Steinberg is proud to announce WaveLab 7, bringing a new benchmark for audio editing and mastering to the Mac, while adding new capabilities to its previous Windows incarnation. Among the new features is a unique GUI concept that allows fast and fluid handling of audio material across multiple windows, montages and podcasts with an intelligent docking and scaling system as well as new VST3 plug-ins and restoration tools, a new CD and DVD-A burning engine and much more.

“This is a landmark release for WaveLab and for the Mac audio community,” comments Timo Wildenhain, Steinberg’s Product Marketing Manager for WaveLab. “WaveLab 7 means that Steinberg now offers an end-to-end production solution on Mac OS X that offers industry-standard tools all the way from music creation, production and mixing right through to the final master.”

“WaveLab 7 has been completely reengineered from the ground up to offer complete compatibility for Windows and OS X, extending Steinberg’s commitment to cross-platform support to the audio editing and mastering arenas in which WaveLab has become an industry standard on the PC,” Wildenhain continues.

The new WaveLab 7 user interface handles audio material faster and more intuitively, speeding up workflows in audio editing and mastering with an ultra-fluid, intelligent and completely customizable window and toolbar management system.

WaveLab 7 also includes a restoration tool package provided by leading plug-in manufacturer Sonnox and encompassing specialized DeNoiser, DeBuzzer and DeClicker plug-ins, while a range of additional VST3 plug-ins includes a range of tools previously available in Steinberg’s music and audio production applications including the Nuendo Post Filter plug-in, further expanding the functional depth of the onboard audio toolset. A completely new CD and DVD-A burning engine rounds off the functional additions to WaveLab 7.

WaveLab 7 will be available in the second half of 2010 from authorized Steinberg resellers, with a suggested retail price of €599/£510. US pricing has not yet been announced.

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/audioediting_product.html

Discuss Steinberg WaveLab 7 in our Applications forum.

Sonnox Ltd. (formerly Sony Oxford) is introducing Sonnox Restore, a collection of three innovative plug-ins: Oxford DeBuzzer, Oxford DeClicker and Oxford DeNoiser, designed to accurately restore impaired audio recordings.

Developed over an exhaustive 18-month R&D program, the Sonnox Restore suite represents a quantum leap beyond previous restoration plug-in technology. Its advanced algorithms allow fast and extremely effective removal of pops, clicks, crackles, scratches, hum, buzzes and extraneous background noise from virtually any recording.

All three plug-ins provide detailed graphical feedback, and include novel features new to the restoration field, such as a specialized dialogue mode in the DeClicker.

“Sonnox Restore represents a genuine milestone for our company.” states Managing Director, Rod Densham. “As with all our products, emphasis on audio quality has been paramount throughout the design phase, and an additional focus has been speed and ease of use, which should be particularly beneficial in saving time for our post-production customers.”

The Sonnox Restore Suite will be available at a price of $1995 in the fall of 2009, and will be compatable with Pro Tools (RTAS), AU and VST platforms.

www.sonnoxplugins.com/restore

Discuss Sonnox Restore in our Effects forum.

BIAS, Inc. has debuted SoundSoap Pro 2 — a major upgrade to the award-winning professional audio noise reduction and restoration software plug-in for Mac and Windows operating systems. SoundSoap Pro combines four powerful restoration tools — Broadband noise reduction; Click and Crackle removal; Hum removal; and a Noise Gate. Along with the company’s highly successful entry-level SoundSoap, BIAS provides high-quality noise reduction solutions for users at all levels.

SoundSoap Pro’s intelligent broadband noise reduction is significantly enhanced in version 2 by new Adaptive Noise Reduction (ANR) algorithms from BIAS. “SoundSoap Pro 2 provides ’super-intelligent’ noise reduction”, said Jason E. Davies, VP Sales & Marketing for BIAS, Inc. “Traditional approaches to broadband noise reduction require a selection of isolated noise in order to work effectively. In cases where the broadband noise changes over time — the results can suffer considerably unless the noise profile is re-learned and threshold and reduction settings are adjusted accordingly. SoundSoap Pro 2 addresses both scenarios effectively and automatically with minimal effort. For just a fraction of the cost of competing high-end software, or expensive dedicated hardware solutions, SoundSoap Pro 2 delivers amazing results.”

