FXpansion is proud to present Tremor, a software drum machine with powerful synthesis, effects, modulation and step-sequencing. DCAM circuit-modelled sound generation is fused with new ideas to produce original sounds with the punch and extreme sound pressure of old-school analogue. Tremor’s dance drums, funky beatscapes, abstract machines and undiscovered sonic terrain are suited to all kinds of electronic, urban and experimental music.

Central to each of Tremor’s 8 synthesis engines is a specialized DCAM oscillator with harmonic partials akin to a drumskin’s modes of vibration. Mixed with a sub-oscillator and tuned noise source, the signal is sculpted by modelled drive/filter/FX sections and razor-sharp envelopes. Tremor’s diverse output includes classic kicks, snares and claps, organic hats and body-shaking subs alongside futuristic zaps, scrapes, textures and sounds that defy classification.

The TransMod modulation system in Tremor is easier and deeper than a mod-matrix. It offers new sound design possibilities and lets you animate sounds with LFOs, step-automation sequences and real-time macro controls while the synthesis engine reacts just like real analogue circuits. Tremor’s sonic potential is showcased in the included suite of presets by a team of elite sound designers.

Feature Hightlights

• Synthetic drum machine software
• DCAM-modelled synthesis and FX
• Specialised oscillator with drumskin vibration partials
• Filtering and drive with multiple responses
• Deep, intuitive TransMod modulation system
• Polyrhythmic pattern step-sequencer
• VST, AU, RTAS and standalone

On the Mac, Tremor requires OS X 10.5.8 and above, a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2 GB of DDR2 RAM. FXpansion recommends a 2.9 GHz Intel i5 processor and 2 GB of DDR3 RAM.

Tremor is available now via download from the FXpansion web shop for $149 / €119 / £99. Until 9 February 2012, Tremor is available for $99 / €79 / £69 to all registered owners of Geist or DCAM: Synth Squad (and for customers purchasing Tremor at the same time as Geist or DCAM: Synth Squad).

http://www.fxpansion.com/

Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) has announced the release of Chromaphone, a new creative percussion synthesizer plug-in. Chromaphone combines acoustic resonators to create drums, percussion, mallet, string, and synth-like instruments. Drum skins, bars, marimbas, plates, strings and tubes form pairs that are sparked to life by a configurable mallet and a flexible noise source.

At the heart of Chromaphone lies a novel coupling technology that precisely models how vibrating objects interact and influence each other capturing key acoustic behaviours of musical instruments. This, combined with access to the resonators’ physical properties, results in a library of truly expressive instruments as well as a vast range of sonic colors.

“This new resonator coupling technology we are introducing in Chromaphone brings our physical modeling platform to a whole new level,” said Philippe Derogis, CTO of Applied Acoustics Systems, “Musical instruments are made from combinations of interacting mechanical objects and coupling allows us to take into account this complex dynamics with great acoustic precision and sharpness. It has been really exciting and rewarding to see how our partner sound designers took advantage of these new synthesis possibilities and put together a creative library of vivid sounds that feature the richness and presence of real-life instruments.”

The benefits of physical modeling

• Sound manipulation at the source core
• Presets load in a flash
• Super smooth dynamics—no velocity layers!
• Small memory footprint
• Installs in less than a minute

Neat features

• Real-time control over any parameters via host automation
• Host tempo synchronization for effects and modulations
• Relaxed editing with unlimited undo/redo capability

On the Mac, Chromaphone requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel processor, 512 MB of available RAM, 70 MB of free hard drive space, a minimum 1024 x 768 display resolution, and a compatible VST or Audio Units (AU) plug-in host application.

Chromaphone is available now. The suggested retail price is set at $199, but until 5 December 2011, Chromaphone is available at the special introductory price of $169.

http://www.applied-acoustics.com/chromaphone/

Image-Line has released Groove Machine, a virtual “Groove Box” within your sequencer, perfect for live performance or as a hybrid synthesizer, drum sampler or loop manipulator. Groove Machine features five hybrid synthesizers, eight 4-layer sampler channels and twelve FX, per-step automation of everything and a whole lot of groove mayhem.

