PC and Music News

Since January 2009, the Pleasurize Music Foundation is fighting the "Loudness War", trying to introduce a new dynamic standard through several phases.


The free TT Dynamic Range Meter plug-in (and standalone app.) makes it possible to provide releases with a whole-number dynamic value to be printed on the recording medium as a logo, giving consumers an immediate means of knowing the dynamic quality of a recording.

The TT Dynamic Range Meter plug-in is available for both Mac and PC in VST, AU and RTAS formats. The standalone version is only available for PC, Mac version is scheduled to be released in June 2009.

Want to learn more about the "Loudness War" and how to fight it with the TT Dynamic Range Meter ? Then follow the link below :

Audio Ease has updated Speakerphone to v2.0.1.

Fixes :

• Importing SP1 settings in Nuendo & Cubase works correctly now
• Fixed bug in preset browser: a single click opens the user section.
• Importing Speaker & Room IR Automation data works correctly now (a speaker selection bug in Speakerphone 2.0.0 prevented some Speakerphone 1 sessions to come up with the wrong speaker selected. The bug is fixed, but the consequence is that sessions made with speakerphone 2 may load with the incorrect speaker selected, so please double check which speaker is selected in the speaker module.)

Ueberschall announces the release of Studio Works, their latest Elastik Soundbank. This 1.8 GB package is immensely compatible with Soul, Funk, RnB, Acid Jazz, House, and Downbeat sound environments. In addition to construction kits, a substantial selection of individual phrases are also provided. Ueberschall strived to maintain richness of tone from the ground up in their approach and implementation of methods to assemble this collection. Zero Virtual Instruments/Virtual Effects were used, leaving the material in it's most transparent valve, tube, tape enhanced state, to further alter and treat at your discretion.

Studio Works has an MSRP of $119 / €99 / £69. The included Elastik Players is available for Mac OS X and Windows in AU, VST and RTAS plug-in formats. To hear a demo go to :

Univers-Sons / Ultimate Sound Bank has updated their free, advanced virtual sampler UVI Workstation to v1.0.15.

Changes :

• [Imp] Allow MIDI Modulation for most controls (editable using Alt (Option) + Right Click).
• [Fix] fix some crashes.
• [Fix] fix possible issues with favorites folders.
• [Fix] More flexible text conversion to value when editing controls values.
• [Fix] fix CPU issue when opening popup menu on Windows.
• [Fix] fix MIDI edition range on int parameters (now can access to all values).

FXpansion is proud to introduce the latest addition to the BFD2 expansion kit range, BFD Oak Custom Expansion Kit, which features a high-end Yamaha Oak Custom drum kit and Bamboo snare.

Oak is a great material for a drum shell : it resonates with a solid fundamental delivering awesome power when played. Consequently, the toms sound very full-bodied and the bass drum offers a devastating low-end response. In order to complete this set, a new 'lite' (16-velocity layers) Yamaha Bamboo snare is included. Its crack and strong tone make it very easy to place in a mix.

Feature highlights include :

• Low-cost expansion kit for BFD2 featuring Yamaha Oak Custom Kick and Toms
• Yamaha Bamboo Snare
• Kick recorded with 2 beater types
• Toms recorded with sticks, mallets, brushes, hotrods
• Bonus samples of the drum cases!

BFD Oak Custom Expansion Kit is a download only product and is available now from the FXpansion web shop. BFD Oak Custom is priced a £25/€35/$50 for all registered BFD2 owners.

Ohm Force has launched a new video contest called the Ohm Studio Video COhmpetition.

"How do you use the Ohm Force plugins? How do they help you to give your personal touch to your audio tracks? What Ohm tricks & threats have you already learnt and/or created, from the most known and used to the secret techniques you keep for the *right* moments? In this contest you'll be able to share your ohm studio techniques with all the ohmfriends around the world. And maybe get a huge prize kit in reward."

Five winners will be chosen from the submissions to win one of five increasingly awesome prize packages that include both Ohmn and non-Ohm branded prizes :