The inclusion of ANR to SoundSoap Pro 2 means users will have significantly greater power than ever before. Instead of navigating through a noisy file to find an area of isolated noise to learn, users can leverage the advanced algorithms of SoundSoap Pro 2 to automatically extract a noise profile where previously impossible. The fact that the noise profile can be automatically re-learned dynamically is also a significant improvement over other solutions in cases where the broadband noise changes over time. With changes in background noise being a common problem in audio for film and broadcast, SoundSoap Pro 2’s super intelligence should be a welcome addition to any media tool kit. With minimal input from the user, SoundSoap Pro 2’s new super-intelligent ANR offers results previously unattainable in lower cost software solutions and rivals many dedicated hardware solutions.

Rather than splitting the restoration process into separate plug-ins, SoundSoap Pro uses a unique, integrated interface that allows the user to access any tool quickly and easily from within a single plug-in window. Tool navigation tabs are labeled (left to right) “Hum & Rumble”, “Click & Crackle”, “Broadband”, and “Noise Gate” — reflecting the suggested order in which the operations should be performed to obtain the best possible results. The tabs even provide convenient parameter feedback, allowing the user to monitor the primary tool settings globally — regardless of which tool is currently selected.

SoundSoap Pro’s approach to multi-band noise reduction focuses on speed, usability, and performance. SoundSoap Pro groups 512 frequency bands into 12 discrete threshold and reduction sliders — delivering dramatically enhanced efficiency, ease-of-use, and superb sonic results. The sliders may be easily grouped with a lock button, and 12 vibrant level meters assist in threshold adjustments. When used with SoundSoap Pro’s additional attack, release, and tilt controls, even the toughest broadband noise can be easily and dramatically reduced, while greatly minimizing the chance of any inadvertent artifacts. With SoundSoap Pro 2, users can choose between two traditional noise profile learning options — snapshot and timed — plus new ANR options for automated dynamic noise profile analysis. Whether reducing broadband noise from air conditioners, fans, engines, or other sources, SoundSoap Pro 2 provides excellent results with minimal effort.

SoundSoap Pro 2 is designed for every major plug-in host on Mac OS X, including Peak (VST/Audio Units), Pro Tools (RTAS/AS), Logic/SoundTrack/GarageBand/Digital Performer (Audio Units), and Nuendo/Cubase (VST).

BIAS SoundSoap Pro 2 will be available in late Q2 through the worldwide network of authorized BIAS dealers and distributors for a suggested retail price of $599 US. Original SoundSoap Pro customers will be able to upgrade to SoundSoap Pro 2 when available for a nominal fee to be announced upon release. Customers purchasing new retail editions of SoundSoap Pro from April 15th, 2009 will be eligible to receive a free downloadable upgrade to SoundSoap Pro 2 when available. SoundSoap Pro is also included as part of the Peak Pro XT 6 bundle from BIAS. Through the end of Q2, 2009, customers purchasing new retail editions of the current version of SoundSoap Pro may take advantage of a special promotion and receive a free downloadable edition of the BIAS Master Perfection Suite: a powerful collection of six advanced plug-ins for mastering, processing, and analysis — a $599 US value. BIAS’ entry-level edition of SoundSoap remains available at a suggested retail price of $129 US. SoundSoap users may also crossgrade at a special price to SoundSoap Pro — contact BIAS for details. Additional information can be found at: http://www.bias-inc.com.

Discuss SoundSoap Pro in our Effects forum.

