PC and Music News

The Korg microKEY features 37 velocity-sensing mini keys, using the same Natural Touch keybed found on the Korg microKORG XL Analog Modeling Synthesizer/Vocoder and microSTATION Music Workstation. This keybed has been designed with careful attention to the touch and feel. The proportions of the black keys and white "waterfall" keys have been adjusted for optimal playability, and the key touch makes it easy to play chords, glissandos, and rapid-fire phrases. The microKEY accurately conveys the dynamics of your performance to any software package.

Main features :

• USB MIDI keyboard – thin, lightweight, and USB-powered
• 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys
• Comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard
• Octave Shift and Key Transpose features access the full MIDI note range
• Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels add expression to your performance
• Dual USB ports are ideal for adding Korg's nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL (or other USB devices) to your setup

The microKEY ships with the following software licenses and discount coupons so you can start making music right away :

• M1 Le (license)
• EzDrummer Lite (license)
• Ableton "Live" series (discount coupon included)
• Lounge Lizard Session (license)

The microKey is scheduled to ship in November 2010, price is yet TBA.

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€.