AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, December 12, 2024. FabFilter is proud to announce immediate availability of Pro-Q 4, the latest version of its industry-standard equalizer plug-in. Pro-Q 4 builds on the powerful feature set, sound quality, and intuitive workflow that have always set Pro-Q apart with the addition of dynamic spectral processing, unified multi-instance control, direct curve drawing, analog-style saturation modes, a fresh new look, and much more.
Spectral Dynamics
Taking problem-solving EQ to new heights, Spectral Dynamics extends Pro-Q’s existing Dynamic EQ mode with the ability to apply expansion or compression to only those frequencies within a specified band that exceed the threshold, leaving all other frequencies unaffected. Making light work of suppressing harshness and unwanted resonances, this form of processing has always required a dedicated plug-in, but Pro-Q 4 simply integrates it as another per-band option alongside the conventional dynamic and static EQ modes users already rely on every day.
Instance List
The new Instance List button at the bottom center of any Pro-Q 4 running in a project opens an overview of all Pro-Q 4 instances, zoomable from a rack of miniaturized spectrum displays all the way up to fully-interactive displays in which curves can be created and edited as usual — including with EQ Sketch. Activate the Auto-Zoom option to automatically focus on the instance currently under the mouse pointer, and use the Filter, Quick Jump, Search, and Minimap features to easily navigate between all Pro-Q 4 instances, no matter how numerous. The Instance List will save a ton of time when mixing, and is a feast for the eyes in Full Screen mode.
EQ Sketch
Pro-Q 4 further improves on the user experience with a whole new way to create broad-strokes filter response curves: EQ Sketch. Simply drag the mouse across the main display to instantiate a series of filters set up to match any curve drawn, with slopes defined by the steepness of the user’s mouse movements. Ideal for quickly establishing general frequency-shaping starting points to be tweaked and honed using Pro-Q 4’s regular controls, EQ Sketch is a serious workflow booster — particularly when used in conjunction with the new Instance List.
Character modes
Pro-Q 4’s new Character modes bring the authentic circuit-modelled distortion for which FabFilter has long been known to Pro-Q, imbuing tracks and mixes with ear-pleasing analog flavor. Switch to the Subtle mode for gentle program- and frequency-dependent, transformer-style saturation, or the Warm mode when more obvious tube-style saturation is called for. The default Clean mode, meanwhile, retains Pro-Q’s original transparent, uncolored sound.
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is now available for EUR 169, USD 179, or GBP 144, supporting both Windows and macOS in VST and VST 3, Audio Units, AAX, AudioSuite, and CLAP plug-in formats. Bundles with FabFilter Pro-Q 4 and other FabFilter plug-ins are also available at: www.fabfilter.com/shop
Existing FabFilter customers can purchase or upgrade to FabFilter Pro-Q 4 with very attractive discounts by logging into their online user account at: www.fabfilter.com/myaccount
System requirements are either Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Vista (32-bit and 64-bit) and a VST 2/3 host, CLAP host, or Pro Tools, or macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only) with Intel or Apple Silicon processor, and an Audio Units host, VST 2/3 host, CLAP host, or Pro Tools.
FabFilter offers a free 30-day evaluation period for all its plug-ins, including Pro-Q 4.
About FabFilter
Beautiful sound. Fantastic workflow. These are the foundations of FabFilter. Continually challenging and rethinking industry standards, FabFilter creates powerful audio plug-ins with superb sound quality and innovative interfaces. FabFilter was founded in 2002 by Frederik Slijkerman and Floris Klinkert, and is based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
© 2024 FabFilter Software Instruments
LONDON, UK: leading sounds and sample libraries creator Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of IMPRESSIONISM as a love letter to 150 years of Impressionist art that offers a brightly hued palette of instrumental sounds — duly designed as a first track go-to tool, enlivening the blank canvas under impasto daubs of brass; pastel washes of strings and woodwinds; shimmering touches of harps and vibraphones; and fine-tipped trills, clouds, and atonal clusters, all layered in with the turn of a mod wheel — as of December 10…
An appreciation of IMPRESSIONISM lends itself to a little understanding and appreciation of its namesake style or movement in painting that originated in France in the 1870s, characterized by a concern with depicting the visual impression of the moment — especially in terms of the shifting effect of light and color. Consequently, 
IMPRESSIONISM itself adheres to the radical ethos of that movement’s chief exponents like Monet, Morisot, Renoir, van Gogh, and others by being designed to translate the most fleeting of thoughts and feelings into sound. Indeed, IMPRESSIONISM turns its back on notions of rigid compositional rules in favour of quick creativity and intuitive expression — much as the early Impressionists rejected the prevailing norms of the late-19th Century art world. Immediate inspiration is conjured by simply adding it to the top of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) template to instantly begin outlining a sonic background. After all, as French painter and Impressionist founder Claude Monet so succinctly once put it: “A good impression is lost so quickly.”
