PC and Music News

Softube is pleased to announce two new offerings that extend its partnership with audio hardware legend Tube-Tech. The ME 1B Midrange Equalizer plugin and the Classic Channel now join previous Softube Tube-Tech releases, allowing musicians, engineers and producers affordable access to more of this faithfully-modeled, vintage audio gear than ever before.

The new ME 1B midrange equalizer plugin, a clone of Tube-Tech's classic mid-range EQ, joins the Softube/Tube-Tech CL 1B compressor and PE 1C "Pultec" equalizer to round out this collection of complementary sound sculpting tools. Each plugin has been painstakingly programmed to capture that true analog tube mojo and indefinable mystique that Tube-Tech commands.

The Custom Shop is an entirely new tone shopping experience that is like visiting a real guitar store, but one that is open 24/7 right in the comfort of your own studio. The AmpliTube Custom Shop has the widest offering of legendary, officially certified brands and a price model affordable to anyone for building your truly custom tone.

Every new user can start by downloading a FREE, fully functional version of AmpliTube 3 – both a standalone application and plug-in – with a collection of 24 gear models (9 stomp boxes, 4 amplifiers, 5 cabinets, 3 microphones, 2 rack effects and a digital tuner) for recording and mixing in their favorite Mac/Win DAW, for playing on stage or practicing at home.

Then with the new Custom Shop feature – directly accessible within AmpliTube using an online connection – over 200 gear models of stomp boxes, amplifiers, cabinets, microphones and rack effects can be browsed, auditioned and purchased à la carte.

Avid has identified an incompatibility with the early 2011 17" MacBook Pro (model MC725LL/A with Thunderbolt port) when used with a Magma ExpressBox1 expansion chassis and a Pro Tools HD Native Card.

The following error message, "Unable to find an Audio Interface attached to the first HD card", is seen when launching Pro Tools HD 9 with an Apple MacBook Pro (early 2011 model) and Pro Tools HD Native hardware.

There is currently no workaround with this configuration. Avid is currently investigating this issue, and will update this article when more information is available.

DirectEMX is a VST plugin that makes it possible to use your Korg Electribe MX in your host. It is now available on Mac OSX.

The DirectEMX features are:
- Control and automation of all the EMX parameters from your DAW. That includes Synth, drum and common/fx parts.
- Pattern import/export in fxb/fxp standard format.
- Reception of pattern bank sysex dumps, that makes it possible to import all the internal patterns of the EMX in DirectEMX.

With DirectEMX you can use your EMX like a Virtual instrument in Cubase, live, fl studio...

- Save/Load your project without worrying about the state of the EMX, the plugin will ensure the sync.
- Automate all the parameters to create new evolving sounds easily. Why not simulating an LFO on your filter cutoff for example?
- Copy/paste parts or patterns
- Use a clean interface that shows the "real" knob values. That includes the mix view and oscillator model shape, while keeping the same approach as the original hardware.
- See the knobs movements in real time, for the host automation but also for the EMX internal motion sequences.
- Edit and reverse-engineer patch more easily.

DirectEMX is available now on OSX and Windows for 25€.

The Hammond SK1 is the first "Ultra-Portable" organ in its history, weighing in at just 15 pounds, and the first Hammond portable to feature a wide range of Extra Voices.

The "Drawbar" section is a complete Hammond Organ with all the traditional features: Real Mechanical Drawbars, Chorus Vibrato, Touch-Response Percussion, and the most authentic Digital Leslie we have ever offered.

"Vx" and "Farf" combo organ models are also available, as well as an assortment of fine classical Pipe Organ voices derived from our 935 Church Organ. Acoustic and Electric Pianos, Clavs, Accordions, Vintage String Synth, Wind Instruments and Tuned Percussion round out the specification.

The SK2 model adds a second 61 note keyboard for added convenience-you may play the SK2 as a two-manual organ, or assign the Drawbar/Extravoice divisions to your choice of keyboard.

The Lexicon 224 plug-in for UAD-2 precisely captures all eight reverb programs available in original 224 firmware version 4.4, including every tunable parameter, with unique fader-style controls — inviting easy experimentation and sonic exploration. In UA's exhaustive modeling tradition, the Lexicon 224 emulation also incorporates the original unit's input transformers and early AD/DA converters — nailing the entire signal path right down to the last detail.

Additionally, the Lexicon 224 emulation for UAD-2 features direct input and presets from famous Lexicon 224 users, including Chuck Zwicky (Prince, Jeff Beck), Eli Janney (Jet, Ryan Adams), David Isaac (Eric Clapton, Luther Vandross), E.T. Thorngren (Talking Heads, Bob Marley), and Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel).