Sony

Update features include event-based editing, the élastique time stretch and pitch shift plug-in, interactive tutorials and a mastering effects bundle.

Details below.

If you’ve used Sony Sound Forge Pro 10, leave a comment with your thoughts!

New Features:

• Event-based editing is ideal for precise audio mastering, assembling project sketches, or laying out tracks for authoring disc-at-once CDs. In Sound Forge 10, users can quickly move, split, slip, and trim events, create fades, apply ASR envelopes and crossfades within in a single data window for more precise audio control.
• Integrated disc-at-once CD burning results in time savings and provides a more efficient workflow when generating Red Book compliant disc-at-once premasters of music suitable for professional replication. Perform full PQ code editing, create live-style CDs, add CD text and metadata, and use high-resolution source audio with precise conversion to Red Book audio.
• The élastique time stretch and pitch shift plug-in provides better sounding audio when processing audio files. Users can also monitor and adjust settings while previewing in real-time, and select from various stretching methods that are tailored to their source audio including Pro, Soloist, and Efficient modes.
• The iZotope 64-bit SRC utilizes a hybrid low pass filter design, resulting in pristine audio with less aliasing converting material from one sampling rate to another. The iZotope MBIT+ dither employs psychoacoustic methods to distribute noise into less audible ranges, resulting in improved audio and smoother fades when converting the bit rates of audio files.
• Musical instrument file processing (.DLS, .SF2, .GIG) – Sound Forge Pro 10 software opens, processes, and saves DLS, GigaStudio/GigaSampler, and SoundFont 2.0 musical instrument files. Users can view bank, instrument, note range, and sample information. Effects and processes can easily be added directly to samples.
• Customizable window layouts are designed to maximize productivity by allowing users to create and save multiple unique interface layout configurations for single and dual monitor systems, and recall a window layout for specific editing tasks such as audio editing, CD layout, and multichannel file editing.
• Mastering Effects Bundle 2 powered by iZotope – The powerful bundle of audio mastering tools included with Sound Forge 10 is valued at over $200 and includes six professional plug-ins to expertly master and enhance audio production: Mastering EQ, Mastering Reverb, Multiband Compressor, Mastering Limiter, Stereo Imager, and Harmonic Exciter.
• Interactive tutorials – Sony Creative Software’s unique interactive tutorials provide walkthrough demonstrations of common features and functionality, including DAO CD burning, vinyl recording and restoration in order to help users spend less time learning and more time editing and mastering audio projects.

Price and Availability

The Sound Forge Pro 10 digital audio production software is now available in English and Japanese. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Sound Forge Pro 10 software is U.S. $499.

IZotope has released Radius for Logic and Apple Soundtrack Pro, a new version of their time-stretching and pitch-shifting algorithm. The new version has been updated with support for Logic 9 as well as Soundtrack Pro 3.

iZotope Radius allows for independent control over timing and pitch of any audio material while preserving the character and acoustic space of the original recording. Using a hybrid method, it is able to preserve transients and sustained material simultaneously, making it useful for modifying fully mixed performances as well as individual instruments, voices, or other audio sources.

This new version of Radius adds a new pitch coherence control that enables enhanced control over the soundstage.

Key features:

• Time streching between 12.5% and 800%
• Pitch shift from -36 to +36 semitones
• Maintains original acoustic space and sound stage
• Preserves transient attacks and timing accuracy
• Formant correction with strength and shift control
• Preserves Dolby matrix encoding
• Maintains phase coherency and stereo image
• Supports sample rates up to 192kHz

iZotope Radius retails for $399.99 USD.

This is an overview of iZotope Ozone 4.

More iZotope Ozone 4 videos at Stagehandspace.

NAMM Show News: iZotope announced Ozone 4. iZotope has updated and expanded Ozone’s processing algorithms, optimizing them for low-latency DAW environments.

