Sonic State Labs takes a look at the new Apple Logic Pro in this video review.

via sonicstate

You probably already know that synth meetups are a great way to meet and learn from other people that are into synths. This video, from Pacific Northwest Synth  2009, documents five more reasons to go to a synth meetup.

5 Reasons To Go To A Synth Meetup

1. They are the synth geek equivalent of a trip to the Playboy Mansion – everywhere you look, you see something gorgeous.
2. Everybody there thinks that guys rocking out with keytars are cool.
3. Where else are you going to see a giant Mini Modular?
4. Analog IS better than digital. Especially when it’s digitally-controlled analog.
5. Three words: MIDI-controlled skulls

If you made it to Pacific Northwest Synth 2009, leave a comment with your experiences or links to videos and photos from the event!

via redmartian:

Here is a live performance of the MMM demo number four featuring the stack of MMMs behind, the Syntar (the father of the MMM) and the new AcidLab MIAMI in MIDI mode.

The bass line, arpeggio and drums were sequenced in Logic.

The Skulls were triggered via Logic (the percussion tracks) using Division-6’s MIDIFY.

Bedtime Stories is am improvisation on custom made Monome 40h running Press Cafe sending MIDI to Logic Pro 8.

via rishabhrajan

This update improves overall stability and provides numerous fixes and enhancements. Issues addressed include:

• Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes
• Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly
• The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency measurement
• TDM plug-ins now behave as expected. (Only affects users with Pro Tools HD audio hardware.)

The update is recommended for all users of Logic Pro 9.

This three-part Propellerhead Reason 4 tutorial looks at using Thor as a switchable filter.

via SirSedricMusic:

This is a quick look at using the Thor Polysonic Synthesizer as a Switchable Filter in Reason 4, using Combinator assignments.

To save time, I’m assuming you already know a thing or two about Reason;

1) You know how to create Combinators and assign Reason controls to hardware controls.

2) You know how to route devices within a Combinator.

3) You have a general understanding of the principles which drive Reason.

If you don’t know any of these things, do some searching. There are many great tutorials out there, and with a little patience you’re sure to find some to get you started. Try the PropellerheadsSW channel, they have some decent stuff to get you started.

In this particular tutorial I’m using a ReDrum as the audio source for simplicities sake. I’m just trying to give everyone a good idea of the concept behind this so we can cover some more interesting and fun stuff in parts 2 and 3.

My apologies in advance for the noisy audio, I had to record this using my built-in mic. Future tutorials will have better audio, I promise.

LInks;
-008’s Vinyl Crates Refill (where I got the drum sounds in this video) -

http://008blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/0…

The Meatscience Bitsmacker is described as a “digital distortion swiss army knife” for adding that certain digital crustiness to your pristine audio signal. It can simulate vintage samplers, and classic video game systems.

Features:

• Zero-latency
• Sample rate reduction from 50 to 44100 hz
• Bit depth range from 0.01 to 32 bit
• Parametric EQ on Input
• Parametric EQ on Output
• Drive adjustment for boost
• All values continuously variable, no large steps between values
• Works in any Audio Unit host (Garage Band, Logic, Ableton, etc etc)
• A swift kick in the trousers

Apple

This update improves overall stability and provides numerous fixes and enhancements.

Issues addressed include:

• Flex Markers can align & snap to MIDI notes
• Performing a punch-in recording with Replace Mode now behaves correctly
• The I/O plug-in adds an option for latency compensation

The update is recommended for all users of Logic Pro 9.

For detailed information on this update, see Logic Pro Release Notes.

This video looks at how to use the Drum Replacement tool in Logic Pro 9 to replace or augment a drum kit piece.

via digitalmusicdoctor:

How to use the Drum Replacement tool in Logic Pro 9 to replace or augment a drum kit piece. This is a reformatted excerpt from the video training course Logic Pro 9 – Know It All! by Digital Music Doctor.

This video takes a look at sub bass with Apple Logic.

via gearwire:

The car stereo subwoofer is the modern day rooster. Crow even harder using the Klopfgeist effect within Apple Logic.

Apple

Like the new version of Logic Pro Studio, Logic Express 9 adds a variety of features for guitarists and flex time, Apple’s tools for editing the timing and tempo of recorded audio.

Features include:

• More than 70 studio-quality effect plug-ins, including vintage and modern compressors, delays, reverbs, and more;
• New Amp Designer plug-in to help you re-create the sound of 25 legendary amps and 25 speaker cabinets;
• New Pedalboard plug-in with an assortment of 30 virtual stompbox pedals inspired by the classics;
• 36 software instrument plug-ins, including the Ultrabeat drum synth and beatbox, ES2 synth, and EXS24 sampler.

At$199.99, and featuring most of the power of the very competitively priced Logic Pro, Logic Express 9 may be the best deal in entry-level DAWs.

If you’ve used Logic Express 9, leave a comment with your thoughts!

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 a video unboxing and preview of the new Logic Pro 9.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Part 2 covers an install on PPC G5 2.0ghz machine.

via dancetech

In this video, Torley gives a great overview of using iTouchMusic Pad for iPod Touch & iPhone with Ableton Live.

Best quote: “Get really funky to the rhythm!”

iTM Pad is an iPhone MIDI trackpad that you can use to control all different parameters,
filters, effects of your synth software remotely.

