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Antares Auto-Tune EFX 2

By
Bryan
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Well shortly after Antares announces Auto-Tune EFX for $50.00, they release the EFX 2 Plug-in with major upgrades.
I actually took advantage of the EFX 1 promotion and bought the plug-in and I must say, its a quick fix for a rough vocal track but not an end-all-be-all solution to get a final vocal product out. Having said that, I think this update is a step in the right direction for a great price. Now if we can just get people to stop abusing it, we’ll be in business.

Antares Audio Technologies has announced the availability of Auto-Tune EFX 2. Powered by the same core technology as Antares’ professional standard Auto-Tune 7, Auto-Tune EFX 2 is the newest generation of the quickest, easiest-to-use tool for real-time pitch correction and creating the iconic Auto-Tune Vocal Effect. And now, with its new Auto-Motion™ Vocal Pattern Generation, musicians can add a variety of intricate musical patterns to their tracks for an entirely new (and sonically dramatic) vocal effect.
Designed to make almost everything automatic, Auto-Tune EFX 2 provides two different flavors of the Auto-Tune Vocal Effect as well as Antares’ world-renown real-time pitch correction. Musicians simply select their desired effect type, set the key and

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Waves Audio: Bass Rider

By
Bryan
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Ever get one of those bass tracks where it just doesn’t seem to gel with the mix or you have a bass player who is a little rough on the dynamics? Bass Rider is a spinoff of the Vocal Rider Series that gives your bass tracks consistency. What sets this apart from other methods is that it isn’t compression, it is similar to automating the entire track to match other track levels without you having to ride the fader yourself. I’ve used Vocal Rider and it really works great to tame a vocalist so I’m sure this works just as great.

Waves Audio, the industry-leading developer of professional audio digital signal processing technologies and the recipient of a 2011 Technical GRAMMY® Award, unveils its Bass Rider, an innovative, easy-to-use plugin that rides bass levels automatically. A companion to Waves’ popular Vocal Rider plugin, Bass Rider delivers perfect bass levels, without changing the natural sound of users’ bass. Optimized especially for the frequency range and envelope characteristics of bass instruments, Bass Rider covers all the “basses”: DI, amplified, acoustic, synth, upright, etc.
A real timesaver with dedicated studio and live components, Bass Rider keeps bass levels in check and solid throughout a mix. Unlike a compressor, Bass Rider works note by note, without disturbing their inner dynamics, so they sustain and decay naturally. Best of all, since Bass Rider keeps levels steady with automatic gain adjustment, now users can focus on the feel and flow of their bass, and use compression if desired to add color and character.
Features:

  • Rides bass levels automatically
  • Optimized for bass instruments
  • Retains the natural character of the bass
  • Dedicated studio and live components
  • Up to 24-bit 192kHz resolution
  • Mono and Stereo components
  • Supports TDM, RTAS, Audio Suite, VST, AU
  • PC- and Mac®-compatible

Controls:

  • Target Energy Meter shows the energy of the input signal.
  • Target Slider sets the desired bass level range and calibrates the Rider Fader “0” position.
  • Sensitivity controls the note detector sensitivity.
  • Response controls the note detector response.
  • Spill controls the amount of spill that the detector should ignore.
  • Artifacts controls the note detector’s tolerance to artifacts.
  • Max Range sets the upper boundary of the Rider Fader movement.
  • Min Range sets the lower boundary of the Rider Fader movement.
  • Rider Fader is Bass Rider’s automatic fader control.
  • Output trims the vocal output gain, post-auto riding.
  • Idle Arrow sets the Rider Fader value when there is no bass activity.
  • Effective Range displays the total gain range available for automatic riding.

Waves Bass Rider is now available at a U.S. MSRP of Native $200/TDM $300. Special intro price is Native $99/TDM $149. It is also available at no additional charge to owners of Waves Mercury with current Waves Update Plan coverage. For more information, please visit www.waves.com

LinPlug: Relectro

By
Bryan
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How many crappy loops do you have laying around in the vast spaces of your sound library? The answer should be none, but we know that’s not the case… STOP HOARDING!!! Well actually, your squirreling away loops may work to your benefit because LinPlug just released Relectro, a program that will take those boring rhythm tracks you made in a drum circle at burning man and turn them into audio gold!

