Author: Christopher Laird Simmons

Camel Audio Announces Updated Sound Sets for Alchemy, Ends Development of Chameleon 5000

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: Camel Audio announces Luftrum: Ambient is “a journey between worlds, from summer afternoons to the icy depths of space.” With dense washes of warm, shimmering pads and soundscapes, gentle guitar and piano arpeggios, music boxes, delicate, and ethereal sound effects that totter between beauty and despair, this is a particularly inspiring collection for the ambient musician, film, TV or game soundtrack composer.

Himalaya: Antiquity for DCAM Synth Squad

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, U.K. (MuseWire) – FXpansion & Electric Himalaya are proud to present Himalaya: Antiquity, a collection of all-new presets for DCAM: Synth Squad. The scope of Antiquity’s chunky, vintage sounds is breathtaking, and its musical character will keep you playing for hours. Features Include: Fat, lush OB-style brass sounds and classic analogue leads and basses. […]

ASK Video Announces Cubase 5 Level 3 Tutorial

Christopher Laird Simmons

ONTARIO, Canada (MuseWire) – ASK Video Interactive Media, a leading creator of software tutorials on DVD, announces the Cubase 5 Level 3 DVD tutorial. This third installment in a four-part series will ship May 10, 2010. In Cubase 5 Level 3, ASK Video CEO and Cubase guru Steve Kostrey builds upon the topics covered in […]

Toontrack announces the Music City USA SDX

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sweden (MuseWire) – Like it, love it or leave it, Nashville Tennessee is Music City USA. With more labels, publishers, writers, producers, musicians and artists per capita than any other city in North America, Nashville knows a thing or two about great music, and more importantly – great sounding music. With the city’s history & […]

The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business

Christopher Laird Simmons

SEATTLE, Wash. (MuseWire) – “The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business” (ISBN: 978-1-935359-33-3) was just released by author Loren Weisman. The book is a detailed analysis of the subjects that all musicians should understand and apply in order to pursue a successful and sustainable career in music. Full of ideas and practical advice, […]

Diplomacy Through Music: Kareem Salama Tours the Middle East

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – A key priority for the Obama Administration, as outlined in the President's Cairo speech of June 4, 2009, is launching “a new beginning” in America's relationship with the Muslim world. The State Department's public diplomacy professionals in Washington and at U.S. Embassies around the globe are actively pursuing a variety of […]

Native Instruments Releases MASCHINE 1.5

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: Native Instruments today released MASCHINE 1.5, a major free update that significantly increases the functionality and creative potential of the acclaimed computer-based music production system. With more classic drum machine features, improved host integration, new sampling functions, an extended sound library, and even more efficient workflow

Xylote.com Releases Trance Techno Particles (Wav Acid/Apple Loops) followed by a Remix Contest

Christopher Laird Simmons

PADUA, Italy (MuseWire) – Xylote.com has announced the release of its new sample pack “Trance Techno Particles.” The sample pack includes sounds and loops that can be used for techno, trance, tribal, and other music genres. “This new sample pack gives musicians and producers a little bit of the greatest trance and techno sounds of […]

Native Instruments Introduces PARANORMAL SPECTRUMS

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN (MuseWire) – ­ Native Instruments today introduced PARANORMAL SPECTRUMS, a new KORE-powered instrument that creates mysterious and unsettling sonic atmospheres. For use with KORE 2 and the free KORE PLAYER, PARANORMAL SPECTRUMS is a powerful resource for suspenseful film and game scores in the horror, thriller and mystery domain, and is also suitable for […]

Toontrack Music releases EZmix

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sweden (MuseWire) – Toontrack Music has released the next product in the Toontrack Software Tools line, EZmix. For all the track and songwriters with tight deadlines and a mobile work situation out there, Toontrack, in collaboration with DSP developers par excellence Overloud, has developed EZmix. EZmix is a simple (EZ), yet powerful, mixing tool that […]

Open Labs has announced new version of rackmount instrument system, the SoundSlate FW

