LOS ANGELES, CA, USA/HONG KONG, CHINA: Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) is proud to present ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ — ultimately available as a special edition of Hydrasynth Explorer dressed up in an eye-catching orange color scheme synonymous with the music hardware brand itself and limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide, which will surely appeal to both numerology enthusiasts and synth collectors alike — at The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, October 5-6, Brooklyn, NY, USA and Machina Bristronica, October 12-13, Bristol, UK…
It is fair to say that the eye-catching orange color scheme applied to ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ has been synonymous with ASM since day one. Such synonymity is being celebrated by ASM, applying that same color scheme to the appropriately-named ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ as a special edition of Hydrasynth Explorer — effectively a compact-sized Hydrasynth featuring a 37-note mid-sized key-bed with proprietary ASM Polytouch® technology to provide responsive velocity and expressive polyphonic aftertouch features that are not found in other smaller-sized keyboards in a perfectly portable package (optionally) powered by eight (not included) AA batteries — limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide. Why 888 units? Ultimately answering that supposedly simple question yields some interesting information — in keeping with ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ yielding some interesting sounds — for not only is 888 a strobogrammatic number, meaning that the numerals used are rotationally symmetric so appear the same when read upside down, the number itself represents triple fortune in numerology! Needless to say, ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ will surely appeal to both numerology enthusiasts and synth collectors alike. And who knows? Owners of those production-limited ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ may one day be sitting on a small fortune!
Anyone attending The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, October 5-6, Brooklyn, NY, USA — a free-to-the-public pop-up event of synths and guitar effect pedals — and/or Machina Bristronica, October 12-13, Bristol, UK — a festival of knobs, buttons, and discussions — could have the good fortune of experiencing ASM showcasing ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ there for all to see and hear. However, anyone wishing to buy ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ — packaged with a limited-edition sticker sheet featuring related themes — will have to practice a little patience… rest assured, though, that they will be well worth waiting for.
Available at participating authorized ASM dealers (https://www.ashunsoundmachines.com/dealers) in November 2024,‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ is priced at an MSRP of $799.00 USD ($649 USD MAP)/€859.00 EUR/£715.00 GBP.
‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ shares the same specifications as Hydrasynth Explorer here: https://www.ashunsoundmachines.com/hydrasynth-explorer
About ASM (www.ashunsoundmachines.com)
Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) is a music hardware brand started in 2019, based in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Shanghai. It is wholly owned by Medeli, an established electronic musical instrument developer founded in Hong Kong in 1983. Passionate about using music technology to create exciting products that spark creativity, the core company team comprises Glen Darcey (CEO), Daniel Troberg (VP Sales and Marketing), Dominic Au (Senior Product & Design Manager), Banner Xu (R&D), Xie Yingchen (R&D), Bob Liao (R&D), Ken Pierce (Product Specialist), Alex Schetter (Support Specialist), Randy Lee (Beta Test Lead/Documentation), and Fanny Cheng (Executive Chairman).
© 2024 Ashun Sound Machines Inc.
Grammy and Dove-nominated engineer on finding sonic consistency across genres and being inspired by tools
LOS ANGELES, CA, October 2, 2024 — Mastering engineer Lucas ‘Luke’ Pimentel has spent the past three decades building up an impressive body of work that spans nearly every genre of popular music worldwide. Lending his expertise to multi-platinum releases by artists such as Jeremy Riddle, Gabriela Rocha, Un Corazón, and Marcos Witt— his experience as a songwriter, musician, and recording engineer has informed a creative approach to mastering that enhances the impact and dynamics of every track that he works on. Luke’s mastering workflow is dependent on his choice of headphones, tools he chooses with care to ensure the proper balance of accuracy and emotional impact in his work. Seeking to maximize both of these, he has recently made the Austrian Audio Composer his new mastering headphones of choice.
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Diverse sounds and mastering for impact
The choice of precision tools for mastering engineers has become much more important in the stream era, as the diversity of popular music has blossomed and artists and engineers have begun to challenge status quo production techniques. For Luke, who finds himself at the center of all of this music, the key is not losing sight on what is most important — an impactful, emotional experience. “For me, it’s just finding that visceral thing that you have when you experience great music,” he explains. “I work in so many genres but it all has to come back to how all the elements work together to create that feeling.”
