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/

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

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/

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

Native Instruments has announced GUITAR RIG 5 PRO, the next generation of its versatile effects studio. The new version expands the comprehensive feature set of the software with additional amplifiers and effects, advanced speaker emulation, and various new creative features that make GUITAR RIG even more powerful both for studio production and live performance.

In a further addition to its carefully selected arsenal of authentically modeled guitar amplifiers, GUITAR RIG 5 introduces the new “Van51” and “HotSolo+” models, adding two distinctive flavors of heavily overdriven amplification for intense solos and heavy riffs. The comprehensive collection of effects in GUITAR RIG is expanded with six new components – including an additional classic compressor model, the versatile “vintage verb” with various plate and spring emulations, a compact studio-grade convolution reverb based on the acclaimed REFLEKTOR, an analog-modeled 8-band filterbank, the new “stereo tune” chorus, and the unique “Resochord” harmonizer.

GUITAR RIG 5 also introduces the ultimate facility for flexible and intricate speaker emulation with its new convolution-based “Control Room Pro” module. From a comprehensive collection of 27 cabinets and 16 microphones, up to eight cabinets can be combined at a time, each with individual mic placement and room sound controls, enabling an unlimited array of guitar tones for sophisticated studio productions.

The new sidechaining function in GUITAR RIG 5 opens up the world of advanced studio-level dynamic processing, and also perfectly complements the new range of GUITAR RIG-based studio processors such as VINTAGE COMPRESSORS and SOLID MIX SERIES. The sidechain can be assigned to any stereo input of the software, and can be utilized for all compressor modules in GUITAR RIG 5 as well as in several of the Modifier modules, allowing for more refined dynamic processing and a wide range of creative techniques.

The performance features of GUITAR RIG 5 are further enhanced through the new “Container”, which allows users to easily create, control and recall encapsulated effect chains. With up to sixteen flexible macro controls, it also provides extremely powerful and intuitive real-time tone shaping both for guitarists and electronic live performers.

On the Mac, GUITAR RIG 5 requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor, and 2 GB of RAM. It can run stand-alone or as an AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

GUITAR RIG 5 PRO will be available in September 2011 for a $199 / €179, and will also be included in the new KOMPLETE 8 and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE bundles. The software will also be available in combination with the RIG KONTROL pedalboard controller as GUITAR RIG 5 KONTROL for a suggested retail price of $449 / €399. A software update for owners of previous GUITAR RIG versions will be available for $79 / €69.

www.native-instruments.com/guitarrig5pro

Native Instruments has announced KONTAKT 5, the next generation of its leading software sampler. The new version offers profoundly enhanced sound shaping through a host of new high-quality filters and studio-grade effect algorithms, superior time- stretching, vintage sampling modes, and more.

KONTAKT 5 introduces a completely new suite of high-quality filters, developed by the creative mastermind behind the acclaimed MASSIVE synthesizer. Ranging from classic analog-style ladder and state-variable models to modern formant filters, some of the 37 new filters also employ the unique new “Adaptive Resonance” concept, which automatically manages the filter characteristics to prevent unpleasant sonic artifacts from excessive resonance peaks. At the same time, the superior new “TimeMachine Pro” time-stretching algorithm in KONTAKT 5 enables unprecedented sound quality for harmonic solo instruments and similar demanding source material.

The comprehensive effect assortment in KONTAKT has been extended with several key additions that focus on studio-style sound processing. The new “Solid G-EQ” and “Solid Bus Comp” algorithms – derived from the upcoming SOLID MIX SERIES – enable studio-grade equalization and compression, while the separately available TRANSIENT DESIGNER has been integrated into the effect arsenal of KONTAKT in its original form. Additionally, a new analog-modeled Tape Saturator can add natural compression and subtle organic overdrive, while the acclaimed vintage sampling modes from Native Instruments‘ groove-production system MASCHINE have been integrated into the feature set of KONTAKT 5 as well to provide additional flavors of charismatic “vintage dirt”.

For ambitious sound designers and professional sample instrument creators, KONTAKT 5 introduces both a powerful new “instrument bus” system as well as KSP-based MIDI file support. While the 16 internal stereo busses with their separate insert chains open up greatly increased routing flexibility, the MIDI file functions in the Kontakt Script Processor enable the creation of advanced types of KONTAKT-based instruments with versatile integrated MIDI playback features, as demonstrated in the upcoming separate KONTAKT-based STUDIO DRUMMER instrument.

On top of its acclaimed 43 GB factory library with its eight separate instrument collections, KONTAKT 5 also includes a free download of the new KONTAKT-based RETRO MACHINES MK2 instrument, which offers an assortment of highly sought-after classic synthesizers complete with vintage-style arpeggiator and chord player, and also takes advantage of the new analog-type filter models.

On the Mac, KONTAKT 5 requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM and 48 GB of hard disk space to install all included libraries. It can run stand-alone or as an AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

KONTAKT 5 will be available in September 2011 for $399 / €379, and will also be included in the new KOMPLETE 8 and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE bundles. An update for owners of previous KONTAKT versions will be available for $119 / €99.

www.native-instruments.com/kontakt5

Native Instruments today announced new versions of its studio-standard software bundle. While KOMPLETE 8 has been further expanded to include 27 individual products at an unchanged price, the new KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE for the first time combines the full arsenal of Native Instruments’ KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects range at the same substantial discount, with 50 individual products conveniently provided on a dedicated external hard drive.