Ozone 4 features a new Intelligent Loudness Maximizer mode, mid/side processing for superior control over the sound stage, hybrid crossovers, a re- designed interface and a completely updated preset manager featuring innovative MacroPresets. In addition, numerous interface improvements and ease-of-use additions make Ozone even more accessible to musicians who want to quickly finalize their projects, while also offering precise tools for professional engineers.

Ozone 4 ships January 30th, 2009 for $249 MSRP. Ozone 4 is distributed worldwide by M-Audio, and will also be available by direct download only. Customers who bought Ozone 3 after October 1, 2008 are eligible for a free upgrade to Ozone 4 when it is released. Existing Ozone 3 customers will be able to upgrade for only $79 USD.

Key Features:

• Integrated mastering system combining analog warmth and digital precision
• Seven essential mastering processors in one integrated plug-in
• Updated processing algorithms, optimized for low-latency DAW environments
• New mid/side processing tools add a whole new dimension of power to Ozone’s EQ, dynamics, harmonic exciter and reverb modules by letting you process different parts of the soundstage separately
• New IRC™ Intelligent Loudness Maximizer “Intelligent II” mode provides full, loud and dynamic masters while handling transients with unprecedented clarity
  Improved and enhanced preset manager with over 100 presets and a floating window for easier editing and better visual feedback
• New MacroPresets let you adjust a few simple parameters to find the perfect starting point for mastering a project
• Completely re-designed input and output metering shows real-world analog peak levels (inter-sample peaks), simultaneous peak and RMS values, and now includes full K-System metering support
• New hybrid crossovers combine the best aspects of digital and analog crossovers
• Many more interface and ease-of-use additions including refined EQ controls, automatic gain compensation,
• “Amount” sliders to dial in more or less processing on each module, and more
• Plug-in formats: Pro Tools 7 (RTAS/AudioSuite), VST, MAS, Audio Unit, and DirectX

Platforms:

• Windows Vista, XP
• Apple OS X (Universal Binary)

Features:

• Includes professionally produced samples and beats from Ministry of Sound 
• Over 300 original samples and 20 unique kits with dozens of pre-made patterns
• Customize patterns to create your own unique beats
• Tap the touch screen to play and record your own musical patterns

This is a quick look at iZotope’s new iDrum (App Store link) drum machine app for the iPhone.

In addition to running on the iPhone, iDrum is available as a standalone application, or as a plug-in for use within VST, Audio Unit, MAS, and RTAS host applications.

iZotope has released iDrum 1.6, a Windows XP/Vista compatible version of its iDrum virtual drum machine software. The update is free for registered iDrum customers.

iDrum turns a Mac or PC into a virtual drum machine. iDrum can utilize users’ customized samples or those from professionally produced libraries. Beats in iDrum can be created from its internal step sequencer or by playing a MIDI controller, electronic drum kit, or even a QWERTY keyboard.

iDrum runs as both a standalone native OS X and Windows application and as a plug-in for Pro Tools, GarageBand, Logic, Ableton Live, SONAR, Cubase and more.

iDrum comes with hundreds of professional drum samples arranged in nearly two hundred files, each with its own preset patterns. Parts, samples, and kits can be mixed and matched. Users can also import their own WAV and AIFF files to build custom kits.

Compatibility:
Standalone, Pro Tools 7 (RTAS), VST, MAS, Audio Units.

Platforms:
Windows Vista, XP Apple OS X 10.4.11 or later (Universal Binary)

Pricing and Availability:
iZotope iDrum is distributed to retail stores by M-Audio and is also available direct from iZotope online for $69.99.

Customers who already own iDrum can download the new PC-compatible version from iZotope’s Web site for no additional charge. This offer is available for all customers including those who buy the boxed version of iDrum from M-Audio resellers.

iZotope

Updates for Vinyl include:

• Universal Binary for Intel-based Mac computers
• X64 support for 64-bit host applications under Windows
• Pro Tools 7 support

Vinyl is a free download.

iZotope

OzoneMP adds warmth, bass, and sparkle by modeling the analog characteristics of vintage audio equipment such as tube amplifiers and valve equalizers. The intuitive graphical interface allows users to fully customize the sound quickly and easily, making it ideal for DJs and electronic artists.

