Audio Ease has announced the release of Altiverb 7, the original cross-platform convolution reverb that uses samples of actual spaces and classic gear to generate ambiance with software. Version 7 features an updated user interface, keyword searching and new modulation capabilities.

The Impulse response (sampled spaces) library is more accessible then ever because of Altiverb’s new picture browser: quicker loading, organize-by-size, and single click favorites are among its features. Altiverb 7 looks and feels better. Often used controls all line up on the front, while the more exotic ones are in drawers beneath. Keyword searching makes it easier to find the right space among the many hundreds of spaces Altiverb includes.

Altiverb 7 adds an algorithmic reverb that is closely fit to the impulse response. It can optionally add brightness and chaotic modulation in ways only synthetic reverb can while preserving the nature of convolution reverb.

The Impulse response library can be kept up to date from within the plug-in. The TDM structure has been sheavily simplified, altiverb is now the only total recall convolution reverb (without the use of snapshots). It adds drag and drop impulse response making from sweeps, slate claps or anything experimental from piano chords to overhead thunder. Altiverb 7 is fully backwards compatible: you can open up any old project and it will load and sound the same as Altiverb 6.

Altiverb 7 supports 64-bit operation, is Intel Mac only for now, runs in all major VST, Audio Unit and MAS hosts and in ProTools 8, 9 and 10 as a TDM plugin and as RTAS.

The upgrade is free for all Altiverbs purchased in 2010 or later: A grace period of close to two years! Otherwise the upgrade is $215 / €159.

www.audioease.com/altiverb

iZotope, Inc. today announced the release of Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 5 is an update to iZotope’s critically acclaimed software mastering suite. Ozone 5 Advanced is a professional mastering suite that expands Ozone’s feature set with individual component plug-ins, extended features, and the brand-new Ozone Meter Bridge.

“Whether you’re a musician, engineer, or mastering pro, Ozone 5 lets you master music and other audio simply and efficiently,” says Nick Dika, iZotope Senior Product Manager. “Ozone 5 is the biggest update we’ve ever offered, with improvements that will appeal to Ozone experts and new users alike. Ozone 5 Advanced is designed to set a new industry standard for mastering tools. Advanced includes many exclusive features, and offers mixing and mastering engineers an even higher level of flexibility, precision and control.”

New in Ozone 5

• Pristine Sound and Enhanced DSP – Each module has been updated with refined signal processing algorithms to bring you a new level of mastering quality. The most complete mastering suite available has never sounded better.
• Optimized Workflow and Updated Interface – iZotope has redesigned Ozone’s user interface to allow for finer control while placing important features right at your fingertips. New users can jump in without a steep learning curve while experienced Ozone fans will feel right at home.
• Visual Feedback – Every module features updated metering to help guide you to the perfect-sounding master.

Ozone 5 Advanced builds on iZotope’s reputation for superior sound quality and industry-standard audio mastering tools. Each module in Ozone 5 Advanced is equipped with extended features made specifically for mixing and mastering professionals. For added flexibility, Ozone 5 Advanced allows customers to use each of the mastering modules as individual plug-ins. Combining essential visualization from Ozone’s modules with new metering tools, the all-new Meter Bridge provides a suite of audio analysis tools that help you visualize changes made during the mastering process, troubleshoot problematic mixes, and compare reference tracks.

Ozone 5 Advanced Includes

• Extended Features – Ozone 5 Advanced provides deeper control within every module in Ozone. Advanced exclusives include a variable-phase EQ, Loudness Maximizer modes with Transient Recovery and Stereo Link controls, mono-compatible stereo synthesis features and much more.
• Meter Bridge – The powerful Meter Bridge introduces a high resolution real-time 3D spectrogram with unique mix analysis features, BS.1770-2 compatible stereo loudness metering, resizable spectrum analyzer, and a vectorscope with stereo balance and correlation meters.
• Meter Taps – For mixing and stem mastering, multiple audio streams can be superimposed on a 2D or 3D plot using Ozone 5 Advanced’s Meter Tap plug-ins. Meter Taps enable unprecedented visualization of how a mix’s elements fit together.
• Component Plug-ins – Use Ozone 5 Advanced’s mastering modules as an integrated mastering system or as individual plug-ins. Move module presets between Ozone 5 Advanced and its components freely.

