HALion Sonic – Steinberg Media Technologies
Steinberg have released the successor to the Hypersonic 2 VSTi, the HALion Sonic:
Features:
- Easy-to-use music and production workstation for synthesized sounds and recreation of acoustic instruments
- Over 1,200 instrument sounds created by top sound experts at Steinberg and Yamaha
- Multi-timbral VST3 audio-engine with 4 different modes: disk-streaming sample playback, highend virtual analog synthesis, dedicated sliced-loop and drum mode
- M morphing filters seamlessly blend between up to 4 of 24 filter types
- FlexPhraser module for dynamically driving beats, arpeggios and complex tonal phrases
- Wide range of audio effects on board, including REVerence convolution reverb
- Integrated MediaBay sound management system
- Stage optimized: dedicated player view, rapid building of keyboard splits or layers, and switching of entire multisetups with a single command
- Full VST Expression support for smart articulation editing in Cubase 5
- Cross platform: Windows (VST3, VST2.4) and Mac OS X (VST3, VST2.4, AU) plug-in support, including professional standalone
HALion Sonic is now available for around EUR 249. More details at steinberg.net
StringPort – The first computer platform for guitar.
Keith McMillen introduces StringPort:
The StringPort processes, converts and conveys to the computer the polyphonic audio from industry-standard hexaphonic pickups (like the GK, Graph Tek, Zeta and RMC models) through high speed USB2.
The software suite includes 24 applications including fast and accurate Analysis (for converting a performance into control data), powerful Polyphonic FX Processing (Wave Guide, PolyFuzz, Phase Vocoder, SMACK), a versatile VST FX Wall, a side of Synthesis (Classic FM and direct support for Synful synthesizer), a Notation application and MIDI Out.
KMI has written custom drivers with low latencies and all their applications take advantage of multi-threading and multiple cores. High resolution (24bit) converters and impeccable design provide greater than 92 dB SNR from analog in to analog out.
StringPort hardware and software suite retail for $995, but are on sale for $795 through July 31st.
Yamaha MM6 61 Key Synthesizer Workstation
Value for money & a great range of sounds, the Yamaha MM6 is hard to beat, check out the demo by Bert Smorenburg:
Very light and portable so is easy to take anywhere with you. It has 418 Voices and 22 Drum Kits on board, based on the sounds of the famed pro-level MOTIF series synthesizers.
The Yamaha MM6 has a full set of Patterns that give you rhythmic backing in a wide variety of music styles, including Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Dance, Ambient, Pop, Rock, Jazz and even World styles.
See more at; www.yamaha-europe.com
Ableton Live – 20 Tips & Tricks in 8 Minutes
Big shout goes to te2rx for these great tips & tricks on getting the most out of Ableton Live:
