Category: Story Index

Native Instruments Announces new KOMPLETE 8 and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE Virtual Instrument bundles

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced new versions of its studio-standard software bundle. While KOMPLETE 8 has been further expanded to include 27 individual products at an unchanged price, the new KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE for the first time combines the full arsenal of Native Instruments’ KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects range at the same […]

Musician will.i.am to Support the 100,000 Strong Initiative Concert in Beijing to Celebrate U.S.-China Educational and Cultural Exchanges

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – On July 29, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Grammy Award-winning musician and producer will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. During the meeting, Secretary Clinton highlighted the importance of educational and cultural ties between the United States and China, in particular, furthering the goals of President Obama’s 100,000 […]

Moog Announces Free VST MIDI MuRF Controller with Comprehensive DAW control of the MF-105M via VST/MIDI

Christopher Laird Simmons

Asheville, N.C. (MuseWire) – MOOG Music announced today the release of a free software VST controller plug-in for their popular MF-105M MIDI MuRF pedal. The MIDI MuRF (Multiple Resonance Filter Array) is an advanced combination of two legendary MOOG pedals: the MF-105 MuRF and the MF-105B Bass MuRF.It utilizes an 8 band array of resonant […]

EVENT: Ray Kurzweil: Transcendent Man – A Conversation about the Future

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. (MuseWire) – EVENT — What if you could live forever? Transcendent Man: A Conversation about the Future with Ray Kurzweil, LIVE from Lincoln Center in New York City on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. CT/ 6:00 p.m. MT and 8:00 p.m. PT (tape delayed) explores this […]

Avid announces Sibelius 7, flagship musical notation software

Christopher Laird Simmons

Burlington, Mass. (MuseWire) – Avid(R) (NASDAQ:AVID) today announced the release of Sibelius 7, the newest version of the company’s flagship musical notation software. Combining a deep, sophisticated feature set with an all new task-oriented user interface — putting all of the software’s features at the user’s fingertips — Sibelius(R) 7 enhances music writing through intuitive […]

SKYLIFE announces the upcoming release of new SampleRobot 4 Sampling Suite

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – SKYLIFE MUSIC has announced the upcoming release of new SampleRobot 4 Sampling Suite. According to the company: “With the Sampling Suite everybody who is into sampling will get a complete software package to master all sampling challenges elegant and fast. Therefore the Sampling Suite offers a comprehensive and sophisticated set of […]

XILS-lab releases The Synthix virtual instrument, inspired by the classic Elka Synthex

Christopher Laird Simmons

Grenoble, France (MuseWire) – XILS-lab, makers of some notable virtual synth recreations such as the PolyKB II, have announced The Synthix, which appears to be inspired by the Elka Synthex, but not a pixel by pixel or identical cloning as the typical Arturia instruments are wont to do. Apparently it was developed out of a […]

VirSyn announces Addictive Synth for iPad, featuring Wavetable Synthesis

Christopher Laird Simmons

Pfinztal, Germany (MuseWire) – VirSyn Software Synthesizer announces the Addictive Synth for iPad. According to the company: “It was never so easy to create beautiful sounds and driving loops. The unique dynamic wavetable synthesis allows you to explore an unprecedented wide range of sonic territory. From acid loops, crystal clear percussions, realistic human choirs to […]

Music Computing announces ControlBLADE keyboard music production station, breaking the $2K barrier

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Music Computing, the maker of advanced computer-based musical instruments announced today its new ControlBLADE line of all-in-one music keyboard production stations. Priced from $1,599, the line represents a new standard in value and performance. ControlBLADEs are all-in-one music production stations complete with piano keys, drum trigger pads, knobs, sliders, thousands of […]

ASCAP Announces U.S. Licensing Agreement With Spotify

Christopher Laird Simmons

NEW YORK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and Spotify have reached an agreement for the Spotify digital streaming music service, launched on July 14 in the US, to license the public performance of over 8.5 million musical works in the ASCAP repertory. Under the Agreement, Spotify is licensed to […]

Sony announces VertigoTech: Electronica by Dual Shaman – part of Sony Sound Series

