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April 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Greg
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Virtual DAW Control Surface For iPad
March 31st, 2010 / No Comments » / by Greg
Saitara Software is releasing the AC-7 Pro for iPad with dedicated modes for Logic, Digital Performer, ProTools & others DAW’s.
Line 6 Announces Variax Guitars Designed By James Tyler
March 29th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Greg
Line 6, Inc. announced today the next generation of Variax® modeling guitars: Variax Designed by James Tyler. This new line of guitars is designed to deliver the feel of the finest boutique instruments and the optimal tonal performance of Line 6 guitar modeling technology.
Through patented Line 6 guitar modeling technology, Variax guitars can reproduce the sounds of an entire collection of 25 vintage electric and acoustic instruments, and a dozen custom tunings. The modeled instruments include solid-body, semi-hollow guitars and hollow-body electrics with a variety of pickup configurations, six- and twelve-string acoustics, and other guitar-related instruments including a resonator, banjo, and an electric sitar.
This new line of guitars will be available in three styles. Each one reflects the innovative designs of James Tyler in each curve, component and control. Acclaimed for his attention to detail in making custom, hand-crafted instruments for the most discerning players, James Tyler has designed guitars for the world’s most respected guitarists and sought-after session players including Steve Lukather, Michael Landau and Dan Huff.
In a launch as creative as the instruments are innovative, Line 6 will be chronicling in real-time the design and development of the new guitars. The public is invited to participate firsthand in the evolution of these groundbreaking instruments.
Each Variax Designed by James Tyler will ship Summer, 2010.
Magix releases Vandal Virtual Guitar & Bass Amp
March 27th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Greg
Magix has announced the release of Vandal, a unique virtual guitar and bass amplifier plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X that avoids working with simple impulse responses. Every individual step – each tube, every amplifier stage, even the speaker coils – is virtualized.
Vandal also offers detailed effects and stomp boxes (several overdrive and distortion effects, different compressor effects, EQ, chorus, phaser, wah-wah, delay, reverb, lo-fi and many more) and advanced microphone settings in an easy-to-use interface that lets you forget that you are using a software amplification.
Magix says that most conventional software amps work on the basis of sterile-sounding impulse responses, which leave no space for the details in the characteristic sound of guitars and basses. All instruments tend to sound the same and exciting sound properties are replaced by standardized algorithms. Vandal is different. Physical modeling technology guarantees that everything, from the signal input, stomp boxes and tube amplifier to the microphoned loudspeakers and studio effects added in post production are all displayed and played in top quality.
Custom amplification: Implement your own ideas in amp design
Want to combine components from different amplifiers and customize details yourself? Want to build your own custom amp or build a copy of a well-known model? With Vandal, it’s easy. Vandal is based on a variable concept for amps and cabinets. This lets users adjust sound individually and change and manipulate it according to their ideas. Of course, the program also includes various presets compiled by experienced musicians and producers, giving users a head start and allowing them to obtain fantastic results quickly.
Intuitive program interface
The intuitive program interface is based on workflows that are optimized for guitar and bass players who are familiar with these kinds of work processes from working with hardware. This makes it easy to get started with the program. All important functions are clearly displayed and leave enough room for implementing sound ideas of your own – hook up your guitar or bass and simply start playing.
Two worlds, one software: Amplifier for bass & guitar
When starting Vandal for the first time, you can choose between two amplifier models. The guitar and bass amps are extremely flexible and can be adapted to the individual needs of any musician. Whether bass or guitar, with Vandal you’ll get the best of both worlds.
Countless effects & stomp boxes
The real world has produced many of the “stomp box” devices popular with guitarists and bassists. Magix also included a rich palette in Vandal. Magix researched real models for inspiration, but were also guided by their own ideas about sound, designing completely new models. Distortion effects that don’t always sound good “before” the amp are usually attached to the end of the signal chain. That’s why Magix integrated an additional, comprehensive effects rack at the end of the signal path.
Top performance – low consumption
Worries about system load, CPU, hard drive, and RAM shouldn’t be part of making music – you’ll get the best results when you concentrate on what’s important – playing. Vandal guarantees top performance at the lowest possible resource consumption. Thanks to physical modeling technology and a small program size, you can use Vandal for any production or session, in multiple ways and as often as you please, without having to worry about overtaxing the system.
Pricing & Availability
Vandal costs €169.99 / $199.99 / £169.99 and is available for Windows (XP, Vista & 7) and Mac OS X (10.5+ / Intel-only) in VST and AU effect plug-in formats. On Windows Samplitude 11 Silver is also included.
Native Instruments Release Abbey Road 70s, Drums
March 26th, 2010 / 2 Comments » / by Greg
Native Instruments has announced the release of Abbey Road 70s Drums, the second instrument developed together with the iconic British recording studios. Providing two expertly engineered classic drum kits for use in the free Kontakt Player and the full Kontakt 4 sampler, Abbey Road 70s Drums delivers “the essential punch and flair for typical Seventies sound aesthetics and various modern music styles”.
At the heart of Abbey Road 70s Drums are two sought-after drum kits of the Seventies, a Premier and a Ludwig, both painstakingly recorded in Abbey Road’s legendary Studio Two renowned for its unique acoustic properties. While the Ludwig kit provides the typical big and roomy sound that is a hallmark of many classic rock songs of the Seventies, the Premier kit was recorded in a deadened environment within the famous studio to create a tight and punchy tone that also lends itself to R&B, disco and other contemporary genres. All samples were captured using Abbey Road’s engineering expertise and arsenal of vintage equipment. Classic microphones from the studios’ famed collection, the exclusive EMI TG mixing desk, an analog 2-inch tape machine and other authentic outboard gear all contribute to the “charismatic and genuine” sound of Abbey Road 70s Drums.
Up to 34 velocity layers per instrument with up to six additional variation samples guarantee ultimate authenticity both for rhythm programming and for real-time MIDI-controlled playing, with a selection of different MIDI mappings accommodating the established layouts of various popular electronic drum kits and third-party drum libraries. Separate “vintage” and “modern” microphone setups provide a choice between classic and contemporary tone, with the Ludwig kit also offering an optional “Glyn Johns” configuration, a technique used for some of the most acclaimed drum recordings of the Seventies era.
The user interface of Abbey Road 70s Drums makes full use of the advanced GUI features of Kontakt, providing convenient controls for articulation, sound shaping, mixing and routing. Advanced randomization can even add subtle nuances to the tone and timing to make it virtually indistinguishable from a conventional studio-recorded drum performance.
Abbey Road 70s Drums is available for purchase in the NI Online Shop on DVD and as a download for $119 / €99.
