Category: Synth News

Native Instruments Announces KONTAKT 4

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced KONTAKT 4, a new version of the industry-leading software sampler. Taking the unrivalled performance and versatility of KONTAKT for music production, live performance and sound design even further, the fourth generation adds powerful “Authentic Expression Technology,” unique sample compression, an extended studio-grade sound library complete with a […]

Roland Introduces GW-8 Version 2 Workstation

Christopher Laird Simmons

Los Angeles, Calif. (MuseWire — Roland today announced their “new gear new inspiration” lineup of new products for Sept. 2009. Roland's popular GW-8 workstation evolves with Version 2. Building on the foundation of intelligent backing-track functionality, contemporary sounds from around the world, and expressive interactive musical styles, the GW-8 Version 2 adds a new Style […]

Roland Introduces eBand JS-8 Jam-along Companion for Guitarists

Christopher Laird Simmons

Los Angeles, Calif. (MuseWire — Roland today announced their “new gear new inspiration” lineup of new products for Sept. 2009. eBand JS-8: Audio Player with Guitar Effects. For “bedroom guitarists” who love jamming along with their favorite songs, the ultimate musical companion has arrived. eBand is a portable all-in-one audio player that's packed with big […]

Roland Introduces TD-20KX V-Drum Pro Series

Christopher Laird Simmons

Los Angeles, Calif. (MuseWire — Roland today announced their “new gear new inspiration” lineup of new products for Sept. 2009. The new TD-20KX V-Pro series makes a full-impact impression onstage with its industrial brushed-metal* V-Pads, enlarged V-Kick, silver-colored V-Cymbals, and rock-solid chrome drum rack. The TD-20X drum module is loaded with hundreds of powerful and […]

Hohner Launches Essential Series Acoustic Guitars

Christopher Laird Simmons

GLEN ALLEN, Va. (MuseWire) – ­Hohner, Inc. announces the launch of the new Essential Series of acoustic guitars. These guitars are built utilizing a revolutionary technique Hohner calls “frequency matching.” Hohner’s technicians utilize a form of tap tuning to determine the resonant frequencies of the wood and then match the solid spruce tops with similarly […]

Symbolic Sound Releases Software for Chaining Together Two or More Paca(rana) Sound Computers Under Control of Kyma

Christopher Laird Simmons

CHAMPAIGN Ill. (MuseWire) – Symbolic Sound Corporation has expanded the real-time sound-computing power of its Paca(rana) sound engine by making it possible for Kyma sound designers to chain two or more multiprocessor Paca(rana)s together via the built-in A/B Expansion ports. To the Kyma software, a network of Paca(rana)s appears as a single sound computation engine […]

Best Service offers ‘free’ version of TITAN virtual instrument

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: The kind folks at Best Service today offered our readers a free “demo” version of TITAN, their new virtual instrument which contains samples from over 200 classic synths and modern gear. Unlike most demo apps, the TITAN demo provides a full copy of the ENGINE application (their streaming engine, co-developed with the Yellow Tools […]

BMI Tops Previous Year in Revenues with $905 Million in FY 2009

Christopher Laird Simmons

BMI has announced that it earned more than $905 million in revenues for its 2009 fiscal year, including its subsidiary Landmark Digital Services®, LLC. The company also announced that it increased royalty distributions to more than $788 million for the songwriters, composers and copyright owners it represents. With more than 400,000 songwriters, composers and music publisher affiliates, BMI is the world's largest music copyright organization.

New tutorial DVD for Propellarheads ‘Record’ DAW

Christopher Laird Simmons

Ontario, Canada (MuseWire) – ASK Video Interactive Media, a leading creator of software tutorials on DVD, announces a comprehensive tutorial DVD for Propellarheads Record, a new audio recording software offering unlimited tracks, world-class effects, mixing tools, and a fresh approach to recording music. Electronic artist and ASK Video tutorial veteran Morgan “Morg” Pottruff returns with […]

NARIP Event: Art of the Music Deal – What Happens Before You $ign on the Dotted Line?

