Simple sound objects for the exploration of inner and outer worlds.
Song Athletics joins forces with BORO, a new creative sound studio based in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montreal, led by composer and sound artist Noah Cedar Sherrin. Prioritizing accessibility and intuition, BORO hand-makes tools and resources for artists with the aim of inspiring their personal journeys through sound.
Gems is a collection of 5 free exploratory instruments. Originating from BORO’s ongoing R&D in digital lutherie, these simple sound objects offer an eccentric palette of new colors for your music. Presented in the free Decent Sampler format, with a simple and intuitive interface, Gems gives a no-barriers look into the world of BORO.
Contents + Tech Spec
5 x Decent Sampler Instruments:
Lamplit – Soft guitar cloud creator
Hala – Auric tape pad
Ferro – Warm electro-mechanical piano
Vaila – Fragile voice constellations
Hecate – Fractured bandoneon drones
Requires Decent Sampler 1.10.0 or later (free plugin)
1.42 GB Unzipped
Available NOW and FREE:
https://songathletics.com/products/gems
About Song Athletics
Song Athletics’ founder Will Evans has worked in music technology and the arts for over 20 years.
Following an undergraduate degree in Acoustical Engineering, Will attained a PhD in Psychoacoustics at the University of Surrey in conjunction with Bang & Olufsen. He taught Electroacoustics on the Tonmeister course before joining Focusrite, where he led the Artist, Brand and Media Relations function.
In 2016 he joined Spitfire Audio and soon became CEO, overseeing the evolution of a small startup to a grown-up company with over +100 employees. Alongside this, Will had founded a small record label and management company and had been an intern at Warp Records.
His passion for independent music and artists influenced his approach to leadership and culture, and the opportunity to create a small, independently minded studio drawing on his combined interest in music, technology and sustainable business led to the formation of Song Athletics.
The Crow hill Company TCHC Logo
EDINBURGH, UK: in response to repeated requests, music-making community tools-maker The Crow Hill Company is proud to present MARSHAL BRASS — available as an all-new brass library featuring a never-before-assembled ensemble for a sample project, portrayed as being rich, moving, reflective, and plaintive in the great British tradition that is not the lofty, noble sound of beautiful horns, nor the regal connotation of the trumpet, but something more honest, heartbreaking, and truthful to the human spirit without breaking out a violin, cello, or piano — as of February 26…
As a result of setting out to create a library that embraced the lesser-visited area of brass — that of courage, valor, and loss in the face of heroism, something honest and truthful, The Crow Hill Company arrived at MARSHAL BRASS’ beautiful-sounding combination of a flugelhorn and three euphoniums, respectively performed by Mark Addison, Peter Moore, Tom Berry, and Simon Johnson, creatively captured at Assumption Studios, a recording, filming, and green screen facility located in the north side of Glasgow, Scotland. By bringing them together, MARSHAL BRASS succeeds in recreating the beauty of the types of tone normally achieved with French horns and trumpets, but with slightly less identifiable characteristics. The tuning, for example, on the euphonium — often referred to as a tenor tuba — is more fragile than that of a French horn, so when played as an ensemble it carries a very special, very moving richness, while the flugelhorn has less of the huntsman and more or the hunted about it — a wistfulness that is very unique to the instrument with a core tone that is not too alien or distracting.
Cue composer Christian Henson who co-founded The Crow Hill Company on the back of primarily working on television and film soundtracks, so the musical mechanics of MARSHAL BRASS are clearly close to his heart: “The euphoniums don’t have the regal quality of the horns because of their idiosyncrasies in the tuning that just makes every note different, which is what really suits sampling.”
Serious sampling, of course, is what led to those repeated requests for what became MARSHAL BRASS being made by the music-making community tools-maker’s ‘AAA-list’ composer friends who were seeking a brass library that took them to grave emotional, reflective states and memories, both fond and fateful. “This is a library that’s been requested by a bunch of massively successful professionals,” confirms Christian Henson, before adding: “As this is a flavour of brass that we believe hasn’t yet been sampled, we thought that we’d deliver what is — for us — a very grown-up library. It really is like, ‘Okay, you’ve got all your orchestral libraries; if you want to slot in this heroic element into your existing template then we want to give you the choice of articulations and depth of sampling that you would expect.’ So we’ve forgone the temptation of Gestures [as a cutting-edge concept, whereby an orchestra interpreting its user’s composition and making it into music and art lies behind every key played] in this instance, instead opting for a real selection of different shapes, articulations, and lengths of note. So we have CRESCENDO; DIMINUENDO; HAIRPIN [SHORT and LONG], which are, basically, a colloquial term for going up and then down, but, because these don’t loop, if you stagger them then you can develop these pealing effects which are just stunning; and SFORZANDO — not particularly idiomatic of these types of instruments, but if you want a bit of loud, bright, and brassy, we have that, too.”