“Quality has also really improved with streaming audio now and there’s so much more detail and stereo low end that you can hear in these mixes,” he continues. “Given all of that, you cannot be underwhelming on the mastering job when delivering a product for people to listen to.”
Luke relies heavily on headphones in his mastering process to provide him with the critical information he needs to deliver an impactful track. Equating them to a magnifying glass, he uses them to zoom in on all the details that need fine-tuning. “It’s like giving the track an MRI — a surgical approach where you’re really just looking for all the problems,” he says. “You can’t afford to second-guess yourself on decisions when mastering — the right headphones should slap you in the face and tell you exactly what you should be doing. I’m very assertive as a mastering engineer and I’m always seeking the tools that empower me to be that way.”
“When I first heard the Austrian Audio Composer it was an immediate sense of — wow! It was an instant connection when it comes to what I’m always looking for in headphones, and I don’t say that lightly. I could immediately see how they would work for me.”
Inspiration, consistency, and extended low-end
Luke has cycled through dozens of popular models of open-backed headphones in his search for the perfect mastering tool that combines both the surgical precision he requires and the emotional impact that keeps him engaged in the music. With the Composer, he says he’s found both. “I’ve used so many different high end headphones over the years and the struggle is always that balance between the need for accuracy and consistency and the desire for something that sounds inspiring,” he says. “The Composer instantly had all of that — it allowed me to feel and be inspired by the sound, but I had total confidence that I was hearing every detail in the mix and would be able to deliver tracks that would consistently translate anywhere.”
One specific aspect of The Composer that caught Luke’s attention was its treatment of extended low-end. In a production environment where producers and artists are frequently pushing the lows even lower — something especially important in Modern Pop music which is constantly evolving to other genres landscape — having detailed, low-end accuracy is critical to his work. “We’re in a new era of the market where creatives are really exploring and breaking the rules regarding the bass and low frequencies in music,” he explains. “You can’t afford to miss those details and with closed-back headphones the sound pressure is too intense to ensure a good translation. You miss things.”
“What’s special about The Composer is that there isn’t anything else like this on the market that can deliver that extended low-end in terms of open-back headphones. The presentation and overall soundstage is all there, all of your frequencies are audible and accurate. It’s the closest thing I have to my speakers in my treated room and I’m incredibly happy with that.”
“The thing with most engineers is they’ll usually alternate between two or three sets of headphones on the desk to check different frequencies. I’ve never wanted to be that guy — I just want to be able to trust one set and make the right decisions from there. With The Composer, I don’t feel like I need to use any of my other headphones. It gives me that consistent response, and more importantly, it takes me to the point of inspiration where I can just flow.”
For more information about Luke Pimentel, please click here.
For more information about the Austrian Audio Composer, please click here.
About Austrian Audio
Austrian Audio opened its doors in 2017 following the closure of the AKG offices in Vienna and set out to create something new, challenging, and respectful to its heritage. The new company started with a core team of previous AKG personnel from management, acoustics, electronics, test and measurement, mechanical design, RF/wireless, and software/firmware, bringing 350 years of cumulative engineering experience to the new company.
For more information, visit austrian.audio.
The original SSL 2 / 2+ interfaces changed the music creation game, and the MKII promises to do the same with elevated performance and enhanced features, catering for both professionals and those just starting their creative journey.
Oxford, England, October 1, 2024 – Solid State Logic (SSL) proudly announces the launch of its MKII USB audio interfaces, the SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII. Building on the success of their predecessors, the new MKIIs elevate USB-powered interface performance to new heights whilst adding features which help both professionals and those just starting their creative journey. Solid State Logic has remained at the forefront of music and audio production technology for over 50 years, and the new MKII USB audio interfaces are a testament to their heritage and understanding of what matters in music production. With unmatched performance, comprehensive I/O and the inclusion of the SSL Production Pack software bundle (worth over $1100), the new MKII interfaces represent amazing value, delivering SSL quality from only £179.99 ex.VAT / $229.99 / €219.99 + tax.