Groove Machine’s power lies in its ability to automate every parameter of the sampler, synth and effects channels on a PER-step basis. Get a groove happening quickly and trigger samples, loops and bars/patterns on the fly from your MIDI controller or DAW software.

Groove Machine comes with 10 FX (per channel) designed to work perfectly with controllers. The X/Y pad links to key features of each effect, ready to be tweaked. Link track parameters to the 5 CTRL knobs on top-left side. During track progression, control 2 parameters with your 2 hands. Switch between tracks and control these parameters in each selected track. You can even press several tracks and set a parameter for them all at once.

Groove Machine features

• 5 hybrid (Subtractive/FM) synthesizer channels
• 8 flexible sampler channels, each with 4 sample layers
• 10 DJ-style effects + EQ and Stutter PER channel
• Step sequencer with per-step automation allowing PER step note sculpting of all interface parameters
• Step / Drum sequencer / Piano roll views
• Optimized for live performance
• Internal link system for maximum compatibility with all MIDI controllers
• Multiple independent outputs for the 5 synth & 8 sampler channels
• Ideal for dub-step, trance, house & hip-hop producers

On the Mac, Groove Machine can run stand-alone, or as an AU or VST plug-in.

Groove Machine is available via direct download from Image-Line for $149. A special discounted price of $99 is in effect until 2 November 2011.

http://www.image-line.com/documents/groovemachine.html

MOTU is now shipping MachFive 3, a major upgrade to their universal sampler for creative music production. Rebuilt from the ground up, version 3.0 includes a new user interface design, an extensive 45 GB sound library, seven signature instruments based on new scripting technology, a new hybrid synthesis engine, licensed algorithms from the IRCAM research institute, and many other new features and enhancements.

“With exciting new features and unified, cutting-edge technologies, MachFive 3 achieves our goal: to deliver an inspiring creative sampler and sound design tool for musicians, producers, engineers, DJs, remixers, and sound designers,” said Jim Cooper, MOTU Director of Marketing.

The MachFive 3 window displays a tabbed list on the left-hand side, main controls across the top, and a tabbed main area in the rest of the window for access to all other features. Sections can be resized, shown, or hidden as needed, to streamline operation for any task or workflow. MachFive’s window is designed to operate at various sizes, from a compact plug-in running inside host software to a full screen application taking full advantage of cinema-sized displays.

To load sounds into MachFive’s unlimited parts, a multi-column preset browser fills the MachFive window and remains open while loading multiple parts to save time. “Favorite” locations are listed along with hard drive volumes, frequently accessed folders, sound banks, and 3rd-party sampler disc images. Type a word or phrase into the new search field to instantly list all matching presets from all sound banks and libraries. Once sounds are loaded, users click any part to view basic settings in the Info tab, including a representative graphic of the sound currently loaded into the part, a virtual keyboard for playing the sound, several basic “macro” controls for tweaking the sound, and text hints for using the macro controls.

Most of MachFive’s thousands of factory-supplied presets provide macro controls for direct access to the sound’s most crucial and interesting parameters, from reverb time to filter cutoff frequency. This allows users to tweak sounds quickly, without having to dig through complicated screens full of controls. Some macros even adjust several parameters at once to completely transform the sound with a simple knob twist.

For deeper editing and sound design, additional tabs are available for the Oscillator Editor, Mapping Editor, Tree Editor, List Editor, Mixer view, Performance (multi) view, Effects Rack, Event Processor Rack, modulation settings panel, and other settings.