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Introducing Open Labs’ SoundSlateâ„¢ FW, the ultimate virtual instrument player and hardware DAW for your keyboard workstation or FireWire (1394) audio interface, contained in a sexy 1U rackmountable case for $1999 SRP. SoundSlateâ„¢ redefines music production and performance by incorporating Open Labs’ music operating environment including the critically acclaimed virtual instrument […]

Best Service announces new version and a dramatically reduced price for Elastique Pitch by Zplane

Christopher Laird Simmons

Muenchen, Germany (MuseWire) – Elastique Pitch is a professional Plug-In for Real Time Pitch Shifting with an interface designed to allow quick and intuitive interaction with all parameters. Elastique is designed to be the optimal plug-in for pitch correction in film and video conversion applications, for sound design and for adjusting pitch in recording and […]

Mysterious Musician Jonny Harmonic Shines on New Album from Golosio

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Sleek beats and eerie melodies highlight ‘We All Love Bright Shiny Things,’ the new album from Jonny Harmonic, now on iTunes from Golosio Publishing (www.golosio.com). Harmonic is a mystifying musician no one has ever seen. “The guy comes in to record whenever no one else is present,” states John Scott […]

Record Producer and L.A. Radio Personality Danielle Egnew Joins Music Industry Newswire as Editor

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Online-based recording industry publication adds noted music producer, recording artist, and on-air radio personality Danielle Egnew to its editorial staff. Egnew will contribute expertise on issues related to the business of music, album production, and independent film. MuseWire(TM) is a publication of Neotrope(R) Entertainment, established in California in 1983. “We’re […]

Justin Timberlake Joins ASCAP ‘I Create Music’ EXPO Lineup for One-on-One Conversation with Bill Withers

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Music superstar Justin Timberlake has joined the ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO lineup to be part of a first-ever feature for the conference, a One-on-One Conversation between two Grammy Award-winning music creators, when he engages in a conversation with legendary singer-songwriter Bill Withers. Justin Timberlake is a songwriter, performer, producer, […]

Night River Records announces UK debut of Eagles Platinum Songwriter Jack Tempchin

Christopher Laird Simmons

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (MuseWire) – Jack Tempchin, a pioneering co-architect of the Southern California Sound, a classic country-rock movement popularized in the 1970s by The Eagles, will play his Diamond* platinum hits live for three nights in the United Kingdom on April 28th, 29th and 30th, 2010, Night River Records announced today. Forming the soundtrack […]

Darius Rucker Partners with Sparkart for Web – New Site is Now Live

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) – Sparkart Group, Inc., an Oakland-based full-service independent digital agency, is on board to develop, design, and manage the official website of Capitol recording artist, Darius Rucker. The official new site is now live at www.dariusrucker.com . Rucker joins Sparkart’s roster of notable music clients which includes Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, […]

Jazz at the Opera: Special Guests Bill Grimes and Willis Delony join Opera Louisiane and All That Jazz at Manship Theatre

Christopher Laird Simmons

BATON ROUGE, La. (MuseWire) – On Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 7:30 p.m., Opera Louisiane welcomes Spring with special guests jazz greats Bill Grimes and Willis Delony, as they join Robert Grayson and members of Opera Louisiane’s Young Artists to present a new twist on both opera and jazz in the intimate setting of the […]

Moog Puts Realism Back into Vocal Performance – Remove T-Pain from Tracks

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) – Do the vocals on your favorite song sound like a vocoded chipmunk? Yes? Did you use extreme auto-tune settings in the sensitive ballad you wrote for your girlfriend, who then dumped you because, as Jay Z said, “Auto-tune is Dead.” Never fear, you can now recapture the emotive intensity of your […]

Rap Group ‘Money First’ Encourages Tri-State Residents Feeling Economic Pinch

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Underground Music Award winning indie band MONEY FIRST announces the release of “Lamborghini Lifestyle” as an online promotional single this weekend to encourage tri-state hip-hop fans and families feeling the current economic pinch. “One of my goals in life is to own my own personal custom made Lamborghini, but when […]

VirSyn Announce Release of Matrix 2.0

Christopher Laird Simmons

PFINZTAL, Germany (MuseWire) – MATRIX 2.0 – The Voice Coder goes classic. Two Vocoders in one! Inspired by the legendary VSM 201 Vocoder from Sennheiser VirSyn has given MATRIX an additional Filter module modelling the analog sound of the VSM. But to make it even better they have extended the filter range by adding two […]

iZotope and RZA of Wu-Tang Celebrate iPhone App with Duel of The Disciples Contest

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – ­ iZotope, Inc. and RZA are challenging you to utilize RZA’s music to create a brand new beat! With the kits provided in the iDrum: RZA of Wu-Tang app, RZA is encouraging you to mix your own beat and share it with friends. RZA will choose the winning beat to be […]

Dionne Warwick, Chris and Kyle Massey, Dave Koz and Maddie Lauer light up Starlight’s Annual ‘A Stellar Night’ Gala

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – At Starlight Children’s Foundation’s (www.starlight.org) annual “A Stellar Night” gala, presented by California Pizza Kitchen, on Friday, March 19, 2010 at The Century Plaza Hyatt Regency Hotel, Starlight presented Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, with its 2010 “Heart of Gold Award” and Noel […]

Crysonic Australia announces nXtasy V3 Multi Band Analog Harmonic Saturation Audio DSP Plug-in

Christopher Laird Simmons

Adelaide SA (MuseWire) – Crysonic releases Version 3.0 of their multi-octave Harmonic Tube Saturation inducing DSP plug-in for Mac OSX and PC in Native formats. V3 improves upon results attained by its predecessor V2 in a brand new product by bringing new and exciting features including core enhancements, performance enhancements together with a completely new […]

Arturia updates Analog Factory virtual instrument gallery to v2.5

Christopher Laird Simmons

Meylan, France (MuseWire) – Version 2.5 of Arturia Analog Factory now includes new interface, MIDI control center, presets finally responds to aftertouch (!), and improved compatibility with Vista/Windows 7. Analog Factory is a powerful, yet extremely easy to use virtual instrument. Loaded with 3500 legendary sounds (instead of 2000 in the first version) carefully selected […]

One box to rule them all: Arturia announces ‘The One’

Christopher Laird Simmons

Meylan, France (MuseWire) – Arturia has announced a new virtual instrument buying experience called, “The ONE.” With this product, according to the company, “The One is an innovative product that offers eight of our best software titles (Moog Modular V, Jupiter 8V, CS-80V, ARP2600V, MinimoogV, Prophet V, Analog Factory and also Brass 2). With a […]

Planet Waves releases ProTune and ProTempo iPHONE APPS

Christopher Laird Simmons

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Planet Waves is pleased to launch two new user-friendly, convenient apps for iPhone & iPod Touch users: the ProTune tuner application and the ProTempo metronome application. Planet Waves' ProTune app turns the iPhone or iPod touch into the ultimate portable instrument tuner. Dedicated modes for guitar, bass, violin, banjo and other […]

Nashville Singer/Songwriter Gabe Hizer Announces New Album, ‘Persistence of Memory’

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) – Gabe Hizer releases comical animated cartoon for first single from his new album. Two years ago, Gabe Hizer packed up his life and moved to Mexico with the intention of going into retirement after a long career in the law. After spending only four months in a small picturesque town, he […]

Maria Forte Music appointed by Fintage House to work with Fintage Music unit in UK

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, UK (MuseWire) – Niels Teves, Co-CEO of Netherlands-based asset administration company Fintage House, has announced the appointment of Marte Forte Music Services Ltd to work alongside the company’s Fintage Music division in the UK. Maria Forte (www.m40music.com) has worked in the music industry for three decades, beginning at Virgin Music (Publishers) in the late […]

Native Instruments Introduces EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2, a new KONTAKT PLAYER-based instrument for movie, TV and game composers. Developed in collaboration with the renowned sound design house Heavyocity and powered by the industry-leading KONTAKT engine, EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 includes a further arsenal of highly expressive instruments, rhythms and ambiences that can […]

