Products of Interest

Home , MIDI controller, Moog Music, Moog Theremini, Multitap, Wind controller

Line 6 Ampliﬁ Guitar Ampliﬁer tone-matching function that allows feedback to the user. Thirty-two and Bluetooth Speaker System guitarists to match the tone of the wave and wavetable-based patches amplifier to tracks found in their are available to choose from and the Line 6’s Amplifi is a guitar amplifier music libraries. Almost 200 clas- user can set the scale and root note, and Bluetooth speaker system com- sic amplifiers, cabinet models, and the pitch range, and stereo delay. A bined into one. The amplifier has five effects are built in and up to eight speaker is built in to the unit and a speakers: two tweeters, two mid-bass effects can be used simultaneously. headphone output is also available. drivers, and a custom-designed Ce- The user can save four presets on the Two line level audio outputs, a pitch lestion guitar speaker (see Figure 1). It amplifier and an unlimited number CV output, and a mini USB jack are is available in two models, a 150-watt on the app. provided on the rear panel. The CV version and a 75-watt portable ver- The Amplifi 150 is listed for US$ output can be set from 0–5V or 0–10V. × sion. The larger amplifier has a 12-in 699.99 and the 75-watt model for The front panel features a 128 speaker and the smaller 75-watt US$ 599.99. Contact: Line 6, 26580 64 pixel backlit LCD screen. Con- model has an 8-in speaker. A gui- Agoura Road Calabasas, California trol knobs are provided for volume, + tar input, mini-jack stereo auxiliary 91302-1921, USA; telephone ( 1-818) pitch correction/quantization, delay + input, full size headphone output, 575-3600; fax ( 1-818) 575-3601; Web amount, and presets. The user con- and USB connection are provided. A line6.com. trols also include buttons for scale, tap tempo/tuner and wet/dry effects root note, and delay length. The pitch antenna is removable for transport control are also built in. Moog Theremini Amplifi is compatible with stream- and storage. The Theremini has a ing Bluetooth from Android, iOS, built-in 3.8-in microphone, a camera Macintosh, and Windows devices. Moog has released a new electronic stand adaptor, and rubberized feet. When used as a Bluetooth speaker music instrument that is based on the It weighs 3 lb and measures 22.75 × × system, the custom guitar speaker Theremin and features the sound en- 6.5 15 in with the antenna in acts as a subwoofer. An iOS app is gine from their Animoog synthesizer place. available for remote control of the (see Figure 2). A pitch quantization The Theremini is listed for $319. amplifier. The app also features a function allows the Theremini to Contact: Moog Music, 160 Broadway be played as a traditional Theremin St. Asheville, North Carolina 28801, or with a discrete pitched scale. A USA; telephone (+1-828) 251-0090; doi:10.1162/COMJ r 00260 built-in tuner provides visual pitch Web www.moogmusic.com.

Focusrite iTrack Dock

Focusrite’s iTrack Dock is a recording interface for the iPad with built-in Focusrite microphone pre-amplifiers,

Figure 1. The Ampliﬁ 150 Guitar Ampliﬁer and Bluetooth speaker. Figure 2. Moog’s Theremini.

80 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 3. The iTrack Dock from Figure 4. The M-Audio two-channel Focusrite. M-Track interface.

