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Home , Bitcrusher, Microphone, MIDI controller, Reverse echo, Software synthesizer

Products of Interest

Novation Launchkey Controller pack. The V-Station is an analog- based on the Aphex HeadPod4, is built and iPad Apps modeling engine, the into the body. Individual Bass Station an analog monophonic- switches are provided for the com- Novation has released a range of key- synthesizer, and the Loopmasters pressor and analog processors. Control board controllers that have 35–50 collection contains more than 1 GB knobs are also located on the micro- physical controls, including 16 of samples, including drum samples phone body for the Aural and velocity-sensitive launch pads. The and effects. Big Bottom. Microphone X is compati- controllers are available in 25-, 49-, Contact: Novation, A division ble with Mac OS X, using Core Audio, and 61-key versions (see Figure 1) and of Focusrite Audio Engineering, and with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. the keys are velocity-sensitive. Windsor House, Turnpike Road, The IN2 is a desktop audio in- The controller can be used to con- Cressex Business Park, High terface with Class A microphone trol the mixer, transport functions, Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3FX, UK; pre-, optical compressors, + and other setting in a ( 44) 149-446-2246; fax dedicated knobs for all functions, + workstation (DAW), using InControl ( 44) 149-445-9920; electronic mail and a range of /outputs. The technology. Faders, buttons, rotary [email protected]; Web interface has two XLR inputs on knobs, and dedicated transport con- www.novationmusic.com/. the rear panel, with matching mi- trols are included on each controller crophone pre-amplifiers and optical model, along with pitch and modu- Aphex Microphone X and IN2 compressors with LED indicators. lation wheels, and octave up/down Audio Interface Coaxial S/PDIF input/output, and buttons. Sixteen multi-color, backlit, MIDI input/output are also provided. Balanced 1/ -in TRS stereo outputs, a velocity-sensitive launch pads, lo- Microphone X, from Aphex, is a USB 4 USB port, the DC power connection, cated above the keyboard, can be used microphone with a built-in optical and a power on/off switch are also lo- to play drum patterns and to trigger compressor and the company’s cated on this rear panel. The interface scenes and clips. The controller is Aural Exciter and Big Bottom analog features the headphone from USB-powered. processors (see Figure 2). The analog Aphex’s HeadPod4 and Microphone X. The Launchkey is packaged with processing is carried out before the A- A 1/ -in headphone output is accessi- a range of , including Nova- D convertor stage and is designed to 4 ble on the front panel of the interface. tion’s V-Station synthesizer plug-in, add warmth and depth to the sound. Among the top panel controls are Bass Station synthesizer, Ableton The microphone capsule includes a dedicated buttons for phantom power, Live Lite, and a Loopmasters samples low-mass and provides a a 75-Hz high-pass filter, a –20 dB pad, cardioid polar pattern. It is capable of a compressor on/off switch, and an sampling rates up to 96 kHz at 24-bit output level knob with dim and mono doi:10.1162/COMJ r 00186 resolution. A headphone amplifier, buttons. The IN2 is powered by a 12V external power supply. It supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz, at 24-bit resolution, and is compatible with Windows and Mac OSX. The Microphone X is listed for US$ 299 and the IN2 is listed for US$ 499. Contact: Aphex, 3500 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, California 91505, USA; telephone (+1) 818- 767-2929; fax (+1) 818-767-2641; electronic mail [email protected]; Web www.aphex.com/.

Slate Pro Audio Raven Multi-Touch Mixing Surface

The Raven MTX is the first ever Figure 1. The Launchkey controller from Novation. multi-touch audio production system,

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 2. The Microphone X USB Figure 3. Slate Pro Audio’s Raven microphone with analog processing multi-touch audio production from Aphex. system.

The Raven MTX is listed for US$ 3,500. Contact: Slate Pro Audio; tele- phone (+1) 323-656-2050; electronic mail [email protected]; Web www.slateproaudio.com/.