MixMeister Fusion throws away the traditional dual-deck metaphor in favor of a much more powerful approach, where an entire DJ set can be constructed on-screen. With a workflow similar to digital audio workstations or video production software, Fusion lets you blend full-length songs on a timeline and reorder or remix them, while keeping everything in perfect sync at all times. By automating most beat mixing tasks entirely, DJs can be free to experiment more creatively with their music.

MixMeister Fusion costs $329.95 and runs on Windows XP. Users can download a free trial copy.

“Artists, producers and engineers no longer have to rely on expensive studios and equipment to get great results. Professionally produced audio is now within reach of everyone,” says Mark Ethier of iZotope, “Some of what makes these interviews interesting to read is how these artists have embraced the digital audio revolution to help them become successful.”

A growing list of A-list music and film industry talent is featured, such as outspoken Trance guru BT, Jonathan Davis, leader of the band KoRn, and GRAMMY Award winning engineer, mixer, and producers Husky Höskulds (Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Los Lobos) and Charles Dye (Ricky Martin, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, and author of Mix it Like a Record mixing course).

When asked what made him decide to score films, BT responded, “It was riding my bike up to the movie theater when I was a kid and watching Blade Runner. I watched it six times and decided it was the coolest thing I had seen or heard. From that point onward I wanted to score films.”

On the current state of the music scene, Jonathan Davis notes, “Music has changed a lot in the last five years; it’s been a good ten years since we’ve seen a lot of really good bands out there. I think it sucks right now. A lot of music is just churned out and it seems like bands are losing their creative vibe. Everyone is jumping on punk and pop and all this B.S. that I can’t stand.”

When asked if becoming a father has changed his work/life balance, Husky Höskulds says, “It changes you beyond description. All of the BS related to the record business starts rolling off your back, and getting that goodnight or good morning kiss means everything.”

Interviews for iZotope’s Artist Community are ongoing and upcoming additions will include Platinum selling guitarist, singer, and producer Randy Bachman and John Beasley, pianist with Miles Davis, film composer, and Associate Music Director of America Idol.

More information is available at the iZotope site.

iZotope

“As a research based-company, we understand how essential it is to keep up with the rapid evolution of audio technology,” comments Jeremy Todd, CTO at iZotope, “It is important that students have access to today’s cutting-edge software for their future careers.”

Qualified students, educators, and schools, can purchase iZotope’s entire line of plug-ins in this special bundle for $299.99. (Retail price sold separately is $579.97)

“With extensive options and immersive graphical interfaces, iZotope’s plug-ins are powerful tools for teaching important concepts in audio, such as production, mixing, mastering, and sound design. We are proud to be able to offer these to educators, students, and schools across the country, and the world,” says Ken Johnson, Director of Education for M-Audio.

Ozone 3—Integrated Mastering System with Analog Modeling

iZotope’s Ozone 3 combines analog modeling with 64-bit digital precision to deliver a complete integrated suite of world-class mastering processors. Ozone 3 isn’t a collection of plug-ins—it’s a single powerful interface that combines all the required mastering tools in one system, making it easier to understand and use the mix.

Trash—Complete Distortion Processor

iZotope Trash sets a new standard in distortion and amp modeling. With its wide range of 64-bit box, cabinet, and speaker models, multiband distortion algorithms, fully sweepable and triggerable filters, and unique delay module, Trash is able to provide a superior sound with tremendous flexibility.

Spectron—Spectral Domain Effects Processing

Spectron is a complete effects processing software package. Users will find standard effects including delay, chorus, filter, flange, panning and morphing as recognizable starting points to a completely unique set of effects. Spectron uses spectral domain processing to provide control over selective frequency bands for a unique and nearly limitless sonic palette. Spectron’s elegant, easy-to-navigate interface allows users to quickly access the power of the software’s unique sound-shaping transformation possibilities.