PC and Music News

Cinematique Instruments has announced the release of Experimental Box, an assortment of highgly playable rhythms, ambiences, and instruments which are perfect for writing music in an experimental and minimalist way. Beyond this, the box is suitable for combination with atmospheric, ambient and cinematic music...or just to build a wild cacophony !

Experimental Box was assembled from unique sounds such as station-announcements, trains, paper crumpling, acoustic and electronic noise, station hum, underground-railway noise, pneumatic doors, crown cap shaking, glitches, noise, hiss, hum, and other weirdness. Check out all the opportunities the instruments provide by using the modwheel and Kontakt's program interface.

Kontakt 3 or higher is required.

The Pricing is €19.

Focusrite is pleased to introduce Scarlett, a new software suite that provides a collection of compression, gating, EQ, and reverb plug-ins for tracking and mixing.

Key Features :

• Faithful recreation of classic compressors & gates — Modeled on original ear-tuned hardware optical compressors, exclusive to Focusrite, Scarlett's dynamics modules deliver that authentic 1960's Opto sound
• Multi-modes enable creative gating techniques — The Gate can operate in stereo mode and, in different dual mono configurations — one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another — making it ideal for tightening up a bass line for example
• Classic Focusrite EQ curves & controls — Scarlett uses the same Focusrite 6-band EQ approach as the Red 2 and ISA EQs, with filters, parametri ...

LiquidSonics has updated Reverberate to version 1.220. This is the first full non-beta release for Mac OS X.

Reverberate seeks to provide a richer and more dynamic sounding reverb from impulse responses by optionally modulating an amalgamation of two, separately controllable IRs using an LFO. Further modulation is possible using the post-processing effects; an all-pass interpolator chorus provides a fuller sound and an over-sampled analogue prototype paragraphic equaliser is provided with dual LFOs. These features make for a livelier sound than typically associated with some convolution reverbs.

Features :

• Stereo convolution reverb.
• Dual IR for true-stereo capability.
• IR mix modulation capability using an LFO.
• Zero latency (or select up to 8192 ...

Universal Audio has just announced the availability of a new version of UAD Powered Plug-Ins Software.

Changes in Version 5.5.0

• New EQ plug-in: UAD Trident A-Range Classic Console EQ
• (EMT 250) New Noise parameter optionally eliminates modeled noise floor
• (EMT 250) Improved Wet/Dry slider mouse tracking
• (1176LN/SE) Added output dB labels for controls view and automation
• (RTAS) Mellowmuse ATA plug-in and manual are updated to version 1.4
• (Mac) UAD-2 SOLO/Laptop now supports "Higher Performance" graphics mode
• (Mac) Resolved Err -50, Not Responding, and Kernel Panic errors with UAD-2 Duo & Quad
• (Mac) Resolved excessive UAD-2 unload times when quitting Logic Pro
• (Mac) Resolved UAD-1e wake from sleep issue on some Mac Pro systems
• (Mac) Fixed scrolling of horizontal controls which were previously reversed

The Trident A-Range Classic Console EQ Powered Plug-In is available for purchase via UA's Online Store for $249.

NOTE: UAD Software v5.5.0 is the final plug-in release for the legacy UAD-1 platform. Universal Audio will of course continue to provide software updates and support for UAD-1 users into the foreseeable future.

Modartt is proud to announce the release of the eagerly awaited Pianoteq Pro.

Announced in June 2007 on the Pianoteq forum and awaited by many customers, Pianoteq Pro is the advanced version of Pianoteq. Its major novelty is the note per note adjustment for physical parameters which gives you the ultimate tool for sound shaping and instrument creation.

Pianoteq Pro offers note per note adjustment for no less than 22 physical parameters, such as tuning, unison width, hammer hardness, strike point, string length, spectrum profile, soundboard impedance, damper position... In fact there are thousands since each overtone of each note can be controlled separately with the spectrum profile parameter !

Pianoteq Pro is available now for both Mac and PC in VST, AU and RTAS formats. It is priced at €399 and the upgrade from the standard version costs €150.

To find out more and listen to audio demos, please visit the link below :

Dangerous Music plunges into the signal processing arena with the Dangerous BAX EQ. Built in response to demand from a professional studio community searching for unique sonic signatures, the Dangerous design team took inspiration from the classic Baxandall shelving curves of the 60's and 70's and created a unique equalizer with a 21st century mastering aesthetic. The result is pure emotive expression with audiophile accuracy.

Features :

• Stepped controls for repeatability and identical stereo tracking
• Broad Q shelving with a Baxandall character
• 7-position High Pass and Low Pass Filters--2-pole Butterworth configuration (12 dB/oct)
• 8-position High and Low Frequency Select
• +/- 5dB Cut and Boost controls in 1/2 dB steps

Pricing and availability TBA.