Open Labs has introduced SoundSlate, what they call “the ultimate virtual instrument player” and hardware DAW for your keyboard workstation or MIDI controller.

SoundSlate puts Open Labs’ music operating environment, including the virtual instrument host Riff, 8000+ of sounds and effects, a robust audio i/o, and a powerful computer core running Windows XP, into a 1U-ultra compact case.

Features:

• Professional music production for the price of a laptop.
• 24-bit/ 192kHz A/D converters (same as Pro Tools HD 192 I/O interface).
• 8000+ preset sounds and effects
• Includes Cubase LE, Sonar LE, LIVE LE and more.

Open Labs SoundSlate packages start at $1,999.

SoundSlate Technical Specifications:

CPU
Intel® Core2 Duo ® (2.8GHz)

Memory
2 GB (upgradeable to 4GB)

Storage
500 Gigabyte (upgradeable to 2TB)

Drive
Slimline CD/DVD Burner

Connection
(8) USB 2.0 ports
(1) Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet port
(2) DVI Video ports (1 DVI-I, 1 DVI-D)
(1) E-SATA port

Audio
Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz from internal crystal or externally supplied clock (no sample rate conversion)
Bit Depths: 24-bit I/O, 32-bit processing
E-MU E-DSP™ 32-bit DSP with 67-bit accumulator (double precision w/ 3 headroom bits)
Hardware-accelerated, 32-channel mixing, and multi-effects processing
Zero-latency direct hardware monitoring w/effects
ASIO 2.0, WDM/MME/DirectSound Drivers
EDI (E-MU Digital Interface) proprietary 64-channel audio link over CAT-5 cable
Anti-Pop speaker protection minimizes noise during power on/off
Ultra-low jitter, clock subsystem: < 1 ns in PLL mode (44.1kHz, Opt. S/PDIF Sync)

Analog Line Inputs (2)
Type: servo-balanced, DC-coupled, low-noise input circuitry
A/D converter: AK5394A
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu max (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV max (unbalanced)
Frequency Response (20Hz – 20kHz): +/- .05dB
Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 120dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 120dB
THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -110dB (.0003%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -115dB

Analog Line Outputs (2)
Type: Balanced, low-noise, 3-pole low-pass differential filter
D/A converter: CS4398
Level (software selectable):
- Professional: +4dBu nominal, 20dBu max (balanced)
- Consumer: -10dBV nominal, 6dBV max (unbalanced)
Frequency Response (20Hz – 20kHz): + 0.0/-.35dB,
Dynamic Range (1kHz, A-weighted): 120dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted): 120dB
THD+N (1kHz at -1dBFS): -105dB (.0006%)
Stereo Crosstalk (1kHz at -1dBFS): < -115dB

Digital I/O
S/PDIF:
- 2 in/2 out coaxial (transformer coupled)
- 2 in/2 out optical (software switched at ADAT)
- AES/EBU or S/PDIF format (software selectable)
ADAT:
- 8 channels, 24-bit @ 44.1/48kHz
- 4 channels, 24-bit @ 96kHz (S-MUX compatible)
- 2 channels, 24-bit @ 192kHz
MIDI:
- 1 in, 1 out

Synchronization
Internal crystal sync at 44.1, 48, 96, 192kHz
External sample rate sync via
- ADAT (44.1 – 192kHz)
- S/PDIF (opt. or coax 44.1 – 96kHz)

Power Supply
250 Watt Power Supply, Whisper Quiet Cooling Fans (Internal Chassis, Processor & Power Supply)

Dimensions:
19”(W) X 12”(D) X 1U(H)

via GearJunkies

KX77FREE’s Kx-Modulad 2.0 is a free “analog” style modular synth for Windows with stereo SF2 player and an additive synthesis WaveTracer to build waveforms.