Christopher Laird Simmons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – Musicians and recording industry pros are cordially invited to NARIP's ART OF THE MUSIC DEAL: What Happens Before You $ign on the Dotted Line? How To Market & License Music For Film & TV on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in Los Angeles. With declining record sales, the focus on placing […]

Valparaiso University Teams Up With Reggae Artist Taj Weekes’ Children’s Charity, They Often Cry Outreach

Christopher Laird Simmons

New York, NY (MuseWire) – Indiana's Valparaiso University men's soccer team has joined forces with St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes and his children's charity, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), to launch the “Sneakers Not Wheelchairs” campaign – a public health initiative targeting the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia. Valparaiso will host the fundraiser during […]

Native Instruments Introduces SCARBEE PRE-BASS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced SCARBEE PRE-BASS, a new software instrument that provides a meticulous, highly musical rendition of the iconic Fender Precision bass. PRE-BASS is derived from the acclaimed Scarbee Blue Bass library, and the first release in the recently established development partnership between sampling expert Thomas Hansen Skarbye and Native […]

Sonic Charge Synplant 1.0.1 Now Available

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: Sonic Charge announced this week the update to their nifty “organic” virtual synth, Synplant. Version 1.0.1 fixes some minor things, including Cakewalk Sonar support (a problem I experienced, and which held up my review, which will appear here around Labor Day weekend). According to the company, “The version number is 1.0.1 and it will […]

Roland’s new ‘keytar’ – the AX-Synth now shipping

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: Roland’s new “keytar” (guitar-like keyboard) is now shipping. The AX-Synth is a remote shoulder keyboard with onboard sound generator, ribbon controller, D Beam, modulation bar, and more. With specs similar to the current “Juno” keyboards, the AX is a long-awaited successor to Roland’s older strap-on controllers. The new AX promises to provide a better […]

New Lite Versions of Best-Selling Chordmaster & Scale Wizard Applications Will Be Free

Christopher Laird Simmons

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (MuseWire) – Planet Waves is proud to offer LE versions of the best-selling applications for iPhone & iPod Touch, Chordmaster and Scale Wizard. These new “lite” versions are available as free downloads from iTunes! ChordmasterLE allows users to view each chord in first position and to strum the virtual strings to play and […]

Blue Microphones hires industry veteran John Maier to lead expansion

Christopher Laird Simmons

Westlake Village, Calif. (MuseWire) – Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, has hired industry veteran John Maier as Chief Executive Officer. Maier makes the move after nearly 7 years as CEO of TC Group Americas, working with such brands as Tannoy, TC Electronic, Lab.gruppen, TC-Helicon, Dynaudio Acoustics and Linn Electronics. Maier […]

IK Multimedia announces its first iPhone/iPod Touch application: GrooveMaker

Christopher Laird Simmons

MODENA, Italy (MuseWire) – GrooveMaker for the iPhone is a re-invention of IK’s original Mac/PC application now with interactive touch control and complete mobility. Each GrooveMaker Pack is a powerful combination of software and sound loops, allowing you to produce beats, grooves and even full soundtracks, all in real-time, anywhere! GrooveMaker offers a totally new […]

Chris Mayes-Wright has been appointed Artist and Media Relations Manager for Focusrite Audio Engineering

Christopher Laird Simmons

High Wycombe, UK (MuseWire) – Starting at Focusrite on the 1st September 2009, Chris will be liaising with artists and members of the press, as well as directly with the Focusrite/Novation customer base, to ensure the brands are well represented in all areas. Chris will also be responsible for maintaining the clarity of in-house marketing […]

It’s official: MySpace has entered into an agreement to acquire iLike

Christopher Laird Simmons

Humble, Texas (MuseWire) – It’s official! As rumored this past week, MySpace has entered into an agreement to acquire iLike. The folks at iLike, founders Ali and Hadi Partovi, have sent all registered users the following update: We’re sure you have a ton of questions, most importantly: How will this affect me or the artist/band […]

Musical Satire ‘The Trial of George W Bush’ by Roger Rudenstein features Nightmare of Reason Band

