PC and Music News

Voxengo SPAN version 2.3 update is now available for
download. SPAN is a free real-time "fast Fourier transform" audio spectrum analyzer plugin for professional music and audio production applications. For the most part it was derived from Voxengo GlissEQ dynamic parametric equalizer and reproduces its spectrum analysis functionality.

SPAN conforms to AudioUnit and VST plugin specifications, and is available for Mac OS X (v.10.4.11 and later) and Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) computers.

List of changes in version 2.3:

- Right/left signal power difference readout added.
- "Filled Spectrum" spectrum display mode switch added.
- Level meter's "density mode" improved.
- Control surface crosshair option added (can be switched off in the global options).

Get ready to bring the evil with SoundToys new Devil-Loc plug-in, AND get it free for a limited time till 3/31/11.

What is it? It's our take on the classic Shure Level-Loc, which was designed to be a kind of level controlling amp, but was made famous (by SoundToys user Tchad Blake) for the painful sucking compression and distortion it would get when you punish it a bit. It makes drums into huge demons. It can do evil things to vocals and all audio, but it's true power is on drums. Individual tracks, sub mixes, whatever? It's scary, dirty, fat, evil, and awesome.

How to get it for free? We dropped some "Sharing Codes" on the party goers at the SXSW Tape Op party in Austin (that we gold sponsored cause we're cool). You need one of those codes to get it. They're all around the "Internet" because, by sharing the code, the original owner gets closer to winning stuff. Then, once you have your copy, you get your own code to share and you could win, too. It's a massive popularity contest really. So look on forums, emails, on tattoos of strangers to find that code.

Native Instruments today introduced RAZOR, an innovative and highly distinctive software synthesizer designed together with forward-thinking electronic artist Errorsmith. For use in REAKTOR 5 and in the free REAKTOR PLAYER, RAZOR uses powerful additive synthesis to create intense and profoundly modern sounds for contemporary electronic music production.

RAZOR utilizes up to 320 partials for its sophisticated sound shaping algorithms. The dual oscillator section provides a wide arsenal of timbres, ranging from typical analog-style waveforms to unconventional models like "Primes", "Sick Pitchbend" and "Hoover Sync". The two filter sections offers 20 different filter types including innovative formant, vowel and waterbed models. A further section provides an arsenal of unique "Dissonance Effects" that further contribute to the unmistakable, charismatic sonic footprint of the instrument. RAZOR even integrates a high-performance 34-band vocoder that can also be used to process external audio signals of any type. Price: 79$ (download on the NI website).

UVI Wurli is the easiest way to turn your Mac into a mythical electric piano : simply plug a MIDI keyboard in your computer and you're ready to play one of the most famous electronic keyboard ever made: a wonderful Wurlitzer model 200A manufactured in 1972.

UVI Instruments are well known and have been deeply used by professional musicians and producers for more than a decade thanks to some unique software like MOTU MachFive , Ethno and BPM , Spectrasonics Stylus and Atmosphere , UVI Workstation ... to name a few.

UVI Wurli features the best of the UVI technology and the most efficient user interface to play an instrument: launch it and play !

The algorithmic reverb tail of REFLECT is now made with a true stereo processor - this means that the spatial position of the input signal influences the character of the resultant reverb tail. As a nice side effect the new processor gives you an even wider stereo panorama and increased resolution and density in the reverb tail.

To "warm up" the reverb an improved modulation algorithm has been added too.

Celebrating the introduction of the 64-bit version the first 200 customers can get REFLECT for only Euro 99

The DM-1T and DM-1S are small-diaphragm pencil-style condenser mics designed to work on tom (DM-1T) and snare (DM-1S). With a cardioid polar pattern and switchable -15dB pad, the characteristics of each mic have been tailored to pick up those specific nuances from the different drums. Each mic comes with a metal drum mount and mic clip.

Meanwhile, the DM-1B is a large-diaphragm, end-fire condenser mic that can cope with up to 150dB (with the -15dB pad switched in) and comes in an aluminium flightcase. DM-1B is designed specifically for kick drum but also gives impressive results on bass instruments and bass guitar cabinets.