PC and Music News

The Pearl Syncussion SY-1 is an extremely rare analogue drum synthesizer originally manufactured in 1979 by Pearl Musical Instruments.

This freaky little box is capable of producing a huge palette of percussive sounds, powerful kicks and experimental sound effects which carry a vintage sound inherent to its unique drum synthesis methods and extremely raw sounding oscillators!

After finally getting our hands on one of these rare instruments we just knew we had to sample it!

Syncussion Drums by Wave Alchemy captures the Pearl Syncussion's unique sonic character by offering no less than 1885 carefully recorded 24-bit drum samples. Additionally, a number of sounds were re-sampled through our EMU SP-12 Turbo to obtain a more lo-fi and gritty sound.

VOCALOTHEQUE" is a sampler instrument, made from recorded samples of a vocal ensemble (5 men and 5 women). Our main goal was to make an instrument that was full of life and random overtones. "Vocalotheque" is made to sound more like voices of regular people than sterile, an overly polished academic choir. The voices we recorded are those of professionals and regular people that can really sing. This time we used our favourite way to recreate natural sound - a "round robin loops" of sampler groups: each note has 5 changing variations to enhance the feeling of natural singing that is never exactly the same.

Main features:
- 76 presets – 18 ensemble and 58 solo presets of different articulations.
- Range – two octaves for each preset. Men – E2-E4, women – E3-E5).
- Voices were recorded in a studio, keeping the sound pure. You can add your favourite reverb, other preferred effects or use pre-configured KONTAKT effects.
- Library contains 9500 samples (24 bit 44100 Hz .aiff). Uncompressed size is 6.52 GB.
- Dedicated to creative music and soundtrack producers, who need to add vocals with "public" character to their compositions.
Available formats: EXS24 and KONTAKT (version 4.2 or later).

It costs €139.99 but is available for the introductory price of €99.99 until May 15.

Celemony Software GmbH is pleased to announce that a service update to Version 1.2.1 of Melodyne editor, assistant and essential is now available free of charge.

The update fixes various bugs and contains a number of minor improvements that increase the stability and reliability of the software. The areas affected include multiple Undos, the editing of blobs, the handling of variable tempo in the DAW, and integration into the Pro Tools and Nuendo environments.

The update is recommended to all users and can be loaded using the "Check for Updates" function on the Settings tab of Melodyne's Preferences property sheet.

California based SuperSync LLC today announces SuperSync 4.0.8, an update to the industry leading iTunes sync utility.

SuperSync enables users to visually compare, access, sync, and merge their iTunes libraries across multiple Macintosh, Windows PCs, hard drives, network storage, and iOS devices. Version 4.0.8 is major update, that includes an improved user interface, a complete rewrite of iTunes Library detection feature, improved support of iTunes specific metadata, device importing, and more.

Pricing and Availabilty:
In celebration of the SuperSync 4.0.8 release, SuperSync is on sale until the end of April. Customers can purchase SuperSync for as little as $20 for a 2- Pak (2 computer license), $30 for a 5-Pak, and $40 for a 10-Pak. SuperSync 4.0.8 is a free upgrade for all current SuperSync owners. A license is required for each computer (Mac or PC) you want to keep organized iTunes libraries on.

Longcat Audio Technologies has announced that they updated H3D, their 3D audio binaural plugin for Digital Audio Workstations, to version 1.1.1 on Windows and MacOS. This update adds AudioUnit support on MacOS, and fixes general stability issues for both platforms.
Aimed at musicians, sound designers or podcasts producers, Longcat's H3D inserts in major audio software (such as Logic Pro, Digital Performer, Cubase, Live, Pyramix, Nuendo or Reaper), and allows the user to create immersive 3D mixes for headphones, by visually animating a large number of audio tracks in a full-3D interface.

- 3D object-based mixing: use the 3D interface to visually place and animate sounds.
- Longcat Audio H3D technology: when listening on headphones, H3D allows panning sound in 3D all around the listener's head.
- Unique HRTF processing: H3D uses Longcat own processed HRTF filters in order to achieve the best spatialization effects.
- H3D Reverb included: immerse your tracks with H3D Reverb, Longcat's 3D spatialized binaural reverberation.
- Automation: fully automate parameters and 3D animation of audio tracks.
- No tedious settings: Just insert H3D plugins and start moving sounds in 3D!

H3D is available immediately at 99€ (incl. EU VAT) in Longcat Audio's online shop for Mac and Windows compatible AU or VST hosts. An evaluation version is freely downloadable on Longcat Audio's website.

Introducing the Virtual Drum Instrument that ANYONE can play! Big Bang - Universal Drums melds an amazing sounding and deeply sampled custom built drum kit with SONiVOX's revolutionary new Intelligent Rhythm Control (I.R.C.) technology. Whether your drum needs are pop, hip-hop, world, funk, rock, or anything else, use these Bangin' Drums and watch your tracks blow up!

- Deeply Sampled Custom Made SJC Drum Kit
- All programs are multi-velocity, and multi-take round robin for the utmost in realism
- SONiVOX's Intelligent Rhythm Control (I.R.C.) technology
- Sticks and Brushes Performance Patches
- Bonus Ethnic and Orchestral Percussion Patches
- MIDI Learn & Save Function
- Big Bang - Drums is instantly compatible with any MIDI controller
- Independent Zone (per-drum) Tempo-Synched Variable Resolution Roll/Retrigger Mode.
- 8 User-assignable stereo outputs and 8 User-assignable effects busses complete with onboard EQ, and tempo-sync delay.