Features:

• Stereo routing.
• 3 Polyphonic EGs with for each segment: curves, velocity and Kbd controls.
• 1 Monophonic EG with for each segment: curves, velocity and Kbd controls.
• Multiple trigger sources and sync for the EGs and the LFOs.
• 2 oscillators with 2 waveforms and 2 outputs with Phase modulation and Sync.
• 2 independent Sub Oscillators.
• 1 Stereo SF2 player.
• 2 Monophonic LFOs with 2 Rates and ASR EG.
• 2 Mulitmode VCFs.
• Mixer with 6 sources: Noise, Vco1 1-2, Vco 2 1-2, Ring, Vco1 Width, Vco2 Width and 3 outputs: VCF1, VCF2, VCA.
• Each mixer voice can be modulated by different sources.
• Noise Generator with an EQ.
• Sample & Hold.
• Ring Modulator.
• 6 host sync clocks.
• 2 Midi inputs.
• 1 Distortion.
• 2 Delays with sync, multimode filter and modulation oscillator with sync.
• 1 Scope with 100 ms of buffer size.
• Full Midi learn.
• Full NRPN implementation.
• 128 KX presets

via svartling

Free Music Software: Cakewalk has dropped the price on its SFZ+ Professional SoundFont Player for Windows from $60 to $0.

Description:

rgc:audio’s revolutionary SoundFont player sample-playback engine, packed in a professional VST/DXi instrument.

Outstanding sound quality, stereo built-in effects, adjustable CPU/quality settings to adjust it to your hardware, fully multitimbral operation, multiple stereo outputs, several loading modes including direct-from-disk streaming and a beautiful interface make sfz+ the perfect choice for SoundFont users and professional composers.

Note: The download is currently missing in action. See comments below.

In this Native Instruments video, Jeremiah Savage, the creator of Sonic Fiction, explains the unusual concept and creation process of his science fiction-inspired software instrument.

Native Instruments’ Sonic Fiction is a new KORE-Powered instrument that combines field recording with advanced synthesis to create hundreds of otherworldly sounds.

Native Instruments Sonic Fiction retails for $79. Description:

Expanding on sound design paradigms established with Jeremiah Savage’s previous ACOUSTIC REFRACTIONS collection, the sounds in SONIC FICTION are inspired by imaginative Science Fiction scenarios and concepts. Unusual, complex acoustic sources ranging from volcanic mudpots to television static were carefully captured in extensive field recording sessions, and combined with the vast synthesis and sound processing capabilities of ABSYNTH, KONTAKT and KORE. The result is an array of previously unheard, charismatic instruments that are both alien and organic in their sonic character, but also highly playable and of profound musical value.

SONIC FICTION provides 100 KoreSounds with eight morphable Sound Variations each, resulting in 800 individual sounds. Concise parameter assignments allow for immediate, intuitive sound tweaking in KORE 2 and KORE PLAYER. Full musical metadata for all presets also makes SONIC FICTION integrate seamlessly with any individual collection of KORE-Powered instruments.

You can find out more about Sonic Fiction at the NI site.

Native Instruments today introduced the BERLIN, NEW YORK and VIENNA CONCERT GRAND as well as UPRIGHT PIANO, four software instruments that offer detailed reproductions of some of the world’s most revered pianos.

Previously available within the acclaimed AKOUSTIK PIANO, these instruments can now be purchased individually to specifically accommodate a certain sound or musical genre, or as a bundle that offers the full range of piano tones.

BERLIN, NEW YORK, VIENNA CONCERT GRAND and UPRIGHT PIANO are available in the NI Online Shop at $79 / 69 € per individual instrument. A bundle of all four instruments is available for $189 / 169 €.

Details:

All four pianos are powered by the industry-leading KONTAKT engine, and are playable in the free KONTAKT PLAYER as well as the full KONTAKT sampler. The three concert grands and the upright piano recreate each nuance and detail of the original instruments by combining elaborate multi-sampling with sophisticated emulation of soundboard resonance and pedal behavior. Making full use of the advanced sampling and scripting features of the KONTAKT engine, they remain both efficient and convenient to use for a wide range of musical styles and applications.

Each of the original instruments was carefully set up and recorded using a special recording technique that completely minimized room ambience, resulting in pristine sound quality:

• The BERLIN CONCERT GRAND is based on a modern masterpiece of German piano construction, and carries the original’s vitality and expressiveness throughout the entire dynamic range.
• The NEW YORK CONCERT GRAND is the authentic rendition of the standard in concert halls worldwide, especially suited for jazz and classical solo material.
• The VIENNA CONCERT GRAND replicates an acclaimed Austrian piano design, with eight full octaves of powerful, orchestral sound.
• Complementing the three concert grands, UPRIGHT PIANO offers the warm and intimate tone of one of the world’s best concert pianos.