1 /4-in jack insert input is provided on each channel. MIDI input/output, 1 balanced main outputs on /4-in jacks, and a dedicated headphone output with level control are also included. two line inputs, a direct input for The iTrack Dock works with The interface supports sample rates guitar instruments, as well as stereo any Core Audio iPad app, includ- up to 48 kHz at 24-bit resolution. outputs, headphone outputs, and a ing Garage Band and Cubasis. It is The unit is powered and connected USB port (see Figure 3). It supports bundled with Focusrite’s Tape, a to a computer through the USB sampling rates up to 96 kHz, 24-bit two-track recording application. It port. This interface weighs 0.85 lbs resolution, and a dynamic range of measures 64 × 280 × 168 mm and and measures 6.1 × 4.9 × 2 in. It 105 dB. weighs 0.7 kg. includes AIR’s Ignite music software The iPad slots into place on the top The iTrack Dock is listed for US$ application and Ableton Live Lite. A panel of the iTrack Dock, allowing 199.99. Contact: Focusrite Audio Plus version of the M-Track interface the user easy access to both the Engineering, Windsor House, Turn- includes digital input/output on a hardware and iPad controls. The pike Road, High Wycombe, Bucks coaxial S/PDIF connection and is dock is compatible with any recent HP12 3FX, UK; telephone (+44-1494) shipped with a copy of Avid Pro Tools iOS devices that have a Lightning 462246; fax (+44-1494) 459920; Express. connector. The connection point on electronic mail [email protected]. The next model up is the M-Track the iTrack can be moved to match Quad, a four-channel interface that the position of any iPad socket. The supports sample rates up to 96 kHz iPad is powered and charged when and 24-bit sample depth. It has four M-Audio M-Track Audio 1 connected to the dock. combination XLR/ /4-in inputs, four 1 Standard XLR ports are provided Interfaces /4-in inserts, MIDI input/output, for microphone inputs, jack connec- two balanced outputs with dedicated tions for guitar inputs, and TRS ports M-Audio’s latest M-Track range of level controls and two with fixed for line inputs and monitor outputs. USB audio/MIDI interfaces includes level controls, a stereo/mono monitor A USB port supports MIDI input and two-, four-, and eight-channel models. switch, and a headphone output with output. The microphone preampli- They feature phantom power, guitar- dedicated level control. It is bundled fiers include 48V phantom power level switching, an input jack per with Avid’s Pro Tools Express and for use with condenser microphones. channel, and each is bundled with a AIR’s Ignite. It weighs 4.2 lbs and Hardware controls are provided for selection of music software programs. measures 13.1 × 3.5 × 6.1 in. monitor, headphone, and input levels. The M-Track is the basic two- The newest addition to the series The input gain control features a ring channel interface (see Figure 4). It is the largest M-Track Eight, which of light that gives visual signal feed- has two XLR microphone inputs offers eight combination XLR/jack back to the user, lighting up green or with a signal-to-noise ratio of 97 dB, inputs with individual metering, 1 1 red as appropriate. Direct monitoring and two balanced /4-in inputs with eight balanced /4-in outputs, dual is available to avoid latency delays. a signal-to-noise ratio of 96 dB. A headphone outputs, and a dedicated

Products of Interest 81

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 5. The Behringer X-Touch Figure 6. The Behringer X-Touch control surface. Mini control surface.

Figure 7. Zoom’s iQ5 condenser microphone for iPad and iPhone.

Figure 6

control room output in a rack- tions. A large job/shuttle wheel is mountable unit. included in the transport section. A The M-Track is listed for US$ USB port can be used for connec- 149.95, the Plus model for US$199.95, tion to a computer and two further the M-Track QUAD for US$ 349.95, powered USB ports are available for and the M-Track Eight for US$ 499.95. connecting other devices. MIDI in- Contact: M-Audio, 200 Scenic View put/output is provided, along with Drive, Cumberland, Rhode Island two dedicated footswitch controllers 02864, USA; telephone (+1-401) 658- and a remote control connection. The 5765; fax (+1-401) 658-3640; Web Ethernet port allows the user to con- www.m-audio.com. nect to a wireless network for control of wireless compatible mixers. A switching power supply is used. The controller is shipped with Tracktion Figure 7 Behringer X-Touch Control 4, a DAW with an unlimited number Surface of tracks, MIDI support, and VST and AU plug-in compatibility. Zoom iQ5 Mid-Side Condenser The X-Touch from Behringer is a con- A compact version of the X-Touch trol surface with nine touch-sensitive with 9 faders, 16 rotary controls, Microphone for Mobile iOS motorized faders and Ethernet, USB, and 39 buttons is also available. A Devices and MIDI connectivity (see Figure 5). further X-Touch Mini model offers It is designed for use as a remote a single 60-mm master fader, eight Japanese company Zoom has pro- controller for DAW software in studio rotary controls with LED rings, and duced a number of handheld audio and live situations, and it supports 18 illuminated buttons, including recorders. Among their latest releases HUI and Mackie Control. A 100-mm transport controls (see Figure 6). It is is a mid-side condenser microphone motorized fader is provided for each USB powered. for use with iPhone, iPad, and iPod channel, along with a dynamic LCD The X-Touch is listed for US$ 599, Touch devices, allowing the user to scribble strip; an eight-segment LED the Compact model for US$ 399, record high-quality audio directly meter; a rotary control with LED and the Mini for US$ 99. Contact: to a mobile device without the ring; and record, solo, mute, and se- Behringer, 18912 North Creek Park- need for a dedicated recorder (see lect buttons. A total of 92 separate way #200, Bothell, Washington 98011, Figure 7). color-coded illuminated buttons are USA; telephone (+1-425) 939-3200; The microphone can rotate so provided for direct access to func- Web www.behringer.com. that the mobile device can be used

82 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 8. Bare Conductive Electric Figure 9. Akai Professional’s EWI Paint pen. 5000 wireless wind controller.

