Category: Synth News

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Native Instruments Introduces ABBEY ROAD 60s DRUMS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced ABBEY ROAD 60s DRUMS, the first instrument created in its collaboration with the iconic British recording studios. Recorded using sophisticated engineering techniques and exclusive vintage gear, ABBEY ROAD 60s DRUMS provides a versatile arsenal of classic drum sounds with absolute tonal authenticity, supreme playability and immense sonic […]

Announcing Nine Volt Audio Action Drums: Cinematic Edition

Christopher Laird Simmons

Nashville, Tenn. (MuseWire) – Action Drums: Cinematic Edition from Nine Volt Audio is a dynamic collection of performances designed to fill the percussive needs of motion picture, television, video game and production music. Recorded in a concert hall, Action Drums: Cinematic Edition mixes close and distant microphone positions of soloists and ensembles to create natural […]

NEW Radio Station 90.5 KTRL Looking for NEW Music

Christopher Laird Simmons

Stephenville, Texas (MuseWire) – New high powered broadcast station at Tarleton State University. Drew Slattery with KURT & KTRL radio is requesting to be sent new music asap. They still have the Rock format low power station 100.7 KURT, but now proudly introduce 90.5 KTRL which plays all Folk, Roots/Americana, Country, and World Music. So […]

Audio Networking Company Audinate Raises Additional $4 Million in Funding to Fuel Growth

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYDNEY, Australia /MuseWire/ — Audinate Pty Ltd, a leading developer of digital media networking solutions, announced it has secured $4 million in additional funding. The latest investment round was led by existing investors, Starfish Ventures and Innovation Capital. Audinate is making traditional analog cabling obsolete in favor of TCP/IP-based networking technology. Dante™ provides a high […]

U.S. Dept. of State and Brooklyn Academy of Music to showcase DanceMotion USA

Christopher Laird Simmons

Washington, DC (MuseWire) – The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) will rollout DanceMotion USA on Friday, January 22, from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The George Washington University (GWU) Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre (800 21st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.). This new […]

Spectrasonics announce Trilian and Omnisphere 1.2 Updates, new iPhone Omni Live App

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM 2010 (MuseWire) – At the 2010 NAMM show in Anaheim, Spectrasonics announced new v1.2 updates for Omnisphere® and Trilian® – bringing full 64-bit cross-platform support for the complete line of their award-winning virtual instruments. With the new updates, Omnisphere and Trilian will join Stylus RMX® as fully Mac and Windows native 64-bit plug-ins. The […]

IK Multimedia announces StealthBoard

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM 2010 (MuseWire) – IK Multimedia is proud to introduce StealthBoard, the first USB-MIDI floor controller for guitar and bass players that gives you full control over your entire rig. You may now control your software and/or hardware-based amp modeling and effects processors – with additional amp channels switching – all from just one unit […]

Waldorf Announces v1.5 of Largo Soft Synth

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM 2010 (MuseWire) – Waldorf has announced the latest version of their LARGO virtual instrument, which is built on the legacy of groundbreaking products like the PPG Wave, Waldorf Q, and the more recent Blofeld. Largo V1.5 comes with almost 500 new sounds. Together with the sounds shipping with earlier versions of Largo, this sums […]

Devine Machine announces Cycler collaboration looper

Christopher Laird Simmons

(MuseWire) – Devine Machine has unveiled Cycler, a new audio application and plug-in designed to be the missing link between hardware loopers and modern audio applications for live music, and is collaboration oriented. Highlights: Performances in Cycler are different from any other live applications. Special features (scene recalls, ‘one-knob-fx’) have been set to ease the […]

Arturia Announce Long-Awaited ORIGIN Keyboard Shipping ‘Soon’

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire) – This new version of our award-winning flagship Origin synthesizer comes in an innovative and unique laptop-keyboard format, made especially for the demanding keyboard performer. It keeps the outstanding modular system of Origin Desktop, putting it on a panel that closes on a high quality keyboard controller. The intuitive interface is […]

Arturia Announce Analog Experience MIDI Keyboard Controllers

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire) – ARTURIA is happy to announce a series of three hybrid synthesizers: Analog Experience THE PLAYER, Analog Experience THE FACTORY and Analog Experience THE LABORATORY. These three versions couple a soft-synth based on award-winning Analog Factory with a premium midi keyboard controller. And by offering them in a series, we’re sure […]

Arturia Announces Brass 2.0 Virtual Instrument

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire) – BRASS 2.0 is a new kind of virtual instrument based on a physical modeling technology. It emulates a Trumpet, a Trombone and a Saxophone. All the characteristics of the real instruments have been analyzed and modeled through extensive research at world-renowned IRCAM institute. Arturia has partnered with this highly skilled […]

Cakewalk, Intel, and OurStage announce Songwriting Contest Winners

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, OurStage.com, and contest sponsor Intel Corporation have announced the winners of the Your Music Anytime, Anyplace Songwriting Competition held during the month of November, 2009. Artists in the Rock and Urban genres were […]