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.

Free Music Software: Artifake Labs have released the RedTron_400, a software version of the Mellotron M400.

Features:

• Realistic user interface.
• Six sound types:
  • 3 Violins
  • 8-Voice Choir
  • Flute
  • Brass
  • String Section
  • Cello
• “Loop” and “Non-Loop” modes : as the original “Mellotron”, each sound is eight seconds long but you can switch to “Loop Mode” and allows the samples to loop continuously.
• Layer possibilities & independent parameters for layer A & B :
  • Volume, Tune, Reverb, Delay, Pan, Octave, Note, Cutoff, Resonance, Attack & Release parameters.
  • Delay effect (Amount, Time, Feedback & Pan parameters).
  • Reverb effect (Mix, Width, Size & Damp parameters).
• Global Volume control
• Global Tone control
• Global Pitch control
• Can be used as Soundfont Player to mix any .sf2 file with “Tron sounds” or to extend the sound palette.

If you’ve used RedTron 400, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Synthesis has changed a lot since the days of Switched On Bach – and it’s getting to the point that recordings of virtual instruments, and even virtual orchestras, are nearly indistinguishable from the “real” thing.

Of course, this begs the question – what is the real thing?

How close are virtual orchestras coming to traditional orchestras?

You be the judge.

I’ve embedded an example below that contains short sections from three symphonies, by Beethoven & Schumann. See if you can identify the one that is virtual – and if you can articulate why you think it sounds “virtual”.

Image: jordanfischer

Modartt has released Pianoteq Pro – the advanced version of Pianoteq. Its major feature over Pianoteq is per note adjustment for physical parameters.

Features:

• Note per note adjustment for 22 physical parameters: detune, unison width, direct sound duration, hammer hardness piano, hammer hardness mezzo, hammer hardness forte, spectrum profile, hammer noise, strike point, pickup symmetry, pickup distance, impedance, cutoff, Q factor, string length, note resonance, quadratic effect, damper position, damper duration, damper noise, key release noise, volume. Restricted to detune and volume in the Standard version.
• Internal sample rate available up to 192 kHz. Restricted to 48 kHz in the Standard version.

Pianoteq Pro is available now for windows, Mac OS X and Linux for 399€.

Description:

For the first time in the history of pianos, complete control of physical parameters of the piano is made available to the user. In the real world, reshaping a soundboard would require several weeks of work in the factory. With Pianoteq Pro, you have a new soundboard only one mouse click away!

Pianoteq Pro offers note per note adjustment for no less than 22 physical parameters, such as tuning, unison width, hammer hardness, strike point, string length, spectrum profile, soundboard impedance, damper position… In fact there are thousands since each overtone of each note can be controlled separately with the spectrum profile parameter!

In 1977, Gabriel Weinreich concluded his grounding article “Coupled piano strings” with “In any case, one could expect to build a better piano if the aftersound could be more deliberately controlled through an appropriate understanding of the soundboard”. Thirty-two years later, Weinreich’s dream is becoming reality with Pianoteq Pro.

This is a preview of Pocket Organ C3B3, programmed by Shinya Kasatani, the creator of Pocket Guitar. Pocket Organ C3B3 simulates the draw bar controls and Lislie speaker system of a Hammond B3/C3 organ.

While this may be interesting from a technical standpoint – it’s hard to see how a tiny touchscreen Hammond organ is going to be musically useful. Wouldn’t it make more sense to put the same effort into creating original instruments, designed to make the most expressive use of the iPhone platform’s capabilities?

No release date or pricing has been announced for C3B3 yet.

via koyamatsuo

Syntheway Virtual Sitar, demo’d above, is a VST instrument designed to emulate the Indian Sitar.

Features:

• Mastered sitar samples recorded with special equipment in a low noise environment. Full length sustain, no loops (natural decay).
• Includes 18 predefined sounds.
• Optimized CPU and memory usage.
• ADSR envelope generator with Attack, Sustain, Decay and Release parameters and several modulation targets.
• Multiple-Mode Filter: The values are automatically computed when you select any of the filter types. Filter switch includes: LP (Low pass), BP (Band pass), HP (High pass), notch, peak, low pass and high pass shelving filter with adjustable cutoff and bandwidth.
• Variable room simulation. Reverb effect can control the “room ambience”.
• MIDI Automation: Added complete MIDI CC#.

