developed EZmix.

EZmix is a simple (EZ), yet powerful, mixing tool that gives you access to a huge array of mix presets for the whole gamut of mixing needs. Whether you need to mix drums, vocals, guitars, bass or keyboards this is your tool.

Simply connect EZmix to a channel strip in your sequencer like you would any plug-in, pick a preset for the instrument or sound on that strip. Done. For demo purposes or in full on production EZmix will cut your studio time, speed up and enhance your creative process from the initial hook to the final track.

Priced at €49, EZmix is a Mac and PC compatible, AU, RTAS and VST plug-in delivered with a wide variety of mix presets, with a heavy accent on your drum mixing needs, designed by Toontrack Music Head Of Sound Design Mattias Eklund.

Roland is proud to introduce the Lucina AX-09, a compact shoulder synthesizer designed to fit all musicians — even kids.

Features :

• Stylish, lightweight, compact design
• Easy-to-use, intuitive user interface
• 150 high-quality sounds that cover a wide stylistic range
• 37-note velocity-sensitive keyboard, 128-voice polyphony
• External-In Jack and USB-Memory Audio Player Function
• Runs on AC or battery power

The Lucina AX-09 is scheduled to ship in May with a suggested retail price of $699.

Toontrack Music announces a new product line for its drum sampler Superior Drummer 2.0 - S2.0 Producer Presets. To launch its first ever release under the new line, Toontrack has collaborated with allenmorganaudio to create a versatile presets package designed by acclaimed producer/mixer/re-mixer himself, Allen Morgan.

Allen Morgan has worked with a diverse range of artists spanning from country giants such as Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Reba McIntire to pop acts like NSYNC and rock acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Stevie Nicks. Allen is known for his innovative mixing and his ability to create unique, expansive soundscapes and being able to lend a contemporary touch to all his work without ever losing track of the organic feel. Aside from traditional mixing and producing, he is also ...