Cakewalk Announces New Mobile Studio Canvas at NAMM Show 2010

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the new Mobile Studio Canvas. The Mobile Studio Canvas for Mac, PC, and standalone performance is the first such product in the Cakewalk hardware family. Capable of producing over 1,000 sounds, the […]

Cakewalk Announces FA-66 FireWire Audio Interface at NAMM Show 2010

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the launch of the FA-66 FireWire Audio Interface for Mac and PC. The FA-66 is a compact, portable 6-in/6-out FireWire 400/800 audio interface designed for mobile recording and performance professionals. The unit […]

Cakewalk Announces New Line of Keyboard Controllers at NAMM Show 2010

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk, the world’s leading developer of powerful and easy to use products for music creation and recording, announces the launch of the A-PRO Series of USB MIDI Controllers for Mac and PC. The A-300PRO, A-500PRO and A-800PRO are a brand new line of keyboard controllers developed in conjunction with Roland. […]

E-MU LONGboard 61 and SHORTboard 49 Performance MIDI Keyboards Shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (MuseWire) – E-MU Systems has announced that its new E-MU LONGboard 61 and SHORTboard 49 keyboards are now shipping. These completely new instruments combine great feeling 61-note or 49-note MIDI controller keyboards with a 128-voice professional sample-based instrument with 32-bit effects and a world-class 64MB sound set. “We’re very excited about the […]

E-MU 0404 USB 2.0 and Tracker Pre USB 2.0 now shipping with Updated Software Bundle

Christopher Laird Simmons

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (MuseWire) – E-MU Systems has announced that the legendary software bundles for the 0404 USB 2.0 and Tracker Pre 2.0 audio interface products have now been updated and improved. The new Production Tools Software Bundle, or PTSB5, contains current software versions from each third party company, which are compatible with Mac OS […]

E-MU 0202 USB 2.0 now shipping with Acoustica Mixcraft LE 4

Christopher Laird Simmons

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (MuseWire) – E-MU Systems announced today that Mixcraft LE 4 Virtual Recording Studio software for Windows XP or Vista is now being bundled with their 0202 USB 2.0, 24-bit, stereo audio interface. Acoustica Mixcraft LE 4 is an easy-to-use software package that transforms your computer into an entire music production facility. “Mixcraft […]

Access Music Announces OS4 for Virus Ti Series Synth Line

Christopher Laird Simmons

Recklinghausen, Germany (MuseWire) – With TIOS4, the next operating system for the entire Access Virus TI series of synthesizers, your chances to need additional effects are becoming slim. Six meticulously modeled overdrive stomp boxes greatly complement with the existing arsenal of distortion algorithms in the effect section. The new speaker cabinet emulation is a fantastic […]

Nord introduces the all new Nord Piano 88 at Winter NAMM 2010

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – When lightweight and portability is as important as sound quality and flexibility, Nord Keyboards introduces the all new Nord Piano 88. With an impressive response and functionality this keyboard takes you one step further towards the ultimate stage piano. The Nord Piano is a dedicated stage piano with 88 keys and a weighted hammer action.

Strum, Tune, Rock! with TC Electronic’s PolyTune pedal

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Forget the old days of string-by-string tuning – it’s time to join the PolyTune revolution. TC Electronic’s PolyTune is the quickest and easiest way to tune your guitar. Simply strum, tune and rock! TC Electronic has just revolutionized guitar tuning at a stroke or strum with PolyTune, the world’s first […]

Blue Announces Second Generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPhone and iPod

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces the second generation Mikey Portable Recorder for iPod and iPhone. Building upon the award-winning audio technology developed for the original Mikey, the second generation is certified for iPod and undergoing iPhone certification, featuring improved circuitry for superior recording and […]

Blue Adds Instrument Mic to enCORE Series

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Anaheim, Calif. (MuseWire) – Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has expanded their en•CORE live stage microphone series with the addition of the en•CORE 100i, a versatile and rugged instrument microphone. “With the en•CORE 100i, we have taken our stage vocal mic technology and tailored it to instrument applications,” said […]

Roland Unveils RD-700GX SuperNATURAL Piano Kit

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Los Angeles (MuseWire) – Roland is proud to add the latest in digital piano technology to the RD-700GX SuperNATURAL® Piano Kit (K-RD700GX1). Comprised of a dedicated expansion board and a USB memory key to update the operating system, the SuperNATURAL Piano Kit is a dream for musicians who want the utmost in authentic playability […]

Roland Releases V-PIANO EVOLUTION Update

Christopher Laird Simmons

NAMM: Los Angeles (MuseWire) – Roland is pleased to announce the V-Piano® Evolution System Program Update, which adds two new stunning Vintage and Vanguard piano models to enhance the sonic possibilities for the groundbreaking V-Piano. Since its release one year ago, the Roland V-Piano has taken the music world by storm. Soaring beyond the limits […]