MachFive 3 includes 7 DVDs with 45 GB of multi-sampled instruments, synth patches, loops, phrases, sound design elements, and sound effects. The Universal Loops & Instruments sound bank is the most versatile, spanning a wide variety of acoustic and electric musical instruments, genres, eras, geographical regions, and cultural styles. The MachFive BiosphereTM sound bank provides hundreds of fresh, rich synth textures, including sweeping arpeggiations, enveloping atmospheres, soaring leads, anthem stacks, resonating pads and many other sounds developed by leading programmers. From car crashes to space storms, the 8 GB Xtreme FX bonus library developed by ultimatesoundbank.com provides 5000 creative sound effects, foley effects, and provocative sound textures that are ideal for music production and sound design alike.

All of these multi-sampled sounds can be used side by side — or even combined — with MachFive 3′s new synth engine, which produces twelve milestone forms of synthesis developed over the past 40 years, from classic additive and subtractive, to frequency modulation (FM), wavetable, and even granular synthesis. MachFive’s granular synthesizer has been licensed from the IRCAM institute in Paris and represents one of the most advanced, yet easy-to-use forms of this technology currently available. Users can load any sound and quickly transform it into completely new material. Further dynamic sound morphing can be be easily applied by simply automating or modulating granular synth controls such as speed, direction, density and grain size.

MachFive’s effects architecture has been redesigned to facilitate the use of effects processing both in sound design and in MachFive’s conventional mixer. 47 different effects, including convolution reverb, can be applied to sound design objects such as individual oscillators/keygroups, keygroup layers, and programs (presets), where they essentially become part of the sound itself. Alternately, effects can be applied throughout MachFive’s mixer as channel inserts, aux bus inserts, and even as master effects on the master fader, limited only by CPU resources.

MachFive 3 excels at audio time-stretching and pitch-shifting with algorithms licensed from the renowned IRCAM research institute. Audio material can be stretched as much as four to five times slower or faster with no noticeable or harmful artifacts, while maintaining stereo phase coherence and rhythmic accuracy. For example, a guitar pick can be heard slowly scraping across each string in the strum of a chord that has been slowed down to 25% of its original speed, with audio clarity akin to the vivid visual clarity of slow-motion high-definition video. Several modes are provided to produce optimum results for various types of audio material.

For professional sound designers with programming chops, MachFive provides a scripting engine to support custom scripted instruments written in MachFiveScriptTM, a straightforward programming API based on an industry-standard programming language (www.lua.org) used heavily in the gaming industry. Script processors perform advanced, customized transformations and analysis of MIDI data streams, as demonstrated by MachFive’s included signature instruments. For example, MachFive’s Telematic script, developed by acousticsamples.net, can generate authentic chord strumming.

Additional MachFive 3 Feature Highlights

• LoopLabTM — An advanced slice loop editor that supports REX, ACID, UFS, Apple Loops, and custom loops.
• Universal 3rd-party sample library support – Directly reads all major 3rd-party hardware/software sample formats and sample discs (Kontakt, Giga, EXS24, HALion, Kurzweil, Akai, Roland, Ensoniq, Sample Cell, and many others) with no conversion, for consolidated sound library management.
• Complete mixing – Graphic mixer with faders, FX inserts, and unlimited channels.
• New Xpander filter — Based on the venerable Oberheim Xpander, this new filter provides 37 modes, each a separate filter in its own right.
• IR VerbTM — A CPU-efficient convolution reverb processor that provides hundreds of presets for acoustic spaces, classic high-end studio reverbs, vintage plates and spring reverbs, plus eclectic impulse responses for sound design. Drag and drop your own IRs, and you can even edit IR waveforms directly.
• Drag and drop operation — Supports easy drag and drop importing of audio files, loops, and samples to and from the computer desktop or a host software application.
• Multi-sample import — Drag and drop multiple samples in one operation to map them intelligently into layers or splits. With straightforward sample-naming conventions, hundreds of samples can be precisely mapped in seconds with a single drag and drop operation.
• Multiple outputs – Submix to 17 stereo output pairs.
• Unlimited polyphony – Includes ultra-low software latency.

