Native Instruments today announced KOMPLETE 7, a significantly expanded version of its studio-standard software bundle. The next generation of KOMPLETE now combines 24 instruments and effects – including five entirely new products – with over 10,000 sounds and 90 GByte of samples, resulting in a comprehensive suite with unparalleled versatility for music production and performance.

KOMPLETE 7 includes the latest versions of Native Instruments’ acclaimed full-featured instruments and effects, ranging from ABSYNTH 5, BATTERY 3.1, FM8, GUITAR RIG 4.1, KONTAKT 4.1 and MASSIVE to the upcoming REAKTOR 5.5. As the next generation of the legendary modular synthesis studio, the new REAKTOR version adds powerful modal and additive synthesis, a revised user interface, the unique “Lazerbass” synthesizer and many enhancements for both instrument builders and musicians.

KOMPLETE 7 also integrates a wealth of instruments and effects based on KONTAKT, KORE, REAKTOR and GUITAR RIG. Products added to the bundle include the acclaimed ABBEY ROAD 60s DRUMS vintage drum library, the radical performance effect THE FINGER by Tim Exile, the sampled electric bass SCARBEE MM-BASS and all four electric pianos from the SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS series by sampling mastermind Thomas Scarbee, all four acoustic pianos of the CLASSIC PIANO COLLECTION, the cinematic ACOUSTIC REFRACTIONS instrument and the distinctive REAKTOR SPARK synthesizer.

KOMPLETE 7 also incorporates five completely new products that further expand the creative potential of the bundle: The powerful studio reverb REFLEKTOR with its advanced zero-latency convolution engine; the highly expressive REAKTOR PRISM modal synthesizer designed by NI founder Stephan Schmitt; the performance effects suite TRAKTOR’S 12, derived from Native Instruments’ leading DJ software; the new VINTAGE ORGANS instrument with its comprehensive arsenal of painstakingly sampled electromagnetic organs; and the new RAMMFIRE amp emulation that was developed in close collaboration with one of Rammstein’s guitarists, Richard Z. Kruspe.

On the Mac, KOMPLETE 7 requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz processor or faster, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB free hard drive space, and a DVD drive.

KOMPLETE 7 will be available in September 2010 for a suggested retail price of $559 / 499 EUR. An update for owners of KOMPLETE 2/3/4/5/6 will be available for $229 / 199 EUR. Every copy of KOMPLETE 7 also includes an NI Online Shop voucher worth $60 / 50 EUR, valid towards any product from the KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects range that is not included in the bundle.

www.native-instruments.com/komplete

Discuss KOMPLETE 7 in our Instruments forum.

New audio software developer Sound Radix has announced Auto-Align, an automatic microphone time alignment plug-in. Auto-Align “listens” to your multi-mic recordings, then automatically measures and compensates for the delay between the microphones. All with sample-accurate precision.

Time-aligning a multi-microphone setup is crucial to achieving a coherent and punchier sound. When recording an instrument with more than one mic, sound tends to reach each microphone at a slightly different time and thus causes some frequencies to cancel out, while other frequencies can build up unnaturally. When distant microphones are used and a delay is desired to preserve a sense of space, Auto-Align can time-place the microphones to better match the close-mic’d source.

Auto-Align is currently available as an Audio Unit plug-in, with VST & RTAS versions coming soon. It requires a PowerPC or Intel Mac, running OS X 10.5 or later.

Purchase Auto-Align directly from Sound Radix online for $149. A free trial version is also available for download.

www.soundradix.com

Discuss Auto-Align in our Effects forum.

Last year, Roger Linn Design released AdrenaLinn Sync, a software plug-in that provides the same unique beat-synced filter modulation and sequencing effects of the AdrenaLinn III guitar pedal, plus quite a bit more. Now they have released AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2, a completely rewritten and dramatic improvement over the original. And it’s free to all purchasers of the original version.

AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2 is written in conjunction with Way Out Ware, makers of TimeWArp2600 and KikAxxe, critically-acclaimed emulations of vintage Arp analog synthesizers. Version 2 takes advantage of Way Out Ware’s flawless analog-modeled filters and audio processing technology, resulting in a very wide variety of truly exciting, unique and inspiring sounds.

With AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2, all the special capabilities of AdrenaLinn Sync—simultaneous filter/volume/pan modulation, Snap To Scale, randomness probability controls, tube-modeled distortion, 8 bar stereo delay with delay loops, noise beats, synth loops and more—really shine.

Key changes in AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2:

• Vastly improved Filters: Warm, full & accurate analog-modeled Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass, Flanger and Phaser, created in collaboration with Way Out Ware, makers of the highly-acclaimed software emulations of vintage Arp synthesizers, TimeWArp 2600 and KikAxxe. The quality and variety of both conventional and unusual tones is remarkable.
• Completely rewritten to replace Cycling 74’s Pluggo technology. This adds compatibility with all DAWs including Cubase and also Ableton Live while running Max For Live.
• A sexy—but very functional—new look, rendered in true 3D to emulate the look of AdrenaLinn III’s knobs, buttons and panel.
• All new presets—beautiful and inspiring—that truly show off the new sound capabilities.

The Mac AU/VST version of AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2 is available now, with Mac RTAS and Windows VST/RTAS coming soon.

AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2 may be purchased online, directly from Roger Linn Design, for $99. Owners of the original version will receive an email this week containing a free upgrade to version 2.

www.rogerlinndesign.com/products/adrenalinnsync/

Discuss AdrenaLinn Sync Version 2 in our Effects forum.

Audio Damage has announced the availability of Discord3, a comprehensive refresh of their popular Discord series of multi-effects. From subtle ADT effects to completely chaotic granular destruction, and everything in between, Discord3 is a capable and broad-reaching multi-effect plug-in.

The pitch-shifter consists of three separate algorithms: a “vintage” mode (the original Discord algorithm, modeled on the Eventide H910 and H949), a “clean” mode for more modern shifting sounds, and a “granular” mode for experimental effects. Each mode has its strengths, depending on the input material, and Discord3 has a broad palette of capabilities as a result. The P1 and P2 algorithms have full control over the buffer (window) size of the shift effect, for fine tuning the shift to the input signal, or for stranger sound effects. At the extremes of the six-octave shift range, some truly strange aliasing and artifacts can be had with this control.

If you’re looking for a nice, clean diatonic pitch shifter for fine surgery and re-pitching the full program, this may not be for you. Discord3 is a tool for sound design, barberpole shifting delays, and special effects. Think Eno, Visconti, Bowie, or Dirty Mind-era Prince and you’ll be on the right track.

Discord3 Features:

• Pitch Shifting — Discord3 contains a pair of shifters with three separate algorithms (Vintage, Clean, and Granular) for different styles of pitch shifting.
• Buffer Size Control — The P1 (Vintage) and P2 (Clean) algorithms have a Buffer Size control, from 32 to 2048 samples, for fine-tuning the pitch shifting effect.
• Delay — Tempo-synced or free-running delays with feedback, cross-feedback, and a sophisticated bandpass filter.
• Modulation — Discord3 has a pair of LFOs that can modulate delay time, pitch shift amount, and filter center frequency.
• True Stereo Operation — Discord3 has a true stereo signal path, with entirely independent control over each side.
• All New GUI — Discord3 has a completely re-designed GUI, with animated displays and a unique “grab-the-digit” value adjustment method.
• MIDI Note Control — Six octaves of pitch-shifting can be controlled with MIDI note input.
• Full MIDI Learn — Discord3 features MIDI learn for every parameter, for full hardware control.

The Mac version of Discord3 requires an Intel processor, OS X 10.5 or newer and an AU or VST 2.0 host. 64-bit versions will be available by mid-June.

Discord3 is available directly from Audio Damage for $59. If you already own Discord 1, 1.5, or 2, an upgrade is available for $10.

www.audiodamage.com/effects/product.php?pid=AD025

Discuss Discord3 in our Effects forum.