This is a library that is split into a slightly different hierarchy compared to The Crow Hill Company’s previous offerings. On the face of it, presets are plug-in settings that house articulations, themselves being a selection of different playing styles that users can switch to by using (colour-coded) key-switches, while all front panel changes made, such as (CLOSE, WIDE, and AMBIENT) microphone balance and (CHAMBER) reverb amount, will remain the same regardless of which articulation is ‘live’. LONGS — looping long notes playable as solo lines or, indeed, chords (controlled with the modulation wheel or a fader controller assigned to MIDI CC1), the above-quoted SHAPES, and SHORTS — shorter notes and plucks that are, by default, largely controlled by velocity which determines the loudness and timbre of the tone — are the three key categories of articulation type that are also used to organise the presets.
Put it this way: whereas composers seeking grave emotional, reflective states and memories, both fond and fateful, would usually reach for a solo cello, piano, or strings, MARSHAL BRASS sees The Crow Hill Company curating a plaintive selection of articulations with a never-before-assembled ensemble for a sample library that will have audiences and listeners reaching for the hanky box. Concludes Christian Henson: “Thanks to the three amazing euphonium players and the flugelhorn player who gave us so much of their time to make this incredibly authoritative account of a set of articulations, performances, and shapes that give a whole new meaning to brass and certainly to heartfelt brass — that of heroism, valour, loss, pain, and ache, we hope that this library will make you think differently about brass and encourages you to adopt more nuanced textures and writing styles to bring originality and notoriety to your work.”
MARSHAL BRASS is available to purchase for a time-limited introductory promo price of £99.00 GBP until March 7, 2025 — rising thereafter to an RRP (Recommended Retail Price) of £129.00 GBP — as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-format-compatible sample-based virtual instrument plug-in comprising 12 GB of uncompressed material (compressed losslessly to 6 GB) that loads directly into a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) directly from The Crow Hill Company here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/marshal-brass/
For more in-depth information, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated MARSHAL BRASS webpage here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/marshal-brass/
MARSHAL BRASS installation and activation requires installation of The Crow Hill App — an easy-to-use app designed by the best in the business to provide seamless download, installation, integration, calibration, and organization of The Crow Hill Company tools — available for free from here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/crow-hill-app/
Watch The Crow Hill Company’s premiere of MARSHALL BRASS — including its musically-moving trailer and a welcomed walkthrough with company co-founder Christian Henson — here:
Access an ever-growing collection of free, professional tools and resources by simply signing up to become a Crow Hill member here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/join-crow-hill/
About The Crow Hill Company (www.thecrowhillcompany.com)
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, The Crow Hill Company is a small team obsessed with all things audio, existing to make tools that support the music-making community. From free plug-ins and resources all the way through to premium professional-grade libraries, its aim is to build and nurture an inclusive community of sound enthusiasts, music-makers, and VST (Virtual Studio Technology) advocates alike, all the while abiding by its motto: Make Music, Your Music
© 2025 Crow Hill Productions Ltd
NEW YORK, February 25, 2025 – Heavyocity Media announces the powerhouse release of Damage Guitars 2. Building on the explosive power of the original, Damage Guitars 2 takes a fearless new approach to melodic electric guitars with high-octane leads, gritty riffs, shredding licks, and refined melodic elements. Designed to inject your scoring arsenal with session-ready power and pristine tone, this instrument was built to electrify your creativity and unleash devastating guitar-driven cues that channel your inner metal god.
Damage Guitars 2 brings Neil Goldberg’s dynamic riffs, soaring melodies, and soulful bends straight into your studio. Drawing from his extensive experience as a former touring metal guitarist, Neil’s world-class playing style has been authentically captured to empower you to craft legendary leads and riffs with unmatched intensity and expression. This collection was built using a carefully selected lineup of his finest electric guitars, including the Suhr Modern, Andy Wood Signature Modern T, Jackson PC1, and the iconic Gibson ES-335. Paired with premium tube amplifiers and a range of dynamic pedals, these guitars were recorded with raw intensity to deliver exceptional tone, grit, and power. After the pristine recordings, the Heavyocity team pushed the boundaries further, processing each track through their signature signal chain to ensure every riff and lead hits with unparalleled clarity and force. To complete the package, bass lines were expertly recorded to match each guitar riff, providing a seamless balance of drive and impact.
With over 1,700 dynamic sources, Damage Guitars 2 delivers an extensive arsenal of melodic elements, subtle inflections, and driving textures—offering everything you need to shape your own signature sound. Designed for maximum flexibility, the instrument is organized into three distinct playing styles—Metal, Damaged, and Hard Rock—each carefully crafted in three keys (A, D, and F#). This versatile collection is built to inspire musicians and composers, making it easy to craft a wide range of compositions with precision and ease.
In addition, Heavyocity is excited to introduce Damage Rock Grooves 2, the perfect counterpart to Damage Guitars 2. Featuring over 860 energetic, hard-hitting drum loops, this collection is designed to complement the heavy guitar riffs and driving bass lines, providing the perfect foundation for your next fierce cue. Organized into three distinct categories—Damaged, Metal, and Hard Rock Grooves—these loops offer a wide range of percussive textures and styles. Additionally, a curated set of Damage Guitars 2 Grooves snapshots mirrors the riff bank names in Damage Guitars 2, making it effortless to pair grooves with their corresponding riffs. Flexible and production-ready, these loops can be combined, stacked, and customized to bring your creative vision to life.