Christopher Laird Simmons

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MuseWire) – At last! The trial we’ve all been waiting for. “The Trial of George W Bush” is a wicked satire with music, produced, directed and written by composer/humorist Roger Rudenstein. An award-winning composer, Rudenstein announced that he created the Bush satire specifically to be downloaded to MP3 player or mobile phone. It […]

Kid Nepro Hit Factory – New Sounds For Korg M3 Now Available

Christopher Laird Simmons

Barbados and New York (MuseWire) – Announcing Kid Nepro’s Korg M3 Volume #3 – Hit Factory – Their third collection of sounds for the Korg M3 Workstations. An amazing mix of fully KARMA-fied Programs and Combis perfect for Producers and Keyboard Players creating Hip Hop, R&B, Techno, Rave, Trance, Industrial and Dance tracks. FIVE NEW […]

Introducing The Moog Guitar – Model E1

Christopher Laird Simmons

Asheville, N.C. (MuseWire) – Since its introduction at the Summer NAMM tradeshow in 2008, the Moog Guitar has received numerous industry honors including Guitar Player Magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Award, Electronic Musician Magazine’s 2009 Editor’s Choice Award, 2008 Summer NAMM “Best In Show” honors, a 2008 “Best of What's New Award” from Popular Science magazine […]

California Copyright Conference Event: Hound Dog! An Evening with Leiber and Stoller

Christopher Laird Simmons

Sherman Oaks, Calif. (MuseWire) – Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller are the legendary songwriting godfathers of rock and roll! They wrote some of the greatest, most memorable songs of all time including Elvis Presley hits like ‘Jailhouse Rock,' ‘Treat Me Nice' and ‘Hound Dog' and a string of other classics including the Coasters', ‘YaketyYak' and […]

Toontrack and Platinum Samples announce ‘Joe Barresi Evil Drums’ for Superior Drummer 2.0

Christopher Laird Simmons

SYNTH NEWS: For the first time since the start of the company Toontrack Music have agreed to allow a 3rd party producer to independently produce and sell an audio expansion for a Toontrack software platform.

FXpansion’s DCAM: Synth Squad Now Available

Christopher Laird Simmons

LONDON, England (MuseWire) – Introducing an evolutionary leap in software synthesis technology. DCAM: Synth Squad finally delivers the satisfaction of playing real analogue instruments in software! Advanced modelling technology carefully reconstructs the soul of dusty vintage circuits within your computer, for the unmatched vibe of hardware at a fraction of the cost. At the heart […]

SAE’s new online film, game and music production courses launch worldwide

Christopher Laird Simmons

London, UK (MuseWire) – Now anyone with an internet connection can also get an SAE education as the company launches SAEOnLine, a revolution in on-line education. It will bring SAE’s expertise in music production, games programming (from SAE’s sister company Qantm who specialise in superb game-based courses) and film production to homes in far flung […]

Chris Hein Horns Vol 3 Muted Brass Now Available

Christopher Laird Simmons

Muenchen, Germany (MuseWire) – The next step of Chris Hein in realizing the best and most comprehensive modular brass and wind library for pop, jazz, funk and big band. Vol. 3 Muted Brass offers 8 Solo-Trumpets, 8 Solo-Trombones, 7 Trumpet-Sections and 5 Trombone-Sections. Chris Hein Horns is an outstanding virtual sampled brass instrument library. CHH […]

Dave Smith Announces Tetra Analog Poly Synthesizer

Christopher Laird Simmons

ST. HELENA, Calif. (MuseWire) – Dave Smith Instruments today released Tetra, its next-generation analog polyphonic synthesizer. Tetra's four voices feature a 100% analog signal path and four-part multitimbral operation with individual outputs per voice. “We've been getting the message loud and clear from our customers that ‘smaller is better,'” said company founder Dave Smith. “All […]

Musicrow releases Piano Trilogy

Christopher Laird Simmons

Haifa, Israel (MuseWire) – Musicrow’s Piano Trilogy is a new piano collection that includes three unique piano instruments based on sampling, synthesis, and physical modeling techniques. Vintage Piano is based on an amazing bechstein grand piano from 1906, Broken Piano brings tasteful dark upright piano and various broken piano sounds, while Pianoforte revives the old […]