Cymatic Audio Live Recorder LR-16

Figure 2 The Live Recorder LR-16 from Cy- matic is a 16-channel direct-to-USB recorder (see Figure 4). It is designed for use with USB thumb and hard drives, although a USB 2.0 hard drive is recommended for ideal use. The rear panel of the recorder 1 has 16 /4-in jack input connectors, a stereo output, a power supply connection, and an on/off switch. The USB port is built into the front panel, along with a headphone output and volume control. The top panel of the recorder features an LCD display with menu and control settings on either side. Dedicated transport controls are provided beneath this screen. A single button press is required to Figure 3 start recording, since all inputs are hard-wired. No channel arming or assigning is needed. A built-in mixer according to its manufacturer, Slate simultaneous channels. Faders, pans, provides control over pan, solo, mute, Pro Audio. The system includes a mutes, solos, sends, automation, and and volume. Global and individual touch screen display, multi-touch plug-in inserts can all be accessed –12 dB pad settings are possible. The mixer for DAW control, and a flexible using a finger instead of a mouse tracks and folders are automatically toolbar that can be customized by pointer. The Macintosh version Pro named. Hardware input monitoring the user. It also has an analog moni- Tools 9 and 10 are currently supported is zero latency. toring section with multiple speaker and supports for all major Windows The recorder samples audio at outputs, source inputs, and ports for and Macintosh DAWs are planned. 44.1 and 48 kHz, with 16- and 24-bit USB, smart phone, and The analog monitoring system resolution. (see Figure 3). features digitally controlled analog It can operate as a class-compliant The 27-in. LED backlit LCD screen circuits. Four speaker outputs, mul- audio interface to record audio to a is constructed from 2-mm–thin glass tiple source inputs, reference DAW at sample rates up to 96 kHz. with a nanotechnology coating to cre- speakers, and eight-channel cue out- The LR-16 is also compatible with ate a smooth, slick surface for touch puts are available for customized iPad, using a USB–iPad adapter such control. The display has a 178-degree headphone mixes. A 7.1 surround as Apple’s Camera Kit. viewing angle and can be adjusted mixing and module is also The LR-16 is listed for US$ from a 10–30 degree angle. It has available. Ports on top of the con- 599. Contact: Cymatic Audio; tele- DVI, HDMI, and USB connections. sole allow the user to connect USB phone (+1) 855-878-6668; electronic The Raven multi-touch DAW control thumb drives, external hard drives, mail [email protected]; Web software gives the user access to 24 and /iPods. www.cymaticaudio.com/.

Products of Interest 105

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 4. Cymatic Audio’s Figure 5. The Custom One Pro head 16-channel Live Recorder LR-16. customizable headphones from Beyerdynamic.

Korg MS-20 Mini Monophonic Analog Synthesizer

Korg’s MS-20 monophonic analog synthesizer was first released in 1978. It was emulated in the MS- 20 plug-in synthesizer and the iPad app iMS-20. The company has packaged the circuitry and of the classic synthesizer in a new hardware version, the MS-20 Mini (see Figure 6). The Mini retains the look and feel of the original synthesizer but the size has been Figure 4 reduced by more than 80 percent. This new version features a 37-note mini keyboard. Beyerdynamic Custom One The synthesizer features two Pro Headphones VCOs, VCAs, VCFs, envelope gen- erators, and a single low- Beyerdynamic’s Custom One Pro oscillator. Ring is avail- headphones are designed for both able on the oscillators and hold and home and studio use. Users can on the envelope generators. change the look and sound of the It has high- and low-pass filters headphones to suit their individual that can self-oscillate. An external tastes. A slider on the ear cups process allows the user to changes the position of flexible control the pitch or volume using bass reflex vents in four stages (see an external audio source. A flexible Figure 5). Closed vents produce patching system is available on the less movement in the front panel above the keyboard. The membranes and a clean sound. Each main controls are also located here shift of the slider opens the vents and have been accurately reproduced more, adding rich bass. When used in from the original. The patch cables 1 1 closed position, the headphones are have been reduced from /4-in to /8-in acoustically isolated and the listener mini-jacks. is protected from outside noise. The A MIDI input port is included for headphones use 16 drivers that receiving note messages from MIDI provide up to 116 dB. The frequency Figure 5 devices. A USB-MIDI port can also range is 5 Hz to 35 kHz. be used to transmit and receive MIDI The Custom One Pro headphones note messages, and to connect to are highly customizable. The user play the synthesizer from a software can easily change rings, covers, without the cable and are available in sequencer. Signal and headphone 1 ear pad covers, and the cushioned white and black basic models. output connections are on /8-in headband. The cable is available in The Custom One Pro headphones mini-jacks. a number of different lengths and are listed for US$ 249. Contact: Bey- The MS-20 Mini purchase includes styles. The standard single-sided ca- erdynamic Inc. USA, 56 Central Av- an AC adaptor and ten patch cords. ble is 1.5 m long with a gold-plated enue, Farmingdale, 11735 New York, The synthesizer packaging and man- 1 stereo jack mini-plug and /4-in USA; telephone (+1) 631-293-3200; ual replicate the style of the original adapter. An optional gooseneck mi- fax (+1) 631-293-3288; electronic analog synthesizer. The synthesizer crophone can be attached for use as a mail [email protected]; measures 493 × 257 × 208 mm and . The headphones weigh 290 g Web www.beyerdynamic.com/. weighs 4.8 kg.