Christopher Laird Simmons

MADISON, Wisc. (MuseWire) – VertigoTech: Electronica by Dual Shaman is the work of Transylvanian brothers Vio and Dacian, who started Dual Shaman out of pure devotion to innovative electronica and classic techno. Their uncompromised sound assimilates the best of everything electronic, from house to IDM to experimental electronica. VertigoTech concentrates on driving 4/4 beats and […]

IK Multimedia Announces iRig MIDI and SampleTank for iOS plus iKlip MINI

Christopher Laird Simmons

ITALY (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — At Summer NAMM 2011 in Nashville, IK is previewing three new products as part of their continuing revolution of the mobile music market: iRig MIDI connects all MIDI keyboards, drum machines, drum pads, pedal boards and more to an iOS device to control not only the included SampleTank […]

Create impact with Perception Cinemascapes – new from Zero-G, available at Time+Space

Christopher Laird Simmons

Okehampton, U.K. (MuseWire) – This latest release from Zero-G is from the same producer as last year’s cinematic success – Deep Impact – and features a vast collection of construction kits, atmospheres, drones, evolutive moods, beat loops, whooshes, hits, impacts, explosions, and lots more. Available as a DVD or download exclusively from Time+Space. From cinemascapes […]

New Audio Interface, EIE Pro, Announced by Akai Professional

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces the new EIE Pro premium digital audio interface and USB hub. Akai Professional will exhibit the EIE Pro at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st – 23rd in Nashville, TN. The EIE Pro […]

PreSonus Announces New AudioBox VSL-series Interfaces

Christopher Laird Simmons

BATON ROUGE, La. (MuseWire) – PreSonus has raised the bar high for audio interfaces with the introduction of the AudioBox 22VSL, AudioBox 44VSL, and AudioBox 1818VSL. For the first time, you can get a compact, rack-mountable USB 2.0 interface with tightly integrated software that provides the dynamics processing and EQ of a StudioLive-series mixer with […]

Weekly Contemporary Christian Music Program, Positive Sounds, Earns 2011 Communicator Award of Excellence

Christopher Laird Simmons

WARWICK, N.Y. (MuseWire) – The winners of The 2011 Communicator Awards were recently announced by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Positive Sounds, a weekly Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Radio Program hosted by Bob Taylor airing on WTBQ, earned an Award of Excellence, the highest honor in the Radio Programs Category. “Having the ability […]

Cakewalk Announces Z3TA+ 2 Second Generation Waveshaping Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, today announces Z3TA+ 2 the Second Generation Waveshaping synthesizer featuring improved sound design, real-time expression, and sound quality. Z3TA+ is highly revered as a classic synthesizer with unique character and tonality. Its unmistakable signature […]

Casio America, Inc. announces 3 new models to its keyboard offerings, the CTK-4200, LK-280 and WK-225

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Casio America, Inc. is proud to announce three new models to its keyboard offerings, the CTK-4200, LK-280 and WK-225. Intended to advance the skill sets of amateur and intermediate musicians, Casio’s keyboards deliver ground-breaking sound quality and musical portability in a stylish design. The latest Casio keyboards […]

Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division Demonstrates Passion and Commitment to Music Dealer Industry

Christopher Laird Simmons

DOVER, N.J. (MuseWire) – More than 31 years ago, Casio America, Inc. introduced the CT-201, its first electronic keyboard and the world’s first digital sound bank instrument with 29 preset tones. With years of successful introductions, including the legendary FZ-1, the world’s first 16 bit sampler, as well as the Privia and Celviano line of […]

New Alesis DM10 X Kit is a 6-piece electronic drum set – features large RealHead drum pads, large DMPad cymbals, chrome-plated Xrack

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Alesis, the fastest growing electronic drum brand in the world, announces the DM10 X Kit, a premium, six-piece, professional electronic drum set. Alesis will unveil the DM10 X Kit electronic drum set at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, […]

Alesis announces DM6 Session Kit, 5-Piece Electronic Drum Set

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Alesis, the fastest growing electronic drum brand in the world, announces an ultra-compact and affordable five-piece drum set, the DM6 Session Kit. Alesis will exhibit the DM6 Session Kit at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, TN. The DM6 […]

