PC and Music News

Urs Heckmann, aka U-He, has just released Uhbik, a new bundle of high quality audio effect plug-ins.

The number of plug-ins included with Uhbik will increase over time, for no additional cost. The bundle currently consists of the following effects :

- Flanger: Uhbik-F does both tape-style and stomp-style flanging in "extraordinary quality". Chorus on top of that.
- Phaser: 14, 28 or 42 stages.
- Tremolo & Pan: If you think that tremolo is only a wobbly gain, Uhbik-T twists your audio around like nuts. Surround trance gate effects included.
- Frequency Shifter: Not just renowned for cruelty but also applicable in small & smooth doses.
- Ambience & Reverb: Modelled with the best in mind. This ambience processor provides the depth and the glue for your tracks.
- Multitap Delay: 5-tap tape-style delay with a clue or two.
- Equalizer: Transparent. Powerful. Flexible. Fast.
- Runciter - an evil filter: digital filter uhbik. Enough with emulations! Beyond!

All Uhbiks do surround processing, up to 8 channels, including typical formats like quadraphonic, 5.1 and 7.1. The idea therein is, the surround modes work without any complicated user interface clutter and without need for dedicated versions (apart from some hosts that require dedicated stereo versions, that is). So while the handling of Uhbiks is strictly stereo, you gain the advantage of fully surroundish sound and control, way superior to the "multi mono" workarounds that some hosts offer. Options are included to keep Lfe or Center/Lfe unprocessed - so you're flexible all along.

Uhbik is available now for Mac OS X (AU/VST) and Windows (VST) at the introductory price of $149 (+VAT where applicable).

Loomer has also announced the release of Resound, a software audio delay effect processor that emulates the sound and operation of vintage magnetic-tape echo units. A controllable noise level allows the right amount of grit, distortion, and flutter through. The Reverse mode adds further flexibility: by playing each delay backwards, Resound can produce unique effects beyond what hardware magnetic-tape units are capable of.

Features :

- Delay time up to 30 seconds when synced to host tempo, up to 2 seconds when not synced.
- Controllable noise level and high-pass filter.
- Reverse mode to produce more complex and interesting delay textures.
- Capable of self-oscillation, even without any input source.
- MIDI Learn mode for easy integration with any MIDI hardware controller.

Resound is available for Mac, PC and Linux in VST, AU and Standalone versions at a fee of £35.

Loomer has announced the release of Aspect, a 32-note polyphonic software instrument. It combines a subtractive synth engine with a semi-modular architecture and simple, clean interface that allows practically anything to be used as a modulation source and destination.

Features :

- Flexible semi-modular architecture.
- 2 analogue-style oscillators, noise generator, 2 filters, 3 envelopes and 3 sync-able LFOs per voice.
- Unison mode allows stacking of voices for bigger sounds.
- Intuitive interface simplifies building and understanding of complex patches.
- MIDI Learn mode for easy integration with any MIDI hardware controller.
- Over 150 presets.

Aspect is available for Mac, PC and Linux in VST, AU and Standalone versions at a fee of £65.

Audio Damage has just released Rough Rider Pro which is a multi-band compressor plug-in. According to Audio Damage, "Rough Rider Pro is for those times when you want to know your signal is compressed. Other compressors are kittens, rainbows, and gumdrops. This one is a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing lizard".

Features :

- Isolator section for simple control of input frequencies.
- Multi-band mode, for a single Rough Rider compressor on each band.
- Series mode, for three Rough Riders in a row.
- Attack time goes as low as 0.1ms, for use as a distortion unit.
- Ratio of 1:1 to 1000:1 for complete control of signal dynamics.
- MIDI learn for hardware control of all parameters (VST only).

Rough Rider Pro is available now for Mac (AU/VST) and PC (VST) and is priced at $49.

Zoom is pleased to introduce the next generation in its line of portable handheld recorders, the H4n. With a focus on new features and improving the user experience at every level, the H4n is also Zoom's most sophisticated handheld recorder to date.

Zoom's H4n offers superior, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics that allow variable recording patterns at either 90° or 120°. Audio quality is improved through its new digitally controlled, high-quality mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. A large LCD screen, a more intuitive interface and onboard reference speaker will take the user's recording experience to the next level.

Additionally, Zoom has incorporated several of the most popular features from its H2 to the H4n such as Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp and track marker functions and its auto-record and pre-record features so you never miss a moment. Of course, the H4n records high-resolution audio at 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB and is USB 2.0.

The H4n is also the most robust recorder from Zoom, with a rubberized, shock resistant body for improved chassis protection, all-metal microphone design and a built-in mounting joint for tripod and microphone stand use.

For musicians and songwriters, the H4n has a more user-friendly multi-track recording capability along with Hi-Z Inputs for recording guitar and bass, variable speed playback capability for "phrase training", onboard studio effects, and over 50 guitar and bass amp modeling settings. In addition, a new stamina mode enables the H4n to operate for 10 hours continuously on a single set of AA batteries.

The H4n package includes a 1 GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, protective case and Cubase LE recording software. An optional remote control is also available.

CharterOak Acoustic Devices will make their NAMM debut next week and will demonstrate the new SCL1 discrete stereo compressor/limiter. (NAMM booth 1861, hall E) Generating quite a buzz at the AES Show in San Francisco, the unit began shipping in November and is currently in back ordered status.

The SCL-1 Solid State Compressor/Limiter employs all discreet electronics and is capable of providing a constant output level regardless of input level or frequency, without the familiar pumping inherent in most compressor/limiters. The unit delivers extremely fast attack times without overcompensation, and a release characteristic, which is a function of dynamic range and average program level. Designed to fit any standard 19" rack, the SCL-1 may be used as a stereo unit, or as two independent limiters in the dual mode. This feature enables the end user to employ the device in one or two track production applications.

Like all CharterOak products, the SCL-1 comes with the CharterOak Lifetime Warranty.