PC and Music News

Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH today released HALion 4.5, the latest update to Steinberg's acclaimed VST sampler and sound creation system, now featuring advanced multi-core support, time-stretching and pitch-shifting functionality, a sample import browser and multi-oscillators.

New HALion 4.5 features:
- Multi-core support for unleashing the full potential of today's multiprocessor systems
- Audio Warp provides cutting-edge time-stretching and pitch-shifting functionality
- New import browser for faster and more convenient access of VST Sound and sample libraries
- Multi-oscillators for multiplying the density and fullness of synthesizer layers
- Multi-editing of MIDI modules for simultaneous manipulation of several MIDI modules
- Improved sound editor usability for more convenient navigation and sound design.

Studio Piper is a software-based bagpipe allowing you to play and record Highland pipes, Uilleann pipes, Border pipes and Scottish Smallpipes through your PC or Mac.

Pipers wishing to play Studio Piper will need an electronic bagpipe with MIDI output (we recommend the Technopipes), a computer to run the software and a MIDI to USB cable to connect the two. Studio Piper can also be controlled by any other MIDI instrument (e.g. keyboard, wind instrument etc) and runs in all VST/AU compatible hosts. Studio Piper comes as both stand alone and plugin for Windows and Mac.

This enormous beat collection of unparalleled quality has been a 7-year long project of the South Asian beats guru and No.1 hit producer Eranga Jayawansa. Using the latest technology combined with authentic ethnic percussion, these loops deliver extra individuality and spice.

Beats from the East covers all the genres from HipHop and RnB to Techno and House plus more experimental beats. More than half of the collection features the use of ethnic percussive instruments (tabla, dholak, kanjira, ghatam, yak bera, geta bera, thammattama, udakki, raban, clay pots, bamboos, conga, djembe, darbuka etc).

Includes:
- 1152 Acidized WAV files
- 1152 AIFF Apple Loops
- 1152 Stylus compatible REX2 files
- 47 EXS24 Instruments
- 47 Kontakt Instruments
- 47 Reason NN-XT Instruments
RRP: £49.95 / €58.95

PreSonus today announced a money-saving offer to encourage users of competing major DAWs to switch to Studio One Professional 2. If you own any version of Pro Tools®, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic®, GarageBand®, Sonar, Live, Digital Performer, Acid, Record, Reaper, Samplitude, Mixcraft, or FL Studio and would like to switch over to the most intuitive recording software on the planet, we'll make it easy!

You can buy your crossgrade directly from PreSonus by emailing a copy of the UPC code or original purchase receipt for the other DAW to crossgrade@presonus.com. Upon approval, you will be issued a coupon code, which you can then use to purchase Studio One Professional 2 for $299 USD at the PreSonus online store.

Announcing an additional incentive to get creative this winter - special pricing on each Ableton software product and upgrade!

From November 15, 2011 to January 15, 2012, purchase from any authorized dealer worldwide or the Ableton web shop, and receive 25% off:

Ableton Suite 8, Live 8 and Live Intro, Upgrades to Ableton Suite 8 and Live 8, Max for Live, Ableton Instruments and Partner Instruments.

Here's the second episode of 'Abstract & Weird', again programmed by Oliver Schmitt aka Sounds of Revolution, and distributed by Resonance Sound.

As with Volume 1, this collection is loaded with otherworldly FX, atmospherics, peculiar elements and all kinds of twisted and heavily processed sounds that can give your production that certain flair or character. These loops aren't just for sonic experimentalists,
though, as they're ideal for all four-to-the-floor genres, including minimal, electro, trance and house of any flavour.