Native Instruments Introduces EVOLVE MUTATIONS

Christopher Laird Simmons

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

Native Instruments Introduces MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION, a versatile resource of hard-hitting drum and percussion sounds for modern electronic and club music styles. MASCHINE DRUM SELECTION contains 20 full drum kits adapted from the acclaimed factory library of MASCHINE, Native Instruments’ groundbreaking groove production system. As a KONTAKT-Powered instrument, MASCHINE DRUM […]

Native Instruments Introduces the new KONTAKT PLAYER

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire — Native Instruments today introduced the new KONTAKT PLAYER, a free software instrument based on the industry-leading KONTAKT 3 sampler. It provides universal playback functionality for the vast range of available KONTAKT libraries, and is also the basis for a new category of “KONTAKT-Powered” instruments that establishes a unique price-performance ratio for […]

iZotope Partners With Underworld For New iDrum Edition

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – ­ iZotope, Inc. has collaborated with English electronic band Underworld for the latest release of their popular iDrum app for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. This new app features tracks adapted from all of Underworld albums in celebration of the release of the band’s full catalog on iTunes and in conjunction […]

Native Instruments Introduces ESSENTIAL BASS

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today introduced ESSENTIAL BASS, a new KORE-Powered instrument that provides a comprehensive arsenal of visceral, production-ready bass sounds at an extremely favorable price. Based on the KORE PLAYER and its integrated synthesis and sample engines, the instrument covers the full spectrum of the bottom end, from classic acoustic and […]

Create and Remix Classic Arcade Game Music on your iPhone or iPod touch

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – ­iZotope, Inc. has released iDrum Video Game Edition, the latest addition to their popular drum machine Apps for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. iDrum Video Game Edition lets you relive the glory days of arcade video games by remixing soundtracks reminiscent of the classics. “Similar to the popularity of reproducing the […]

The Las Vegas GirlFestival 2009 Adds More Dates and Venues

Christopher Laird Simmons

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (MuseWire) – The Las Vegas GirlFestival 2009 Has just gotten bigger! The festival has just added 5 more days, and will now take place October 17th. – 26th. at various venues and locations in Las Vegas. The festival has added 5 nights at the Beauty Bar, an outdoor show at Bruce Trent […]

Native Instruments Releases KORE 2.1 with MIDI Control Mode

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today released KORE 2.1, a free update for its innovative software workstation. The new version adds a powerful MIDI Control Mode that makes the KORE controller double as a versatile and completely customizable MIDI control surface. With its eight touch-sensitive knobs and practical control layout, the KORE controller is […]

Metric Junkie is a free Web service designed to help indie musicians better visualize Amazon Sales Rank

Christopher Laird Simmons

CARY, N.C. (MuseWire) – Innovention Lab, Inc. releases Metric Junkie™, a free Web service designed to help independent musicians better visualize their Amazon Sales Rank through automated tracking and graphing services. Thinking of publishing your own song? Print on Demand services have made self-publishing an attainable goal for millions of people. But once your book […]

ASK Video Announces Live 8 Tutorial DVD Series

Christopher Laird Simmons

Ontario, Canada (MuseWire) – ASK Video Interactive Media, a leading creator of software tutorials on DVD, announces a new two-part series on Live 8, Ableton’s latest software for composing, producing, and performing music. Ableton Live expert Morgan Pottruff (aka Morg) returns in this updated series to bring you 66 high-quality videos for more than 6 […]

Kenton introduce USB SOLO – ultimate control for vintage synths now comes via USB

Christopher Laird Simmons

London, UK (MuseWire) – Leading electronics experts Kenton are well known for their rock-solid products that form the hub of many a recording studio worldwide. Now with the introduction of the USB SOLO they've ensured MIDI to CV conversion just couldn't get any easier or more reliable. It's been 14 years since Kenton's ubiquitous PRO […]