For a limited time, Heavyocity is offering Damage Guitars 2 for $219 (reg. $299). In addition, owners of any one Heavyocity Kontakt Instrument will get an additional $40 off with serial (FOUNDATIONS, FURY, PUNISH, VAST, MICROFX, and Reaktor products do not qualify for the additional savings). Damage Rock Grooves 2 is available for $39 (reg. $49) but will be included for FREE with the purchase of Damage Guitars 2. All offers end March 7, 2025.
As “powered-by-Kontakt” instruments, Damage Guitars 2 offer all playback and sound-shaping functionality through the latest version of Kontakt 7 or the free Kontakt 7 Player. Damage Rock Grooves 2 will be compatible with Kontakt 6, Kontakt 6 Player, or later.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Damage Guitars 2 will be available at Heavyocity.com/Damage-Guitars-2
Damage Rock Grooves 2 will be available at Heavyocity.com/Damage-Rock-Grooves-2
Damage Guitars 2 – $299 USD
Limited-Time Damage Guitars 2 Offer – $219 USD
Limited-Time Damage Guitars 2 Offer for owners of any single Heavyocity product (excluding FX Plugins, Reaktor and Free FOUNDATIONS products) – $179 USD
Damage Rock Grooves 2 – $49 USD
Limited-Time Damage Rock Grooves 2 Offer – $39 USD
Limited-Time Damage Rock Grooves 2 Offer for those who purchase Damage Guitars 2 – FREE
ABOUT HEAVYOCITY MEDIA
Heavyocity Media is a developer of award-winning virtual instruments and effects for computer-based music production, composition, and sound design. Heavyocity’s critically acclaimed products push the boundaries of creativity, providing new and unique tools for professional composers and producers.
MADRID, SPAIN: Heritage Audio® brand LANG Electronics Inc., itself a notable name in pro audio circles dating back to the Sixties, is proud to introduce its LANG PEQ-2 plug-in — an authentic emulation of its industry-shaking PEQ-2 Program Equalizer (https://heritageaudio.com/peq-2/) released to widespread critical acclaim in 2023 while effectively bringing back to life one of the most desirable equalizers of all time some six decades after the original (albeit as a brand-new piece providing problem-free access to some of the sweetest-sounding tones and textures the industry has ever heard, putting pay to the prevailing practice of overcoming inflated pricing for used units that are almost always in a questionable state of operation when seeking out original Model PEQ-2s held in high regard by many discerning artists, engineers, and producers who consider the so-called ‘LANG PROGRAM EQUALIZER’ to be better than the ubiquitous Pultec when choosing it as their secret weapon) — in both native and DSP (Digital Signal Processing) formats, as of February 24…
Since successfully recreating the so-called ‘LANG PROGRAM EQUALIZER’ as the PEQ-2 Program Equalizer, it stands to reason that LANG Electronics Inc. brand owner Heritage Audio collectively considered itself as being the only company capable of translating that hardware unit’s uniqueness into a plug-in that does justice to the original. After all, Heritage Audio has a proven track record in doing just that with several of its own hardware classics — think SUCCESSOR, successfully recreating all of its namesake British Diode-bridge STEREO BUS COMPRESSOR’s features as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) workflow-friendly plug-in with welcomed additions; SYMPH EQ — executed as a stereo mix-enhancing plug-in that readily recreates its SYMPH EQ notable namesake released in hardware form to widespread critical acclaim as a single rack space-occupying master bus-/mastering-orientated unit taking its full (STEREO ASYMPTOTIC EQUALIZER) name from the shape obtained by its shelving curves; and BritStrip, baking its BritStrip CONSOLE CHANNEL STRIP modern-day classic into a vibe-infused, all-in-one plug-in. Put it this way: with LANG PEQ-2, PEQ-2 Program Equalizer’s uniqueness ultimately now evident for all to hear after months of meticulous modelling, it is clear that time has been spent wisely on LANG Electronics Inc.’s behalf by Heritage Audio.
Although the LANG PEQ-2 plug-in’s layout — effectively mirroring that of its hardware namesake — is deceptively simple, it is actually capable of some extreme processing while maintaining the musicality of the signal being processed. Thanks to its independent controls for BOOST and DROOP (cut) for both the HF (high frequency) and LF (low frequency) bands, users can quickly transform their material in interesting, creative ways that they will have almost certainly not considered before. An ability to boost and cut at the same (or similar) frequencies produces equalized response curves that are, quite simply, sure to excite — experimentation is key here, but users will soon discover just how powerful this feature can be.
Lastly, LANG PEQ-2 also features a high peak boost with a completely variable HF BOOST BANDWIDTH setting that spans from SHARP to BROAD to cover anyone’s needs in a most musical-sounding manner; moreover, the range of BOOST actually varies depending on what that selected HF BOOST BANDWIDTH setting is, thereby offering a very smooth and natural response at all times — very clever indeed!