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 6. The Korg MS-20 Mini Figure 7. The eight-oscillator Rocket analog synthesizer. from Waldorf Music.

The Rocket is listed for US$ 359.99. Contact: Waldorf Music, 53474 Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, 53498 Waldorf, Germany; tele- phone (+49) 264-120-802-00; fax: +49 264-120-802-09; electronic mail [email protected]; Web www .waldorf-music.info/en/.

Yonac Magellan Synthesizer for iPad

Figure 6 Yonac’s Magellan is a two-engine synthesizer for iPad. Each engine can be used independently or together. There are six oscillators, four filters, and four LFOs in total. Each of the synthesizer engine has three virtual analog oscillators, two of which use PWM wave generation. Each of the LFOs can be sent to four destinations, andhasitsownrate,phase,and trigger-delay settings. The user can choose from nine different types of waveforms. There is a choice of eleven different filters available. Each filter can be operated in serial, parallel, or blended modes. The ADSR envelope, cut- off, resonance, and contour can be set for each. The synthesizer also Figure 7 has a polyphonic step sequencer built in. It offers up to eight-note The Korg MS-20 Mini is listed band-, and high-pass filters. An LFO polyphony, a pattern bank, step skip, for US$ 599. Contact: Korg; tele- is available for modulation and a note velocity, gate, timelock, 16 or phone (+1) 631-390-6800; Web MIDI-synchronizable arpeggiator 32 programmable steps, and a file www.korg.com/. is also included. Envelopes can be import/export feature. used on the VCA and the VCF as Magellan also has two arpeggiators, well as for synchronizing. A booster with ten different algorithms, and Waldorf Music Rocket Hardware circuit allows the user to create more octave, repeat, and gate controls. A Synthesizer aggressive sounds. virtual effects rack includes a multi- The top panel of the synthesizer parameter reverbator, a stereo delay The Rocket synthesizer from Waldorf features a range of potentiometers that can be synchronized to BPM, a Music is an eight-oscillator mini- and switches that give immediate , flanger, , waveshaper, synthesizer in a neat, easy-to-use access to all parameters, including and . It uses 32-bit floating square body (see Figure 7). The eight headphone output level. The front point processing. oscillators can be used in unison panel houses a MIDI input/output, The main window of the applica- to create chords or high-density USB input, a line output, and the tion features two music keyboards sawtooth waveforms. An analog headphone output. The synthesizer is and two touch-pad controllers. The multi-mode VCF provides low-, USB powered. touch pads can be assigned a scale

Products of Interest 107

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 8. IKMultimedia’s iLectric for iPad.

and key and used to play notes or can be used to set parameters for filter, effects, or volume. A pitch and modulation wheel is available for each controller. The synthesizer is loaded with 242 presets, including 34 by Sunshine Audio. The user can add to the list of presets. CoreMIDI and virtual MIDI are supported, allowing the synthesizer to be controlled by a MIDI keyboard, or MIDI application. Audio is output at 32-bit resolution and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. Mag- ellan is available for iPad, iPad Mini, iPhone, and iPod Touch and requires iOS 5.1 or later to run. Magellan is listed for US$ 14.99. Contact: Yonac; electronic mail info@ yonac.com; Web www.yonac.com/.