An iOS device that supports the Lightning connection and iOS 6 or The company also manufacturers in a vertical position or horizontally newer is required. simple flashing gift-card sets that to record video with audio. The mi- The iQ5 is listed for US$ 124.99. include a gift card, electric paint pen, crophone contains both a directional Contact: Zoom, 4-4-3 Kanda- LEDs, and batteries. Their Touch microphone to record sounds directly surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101- Board is an Arduino compatible + in front and a bidirectional micro- 0062, Japan; telephone ( 81)352- circuit board with twelve electrodes, + phone to record the ambient sound 971-040; fax ( 81) 352-971-009; a touch sensor interface, an on-board from the side. The user can adjust the electronic mail [email protected]; MP3 player/MIDI device, a MicroSD stereo width from 90 to 120 degrees Web www.zoom.co.jp. card socket, audio jack, and a Lithium or can record the audio signal as polymer battery. It can be powered raw data and adjust the stereo field and programmed by USB. afterwards from 30 to 150 degrees The Electric Paint retails for using a software app. A gain control Bare Conductive Electric approximately US$ 18, the Elec- is built into the body of the micro- Paint tric Paint Pens for approximately phone or one of three automatic gain US$ 6, and the Touch Board for presets can be used. A limiter and Electric Paint, from British company approximately US$ 50. Contact: headphone jack connection are also Bare Conductive, is a conductive The Bare Conductive Studio, included. paint that can be used to draw cir- First Floor, 98 Commercial St., The Hand Recorder app has been cuits and cold solder. It is non-toxic, London, E1 6LZ, UK; telephone designed specifically for the iQ5 and free of solvents, and water soluble. (+44-20) 7650-7977; electronic mail is available as a free download from It is available in pots in liquid form [email protected]; Web the App Store. It allows the user to or as paint pens (see Figure 8). The www.bareconductive.com. record in linear PCM or AAC formats paint can be applied with a brush, at a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz and bit roller, stencil, or printmaking equip- depth of 16. Compression, equalizer, ment. The user can paint circuits, and reverb effects are available and the use the paint as a conductive adhe- Akai Professional EWI 5000 user can normalize and divide sound sive, screen-print capacitive circuits, Wireless Wind Controller files. The app also has an option or simply use it to carry out elec- to change the signal to a phase- tronic repairs. The paint dries in The EWI 5000 is the latest in Akai coherent monophonic signal for 5–10 minutes at room temperature. Professional’s range of wind con- treatment of voice recordings such as Once dry, Electric Paint can be trollers (see Figure 9). This newest interviews. Audio files can be directly painted over using standard acrylic model transmits audio wirelessly uploaded to SoundCloud from the or water-based paints, and it can (2.4 GHz) and has a rechargeable bat- app. be made waterproof using varnish, tery with operation time of more than The maximum sound pressure paint, or waterproofing spray. It can 12 hours, giving musicians greater level of the microphone is 120 dB. It be used on paper, plastics, textiles, as flexibility on the performance stage. uses a Lightning connector and also well as on regular electronics compo- The controller has twelve touch- features a mini USB port for charging. nents such as PCBs, microcontrollers, sensitive metal keys on the front The microphone measures 58.6 × and newer conductive thread, and panel and a roller on the back for 62.45 × 38.5 mm and weighs 30.5 g. e-textiles. changing octaves with the thumb.