Helpfully, Heritage Audio’s goal with LANG Electronics Inc.’s LANG PEQ-2 plug-in — as, indeed, is the case with its own (above-mentioned) plug-ins — is to create a tool to channel creativity and put the focus firmly back on music production, which is exactly why the vintage-sounding recording equipment developer wants to reach as many users as possible by applying a pricing scheme that is both comprehensive and fair. For instance, all owners of LANG Electronics Inc.’s PEQ-2 Program Equalizer hardware unit can complete an online form (https://heritageaudio.com/lang-peq2-owners-form/) to redeem a native version of LANG Electronics Inc.’s LANG PEQ-2 plug-in for free, while both native and DSP versions of LANG PEQ-2 are also available for free to owners of Heritage Audio’s i73® PRO family products — offering varying I/O and features as the first ever USB-C audio interfaces with built-in Class A 73-style preamps — via a firmware update (https://users.heritageaudio.com), upon completion of which they will be automatically added to their plug-in collection. Fortunately for everyone else, a no-nonsense price of €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD is guaranteed.
The native version of LANG Electronics Inc.’s LANG PEQ-2 plug-in is available to purchase — as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, and VST3-format compatible effect plug-in for MacOS (10.15.7 and higher, with both INTEL and Native Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 compatibility) and Windows (10 and 11) — directly from Heritage Audio here: https://users.heritageaudio.com/product/lang-peq-2/
An iLok account is required for LANG PEQ-2 activation. (If running LANG PEQ-2 in trial mode, note that the trial will be fully functional for 14 days after activation.)
About LANG Electronics Inc. (www.lang-electronics.com)
LANG Electronics Inc. — a professional audio company with history hitherto grounded in the Sixties (originally operating out of downtown New York where it was dedicated to producing high-quality equipment and replacement parts at accessible prices) — is dedicated to bringing the sound of yesterday for tomorrow. The rights to the company were acquired in 2022 by European pro audio manufacturer Heritage Audio — itself having expanded its production plant located in the heart of Madrid, Spain, where the 30-person team led by founder Peter Rodriguez continues to successfully introduce innovative products to rank amongst the most popular brands with top retailers throughout the world — which brought about its rebirth by porting one of the most desired equalizers of all time — namely, the Model PEQ-2 (a.k.a. ‘LANG PROGRAM EQUALIZER’) — to the 21st Century, making it available again to all as the PEQ-2 Program Equalizer, a brand-new piece providing problem-free access to some of the sweetest-sounding tones and textures the industry has ever heard.
© 2025 LANG Electronics Inc.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: following hot on the heels of Cyberdrive released last year to widespread critical acclaim as the ultimate distortion plug-in engineered to transform anyone’s music with unparalleled power and flexibility, independent development teams federation United Plugins is proud to announce availability of Cyberdrive Core from founding partner JMG Sound — shipping with the same 64 distortion models as its ‘big brother’ but re-engineered as a straight-talking tool that saves time by speedily taking users to their desired (distorted) results in a straightforward way while saving their computer’s resources in doing so — as of February 24…
Alternative (distorted) reality
Sometimes simpler can be better, which is exactly why — when having already succeeded in creating the most ‘distortionist’ of distortions, as it were, with Cyberdrive — JMG Sound has created Cyberdrive Core as an alternative way of cutting straight to the (distorted) chase. After all, some simpler tasks do not necessarily need the former’s three identical DIST (distortion) modules, FEED (feedback) module, and extra effects thrown in for good (distorted) measure.
Single living
Cyberdrive Core’s single DIST module features a powerful filter system, so it is possible to fine-tune the resultant distortion’s tone and character with HP (high-pass), LP (low-pass), and multi-band crossovers to ensure a precise and controlled sound… always. Additionally, it features dedicated knobs for gain-compensated MIX — controls the dry/wet mix; DRIVE — controls the amount of level going into the distortion; and CONTROL — changes the character of the distortion, the behavior of which is different in each model — with which users can quickly dial in the perfect balance. But simplicity does not mean forsaking control, however, with Cyberdrive Core mirroring much of that offered by Cyberdrive’s DIST modules, including AGC (Automatic Gain Compensation) — constantly measures the input loudness and compensates the output to match; CLIP — enables a hard clipper on the output of the DIST module to prevent any peaks above 0dB; HP PRE — selects if the high-pass filter will be positioned before the distortion; LP PRE — selects if the low-pass filter will be positioned before the distortion; and SLOPE — selects the filter or crossover type from 6dB, 12dB, 24dB, 48dB, and 96dB.
A multiverse of distortion models
Cyberdrive Core comes complete with the same 64 distortion types as its ‘big brother’ arranged across eight distinct categories: CLASSIC — emulates the warmth and character of analogue hardware, from tubes to tape; MODERN — made for exploring dynamic distortions and wave-folding using cutting-edge techniques like multi-band companders; PIXEL — injects digital chaos with bit-crushing, rate reduction, and glitch effects; SHAPE — sculpts sounds with wave-shaping techniques like rectify and asymmetric clipping; AMP — ably channels the power of acclaimed guitar and bass amplifiers; PEDAL — perfectly captures the essence of iconic guitar pedals; DOOM — pushes limits with extreme custom distortions that go hard; and FREAK — allows for experimenting with avant-garde techniques like ring modulation, FM (frequency modulation), and spectral synthesis. All are meticulously designed to offer a spectrum of sonic possibilities.