Softube has announced the availability of their Valley People Dyna-mite emulation plug-in for VST, AU and RTAS hosts. Dyna-mite is a unique limiter/expander with options to do gating, ducking, keying and de-essing.

The original Dyna-mite hardware was designed in the 80’s in an ambitious attempt to incorporate the knowledge of previous decades into one swiss army knife solution. From the design comes several innovations like the Valley People proprietary VCA and the Anticipatory Release Computation, which plays a big part in the unique sound of the Dyna-mite.

Today, the Dyna-mite is just as usable as back then, as a problem solver but also very much as a creative tool. Use it as a limiter to squash drums or to get the snap into a bass track. Use it as an expander to enhance the dynamics of a track. Use it in sidechain mode to duck or follow another track. Every application breathes of the Dyna-mite’s very special character and inspires to new sounds.

The Softube Valley People Dyna-mite plug-in is the first and only software recreation of the Dyna-mite that is officially endorsed by Valley People.

On the Mac, Dyna-mite requires OS X 10.4 or later, an Intel or PowerPC processor (G4 or higher), 512 MB of RAM and an iLok USB key.

Valley People Dyna-mite is available today at the Softube web shop and at authorized Softube dealers at an introductory price of $229, excl. VAT. The introductory offer will last throughout May and thereafter the price will be $279. A fully functional 20 day demo is also available.

www.softube.com/valleypeople_dynamite.php

Discuss Dyna-mite in our Effects forum.

Line 6, Inc. has released POD Farm 2 and POD Farm 2 Platinum, a pair of AU, RTAS and VST plug-ins built upon the foundations set by their predecessors to deliver extensive model counts, a simple yet powerful workflow and world-renowned POD tone for any digital audio workstation.

“The new plug-ins offer extensive updates and functionality that recording guitarists have been asking for,” remarked Mike Murphy, Category Manager for POD and PC Products at Line 6. “Enhanced routing with flexible DSP, POD Farm Elements, and full MIDI support provide an experience that’s both powerful and intuitive.”

The enhanced routing with flexible DSP (digital signal processing) inspires creativity and allows for a broad range of tones. Users can build Dual Tones, which are dual signal chains that can be played separately or simultaneously. Dual Tones can include up to twenty effect models of any type placed in any order within the signal chain.

Included with both POD Farm 2 and POD Farm 2 Platinum, POD Farm Elements are additional plug-ins that contain POD Farm models grouped together by type. By providing access to single amp, preamp or effect models at a time, users can choose an exceptionally streamlined workflow and a modular approach to Line 6 modeling.

MIDI support offers complete control over POD Farm 2 and POD Farm 2 Platinum via any MIDI controller, including Line 6 FBV MkII-series foot controllers. Intuitive MIDI Learn functionality makes it easy to configure remote control of all amp and effect parameters including model bypass, volume, mute, global tap tempo and more, including tone switching with the new virtual A/B/Y box.

The wide variety of models in POD Farm 2 Platinum (including 78 guitar amps—from boutique combos to high-gain stacks—24 cabs, 28 bass amps, 22 bass cabs, 97 effects and six crucial microphone preamps), and the distilled model set of POD Farm 2, deliver unparalleled ranges of tone. When the tonal variety couples with the refinements made to the sleek POD Farm 2 interface, users can create rich, complex tone presets quickly and easily.

On the Mac, POD Farm 2 and POD Farm 2 Platinum require OS X 10.4.6 or later running on a minimum 1.8 GHz dual G5 processor. Both plug-ins are available for use with either an iLok USB Smart Key or Line 6 hardware. A free 15-day trial version is available for download as well.

• POD Farm 2 for Line 6 hardware – $49
• POD Farm 2 for iLok – $99
• POD Farm 2 Platinum for Line 6 hardware – $249
• POD Farm 2 Platinum for iLok – $299
• POD Farm 2 Upgrade for iLok – $49

line6.com/podfarm

Discuss POD Farm 2 in our Effects forum.