It’s no delay, no eq, no compressor, no filter, no pitch shifter, but it does all of that on a per wave cycle basis. Don’t try to grasp that intellectually, play it. Fire up some of the most boring, overused, outdated drums you have and Relectro them into something completely different. Don’t believe it, do it.

Well that about says it all there.
Price: $79US / 59 Euro
For more info,click HERE.

Reason 6: Pay What You Want

By
Bryan
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You wanna pay $1.00 for the new Reason 6? Who doesn’t? Let’s run through the checklist.
Do you own Reason Duo? (No)
Do you own an ignition key” (No)
Well if so, you are in luck. You can pay basically whatever you want for Reason 6! (Sonofa….)

Propellerhead Software today announced that for limited time owners of its flagship Record–Reason Duo product will be able to purchase the Reason 6 upgrade at whatever price they choose, starting at $1.00 / €1.00. An overview video can be found store, paying from €1.00/$1.00 to anything they choose.
Owners of Reason who do not own Record can purchase the boxed upgrade for €149/$169. After the promotion has ended, Duo users will be able to upgrade at the regular Reason 6 upgrade price. All details are here.

Reason 6 will be available for purchase on September 30, 2011 at the following suggested retail pricing:
Reason 6  EUR €405 /USD $449
Reason 6 Upgrade (from any Reason version and Reason Essentials)  EUR €149/ USD $169
Reason 6 Upgrade from Record-Reason Duo before October 31, 2011  Pay What You Want (starting at €1.00 / $1.00)

Native Instruments: Solid Mix Series

By
Bryan
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Another day, another SSL emulated set of plug-ins. I haven’t really had a chance to mess with the plug-ins Native Instruments gave me with Maschine, nor have I thought of this company as a major player in the vintage plug-in emulation. I’m inclined to see how this works out against all of the other players in the game that have done a spectacular job in digitally recreating these titans in the industry. Just remember folks, as close as it comes, it will never be as great as true analog.

Get high-end studio sound with the SOLID MIX SERIES. SOLID DYNAMICS, SOLID EQ, and SOLID BUS COMP re-create the essential components of a legendary mixing desk, famous for its precise, transparent, and platinum-selling sound. Studio legends, supercharged with modern extras such as sidechaining and parallel compression. Get complete control over the entire signal chain, powered by cutting-edge NI wizardry and seamlessly integrated into the world of KOMPLETE.

Available individually or as a bundle at the NI Online Shop. The SOLID MIX effects run in the free GUITAR RIG 5 PLAYER or GUITAR RIG 5 PRO.
For more info, click HERE

Melodyne Updates to 1.3.0

By
Bryan
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The program that everyone else is trying so hard to be even remotely as good as, just made it a little harder by adding a few more features and bug fixes. Celemony announced today that the new update includes several convenient new features and added fixes to make the program more stable. I basically just repeated myself on that first post but I needed more content to make this look like it was more informative. From now on, I’ll let the press release do that and maybe even make one of those hilarious jokes bloggers make about how they can’t live without coffee….. chodes….

For Melodyne editor, a free update is now available to Version 1.3, which contains a number of bug fixes and small improvements. You can download the update directly from this link or via the function “Check for Updates” in Melodyne’s Preferences dialog.
With Version 1.3, Melodyne is more reliable and efficient to work with than ever:
• Continuous lines representing the selected time grid provide for greater clarity in the editing pane of Version 1.3, thereby making modifying the timing of notes easier.
• A double click now quantizes notes to the time grid selected by the user, making it possible to shape the rhythm of the material more swiftly and accurately.
• In the stand-alone version of Melodyne, a new option is now available that saves a copy of the audio files involved when you are saving MPD files. This simplifies the handling of projects.
• Version 1.3 is also compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and the corresponding Lion versions of leading DAWs.
You will find the full release notes and an overview of the DAW versions supported on our web site.