The Sitar is a Hindustani classical stringed instrument which utilizes sympathetic strings along with regular strings and a gourd resonating chamber to produce a very distinctive sound. It was popularized by “legendary sitar virtuoso” and composer Ravi Shankar in the 1960s.

More details at the Syntheway site.

via syntheway:

Home (intro) using Syntheway Virtual Sitar VSTi v1.0 Cover From Dream Theater’s Metropolis Part II – Scenes From A Memory, Scene Six (Released in 1999).VST instrument:Syntheway Virtual Sitar VSTi

Additonal VST Plug-ins:- Syntheway Strings VSTi

Fantasize SoundFont SF2 Player VSTi (Bass, guitar samples)

VST Host: Image-Line FL Studio 9

More demos in HQ mp3 format available at: http://demosongs.syntheway.net

Boston based virtual instrument manufacturer SONiVOX has introduced Sampla – Hip Hop Production Sampler, a new virtual sampler plug-in for MAC and PC designed for fast sampling and beat creation for hip hop producers.

Features:

• MPC style editing & slicing for easy instrument & beat creation
• Imports Wav, Acid, Broadcast Wav, Aiff, & MP3 Format Files
  Easy to use record functionality for real time sampling
• Over 250 factory preset instruments and pad layouts
• 16 user assignable pads
• Tempo Sync Stereo Delay, EQ, and Chorus Effects
• Assignable filter section with 10 filter types
• Graphic waveform display with zoom, click, and drag functionality
• Midi Learn & Save functionality, Sampla is instantly compatible with any
• MIDI keyboard or pad control
• Pad-Specific Variable Resolution Note Repeat and Pattern Arpeggiation Mode
• PC Standalone, VST and RTAS Compatibility.
• MAC Standalone, AU, VST, and RTAS Compatibility.

Sampla is available now with a MSRP of $149 and an introductory street price of $99.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Description:

Sampla’s unique design bridges the gap between MPC style sampling and the computer based virtual instrument environment. Sampla allows users to easily record, slice, loop, and assign (keymap) their ownrecorded samples as well as any of their own wav, acid, aiff, and mp3 samples.

In addition to the flexibility provided by Sampla’s sampler engine, Sampla’s “Learn Mode” allows users to interface their MIDI pad controllers and controller keyboards directly with Sampla.

Sampla is packed with a diverse and extensive factory sound bank, all recorded and programmed by SONiVOX’s award winning sounddesign team, with over 250 high end instrument presets and pad layouts.

Included are acoustic and electronic drumkits, basses, keyboards, leads, guitars, strings, brass, pads, vocals, symphonic construction kits, scensorship bleeps and blips, as well as a selection of loops from the SONiVOX LoopLine series.

Check this video out - Wave Machine Labs has introduced iGOG (App Store link) – a $4.99 massive multisampled drum machine for the iPhone that offers velocity sensitive response!

Features:

• 8 velocity sensitive drum pads using patent pending VelAUcity technology
• Comes with 6 drum kits. More available through the built-in store
• Load your own kits using standard wav, aif or Drumagog .gog files
• Hi-hat and Ride pads change articulation as you slide across the pads
• Built-in sequencer with standard midi file support
• Sequencer features quantize, metronome, time signature, count-in, tempo and loop
• Backing track mode lets you play and record sequences in perfect sync to an mp3 file
• Mic trigger mode lets you play drums by tapping on objects, such as a table
• Built-in file transfer mode allows you to copy files between iGOG and your computer
• Mixdown feature lets you create an audio mix of your sequence

Description:

Borrowing technology from Drumagog iGOG features up to 384 multisampled drum hits per pad.

iGOG introduces the impossible: touch sensitive pads that respond to how hard you hit them! Using WaveMachine Labs own patent pending VelAUcity technology, iGOG accurately responds to your touch. The harder you strike the pads, the louder the drum hit. Finally, a drum machine that plays like a real kit.