MachFive 3 supports Mac OS X (10.5 or later). It operates stand-alone or as a plug-in (AU, VST and RTAS). 64-bit operation is available for supporting systems and hosts.

MachFive 3 is now shipping. Price remains the same at $495. Registered version 1 and 2 users can upgrade to version 3 for $179. A competitive upgrade is also available, with proof of ownership, for $295.

http://www.motu.com/products/software/machfive

Native Instruments today announced MASCHINE MIKRO. Combining the full-featured MASCHINE software with a streamlined and compact controller, MASCHINE MIKRO makes the tactile and intuitive music creation approach of MASCHINE available at a significantly reduced physical footprint and price.

MASCHINE MIKRO is based on a highly portable controller that provides hands-on control of the central MASCHINE features at two-thirds of the size and weight of the full-sized hardware. Utilizing a single display and a dynamically assigned high-resolution master encoder to enable its compact footprint, the bus-powered MIKRO controller retains the distinctive full-sized 4×4 matrix of pressure-sensitive, dynamically backlit MASCHINE drum pads with their acclaimed response and feel.

MASCHINE MIKRO includes the full-featured MASCHINE software with its versatile pattern-based live and step sequencing, VST and AU plug-in hosting, real-time audio recording, sample editing and advanced multi- effects. The MIKRO version also contains the full 6 GB MASCHINE sound library, expandable with the series of MASCHINE EXPANSIONS, as well as the free KOMPLETE ELEMENTS sound collection.

Hardware Specifications:

• Width: 320 mm / 12.6″
• Height: 195 mm / 7.7″
• Depth: 55 mm / 2.2″
• Weight: 1.2 Kgs / 2.6 lbs
• One high-contrast black and white display, 64 x 128 pixels
• 16 high-quality, illuminated pads with velocity and aftertouch
• One master knob for controlling numerous functions
• 28 back-lit buttons
• USB 2.0
• Kensington Lock

With the new 1.7 software version, both MASCHINE and MASCHINE MIKRO now also benefit from advanced integration with KOMPLETE 8 and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE, providing advanced sound browsing and parameter mapping for all instruments and effects contained in the bundle.

To further complement the growing MASCHINE product range, Native Instruments is also about to release iMASCHINE, an iOS app that brings intuitive groove creation to the iPhone and iPod touch platform. With four tracks, audio sampling, high-quality effects and an expandable arsenal of professional instruments and drum sounds from the regular MASCHINE library, iMASCHINE allows users to sketch grooves on the go, and later transfer them into the full MASCHINE software for detailed editing and arrangement. iMASCHINE is planned for release through the Apple App Store in October.

On the Mac, MASCHINE MIKRO requires OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (latest update, 32/64 Bit), an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of available RAM, a USB 2.0 Port and 11 GB free disk space for complete installation. The MASCHINE software runs stand-alone, or as an AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

MASCHINE MIKRO will be available in October for a suggested retail price of $399 / €349.

www.native-instruments.com/maschinemikro

Native Instruments today released STUDIO DRUMMER, a new instrument for the efficient creation of studio-quality acoustic drum tracks. By combining premium sampled drum kits and a comprehensive studio-grade mixing environment with a wide assortment of professional grooves, the KONTAKT-based instrument provides a highly versatile and easy-to-use “virtual drummer” that gives authentic and fast results for pop, rock, metal, jazz and related music styles.

For use with the full KONTAKT version and the free KONTAKT PLAYER, STUDIO DRUMMER makes extensive use of the advanced features of the KONTAKT 5 generation to provide all necessary components for a first- class studio drums production. At the heart of the instrument are three premium drum kits from Pearl, Sonor and Yamaha that have been sampled with painstaking precision in the renowned Teldex Studios in Berlin, using selected outboard gear and an especially sophisticated array of up to 18 microphones. The resulting 17 GB of sample material incorporate up to 25 velocity layers with up to 6 variation samples for individual instruments, and contain over a dozen distinct articulations for snare and hi-hats as well as an alternative snare option for each kit.