IKMultimedia iLectric Piano for iPad WAV or m4a format. A audio/visual the iPhone and iPad. It consists of 1 metronome with tap tempo is also a matched pair of /4-in condenser iLectric Piano features 19 different built in. capsules with a cardioid pattern, electric and electronic The application features an on- aligned at a 90-degree near-coincident keyboards, including the Wurlitzer screen piano keyboard or can be angle to each other. The microphone 200A, the Rhodes Suitcase piano, and connected to a Core MIDI device, or sits on top of the iPhone or iPad and a Hohner D6 Clavinet (see Figure 8). the company’s iRid MIDI interface, connects to the Apple dock connector. A further 22 vintage keyboards can for easy access to a full keyboard and An LED status indicator is included be added as an additional purchase. velocity-sensitive keys. on the body of the microphone to The instruments were sampled at The iLectric Piano is available on signify the connection has been made multiple velocities, allowing the the App Store for US$ 19.99. Contact: and the device is ready for recording. iLectric Piano to respond dynamically IK Multimedia, Via dell’Industria Sampling rates up to 96 kHz, with when used with a velocity-sensitive 46, 41122 Modena, Italy; telephone 24-bit resolution, are possible with keyboard. An ultra-low latency (+39) 592-854-96; fax (+39) 592-861- the iXY microphone when it is used engine is used. An effects section is 671; Web www.ikmultimedia.com/. in conjunction with the RØDE Rec included to alter the available sounds. Customers in the USA contact: IK application, which is available as an A three-band equalizer provides Multimedia, 1153 Sawgrass Corporate additional purchase. The microphone controls for low- and high-frequency Pkwy., Sunrise, Florida 33323, USA; will work with a range of other iOS boost and cut, and allows the user telephone (+1) 954-846-9101; fax (+1) applications but at a lower audio control over the mid-range frequency 954-846-9077. sample rate. The frequency range of selection. Reverberation and the microphone is 20 Hz to 20 kHz Overdrive effects are also available. and it has a sound level of A modulation section includes a 120 dB, at 1 kHz. The iXY weighs 40 g chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, and RØDE iXY Matched Pair and measures 46 × 55 × 40 mm. autopan. The speed and depth of each Microphone for iPhone and iPad The RØDE Rec app can be down- can be adjusted. loaded from iTunes. It provides the A record section is included and The iXY from RØDE is a microphone user with a number of different au- audio files can be exported in designed specifically for recording to dio recording and editing features,

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 9. The Base MIDI Controller from Livid Instruments.

including continuously adjustable in- put levels, a high-pass filter to reduce ambient recording noise, low-pass filter, a compressor/expander, and parametric . The user can view the waveform in real time, create loops, normalize the volume, change gain levels, use cut, copy, and paste functions, and save recording profiles to a number of available presets. Audio can be saved in WAV, AIFF, AAC, Apple Lossless, and FLAC formats, or can be easily published to SoundCloud, DropBox, electronic mail, FTP, and iTunes with a single control setting. RØDE Rec LE, a free version of the application with a reduced feature set, is also available. The iXY microphone is packaged with a foam windshield to allow the user to record outdoors and a reinforced protective zip case is also provided. The microphone is listed for US$ 199. Contact: RØDE , trigger effects, and modulate filters. is less than an inch thick and mea- P.O. Box 4189, Santa Barbara, Califor- Eight touch faders are provided at the sures 10.25 × 11 in. It weighs 3 lbs. It + nia 93140-4189, USA; telephone ( 1) top of the controller, along with a is USB powered and class compliant. + 805-566-7777; ( 1) 805-566-0071; master controller. The user can make Base is listed for US$ 399. Web www.rodemic.com/. smooth continuous changes, as they Contact: Livid Instruments; Web would with an analog fader, or can www.lividinstruments.com/. instantly jump to new values. The Livid Instruments Base MIDI faders can also be set to output a pitch Controller and a velocity value when touched, Source Audio Hot Hand 3 allowing them to play notes or trigger Wireless Effects Controller Base, from Livid Instruments, is a effects and other audio settings. MIDI controller with 32 pressure- The Base Editor is browser-based The original Hot Hand controller sensitive pads, nine touch sliders, andisusedtoeditthefaderdisplay was limited in use to Source Audio and eight touch-sensitive utility modes, edit the velocity sensitivity pedals and devices. Hot Hand 3 sees buttons (see Figure 9). The settings of the pads, switch the utility but- the controller expand its use to a and presets can be customized using tons between momentary and toggle range of third-party guitar pedals and the Base Editor Web application so modes, customize the RGB colors hardware devices. Most third-party 1 that the user can tailor the controller used, and control the MIDI output. effects that have a /4-in. expression for use with their preferred sequencer, A number of memory banks are pro- input can be used with the Hot Hand plug-in, or audio software. vided and can be recalled at the touch 3. The controller features a three-axis All buttons and faders on the of a button. accelerometer whose motion can be controller use RGB LED lighting. The Base controller has an alu- tracked dynamically and precisely to The 32 pressure-sensitive pads are minium body, with an extruded control a range of effects parameters. arranged in four rows of eight pads, aluminium frame and a rubber-coated It comprises a wireless sensor ring across the bottom of the controller. bezel on the top panel for user com- (worn on the finger or attached to The function of the buttons can be fort. All buttons and faders are touch- an instrument) and a receiver base edited by the user to play notes, or pressure-sensitive. The controller station. The ring is lightweight and