IMPRESSIONISM is unconventional in both articulation — as evidenced by the BLANK CANVAS, DAYBREAK, HANDSHAKE, SALUTATIONS, EXPOSITION, NICE TO MEET YOU, BONJOUR, and BONNE SOIREE labelling on its inventive UI (User Interface) — and instrumentation — think 92 fine-tuned bespoke instrument combinations (created from three violins, two viola, two cello, double bass, two flutes, two bass flutes, three clarinets, two bass clarinets, contrabass clarinet, trombone, contrabass trombone, tuba, contrabass tuba, tenor sax, celeste, harp, and vibraphone) — by blending diverse textures in instrumental sound from across the orchestra and beyond.
Briefly returning to an appropriate painting analogy — not forgetting, of course, the multiple presets provided, each one containing the inspiration from an Impressionist painting, IMPRESSIONISM layers evolving, three-part stories for each note played: first, a short, percussive attack — akin to the tentative touching of brush to canvas; then comes a soft swell — the sonic embodiment of a thick smear of oil paint; and, finally, the sustain — the delicate, lingering brushstroke that gives each sound so much of its unique character. Those three parts — Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 — can be remixed individually or, should the user wish to do so, silenced completely. Creativity further abounds courtesy of several built-in effects — GRANULAR and REVERB — and playback parameters — SEPARATION, RELEASE, REVERB, and SLOW/FAST SPEED — that allow users to fine-tune each blend to taste.
To quote Vincent van Gogh, “An Impressionist is the one who does not paint like everyone, does not obey the rules and attitude.” Accordingly, IMPRESSIONISM’s mod wheel-driven ‘Diverge’ control creates space for happy accidents, allowing evocative trills and harmonic movement to shine through the mix — hear how new layers of flutes, harps, violins, and more start to emerge and intertwine when moving the mod wheel, while Spitfire Audio’s proprietary SCALE technology intelligently keeps everything in key. Thanks to the leading sounds and sample libraries creator’s new PLAYED MODE option, IMPRESSIONISM follows along with the user’s performance, automatically identifying and applying the correct scale so users can concentrate on following their feelings.
Fortunately for anyone interested in doing just that, IMPRESSIONISM comprises uniquely expressive performances of some of the UK’s leading instrumentalists, carefully captured in the crisp, dry environs of Studio 1 — itself billed as being a perfect recording space for bands and small orchestral groups — within London’s legendary AIR Studios. Spitfire Audio actively encouraged all the performers involved in IMPRESSIONISM’s creation to probe the boundaries of their instruments and employ unconventional articulations in search of musical equivalents of the Impressionists’ instinctive brushstrokes. Bear in mind, though, that every nuance of each performance was captured in exacting, intimate detail through a vintage, analogue signal chain, resulting in samples that positively drip with tonal colour and character, while IMPRESSIONISM’s included impulse responses effectively allow its users to position those instrumentalists in their chosen sonic setting.
Spitfire Audio Co-Founder Paul Thomson — an accomplished composer himself — is delighted with the end result, evidently, ending on several high notes: “At its core, IMPRESSIONISM is a very inspirational and beautiful-sounding library that gives you lots of control over the different elements that have been recorded, but, equally, will get you up and running very quickly. It will give you loads of ideas, and with the SCALE mode you’ve got all that additional functionality that can add in harmonic movement and life. The different kinds of musical gestures that it is possible to make with this library is really deep, so I’m fascinated to hear what people write with it.”
It is fair to say, then, that Spitfire Audio’s latest creation is clearly a content rich affair with innovative features to boot. Available at an accessible price point, anyone can create with IMPRESSIONISM.