The array of individual drum sounds in STUDIO DRUMMER is complemented by its extensive groove library, which includes over 3,500 rhythm patterns organized by 11 specific music styles. All patterns including fills and variations were recorded directly from a professional session drummer, and converted into MIDI files for flexible usage in the KONTAKT engine. All grooves can be adjusted for swing and tightness, and can be transferred into a host sequencer via drag & drop for detailed editing and arrangement. In order to play the individual instruments in STUDIO DRUMMER directly, the software also offers a practical assortment of MIDI templates for various electronic drum sets and third- party drum software, combined with flexible custom mapping functions.

The comprehensive mixer section of STUDIO DRUMMER gives full control over all relevant aspects of the sound, allowing users to specifically tailor each drum kit to the individual musical context. Detailed microphone settings with adjustable snare bleed, auxiliary mics and specific room and overhead controls can be either set by hand, or through the several carefully designed mix presets per drum kit that each represent a distinctive sound asthetic. By utilizing the classic EQ and compressor models derived from the new SOLID MIX SERIES as well as the integrated TRANSIENT MASTER and Tape Saturator algorithms, STUDIO DRUMMER enables studio-grade sound processing with genuinely professional sound quality and flexibility.

On the Mac, KONTAKT PLAYER 5 requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM. A full installation of STUDIO DRUMMER requires 17 GB of available hard disk space.

STUDIO DRUMMER is available now for $169 / €149. It is also included in the new KOMPLETE 8 and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE bundles.

www.native-instruments.com/studiodrummer

The EKS Pro user interface is organized into four sections controlling the pitch, the amplitude and pitch envelopes and curvature, the attack stage and finally pitch modulation. This layout makes it simple and straightforward to program your own patches or modify existing ones.

Other improvements:

• Audio Unit and VST (Mac) now 64-bit too
• Key Tracking can be turned off
• Mono-Legato mode for pitched sounds
• More precise envelope control
• Frequencies now in Hertz (Hz) for unpitched sounds

On the Mac, EKS Pro requires OS X 10.5 or later, a 500 MHz G4 processor or faster, 10 MB of free hard drive space, and a VST or AU plug-in host.

EKS Pro is available as a direct download from Synapse Audio for $39. For existing EKS-9 customers, an upgrade to EKS Pro is available for $19. The free demo download is fully functional, except that periodic white noise is introduced every minute and patches cannot be recalled.

http://www.synapse-audio.com/ekspro.php

AMG today announced the release of their Beat Producer loop editing and percussion plug-in for musicians, producers, DJs and rappers. Beat Producer offers a range of powerful loop editing features to the computer musician, allows access to AMG’s huge, award-winning libraries and brings together industry standard formats, including REX files, Apple Loops and ACIDized WAV files, in one affordable package.

Key features of Beat Producer include:

• Imports Industry Standard Loop Formats — Access REX (.rex, .rx2), Apple Loops and ACIDized WAV files. Freely cross-fertilize groove DNA between loop formats. Switching sounds between grooves freely, extracting sounds or grooves and incorporating any samples within them or creating new beats using any of these resources from scratch. Complete flexibility.
• Instant control of tempo and pitch — Loops automatically tempo sync with your host and pitch can be controlled independently of tempo in real-time.
• Waveform Editor — Examine loop waveforms and edit slices individually within the loop’s groove using the additional groove- locked work track if desired. Reverse, mute, pan, mix and shuffle hits around freely within and between loops.
• Step Editor — 32-part TR-Style step sequencer is available on each rack. Create beats in step time using sounds selected from loops or your sample library.
• Real-time MIDI Control — Easily assignable MIDI control of most parameters for quick, easy real-time, interactive control.
• 8 Racks available — Each instance of Beat Producer offers two stereo groove tracks and 32 step sequencer tracks in each of it’s 8 racks, making 272 tracks per instance.
• Built-in Effects — Four 64-bit, fully editable audio effects processors, and three pages of synth processing per rack.
• Loop Browser — Fully customizable browser with multiple library locations and user definable filters.
• Huge High Quality Sample Libraries — Access AMG’s award-winning sample libraries and enjoy the featured offered by Beat Producer. Huge libraries at low prices and more scheduled for release.

