December, 2006 archive

PreSonus has announced Sonar support for the FaderPort USB Automation and Transport Controller.
The FaderPort is a single-fader USB controller that can write single and group channel volume, pan and mute automation. The FaderPort is loaded with an ultra-high quality Alps fader found in professional control surfaces including DigiDesign’s D-Command.
The fader in the FaderPort utilizes a […]

Puremagnetik has gone back to the golden age of string synthesis and recaptured the sounds of 4 legendary instruments. String Machines contains over 250MB of lush sounds recorded directly from the classic stringers of the 1970’s. But it doesn’t stop with strings. These analog legends had amazing organs, lush choirs, brass and pianos - all […]

Skylife has announced SampleRobot Version 2.40, software that lets you “clone” keyboard instruments and turn them into software instruments automatically.
SampleRobot works as a copying machine for instruments, featuring advanced recording and auto-loop searching algorithms. A futuristic graphical user interface gives you fast, efficient, and logical access to all sampling parameters. SampleRobot is also equipped with […]

Electronic Arts today announced the availability of two new games for the fifth generation iPod – EA Sudoku and Royal Solitaire. iPod owners can download the two popular games through the iTunes store and can be sent as a gift using the iTunes gifting feature.
EA Sudoku and Royal Solitaire join EA’s three other games which […]

Native Instruments today released B4 II 2.0.3, an update for its popular software instrument. The new version adds Universal Binary support, allowing users of Intel-based Macintosh computers to fully utilize the creative potential of the leading virtual drawbar organ on their machines.
The 2.0.3 update for Windows and Mac is now available as a free download […]

IK Multimedia is celebrating its 10th anniversary with 10 deals on IK products. It’s the biggest promotion in IK history
From 1st of December 2006 until 31st of January 2007, both new and current IK users will be able to further experience IK’s range of powerful and easy-to-use instruments and effects with 10 incredible offers. Plus, […]

NUSofting has introduced Acidome VST synthesizer for Windows PCs, a synth designed to bring you an optimized set of useful features and a rich, juicy sound.
Acidome Features:

Osc 1, the “variosc”: With this sound generator you can draw a waveform with the mouse, or load one of the many shapes available in the included Acidome Waveform […]

For the first time in the company’s history, the Vienna Symphonic Library has focused their attention on keyboard instruments. With the endorsement of “Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik”, the Vienna team has developed its first sampled grand piano software instrument, a recreation of a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial. And with the support of the “Wiener Konzerthaus”, the Vienna Symphonic […]

Big Fish Audio has introduced a new sample library, Deep Dub Rising, in AIFF/Apple Loops/WAV/Acid formats.
Description:
Bunker 8 Digital Labs invites you to lose the borders and constraints on your current musical experiences. Flow into the Deep Dub Rising. Sultry Caribbean steel pans, undulating Delhi tabla patterns, Djembe, Doumbek, Tabla, Tonbak, Sitar, Darbouka, Ghaval, Kpanlogo, Talking […]

BeatHive, an online marketplace for musicians to buy and sell loops, is offering a free download of 12 loops. Downloaders are encouraged to create a song using 6 of the loops and post the completed music track to 3hive.com, a growing jukebox of selected MP3s from bands and labels that like to share their songs.
The […]

Big Fish Audio has introduced Loopalicious RnB Volume 2, a collection of sample loops in AIFF/Apple Loops/REX/WAV formats.
Description:
The first Loopalicious RnB volume was only the beginning as this follow-up takes it to the next level. Once again, Anthony Myers has laid down another must-have collection of current RnB hits. These construction kits would feel right […]

Mekarer, who may be the MacGyver of the music world, has turned a sponge into a snare drum, using a guitar pickup and a piece of string:

Here’s his English explanation:
“I use Reaktor to translate the signal with its amplitube to snare drums. Each punch, with sound a snare drum (not the same snare all the […]

In case you were wondering - here’s how you make beats:

via axehole

Native Instruments today released Akoustik Piano 1.1.1, an update for its acclaimed piano software-instrument.
The new version brings Universal Binary support, allowing users of Intel-based Macintosh computers to fully utilize the potential of Akoustik Piano’s elaborate multi-sampling and sophisticated emulation of soundboard resonance and pedal behaviour on their machines.
The 1.1.1 update for Windows and Mac is […]

Blendtec, a company that makes heavy duty blenders, is destroying iPods to sell $400 blenders.
Blendtec makes hardcore blenders - not something that most people would think they need. Ask someone if they’d like to watch a video demonstration about a blender, and they are liable to run for the door. Create a vlog about a […]