The 3.7 GB download-sized IMPRESSIONISM is available as a dedicated — AAX-, AU-, VST2- and VST3-compatible — plug-in for Mac OS X 11 to MacOS 14 (Apple Silicon computers supported, 64-bit DAW required) and Windows 10 or 11 (latest Service Pack, 64-bit DAW required) for a time-limited introductory promo price of £159.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$199.00 USD/€199.00 EUR (inc. VAT) until January 2, 2025 — rising thereafter to its full price of £199.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$249.00 USD/€249.00 EUR (inc. VAT) — from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/impressionism
Spitfire Audio’s namesake Spitfire Audio app allows anyone to buy now and download anytime, and is available for free from here: http://www.spitfireaudio.com/info/library-manager/
For more in-depth information, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated IMPRESSIONISM webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/impressionism
About Spitfire Audio (www.spitfireaudio.com)
Founded in 2007 by composers, Spitfire Audio is the leading creator of sounds and sample libraries uniting pioneering artists with pioneering sounds and music technology. Its products are used by composers and music makers around the globe in their compositions and productions, with a major percentage of composers — including Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA, GRAMMY®, and César Awards nominees and winners — utilising them in their journey to scoring films and other projects.
© 2024 Spitfire Audio Holdings Limited
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: closely collaborating with founding partner JMG Sound, independent development teams federation United Plugins is proud to announce availability of DarkFire — an analogue-like preamp and saturator plug-in providing complete control over added harmonics by allowing them to be detached after saturating a signal then processed separately before being blended back with the original audio signal — as of December 10…
Added harmonic sculpting
It is fair to say that harmonics — frequencies that are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency produced when a musical note is played — are a crucial component in music production, adding richness, depth, and character to sounds, as well as defining the timbre that makes each instrument unique. Ultimately, enhancing harmonics makes for more dynamic and engaging audio. And manipulating harmonics results in a more professional and emotionally resonant sound in music production. Professionals flexing their music production muscles more often than not worship the warmth and character that saturation brings to the production table, so it stands to reason, then, that there are those who wish to have complete creative control over what exactly is added to their audio. And now they can, for JMG Sound’s DarkFire effectively enables anyone to sculpt only the added harmonics before blending them back with the original audio signal, adding depth, width, and movement for a more dynamic and expressive sound.
Start at the beginning
Some say that it is always best to start at the beginning; in the case of JMG Sound’s DarkFire, the signal is first sent through the INPUT FILTER for processing — HP controlling the frequency of its high-pass filter and LP controlling the frequency of its low-pass filter — before being sent through the saturator; this generates additional harmonics that are then separated from the original signal ready for further processing.
Complete control over added harmonics
As an analogue-like preamp and saturator plug-in providing complete control over added harmonics, DarkFire’s HARMONIC SHAPER represents the being processed signal’s next — albeit all-important — port of call; EQ — of the LOW, MID, and HIGH variety, all modelled on a classic passive tube equaliser enabling warm and musical tone-shaping — combined with other notable controls — namely, INPUT DRIVE (controls the amount of gain applied to the saturator’s input), HARMONICS LEVEL (controls the level of processed signal added to the dry signal), COMP (controls the amount of dynamic compression, modelled on classic FET and VCA compressors known for their fast attack times and distinctive tones), STEREO (controls the amount of stereo content), DEPTH (controls the amount of ’3D depth’, based on a multiple short delays-driven psychoacoustic trick), and MOD (controls the depth of the modulation effect) — combine to make it possible to sculpt and shape the harmonics, allowing users to place them only where needed.
Over and out
On the face of it, though, the DarkFire-processed signal’s controlled journey ends at the plug-in’s OUTPUT FILTER section — also featuring HP controlling the frequency of its high-pass filter and LP controlling the frequency of its low-pass filter — that is deployed for processing that added signal still further before being layered with the original dry signal.
Are we there yet?
