PC and Music News

PG Music has released Band-in-a-Box 2008 for Windows, along with 10 new RealDrums Sets, 5 Styles Sets and 3 new MultiStyles Sets. Band-in-a-Box 2008 is packed with new features including RealTracks, MultiStyles, enhancements to the popular Audio Chord Wizard, RealDrums style changes, and much more.

To celebrate, PG Music is offering special pricing on Band-in-a-Box upgrades and bundles, plus two new Bonus Paks loaded with Add-ons and software programs - but only for a limited time. Prices start at $129 for new users. You'll receive a free Bonus 12-Pak with any order of Band-in-a-Box 2008 for Windows or add 12 more items by upgrading to the Bonus 24-Pak for only $25. These Bonus Paks are only available during the Holiday Special.

Blue Cat Audio has released an update for four of its audio analysis DirectX and VST plugins : Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro, FreqAnalyst Multi, StereoScope Pro and StereoScope Multi. It includes the ability to give a name to each analysis curve for the 'Multi' series, new zooming capabilities, an improved spectrum analysis for better comparison accuracy, and faster display refresh rates for smoother analysis.

Blue Cat Audio has also announced a special Christmas Offer - a 20% discount on its entire catalog.

Gladiator is here !

Tone2 has just released PC version of its new virtual synthesizer, the very promising Gladiator (Mac version to be available before Christmas, we will announce it asa it's available). Instead of using usual synthesis, Tone2 has created Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM) Synthesis. This new synthesis method is based on a large and expandable repertoire of standard waves like pulse, unique synthetic waveforms as well as resynthesis waves like trumpets, organs, pianos and voice samples. These waves can be modified in real-time, altering its harmonic structure, syncing, waveshaping (see below the incredible variety of synthesis tools, filters, etc.). In total there are more than 30,000 different spectra available for combination and modulation.

Some of the synthesis feat ...

This week, we present a new review in our Articles section : Sony Media Software Acid Pro 6.
It's the awaited return of Sony Media Software's tracker, and as says Roby, the author of the review, and partner of PCMusic : Version 5 has led to deep changes, and Acid Pro 6 seems to follow the same philosophy. With more functions than ever, the most famous tracker makes its comeback.
As it could claim now to be a serious rival of Ableton's Live, Acid Pro 6 should take a place of choice, next to Cubase, Pro Tools and others in numerous home-studios.

The Stereo Pack bundle includes Stereoizer, Stereoplacer and Monofilter, allowing the user to analyse, enhance control and fine tune audio with a high degree of precision.

These plug-in could be used to :

- Re-adjust the stereo image of individual sounds
- Add stereo depth to mono source files
- Wide/narrow existing stereo images
- Improve bass definition
- Re-focus bass frequencies where stereo FX have been used
- Correct problems in sounds sampled from vinyl
- Correct phase issues
- Make frequency splits
- Re-master old recordings
- Prepare for mastering to vinyl
- Tighten smeared stereo imaging
- Handle live recordings and instruments
-etc.

The bundle is compatible MacOSX and PC, and the plugs are available in VST and AU formats. Demo versions are available and the bundle costs $99.

Audeon's software synthesizer UFO is finally available for Mac OS X as a Universal Binary.

UFO is an innovative synthesizer plugin for Windows/OS-X, built upon Audeon's proprietary TransModal Synthesis engine wrapped in a unique and intuitive user interface. Programming a sound consists of placing dots on 2D controllers featuring perceptual attributes such as Periodicity, Brightness, Noisiness, Chaos, etc. Hundreds of simultaneous parameter modulations can be achieved by simply drawing coloured arrows on these 2D controllers.

Audeon offers a temporary discount on all versions of UFO. Until December 31st, orders placed on our online store using the UFO-XMAS coupon code will benefit from a 20% rebate off the regular price.