On the Mac, Ozone 5 requires OS X 10.5.8 or later, an Intel processor and a compatible AU or VST host application (or Pro Tools 7.4 or later for RTAS/AudioSuite). For use of the scrolling 3D Spectrogram, Ozone 5 Advanced requires a graphics card that supports Open GL 2.0.

Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced will be available for a suggested retail price of $249 and $999 respectively. Special discount pricing of $199 and $599 is available through 2 January 2012. Current Ozone customers may upgrade for $149 to Ozone 5 or $499 to Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 4 customers who purchased after October 1, 2011 will receive a free upgrade to Ozone 5 Standard upon release.

www.izotope.com/ozone5

Update November 11: Current Ozone 4 customers may upgrade for $99 and $399 respectively.

Update November 28: The introductory discount pricing has been extended an extra month to January 2.

Eventide has announced the Reverb 2016 Stereo Room and Omnipressor plug-ins for AU, VST, and the new Pro Tools native format, AAX, in the first installment of a major initiative to bring their world class effects to the native plug-in world.

The original Eventide Reverb 2016 is a hardware effects processor from the mid-1980′s that included several reverb algorithms that are still prized today: Stereo Room, Room Reverb, and High Density Plate.

The video above demonstrates the Pro Tools TDM-only version of the Eventide Reverb 2016, currently available from Princeton Digital. It is not currently known if the upcoming native plug-ins will sport the same functionality or features.

Dubbed the Omnipressor because of its unique ability to both compress and expand audio, this processor is capable of extreme compression, limiting, expanding, and dynamic reversal. One of Eventide’s first customers was a young Brian May, lead guitarist of Queen. With the Omnipressor in his rig, his sound was never the same again.

Eventide’s first native plug-ins, the Reverb 2016 Stereo Room and Omnipressor, will be available through Eventide software dealers, and on eventide.com beginning mid-November 2011 at a special introductory price of $149 and $99 respectively.

http://www.eventide.com/

DontCrack is proud to announce the launch of the new V.I.P. Series plug-ins, the result of considerable experience working with major artists and producers around the world. The collection of twenty AU, VST and RTAS effects ranges from dynamics to coloring to reverbs.

This new series delivers the same professional sound you would come to expect from other major plug-in manufacturers, with a nod towards ease of use. Designed with an emphasis on quality and simplicity, each plug-in has a clean interface with only the most essential knobs and switches. With the V.I.P. Series, dialing in a great sound has never been easier: Simply load the plug-in and turn a knob for instant sonic satisfaction. Installing and authorizing DontCrack plug-ins has also been made incredibly easy for end users to move forward with what they have to do.

On the Mac, the V.I.P. Series plug-ins require OS X 10.5.8, 10.6 or 10.7 Lion, an Intel processor and a compatible AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools) host. 32-bit and 64-bit are supported. No iLok or eLicenser dongle are required.

Each V.I.P. Series plug-in is $49 individually, or $489* for the entire “V.I.P. Bundle” collection. Trial downloads are available. If you prefer purchasing plug-ins one at a time, DontCrack will upgrade you to the entire V.I.P. Bundle for free as soon as you accumulate 10 plug-ins. Once you have purchased or upgraded to V.I.P. Bundle status, all subsequent plug-ins released for the V.I.P. Series will be free of charge. The DontCrack V.I.P. bundle is expected to expand to over 40 plug-ins next year.

* To celebrate the release, DontCrack is making the V.I.P. bundle available for only $299 until Monday, 10 October 2011.

http://store.dontcrack.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=72

Twisted Tools has released a brand new mutli-effects unit for Native Instruments’ Reaktor 5. Rolodecks is a realtime dynamic, semi-modular multi-effect, made up of six effects. The default Rolodecks effects are the Slicer, Flange, Filter, Delay, Reverb and Ext effects.

Ext (short for external effect), is an assignable effects slot, giving you the ability to insert your own effects and automate them. With the Ext effect slot, you can truly make Rolodecks unique by adding your own flavor. The Ext slot comes with a Stretch inserted from the Twisted Tools effect, Buffeater, but feel free to swap it out for your own.