Saying that, clicking the ADV (advanced) button on the toolbar at the top of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) introduces additional INPUT FILTER and HARMONIC SHAPER settings: SLOPE — selects the filter types for each filter (also available as additional OUTPUT FILTER settings); TAPE/TUBE — selects the saturation type; 60/100, 300/700, and 4K/10K — selects the frequencies for the three-band EQ; PRESS ON/OFF — enables a compander that applies more saturation to the quieter levels; VCA/FET — selects the compressor type; FULL/HIGH — selects if the STEREO widening is applied to the FULL frequency range or only the HIGH frequencies; TIGHT/DEEP — selects the delay length for the DEPTH effect; and SLOW/FAST — selects the MOD rate.
Click to apply
Apply to pretty much everything could well be DarkFire’s musical motto. After all, separately processing harmonics enhances mixing by improving clarity and definition, allowing for precise tonal shaping. Since presence, depth, and creative effects are added, it clearly benefits instruments including bass, drums, guitars, pianos, strings, and synths, as well as vocals — pretty much everything, in other words!
Key features:
∙ Generates additional harmonics that are separated from the original signal
∙ Sculpt and shape harmonics to place them only where needed
∙ Adds depth, width, and movement for a more dynamic and expressive sound
JMG Sound’s DarkFire is available to purchase for a time-limited introductory promo price of only €15.00 EUR until January 12, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €69.00 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/DarkFire), 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 DarkFire 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.)
See and hear DarkFire in action while watching United Plugins’ illuminating introductory video here:
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.
© 2024 United Plugins
10 new reverb modes, 100 new presets, early reflection control, over 50 new filters and multi effects, and dual mode for full, dense reverb effects
Berlin, Germany, December 5, 2024 — UJAM, an innovative developer of virtual instruments and effects, announces UFX Reverb Version 2, an upgraded version of its popular algorithmic reverb plug-in. Building on the original’s reputation for intuitive design and creative versatility, this upgrade introduces expanded controls, additional presets, filters, and Finisher effects for modern producers and sound designers.
“UFX Reverb sparked incredible engagement from our users, with many of the new features in Version 2 directly inspired by their feedback. These additions make a big difference, more than doubling the creative possibilities of this reverb,” said Peter Gorges, Co-Founder of UJAM.
Key Features of UFX Reverb Version 2:
Availability
UFX Reverb Version 2 supports VST2, VST3, AU2, and AAX formats and is compatible with macOS and Windows operating systems.
Pricing:
For more details about UFX Reverb Version 2 and other UJAM plug-ins, please visit www.ujam.com.
About UJAM
UJAM was co-founded by Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams, both musicians whose careers have been significantly supported by technology. The vision behind UJAM is to make technology even more accessible and encourage even more people to make music.
This vision is being realized by a team of virtual instrument pioneers who had previously developed legendary virtual instruments from Steinberg and Digidesign — from Steinberg Hypersonic to Virtual Guitarist, from Digidesign Xpand to Transfuser — and who finally want to realize their vision of shortening the path from the idea to the perfect track. More fun, better results, less complexity.
Expertly crafted studio essentials, for producers and composers.
FRIENDS
SONG007 – Kontakt Library
All of the classic studio instruments in one, beautifully-crafted sample library. Featuring multisampled pianos, keys, synths, basses, guitars and drums, all recorded in great detail at Snap! Studios in London (home to the likes of Coldplay, Kate Bush, Michael Kiwanuka, Sampha, Ronnie Wood, Liam Gallagher, Floating Points and many more), we’ve focused on creating instruments that sound exceptional and work together right out of the box. Captured via the studio’s custom vintage 1970’s Neve 53 Series analogue recording console, and performed by esteemed players and producers who are actively in the studio and on stage with the likes of Jungle, Ed Sheeran, Frank Ocean, Mahalia, Everything Everything and Doja Cat, this is a go-to for producers and composers who want to create hit-ready instrumentals in the box.
Key Features
14 instruments total ~15.4GB
Grand Piano, Upright Piano, Felt Piano, Felt Piano (Short), Electric Piano, Mono Synth (Lead 1), Mono Synth (Lead 2), Poly Synth (Bright Pad), Poly Synth (Subdued Pad), Drums, Finger Picked Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Double Bass
Single mix per instrument (based on multiple mic positions)
Up to 8 round robins
Up to 6 dynamic layers
Recorded at 96kHz
Kontakt Player library (Version 6.8.0 or higher required)
NKS compatible
Tech Spec
Kontakt Library – compatible with Kontakt Player (Free) or Kontakt v6.8.0 and newer.