Beat Producer uses AMG’s ONE engine previously described by MacUser as “the complete loop solution”, Sound On Sound said “for loop-heads everywhere, it is well worth checking out” and Future Music reported it “could be the creative and stable multi-timbral file player you’ve been looking for.”

AMG “have always been dedicated to producing inspiring sample libraries. Beat Producer not only provides an exciting range of tools in itself but also provides the perfect environment to host our sample libraries. Making more of our samples available to Beat Producer users and enhancing their use of them to previously unobtainable levels.”

On the Mac, Beat Producer requires OS X 10.4 or higher, a 1 GHz G4, G5 or Intel processor, and 1 GB of available RAM. It runs cross-platform as a stand-alone app, or as an Audio Units, VST or RTAS plug-in.

Beat Producer is available for instant download for just $49 with no library, or $99 with the 3500+ Loop Core Library. A downloadable demo version is also available.

BeatProducer.com

Sonic Charge µTonic version 3, the first major upgrade to the developer’s flagship drum machine in over five years, is now available. µTonic (pronounced “MicroTonic”) is a software plug-in instrument featuring a unique drum and percussion synthesizer combined with a pattern based drum-machine engine. Sporting over 20 new features and a brand new look, µTonic is as good as new again.

You can use µTonic as a sound module to play drum sounds from your MIDI keyboard or sequencer, or you can use the built-in pattern engine to play drum patterns in sync with your sequencer. The sound of µTonic is 100% synthetic and rendered in real-time. No samples or pre-rendered waveforms are used.

µTonic highlights

• Eight channel drum and percussion synthesizer.
• Pattern based drum-machine engine, synced to the host.
• 100% synthetic sound, rendered in real-time. No samples!
• Over-sampled oscillators and sample-accurate triggering.
• Extremely low CPU utilization, less than 5% on any low-end system.
• Easy to use interface with context menus, popup hints etc.
• Plenty of creative editing options like morphing, smart alteration and randomization.
• Comes bundled with loads of factory sounds and patterns.

Some of the new features in version 3

• A morph slider allows you to interpolate all eight drum patches simultaneously between two end-points. You can edit the drum patches with the morph slider at any position and it will adjust the interpolation end-points accordingly. Morph is an automatable and MIDI controllable parameter, so it can be used both as a performance parameter as well as an editing feature.
• Matrix editor window for viewing and editing the pattern steps of all eight drum channels simultaneously. (Bonus feature: you can drag channel labels to reorder the drum channels of the preset.)
• A new “choke group” feature lets you assign two or more channels that should play mutually exclusively and cut each other off. Useful for closed and open hi-hats for example.
• Support for MIDI Pitch Wheel for real-time pitch transposition with a range of up to 2 octaves.
• Undo / redo.
• New 3D-rendered skin. Sharper, brighter, sexier with 32-bit graphics.
• More!

The Mac version requires OS X 10.4 or later running on a PowerPC G5 or Intel CPU, and a host application that supports VST 2.4 or Audio Unit 2 plug-ins. µTonic 3 is 100% backwards compatible with µTonic 2 and when you load your old projects, it will sound virtually identical.

µTonic is available as a direct download from Sonic Charge for $99. Version 3 introduces a new free trial system: Up to three weeks of trial with full functionality. After that µTonic will go silent until you register. Weeks will only be counted when you actually use µTonic.

Already own µTonic? Then you are in for a treat, because the upgrade is totally free for all registered customers.