Products of Interest 83

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Further control knobs give the user (snap to zero, center, or no change). A the features of the audio signal. access to filter, reverb, chorus, and transpose button is also provided. Among the new features in this latest LFO processing. Physical controls The Wind mode of the app is aimed release are a single-click function to are also provided for tweaking the at wind musicians and is based on create a doubler track, an intelligent air-pressure level and bite amount the Boehm system. The user changes automatic setting for audio source coming from the mouthpiece. Semi- octave using the left thumb. The key and output track selection, more tone and fine tuning controls are also and thumb pads can be resized to quick key functions, the ability to located on the instrument body. fit and moved on the screen. This monitor Revoice through a DAW, The user can choose from flute, mode also features the xy pad and it and to slave it to the DAW playback. oboe, and saxophone fingering modes. is positioned on screen so it can be Improved support for larger Revoice More than 3 GB of programmed controlled using the right thumb. sessions has now been added. Larger sounds from SONiVOX are built in The app can also be used as a audio files display faster, the user to the controller and the user can edit standalone breath controller. In can choose to only display the tracks these sounds using a Sound Editor Breath-only mode, MIDI control being processed, the energy and pitch application and save them to the messages are sent as the user blows displays of tracks not being processed controller’s library. MIDI software into the microphone. The sensitivity can be switched off, and session files synthesizers and modules can be can be controlled, the incoming are now written in a new compact controlled via the USB port or 5-pin breath noise smoothed, and a format that loads more quickly. MIDI connection. A mini headphone threshold set to avoid triggering from Windows Vista (with Service Pack 2), 1 output and /4-in jack for connection environmental noise. MIDI messages or Windows 7 or 8 is required. to amplifiers is also built in. The can be sent to any instruments on the Revoice Pro is listed for US$ controller weighs just under 2 lbs iPad through Core MIDI and MIDI 599.95. A 3-month rental option is and measures 2.4 × 26.6 × 1.7 in and can be sent to other devices over also available. Contact: Synchro the wireless receiver is provided with Wi-Fi networks. User settings are Arts Limited, 13 Links Road, purchase. stored when the app is closed. Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3PP, UK; The EWI 5000 is listed for US$ Blowfinger is available on the App telephone (+44-1372) 811934; 999. Contact: Akai Professional, Store (https://itunes.apple.com/us/ fax (+44-1372) 817976; electronic 200 Scenic View Drive, Suite 201, app/blowfinger/id767728385) for mail [email protected]; Web Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864, $17.99. Contact: batZode; Web www.synchroarts.com. USA; telephone (+1-401) 658-4032; www.batzode.com. Web www.akaipro.com. AudioGaming AudioWind and Revoice Pro Version 2.2 for AudioRain Plug-Ins Blowﬁnger Breath-Controller Windows App for iPad AudioWind and AudioRain are audio Revoice Pro was first released in 2012 plug-ins for creating wind and rain The Blowfinger app from BatZode as a standalone application for time sounds. They can be used to edit allows the user to play a keyboard alignment and pitch correction. It parameters in real time and can be or wind instrument shown on-screen was designed to be used on double used with up to 5.1-channel audio. using breath control input from an tracks and for automated dialogue The plug-ins use the AudioGaming iPhone microphone or other external replacement. The software works Dynamics Objects Sound Engine microphone. In keyboard mode, the by analyzing two audio files and (DOSE) to dynamically model audio interface features a double-manual applying the timing of one file to the components in real time rather than velocity sensitive keyboard, eight other. use wavetables or sampling. In this pads, and an xy pad. The eight pads are Version 2.2 of Revoice Pro now way, the audio can be flexible and uses velocity-sensitive and can be custom- supports the Windows operating less memory than storing audio files. labeledbytheuserandusedtosend systems as well as Mac OS X. It can AudioWind uses five models of program changes or key switches. be used to automatically match the wind sound: wind behavior, back- The user can set a MIDI continuous pitch, loudness, vibrato, intonation, ground noise, whistling, gusts, and controller for each axis of the xy pad, and timing from one track to another. squalls. Each has a number of detailed as well as the behavior on release The user can also manually adjust controls ranging from wind speed to

84 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 10. The Rob Papen Blue II virtual synthesizer.