Further expanding its versatile sonic arsenal, the new KOMPLETE 8 includes the latest KONTAKT 5 and GUITAR RIG 5 versions, and adds the charismatic WEST AFRICA percussion instrument. It also incorporates the versatile new STUDIO DRUMMER drum production instrument and the upcoming TRANSIENT MASTER dynamic processing effect. Furthermore, KOMPLETE 8 includes over 1,300 additional presets for ABSYNTH, FM8 and MASSIVE, derived from several acclaimed soundpacks previously available as individual products.

The new KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE includes the full content of the regular KOMPLETE 8 bundle and much more, combining the full range of all currently available KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects on a dedicated USB 2.0 hard drive. The resulting collection comprises 50 individual products with over 13,000 sounds and 240 GB of sample content, at an effective discount of over 80% compared to the individual prices. The hard drive enables a fast and convenient installation process, and also constitutes a compact and robust backup medium for the software.

Both new KOMPLETE versions are optimized for Native Instruments’ groove production system MASCHINE, offering direct browser integration with attribute-based preset search as well as convenient automatic parameter mapping for the rotary knobs on the hardware controller.

On the Mac, KOMPLETE 8 requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM and 5 GB free hard disk space. 85 GB of hard disk space is necessary for a complete installation of KOMPLETE 8 with sample libraries. The individual instruments can run stand-alone or as AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-ins.

KOMPLETE 8 will be available in September 2011 for a suggested retail price of $559 / €499, with an update for owners of KOMPLETE versions 2-7 available for $229 / €199.

www.native-instruments.com/komplete

KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE will be available on the same date for $1099 / €999, with an upgrade for owners of any version of the regular KOMPLETE bundle available for $559 / €499.

www.native-instruments.com/ultimate

Gospel Musicians are proud to announce the release of the Neo-Soul Suitcase Fender Rhodes plug-in, a very specific urban-sounding Rhodes that is designed to reproduce the exact sound, feel, and playability of a real Fender Rhodes Suitcase with the detail and expressiveness of the fender cabinet and, of course, a beautiful vibrato.

The primary goal was to make sure that if you were not able to take a real Rhodes to your gig or studio, this plug-in would be the next best thing. The Neo-Soul Suitcase sound is a combination of Rhodes samples (2.6 gigabytes!), physical modeling, and complex impulse response algorithms that will give you the grit of Hip-Hop, the silkiness of R&B, and the soul in Neo-Soul.

The absolute number one objective was realism. And with vintage modeled effects, complex impulse response algorithms, and tweak-able knobs for ultimate control, you will have the best Rhodes experience ever produced in a plug-in. With all of this, Gospel Musicians promise that you can leave your Rhodes at home and replace it with the Neo-Soul Suitcase!

• Dedicated 2.6 GB of sample data (44.1 kHz, 24-bit)
• 12-Velocity layers of sustain, release, and staccato (bark) notes
• Bass and Treble Boost
• Tine/Bell controls
• Pedal Noise and Resonance sounds when sustain pedal is pressed
• Key release noises, emulating a real Rhodes
• Velocity layered release samples
• Dedicated Bark samples, for more aggressive sounds
• Vintage modeled Vibrato
• Impulse Response amp modeling of Vintage Amps
• Warm Phat Chorus for a Thick Layered Sound
• Special EFX Section: Phaser, Flanger, Distortion, Delay
• Vintage modeled Spring Reverb
• Kontakt 4 Advanced Scripting
• Disk Streaming to reduce memory usage
• Easy MIDI Learn function for all knobs, sliders, and buttons
• Real-Time MIDI controls that can be saved in a patch
• Clean/Original Switch for raw samples or cleaned-up sounds

Neo-Soul Suitcase requires Kontakt 4.2.3 Retail Paid Version (Neo-Soul Suitcase does not yet work with Kontakt Free Player), UnrarX to decompress the downloaded files and 2.6 GB of available hard disk space. On the Mac, Kontakt 4.2.3 requires OS X 10.5 or later (32/64-bit), an Intel Core Duo processor, and 2 GB of RAM (4 GB is highly recommended). Kontakt can run stand-alone, and as an AU, VST, or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

Neo-Soul Suitcase is available via direct download (1.23 GB compressed) from Gospel Musicians for $99.99. An introductory price of $79.99 is available at the time of this writing. If you purchase “The Fundamentals of Neo-Soul Keyboard” DVD ($49.99), the price of Neo-Soul Suitcase drops to $49.99. If you have already purchased the DVD, you may use the UPC code on the back of the DVD or in the downloads as the coupon code for the same discount.

http://neosoulsuitcase.com/

Native Instruments has just introduced VINTAGE COMPRESSORS, a set of faithfully modeled classic dynamic processors for use in GUITAR RIG 4 and in the free GUITAR RIG PLAYER. Produced in collaboration with DSP experts Softube, the collection comprises three of the most distinctive and revered high-end studio compressors, and can be used to creatively treat a comprehensive range of instruments and sounds with the highest level of sonic fidelity and profound vintage charm.

VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is the first release in a new range of professional studio effects based on the GUITAR RIG effects framework. Developed in collaboration with acclaimed Swedish DSP developers Softube, known for their highly sophisticated emulations of analog audio hardware, VINTAGE COMPRESSORS comprises three different models designated as the VC 76, VC 2A and VC 160. While the VC 76 excels at drums and vocals, the VC 2A is popular for vocals, bass and guitar, with the VC 160 being a common choice for string instruments and individual drum sounds as well.

All three emulations offer the full feature set of their analog hardware counterparts, with their sonic characteristics and intricacies authentically replicated through advanced analog component modeling. The GUITAR RIG framework also provides an additional sidechain input with adjustable high-pass filter as well as a wet/dry control for parallel compression, opening up a wide array of advanced techniques. All three emulations are also available separately, and integrate seamlessly with any existing arsenal of effects in the GUITAR RIG 4 or the GUITAR RIG PLAYER software.

On the Mac, the GUITAR RIG PLAYER 4.2 framework requires OS X 10.5 or 10.6, an Intel Core Duo processor, and 2 GB of available RAM. It will run stand-alone and as an Audio Unit, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools 8 and higher) plug-in.

VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is available as a download in the NI Online Shop for $229 / €199, with the individual models being available for $119 / €99 each.

www.native-instruments.com/vintagecompressors

Discuss VINTAGE COMPRESSORS on our Effects forum.

IK Multimedia is proud to announce the release of two new T-RackS mixing plug-ins modeled on two of the world’s most renowned analog compressors: The Black 76 Limiting Amplifier and the White 2A Leveling Amplifier. These prestigious effects are available as single plug-ins for the most popular DAWs or can be integrated in the new T-RackS suite of mixing and mastering effects.

The Black 76 Limiting Amplifier is modeled after what is probably the most used, most known, most wanted, and most universally recognized compressor / limiter in the audio industry. There are probably no professionally created records without tracks using this unit. It’s a true legend and a piece of history. The engineers that made this FET based compressor reached a level of cleverness and magic that only true visionary geniuses can achieve. While there are many revisions of this hardware, we modeled the LN version, revision E, because it’s the one that has the most sonically recognized and wanted character thanks to its input transformer and class A output stage.

This compressor can be used on literally everything: drums, drum sub-mixes, vocals, bass, guitars, piano, choirs, brass, strings, etc. It adds its sonic footprint to the sound that for many reasons simply makes music sound better. Vocals, for example, will gain presence, consistency, clarity and punch in a way simply not obtainable with other units. Drums will gain power and density with total control over the level of “snap”, and guitars will get a magic midrange zone that makes them truly sing. The Black 76 is a must for mixing, but thanks to the perfectly stereo linked version we provide with MS option, it can also be effectively used for mastering if used with care!

The White 2A Leveling Amplifier is based on a legendary vintage unit that is entirely tube-based. It’s a totally different device in terms of construction where all the compression magic happens inside an optically coupled element formed by a fluorescent panel and some photocells: the famed T4A element. There is no electronic circuitry involved with the compression itself. It’s just a tube amp with photo-resistors, lighted by a fluorescent panel driven by the output signal. At the time of this invention, there were not many ways of making an audio compressor: only variable-mu and optical. Optical was the simplest one, and if proper elements for both the light emitting panel and the photocells were matched, magic happened.

Originally intended for use in broadcasting, it immediately became a truly signature unit for music recording and mixing. It’s a must-have for both tracking and mixing vocals, but it’s also tremendously effective on electric bass, upright bass, piano, winds and many other tracks where you need a gentle compression with great warmth and consistency. This is one of the few units in the audio industry that nobody will allow to be substituted for anything else.

Two years in the making, these two units have challenged IK Multimedia’s superior modeling capabilities and pushed them to the extremes. These units have been modeled down to the finest detail in each of their stages, matching all the controls and their behavior, including the ultra-accurate VU-Meter response. Perfected with countless measurements and A-B listening sessions, IK has produced two of the most realistic emulations available in software so far. Other companies have attempted this with average results, but with the Black 76 and the White 2A, it doesn’t get better when it comes to classic analog-modeled plug-in compressors.

On the Mac, these plug-ins require OS X 10.5 or later, a 1.5 GHz Intel processor, and 1 GB of available RAM. Both the Black 76 and the White 2A are available as single T-RackS mixing plug-ins for all popular DAW platforms in RTAS, AU and VST formats. They can also be opened inside the T-RackS twelve slot serial-parallel processor chain, both in standalone and plug-in mode, taking advantage of T-RackS advanced routing, metering and preset capabilities.

The Black 76 and White 2A are $99.99 / €74.99 each and are immediately available as a download from the IK Multimedia online store or selected music retailers carrying T-RackS singles in Multibox format.

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/trsingles/

Discuss the Black 76 and the White 2A on our Effects forum.