PC and Music News

Steinberg Media Technologies has announced the upcoming release of an update to its HALion 3 virtual sampler VST instrument that adds support for 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. The update to version 3.5 will be available in Q2 2009 as a free download from their website for registered HALion 3 customers.


"Because it adds compatibility to 64-bit Vista, HALion 3.5 can address vast amounts of memory, allowing many more additional instruments to be loaded simultaneously," comments Helge Vogt, Steinberg's Product Marketing Manager for Cubase and HALion. "This frees up even more creative potential because it puts even more instruments and articulations at the artist's fingertips. And when used with Cubase 5 as the host application, and the 64-bit-ready MR816 CSX/X FireWire audio hardware, HALion 3.5 is a key part of our complete 64-bit production solution," Vogt adds.

Alesis presents the AM3, a stereo USB condenser microphone for directly recording stereo audio into your computer. Perfect for portable stereo recording, musicians, journalists and other audio enthusiasts will find the AM3 convenient and easy to use.

The AM3 features a dual-capsule condenser microphone design that enables users to record detailed stereo audio. The microphone's wide 30 — 20,000 Hz frequency response rivals that of far more expensive microphones. Its analog-to-digital conversion creates a stereo signal at 16-bit, 44.1 or 48kHz resolution and sample rate. The body features a gain control for adjusting the input trim with no computer control required.

The AM3 requires nothing more than a standard USB port on a Mac or PC.
The AM3 comes with a free Alesis podcast-hosting subscription, enabling users to share their recordings with the world. The AM3 also comes with a carry case, mic clip and cable.

The AM3 will be available from musical instrument and professional audio retailers in April 2009.

Tomo Audiolabs unveils Lisa, a 6 band stereo Eq with dynamics on each band. Instead of a "classic" multiband compression which can create phase problems between the bands, this unit uses a totally different approach : it compresses or expands on the selected bands.

We don't have more details for now but this Lisa looks very sexy... despite its price : around €12.000.

Arturia announces that Minimoog V 2.0 will be shipping from April 20. This new version of the Minimoog synthesizer emulation includes :

- Advanced automation mode
- A revolutionary preset navigation system called the SoundMap
- New formant-analysis-based FX called the Vocal Filter
- Various improvements to the sound structure
- A fresh bunch of presets
- Bug fixes.

The upgrade is free for all registered users.

Solid State Logic is proud to announce the release of Duende V3 and new X-Verb plug-in.


Duende V3 doubles the power that the Duende platform can be upgraded to with the introduction of an entirely new audio engine. Duende's new Hybrid Core Processing engine combines all of the advantages of dedicated DSP with use of your computers CPU processing power. V3 enables users to upgrade Duende Mini to 64 channels and Duende PCIe

PreSonus presents Studio One, a new music creation and production application for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista that makes audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and audio mastering ridiculously simple right out of the box, yet provides a wealth of professional features.

Fresh code, innovative drag-and-drop MIDI mapping and plug-in management, auto-configuration with PreSonus hardware, unlimited tracks and plug-ins per track, and a powerful, inventive Start page that literally puts the whole project right in your hands are just a few of its features.

Key Features :

• Single-window work environment
• Powerful drag-and-drop functionality
• Unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, virtual instruments, buses, and FX channels
• Content browser with convenient sort options and preview player
• Integrated mastering solution with automatic mix updating, waveform editing, effects, Red Book CD burning, and digital release