Loomer has announced modular multi-effects plug-in Sequent, the perfect tool for mangling audio on stage or in the studio. The effects, including a flexible beat looper and a pair of filters capable of self oscillation, can be connected in practically limitless combinations by simply dragging virtual cables between them.

Sequent has seven individual effect blocks: a Beat Looper; two Filters, both switchable between lowpass, bandpass, and highpass modes and capable of self oscillation even without an audio input; an oversampled Distortion unit; a Gate with variable depth and slew; a Panner; and a Delay unit capable of sub millisecond delay times, great for creating everything for from dub, slapback, and bouncing ball style echoes, to metallic comb filters or flanger effects.

Each effect parameter can be sequenced with one of twenty-two step sequencers, controlled live via a midi controller, or even left to chance by using the random mode. Sequences are combined into patterns which can be switched instantly between using either the on-screen interface or the notes on a midi keyboard.

Hear Sequent in action

On the Mac, Sequent requires OS X 10.4 or later, a PowerPC or Intel processor at 1 GHz or faster, 512 MB RAM, and a host that supports AU, VST or RTAS plug-ins. Sequent can also run as a standalone application as necessary.

Sequent is available to purchase at the Loomer website for £49. An free evaluation version is also available for download.

www.loomer.co.uk/sequent.htm

Discuss Sequent on our Effects forum.

DMGAudio is very pleased to announce EQuality, their debut EQ plug-in for AU and VST hosts. Developer Dave Gamble, with years of experience working for prestigious companies such as Focusrite, Sonalksis and Neyrinck, heads up this new venture which promises a unique style of EQ built from the ground up in both sound and workflow.

Some software EQs are models of hardware. Some are workhorse EQs for surgical correction, or for guiding a track into a mix. Some are for mastering. EQuality is not a model of a specific piece of hardware. It aims to be a great replacement for all your EQs.

From the bottom up, DMGAudio promises that EQuality sounds as good as an EQ can sound. The prototypes are as close to the consistent analogue shapes as can be achieved digitally, without spending extra CPU. When you want to spend extra CPU to close the deal, you can do that too. So far, not many people have reported finding occasions where the difference is perceptible. This is intentional, and apparently one of the secrets that make EQuality different.

From the top-down, EQuality is designed to allow you to make it work the way you prefer. At every stage, DMGAudio has sought out any idiosyncrasies in the design, and replaced them with solutions that make sense, and with options to allow you to have things the way you need them.

In the middle, there’s functionality and flexibility. A lot of it.

Sound features

• New technology for generating EQ coefficients that gets you an undistorted, clear analogue-matched top-end
• Linear phase processing
• Analogue phase-matched processing
• Bells and notches, with a +/-36dB range, and a Q range from 0.1 to 50
• Shelves which let you move the resonance above or below the curve!
• Filters at 6/12/18/24/30/36 db/octave, sweepable resonance
• Extra hi-pass, so you can remove rumble on every channel without spending a band on it
• M/S processing mode, allows you to process Mid, Side or the Stereo image
• Adjustable gain-q interaction for ‘musical’ usage

Workflow features

• Three different UI modes, to suit your taste
• Range control, to allow you to scale the gain of the EQ response with one control, both positively and negatively
• Frequency shift, to allow you to retune the response
• Large, configurable spectrum-analyser with readout
• Configurable VU, supporting K-metering and variable ballistics
• 8 banks of A/B
• Full preset management system
• Undo/redo
• Autolisten mode, for quick finding/adjustment of frequencies
• Flat button on UI for rapid reset
• Clip LED

On the Mac, EQuality requires OS X 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 running on a G4, G5 or Intel Mac, and a host that supports AU, VST or VST3 plug-ins.

EQuality is available via direct download from DMGAudio for £74.99 (around $115 at publishing time). A free demo download is available as well.

www.dmgaudio.com

Discuss EQuality in our Effects forum.