Note: VelAUcity features are not available on iPod Touch.

Drumagog Technology iGOG contains a powerful drum sample engine which captures every nuance of a drum hit. Because a snare drum sounds different the harder it’s played, iGOG’s samples are packed with Dynamic Multisamples to ensure a faithful reproduction. iGOG’s Random Multisamples guarantee that no sample is ever played twice in a row, making rolls and flams sound realistic. Hi-hats take advantage of iGOG’s Positional Multisamples, which provide a smooth transition between closed and open styles. Simply slide your finger across the rectangular pad!

Glass Works is the first SC product to be packaged in Native Instruments’ Kontakt Player, meaning that non-Kontakt owners can enjoy the enhanced scripting and control that Soniccouture instruments have become renowned for.

Glass Works is a sampled collection of 3 instruments which generate sound from glass.

These are :

• Le Cristal - A bizarre ’sound sculpture’ designed in 1952 by Bernard and François Baschet. It consists of about 4 octaves of chromatically tuned glass rods, which are rubbed with wet fingers. The vibration of the glass is passed to a heavy block of metal, which itself is tuned and in fact determines the final pitch. The entire mechanism is amplified by a large steel plate, called the “fiame”. There are also three small fiberglass cones that amplify the higher frequencies.
• The Glass Armonica – A musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction (instruments of this type are known as friction idiophones ). The instrument was invented by Benjamin Franklin, who called his invention the “armonica” after the Italian word for harmony. He worked with London glassblower Charles James to build one, and it had its world premiere in early 1762, played by Marianne Davies.
• Cloud Chamber Bowls – The Cloud Chamber Bowls are Soniccouture’s recreation of an instrument built in the 1960s by maverick American composer Harry Partch. It consists of hanging “bowls” which are sections of 12-gallon glass carboys. Both tops and bottoms of the carboys are used. Partch had 14 (later 13) bowls hanging from a large wooden frame he called a “tori”. The name “Cloud Chamber Bowls” arose from the fact that Partch found the original tops and bottoms at a Radiation Laboratory at UC Berkeley in 1950. The bowls were originally used for cloud chambers used in tracing paths of subatomic particles.

Glass Works is available now on DVD and Download, priced GBP 99 / USD 159.

Soniccouture

The instruments include:

• The Cristal Baschet – A bizarre ’sound sculpture’ designed in 1952 by Bernard and François Baschet. It consists of about 4 octaves of chromatically tuned glass rods, which are rubbed with wet ?ngers. The vibration of the glass is passed to a heavy block of metal, which itself is tuned and in fact determines the ?nal pitch. The entire mechanism is ampli?ed by a large steel plate, called the “?ame”. There are also three small ?berglass cones that amplify the higher frequencies.
• The Glass Armonica – A musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction (instruments of this type are known as friction idiophones ). The instrument was invented by Benjamin Franklin, who called his invention the “armonica” after the Italian word for harmony. He worked with London glassblower Charles James to build one, and it had its world premiere in early 1762, played by Marianne Davies.
• Cloud Chamber Bowls – The Cloud Chamber Bowls are Soniccouture’s recreation of an instrument built in the 1960s by maverick American composer Harry Partch. It consists of hanging “bowls” which are sections of 12-gallon glass carboys. Both tops and bottoms of the carboys are used. Partch had 14 (later 13) bowls hanging from a large wooden frame he called a “tori”. The name “Cloud Chamber Bowls” arose from the fact that Partch found the original tops and bottoms at a Radiation Laboratory at UC Berkeley in 1950. The bowls were originally used for cloud chambers used in tracing paths of subatomic particles.

Glass Works is priced at £99 GBP / $159 USD.

This is a demo video for the Arppe2600va, a free Windows software synth designed to emulate the ARP 2600 vintage synthesizer.