BIAS, Inc. announced today that all six professional audio processing plug-ins from the Master Perfection Suite, will also be available separately as retail editions. The Master Perfection Suite is aimed at musicians, recording and mastering engineers, audio and video editors, sound designers and other audio professionals.

Repli-Q is a linear phase spectral matching/balancing plug-in, which is designed to analyze, edit, and compare the spectral content of audio recordings. Once analysis has taken place, the spectral characteristics of one recording may be applied to another. Repli-Q can mimic or apply an artist’s spectral “style” to your own recordings, or use it in the mastering process to give a cohesive sound to a collection of songs that may have been recorded and mixed in different locations or environments.

Like Repli-Q, both Sqweez-3 and Sqweez-5 incorporate advanced new linear phase equalization algorithms from BIAS. Sqweez-3 and Sqweez-5 both offer graphic per-band viewing/editing of threshold and EQ. Each band may be soloed and/or bypassed individually, and a convenient “auto gain” button compensates for loudness variations due to compression. Additionally, a variable “digital ceiling” slider controls the clipping headroom of the integrated soft clip function.

PitchCraft is a real-time pitch correction/transposition plug-in that also offers the ability to manipulate the signal to achieve creative effects. Professionals can rely on PitchCraft to fix out-of-tune vocals or other single voice instruments easily and with minimal artifacts, thanks to a powerful pitch-shifting algorithm.

Reveal combines seven powerful tools in a single plug-in interface — Oscilloscope, Peak and RMS Power History, Spectrogram, Pan Power, Spectral Analysis, Lissajous Phase Scope and Peak and RMS Level Meters. An “all” view displays every tool in a single window.

SuperFreq offers a powerful suite of mastering-quality 4, 6, 8 & 10-band parametric graphic equalizers with everything for professional caliber equalization, including -18dB to +18dB Gain Values; 0.1 to 30 “Q” (bandwidth) values; sweepable frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz, individual band bypass buttons; 24dB stereo input/output meters; and filters including Peak, Notch, High Shelf, Low Shelf, High Cut, and Low Cut.

Featuring waveform and graph displays and a suite of advanced parameter controls, GateEx effectively removes signals below an assignable threshold while the integrated downward expander helps reduce residual unwanted content.

The Master Perfection single editions will be available in April from $59 to $149 US SRP through authorized BIAS resellers and distributors worldwide, and directly from BIAS. The entire Master Perfection Suite is also available separately for $599 US SRP. Master Perfection Suite is also included as part of the Peak Pro XT package. Visit the BIAS web site for additional details including free 14-day trials.

Discuss the Master Perfection single editions in our Effects forum.

Fresh code, innovative drag-and-drop MIDI mapping and plug-in management, auto-configuration with PreSonus hardware, insanely good audio quality, 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 the compelling features that make Studio One the next generation in audio software. Far from just another music-production program, Studio One changes the rules of the game, giving you a complete, easy-to-use solution from raw tracks to finished master, while supporting the latest standards and technologies.

A powerful tool that will appeal to professionals and hobbyists alike, the Start page (above) allows you to access recent songs and projects, create new ones, configure external devices, and access tutorial information, demo songs, and a special PreSonus news feed. You can download updates and support materials directly from the Start page, without ever leaving Studio One.

Studio One features:

The new demo preview of DSP-Quattro 3.0 Universal Binary for MacOS X is now available for the download!

DSP Quattro is a complete solution for Audio Editing, Audio CD-Mastering and Plug-in Hosting for Mac OS X. It runs on both PowerPC and Intel based Apple Macs. It offers outstanding performance with a new PlayList feature and a re-designed advanced graphic waveform editor.

DSP-Quattro version 3.0 will be available in its final version on April, 1st 2009.

To celebrate the occasion, i3 Srl is proud to offer the following special two-week promotion: the upgrade to version 3 will be for free to all new users purchasing a license of version 2.x during the month of March!

Read all about it here in our forums.