Camel Audio has announced the release of Alchemy Player, an affordable software instrument plug-in for those who want the sounds of Alchemy but don’t want to create new presets. Camel Audio has also just released two new sound banks, Cinematic and Dance & Trance. The Player is included free when you purchase any Alchemy soundbank, turning each of these banks into a standalone instrument in its own right.

Alchemy Player includes 150 presets and 360 MB of samples taken from the full factory library, including evolving soundscapes, lush pads, and pulsing arpeggios.  With your first soundbank from Camel Audio you get 300 expressive presets for the modest price of $59.

Alchemy Player features the same advanced sample manipulation engine as its big brother, with additive, spectral, granular, sampling and VA synthesis for totally unique sounds, and is easily controlled via a simple and compact interface. This provides sixteen performance controls for real-time tweaking and automation, which have unique functions for each preset carefully chosen by the sound designer; so each preset is like a small synth in its own right. The remix pad also makes it possible to quickly try different variations – simply click and drag to morph between the eight variations.  All presets are arranged by productand category for rapid access to the sound you require, to keep your inspiration flowing.

On the Mac, Alchemy Player requires OS X 10.4.9, a 2 GHz Intel or G5 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 3 GB available disk space, and an Audio Units or VST host.

Alchemy Player is available now for $59 / €49 / £39 as a 224 MB download. If at any point you decide you want to access the full power of Alchemy, you can upgrade to the full version for just $199 / €159 / £143, and let your imagination run riot creating your own sounds, explore the 600 presets and 3GB sample library, and gain access to the user library and third party soundbanks. As a further incentive, this month Camel Audio are offering a free soundbank.

Until March 31st you can get 20% off all additional soundbanks, once you have one bank in your basket, so there’s never been a better time to dip your toes in the Alchemical waters.  For sound examples and further information on Alchemy Player, please visit the Camel Audio website.

www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php

Discuss Alchemy Player in our Instruments forum.

At the core of DrumSpillage lies a high resolution multi model synthesis architecture. Rather than create a complex “one size fits all” generic drum synth algorithm AudioSpillage created a rich variety of highly flexible algorithms (see full list below). Each model can be tweaked well beyond its standard settings allowing you to create unique, highly personalized kits that no one else has. DrumSpillage features 2 precision ADSR envelopes per pad with ultra fast attack times and smooth release tails. Full control over envelope attack and release shape is provided as well an exponential mapping mode for tighter, punchier and more natural sounding drums. An independent pitch envelope gives you fine control over pitch shape and contour – crucial for designing bass drums to meet your exact needs.

With so many editing parameters, you’ll need good modulation possibilities to add extra interest to your sounds. Each pad has two multi-waveform LFOs capable of being driven well into the audio frequency range. Two global LFOs are available to all pads simultaneously and can even modulate the standard LFOs creating complex non-repetitive modulation sources for unique effects. Each pad has its own independent distortion unit with a choice of 6 algorithms ranging from warm analog style clipping to full digital overload and decimation effects. Add subtle character to your sounds or reshape them completely. Each pad also has a multi-mode filter capable of low pass, high pass, band pass or band reject filtering modes with switchable 12 or 24db/octave cutoff slopes. The filter can be modulated via envelopes and LFOs, and the resonance can be set to self-oscillation.

No need to worry about DrumSpillage becoming old, dated and stale. The model-driven architecture allows AudioSpillage to upgrade DrumSpillage with additional models without affecting the existing GUI and plug-in performance.

Key Features

• 13 exclusive drum synthesis algorithms (below)
• 16 part multitimbral, 64 note polyphony
• Pad based real-time control surface
• Fast slider based GUI
• Future proof model driven architecture
• Flexible modulation options
• Full MIDI key mapping and pad layering
• Dynamic velocity accent control
• Extensive editing capabilities
• 9 mono/stereo outputs
• High resolution 64-bit DSP engine

Full Model List

• Bass Drum
• Cymbal
• Noise HiHat
• Synth Clap
• Membrane
• FM Percussion
• Wood Drum
• Hand Bell
• Claves
• Electro Bass Drum
• Electro Snare
• Electro HiHat
• Electro Cymbal

DrumSpillage requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher and an AudioUnit host.

