PC and Music News

MFB announces that the Schlagzwerg is now shipping.

Schlagzwerg combines the power of analogue drum and percussion sounds with modular versatility in a convenient and compact desktop unit. Schlagzwerg fusions CV-controllable percussion modules and a six-track CV/Gate-sequencer into a unique drum-machine for live and studio applications.

Thanks to its semi-modular concept, Schlagzwerg is ready to go without any need for patch-connections. Its internal pre-wiring comprises trigger-assignments for the gate-tracks of five (of six) drum-sounds as well as hihat decay-control. The additional CV-tracks can freely be patched to any of the modules' functions. Naturally, the available CV-inputs can also be addressed by external control sources like LFOs, envelope generators or a Theremin-controller.

Features :

• semi-modular drum-machine
• true analogue sound sources
• kick, snare and tom (DRUM-04/-05/-06)
• cymbal and hihat (DRUM-07)
• step-sequencer with 16 steps and 16 A/B-patterns
• 6 gate- and 6 CV-tracks
• separate CV/Gate-tracks, e.g. for use with Kraftzwerg
• integrated MIDI/CV-interface
• integrated stereo-mixer with panning


Schlagzwerg is available now at a price of €680.

Millennia AD-D96 and AD-R96 eight channel analog to digital converter options for the HV-3D and HV-3R are available now.

Millennia's audiophile-quality proprietary converter design, tightly coupled to the HV-3 preamp, removes many stages of potential distortion. The Millennia converters are 24-bit 96 kHz eight-channel AES format with Internal/External Clocking with AES or Wordclock in/out on BNC connectors. The AES output is on a DB25 connector that conforms to the Tascam wiring standard.

All HV-3D and HV-3R units can have the option installed.

Millennia AD-D96 and AD-R96 analog to digital converter options for the HV-3D and HV-3R are $1,500 MSRP.

Voxengo has updated its mastering limiter plug-in Elephant to version 3.3.

Changes :

• "Radial" knob mode can be now disabled completely.
• "Off-Line Render" indication added.
• Global level metering parameters added.
• A/B switch visual appearance changed.
• Knob read-outs now require a single click for keyboard entry.
• Occasional crashes in WaveLab and other hosts fixed.
• Host sample rate switch-related problem fixed.

Puremagnetik has announced the release of "Human Beatbox" and "Funky Constructions" Artist Kits, two new free Ableton Live 8 Packs.

The Human Beatbox Kit includes a dynamic and expressive beatbox Drum Rack and a collection of looped clips for Ableton Live 8.

Funky Constructions is a fine collection of funky beats and hot grooves for Ableton Live 8 in grouped "construction kit" format.

Both of them are available for free at :

Following the introduction of Flux products on their online store and facing the incredible success of their promotion launched on May 1, DontCrac[k] today announces that will extend the -40% introductory price on all Flux products and bundles until May 31, 2009.

"We have sold over 130 plugins and +50 bundles since May, 1" says Peter Donovan, marketing Director at DontCrac[k]. "Flux products received incredibly positive user reviews on all major audio boards and the interest for Flux products is just amazing" adds Peter. "We therefore decided, in accordance with Flux, to follow-up with numerous customers request asking to extend our Flux promotion till May, 31 and so we will" concludes Peter.

Up to 20% extra discount can be obtained by adding other products to the shopping cart (-5% per product added). That is DontCrack's permanent "Make your own Bundle" offer which is quite a good deal if you look at it closely...

Learn more from the following URL :

Glacier by 9 Soundware is a set of instruments for the EXS24 sampler within Apple Logic Pro. The theme of the sound set is glaciers. They are depicted with renderings of glacial shimmer, floating ice, violent avalanches, intense wind, as well as simulations of actual sounds of melting glaciers.

The instruments are based on 50 samples (46 loops and 4 hits). The source sounds for the samples include ocean field recordings, audio with digital artifacts which were created from deleting and recovering files using utility software, noise, and human breathing. The loops range from evolving textures lasting approximately 30 seconds to wavetable-like audio.

In addition to the 137 MB Glacier.exs instrument which uses all 50 samples, included are 20 instruments which make extensive use of the modulation capabilities of the EXS24 mkII sampler. Among them are tempo synced instruments, free-form textural instruments, impact instruments, as well as noise instruments which are equally suited for both texture and percussion (Cryoseism.exs), and an instrument inspired by actual glaciers sounds recorded by artist Katie Paterson (Melt.exs). Many are designed to be played primarily with the modulation and pitch bend wheels (and less so with the keys). As they lend themselves more to performance than step sequencing, a midi controller is highly recommended when using this sound set.

The 138 MB download includes 21 .EXS files and 50 WAV files (24-bit/44.1 kHz).

Glacier is available now for $19.99 at :