Alesis Introduces AcousticLink, New Guitar Recording Equipment for Mac, PC and iPad at Summer NAMM

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment and studio electronics, introduces the AcousticLink, new digital recording equipment for guitar players. Alesis will showcase the AcousticLink at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, TN. The AcousticLink contains a […]

TC Electronic is proud to announce the next leap in TonePrints – a collaboration between TC Electronic and Guitar Center’s Barry Mitchell

Christopher Laird Simmons

Risskov, Denmark (MuseWire) – Focusing on Reverb, Chorus, Delay and Vibrato, the TonePrints were specifically designed by Barry Mitchell to cater to the core of guitarists’ needs: Super high-quality bread-and-butter sounds with a touch of class that work in any situation and serve as a great springboard for designing sounds of their own. The Reverb […]

New Alesis portable audio recorder, the TwoTrack, captures stereo sound with two built-in condenser microphones

Christopher Laird Simmons

Cumberland, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio recording equipment and studio electronics, introduces the TwoTrack portable audio recorder. Alesis will unveil the TwoTrack at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, TN. Using the Alesis TwoTrack is the easiest […]

Alesis announces Cadenza, an 88-key hammer-action digital piano offers genuine piano performance plus digital piano connection to Mac, PC or iPad

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (MuseWire) – Summer NAMM 2011 — Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment and studio electronics, announces the Cadenza digital piano. Alesis will exhibit the Cadenza at Booth #400 at the 2011 Summer NAMM show from July 21st- 23rd in Nashville, TN. The Cadenza is an 88-key, hammer-action digital piano. Musicians […]

Audinate Signs Deal with UNiKA Professional Audio to Integrate Dante Technology

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) – In its first OEM partnership with a Taiwan audio manufacturer, Audinate, the leader in digital media networking solutions, and UNiKA Professional Audio, makers of high quality audio equipment, have both agreed to work together in developing future high end professional Dante enabled audio products. UNiKA is known for their wide range […]

Camel Audio tunes up Guitar Mutations add-on for Alchemy

Christopher Laird Simmons

Worcestershire, UK (MuseWire) – Camel Audio today announced a new add-on for Alchemy and the free Alchemy Player: Guitar Mutations features a studio full of classic guitars warped into strange new forms. Explore guitars with four necks whose resonating bodies morph into keyboards, fractal arpeggiations, haunting fingerpicking and creamy overdrive. Guitar Mutations takes full advantage […]

Alkex Instruments Now Shipping Professor 5 MIDI Controller

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Los Angeles based Alkex Instruments has started shipping their new MIDI controller designed to interact with Arturia’s Prophet V virtual instrument (and other plug-ins using set-up application). The unit has been designed to look familiar to any Sequential Circuits owner, or fan, with a similar design to the knobs and […]

EVENT: The 4&20 Blackbird Festival Artist Lineup – July 30, 2011

Christopher Laird Simmons

WEED, Calif. (MuseWire) – EVENT — The official talent lineup for the 1st annual 4&20 Blackbird Music Festival was announced today with headliners One-Eyed Doll, Merle Jagger, Air Dubai, Domeshots, Invisible Animals, Haunted by Heroes and State Line Empire. Scheduled for the last week in July (Saturday, July 30th), the 4&20 Blackbird Music Festival brings […]

Kurzweil Announces 64 New Sounds for the SP4 Series Keyboards

Christopher Laird Simmons

Woodland Hills, Calif. (MuseWire) — In response to requests from customers for more keyboard sounds, Kurzweil USA is releasing OS v2.00 and 64 new presets for the SP4-7/8 stage piano, both of which can be downloaded from Kurzweil’s website free of charge.