Native Instruments Announces Partnership with Scarbee

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire) – Native Instruments today announced a close partnership with Scarbee, creator of highly renowned instrument libraries. In the future, sampling mastermind Thomas Hansen Skarbye will work directly with the team behind the industry-leading KONTAKT sampler on further software instruments that will offer the typical outstanding authenticity and playability of the Scarbee brand. […]

Best Service Releases TITAN – 200 Synthesizers in One Plug-in

Christopher Laird Simmons

COLUMN: Best Service has announced a new massive virtual instrument sample library containing over 200 classic and modern music instruments. Claimed to be the “biggest and most extensive synthesizer sound collection of all time,” it truly appears to be a step-up from past efforts like “Nostalgia” and similar projects, and has a huge sample set […]

iZotope Releases Radius for Apple Soundtrack Pro

Christopher Laird Simmons

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (MuseWire) – ­iZotope, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of iZotope Radius for Logic and Apple Soundtrack Pro, a new version of their high-end time stretching and pitch shifting algorithm previously built for Apple’s Logic Pro. This new version has been updated with support for Logic 9 as well as Soundtrack Pro […]

The Choice of the Masters: Yamaha Introduces New Custom Oboe

Christopher Laird Simmons

BUENA PARK, Calif. (MuseWire —Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, has announced the new YOB-841L custom oboe. Developed in close cooperation with the principal oboists of some of America’s top orchestras, the new oboe features a lined upper joint and toneholes for increased durability and resistance to wood cracking. “The technology used in […]

Apple Unveils New Logic Studio with Major Upgrades to Logic Pro and MainStage

Christopher Laird Simmons

CUPERTINO, Calif. (MuseWire) – Apple® today unveiled the next version of Logic Studio® with major upgrades to Logic® Pro and MainStage® and more than 200 new features that simplify complex tasks. Logic Pro 9 features new Amp Designer and Pedalboard plug-ins that provide realistic virtual guitar amps and stompbox effects to create amazing custom guitar […]

Cakewalk announces update to SONAR V-Studio 100

Christopher Laird Simmons

BOSTON, Mass. (MuseWire) – Cakewalk's SONAR V-Studio 100 music production studio is taking the recording world by storm offering, as it does, a compact and easy to use solution for a whole variety of studio tasks. It integrates a 24-bit/96 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface together with a DAW controller, digital mixer and SD recorder, […]

Camel Audio Updates Alchemy to v1.10, New Presets and More

Christopher Laird Simmons

Edinburgh, UK (MuseWire) – Camel Audio announces the release of Alchemy version 1.10.10, which has numerous enhancements and fixes including right-click context sensitive help, ability to analyse files up to 5 minutes in length, an easier to use file import dialog including scroll wheel support and reduced GUI opening times. Registered users can download the […]

Brain Grenade Entertainment Announces the Release of D.a. Thompson’s EP ‘Disclaimer’

Christopher Laird Simmons

SEATTLE, Wash. (MuseWire) – Brain Grenade Entertainment (BGE) proudly announces the release date and CD Release Party for D.a. Thompson’s new extended play album titled “Disclaimer” on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at Galerias in Seattle, Washington. The first single off of D.a. Thompson’s EP is entitled, “Just you and me.” The new EP, “Disclaimer,” is […]

Native Instruments Announces AUDIO 2 DJ

Christopher Laird Simmons

Berlin, Germany (MuseWire — Native Instruments today announced AUDIO 2 DJ, the world’s smallest USB audio interface for DJs. Delivering the exact same audio quality and performance as the acclaimed AUDIO 8 DJ and AUDIO 4 DJ interfaces that are used by professional club DJs worldwide, the AUDIO 2 DJ offers users of TRAKTOR and […]

The Retronyms Release DopplerPad Expressive Touch Instrument for the iPhone and iPod Touch

Christopher Laird Simmons

San Francisco, Calif. (MuseWire) – The Retronyms, makers of popular iPhone applications Recorder and FourTrack, released the DopplerPad expressive touch instrument for the iPhone and iPod Touch today. DopplerPad is a live performance music production application that was inspired by tools such as the Korg Kaosscillator, Yamaha Tenori-on, and DJ mixers. Synthesizers, samplers, and drum […]