15.31 GB (uncompressed)
Download via Native Access and use serial sent to email to authorize your library.
NKS Compatible – works seamlessly with Native Instruments hardware and software, giving you streamlined browsing and more.
Price: £99 (Intro) / £129
Available at https://songathletics.com/products/friends
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: having worked hard to make MSoundFactory quite possibly the most powerful modular virtual instrument platform out there today, with over 4,000 instruments and presets to its notable name bolstered by regularly released premium instrument add-ons like Meldway Grand (generated from a beautiful Steinway Model D concert grand piano perfectly positioned in the Faculty of Music of the Academy of Performing Arts’ purpose-built sound studio facility in Prague), PowerStrings (tailored towards quickly crafting symphonic strings suited to the fast-paced production world of modern pop or cinematic music), and PowerBrass (bringing the majestic sounds of a full brass orchestra to anyone’s fingertips), music production and audio processing advanced tools-maker MeldaProduction is proud to announce availability of Analog Empire: Pads & Strings — musically moving into classic analogue synthesizer sounds as the inaugural entry in its Analog Empire… series of premium instrument add-ons for MSoundFactory, this time allowing users to choose from 32 carefully crafted pad and string sounds with warmth and depth courtesy of high-quality multi-samples meticulously captured across multiple notes per octave with five velocity layers to ensure expressive and dynamic playability that truly captures the magic of analogue sound — as of December 9…
Expressive elevation
MeldaProduction’s MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) compatible Analog Empire: Pads & Strings premium instrument add-on for its MSoundFactory modular virtual instrument platform is all about delivering very high-quality, expressive sounds that are a joy to play. Put it this way: its intuitive design ensures users spend less time tweaking and more time creating, making it simple and fast to get a sound that fits perfectly into their track. It is fair to say, therefore, that Analog Empire: Pads & Strings provides the tools and sounds to elevate anyone’s music — whether crafting ambient soundscapes, cinematic textures, or lush pads.
All about analogue
Analog Empire: Pads & Strings users can quickly choose from 32 pad and string sounds carefully crafted by pro sound designers to ensure each and every one is imbued with the warmth and depth of analogue synths. But better still, they can combine any two of those sounds as layers — labelled SOUND A and SOUND B — with freedom for independent sculpting, thanks to analogue-style TONE, PITCH, analogue-style DRIFT, UNISON, and SPREAD (stereo voice panning) controls.
MIX for a better blend
Blend between those SOUND A and SOUND B layers using the main MIX knob, and also add movement by modulating that blend with FLOW and FADE controls.
Advanced analogue-style sound sculpting
Sound sculpting is advanced still further with an analogue-style MULTIMODE FILTER — featuring HIGH-PASS, LOW-PASS, BAND-PASS, and NOTCH settings, as well as an ENV (envelope) control for modulating the filter itself — for filtering both the SOUND A and SOUND B layers together.
Sound enhancement
Sound enhancement comes courtesy of four modulation effect types — namely, TREMOLO, PHASER, FLANGER, and CHORUS — working in perfect harmony with a lush-sounding shimmer REVERB and a vintage-inspired LO-FI TAPE effect.
Master and Servant
Analog Empire: Pads & Strings sounds can easily be made to fit into any mix with its inbuilt MASTER section serving up further controls, including additional — HP (High-Pass) and LP (Low-Pass) — filtering, Compress (compression), Saturate (saturation), Maximize (maximization), and more.
Vintage sound and nostalgic vibes
Vintage sound and nostalgic vibes are a beautiful combination — there for the taking with MeldaProduction’s Analog Empire: Pads & Strings, making a musical move into classic analogue synthesizer sounds as the inaugural entry in its Analog Empire… series of premium instrument add-ons for MSoundFactory.