Products of Interest 109

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 Figure 10. Source Audio’s Hot Hand 3 Wireless MIDI controller.

Big Fish Audio John Cage rameters can be edited to give the user Prepared Piano Sample Library full control over the configuration of the instrument. The piano strings can The John Cage Prepared Piano sample be struck with mallets, plectrums, library from Big Fish Audio allows or bows, and the string preparation users to re-create the sound of Cage’s can involve screws, coins, sticks, prepared piano. The collection fea- and erasers. Parameter setting can be tures sounds created by John Cage for randomized to create new his Sonatas and Interludes and it is and textures. authorized by the composer’s estate. The instrument is bundled with Original materials, including nuts, the free UVI Workstation application bolts, screws, rubber, and wood, were that allows it to function as a stand- inserted into the piano according alone instrument or as a VST, AU, to the detailed instructions on the RTAS, or MAS plug-in. Video and musical score. Forty-five notes in all audio demonstrations are available were prepared in this way and eleven on the UVI Web site. The user guide can transmit to the base station over notes had double preparations. Three is also available to download. distances up to 100 feet. Up to four dynamic levels and five articulations The UVI IRCAM Prepared Piano is units can be used at the same time were recorded for each notes to create listed for US$ 399. Contact: UVI, 159 without causing interference. 1,320 samples. The articulations in- rue Amelot, 75011 Paris, France; Web The base station receiver has LED clude staccato, sustain, pedals up, and www.uvisoundsource.com/. indicators for operation and motion soft pedal down. The library can be axis. A depth control can be used downloaded or purchased as a DVD Spitfire Audio Percussion to adjust the range of the control and is available in EXS24, HALion, signal, and a smooth control changes Kontakt, and MachFive formats. Sample Library the motion sensitivity of the ring. A John Cage Prepared Piano is listed calibrate button aligns the midpoints for US$ 99.95. Contact: Big Fish The Spitfire Percussion Sample Li- of the ring position with the output Audio, Inc. 29033 Avenue Sherman, brary was recorded at a scoring stage level. The base station also features a Building 201 Valencia, California at Air Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, Lon- 1/ mini-jack sensor output and a 4-in. 91355, USA; telephone (+1) 661-295- don, and features percussionist Joby expression output port. 0761; fax (+1) 661-295-8612; Web Burgess. It includes more than 160 Source Audio also sells a USB www.bigfishaudio.com/. patches grouped into Drums Hi, MIDI receiver that allows the Hot Drums Lo, Mallets Metal, and Un- Hand ring to be connected directly pitched Wood. Each instrument is to a computer (see Figure 10). The deeply sampled, with eight round Hot Hand USB Wireless MIDI Con- UVI IRCAM Prepared Piano robins and eight different dynamics troller translates the signal from Virtual Instrument for every note. The user can also the three axes of the motion sensor choose to mix microphone positions ring to MIDI. The controller can be UVI has worked with IRCAM in or to mute them. Close microphones, customized using a software editor. Paris to produce its Prepared Pi- Decca tree, and Ambient outrig- The ring axes, smoothing, depth, and ano instrument. Forty-five different gers are available and can be used MIDI messages can be set in the preparation techniques were used and to produce 5.0 or editor. were recorded on a Yamaha C7 Grand stereo output. The controls can be The Hot Hand 3 is listed for US$ Piano at IRCAM. Multiple micro- automated. 209 and the Hot Hand USB Wireless phone positions were recorded and A new Redux version of the library MIDI Controller is listed for US$ 149. multiple samples taken. The instru- has a new GUI that more closely Contact: Source Audio, 120 Cum- ment features almost 10,000 samples resembles the other Spitfire Audio mings Park, Woburn, Massachusetts and is 19.5 GB in size. Recording gear releases. Specific instrument artic- 01801, USA; telephone (+1) 781-932- from DPA, Schoeps, and Prism was ulations can be mapped to control 8080; fax (+1) 781-932-8181; Web used. Two simultaneous preparations change messages, pedals, and custom www.sourceaudio.net/. can be used per note and detailed pa- keyswitches. New purging features