Based on ARP’s legendary semi-modular analog monosynth! This amazing softsynth sounds very close to the original ARP 2600. Like the original, it’s a monosynth (no polyphony). But, also like the original, it has a multitude of Frequency Modulation options which enable it to create some truly awesome sound effects. PWM, Sample & Hold, virtual Spring Reverb, Ring Modulation, and a dedicated Noise Generator are all there! Also, there are some things even the original Arp 2600 didn’t have, like Oscillator Sync and Filter Color (to adjust between LowPass and HiPass filter types). Most important of all, beginning with version 2.0 the Arppe2600va is now completely patchable via a cleverly designed Mod Matrix! You can have up to 12 patch routings with a very user-friendly (and visible!) drop-down menu interface, instead of messy virtual patch cables cluttering up the screen. All controls are mapped to MIDI CC#’s, and you can override the default settings by using the MIDI Learn feature. Use as a simple stand-alone synth (.exe file included), or copy the DLL into your favorite DAW or sequencer’s plugin folder.

If you’ve used Arppe2600va, leave a comment with your thoughts!

via buenasideasde

Plogue has announced a new soft-synthesizer, Chipsounds, that turns your VST/AU/RTAS host into a classic video game console, vintage 8-bit home computer and even an 80’s arcade.

Plogue Chipsounds authentically emulates more than eight vintage 8-bit era sound chips (on top of their variants). But more interestingly, it also faithfully allows you to dynamically reproduce the accidentally discovered sounds effect tricks and abusive musical techniques that were made famous by innovative chiptune composers and classic video game sound designers, which for the good part of the last 2 decades, have pushed beyond the boundaries of the original chip designs.

No pricing or release date have been announced. Details and audio demos are available at the Plogue site.

This is a demo video for Best Service Accordions, a virtual instrument by Eduardo Tarilonte.

Description:

Accordions is the definitive accordion sample library. Designed and scripted to perform in real time ultra-realistic accordion melodies and chords. All the subtle sounds from an accordion have been carefully captured to increase the realism of your performance, like key and button noises.

8 different Accordions where sampled in high detail, being one of them a real A-A (Alfred Arnold) Bandoneon from the 1930´s with an incredible tone. Just the same model Astor Piazzolla used. Also included are 8 perfectly balanced Multis with meticulously made combinations to create new ready to use registers.

Accordions can be used in many different kind of productions and styles. From cinematic, romantic to folk styles like Celtic, Tex-Mex or South American.

This library included 7 complete independent instruments sampled with amazing depth plus 1 bonus accordion:

• Bandoneon
• Concertina
• Single Reed Piccolo Accordion
• Single Reed Musette Accordion
• Single Reed Bassoon Accordion
• Double Reed Musette Accordion
• Left Hand Bass Accordion
• Steirische Accordion (Bonus)

8 perfectly balanced multis with fine tune combinations to create new ready to use registers:

• Oboe Register
• Celeste Register
• Bandoneon Register
• Organ Register
• Triple Musette Register
• Harmonium Register
• Master Register
• Accordion Register

3 round robin playback in each crossfade layer

Realistic instruments noises to create an unparalleled realism

Advanced but easy to use Kontakt scripting signed by Günter Hirscher.

2.7 Gb – 44.1 Khz – 24 bits wav mono samples. Kontakt Player 3 included. No sampler required!

Demo by Hans-Joerg Scheffler

This video captures excerpts from the world’s first live performance of a Beethoven symphony by a digital orchestra (The Fauxharmonic Orchestra).

This performance was part of an ongoing concert series presenting all nine Beethoven symphonies through 2011.

You can get details and more performance examples at The Fauxharmonic Orchestra site.

Do you think you could recognize The Fauxharmonic Orchestra on a recording?

via Fauxharmonic

iPhone music software: This is a sneak preview of Drum Sequencer, a drum machine/groovebox for the Apple iPhone.

It’s expected to be released Sept 24th, 2009.

Description:

Drum Sequencer is a drum beat composing application. It’s designed for example DJ’s, live performances, practicing, interactive composing or just for fun.

Amaze yourself with this app. Discover the basics of drum beats, doodle around and use your imagination to find new exotic rhythms. You don’t have to be a DJ or live artist to sound like them.

App features:

• easy & fast use user interface for situations where you just want to evolve the beat quickly
• multiple drum sets (with high quality 44kHz sounds)
• realtime effects for each instrument (for example really nasty sounding distortion)
• bank & pattern for storing your best bits
• easy switching between patterns for example live performance
• tap tempo
• easy syncing to existing beat, song or any kind of fixed rythm

via zapallalla