Additionally, when you purchase Rolodecks Pro, you also get a special version of Rolodecks, called RoloEXT, which gives you six external effects slots and extra modulation options built using the same framework as Rolodecks. Setting up your own unique effects takes no time at all and the possibilities are endless. If you can connect the ins and outs of a simple home stereo, you can easily setup RoloEXT with your favorite Reaktor effects and more.

Rolodecks Features:

• Slicer, Reverb, Delay, Filter, Flange and EXT effect
• Connect your favorite Reaktor, Hardware or Software effects to the EXT effect slot
• Rolodecks Pro comes with RoloEXT, featuring 6 EXT effects slots
• Dub style fx sends using your host effects with RoloEXT
• Effects are playable via MIDI or freely running
• Drag effects to set signal flow
• 8 Scenes that store/recall signal flow, automation and parameter settings
• Ext Modulation lanes send MIDI Notes, IC Sends and/or CC’s
• Advanced internal modulation system
• Modulation speed and length per parameter
• Envelope Mode for the modulation lanes
• Kore, Maschine and Twisted KP Templates
• Time-stretching sample playback system
• 300+ mb Sample Library
• Sound Design by: Antonio Blanca, Derek Mahone, Gil Sharone, Glitchmachines, Jedsound, Lawgiverz, Mike Huckaby, Michael Ndah, Reuel Walker, Si Begg
• Extensive Documentation and Demo Video by Dubspot Instructor Matt Cellitti
• Free Version Updates

On the Mac, Rolodecks requires Native Instruments Reaktor 5, which currently requires OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (latest update, 32/64 Bit), an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, and a compatible AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) host. Reaktor can also run as a stand-alone application.

Rolodecks is available now as a direct download from Twisted Tools for $49. Rolodecks Pro (Rolodecks + RoloEXT) is $69.00.

http://twistedtools.com/shop/reaktor/rolodecks/

Redwirez has announced the release of mixIR2, a high performance, zero latency convolution plug-in. mixIR2 allows you to mix multiple IRs with minimal fuss and no loss of performance as you stack IRs. Mix mics, cabinets, reverb, EQ curves, and more with ease at levels of performance unrivaled by any other convolution plug-in.

With mixIR2, you won’t have to wrestle with busses, sends and the overhead of running multiple plug-ins just to capture your typical two mic recording setup. Throw in a room mic or two, some reverb, a dash of EQ, or reproduce a tube amp’s interaction with your cabinet of choice, all with IRs and all with no performance penalty and no complicated routing strategies in your audio workstation.

You can mix IRs in parallel which is useful when mixing multiple mic positions. You can pan IRs left or right in the stereo field. You can run an IR in serial, which is great for EQ or adding room reverb when used in conjunction with the ability to set a wet/dry mix ratio for each IR. If it sounds powerful, that’s because it is. If it sounds a little confusing, it’s not. Load a preset and start twiddling some knobs, you’ll get the hang of it, “tout de suite”.

Features at a Glance

• Efficient, no-nonsense, drag-and-drop IR browser
• Zero latency, so it adds no delay to the signal
• Run one IR or 30 with the same unmatched performance
• FAST — Lets you run more plug-ins
• Powerful internal routing allows you to mix IRs without messing with busses and sends
• Mix IRs in stereo with pan controls
• Upload, download, share and rate presets on redwirez.com
• 32/64-bit Mac VST and AU, 32-bit Windows VST (RTAS and Win64 support on the way)
• Simple authorization process. We like to keep our dongles to ourselves, thank you
• Neve 1073 EQ impulse responses included

According to Redwirez, mixIR2 outperforms every other plug-in tested by at least 20% (less CPU utilization) when running a single IR. When it comes to mixing multiple IRs, no other plug-in comes close because, run 1 IR or 30, it doesn’t matter. You get the same stellar performance with zero latency. Zero latency means mixIR2 doesn’t add delay to the signal.