110 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 allow the user to optimize memory to are available along with the natural, tracks to create a uniform sound. The suit their own needs by selecting the recorded samples. remaining control in the dynamics number of round robins and articula- The Cimbalom included in this section of the DSM operate as they tions to load into memory. Velocity collection is fully sampled, with would with a regular compressor. can now be customized and mapped three velocities and four alternates The user has access to controls for to individual workstation setups. A for each note. It provides sustained threshold, ratio, gain, attack, decay, new rhythm matrix has also been and dampened notes, tremolo, slap, and knee. introduced for building percussion ar- and special effects, and is 3 GB in The DSM V2 is listed for US$ 329. rangements, patterns, and sequences. size. The entire library is 14 GB. Contact: Pro Audio; electronic mail The library runs in Kontakt or the Kontakt Player 3.5 is included with [email protected]; Web free Kontakt Player sample engine the purchase, allowing the library to www.proaudiodsp.com/. from . A PC or be used as a stand-alone application. Macintosh computer with Intel Core It can also be used as a VST or Audio Duo(orAthlon64X2inthecase Units plug-in. Cableguys PanCake 2 Pan of a PC), with 4 GB RAM is recom- TRUE STRIKE 2 is listed Modulation Plug-In mended. The software is compatible for US$ 419. Contact: Project- | with Windows 7 or Mac OS X 10.6 SAM, Catharijnesteeg 6 3512, NZ, PanCake, from German company and higher. Utrecht, The Netherlands; electronic Cableguys, is described as a tool for Spitfire Percussion is listed for US$ mail [email protected], Web creating pan . The free 560. Contact: Spitfire Audio; elec- www.projectsam.com/. plug-in allows the user to graphically tronic mail [email protected]; draw modulation curves over the Web www.spitfireaudio.com/. audio wave. Soft and hard control Pro Audio Dynamic Spectrum points can be used to create gen- Mapper V2 tle or abrupt changes in shape, and ProjectSAM TRUE STRIKE 2 up to ten different waveforms can Percussion Library The Dynamic Spectrum Mapper be stored. A low-frequency oscilla- (DSM), from Pro Audio, is a com- tor provides speeds of 0.02 Hz to ProjectSAM’s TRUE STRIKE 2 is a li- pressor and mastering limiter that 5.24 kHz. The modulation curve brary of world percussion instruments supports 32- and 64-bit AU, VST, can be synchronized to a host se- and effects. It has been re-designed RTAS, and AAX formats. It can be quencer for 1/128 of a note up to for Native Instrument’s Kontakt and used to enhance loudness, for audio 32 bars in length. Tempo changes includes a revised instrument list, a compression, for vocal enrichment, can be made in the host software streamlined audio pool, and a new and for de-essing. without affecting the synchroniza- interface, with ADSR control and The DSM was designed to avoid tion. A high level of automation is enhanced instrument information. the artifacts that can result from available with the plug-in, including The library contains samples from heavy compression filtering. It uses the shape of the modulation curve. more than 52 instruments from adaptive techniques to analyze the This latest release, Version 2, adds across Asia, Africa, and Europe. frequency and dynamic content of a display of left and right volume, The instruments were recorded in audio for its multi-band compression. MIDI triggering of the LFO, a wet/dry studio or stage environments and A single button press captures the control, and a redesigned interface. are available in close and room spectrum of the , allow- PanCake is available in 32- and microphone set-ups. A sampling rate ing the volume of across 64-bit VST, RTAS, and AU formats of 88.2 kHz was used, with a bit the spectrum to be adjusted inde- for Mac OS X, and Windows XP, Vista, depth of 24 bits. A prepared pendently of each other. Instead of and 7. grand piano is also included. Three increasing the volume of all frequen- Cableguys also sell Curve, a soft- microphone positions were used for cies, for example, the plug-in applies ware synthesizer with a detailed recording the piano in an ambient the spectral information from a loud waveform editor and large sound concert hall. A Big Bang sample bank part of the audio and applies it to other library; FilterShaper, a plug-in that provides both natural and processed parts of the signal. The user can also allows the user to draw their own bit percussions hit sounds. A range of save these spectrum captures and use waveforms, modulation curves, vol- sound-designed and processed effects them to spectrally compress different ume, pan and filter modulations; and

