PC and Music News

The GAIA Synthesizer Sound Designer is a software-based editor application for the Roland GAIA SH-01 Synthesizer. Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, the GAIA Synthesizer Sound Designer allows users to access the GAIA synth's entire set of sound parameters visually via a computer. The GAIA Synthesizer Sound Designer is the perfect companion for all GAIA synth owners—beginners, music educators, and pros alike.

Once the GAIA Synthesizer Sound Designer is installed, all that is required is a single-cable USB connection between the GAIA synth and the PC. With the GAIA Synthesizer Sound Designer's interactive interface, users have complete command over sound creation. Every control for the GAIA's three synthesizer engines is represented, while the unique Waveform Display shows the shape of the currently edited waveform in a virtual oscilloscope, providing a graphical representation of the sound.

Owners of Eventide plug-ins now have another month to upgrade to the Anthology II bundle at a discount, thanks to Eventide's extension of the Anthology II Upgrade Special.

Until September 30, 2010, Eventide Anthology owners may upgrade to Anthology II for only $199 (regularly $299). Owners of three or more Eventide plug-ins, or Clockworks Legacy owners may upgrade to Anthology II for only $299 (regularly $499). Owners of two or more Eventide plug-ins may upgrade to Anthology II for only $399 (regularly $649). Owners of any Eventide plug-in may upgrade to Anthology II for only $499 (regularly $799). Plug-ins will be surrendered and MassivePack plug-ins are accepted.

Anthology II is comprised of fifteen plug-ins:

- E-Channel - configurable channel strip with gate, compressor/limit ...

Ableton is focusing on users who want to learn more about Live 8 with its new "University of Ableton" campaign: anyone who buys Live 8, Suite 8, Live Intro or any upgrade between September 1 and October 31, 2010 will receive free online Ableton Live training from selected partners.

Experienced studio veterans, DJs wanting more creative possibilities or those just getting started with music production will all benefit from training in English, German, Spanish and French from these leading online education providers:

- www.berkleemusic.com is offering one week of access to their "Producing Music with Ableton Live" and "Advanced Music Production with Ableton Live" courses (English)

- www.sonicacademy.com is offering 30 days of free access to every Ableton video in their library (English)

- www.audiotechknowledge.com is offering a sampling of both Volumes 1 and 2 of their Ableton Live course (English)

- www.live-courses.com is offering a sampling of both their Beginner and Advanced Ableton Live courses (English)

- www.elephorm.com is offering 30 days of access to a sampling of their Ableton Live tutorial content (French)

- www.dvd-lernkurs.de is offering a special downloadable package containing videos from both volumes of their Ableton Live training courses (German)

- www.microfusa.com is offering the first six lessons of their first-level Ableton Live 8 course (Spanish)

After buying an eligible product, customers will get a coupon that allows access to any—or all—of the training options.

The Sonoris Mastering Equalizer (SMEQ) is a parametric equalizer in VST, AU and RTAS format for Windows and Mac. It has selectable linear phase or minimum phase operation per band. The plug-in is suitable for mixing and especially mastering and features 7 bands, including lowpass, highpass, peaking and shelving filters.

The SMEQ can be used to enhance or correct difficult material like vocal or instrumental soloists and groups, orchestral recordings and complex mixes, without introducing any unwanted coloring. The linear phase implementation of the SMEQ ensures a transparent character and just boosts or cuts a frequency range without adding a "sound". It doesn't smear transients or create mud, nor does it alter the imaging and depth information of the original sound. This way it is poss ...

AcousticsampleS releases Percussiv'. As opposed to traditional percussion libraries, this one is based on the detail of each instrument so that each of them is playable and sounds realistic.

Features :

• 15 Detailed Instruments,
• 1,16Gb sample bank, around 4000 samples no loops Recorded at 24/88,2Khz downsampled to 24/44.1khz,
• 4 to 8 Round Robins,
• A lot of velocity layers,
• Detailed instruments with the most common strokes, each one is easy to play,
• Advances functionnalities to be able to change the volume, pitch and pan of each instrument (only in the Kontakt version),
• Instrument list: Agogo, cowbell, berimbao, bongos, 2 claves, congas, chinese gong (tamtam), guiro, 3 shakers, cabasa, tambourine, brazilian tamborim, triangle, udu drums, 6 woodblocks,
• The Midi percussion parts of the demos are included to help you understand how to play it,
• Available for Kontakt 2, 3 and 4, and AcousticsampleS' new player: the ASPlayer (VST and - Audio Unit for mac, and VST for windows) : you don't need anything else to be able to play it.


There are more demos, info and screenshots as well as info about the player on AcousticsampleS website.

You can buy it for 69€.

Roland introduced the OCTA-CAPTURE USB 2.0 Audio Interface, a 10- input/10-output device for computer-based multi-channel audio production.

According to Roland, OCTA-CAPTURE sets a new standard in portable USB 2.0 interfaces, combining premium components, 24-bit/192 kHz performance, and proprietary preamp and streaming technology in an affordable and compact unit.

Designed for high-level audio production, OCTA-CAPTURE features eight professional-grade VS Preamps with each channel providing an combo-XLR input jack, phantom power, low-cut filter, phase invert, and digital compression. These digitally controlled microphone preamps are built with premium components, resulting in transparent audio with a superior signal-to-noise ratio. The space-saving combo jacks also accommodate ¼-inch connectors, with Hi-Z instrument inputs on channels 1 and 2 and balanced TRS inputs on channels 3-8. In addition, channels 7 and 8 are well suited for high input levels associated with kick drum and snare drum recording. Additional connectivity includes eight ¼-inch TRS output jacks, coaxial S/PDIF I/O, and MIDI I/O.

Roland plans on shipping the Octa-Capture for $699 (MSRP) in October of 2010.