BOOK REVIEW: New Songwriter’s Guide to Music Publishing

John Scott G

REVIEW: Back in the early 1990s, Randy Poe authored a book entitled “Music Publishing: A Songwriter’s Guide.” Several revisions, editions and rewrites later, Poe returned with “The New Songwriter’s Guide to Music Publishing” (Writer’s Digest Books, 157 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1582978048, $18.99) and I am here to tell you that it’s terrific, informative, helpful, and friendly. […]

Kenton adds ‘MIDI USB Host’ to their range of unique studio solutions

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, U.K. (MuseWire) — Leading electronics expert Kenton is well known for its rock-solid products that form the hub of many a recording studio worldwide. Now the MIDI USB Host joins their range of innovative MIDI solutions.

EastWest Updates PLAY to Version 3, adds 64bit Mac OS Support

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — EastWest announced this week the long-awaited update to their PLAY engine, which powers their current line-up of sample-based instruments. Notably the new update, version 3.0.15, released on July 12, offers 64-bit Mac OS support, more voices, and fast-disk mode.

Propellerhead Unveils Balance Audio Interface – Integrated with Reason Essentials for the perfect music making solution

Christopher Laird Simmons

Stockholm, Sweden (MuseWire) — Propellerhead Software today unveiled Balance, its first audio interface and foray into hardware. Integrated with Reason Essentials Software, Balance is at the heart of Propellerhead’s complete music making solution.

Ed Ellett to Join Audinate Technical Advisory Board

Christopher Laird Simmons

PORTLAND, Ore. (MuseWire) — Audinate, the leader in digital media networked solutions, is pleased to announce that Ed Ellett has joined Audinate’s Technical Advisory Board (TAB). Audinate revolutionizes the way audio and video can be shared by transporting high-quality media over standard IT networks. As a member of the TAB, Ed will advise Audinate on strategic market trends and consult with senior management on Audinate’s R&D programs and product road maps.

TC-Helicon Announces VoiceLive 2 Extreme Edition

Christopher Laird Simmons

Victoria, Canada (MuseWire) — Apart from all the amazing features of the original VoiceLive 2, this new Extreme Edition offers twice the looping memory, an enhanced microphone preamp for ultimate transparancy, new breathtaking Extreme Edition presets and an appearance that is sure to make a major impact on any stage with its new, extruded aluminum chassis and artwork in the coolest of blue!

Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe break out Mantra Rock on their new album, ‘Rock on Sat Nam!’

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) — While “mantra-rock” may not yet be a recognized music genre, it springs to life with the delightful onslaught of sound on a new album from Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe. On “Rock on Sat Nam!” – on the Prema Shakti Music label, the vocals are impassioned and the music soothes one minute and urges you into “aural ecstasy” the next. According to the artist, at the heart of her songs is a spirituality that is part of the very core of her being.

Native Instruments Launches ‘Free Scratch Upgrade’ Special for TRAKTOR KONTROL S4

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today launched a time-limited special offer for its acclaimed TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 DJ system. Throughout the month of July 2011, all owners of a newly registered KONTROL S4 unit are eligible for a free “Scratch Upgrade Kit”, which allows users to mix and scratch with timecode control via directly […]

TC Electronic Introduces a Limited and Highly Exclusive Edition of Its Amazing Nova System

Christopher Laird Simmons

Risskov, Denmark (MuseWire) – The original Nova System has proved its worth over the past several years. Guitarists all over the world have played and enjoyed this compact multi effects board that offers loads of world-class reverbs, delays and modulation effects. On top of that, a purely analog drive block that is being digitally controlled […]

‘Hometown’ Hero: Joplin native, Kenny Foster, partners with the United Way to raise funds for the efforts to rebuild Joplin, MO

Christopher Laird Simmons

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (MuseWire) — Nashville based singer-songwriter Kenny Foster, a Joplin, Missouri native, has become a hometown hero by writing a song based on the May 22 tornado that ravaged his hometown one month ago, destroyed his childhood home and trapped his family in the crawl space of their home before they were rescued. Called “Hometown,” Foster’s powerful song details the emotional aftermath of the disaster, as affected families try to sort through the emotional wreckage and find a way to move on.