Products of Interest 111

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 VolumeShaper, a tool for shaping and sounding reverberations. More than EchoBoy, FilterFreak, PhaseMistress, automating the signal level. 250 factory-set reverberations are Tremolator, Crystallizer, PanMan, PanCake 2 is available as a free available and the user can import Speed, and Decapitator. download. Contact: Cableguys, impulse responses. The latest ver- EchoBoy is an echo plug-in that c/o Steffen Rose, Gryphiusstr. sion of the software supports 5.1 features 30 different built-in styles, 23, 10245 Berlin, Germany; and 7.1 surround sound in VST3 and modeled on vintage echos. Among email [email protected]; Web RTAS formats, and 5.1 surround in those available are Studio Tape, based www.cableguys.de/. AudioUnit. A four-band equalizer is on the SoundToys ATR-102 half-inch, built into the plug-in. two-track tape machine; CE-2, based The TDesign is described as a on a guitar chorus pedal; Telray, an oil VirSyn 64-Bit FX Plug-Ins Transient Former. It allows the user can delay; and Memory Man, DM-2, to control the attack and sustain EchoPlex, Space Echo, and more. The VirSyn has announced the release of envelope characteristics of recorded delay time can be synchronized to the native 64-bit Mac OS X versions of sounds. Along with the amplitude tempo of a song automatically and their Bark, FDelay, Prism, Relfect, control on the attack and sustain, a fine tuned with groove, accent, and TDesign, and VTape effects plug-ins. 24-dB low-pass filter with resonance feel controls. Dual Echo and Ping- The plug-ins are also available for control is included. The plug-in is Pong modes are available for stereo Windows 64-bit operating systems. best suited to audio material with echo effects. The user can tweak a Bark is a multi-band filter that strong rhythmic components. chosen echo style using a three-band attempts to mimic the behavior of VTape is a collection of three parametric equalizer which offers sep- the ear by using a filter bank of 27 separate plug-ins that simulate the arate control over the decay and tone. band-pass filters, with independent sound of analog tape machines. FilterFreak is a resonant analog compression algorithms for each VTape Saturator simulates analog filter plug-in that includes classic band. Linear phase precision filters tape machine recording and playback. synthesizer with ADSR, resonant with a gain change rate of +24 to VTape Delay is a step-sequencer-style LFO sweeping filters, wah-wah pedal –48 dB are used. The latency of the delay and VFlanger is a simulation filters, and classic sci-fi sample filter bank is 12 msec. Real-time pre- of a tape effect which is and hold filters. A rhythm mode and post-processing spectrums can be created by playing audio on two tape allows the user to create patterns viewed. machines set at slightly different synchronized to MIDI input. An The FDelay plug-in is a multi- speeds. analog mode gives the user access to band delay that splits the spectrum The plug-ins are individually Dirt, Pump, Shred, and Fat controls. into 27 frequency bands, allowing available for approximately US$ Two analog filters can be run in serial independent delays to be applied to 220 and as a set for US$ 645. Con- or parallel. The user can set them to each band. The delay time, level, tact: VirSyn , operate as 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-pole filters and feedback amounts can all be Bruchsaler Weg 4, 76327 Pfinztal, and can choose from low-pass, high- controlled for each band. The delay Germany; telephone (+49) 724-020- pass, band-bass, and band-reject types. can be synchronized to the host 2956; fax (+49) 724-020-2957; elec- Phase Mistress is a classic phase- tempo. Parameter changes can be tronic mail [email protected]; Web shifting plug-in, with LFO, enve- automated in real-time. The latency www.virsyn.de/. lope follower, random, ADSR, and of this plug-in is 12 msec. Rhythm Mode. It can be used for Prism is a multi-band pitch shifting MIDI-synchronized four-bar sweeps, plug-in. Once again, the spectrum is SoundToys Native Effects custom rhythmic patterns, random split into 27 bands and the user can Plug-Ins phase shifts, and stereo swirls. apply varying levels of frequency Tremolator is, as its name suggests, shifting to each band, ±5 octaves per The Native Effects plug-ins from a tremolo effect. It is based on guitar band. An LFO is included for pitch SoundToys is a collection of analog- amplifier tremolos from Fender and and pan modulation. emulating studio effects, with on the Wurlitzer electric piano. The The Reflect plug-in is an algo- modern features, MIDI synchroniza- user can control the speed and depth, rithmic reverberation plug-in that tion, and their Rhythmic Mode. It is synchronize to MIDI, and create uses convolution on the early re- compatible with RTAS, AU, and VST custom rhythm patterns with the flections to create smooth, natural- hosts. The set includes full versions of Rhythm Editor. The Crystallizer is

