PC and Music News

Limited time only! Purchase a qualifying POD Studio USB audio interface between August 1 and 31, 2010, and receive up to $40 back instantly!

The discount amount depends on which POD Studio you buy; you will save $20 on the POD Studio GX, $30 on the POD Studio UX1, and $40 on the POD Studio UX2.

For details, please visit :

Sample Logic has announced the release of Metalix for Ableton Live.

Metallix is a toolkit of morphed metallic instruments, percussives, atmospheric soundscapes, pads, and tempo-synced audio loops for cinematic music production. Based on recorded metallic instruments and sounds, the instruments (presets) and clips (loops) are seamlessly integrated into Ableton Live, which makes for a smooth workflow with easy to use intuitive user controls. Each instrument uses Live's Rack format, with the 8 Macro Controls meticulously mapped to provide powerful top-level control for immediate tweakability. This also means that all of the instruments and loops are ready to be mapped to a hardware controller or automated directly in Live.

Effects and parameters include: Attack & Release, Reverb, Filter Delay, Arpegiator, Filter Cuttoff & Resonance, and much more.

Metallix works exclusively with Suite 8, Live 8 or Live Intro on Mac and PC. It is available only as a direct download at a price of $99.99.

Sugar Bytes has announced the upcoming release of Guitarist, a virtual instrument described as the ultimate guitar playing software for Mac and PC. Here's what they say about it :

"We announce the most complete guitar software of all times. Absolutely convincing guitar riffs, combined with amps, wah pedals and effects. The actual guitar player has been transformed into a step sequencer system that allows control about playing styles, chord progressions and song structures. Guitarist can be played live as well, with just two fingers you can combine chords and patterns easily. You can choose from factory chords or just create your own chords on the fingerboard. The Action Section allows you to tweak the sequence in realtime and apply timestretch, looper or other crazy effects. Guitar players, keyboarders, producers, Guitarist is the new solution when guitar tracks are needed.

Equalisation Primer by Samplecraze is a detailed video tutorial for beginners and intermediates on the subject of equalisation covering filters, slopes, various types of EQs and the terminology used.

The subject of EQ has always been one of confusion and misinformation. The understanding of how EQ works and the structure of filters and their responses seem to be an area rarely covered by technology sites.

This free primer video tutorial hopes to close those gaps and introduce the subject in a manner that can be understood by everyone. The ensuing EQ video tutorials will go further in depth and cover advanced functions and theories.

Steinberg has released two new CI interfaces: CI1 and CI2+. Both CI1 and CI2+ are USB-powered audio interfaces, housing two combo connectors, phantom power and allowing for high-impedance input. While the entry-level CI1 comes bundled with the Sequel LE sequencer and WaveLab LE 7 audio editing application, CI2+ is an advanced interface, seamlessly combining Advanced Integration control capability with the included Cubase Essential 5 music production system.

CI1 provides two high-quality microphone and line channels, comprising balanced XLR/TRS combo connectors with microphone preamps, phantom power and dedicated high-impedance switching on the first input channel for direct electric guitar or bass input. CI1's software bundle consists of two light editions: Sequel LE and WaveLab LE 7. ...

Solid State Logic proudly announces a new module for the X-Rack modular rack system : the Stereo EQ Module.

The X-Rack Stereo EQ Module is a stereo version of SSL's console Channel EQ. It is a classic SSL four-band parametric EQ that is a superb all round frequency adjustment tool kit. Whether you need pinpoint accuracy for surgical problem solving, smoother broader sound shaping, or a little more aggressive character the SSL Stereo EQ will give you what you need. This is a fully featured EQ with high- and low-bands switchable between shelving or fixed Q bell curves and two mid-bands each with variable Q control. This stereo version introduces a 'Selective Mode' switch which enables independent switching of high & low bands and mid bands between SSL's E & G series console EQ characteris ...