PC and Music News

Schwa has announced the release of CMX Stereo Microshifter, a new plug-in which thickens and enhances monophonic audio by doubling the signal and applying small amounts of pitch shift and/or time delay to each side.

This technique is often applied to vocals or lead lines. With a light hand, CMX can add just enough fullness to give a part extra presence in a mix. With a heavier hand, CMX can create a rich and polished "expensive production" sound. The added presence is especially effective in musical styles that make minimal use of reverb.

CMX uses a new, unique pitch identification and shifting algorithm from Schwa that is designed and optimized for small, precise pitch shifts, from one cent to a quarter-tone, with perfect phase coherence and maximum smoothness. You can use CMX on exposed, high-quality vocal tracks with complete confidence.

CMX is available for Windows, Windows x64 and Mac OS X in VST and AU plug-in formats. Two license options are available :

• All hosts, commercial use license: $50.00.
• Reaper-only, personal use license: $30.00.

Akai Professional announces that the APC40 Ableton Performance Controller is now available for purchase worldwide. For the record, the APC40 is a control surface developed specifically for Ableton Live software.

The ACP40 has a retail price of $599 and an estimated street price of $399.

On popular demand, Toontrack has decided to release another Monster MIDI Pack, aptly named Monster MIDI Pack 2.

This time the package features Odd Meters and contains over 470 Progressive Rock MIDI files, individually played by drummer extraordinaire Peter Fredlander.

The Monster MIDI Pack 2 is available now for $19/€15 from the Toontrack webshop.

AudioMIDI.com has partnered with Modena, Italy-based music software developer Overloud in the release of the Breverb audioMIDI Edition reverb plug-in at just $4.99 US. Breverb has received numerous accolades from press and professional recording engineers as one of the finest reverb plug-ins out the market.

"Once users hear Breverb's incredible fidelity, we're confident they will take advantage of audioMIDI's affordable upgrade paths to the full version of Breverb", said audioMIDI.com's Russ Jones.

Compatible with both Mac (AU/VST) and PC( VST), Breverb aM Edition includes fully-functioning versions of two (Room and Plate) of Breverb's four reverberation algorithms, and is available for purchase via electronic serial number now from :

Beginning June 1, 2009 McDSP will announce two never before seen specials that you won't want to miss !

20% Off Emerald Pack and Classic Pack

For the month of June, purchase or upgrade to Emerald Pack HD or Native or Classic Pack HD or Native for 20% Off retail value. Emerald Pack includes Analog Channel, Channel G, Channel G Compact, Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, DE555, FilterBank, FutzBox, MC2000, ML4000, NF575, Revolver and Synthesizer One. Classic Pack includes Analog Channel, CompressorBank, FilterBank and MC2000.

The McDSP HD product line supports TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite formats, and operates on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. The McDSP Native product line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats, and operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. Special available only via electronic delivery.

Individual LE Plug-ins Only $79 !

On a budget? No problem, for the month of June, all customers may purchase individual LE plug-ins for only $79 each. Individual LE plug-ins include Analog Channel LE, Chrome Tone LE, CompressorBank LE, FilterBank LE, ML4000 LE, Revolver LE and Synthesizer One LE.

The McDSP LE product line support RTAS and AudioSuite formats, and operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. Special available only via electronic delivery.

ESI introduces Midimate II, a convenient USB 2.0 MIDI interface cable with up to 32 input or 32 output channels for PC and Macintosh systems.

With Midimate II you can obtain perfect MIDI timing and performance at an extremly affordable price. The interface cable is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista as well as Mac OS X and instantly works after you plug it in - no driver installation is required. There is more, Midimate II even automatically detects the incoming and outgoing MIDI signals, which means that both connectors work as input or output. You can use as 1 simultaneous input and 1 simultaneous output (with 16 channels each), 2 input (32 channels) or 2 output (32 channel) device.

Features :

• USB MIDI interface with 2 MIDI connectors, each can work as independent input or output
• high-speed connection to USB 2.0 or 1.1 equipped PC or Macintosh system
bus powered, requires no external power supply
• no driver needed for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X

Midimate II costs $34 / €27 / £24.