whistle and gust shapes and frequen- cies. The preset are organized into Hot Wind, Cold Wind, Room Tone, Outside, and FX, and range from desert to blizzard, snow storm, un- derground, empty space, toilet, forest, mountain, meadow, and seaside. AudioRain models the sound of drops hitting a hard surface in the Rumble module, the background sound in Shower, and drops hitting puddles and other soft surfaces. Presets include rain sounds like umbrella, car, jungle, lake, city, monsoon, storm, rain shower, under tree. AudioRain can be set up as a slave of AudioWind. A randomize button is available in both plug-ins for generating new, fresh sounds. More than 100 presets are available to the user in each plug-in. The plug- ins are compatible with Macintosh and Windows platforms and are available in VST, AU, RTAS, and AAX formats. The latest version of the software adds 64-bit compatibility, a new interface design, and OSC AAX on Windows Vista 7 or 8; and The effects can be controlled using control using an iPad. in AU, VST, and AAX formats for the modulation matrix. An Easy Edit The plug-ins are listed for ap- Mac OS X 10.6. It has six oscillators feature is provided for quick changes proximately US$ 400 each and are and two stereo filters modeled on to sound parameters. Almost 3,000 available in a bundle for approxi- analog filters, with 27 different types presets are built in to the synthesizer mately US$ 615. Contact: Audio- available. Processing, modulation and can be navigated using a Bank Gaming, 42 Avenue du Gen´ eral´ de options, a sequencer and arpeggiator Manager. Croutte, 31100 Toulouse, France; are built in. A new set of waveforms Blue II is listed for US$ + telephone ( 33-9) 53 27 31 67; based on high-quality sampled sounds 179. Contact: Rob Papen; Web + fax ( 33-9) 55 42 48 20; Web has been added. www.robpapen.com. www.audiogaming.net. The xy pad from the developer’s Blade synthesizer has been included and it can be used to mix between Eisenberg Einklang Synthesizer Rob Papen Blue II Virtual the four oscillators. It can record Synthesizer up to 128 separate points or can be The Einklang synthesizer, from Ger- quantized to 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 points. man software company Eisenberg, Blue II is a new release of Rob Pa- A set of four virtual knobs is provided uses instrument models based on pen’s Blue virtual synthesizer (see on the vertical and horizontal axis their artificial intelligence studio Figure 10). The original software of the xy pad for further control of technology. The user can alter the featured a combination of FM and each oscillator, allowing for sound parameters of the instrument models subtractive synthesis, phase distor- exploration as the oscillators are and morph between tones to create tion, and wave-shaping synthesis that combined. Four effects processors are new sounds. Each set of controls is the developer called cross-fusion syn- available and each offer the user a clearly marked on the user interface thesis. This new version is available choice of 35 different types of effects, and a distinct triangular section used in 32- and 64-bit formats for VST and including a new high-quality reverb. for the morphing controls.

Products of Interest 85

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 11. Aratechlabs’ Arapolarmic Figure 12. The m.phase multitouch microphone directivity app. gesture control app.

On the left of the interface are the main instrument and synthesis controls. These are arranged into three groups: loudness, timbre, and modulation. The user can change the harmonicity and dissonance of a sound using the timbre controls, and can change the attack, release, and percussiveness using the loudness controls. The rate and intensity of modulation can also be altered, and a portamento control is available. The synthesizer parameters can be controlled by MIDI. The morph triangle on the right of the user interface has slots at each of its three corners for tone colors. The user can choose how much of each tone is used to contribute to a new sound. A set of 150 tones is provided to get the user started. The Einklang synthesizer runs on Macintosh and Windows platforms. coming from the device’s camera. It can be used as a standalone applica- The polar patterns can be scaled and tion or as a VST, AU, RTAS, or AAX rotated and the user has a choice of plug-in. A range of tone packs are color schemes to make sure the data available for purchase. These include is easily distinguishable from the synthesizer, acoustic, and drone/pad background image. packs. The developer, Aratechlabs, hopes Prices for the Einklang synthesizer the software will be useful for sound start at US$ 39 and rise to US$ 239 engineers, musicians recording them- for the synthesizer with full tone selves, and instructors. As well as pack bundle. Contact: Eisenberg; Web using the app to optimize the mi- www.eisenberg-audio.de. crophone direction before recording, users can browse the included microphone specification sheets, and can Aratechlabs Arapolarmic visually compare the technical char- Microphone Directivity App acteristics of different microphones models and types. The details of Arapolarmic is a software application around 80 microphone models are in- multitouch hand gestures instead that is designed to help the user cluded in the initial version of the app. of traditional control knobs and position microphones. It is available Contact: Aratechlabs; electronic faders (see Figure 12). The app allows for iOS and Android mobile devices. mail [email protected]; Web for wireless control from any loca- It visualizes the microphone, its polar www.aratechlabs.com. tion with the room. The user can pattern, and the environment in real change multiple parameters on two time, allowing the user to make channels simultaneously with the informed choices about microphone m.phase Multitouch Gesture app. placement relative to the sound Control App for DAWs The most obvious feature of the source (see Figure 11). The polar interface is the presence of two large pattern for the specific microphone The m.phase app for iPad is a con- spheres, which are used for volume being used is laid on top of the image troller for DAW software that uses and pan control of the two active

86 Computer Music Journal

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 13. Korg’s iKaossilator app with X-Y touchpad.