Your ‘MKII’ SSL studio
The SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII interfaces are your new ‘MKII’ SSL studio – a complete package of recording, monitoring, and processing tools: Dual high-performance Mic/Line Pre’s, dedicated Hi-Z instrument inputs, next-gen 32-bit/192 kHz converters and redesigned pro-grade monitoring and headphone outputs. Add the flavour of the iconic SL 4000 Series console to vocals, instruments, and more with Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement. Additionally, get instant access to a range of professional-quality software from industry-leading brands, with the SSL Production Pack. Including virtual instruments, synthesizers, and samplers for songwriting and production. Premium channel strips, dedicated vocal and drum processing and FX to craft your sound, and mastering tools to get the absolute best from your music and audio. The MKII interfaces, paired with the SSL Production Pack, provide everything you need to create the vibe, capture the perfect take, and complete your sound, all in one great value package.
Both new interfaces feature significant audio performance enhancements across the board and deliver SSL quality at home, in the studio, and on the road thanks to their USB-bus-powered design, unmistakable sound quality and robust construction. SSL 2 MK II is perfect for individual singers, songwriters, and media creators, while the SSL 2+ MKII offers expanded I/O for musicians and producers working and recording together.
Next-gen I/0
Both the SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII interface models are equipped with two high-performance SSL-designed microphone preamps, which deliver a massive 64 dB gain range and an outstanding 116.5 dB dynamic range. These ultra-low noise mic preamps sound amazing and possess all the detail and punch you’d expect from the world’s leading mixing console manufacturer. Each channel also features independently switchable High Pass Filters to clean up rumble, and for condenser microphones, switchable +48V phantom power so you can record with a mixture of microphone types at the same time. The combi-XLR inputs double up as line-level inputs, designed to capture keyboards, synths, samplers, drum machines, or external audio processors like EQs and compressors. These feature a 117 dB dynamic range and +24 dBu maximum input level – making it compatible with all professional line-level equipment.
On the front panel, both MKII interfaces feature two dedicated auto-detect instrument (DI) inputs. These Hi-Z inputs, as found on SSL’s larger desk-top mixers, allow the user to record guitar, bass, or anything with a high-impedance output and deliver amazing weight, detail, and texture to your instrument recordings.
The MKII interfaces offer professional-grade DC-coupled balanced outputs, with a colossal 120 dB dynamic range. The SSL 2 MKII features 2x balanced outputs for connecting monitors, whilst the SSL 2+ MKII features a total of 4x balanced outputs for connecting monitors and additional line-level equipment.
Dual headphone outputs, zero-latency monitoring, and more
Both units have dual headphone outputs on the front panel that feature high-current NJM headphone amps. These are capable of driving any type of headphone and boast a jaw-dropping 119.5 dB dynamic range, delivering all the performance and clarity needed for accurate monitoring in any environment. A ‘Mix’ control on the front panel allows users to blend between the USB output (DAW) and input sources for zero-latency monitoring. For producers and content creators looking to collaborate, the SSL 2+ MKII headphone outputs ‘A’ and ‘B’ feature independent volume control and can also be fed from different DAW outputs – perfect for creating separate ‘artist’ and ‘producer’ headphone mixes.
4K analogue flavour
The MKII series also includes the Legacy 4K Analogue Enhancement circuit, inspired by the SSL 4000 series console (often referred to as ‘4K’). These iconic consoles helped create some of the most celebrated music in history and are renowned for imparting a unique ‘flavour’ to sounds and instruments that pass through them. SSL has developed a circuit that distils the two essential characteristics of the 4K sound into a single design, resulting in a sweet-sounding harmonic distortion and a ‘forward’ yet musical high-frequency EQ boost – imparting a presence that world-renowned artists and engineers have come to love.
Fuel your creativity with MIDI I/O, CV control, and Loopback
For electronic music producers and DJs looking to take their live performance to the next level, the SSL 2+ MKII includes MIDI I/O to control keyboards, drum machines, trigger samplers, sequencers, and more. SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII’s DC-coupled outputs are capable of sending CV (control voltages) to compatible instruments and processors, giving modular synth users almost infinite modulation options. Additionally, both MKII interfaces feature Stereo Loopback to keep content creators and streamers in the flow.