Satisfying (distorted) desires
Cyberdrive Core clearly has what it takes, therefore, to take users to their desired (distorted) results in a straightforward way while saving their computer’s resources in doing so. Saying that, it still provides them with the maximum audio quality possible thanks to its internal 64-bit audio processing and an ability to handle any sampling rate — reaching 192 kHz or even higher without breaking into a sweat, just like its fellow United Plugins partners’ software siblings. Similarly, the intelligent way Cyberdrive Core manages bypassing ensures that there are no nasty clicks or harmful noises when automating the parameter — yet more reasons to be cheerful when buying into the independent development teams federation’s latest close collaborative effort. Ending on another positive note, owners of Cyberdrive will surely be delighted to find that their license also opens Cyberdrive Core, so no need to buy both licenses when wishing to take a more straightforward approach to their desired (distorted) results.
Key features:
∙ Computer resource-saving, straight-talking plug-in re-engineered from ‘distortionist’ of distortions
∙ Powerful filter system
∙ Same 64 distortion types as Cyberdrive arranged across eight distinct categories
JMG Sound’s Cyberdrive Core is available to purchase for a time-limited introductory promo price of only €9.00 EUR until March 31, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €39.00 EUR — as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in (using internal 64-bit audio processing capable of handling any sample rate) directly from its dedicated webpage (https://unitedplugins.com/cyberdrivecore), where a 15-day, fully-functional trial version for macOS 10.10 and newer and Windows 8/10/11 can also be downloaded for free.
Note that no iLok, dongle, or internet access is required for Cyberdrive Core activation. (All United Plugins software uses license files for activation and owners can freely use purchased software — with free-for-life updates — on all their computers, as long as they are the user.)
About United Plugins
As implied in the carefully chosen wording for an apt appellation that really represents how the Prague-registered Limited Company came about and what it collectively creates, United Plugins is a federation of small, independent development teams comprised of individuals involved in the music industry. Indeed, the founding triad of FireSonic, JMG Sound, and SounDevice Digital can count engineers, producers, and artists amongst their ‘united’ names. Needless to say, all were seeking the freedom to create the tools that they would like to use in their studios and on their projects. And all agreed that this could be better achieved when working together. Though United Plugins’ proliferating product portfolio may not always be for the musical masses, surely someone, somewhere will always find those tools to be a perfect fit for their own music productions… just like those inventive individuals behind United Plugins’ partner brands, the ranks of which have since swelled to include Muramasa Audio and MeldaProduction. Thanks to the latter letting United Plugins utilize its super-easy licensing system, which is why selected MeldaProduction products are also available from the United Plugins website (https://unitedplugins.com), a thriving future for the federation is assured.
© 2025 United Plugins
New York, NY – February 21, 2025 – Experience the sonic magic of some of the most iconic recording studios in history with HitVerb, the revolutionary convolution reverb plug-in developed in partnership with Troy Germano, CEO of The Hit Factory Studios. HitVerb delivers the authentic ambiance of The Hit Factory’s legendary rooms, where countless platinum records were born. Now, producers and engineers can infuse their tracks with the unmistakable character of these world-class studios — without ever leaving their DAW.
Authentic Impulse Responses from the Most Iconic Studios
HitVerb offers meticulously captured impulse responses from 12 legendary recording spaces across The Hit Factory’s locations, including New York and London. These are the very same
rooms where industry giants like Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Post Malone, Karol G, Lady Gaga, Notorious B.I.G. crafted their timeless hits. From tight, intimate spaces to expansive live rooms, HitVerb provides instant access to a vast range of reverbs that have shaped music history.
Precision Controls for Ultimate Flexibility
Designed to meet the needs of both newcomers and seasoned professionals, HitVerb offers an intuitive interface with deep customization options. Users can precisely adjust microphone distance and positioning, selecting from Neumann® U67s, Coles® 4038 Studio Ribbons, and Sennheiser® MKH 800 Twins. Additional shape controls include low- and high-cut filters, tail length adjustments, and even the ability to add or remove carpet to fine-tune reflections. With expertly crafted presets from top engineers and the ability to save custom settings, HitVerb ensures users can quickly achieve their desired sound.
Convolution Reverb Made Intuitive
Unlike traditional analog reverb units, convolution reverb uses real-world impulse responses to capture the exact acoustic characteristics of physical spaces. HitVerb was designed with ease-of-use in mind, delivering fantastic results from a streamlined user interface.
About The Hit Factory Studios
Since its inception in 1969, The Hit Factory Studios has been synonymous with world-class recording, hosting a staggering roster of A-list artists across pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and film scoring. With HitVerb, this unparalleled legacy is now accessible to producers worldwide. “For decades, our studios have played a vital role in shaping music history,” says Troy Germano. “HitVerb lets you bring the legendary sound of The Hit Factory to your own projects — no matter where you are.”