channels. The spheres are designed as his or her own instrument lines on the main controls so that the app can top. Individual parts can be muted be used without looking at the iPad. and soloed. The view can be changed to a single Audio can be recorded in real sphere if needed. A list of channels time, exported as a WAV file, or being used with the current DAW directly uploaded to SoundCloud. project are listed across the top of the Audio copy and paste to other audio screen. The user drags a channel to applications is also supported. The one of the two large spheres on the app supports WIST, which allows interface to make it an active channel audio to be synchronized over a for gesture control. A simple up and wireless connection. Macintosh iOS down finger movement on a sphere 5.1 on iPad and iPod touch, or iPhone controls the volume, while left and 5 operating systems, are required. right is used for pan. Fine-tuning of The iKaossilator App is listed on the volume control is possible using a the Apple App Store for US$ 19.99. gesture that involves a second finger. Contact: Korg; telephone (+1-631) A fast three-fingered swipe up or 390-6800; Web www.korg.com. down on the sphere sets the channel to mute or solo. A red circle around the spheres indicates clipping and a clip-hold feature is provided. The user Bitwig Studio DAW for Windows, can set the color of the sphere and Korg iKaossilator App Mac OS X, and Linux channel. A range of triangular-shaped graph- The iKaossilator from Korg is an iOS Bitwig Studio is a new cross-platform ical buttons around the edge of the App version of their well-known DAW for Windows, Mac OS X, and screen act as button controls for Kaossilator synthesizer. The xy Linux. The default view shown functions like channel settings and touchpad from the original hard- on launching Bitwig Studio is the switching between banks. These but- ware synthesizer has been transferred Arrange View, where tracks and clips tons don’t become active until they to this software application, allowing are arranged. An unlimited number are selected and dragged towards the the user to easily create melodies of audio, note, and effects tracks are center of the screen, thus ensuring the and sounds using finger gestures (see available. Mix and Edit views are user does not change parameters inad- Figure 13). Pitch is controlled on the also provided and the interface can vertently. Gestures for play/pause and y axis and timbre on the x axis, by be displayed over three monitors. A start/stop are available on all screens use of filters, low-frequency oscillator Browser panel, located to the right and a Transport Mode switches the modulation, and delay and reverb of the main Arrange panel, gives the main display and touch controls to a effects. The scale and key can be set user access to samples, audio files, dedicated transport mode. In Settings for the xy pad and finger movements effects, and instruments. view, the user can choose a DAW, are quantized. The Detail Editor allows the user enable/disable clip holding, flash Colorful visual effects based on the to view and edit multiple tracks feedback, assign colors to tracks, and audio are displayed automatically. A with stretch, split, pan, pitch, copy, adjust the touch sensitivity. The user set of 150 instrument preset sounds reverse, and rearrange functions pro- can also create new gesture and touch are built in. A loop sequencer with vided. Editing is non-destructive. An controls. up to five parts is included and each inspector allows multiple notes or The m.phase app is listed on the can be assigned its own instrument. events to be selected and the statis- App Store for US$ 19.99. Contact: Loops can be controlled in real time. tics of their properties viewed and MPhase Studio, Steinhublstraße¨ 1, Fifty preset loops are provided to get edited using an interactive histogram. 4800 Attnang-Puchheim, Austria; the user started and new loops can In Bitwig Studio, audio and note telephone (+43-664) 220-2965; elec- be imported. The user can delete and events have expressions associated tronic mail keep-in-touch@mphase record over parts of these built-in with them, and these can be set by -studio.com; Web www.mphase loops and keep others—selecting the the user and automated across the -studio.com. drum part, for example, and adding duration of the event to create a

