Musikmesse 2009: This is a video introduction to Native Instruments Guitar Rig Mobile.

More on Guitar Rig at the NI YouTube channel.

This is an audio demo of the Roland D-550 (D-50 rack module) Linear Synthesizer. The Roland D-550 is a rackmount module version of the popular Roland D-50.

Here’s what Sound On Sound had to say about the D50’s synth engine:

So is a D50 worth tracking down? Well, as always, that is essentially down to the individual. If you’re after the aggressive bite of FM sounds, then the D50 is not going to satisfy. Similarly, if you want the squelch and immediacy of an analogue synth, then the D50 will probably disappoint. But I would defy anyone not to be impressed by the power and depth of many of the D50’s pad-type sounds — they swirl and swoosh in a most appealing manner, which few synths since have been able to emulate. It can’t be denied that there is a definite late-’80s edge to the D50’s sound, but that has much to do with the fact that the D50 was the late ’80s sound!

If you’ve used the D-550 synth module, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Features:

• 16 voice polyphony (32 partials with 2 per voice), or 8 voices (using 4 partials per voice in Dual or Split Mode)
• Oscillators: Digital (Linear Arithmetic Synthesis) ; PCM,
• LFO :  (3 x 2 tones = 6 LFOs)
• VCF/VCA FILTER: low-pass-resonant; ADSR envelopes
• 61 note keyboard with velocity and aftertouch
• 64 patch memory

Resources:

• Retrosound D-550 page
• D-550 page at SoundOfMusic
• Roland D-550 Editor/Librarian and Virtualizer for Windows and Macintosh OS X

At the 2009 Winter NAMM Show, Focusrite launched its Guitar FX VST/AU Plug-in suite; the result of a collaboration between Focusrite and Overloud.

The Focusrite Guitar FX Suite provides eleven VST/AU plug-ins that Focusrite claims are “sonicaly equal to, or better than any Guitar FX plug-ins on the market.”

These include five guitar amp models and four distortion pedal effects, all courtesy of Italian software company Overloud; experts in the field of accurate Guitar Amp modeling. A Hot Tuna guitar tuner and Smart Hum Remover are also provided.

The amp models include plug-ins based on the Vox AC30, Marshall JCM900, Fender Twin, MESA Boogie Rectifier and the Fender Bassman. The pedal models include plug-ins based on the Boss DS-1, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Electro Harmonix Big Muff and the Dunlop Fuzz Face.

The amp and pedal models utilise Overloud’s analog modelling technology. It’s designed to offer perfect reproduction of parameter behavior. With Overloud’s analogue modelling technology, each component of the schematic has its own mathematical model. After this rather raw scientific step, the resulting tone is fine tuned by ear. 

Finally, each Focusrite Guitar FX Suite plug-in provides a host of factory pre-sets, providing a number of great tones for you to audition immediately. You can also save and recall your own custom presets.

The new Focusrite Guitar FX Suite will be available worldwide in January 2009. Pricing is TBA.

POD Farm Platinum provides the sounds of amps and effects integral to a pro-sounding recording, from vintage essentials to modern monsters.

It includes:

• 78 guitar amp and 24 guitar cab models
• 28 bass amp and 22 bass cab models,
• 97 stompbox and studio effects
• 6 mic preamp models.

POD Farm includes:

• 18 guitar amp and 24 guitar cab models
• 5 bass amp and 5 bass cab models
• 29 stompbox and studio effects
• 6 mic preamp models

POD Farm and POD Farm Platinum authorizations can be stored in iLok USB Smart Keys, which will lets users move authorizations from one computer to another.

POD Farm and POD Farm Platinum are Mac AU/ RTAS/VST and Windows RTAS/VST.

Pricing:

• POD Farm: $139.99 MSRP
• POD Farm Platinum: $419.99 MSRP

 
MellowMuse Mellowhead is a guitar and fx modeling plug-in for OSX.

Description:

The emphasis here is on creating the raw organic sound of a miced tube amp. There are 10 convolution based speaker cabinets and 10 different pre-amp/tone settings, ranging from clean to brutal distortion, as well as 3 band tone controls. The 5 effects pedals, reverb and cabinet bypass allow further creative shaping of your guitar sound. Mellowhead produces no additional latency to hamper your playing.

Features:

• 10 pre-amp/amp settings
• 10 convolution based guitar cabinets
• 4x Oversampling
• 5 effects pedals, Tremelo, Delay, Chorus, Phaser and Tone Booster
• CPU efficient design
• Capable of a wide range of tones from clean to heavy overdriven tube amp sounds
• Bass, Mid, Treble tone controls
• Separate master and pre-amp gain controls
• Reverb
• Cabinet bypass

Price: $69

IK Multimedia has announced that AmpliTube X-GEAR has been made available as a free download for AmpliTube 2 Live users and StealthPlug users.

X-GEAR is an expandable guitar amp and effects modeling software system, available as a plug-in and standalone version for Mac/PC, that allows mixing and matching between all the gear models in a single host interface. It also allows for control over every parameter directly from IK’s StompIO USB floor controller and audio interface.

Using AmpliTube 2 Live with X-GEAR, users will get access to these new features:

• 5 modules including: Tuner, Stomp, Amp, Cabinet and Rack effects (instead of 2 modules).
• Double rig with 8 series/parallel configurations (instead of the single fixed rig).
• 1 new Amp and Cabinet (bringing the number of available Amps and Cabinets to 4).
• Custom amp building (thanks to separate Amp Pre, EQ and Power Section now available) now offering up to 192 different amp combinations.
• More controls like Ambience in the cabinet module and advanced Automation.
• Possibility to integrate AmpliTube 2 Live with other “powered by AmpliTube” software applications, including AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix, Ampeg® SVX and AmpliTube Metal into a single interface with full mixing and matching between the included gear models.
• Seamless integration with StompIO advanced USB floor controller and audio interface for using your computer live like the most powerful multi-FX system ever made.

AmpliTube 2 Live is available as a software-only download in the IK web store for 74.99 EUR / $99.99 USD (exc. taxes) and it is also included in the StealthPlug audio cable interface for 99.99 EUR / $129.99 USD (exc. taxes).