Key features:
∙ 32 carefully crafted pad and string sounds, each imbued with the warmth and depth of analogue synths
∙ Combine any two sounds as layers with freedom for independent sculpting
∙ Four modulation effect types
∙ Inbuilt MASTER section
∙ 70 professionally programmed presets
∙ Intuitive design — less time spent tweaking and more time creating
∙ High-quality multi-samples meticulously captured across multiple notes per octave with five velocity layers
∙ Expressive and dynamic playability truly captures the magic of analogue sound
Analog Empire: Pads & Strings is available to purchase as an AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible plug-in supporting all major hosts on macOS (64-bit only) and Windows (64-bit only) via its dedicated webpage (https://www.meldaproduction.com/AnalogEmpirePadsStrings) for a time-limited introductory promo price of only €9.00 EUR until January 5, 2025 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €69.00 EUR — and can be used in MeldaProduction’s free MSoundFactory Player (downloadable from here: https://www.meldaproduction.com/MSoundFactoryPlayer); owners of MSoundFactory or MSoundFactory LE can get Analog Empire: Pads & Strings as an add-on premium instrument for free. (It is worth noting that MSoundFactory is also included in Image Line’s FL Cloud subscription: https://www.image-line.com/fl-cloud/whats-included/)
About MeldaProduction
MeldaProduction was founded in 2009 by Vojtech Meluzin and is based in Prague, Czech Republic. Inspired by ancient analogue gear right through to the latest digital developments, it makes advanced tools for music production and audio processing with 100-plus products — including more than 30 available for free — to its notable name. Needless to say, applying innovative thinking to create sounds that matter with inspiring user interfaces that are as easy to use as they are versatile with never-ending improvements neatly sums up the company’s gifted game plan. It is also a premier partner brand of fellow Prague-registered Limited Company United Plugins, a federation of independent development teams comprised of individuals involved in the music industry.
© 2024 MeldaProduction
STEKENE, BELGIUM: Belgian modular synthesizer manufacturer Joranalogue Audio Design is proud to announce availability of Cycle 5 — formulated as a compact vari-wave oscillator module for Eurorack, first announced at SUPERBOOTH24, May 16-18, FEZ-Berlin, Germany — as of November 26…
Readily residing at the heart of Cycle 5 is a refined high-stability, triangle core VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator), delivering performance that rivals or surpasses larger and more expensive oscillator modules.
Moreover, Cycle 5’s standout feature is its vari-wave capability, smoothly morphing the waveform of the dedicated VARI output — from sine to triangle, saw, square, and, finally, a very narrow pulse. Pushing things further, the VARI-WAVE parameter can be CV controlled — up to audio frequencies — for some intense timbres.
There are several other useful inclusions, too, such as individual waveform outputs, a seven-position OCTAVE switch, factory PITCH tuning, dual V/OCT. (Volt-per-Octave) inputs, and a RESET input for hard sync sounds.
Saying all that, then, this unique combination of features in a small (6 HP) module makes Cycle 5 as equally at home as a modest modulation companion to big VCOs as it does taking centre stage in miniature or polyphonic systems, thereby cementing its position as a very handy addition to Joranalogue Audio Design’s existing lineup of extraordinary synth modules.
Cycle 5 is available immediately through Joranalogue Audio Design’s growing global network of dealers (https://joranalogue.com/dealers) at an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of €215.00 EUR or $215.00 USD.
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated Cycle 5 webpage here: https://joranalogue.com/cycle-5
About Joranalogue Audio Design (www.joranalogue.com)
Founded in 2016, Joranalogue Audio Design develops and produces a growing range of high-quality Eurorack music synthesizer modules; the utilitarian aesthetic employed envelops designs providing immense depth, versatility, and precision, pushing the boundaries of analogue technology. The company’s modules are all designed and made in Belgium.
© 2024 Joranalogue BV
Taking the classic Harrison sound to the world, Nashville-based Taylor McCall records “Black Powder Soul” with group of international musicians on a Harrison 32Classic console, with Stuart Bruce producing
Harrison to the World aims to unite artists from across the globe with the unique sound of Nashville. The inaugural episode features Taylor McCall working alongside accomplished musicians including Clive Deamer (drums and percussion), Joe Coombs (guitar) and Lisa Lipkin (backing vocals). The documentary-style film takes you on a journey through the entire writing, production and tracking process, finishing on creating a reference track to be sent on to the mix engineer. This video is an opportunity to hear the amazing warmth and tone of the 32Classic console, whilst exploring its workflow and advanced hybrid features.
Modern sessions using legendary equipment
The first several minutes of Harrison to the World put the company’s legendary gear in context, starting with an overview of Harrison founder Dave Harrison, who began his career as a saxophonist and recording engineer in Cincinatti area before starting the company. He eventually became a studio engineer and manager at King Records, working with artists including John Lee Hooker, James Brown, the Platters and more.