On the Mac, mixIR2 requires OS X 10.5 or later in 32-bit mode. On OS X 10.6 or later, the AU and VST plug-in will also run in 64-bit mode.

mixIR2 is available now for free when you buy the Redwirez BIGBox IR bundle, which is currently available as a direct download from Redwirez for $125.

www.redwirez.com

3R Audio is happy to announce the release of Space Designer Manager 2, a management tool for the popular Logic Pro impulse reverb Space Designer. Version 2 adds batch editing, a new Info Drawer, workflow enhancements and Mac OS X 10.7 Lion optimization.

The ever growing number of 3rd party and user impulse responses shows Space Designer’s drawback: Before you can use a impulse response file you must load it into a setting and save it. If you have hundreds or thousands of files, this will be an exhausting and almost impossible task. Space Designer Manager does the job automatically for you in seconds. Furthermore it can find and re-link impulse responses back to their respective setting files and batch modify important parameters of existing settings like dry and wet level, volume and latency compensation.

Space Designer Manager consists of two parts. On the left side you can switch between Generator and Modifier mode. Generator batch-generates setting files for Space Designer compatible impulse responses while Modifier batch-modifies basic parameters of already existing settings. Single files, folders and also folders inside of folders are processed. Generator will process all AIF, WAV, SD2 and SDIR files in mono, stereo, truestereo, quadrophonic, B-Format and mono-omni surround. On the right side resides Relinker. Relinker relinks setting files with the impulse responses they were originally pointing to by selecting a setting folder and the according impulse response folder.

The new features in Space Designer Manager 2:

• New Modifier added to batch modify the most important Space Designer parameters
• An all new Info Drawer featuring a complete audio file player, plus an additional
• info view for convenient pre-listening of impulse responses
• New option to add the duration of the impulse response as a prefix to the setting name
• New option added to let the Preferences and Info Drawer open on startup
• Numerous internal enhancements
• Optimized for OS X Lion

On the Mac, Space Designer Manager 2 requires OS X 10.6 or later, an Intel processor, 1 GB of available RAM, and Apple Logic Pro.

Space Designer Manager 2 is available via the Mac App Store for $37.99 or direct download from 3R Audio for €29. The upgrade from version 1 is €9 and can be ordered in the 3R Audio Shop. It is free for users who have purchased Space Designer Manager after 1 May 2011. A demo version is available.

http://www.3raudio.com/spacedesignermanager.html

Sugar Bytes today released Turnado, a multi-effect tool crafted especially for massive and real-time audio manipulation, providing countless unique effects, promising sounds unheard of every time you turn it on. Turnado is both hands-on stage performance boost and serious tool for studio perfectionism, giving you direct control of up to 8 different effects at any given time, with a total of 24 effects available.

In the studio, simply dial in your effect from a super-sweet selection of 24 pro-quality algorithms, then mash up your audio content with minimum fuss, quickly adding dynamic variation to your arrangements. Take it to the stage and unleash Turnado’s true power. With instant access to eight effects and immediate control over key parameters, Turnado is guaranteed to cause devastation on the dance floor, shredding beats and crunking breaks to insane proportions.

The idea is simple:

1. Turn a knob and the effect is on.
2. Turn the knob further to adjust effect parameters and apply modulations.
3. Turn the knob down and the effect is off.

With its instantaneous, one-knob, multi-parameter modulation features, Turnado will lay waste to the audio landscape. Giving you the power to crunch, chop, twist, mash and elevate your music to new levels, Turnado will have you creating wicked new sounds that will blow any crowd away.

Unlocking the power of your MIDI controller each effect requires only one knob to control it. Underneath this simplicity lies a matrix of effect parameters and modulation engines, all controlled by the main knob. This control matrix provides serious depth to the plugin and gives you the ability to create original and truly unique effect programs.

If the power of one-knob action still doesn’t rock your boat, the awesome “Dictator” mode will sink your battleship. It allows you to animate all the main knobs and run that animation with just one fader. That’s one fader, controlling up to 8 different effects, with potentially hundreds of parameter changes!

Turnado’s primary focus is on beat manipulation, so you will find lots of loopers, slicers and grain tools in the rack. Alongside these beat-mashing effects are an arsenal of distortions and filters as well as first-class delays and reverbs. With extensive modulation possibilities each effect can produce millions of unbelievable variations that can be morphed and twisted into something new every time you tweak those knobs.