112 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00186 by guest on 01 October 2021 based on the Crystal Echoes preset be used to change the tempo while A Guide to Composing Music from the Eventide H3000. It can adjusting speed in the same or op- with Nyquist (hardcover, 2013, be used to create synthesizer-like posite direction. It has a graphic ISBN: 978-0-472-11868-7, soft- sounds from rhythms, mode, which allows the user to draw cover, ISBN: 978-0-472-03523-6, detuned echoes, and pitch-shifted lines representing pitch, tempo, or Ann Arbor: The University of effects. Like the other both, on top of the waveform. An Michigan Press, www.press.umich. plug-ins in the collection, it can automatic Calculator mode lets edu/). synchronize to MIDI. It also has a the user enter a desired tempo Andrey Smirnov: Sound in Z: Exper- gate/duck control, high- and low-pass or key. Finally, the Decapitator iments in Sound and Electronic filters, and supports automation. is a plug-in that models analog Music in Early 20th Century PanMan is a rhythmic auto-panner saturation. Russia (softcover, 2013, ISBN: 978- with dynamic control, presets, MIDI SoundToys’ Native Effects is listed 3-86560-706-5, London: Koenig synchronization to tempo, and au- for US$ 485. Contact: SoundToys, Books, www.koenigbooks.co.uk/). tomation. It includes the PanScan Inc., 225 Church Street, Burlington, trigger divider, which allows the user Vermont 05401, USA; telephone (+1) to set the number of triggers before 802-951-9700; fax: (+1) 802-951-9799; the next pan position is moved to. A Web www.soundtoys.com/. Recordings trigger filter can be used so that the trigger only reacts to frequencies in a Han-earl Park, Bruce Coates, and given range. Step and Shape rhythm New Releases Franziska Schroeder: io 0.0.1. modes are available. The width, beta++ (CD, SlamCD 531, speed, and offset can be controlled Publications www.slamproductions.net/). with dynamics. Felipe Otondo: Tutuguri (CD, The Speed plug-in allows the user Mary Simoni and Roger B. Dannen- Sargasso scd28070, www to change speed and tempo. It can berg: : .sargasso.com/).

Products of Interest 113

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