As if this isn’t good enough news, Sonic Charge is also releasing a small voice effect plug-in called Bitspeek. Bitspeek recreates any audio you feed into it using pulse oscillators, white noise and linear prediction filters. Sounds strange? That’s the intent. See (and listen) for yourself. The price of Bitspeek is $29.

http://www.soniccharge.com/

Discuss µTonic and Bitspeek on our Instruments forum.

FXpansion has proudly announced the availability of Geist, a next-generation sampling drum machine designed to create evolved, custom beats and grooves, freeing you from the limits of pre-packaged loops and over-complicated DAWs.

Geist fuses creative sample-sculpting tools with fast pattern step-sequencing and arrangement. Browse through sounds with lightning speed, slice and assign loops to pads with a single click; sample, resample and build beats in a slick unified environment. Geist makes fiddly tasks with multiple apps a thing of the past.

Geist runs as a plug-in and as a standalone application, perfect for laptop beatmaking. Export creations as audio clips or load sessions back into the plug-in to resample, reslice, remix, rearrange and transform your beats even further. Geist is a complete, integrated rhythm production sandbox for the studio, the tour bus or the stage!

Feature Highlights Include:

• Sampling & resampling
• Dirac3 time-stretch / pitch-shift
• Powerful full-featured slicing & hit detection
• 30+ effect types inc. DCAM circuit modeled filters / dynamics / drive & Overloud Breverb
• Pattern sequencing
• Scene switching
• Integrated song mode
• Real-time record & retro capture
• Step-automation for parameters
• Intuitive and powerful browser
• Full MIDI and audio export
• Standalone / VST / AU / RTAS
• Exclusive sounds & presets from Armin van Buuren, D. Ramirez, Dom Kane, KJ Sawka, Goldbaby, Groove Criminals, Portion Control and more

On the Mac, Geist requires OS X 10.5.8, or OS X 10.6.2 and above, an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz (2.53 GHz and higher recommended) and 2 GB RAM or more.

Geist is a download-only product and is available now from the FXpansion webshop for £157.00 / €189.00 / $249.00 plus VAT where applicable. Crossgrade offer for registered FXpansion GURU customers: £79.00 / €95.00 / $125.00 plus VAT where applicable.

www.fxpansion.com

Discuss Geist in our Instruments forum.

Propellerhead Software today released for sale worldwide the biggest overhaul to its Record and Reason application family to date. These highly anticipated upgrades to Reason 5 and Record 1.5 introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production.

The new Kong Drum Designer and Dr. Octo Rex loop player extend Reason’s instrument arsenal to help musicians get phenomenal sounding rhythms, drums tracks and beats. Reason 5 and Record 1.5 add a whole new take on sequencing: Blocks—build songs parts like patterns and string them together for lightening fast arranging with the ability to freely go back and forth between pattern and linear modes. Neptune, a pitch correction tool and amazing voice synthesizer, turns less than perfect performances into great ones in no time. Simply play new harmonies on a MIDI keyboard for instant backing vocals. Live sampling into all sample capable devices means any musician can use samples in a new and playful manner, discovering the lost art of creative sampling. The Expanded Factory Sound Bank, doubling in size, plus added signature sound designers’ patches, inspire new arrangements and compositions. Multi core optimization, an on-screen keyboard and tempo scaling of clips top the list of additional improvements.

The upgrades further solidify the Record Reason Duo as the mainstay tool for musical creation.

“I don’t put too many demands on (studio) engineers… except for them to have Reason on their system,” says Printz Board, Musical Director of the Black Eyed Peas. “That is one of the only demands.”

Introducing Kong Drum Designer (Reason). Load, sculpt, build and tweak your sounds with your choice of drum synthesis, sampling, REX loops, physical modeling and custom-made effect modules for percussion on Kong’s 16 pads.

Dr. REX octuples into Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player (Reason). No matter how you use it—as a pattern sequencer for loops, or to completely mangle your REX’ed audio – it is guaranteed to inspire.

New Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record). Super flexible high-quality processor to correct and shift pitches, create backing harmonies, formant shift or take your vocals into outer space

Block based pattern sequencing mode makes song creation fast and flexible (Both). Go from pattern-based arrangements to linear—to patterns again. Take your music beyond the eight bar loop.

Vastly expanded Factory Sound Bank with Signature patches (Reason). Reason’s sound bank more than doubles in size, thanks in large part to signature contributors: Printz Board, Bomb Squad, Jason McGerr, Sharooz, Adam Beyer, Keith LeBlanc, Cari Lekebusch & others.

Live sampling is back! In the rack! (Reason). Re-explore the lost art (and fun) of sampling. Every sample player becomes a sampler; record with a single click — further tweak with the built-in editor.

A number of other additions that guarantee to make your music making more fun: Multi-core optimization, on-screen keyboard and scaling audio and MIDI clips, interface enhancements and many more too numerous to name.

Signature patch artists and producers

• Bomb Squad, Hank and Keith Shocklee
• Printz Board, Musical Director of the Black Eyed Peas
• Jason McGerr
• Adam Beyer
• Sharooz
• Cari Lekebusch
• Keith LeBlanc
• The Salazar Brothers

All full versions and upgrades are available worldwide through authorized Propellerhead dealers and Propellerhead’s online store.

• Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade): €149 / $169
• Reason 5 Upgrade from any version: €99 / $129
• Record 1.5 Upgrade from any version: free download!
• Record Reason Duo bundle: €405 / $449
• Reason: €305 / $349
• Record: €279 / $299

Anyone who purchased a qualifying Reason product after May 24, 2010 can receive the upgrade for free.

www.propellerheads.se

Discuss Reason & Record in our Reason & Record forum, of all places.

Audio Damage has announced Axon, a VST and AU plug-in that combines a set of FM-based percussion synthesizers with a novel sequencer design. Christened the Neuron Sequencer, it is described as a set of counters that trigger each other, creating complex and sometimes unpredictable—but not random—patterns and rhythms.

The goal at Audio Damage was to come up with a new style of percussion sequencer/synth that wasn’t linear and x0x-y (TR-808, TR-909, et al). The Neuron Sequencer in Axon is a fundamentally different way of thinking about rhythmic sequencing, and results in new patterns and styles that will bring your IDM, dance, and ambient tracks to another place.

Axon’s sequencer can either drive external synths and samplers or seven of its own internal voices, which are FM-based, but designed for quick and easy programming, and fine-tuned for percussive-type sounds. A full MIDI Learn complement allows external hardware control of both the sequencer and the internal voices. And an on-board stereo delay chosen from a fairly thick collection of Audio Damage delay algorithms extends the rhythmic possibilities right to the edge of what any sane person could possibly stand.

Its own creator will be the first to admit that Axon is an experimental tool, and isn’t for everybody. But if your interests lie in the abstract realm, and you want to take your rhythm and melody programming to strange new worlds, this might be just the thing.

Axon Features:

• All new Neuron Sequencer, a seven-node hexagonal counter sequencer.
• Seven FM percussion-tuned voices, also capable of melodic expression.
• Unique FM and Ring Mod busses for global FM and Ring Mod.
• Full MIDI output control (VST only) for driving external synths, drum machines, and samplers.
• Full internal mixer that also controls MIDI output velocity, with solo and muting.
• Internal stereo delay, taken from the best of Audio Damage’s delay algorithms, with low- and high-pass filters and a playable feedback control.
• Full MIDI Learn mode, for external hardware control of all Axon parameters.

Axon for Mac OS X requires 10.5.1 or greater, and is Intel only. It is available via download directly from Audio Damage for $59.

www.audiodamage.com/instruments/product.php?pid=AD026

Discuss Axon in our Instruments forum.