On the Mac, Turnado requires OS X 10.4 or later, a minimum 2 GHz processor, and at least 1 GB of available RAM. Turnado runs as a standalone application or as a 32 or 64-bit VST/AU plugin.

Turnado is available via direct download from Sugar Bytes for $179 / €139. A free trial version is also available.

http://www.sugar-bytes.de/content/products/Turnado/

Discuss Turnado on our Effects forum.

ValhallaDSP today announced the release of ValhallaRoom, a versatile, true stereo algorithmic reverb. It features several original reverberation algorithms and has been designed from the ground up to produce a wide range of natural reverberation sounds. Sounds range from tight ambiences and rooms, through traditional hall and plate sounds, all the way up to vast modulated spaces. The algorithm designs have been influenced by some of the “classic” room simulation boxes, as well as state of the art modern theory.

• Unique Early reverb section allows user to dial in subtle and short bursts of early reverberation energy, as well as gated reverbs up to 1 second in length.
• The Late section produces natural reverb decays ranging from 0.1 seconds to 100 seconds. The decay can be controlled in 3 adjustable frequency bands.
• Both Early and Late reverb sections have adjustable modulation, to produce sounds ranging from lush chorusing, to subtle and natural long decays.
• ValhallaRoom is true stereo. The Early and Late reverb sections are both stereo-in, stereo-out. The spread of energy between the stereo channels can be controlled over time, which helps preserve the input spatial image.
• The GUI has been designed for easy navigation, and is inspired by Joseph Müller-Brockmann, NASA control panels, and Sesame Street.
• A comprehensive preset browser makes saving, recalling and sharing settings easy.
• Four original reverberation algorithms:
  • Large Room — designed to emulate big rooms with a wide spatial impression, with smooth “detuning” modulation
  • Medium Room — sparser than Large Room, with a more random modulation
  • Bright Room — a lush, shinier-than-life reverb, with deep modulation and a somewhat slower attack
  • Large Chamber — a smooth decay with consistent high echo density and subtle detuning modulation

ValhallaRoom is available in AU, 64-bit AU, VST and RTAS plug-in formats, and may be purchased via direct download from ValhallaDSP for $50. A free trail version is also available.

www.valhalladsp.com/valhallaroom

Discuss ValhallaRoom on our Effects forum.

iZotope today released Nectar, a new plug–in which offers dozens of professionally designed vocal production styles powered by eleven processing modules. Users can select an included style and then customize it with faders tailored to that style. For further customization, switching to the Advanced View allows access all of the controls of the underlying modules that power the plug-in.

“Nectar takes the pain out of vocal processing,” says Hart Shafer, Vice President of Product Management for iZotope. “The combination of its innovative style-specific interface and access to eleven advanced modules mean that users can quickly dial in great vocal sounds without being creatively restricted.”

Nectar includes Pitch Correction, Breath Control, Compressors, DeEsser, Doubler, Saturation, EQ, Gate, Limiter, Delay, and Reverb modules. Among other innovations, Breath Control offers users a target mode, which allows them specify the desired level of breaths detected in the track. Pitch Correction includes both auto and graphical pitch editing controls.

iZotope Nectar is ideal for audio engineers, voice over artists, singer/songwriters, recording enthusiasts, podcasters, and anyone else who records sung or spoken vocals. Its dozens of styles cover genres including: Alternative & Indie, Blues/R&B, Classical, Country, Dance & Electronica, Hip Hop & Rap, Jazz, Pop, Rock, and Spoken Word.

On the Mac, Nectar requires OS X 10.5 or later (Universal Binary). It comes in Pro Tools 7+ (RTAS/ AudioSuite), VST, MAS and Audio Unit plug-in flavors.

Nectar is available at pro-audio retailers and directly from iZotope.com for $299. An introductory price of $199 will be available until 13 December 2010. A 10-day free trail version is also available.

www.izotope.com/products/audio/nectar/

Discuss iZotope Nectar in our Effects forum.