After he made his move to Nashville in the mid ’70s, he finally brought his product vision to the market: The Harrison Audio 32 Series console. The 32 Series console featured a innovative in-line design that was integral to bringing multi-track recorders into the console path. Eventually, the Harrison 3232 became the sonic benchmark for analog consoles, renowned for their rich and natural sound, musical EQ, and transformer coupled mic pres.
The rest, as they say, is history. Harrison technology was used to record Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bad albums, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, ABBA’s Voulez Vouz, AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, Steely Dan’s Aja and so many more. Now, the legacy of the original Harrison in-line analog console continues with its 32Classic, which combines the best of the company’s heritage with the very latest technology in studio production.
Classic production techniques with the Harrison 32Classic Console
This Harrison to the World episode dives into Bruce and Cottier selecting and placing mics for various applications, including drums, guitars and vocals. A production decision made was to run all of the various microphones through the preamps on the Harrison 32Classic console, unifying the sonic signature of the record but also providing an opportunity to hear the sound of the console. For Bruce, who has worked on several Harrison consoles in the past, it was a very satisfying experience: “It reminds me of recording on Harrisons in the ’80s. You relied on them for the bottom end, but there’s also this sweet quality at the top end,” he says.
He also appreciates the layout and workflow of the 32Classic: “The signal flow through the console is great, especially when you have multiple input sources coming in,” he adds. “It is also very well designed ergonomically, so you can get to everything really quickly. The color scheme is very sensible, and it’s obvious where you are supposed to put your hands.”
To access the latest Harrison to the World episode, or to learn more about the Harrison 32Classic, please go to https://harrisonaudio.com/products/32-classic-console.
About Harrison
Harrison has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing audio mixing consoles in Nashville, Tennessee (Music City, USA) since 1975. Our products serve the markets of music recording/mixing, international film and television sound production, audio post production, broadcast sound, and live sound reinforcement. Over 1,500 Harrison consoles have been installed worldwide, constituting a significant share of the overall world market for high-end audio consoles. Harrison’s dominance of the high-end market demonstrates that customers who require solutions to complex problems invariably turn to Harrison to provide the answer.
EDINBURGH, UK: Black Friday is always the last Friday in November and, far from wishing to be left out of the savings to be had thereof, The Crow Hill Company is proud to offer some self-styled ‘F**k off Friday’ savings of its own by announcing availability of BUNDLES — bundling bigger and smaller selections of its releases ranging from plug-ins to premium professional-grade libraries as THE MONARCH BUNDLE, THE MEDIA COMPOSER BUNDLE, and THE STRINGS BUNDLE, all abiding by the music-making community tools-maker’s memorable motto: Make Music, Your Music — as of November 29…
An appropriate title if ever there was one, THE MONARCH BUNDLE heads up BUNDLES by allowing anyone to own everything The Crow Hill Company has released to date — namely,
Clearly, this represents the ultimate selection of tools for any discerning composer, producer, songwriter, or educator looking to make a mark on the world with music that is unique, inspired, and full of humanity. Helps, of course, that the £699.00 GBP price tag represents a substantial saving over purchasing everything included in the bundle separately (which would total £941.00 GBP).
Carefully curated by Ivor Novello- and BAFTA-nominated composer Christian Henson, THE MEDIA COMPOSER BUNDLE brings with it GLASS STRINGS, STRING MURMURATIONS, SMALL STRING GESTURES, NOCTURNAL GESTURES, and CONCUSSION DRUMS, creating a definitive selection of tools that are designed with the media composer in mind. Indeed, it provides everything needed to create dynamic scores with a difference — think atmospheric soundscapes, dramatic interludes, wistful romanticism, or extended action sequences — whether writing for film, television, or computer games. Giving music an edge with the most human sounding, characterful sound-sets on the market today from the maverick minds of music makers at The Crow Hill Company for all music makers need not cost the earth either, with THE MEDIA COMPOSER BUNDLE weighing in at an attractive £499.00 GBP — again representing a substantial saving over purchasing everything included in the bundle separately (which would total £665.00 GBP).