Camel Audio announces Alchemy Player

Christopher Laird Simmons

Worcestershire, UK (MuseWire) – Alchemy Player is the perfect solution if you lust after the sounds of Alchemy but don’t want to create your own presets. It’s also extremely affordable at just $59 / €49 / £39. The Player is included free when you purchase any Alchemy soundbank, turning each of these banks into a […]

GForce announces OptiTron for M-Tron Pro

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berkshire, UK (MuseWire) – GForce Software has announced a new sound pack for existing users of M-Tron Pro, which brings the delightful “antique” Mattel Optigan into the 21st century. According to the company: “For many moons we have harboured the desire to release a full set of sounds recorded from our grainy old Optigan. We […]

Open Sound Control for Kyma: Bidirectional communication between Kyma, iPad, Lemur, and other OSC-enabled devices

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (MuseWire) – Symbolic Sound Corporation has expanded the list of real-time controllers and software that can communicate with its Kyma sound design environment by adding support for Open Sound Control (OSC) to its Paca(rana) sound engine. By connecting a Paca or Pacarana to the Ethernet, sound designers, musicians, and researchers using Kyma on […]

Introducing Jonny Harmonic, a new music star on the album ‘We All Love Bright Shiny Things’ from Golosio

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Introducing Jonny Harmonic, a mysterious musician who has never been seen in public. Some say he is a phantom, some say he is imaginary, but he has a new album from Golosio Publishing (www.golosio.com) called “We All Love Bright Shiny Things.” All twelve songs on “Bright Shiny Things” were composed […]

Native Instruments Announces ALICIA’S KEYS for Kontakt

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced ALICIA’S KEYS, a new software that recreates Alicia Keys’ personal grand piano with outstanding authenticity and playability. Developed in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is used as the primary instrument on her new album and on the current world tour. ALICIA’S KEYS is a […]

Native Instruments Introduces SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS for Kontakt

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just introduced SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS, a new set of software instruments that provide highly expressive and authentic renditions of the most legendary electric pianos, for use in KONTAKT 4 and the free KONTAKT PLAYER. Based on the acclaimed Scarbee sample libraries that have become a staple in professional […]

New Sdoia-Satz Method of Teaching Helps Music Students Learn Faster and Easier

Christopher Laird Simmons

MIAMI, Fla. (MuseWire) – Almost anyone can learn practically anything faster and easier using the Sdoia-Satz Method, a new system of teaching and learning, says Phyllis Sdoia-Satz, Executive Director of Sdoia-Satz Institute in Miami. Phyllis and Barry Satz have written a book called “Practicing Sucks, But It Doesn’t Have To!” (ISBN: 978-1607090076, hardcover; Rowman and […]

Arturia Jupiter 8V2 Virtual Synth Now Shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

Meylan, France (MuseWire) – Arturia has announced that the rev2 version of their wonderful virtual instrument recreation of Roland’s classic Jupiter 8 analog synth is now shipping. According to the company, “We’re truly excited to announce the release of Jupiter 8V2. This amazing soft synth, based on the world famous Roland Jupiter and updated to […]

Camel Audio announces Alchemy v1.12 plus New Sounds

Christopher Laird Simmons

Worcestershire, UK (MuseWire) – Camel Audio announces the release of Alchemy version 1.12, which includes 150 free presets and 1.6GB of new samples. This free update comes with new features and bug fixes including playback position indicators, improved Cameleon preset import, enhanced key switching between remix snapshots and numerous other improvements. The new content includes […]

FXpansion has announced BFD Heavy Expansion Pack

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, England (MuseWire) – FXpansion is proud to present BFD Heavy, a BFD2 expansion pack containing a pair of immaculately recorded Yamaha birch drumkits, supplied with a set of presets perfect for heavy rock, metal and other styles that require powerful, weighty drums. Features: Low-cost, download-only expansion pack for BFD2 3 Kicks played with felt […]