Products of Interest 87

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 more musically expressive playing Cockos REAPER DAW controlled pitch shifter, graphic style. Audio expressions include gain, FFT-based equalizer, convolution pan, pitch, stretch, and onsets. The REAPER is a low-cost DAW applica- reverb, side-chainable noise gate, MIDI expressions that can be edited tion with multitrack audio and MIDI and vocoder. Effects can be applied include gain, pan, micro-pitch, and recording, editing, processing, mixing, in real time or rendering with the timbre. and mastering functionality. The user output. Networked effects processing The DAW comes with a range of 25 can record from multiple audio and is also possible using other computers effects including filters, equalizers, re- MIDI inputs simultaneously. Tracks as slaves, with minimal latency on verb, chorus, delays, flanger, limiter, are not restricted to media types and wired networks. ReWire, ReaRoute, gate, ring modulator, and transient can be a mix of audio, MIDI, and ReaInsert, MIDI sync, and Open control. Nine instruments are in- video. The user can switch inputs and Sound Control are supported. cluded: Polysynth, Organ, Sampler, punch in and out of recording while Most of the interface elements FM-4, E-Tom, E-Snare, E-Kick, E-Hat, playing back existing tracks. They can be customized by the user, using and E-Clap. A further nine “contain- can act as a bus with a simple drag his or her own images or using a ers” can be used to design new sounds and drop used for sends. All editing set of built-in themes. Image files and these are: Drum Machine, FX and effects are nondestructive, with can be used as visual identifiers Chain, FX Layer, Instrument Layer, a multilevel undo system. The user on tracks. An extensive set of user Mid-Side Split, Multiband FX, Re- has immediate access to split, glue, preferences extends to the meter placer, XY Effect, and XY Instrument. resize, trim, loop, time stretch, pitch ranges, behavior of loops, priority Any parameter of these instruments, shift, fade, crossfade, slip, and snap of audio over graphics rendering, containers, or VST parameters can be to grid functions. REAPER can inte- behavior of audio items on a track modulated. Both 32- and 64-bit plug- grate with external audio editors from when overlapping, and more. Control ins can be used and mixed within a within its arrange view. surfaces can be easily mapped to project. A crash-protection system A MIDI editor is also included and faders, plug-in knobs, actions, and ensures that a plug-in failure will not the color-coding, the displayed and custom action lists, and can be saved crash the application itself. hidden data, behavior, and naming for automatic recall as the default Multiple projects can be opened of pitches can be customized. A step settings. The program is small in size, simultaneously and the user can sequencer, pattern copy and paste, can be installed in less than a minute, drag and drop files between them. quantization, and a humanization loads quickly, and can be run from a Smart control integration is included function are provided. MIDI and USB key. and a number of MIDI controllers audio are handled in the same way Reaper is listed for US$ 60 for an in- are supported directly. The Open in terms of routing and processing. dividual license. Contact: Cockos In- Controller API is available for editing MIDI processing can be applied at any corporated, 319 Lafayette Street #255, and creating control maps, allowing point in the signal chain, MIDI tracks New York, New York 10012, USA; the user to customize the application can be rendered as audio, and MIDI electronic mail [email protected]; for any MIDI controller and use and audio can be mixed. Web www.cockos.com. scripts for almost every feature. Plug-ins in VST, VSTi, DX, DXi, Audio files in WAV, MP3, AAC, AU, and JS scripting formats are WMA, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis formats supported. JS is a scripting language SONiVOX Eighty Eight Ensemble can be imported. The application that is compiled in real time. The requires 5 GB of free disk space, a software features automatic plug- Eighty Eight Ensemble is a virtual in- minimum screen resolution of 1280 in delay compensation and uses a strument based on a 9-foot Steinway × 768 pixels, and at least 2 GB firewall to protect plug-in crashes grand piano. A total of 1,500 samples RAM. from crashing the whole project. Any were recorded for the instrument, Bitwig Studio is listed for US$ 399. plug-in can be side-chained, even if it with 16 levels of dynamics used, giv- Contact: Bitwig GmbH, Schwedter is not natively supported. A set of 64- ing 11 GB of content in total. There Str. 13, 10119 Berlin, Germany; bit audio plug-ins include a multiband are 52 solo piano presets available as + telephone ( 49-30) 6093-9430; fax equalizer, configurable compressor, well as 35 combination patches that + ( 49-30) 6093-943-323; electronic unlimited multiband compressor, add a second instrument on top of the mail [email protected]; Web unlimited multitap delay, multivoice piano. A further 16 split-combination www.bitwig.com. pitch shifter, pitch corrector, MIDI- patches are also included and these

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Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Figure 14. The Altiverb 7 convolution reverb plug-in.