Key features:
∙ World-class convolution reverb plug-in modeled in 12 legendary Hit Factory studio rooms from all over the world
∙ Impulse response creation was headed by Troy Germano, CEO of Hit Factory Studios
∙ Fine-tune control over mic positioning and distance
∙ Further control includes high- and low-cut filters; tail length — even carpet!
∙ Includes presets designed by top studio engineers; user presets are easy to create and recall
∙ Available for Mac or Windows in AAX, VST3, and AU formats
HitVerb will be available for purchase and download on February 24, 2025 through RAD Distribution’s growing global network of dealers (https://hitfactoryplugins.com/en/dealers) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $199 USD. (A 14-day trial is available.)
For more in-depth information, please visit the HitVerb dedicated product webpage here: https://hitfactoryplugins.com/en/products/hitverb
About The Hit Factory Plugins (www.hitfactoryplugins.com)
The Hit Factory built its storied history by being a top-shelf destination recording facility for many of the world’s greatest artists and bands. 50 years after its inception, the time has come to bring the sound of The Hit Factory rooms to everyone. After all, not everyone can get to New York or London to track and mix their songs.
© 2025 The Hit Factory Plugins
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY: truly analog-sounding plugins developer Fuse Audio Labs is proud to present OCELOT Clipper as a specialized tool for peak reduction and mastering dynamics — duly empowering users to create more headroom and deliver energetic mixes with a streamlined approach to managing loudness without sacrificing quality or introducing unwanted artifacts — as of February 21…
Its intuitive interface sees to it that OCELOT Clipper keeps focus on where it matters — think music, not knobs. Needless to say, OCELOT Clipper’s advanced dynamics control unlocks powerful tone-shaping capabilities, offering separate POS. KNEE and NEG. KNEE controls for both the positive and negative swings of a signal. Indeed, it sculpts the tonal balance of the harmonic content with great flexibility, and is capable of imbuing individual sources with a subtle warmth or gritty edge, as well as taming peaks.
Ensuring exceptional sound quality, OCELOT Clipper’s anti-aliasing options include user-selectable oversampling up to 32x and ADDA (Analog to Digital and Digital to Analog) technology, as well as a TRUE PEAK mode, to deliver pristine results while keeping CPU (Central Processing Unit) load manageable. Meanwhile, a latency of under 1.5 ms means it is equally effective for both live applications and studio use, keeping the workflow seamless and responsive.
Thanks to its efficient workflow and extended analysis display, OCELOT Clipper makes even tricky loudness tweaks easy to handle. Working well with any modern limiter plugin, it offers everything needed to shape dynamics with precision.
Posits Fuse Audio Labs CEO Reimund Dratwa: “…Clipper is the second release in our new OCELOT STUDIO SERIES, delivering cutting-edge low CPU, zero or low latency studio essentials built with top-tier DSP tech. The plugin intuitively manages loudness in a very musical way, and also represents the perfect partner for our previously released …Limiter.”
OCELOT Clipper is available at a significantly discounted introductory promo price of only $29.00 USD until March 21, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of $69.00 USD — directly from its dedicated webpage, which includes more in-depth information, here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/ocelotclipper.html
Note that 14-day trial versions of all Fuse Audio Labs plugins without any restrictions are also available to download for free from here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/plugins.html
Get a feel for OCELOT Clipper while watching Fuse Audio Labs’ informative introductory video here:
About Fuse Audio Labs (www.fuseaudiolabs.com)
Fuse Audio Labs is a number one source for truly analog-sounding plugins designed for the daily demands of real-world musicians and engineers. As an acclaimed company, it was founded in 2017 by Reimund Dratwa, deeply knowledgeable as an expert in translating complex analog topologies into top-tier DSP code. Creating a huge portfolio of leading modeling titles over the years for brands like ACME, Black Box, Black Rooster, elysia, Millennia, Neold, Vertigo, and many others available via Plugin Alliance and the UAD-2 platform, his own designs remain 100% pure Fuse Audio Labs.
© 2025 Fuse Audio Labs
Montreal, Quebec—February 18, 2025—Applied Acoustics Systems is excited to announce the official release of Multiphonics CV‑3, a modular synthesizer and effect processor for macOS and Windows.
Multiphonics CV-3 is a modular rack for creating and playing synthesizers. It can also be used to assemble effects and process audio tracks. With its intuitive interface, Multiphonics provides seasoned users with a fun, powerful space to explore musical and sonic ideas and quickly bring them to life. For those new to sound synthesis, it is an inspiring learning environment. Multiphonics ships with a vast and inspiring library of synths and effects crafted by top sound designers.
New Multiphonics CV-3 features include:
– Polyphony
– MPE compatibility
– 3-operator FM oscillator
– Acoustic objects oscillators
– Comb and tube filters
– Oscilloscope module for signal visualization
– CV generators
– 100 new synth and effects patches
“The standout feature of Multiphonics CV-3 is its new polyphonic capability, which fundamentally transforms its potential as a musical instrument,” says Benoit Charland, lead product designer at Applied Acoustics Systems. “A patch can be made polyphonic with literally the push of a button—a simplicity rare among modular racks, which are monophonic in nature. We’ve also expanded the module library with new acoustic oscillators based on our award-winning physical modeling technology, bringing AAS’s signature tone and feel into the modular realm. Combined with the new MPE compatibility, this opens the door to crafting truly unique synths with unparalleled expressive control.”