3R Audio has released the first version of Space Designer Manager, extending the usability of Logic Pro’s popular Space Designer impulse reverb.

The ever growing number of third party and user impulse responses reveals Space Designer’s drawback: Before you can use a impulse response file you must load it into a setting and save it. If you have hundreds or thousands of files this will be an exhausting and almost impossible task. Space Designer Manager keeps you in creative mode because it does the job automatically for you in seconds. Furthermore, it can find and relink impulse responses back to the setting files they belong to, if Logic can not find the files at the position that was saved in the setting.

Space Designer Manager consists of two parts. On the left side you find the Generator which batch generates setting files for Space Designer compatible impulse responses. You can process single impulse response files, folders or multiple selections as you wish by drag and drop or the open file dialog. The program will process all files in folders and folders in folders with the format aif, wav, sd2 and sdir, mono and stereo.

On the right side resides the Relinker which relinks setting files with the impulse responses they were originally pointing to by selecting a setting folder and the according impulse response folder. Relinker lets you choose the right file if there should be any files with the same name.

Space Designer Manager‘s Preferences Drawer lets you set various options for the pst setting file generation. You can decide if you want to use volume and latency compensation or not and also set the wet and dry level. For example, if you prefer the dry signal of your generated settings to be off, you can do so by simply setting the Dry Button to off. The Help Drawer gives you instant information with a single click without having to open a help menu or separate help file.

Space Designer Manager requires an Intel based Mac running OS X 10.6, 1 GB RAM, and Apple Logic Pro. It is available via direct download at an introductory price of €29 until January 1, 2011.

www.3raudio.com

Discuss Space Designer Manager on our Logic Studio forum.

ValhallaDSP today announced the release of ValhallaShimmer, a high quality reverb plug-in designed to produce a smooth decay that is both dense and colorless. There are several reverberation modes available, to allow the user to dial in reverb decays of different sizes, ranging from smaller rooms to vast ambiences. The algorithms in ValhallaShimmer are the results of over a decade of research into both reverberation algorithms and pitch shift algorithms.

• By adjusting the Feedback, Diffusion and Size controls, the attack, sustain and decay of the reverb signal can be fine tuned.
• The modulation controls can be set to produce subtle mode thickening, glistening string ensemble-esque decays, and the distinctive random modulation of the older Lexicon hall algorithms.
• Two tone controls and the Color Mode selector allow the timbre to be adjusted from bright and glistening to a more natural dark decay, similar to that produced by air absorption in large spaces.

In addition, ValhallaShimmer has the ability to pitch shift the feedback signal. There are 5 pitch shift modes available:

• Single, where the feedback is shifted up or down by the Shift value.
• Dual, where the feedback is shifted both up and down (in parallel) by the Shift value.
• SingleReverse, where each grain is reversed before it is pitch shifted. This results in a smoother pitch shifting sound than the Single mode.
• DualReverse. Similar to the Dual mode, but with reversed grains, for a smoother pitch shifting sound.
• Bypass, which turns off the pitch shifting (useful for “standard” reverb sounds).

By setting the Shift amount to +12 semitones, and the Feedback to 0.5 or greater, the classic “shimmer” sound is produced, as heard on Eno / Lanois productions for U2 and others. A wide variety of other sounds can be created by the algorithm, ranging from spring-esque reverbs to “reverse” reverbs, to glistening pitch shifted pads that are usually associated with high end hardware processors.

ValhallaShimmer is designed to be tweaked in real time. All of the sliders have a smoothed response, to avoid clicks when changing settings or automating the controls. At the same time, the algorithm has been highly optimized, to achieve a huge reverb sound without straining your CPU.

The audio demo below showcases the use of ValhallaShimmer for deep ambient sounds. The example uses 4 instances of Shimmer in series, with pitch shifting on 3 of the instances (+/- 12 semitones, +/- 7 semitones, and +/- 5 semitones).

ValhallaShimmer is available in AU, VST and RTAS plug-in formats, and may be purchased via direct download from ValhallaDSP for $50. A free trail version is also available.

www.valhalladsp.com/shimmer.html

Discuss ValhallaShimmer on our Effects forum.