I know I already posted the link before but I’m sure you’re too lazy to scroll back up so HERE.. Sheesh, you’re needy today

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Interface

By
Bryan
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My first outboard pre-amp was a Focusrite (and I still use it to this day) and coincidentally, my first interface was a 2 channel interface and I got by with it just fine for years. A popular opinion for beginning recording enthusiasts is “more channels” but if you play your cards right, you can get away with two just fine. Plus, Focusrite is a great place to start. It definitely beats the M-Audio garbage. I think this might be my new “Everything Recording recommended interface.” Don’t quote me on that yet because I haven’t had a chance to actually mess with this, but I’m sure I’ll buy one soon if that tells you anything. Plus you get a Focusrite plug-in bundle

Focusrite proudly introduce the Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, featuring exceptional audio quality, ultimate simplicity and stunning design. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a 2-in/2-out USB 2.0 audio interface with the highest specifications in its class. Alongside award-winning Focusrite mic/instrument preamps, high-quality 24-bit/96kHz digital conversion and flexible monitor control, it features a new unibody industrial design, which is visually striking, functional and robust.

Key Features

  • High-quality, award-winning Focusrite mic preamps
  • Anodised aluminium unibody chassis
  • Unique LED-halo signal indicators
  • Professional-standard 24-bit/96kHz digital conversion
  • Direct Monitor function for zero-latency tracking
  • Powered by USB connection
  • Comes with Focusrite Scarlett plug-in suite & Ableton Live Lite

At the heart of the Scarlett 2i2, two Focusrite microphone preamplifiers provide an exceptionally clean signal path for mic-, instrument- or line-level sources, and supply phantom power to condenser mics. Best-in-class digital converters capture pristine-quality audio for professional-sounding results, and a new unibody chassis — a single piece of red anodised aluminium — surrounds the 2i2’s internal circuitry and controls. Not only does it sound and look fantastic, the Scarlett 2i2 is also rugged enough to take knocks on stage and throw into a laptop bag to make high-quality recordings anywhere.
Other innovations on the Scarlett 2i2 include unique LED-halo signal indicators, which encircle each of the gain controls. These glow green when an input signal is detected and turn red if clipping occurs, to provide a quick and easy way of ensuring that an appropriate signal level is achieved.
The Scarlett 2i2 has a pair of quarter-inch TRS jack outputs for feeding powered studio monitors or an external audio device, such as a mixer. A large knob provides accurate control of the output level, and direct monitoring allows for zero-latency tracking. There’s also a quarter-inch headphones output with dedicated level control. Since the interface is bus powered, an additional power supply is not needed, meaning the interface is truly portable. What’s more, it’s bundled with the Focusrite Scarlett Plug-in Suite as well as Ableton Live Lite: all that’s needed to get recording right away.
Combining professional-sounding mic preamps with the very best in USB 2.0 interfacing technology, the Scarlett 2i2 is perfect for those new to recording, and for the professional who wants the Focusrite quality in a compact, mobile and robust package.

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 joins the existing line of Focusrite USB and Firewire interfaces, and will not supersede any current Focusrite products. It will be shipping worldwide in October 2011, priced:
USA: $199.99 MSRP / $149.99 at dealers
UK: £119.99 inc. VAT typical street price
DE: €159 inc. Tax UVP (MSRP)
For more info, click HERE

Gear Gossip: Black Lion Audio Neve D173

By
Bryan
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If I had unlimited funds and no need to work for a living, I would hang outside of Black Lion Audio’s headquarters with signs like all of those crazy stay at home moms on vacation do in front of the Today Show. Only it would just be me and I would probably be asked to leave. These guys do God’s work by fixing all of the inherent flaws other companies are either too cheap or lazy to fix in their hardware. Their FM192 mod has been used on countless major recordings and have been the winner in countless shootouts over equipment that is exponentially more expensive. And now they’re tackling Neve. I’ve got an original 1073 preamp out of a board and packed into a rackmount and would love to do A/B tests on this. Here’s what they said on their Facebook Page. (Don’t be afraid, go click on them and “Like” them.)