Crysonic Releases V3.5 of Spectralive NXT – Next Generation Audio Plugin for Mac OS X and PC

Christopher Laird Simmons

Adelaide SA (MuseWire) – Crysonic today released Version 3.5 of their flagship product Spectralive NXT and is available in Native Mac OSX AU,VST (PPC /Intel Mac) and PC VST formats. Spectralive NXT V3.5 is offering an even greater number of enhanced features with much improved performance and quality including the ability to completely customize the […]

Studio DIY: Custom Keyboard and Peripheral Dust Covers

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: One of my great joys in life is loving a product made by a great company that stays in business year after year and perhaps decade by decade. I can count these types of companies on one hand as I settle into my 40’s, and so I’m making an effort this year to spread […]

Haken Audio announces Continuum Fingerboard Firmware Version 4

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (MuseWire) – Firmware version 4 continues to extend the expressive possibilities of the Continuum Fingerboard, the unique musical instrument from Haken Audio. Major software additions in this release include expanded internal sounds, a fully integrated computer editor application, and an innovative control system for the Haken Audio Continuum Voltage Converter. Version 4 is […]

Open Labs reveals new ‘Custom Shop’ for Musicians who purchase OL’s PC-based Music Instruments

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: In a somewhat stealthy mode, Open Labs has finally put up a page on their site promoting custom paint colors, bigger hard drive options, extreme motherboard upgrades, and various customization options for new and existing OL customers who buy one of OL’s keyboard or rack mount workstations. They call this their “Custom Shop.” For […]

Musicrow updates Golden Ensembles to v2.21, and introduces a new addition to Musicrow’s REAKTOR ensembles pack: The Ebola

Christopher Laird Simmons

Israel (MuseWire) – Musicrow updates Golden Ensembles to v2.21, and introduces a new addition to their REAKTOR ensembles pack: The Ebola. Ebola is a powerful semi-modular virtual analog synthesizer with a flexible architecture that enables you to create a wide variety of sounds with the distinct Ebola flavor! From heavily distorted leads to Hollywood style […]

Mokafix Audio has updated BlueReeds and GlueReeds electric piano emulations to 1.5

Christopher Laird Simmons

(MuseWire) – BlueReeds and GlueReeds updated to 1.5. The “click on noteon” bug that still happened on some setups after a patch change has been completely ironed out, which means BlueReeds and GlueReeds should now perform flawslessly on any PC. Inner piano presets are now stored externally to save RAM and make the plugins load […]

Shipping Begins on Moog Taurus 3 Bass Pedals – More Moog News for 2010

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: According to the folks at Moog, their new Taurus 3 Bass Pedals have begun making their way to musicians worldwide. A new OS update for the Minimoog Voyager is available, and the new Moog Guitar adds MIDI.

Group 55 Technology Consulting Reps ASK Video in North America

Christopher Laird Simmons

Ontario, Canada (MuseWire) – ASK Video Interactive Media, a leading creator of software tutorials on DVD, has added Neil Ziesing and Andrew Harris of Group 55 Technology Consulting as sales representatives for the North American market. A Founding Partner of Group 55 Technology Consulting, LLC., Zeising got his start in the industry as a sales […]

TC Group announces creation of new organization, TC Group International (TCGI)

Christopher Laird Simmons

Kungsbacka, Sweden (MuseWire) – The TC Group has announced a restructuring that has resulted in the formation of a new organization known as TC Group International which will operate out of Aarhus in Denmark and Coatbridge, Scotland. The new organization, which comes into being on February 1st, will offer a new and revitalized sales and […]

NARIP Phoenix Appoints Scott and Sotos to Leadership Roles

Christopher Laird Simmons

PHOENIX, Ariz. (MuseWire) – With the continuing expansion of music in and around the Phoenix area, the National Association of Record Industry Professionals (www.narip.com) appoints Les Scott and Peter Sotos to board positions in the NARIP Phoenix chapter. “Phoenix is a vital region for music, with a fast-growing industry to support it, and we are […]