PC and Music News

RME announces the immediate availability of a hardware and firmware update for its 8-channel microphone preamplifier and AD-converter Micstasy.

The new version 2.1 adds a test oscillator to the unit, switchable to one of the eight channels. With this feature, the routing in large setups can be checked and followed very easily. Additionally an optional Display Dark mode is now available for all displays on the front panel, especially useful in live and stage applications. Both functions are also remote controllable by MIDI. Owners of a Micstasy with firmware 1.6 or lower will also benefit from the additions found in version 2.0: Digital return path (MADI in to ADAT/AES out), remote support for Yamaha's M7C and PM5D, and optional constant Single Speed operation of the word clock output.
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Myst Sonic announces the release of the Chinese Pipe-GuanZi and AC Clean Modulator Sample Instrument for Kontakt.

As part of Silk Road history, the GuanZi (also called Bili) has been a main double reed wind instrument since Zhou Dynasty. It often plays with depicted in early Western Regions nomatic poetry,and its sound can be quite colorful, sometimes soft, sometimes thick, and sometimes raucous, very wide range tone expression that changes dynamics.

The Chinese Pipe-GuanZi works simply by using the mod wheel to simulate multi expressions, it controls staccato, vibrato sounds, and crossfade between soft sound and sharp sound samples.

.Live play performance control design (just one assignable controller required).
.Using Mod wheel in multi controls.
‧Realistic expression ...

RME presents the HDSPe AIO, the newly developed PCI Express version of the HDSP 9632.

The Advanced-Input-Output interface shines with the latest 192 kHz AD- and DA-converters, with more than 112 dB signal to noise ratio. For the first time, all inputs and outputs are simultaneously operational, even SPDIF (phono) and AES/EBU (XLR). Additional hi-quality analog inputs and outputs can easily be added by favourably priced expansion boards. Of course TotalMix, the flexible routing mixer, and SteadyClock, RME's clock technology with maximum jitter suppression of external clock signals, are on board too. HDSPe AIO also supports the optional TCO for synchronization to timecode (LTC/video).

Features :

- Balanced stereo analog in- and output, 24-bit/192kHz, > 112 dB SNR
- Optional analog expansion boards with 4 balanced in- or outputs
- All analog I/Os capable of 192 kHz, constant number of available channels
- 1 ADAT digital I/O, supporting 192 kHz via S/MUX4 operation
- 1 SPDIF digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable
- 1 AES/EBU digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable
- 1 Stereo headphone output, separate DA-converter and playback device
- So up to 18 inputs and 20 outputs can be used simultaneously!
- 1 MIDI I/O with 16 channels of hi-speed MIDI via breakout cable
- DIGICheck, RME's unique metering- and analysing tool
- TotalMix: 760 channel Mixer with 42 bit internal resolution
- Native PCI Express - no PCI to PCI Express bridge used
- Drivers : Windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI).

The HDSPe AIO ships in a basic version with unbalanced analog RCA/phono breakout cables. An analog breakout cable with balanced XLR is optional available. For further information and more technical details, please visit :

Puremagnetik has released a new Micropak for Ableton Live 7, Kontakt 3 and Logic 8 called Bender. This is, as the name implies, a sample set of circuit-bent Stuff. Bender includes over 100 circuit bent loops, 5 glitchy percussion kits and 2 multisampled instruments captured from modified electronic devices.

Bender for Ableton Live includes over 100 Live Ready audio clips, 2 instruments and multiple alphabet voice racks. Each preset and clip loads with dynamic effect racks for instant tweaking and sound manipulation. In addition, Puremagnetik has programmed multiple racks emulating the glitch and looping mechanisms of the original bent devices.

The Kontakt version of Bender comes with 2 menus of over 100 circuit bent loops, 2 multisample instruments and multiple alphabet voice presets. Each instrument has been uniquely programmed with a custom Kontakt KSP GUI for the ultimate in expression and tweakability!

Bender for Logic includes a collection of EXS instruments, multiple pre-programmed channel strips and over 100 Apple Loops.

Pricing : Basic Monthly Subscription: $5.75/Month Basic Yearly Subscription: $60/Year All Access Pass - $198/Year.

Big Fish Audio releases Bollywood Elements, a new sample library inspired by the sound of "Bollywood", using the same melodic instruments and styles typically featured in songs, background scores of films of the genre.

Instruments : Bulbul Tarang, Sitar, Sarod, Shehnai, Sarangi, Flute, Mandolin, Tumbi, Ravan-hattha, Shankh

Bonus instrument : NarSingha

Contents :

- Over 2.5Gb of data including 1000 unique performances.
- Freshly recorded licks, one-shots, raga phrases, fx by seasoned musicians in India.
- Different keys, tempos for each instrument
- based on its nature and tonal quality.

Bollywood Elements is available now in Apple Loops and Wav formats at a price of $99.95. Audio examples are available at :

After three years of intensive research and development, AudioMulch 2.0 is now in the final stages of development.

AudioMulch 2.0 is not just a new version, it is the next generation of AudioMulch. It will provide a foundation for a new cycle of feature development and improvements that will be rolled out in regular updates after the 2.0 release. AudioMulch 2.0 will be backward-compatible with AudioMulch 1.0. It will provide all AudioMulch 1.0 functionality.

Improvements to the AudioMulch core will include :

- Significant performance increases for audio processing (up to twice the efficiency in some cases)
- Patchable MIDI routing
- MIDI and Automation control of Metasurface, tempo and transport
- Support for complex time signatures including automated time signature changes and additive meters
- Improved support for consumer multichannel audio
- Settings for enabling audio, MIDI and network functions at start-up

The AudioMulch 2.0 user interface has been re-coded from the ground up. This has lead to numerous work-flow improvements, including :

- A new Patcher with advanced drag-and-drop patching
- Dockable windows improving multi-monitor operation
- Faster access to MIDI control and parameter values
- Floating Parameter Control (formerly Parameter Modulation) window
- Nameable contraption presets

AudioMulch 2.0 will be released on May 1, 2009 and will run on Windows and natively on Mac OSX (Intel hardware only). It will be priced at $189. The upgrade fee for licenced users of version 1.0 will be $89.