Moog Music announces MF-108M Cluster Flux – also updates Phatty OS to 3.1

Christopher Laird Simmons

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (MuseWire) – Moog Music this week announced the release of the MF-108M Cluster Flux, the newest addition to the MoogerFooger line of analog effects. The Cluster Flux is an ultra-powerful and flexible, sound-sculpting tool for use live or in the studio. Expansive functionality combined with warm, analog sound come from the state-of-the-art all-analog […]

SSL Delta-Link MADI HD support for Pro Tools Native announced

Christopher Laird Simmons

OXFORD, England (MuseWire) – Solid State Logic, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional digital and analogue consoles, is proud to announce the release of new V2 Firmware for the Delta-Link MADI HD. The new V2 Firmware introduces support for Pro Tools native cards (requires PT V8.5 or higher). The new Firmware also introduces support for […]

Native Instruments Introduces DISCOVERY SERIES: WEST AFRICA

Christopher Laird Simmons

BERLIN, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just introduced DISCOVERY SERIES: WEST AFRICA, a new instrument that centers on the infectious polyrhythmic grooves of traditional African music. For use in KONTAKT 4 and in the free KONTAKT PLAYER, the instrument provides the full sonic spectrum of a West-African percussion ensemble, and represents a unique and […]

New book details final days of Mrs. Sammy Davis Jr., and the pitfalls of the celebrity life

Christopher Laird Simmons

SARASOTA, Fla. (MuseWire) – A new book offers a frightening glimpse of a Hollywood secret that was nearly buried. In her chronicle, “The Last Chapter in the Life of Mrs. Sammy Davis, Jr.” (ISBN: 978-0557736133) Pamela Sherrod reveals the events leading up to the death of Altovise Davis, and interweaves these startling revelations with intriguing […]

Audinate’s New Dante Netspander Crosses the AV Chasm

Christopher Laird Simmons

ORLANDO, Fla. (MuseWire) – InfoComm 2011 — Audinate, the leading developer of complete media networking solutions, announced the introduction of Dante Netspander at InfoComm 2011. Audinate is recognized as a company that has led the way in advancing IP digital media networking. Dante Netspander is the latest major innovation by Audinate. Dante Netspander allows scalable […]

Native Instruments Introduces VINTAGE COMPRESSORS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just introduced VINTAGE COMPRESSORS, a set of faithfully modeled classic dynamic processors for use in GUITAR RIG 4 and in the free GUITAR RIG PLAYER. Produced in collaboration with DSP experts Softube, the collection comprises three of the most distinctive and revered high-end studio compressors, and can be […]

Music Computing Releases World’s Most Powerful Keyboard Production Station

Christopher Laird Simmons

AUSTIN, Texas (MuseWire) – Music Computing, the makers of the StudioBLADE line of all-in-one music keyboard production stations announced today the Gen2 versions, which represents a huge leap in performance and value. StudioBLADEs (Gen2) are all-in-one music production stations complete with piano keys, drum trigger pads, knobs, sliders, thousands of sound presets and software for […]

Artists to Perform at 2011 LAMN Jam Music Contests Announced

Christopher Laird Simmons

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (MuseWire) – The Los Angeles Music Network (www.lamn.com) is pleased to announce the artists selected to perform at LAMN Jam Music Contest preliminary rounds. Urban Artists: Sofia Maria, Malik The Freq, Verbs, Andre Delano, Major Myjah. Rock Artists: The Mowglis, Purple Melon, August Rising, SoulSwitch, Marvin Etzioni. LAMN presents a ROCK and URBAN […]

Native Instruments Announces Shareholder Reorganization

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments has just completed a major share reorganization that makes the company entirely self-owned. The reorganization was facilitated by CEO and founding shareholder Daniel Haver, and comprises both a general shareholder consolidation and the reacquisition of about 30% of the company’s shares from a long-standing venture capital investor. Implemented in […]

Dante Wins Best Pro Audio Technology of the Year at PALME 2011

Christopher Laird Simmons

MUSIC TECH: The Best Pro Audio Technology of the Year Award was been awarded to Audinate’s digital networking technology Dante(TM) at this year’s PALME Middle East exhibition. The trade show and conference is the region’s only trade event dedicated to professional lighting, audio, music, entertainment, audio-visual and systems integration solutions.