PC and Music News

Blue Cat Audio has released an update of all its 27 audio plug-ins, including 8 freeware: with this update all the plug-ins are now available in 64-bit VST format on Mac, and this new version also brings new SSE 2 optimizations, as well as several bug fixes.

The upgrade is free for existing customers and can be downloaded from the same location as the previous version. Demo versions or free plug-ins are available for download on www.bluecataudio.com.

What's new:
- 64-bit VST support on Mac
- SSE 2 optimizations (an SSE-2 processor is now required for the Windows version).
- fixed keyboard focus stealing issue in Pro Tools and several other host applications (mainly on Mac).
- controls visibility is now persistent for several audio analysis plug-ins.

Although it has been known for many years that cabinet resonances and diffraction are the main causes of coloration in sound radiation, few manufacturers have been willing to address the difficulty of forming a rigid acoustic enclosure of such complex geometry.

By removing step changes in radiation impedance and virtually all internal vibration modes, the Egg has no spectral distortion other than the drivers themselves. These have been chosen for the best possible performance in their class and exhaustive testing has proved their reliability and accuracy.

LIBERIS is our next-generation choir library featuring a professional 45-piece multi-award winning Piedmont Children's Choir lead by famous choir conductor, Bob Geary from VOLTI. The library represents the most detailed sampling ever done of a high-end symphonic children's choir and the most ambitious release in the history of Tonehammer. LIBERIS allows you to create realistic sounding choir by using a variety of next-generation features, including true ensemble legato with speed control and legato for our poly-sustained chants. In addition the contains sustains from piano to forte, staccato with repetitions, marcato with sustains, BPM (host-synced) latin chants recorded at different speeds and velocity layers and a uncompromising effects section with +1000 effects ranging from basic consonant/vowels, clusters, sweeps, whispers, shouts, chirps, childrens songs, claps, snaps etc. In addition the library is recorded in 24 bit / 44.1khz with 3 (5.1) microphone positions, three different solo singers with poly-sustains and a gorgeous ambient section by Steve Tavaglione.

The Strip (ST1) is a complete and easy to use channel strip with a mic preamp, compressor and EQ - a perfect tool for the recording engineer, songwriter or producer on the go that needs a great sounding recording channel. The preamp is a transformerless design with up to 75 dB of ultra-clean amplification; enough to power low output ribbon and dynamic microphones. The high-impedance instrument input on the front is perfect for instruments like synthesizers; acoustic, electric and bass guitar.

The switchable high-pass filter removes unwanted low-frequency energy below 80 Hz.The EQ is a classic Baxandall design with two smooth-sounding shelving filters; the 100 Hz low-shelf filter is ideal for removing excessive bass energy or adding weight to the low-end; and the 12 kHz high-shelving filter perfect for adding some "air". Both filters outperform their digital equivalents (plug-ins) by sounding smoother and more analogue.

ARP DIMENSIONS is a 150-preset (with 1200 variations) library of cascading melodies; pulsating soundscapes; and head-banging, layered riffs — no static arpeggios here, with each preset incorporating extensive programming options — courtesy of the combined talents of several leading sound designers (biomechanoid, Gareth L Devlin, Andre Ettema, Himalaya, Christian Kjeldsen, Luftrum, Corin Neff, Stephan Romer, Chris Sciurba, Adam Szabo, Tasmodia, Martin Walker, and Yuroun) — to offer a seamless mini- world of evolving possibilities, broken down into the following categories for easy access: Ambient (30); Arps (14); Bass (9); Classic (35); Dance (30); Layered (18); and Percussive (14). Arp Dimensions is perfect for genres as diverse as ambient, dance, and electronica, all locked in perfect sync to track tempos; moreover, many patches have a dedicated control for switching between multiple arpeggiated patterns, so it's easy to make them fit specific music. From classic simplicity to wild note excesses, gently swelling sparseness to complex multi-layered riffs, Arp Dimensions has it all!
Price: £39/€49/$59.

Propellerhead today released Reason Record Education for sale—new packages consolidating the Reason Record application suite at a special price for schools and institutions. Available in license packs of 1, 5 and 10, Reason Record Education pairs the world-renowned, award-winning music production environment Reason with Record, the recording software for musicians.

In the classroom, the Reason and Record combination has many distinct advantages over other music software programs, allowing students to focus on music creation and production, not system maintenance and software incompatibilities.
Reason Record Education Single Pack: $299/ €249
Reason Record Education Five Pack: $1199 / €999
Reason Record Education Ten Pack: $1999/ €1679
Reason Record Education Single Pack: $129/ €99
Reason Record Education Five Pack Upgrade: $399/ €345
Reason Record Education Ten Pack Upgrade: $649/ €579