Release date is set for 15th March 2010 but AudioSpillage is taking a very LIMITED number of advance orders now for a special discounted price of £75 / €89 / $119 which represents at least a 25% saving on the full retail price. You will receive your plug-in on or before the official release date.

www.audiospillage.com/drumspillage.php

Discuss DrumSpillage in our Instruments forum.

BigTick has released the long-awaited version 2.05 of Rhino, which is now also available for Mac OS X in VST and AU instrument formats. In addition, all other previously commercial BigTick products including Angelina, EP-station, EP-Phazer and Rainbow are now freeware.

Rhino is a 6-oscillator hybrid FM Synthesizer with customizable waveforms and modulable, variable waveshapers. The plug-in comes with more than 1000 presets, neatly classified in a searchable database, and many more are available on the BigTick web site.

Major enhancements in Rhino v2.05 are:

• Now supports Mac OS X Audio Units and VST.
• Improved UI with new envelope editing options.
• SFZ support.
• Flexible routing between the filters (parallel, serial, cross-feedback).
• Built-in library now contains all the available presets, neatly classified.

Rhino is now available for Windows and Mac OS X (Intel-only) in VST and AU instrument plug-in formats.

Purchase Rhino via direct download for €70 (around $97 at publishing time). A free demo version is also available for download. Registration is required to access the downloads of Angelina, EP-station, EP-Phazer and Rainbow.

www.bigtick-audio.com

Discuss Rhino on our Instruments forum.

Softube has announced the official release of their Trident A-Range Equalizer plug-in. The original Trident A-Range console is a legendary piece of equipment. As only thirteen were ever made, it remains a holy grail for sound engineers and producers around the world that hope to create equal works of art to those that were originally recorded on the A-Range — David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, Queen, Elton John, and more.

The A-Range was originally designed in the early 70’s for Trident Studios in London by Malcolm Toft and Barry Porter. Toft was employed as a sound engineer at Trident Studios and when the studio needed a 24 track recording console, he started Trident Audio Developments to design and build the Trident A-Range. Other products followed and found their way to studios around the world. Toft remains active to this day, developing products under the Trident name.

The A-Range plug-in from Softube is the first and only native plug-in that has been fully endorsed by Toft and Trident Audio.

The plug-in version of the A-Range is modeled after a channel on one of the original 13 Trident A-Range consoles. This particular channel strip is channel number 15 from Sweet Silence Studio ‘B’ in Denmark and was borrowed from Danish producer Flemming Rasmussen. The A-Range console has been in Rasmussen’s care for a long time and used by Flemming Rasmussen when recording albums such as Metallica’s Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All.

The A-Range channel features four bands of equalization and high and low pass filters, the sound of the filters are often referred to as “colorful” and “musical”. When running a hot enough signal through the original unit and boosting the bands it is possible to get it to distort, the sound is a hairy and effective saturation that is just right in some situation and just wrong in others! Even though the unit was never designed to distort, it has definitely been used this way by renowned producers and Softube thought it was only appropriate to stay true to the original unit and add the saturation to the plug-in as an option!

In Short

• Created together with original designer Malcolm Toft
• Each and every component carefully modeled
• Same sweet sounding EQ filters that made the original legendary
• Interaction between the different bands, making this equalizer one of its kind
• Saturation control
• Very CPU friendly

A VST, AudioUnits or RTAS (Pro Tools 7 or higher) compatible host application is required. The Mac version requires OS X 10.4 (or higher) on a G4 or Intel CPU (or higher), 512 MB RAM, a DVD drive and an iLok USB key. The TDM version requires a Pro Tools|HD Accel card.

A-Range is available via direct download from Softube, and at authorized dealers, for an introductory price of $229 (Native) or $329 (TDM/Native). After February, the price will increase to $279 and $449, respectively.

www.softube.com/trident_arange.php

Disucss the Trident A-Range Equalizer in our Effects forum.