Multiphonics CV‑3—Modular Synthesizer and Effects
https://www.applied-acoustics.com/multiphonics-cv-3/
Multiphonics CV‑3 runs on both macOS and Windows in 64-bit host sequencers that support the VST2, VST3, Audio Units, and AAX Native formats. It is also MPE compatible.
Multiphonics CV-3 is available now at a suggested retail price of US$199. The upgrade for Multiphonics CV-1 and Multiphonics CV-2 registered users is priced at $79.
Introductory Promotion
To mark the release of Multiphonics CV-3, everything Multiphonics is reduced until March 31, 2025.
– New users can get Multiphonics CV-3 for $149, a 25% discount.
– Upgrades for Multiphonics CV-1 and Multiphonics CV-2 users are offered at $49, a 38% discount.
– All Multiphonics sound packs are reduced by 50%.
https://www.applied-acoustics.com/promo/
About Applied Acoustics Systems
Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) was founded in 1998 and is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As a privately-held company, it specializes in software-based synthesis tools for professional musicians and sound designers. Since releasing Tassman, the first virtual instrument based on physical modeling, AAS has come to be recognized as the industry leader in this
SOUNDS FROM HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE, DOCTOR WHO AND BLAKE’S 7 CREATED BY THE BBC RADIOPHONIC WORKSHOP ARCHIVE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME
“The BBC department for making bonkers noises’
Wednesday 19th February: The archive of the groundbreaking BBC Radiophonic Workshop will be made available for the first time for use by musical artists and producers, passing on legacy that helped invent electronic music and sampling.
https://bit.ly/Spitfire_BBC_Radiophonic_Workshop
In collaboration with Spitfire Audio and BBC Studios, an unprecedented package of samples will be released from the pioneering BBC Radiophonic Workshop, which created sounds and music for shows from Doctor Who to Tomorrow’s World – giving the TARDIS an engine and the Daleks a voice. See the trailer HERE.
For 40 years, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was the place to go for the sound of the impossible – the unruly engine behind the music and effects of Doctor Who, the Goon Show, Blake’s 7, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Living Planet and countless other productions from the BBC. It was a place of other worlds, and of other sounds. From scraping pianos and hitting lampshades to manipulating tape loops with milk bottles, the Workshop’s unconventional methods produced a distinctive sonic signature that continues to inspire artists.
Its work paved the way for much of the popular music of the 21st century and has been cited as an influence by everyone from Brian Eno to Orbital to Hans Zimmer. The sample library will now be available to musicians and producers, preserving an important musical heritage for generations to come.
Composer, sound designer and Radiophonic Workshop archivist Mark Ayres said: “As a kid born in the 1960s, I realized there was a department at the BBC that was purely for making bonkers noises. It blew my mind!”
With exclusive access to the Workshop’s archives, tools, and hardware at the legendary Maida Vale Studios, and guidance from Radiophonic Workshop archivist Mark Ayres and other Workshop members, Spitfire Audio has captured the essence of this sonic playground. The library features sounds from the original tapes, as well as new recordings and experiments by Workshop members and associates, including Mark Ayres, Kieron Pepper, Bob Earland, Dick Mills, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Glynis Jones and Peter Howell.
Mark Ayres said: “I’m the youngest member of the core Radiophonic Workshop – and I’m 64! We’re not going to be around forever. It was really important to leave a creative tool, inspired by our work, for other people to use going forward. I hope we’ve made an instrument that will inspire future generations.
“This instrument is all formed from the work, processes and equipment that the Workshop created and used. You know, sampling now really looks like sampling then, but with a few more twiddles. I’ve been saying for years that Workshop composers such as Delia Derbyshire and John Baker were really samplists.”
One of its biggest customers was schools programming, where graphs and diagrams came alive in experimental audio – a rich source of inspiration for artists such as Boards of Canada. A new generation was hearing the wonders of an electronic sound that was experimental, but also relatable – built on the manipulation of real sounds.
Mark Ayres said: “So it was BBC schools, radio and television, it was Blue Peter, it was Doctor Who. And then, if you were allowed to stay up late and watch a documentary such as a World About Us, that would probably have a Radiophonic Workshop soundtrack. You really couldn’t get away from it.”
Reanimating this legacy, the machines, performances and archive sounds of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop are now available in the first sample-library VST (Virtual Studio Technology) to capture the Workshop’s essence – with unprecedented access to its home of 40 years: London’s Maida Vale studios.
Harry Wilson, Spitfire Audio’s Head of Recording, said: “We’re not just looking back at what the members were doing way back when. We’re projecting a strand of their work into the future and saying: if the Workshop was engaged with a similar process now, what would it sound like?”
While the Workshop was a physical place where the artists got their hands and ears dirty, the archive materials will be available in Spitfire Audio’s Solar engine. Musicians will be able to use modern techniques of bending, stretching and morphing to create something new, as well as having access to a variety of microphones, the EMT turntable and Rogers loudspeakers made especially for the BBC, including the Maida Vale plate and spring reverbs, modular synthesizers, tape machines, EMS Vocoder, Echo chamber, Roland Vocoder SVC-350 and Eventide H-3000. The package is divided into Archive Content, Found Sounds, Junk Percussion, Tape Loops, Synths and a Miscellany.