Neve clone status update: output transformer arrived from the guys at Marvel Electric today. I asked them to wind a custom replica transformer specifically for this project, which they did. It sounds phenomenal, very fat with lots of growl in the 500Hz region. I think the custom Cinemag paired with the custom Marvel is going to be a knockout combination. Plus I finally made some headway late this afternoon in alleviating the unwanted distortion in the + side of the balanced circuit. Very good!

Fantastic… now I’ve just got to get the funds together for my RME Fireface 800 and Pro Tools HD 16 I/O mods.
Head on over to www.BlackLionAudio.com and take a look at the plethora of gear the sell and mod. Then go to their Facebook page and look at their “Pets of BLA” section where you see the real stars.

Steinberg UR Series Interfaces

By
Bryan
-

Looks like Steinberg has decided to go the route of Avid and make interfaces for their DAW as well as other. Speaking of Avid, I just received some rather daunting news about Avid’s new line of HD Interfeces (typo, but it stays because its partially true) is made with less quality components as their predecessors. Sad huh? But that’s just more of an excuse to use Black Lion Audio to mod out my HD 16 I/O. Anyways, off track… Sorry. Hey! Steinberg Interfaces. Lots of inputs! Low Latency!

Steinberg today is excited to add two new audio interfaces to its growing range of hardware products. The UR824 and the UR28M both offer pristine, transparent audio quality, high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity alongside advanced technologies such as DSP-powered reverb and channel strip effects with zero-latency monitoring.
The UR824 and UR28M interfaces share a host of quality features, including state-of-the-art 24-bit/96 kHz A/D and D/A converters and Yamaha’s acclaimed D-Pre Class-A microphone preamps — a strong combination when it comes to crisp and crystal-clear audio quality. Plus, the DSP-powered dspMixFx technology boasts latency-free monitoring in conjunction with the included REV-X reverb and Sweet Sport Morphing Channel Strip effects. And with the included Cubase AI 6 version you can start recording music right away.
The rackmountable UR824 interface features eight Neutrik combo inputs with D-Pre mic preamps, eight TRS outputs and two pairs of ADAT optical I/O that add up to 24 channels. A word clock I/O, JetPLL ultra-low jitter support and two separate headphone buses complement the professional feature set of the UR824.
The UR28M desktop interface comes with two Neutrik combo inputs, two TRS inputs, six TRS outputs and S/PDIF I/O. Two D-Pre microphone preamps, a two-track input and two individual headphone channels make the UR28M the ideal choice for ambitious musicians and project studio owners.
Best of all, the UR interfaces will integrate seamlessly into your existing setup — no matter if you are using Cubase or another DAW of your choice. The UR series always provides pure sound for your music.

The UR28M is now being shipped to our distributors worldwide* and is shortly available through the Steinberg Online Shop. The UR824 will be shipping in November 2011.
Not sure on prices yet but for more info, click HERE

The Maschine Trinity: Maschine, Maschine Mikro, and iMaschine

By
Bryan
-

While everyone else is celebrating a day department stores made up for an excuse to have big sales, I’m here, nose to the grindstone, finding all the hot stories. Shifts eyes due to the lack of content lately.
Maschine is the one piece of gear, besides my iLok, that I bring EVERYWHERE. It’s everything: a midi controller, intuitive sequencer, not to mention an all in one device for fresh beats! Now they’ve expanded their arsenal with a more compact controller, (I WILL own you) and an iPhone / iPod touch app. Now lets get an iPad app and I will own every piece of Maschine gear you make. Also, Maschine updates to 1.7 today so get that too.

The MASCHINE world is expanding in three major ways: MASCHINE MIKRO is the perfect entry to pro beat-making. With its compact, go-anywhere controller and same powerful software as its big brother, MIKRO is unbelievable value  – check out what it can do in the amazing video featuring finger drumming phenomenon Jeremy Ellis. And now, both MIKRO and the flagship MASCHINE receive a brand-new 1.7 software update, featuring seamless integration with KOMPLETE 8. And if that’s not enough, check out iMASCHINE, the mobile beat-making app for your iPhone® or iPod Touch®. Whatever your workflow, there’s a now a MASCHINE version for you.

The free 1.7 software update is available for download today, while MASCHINE MIKRO and iMASCHINE will be available from October 1st.
For more info, click HERE.
 

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