software studio

There’s an early review of Berna – the virtual studio app that recreates a 50’s electronic music lab – at Waveformless.

They say there’s a lot to like in Berna:

The flexibility of the matrix and the vast array of unusual sound manipulators will be a breath of fresh air to those burned out on the virtual analog trance machines that seem to get released every week. The limitations present here are faithful to what the original studios were limited to, and sometimes having those kinds of restrictions can lead you down very interesting paths you might not otherwise travel.

For sure, this isn’t the most useful piece of software in the world (to most of us), but it’s really hard to find fault anywhere with the program. The sound quality is great, the tools are weird and fun to play with (it drove my cats NUTS), and you can learn a bit about the history of your craft in the process. If nothing else, it’ll certainly give you an appreciation for how easy modern electronic composers have it.

So if you’d like a break from the norm and feel up to making some crazy 1950’s sci-fi soundtrack fodder, it’s hard to go wrong for a mere 10 Euros. [9/10]

See the full review at Waveformless.

Grape Solutions’ Pluto is an online synthesizer and digital audio workstation. It’s implemented in a web browser, and based on Microsoft Silverlight. Read more…

LMMS is a free cross-platform multimedia studio which lets you product music with your computer – sort of like Garageband for people that didn’t buy a Mac.

Features:

• Song-Editor for composing songs
• A Beat+Bassline-Editor for creating beats and basslines
• An easy-to-use Piano-Roll for editing patterns and melodies
• An FX mixer with 64 FX channels and arbitrary number of effects allow unlimited mixing possibilities
• Many powerful instrument and effect-plugins out of the box
• Full user-defined track-based automation and computer-controlled automation sources
• Compatible with many standards such as SoundFont2, VST(i), LADSPA, GUS Patches, and full MIDI support
• Import of MIDI and FLP (Fruityloops® Project) files

You can’t beat the price, so give it a try and let me know what you think of it!

via Lifehacker

Propellerhead Software has announced the availability of FlatPack 2, a Refill for Reason 3.

It features machines and Instruments that take advantage of Reason 3’s expanded possibilities, opening the doors to synth creation and analogue instrument emulation. FlatPack 2 contains a great wealth of raw element samples, drums, rich textures and ambient soundscapes, perfect for both music production and sound design. The FlatPack 2 Refill is built largely around four new instrument concepts constructed within Reason’s Combinator environment, which because of the endless programming possibilities can inspire numerous variations.

“The FlatPack 2 shows just how far you can take the Combinator in creating new Instruments and sounds for Reason 3 and Propellerheads are pleased that this truly unique ReFill is now available in our online shop,” commented Ernst Nathorst-Böös, Propellerhead Software CEO. Read more…

Cakewalk has announced a free 2.0.1 update for Project5 Version 2. Project5 Version 2 provides everything you need to create and perform today’s music with a complete set of superb quality instruments and effects; powerful recording, looping, sequencing, and arranging tools; dynamic creation tools; and the ultimate open synth host.

The Project5 2.0.1 update provides several usability enhancements to every view, as well as to the virtual instrument Dimension. The update also addresses some minor issues discovered after Project5 Version 2 began shipping.

Highlights include:

Arrange Pane

• * Sticky Now Time (restart Now Time from previous start position)
• * Display automation values in a tool tip while editing
• * Vertical clip zoom
• * Bounce to track

Editor

• * Display automation values in a tool tip while editing
• * Channel Aftertouch automation added to MIDI parameter list
• * Metronome count-in for recording in Editor view

Dimension

• * Support for AIF/AIFF files
• * Reduced CPU load (Dimension programs require 2-20% less CPU)
• * Enhanced memory sharing for running multiple instances of Dimension
• * Instant Loading of Patch Browser
• * Progress meter displayed while loading Dimension programs

Availability

The Project5 2.0.1 Update is now available free for download to registered Project5 Version 2 users at http://www.cakewalk.com. Project5 Version 2 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $429 U.S. (MSRP). For more information, visit Cakewalk on the web at www.cakewalk.com; or call 888-CAKEWALK (617-423-9004 outside U.S.)