Dominic Walker, Global Business Director for BBC Studios said: “We are thrilled to be
collaborating once again with Spitfire Audio in bringing the legendary sounds of the BBC
Radiophonic Workshop to a new generation of musicians and composers with this valuable
online library”.
Key Features
Spitfire Audio BBC Radiophonic Workshop VST
Spitfire Audio BBC Radiophonic Workshop VST gives musicians and producers a collection of samples that they can use when making their own music. It includes vintage synthesizers, tape loops, found sounds, iconic archives and new performances from Workshop members.
The Spitfire Audio BBC Radiophonic Workshop VST will be available for £149/€179/$199 from 19 February 2025 at
http://spitfireaudio.com/bbc-radiophonic-workshop/. An introductory price of £119/€143/$159 is available until 17 March 2025.
Spitfire Audio and the BBC Studios
This release is Spitfire Audio’s latest collaboration in a successful series that includes BBC Symphony Orchestra Professional, BBC Symphony Orchestra Piano, and BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover, an industry standard, universal starting point for composers and music creators of every level. This all-in-one sample library features strings, brass, woodwind and percussion performed by the world-renowned BBC Symphony Orchestra, captured at London’s famous Maida Vale Studios.
The BBC Studios Brands & Licensing division is the driving force in extending BBC Studios IP through innovative brand extensions, fostering deep fan engagement worldwide.
Partnering our iconic brands – including Doctor Who and Bluey – with the world’s biggest brands, partners and publishers, ignites the imagination of fans and creates memorable brand-fame moments. Our diverse portfolio spans consumer products, live entertainment, gaming and publishing, while BBC Studios Social drives digital presence with over 6.5 billion social video views in 2023, offering advertising and branded content opportunities.
Supported by award-winning teams, we focus on finding visionary opportunities to enhance global brand impact, digital growth and the business models of the future.
Sonora Cinematic, Edinburgh, Scotland – 18th February 2025. Sonora Cinematic proudly announces the release of Emma Legato, a true legato vocal library offering beautifully playable cinematic vocals with multiple articulations and a clever legato speed control function.
The release also marks the launch of a brand-new, budget-friendly series – Sonora Cinematic Select.
Developed in response to customer demand for a true legato vocal library, Emma Legato is a powerful and user-friendly tool for creating rich vocal textures and realistic melodic lines for cinematic or ambient compositions. Featuring three articulations – Humming, Poco Vibrato, and Aahs – Emma Legato showcases the breathtaking talent of classically-trained soprano Emma May Price, whose voice also powers Sonora Cinematic’s acclaimed Aria Vocalscapes instrument.
True legato is a sampling technique that captures not only the single notes in the range of the musician but also the transitions between each note and every possible other, it’s a huge number of samples which results in highly realistic and emotive performances.
Emma Legato’s SPEED control enhances this realism by adjusting the transition speed to match the user’s playing or piano roll programming. Users can manually adjust the SPEED parameter or activate AUTO mode which intelligently adapts the transition speed based on the interval between notes. Whether performing faster passages or slow, emotional lines, the SPEED control ensures that transitions feel natural and expressive. Additionally, a handy keyswitch enables users to toggle the AUTO mode on and off allowing adjustments to be made on the fly in a specific passage if desired.
Emma Legato also includes curated snapshots for quick sound customization, alongside two cinematic reverb options – BLUE, a shimmery, diffused ambience with an expansive tail, and PINK, a slowly modulated reverb with granular-like processing for a rich, textured soundscape.
New Sonora Cinematic Select Series
The release of Emma Legato also marks the launch of Sonora Cinematic Select – the
developer’s new series of no frills, affordable, easy to use
and incredible-sounding Kontakt Player libraries. More titles are expected to join the series throughout 2025.
Pricing & Availability
Emma Legato works with the free Kontakt Player v8.1+
and is available to download now for the introductory price of £29 until 31st March (normally £39).
Existing Aria Vocalscapes customers can take advantage of a special
‘upgrade’ price of £23 (normally £29).
Sonora Cinematic has also released the Vocal Bundle featuring the divine duo
of Emma Legato and Aria Vocalscapes for just £67 (normally £79). All prices exclude VAT.
For full details, videos and audio demos visit:
https://sonoracinematic.com/products/emma-legato-by-sonora-cinematic
Vocal Bundle:
https://sonoracinematic.com/products/vocal-bundle-by-sonora-cinematic
About Sonora Cinematic
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sonora Cinematic is the home for sample libraries and
instruments produced by composer and sound designer Alessandro Mastroianni.
Collaborating with musicians and audio professionals around the world, our mission is to
inspire composers, songwriters and music producers to write music the moment they touch
the keyboard. Bestselling releases include Panorama Guitars, Harmonic Bloom, Aria
Vocalscapes, Verticale, Poiesis Cello, and many more.