allow the user to play two instrument separately, using the piano as an accompaniment and adding a solo instrument, for example. A four-band equalizer allows the user to adjust the timbre of the preset patches. Dynamics can be controlled with a limiter. The user can also change the action of the sustain pedal and hammer release, and can alter the high-frequency damping and parameters of the room size. A MIDI Learn Mode allows a hardware controller to be easily mapped to instrument parameters. Eighty Eight Ensemble is currently at release 2.1. It can be used with Mac OS X and Windows and is compatible spaces. The reverb gate can be set 1000+ digital reverb from the 1980s, with VST, RTAS, AAX, and AU 32- according to note values and linked a set of spring reverbs, Chapman and 64-bit host applications. 25 GB of to the tempo of a track. A brightness recording EMT plates, the EMT 140 hard disk space is needed and 4 GB setting adds a classic synthetic reverb plate reverb, and the EMT 250 digital RAM is recommended. layer to brighten the sound and a reverb. A set of spaces and industrial Eighty Eight Ensemble is listed modulation function adds an element building for use in postproduction for US$ 149.99. Contact: SONiVOX, of chaos so that the reverb does not include large gas tanks, Alcatraz 561 Windsor Street, Suite A402, sound exactly the same every time. prison, the cooling tower of a power Somerville, Massachusetts 02143, Altiverb is fully automatable. A news station, castles, warehouses, streets, USA; Web sonivoxmi.com. tab in the plug-in gives the user access alleys, train stations, caves, trains, to new IRs, which can be downloaded planes, and cars. and installed without restarting the Altiverb supports AAX, RTAS, Audio Ease Altiverb 7 Reverb software. Any audio can be turned VST, AU, and MAS formats. An XL Plug-In into an IR by simply dragging it into version of the plug-in supports TDM the plug-in window. on Macintosh OS X. Sampling rates Altiverb is a convolution reverb plug- Altiverb’s extensive list of IRs is up to 96 kHz are supported. in for 64-bit Mac OS X and Windows 3.4 GB in size and is provided on Altiverb is available as a free (see Figure 14). It includes a range of the product Web site, along with download for any current owners spaces, plate and digital reverbs, and descriptions and information on the who purchased the plug-in since 2010 spaces for post-production use. This space or effect. The large concert halls and at a discounted price for older release of the plug-in features a new include the Sydney Opera House, the users. The full price is 499. Con- visual browser with photos of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los tact: Audio Ease, Vlampijpstraat 57, rooms and spaces. The impulse re- Angeles, the Vienna Concert Hall, 3534 AR Utrecht, The Netherlands; sponses (IRs) are organized by size and and the Royal Opera in Sweden. A telephone (+31-30) 243-3606; elec- the user can save selected responses range of churches and cathedrals tronic mail [email protected]; Web to their favorites. A keyword search is includes Notre Dame in Paris. A www.audioease.com. included and a Similar button locates number of recording studios and the and lists similar sounding IRs. The Fox and Paramount scoring stages user can alter the equalization set- in Los Angeles are also available New Releases tings using an interactive equalizer and a range of tombs, mausoleums, curve that allows them to set the and Wembley Stadium in London band widths. are among other interesting spaces. Publications A Stage Positioner allows the user Some well-known vintage reverb IRs to position the sound on concert hall are also available, including Roland’s Alessandro Cipriani and Maurizio stages and within other room Space Echo tape delay, Sony’s SDR Giri: Electronic Music and Sound

Products of Interest 89

Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/COMJ_r_00260 by guest on 02 October 2021 Design: Theory and Practice with Pauline Minevich and Ellen Wa- Ultimate Electronic Music In- Max and MSP, Volume 2 (softcover, terman (eds.): Art of Immersive strument (softcover, 2014, ISBN 2014, ISBN: 978-88-905484-4-4, Soundscapes (softcover, 2013, 978-0-19-539481-8, New York Rome, Italy: ConTempoNet, with a DVD edited by James City, New York: Oxford University www.contemponet.com). Harley, ISBN: 978-0-88977-258-8, Press, www.global.oup.com). Mark Grimshaw (ed.): The Ox- Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: ford Handbook of Virtuality University of Regina Press, Recordings (hardcover, 2014, ISBN: 978-0- www.uofrpress.ca). 19-982616-2, New York City, New Winifred Phillips: A Composer’s Joseph Klein: Improbable Encounters York: Oxford University Press, Guide to Game Music (hard- (CD, 2014, innova 873, Innova www.global.oup.com). cover, 2014, ISBN: 978-0-262- Recordings, www.innova.mu). Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis: On 02664-2, Cambridge, Mas- Peter Van Zandt Kane: Hackpolitik Repeat: How Music Plays the Mind sachusetts: The MIT Press, (CD, 2014, innova 892, Innova (hardcover, 2014, ISBN: 978-0-19- www.mitpress.mit.edu). Recordings, www.innova.mu). 999082-5, New York City, New Mark Vail: The Synthesizer: A Com- Guy Barash: Facts About Water York: Oxford University Press, prehensive Guide to Understand- (CD, 2014, innova 893, Innova www.global.oup.com). ing, Playing, and Recording the Recordings, www.innova.mu).

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