Details below.

via Torley:

I love it when a tool doesn’t just look kewl, it’s easy to get started with — and within minutes, you’re being creative and productive! I was on the market for a XY pad MIDI controller, and looked at contenders like the Korg nanoPAD, whose sibling, the nanoKONTROL, has been a valuable addition to my home studio. But then I recalled options exist for the iPod Touch, which I have, and they seemed like such a novel way to add usefulness to an already-fun gadget that does so many multimedia things well.

Several searches later, I was on the iTunes App Store looking at iTouchMidi Pad by Silicon Studios, and reading the few-but-strong reviews, I bought it. It was mere moments afterward that I was firing up drum loops in Ableton Live, having a lot of fun mapping iTM Pad to various settings and mangling sounds. The logical conclusion, since clear demos of things like this can be hard to come by, was to make a video review:

The iTM Pad works with other DAW hosts and even tho I’m familiar with it now, there’s a whole lot to explore. Amazing how such a simple toy can bring so much joy. It’s worth noting since there are multiple buttons to control different sets of MIDI controllers, you can switch between them to add even more convenience. I often heart controlling in two dimensions over linear sliders or knobs because the possible combinations are multiplied manyfold! (Were it not for restrictive patents and such silliness, I wish there were more commercial 3D controllers; Roland’s D-Beam is fun but I don’t wanna buy a whole synth around it.)

I give high notes to iTM Pad and look forward to trying out the other apps in their line as my urges arise — of particular interest is iTM Tilt, which makes use of the accelerometer. If you’re looking for iPhone/iPod Touch MIDI controllers, give these a go — you can try the iTM MidiLab demo showcase for free.

Apocalypse Meow is the second release of sound designer/idm artist Luca Capozzi, features eight tracks of exciting electronic music.

It’s available as a free download from Jamendo, and has the best cover of the year.

Details on the release below.

via zioaxiom:

Here’s a brief description of tracks:

01 – Intro
The analog warmth of a Doepfer and a Moog Voyager travels together the shiny frequencies of a digital Nord Modular G2X introducing you through this electronic journey.

02 – Ka’tun IV
The power of genetic polyrhythmed drums with a taste of acid basslines. The harshness of resonant filters used as solo instrument.

03 – The Prophecy
Dive yourself straight to the action with this soundtrack-style song. Acoustic orchestration and fat basslines are melted together. A rocking keyboard solo to fight the monster.

04 – Midnight Fog
Modeled dissonations, filter sweeps as melodic lines. Not for untrained ears.

05 – ZO-ology
An easy-to-listen electronic song.

06 – Back to A
How to play a radio transmission and enjoy your favorite soccer team.

07 – Ostreococcus OsV5
How a virus DNA will sound? Here it is. Bassline, distant echoed guitars and swinging percussions are all generated by a virus genome. Reaktor is the cure.

08 – Lame Walk
A jazzy walking bass meets a crazy automated breakbeat.

Gear used for Apocalypse Meow: Doepfer A-100, Moog Voyager, Clavia Nord Modular G2X, Metasonix TX-1, Roland TR-606, Native Instruments Reaktor 5, AAS Tassman, Logic Studio Pro, Ableton Live 7.

This is a nice screencast by Audiotuts+ that demonstrates how to create gated sequence effects with Ultrabeat.

Explains author Toby Pitman:

I’ve only just scratched the surface of what Ultrabeat is capable of in this tutorial. When it comes to drum sounds Ultrabeat rivals any software on the market. Its ability to combine analogue with sample synthesis allows for literally any percussive sound to be produced and we’ve seen it’s not just for drums. You could do a month’s worth of tutorials and still have more left over before you covered it all. This is testament to Logic’s feature set which is really deep once you delve into it. Next time you reach for Stylus RMX give Ultrabeat a thought. It might just become your favorite drum plug-in.

More info at the Audiotuts+ site.

In this official Alesis video, product specialist Heath Tougas offers an in-depth tour of the Alesis MasterControl.

Vermona analog drum synthesizer

via Passie808:

This is a demo with the Vermona DRM 1 MK 3 analog drum module.

This collection of tutorials for Logic Pro 8, hosted by Joe Godfrey, covers the essential of working with Apple’s Logic Pro.

It adds a fully programmable virtual analog synthesizer filter with resonance, envelope follower and an integrated post-filter digital delay to your audio production environment.

This product at a glimpse:

• Platforms: MacOS X
• Formats: AudioUnit Latest version: 1.0.1
• Free

You can send any of your audio tracks through this ‘virtual analog’ effects device to either create spezial effects or to simulate the behaviour of an analog 4-pole synthesizer filter.

New in 1.01:

Clicking on the “Dly Time” text area directly above the delay time slider will set the delay time to the click interval. This is a handy way to adjust the tempo of the delay without figuring out the millisecond value

Specifications:

• 24dB/Octave (4 pole)
• variable Cutoff + Resonance
• Lowpass/Bandpass switchable
• Envelope Follower with adjustable sensitivity
• Envelope attack/release times
• Adjustable analog distortion
• Adjustable digital delay after filter with time, mix and feedback

Minimum system requirements:

MacOS X 10.4.11 or newer. AU compatible host software. Tested with:

• Apple Logic 8.02
• MotU Digital Performer 6.02
• Ableton Live 7.07
• RogueAmoeba AudioHijack Pro 2.9.0
• Apple AU Lab 2.0.1
• TwistedWave 1.0.0
• Apple GarageBand 4.1.2

Just blaze shows a fast easy way to chop and assign samples in Logic via the EXS24.

via Mike Chav