But BUNDLES start at only £299.00 GBP for THE STRINGS BUNDLE, itself including all of The Crow Hill Company’s genre-defining string offerings in GLASS STRINGS, STRING MURMURATIONS, and SMALL STRING GESTURES; the two latter libraries collectively go from sweeping symphonic articulations to smooth and frosty intimate character strings, while the former represents the music-making community tools-maker’s definitive and detailed string library par excellence. Even though The Crow Hill Company caters to all styles and types of music maker, its unparalleled experience in the orchestral realm has made these libraries the talk of the town. That they would cost £397.00 GBP if purchased separately surely makes THE STRINGS BUNDLE an even more attractive-sounding proposition.
THE MONARCH BUNDLE, THE MEDIA COMPOSER BUNDLE, and THE STRINGS BUNDLE are available to purchase directly from The Crow Hill Company — from Black Friday (November 29, 2024) through to December 2, 2024 (23.59 GMT) — via the dedicated BUNDLES webpage here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/bundles/ (Anyone already owning any of the products included in any of those three bundles will have a ‘Ninja Discount’ applied accordingly when proceeding to their purchase.)
BUNDLES 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 tantalizing trailer video for THE MONARCH BUNDLE here:
Free sounds for all are available 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
© 2024 Crow Hill Productions Ltd
November 26, 2024 — Cherry Audio has released P-10, a virtual synthesizer plugin based on one of the most desirable flagship analog polysynths ever created. Released by SCI in 1980, the original instrument was essentially two of the revolutionary P5 programmable synths in one behemoth dual-manual case, plus a “poly sequencer” built into the bottom-manual end cheek. It could be configured to play as two independent five-voice synths, a single ten-voice synth, dual-patch layered, or alternating between layers with each keystroke.
Cherry Audio’s P-10 exactingly reproduces all that is exceptional in this legendary classic, including the original P5 and P10 factory presets, while boosting its feature set for today’s music production and workflow, and celebrating 50 years of groundbreaking innovation from the company that changed the music industry forever.
P-10 is available at cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers for $59. For a limited time, producers can also take advantage of Cherry Audio’s Pick 3 option to get P-10 and two other award-winning Cherry Audio instruments for just $99. P-10 is also included in the recently updated Synth Stack 5, a bundle of all 29 of Cherry Audio’s virtual instruments released through 2024.
With P-10, Cherry Audio has made every effort to capture the sweet-yet-powerful sounds of the eighties from countless artists as varied as Hall & Oates, Vangelis, Japan, John Carpenter and Alan Howarth, Tears for Fears, Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Rick Wakeman, Duran Duran, Brad Fiedel, Geoff Downes, Talking Heads, Pink Floyd, The Cars, Kraftwerk, and more.
Every aspect of P-10 has been modeled with the utmost care, from the Curtis 3340 oscillators and 3320 filters to its unmistakable oscillator sync. Although maintaining “the sound” was at the forefront of our mission, we’ve added thoughtful updates to modernize the user experience, including an expanded 16-voice per layer polyphony, a four-track step sequencer, velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and keyboard split. P-10’s extensive modulation includes Mono Mod with LFO/Noise source mix, the renowned and innovative Poly Mod, with individual voice modulation paths, an Aux Mod section that extends upon the original’s Pedal Mod capabilities, and a newly added Pressure Mod section with support for mono and polyphonic aftertouch.
We’ve also added a second panel with an arpeggiator and complete effects section for each layer, including a fully independent assignable independent LFO section and modulation of key effects parameters via aftertouch. P-10’s comprehensive MIDI mapping capabilities and over 500 professional presets — including the original P5 and P10 factory patches — make it a must-have virtual instrument that will thrill both vintage synth enthusiasts and today’s music producers.
P-10’s most notable features include:
More extraordinary sounds are on tap exclusively from Cherry Audio with the Exponents for P-10 Preset Pack ($9.99, sold separately), featuring 100 more presets that further explore P-10 through layers and splits, sequences, arpeggios, effects, modulation, and aftertouch.
Cherry Audio’s P-10 synthesizer is available for macOS (10.13 and above) and Windows (7 or above) in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, a deep-dive instructional video, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos.
Link to P-10 Product Page – History, sound demos, specifications, videos (Cherry Audio website)