Next-gen conversion
The icing on the cake is the next-gen 32-bit 192 kHz conversion, which provides clear and detailed recordings and monitoring. Users can capture stunning acoustic performances, and record drum machines and synths with more punch and texture, with all of the quality they expect from SSL.
Professional studio quality, front to back
Whether it is the professional-grade mic preamps, Neutrik® XLR and jack connectors and Alps® pots, or the exceptional level of performance delivered from the 32-bit 192 kHz converters, the MKII series offers professional studio quality from the front to the back. The new range of interfaces also features updated switches on the front panel with status LEDs, offering clear configuration visibility.
SSL Production Pack software
In addition to market-leading specs and features, SSL 2 MKII and SSL 2+ MKII come bundled with the acclaimed SSL Production Pack, creating a complete hardware and software ‘SSL studio’ setup – portable enough to fit in a backpack. Featuring a selection of must-have virtual instruments, plug-ins, samples and DAWs, including a three-month subscription to Complete Access Bundle, Harrison Mixbus 10 DAW, and more. Elevate your productions with the MKII interfaces, then fuel your creativity with the SSL Production Pack (worth over $1100).
Key Features:
SSL 2 MKII: £179.99 ex.VAT / $229.99 / €219.99 + tax
SSL 2+ MKII: £239.99 ex.VAT / $299.99 / €289.99 + tax
For more information please contact your favourite reseller or go to the SSL website: www.solidstatelogic.com
About Solid State Logic
Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast, live and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.
LONDON, UK: leading sounds and sample libraries creator Spitfire Audio is proud to announce availability of TUTTI — effectively enabling anyone to experience working with a wonderful-sounding orchestra as a new product curated from recordings of SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, with carefully orchestrated and balanced combinations in a fixed, pre-orchestrated, ready-to-use format aimed at anyone who might be overwhelmed at the thought of composing with a full orchestra by being presented as a ‘one finger’ instant-gratification library that enables experiencing the joy of immediately blending woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion to create dynamic compositions without the complexities of traditional orchestration — as of September 26…
“This is a new product created from SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA recordings, orchestrated by Andy Blaney and curated into patches that enable you to simply play, and get the sound of pre-orchestrated combinations of ensembles.” So says Spitfire Audio Co-Founder Paul Thomson, perfectly positioned to formally introduce TUTTI to all as an accomplished composer himself, adding: “It’s as simple as load and play.”
Put it this way: with TUTTI, orchestration is, indeed, as simple as loading a patch and playing with ideas. It allows anyone to effortlessly craft compelling compositions by providing access to the full spectrum of orchestral sounds, all curated from SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA recordings — themselves unified under the same (sublime-sounding) roof of Lyndhurst Hall, Britain’s premier scoring facility within London’s legendary AIR Studios, by an award-winning team of engineers and composers collectively committed to accomplishing a simple, singular vision: creating supreme soundtracks demands duly going to where the greatest and most successful composers go, using the same instruments and talent, together with the same recording techniques and production principles — to enable experiencing the joy of instantly blending woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion to create dynamic compositions without the complexities of traditional orchestration. It is perfectly possible, for example, to thicken the brass by simply moving the mod wheel up, adding more instruments with the percussion also coming to life in the process of doing so — all while effortlessly shaping phrases, crafting soaring melodies, or exploring powerful arrangements.
Andy Blaney — known for his organic compositions, beautiful harmonies, and orchestral textures — has shaped TUTTI to provide instant access to the grandeur of a full orchestra, albeit without the need for a complex setup. So by drawing from those same meticulously recorded SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA sessions used in many recent blockbuster movies and hit records, TUTTI captures the iconic orchestral sound heard in world-class concert halls and scoring stages. Simply load, play, and immerse in the sound of a pre-orchestrated masterpiece. Both beginners and seasoned composers alike can explore the depths of orchestration, with TUTTI acting as a simple yet powerful tool to create expressive, cinematic music.
Such simplicity extends to TUTTI’s full Orchestra patch — including shorts and longs for enhancing expressiveness, while playable articulation allows for playing staccato and long notes without keyswitching; instrument combinations — enabling users to easily blend woodwinds, strings, and brass with legato included across the ranges for maximum realism; percussion options — featuring a diverse range of percussion sounds for added textures; and microphone control — for fine-tuning sounds with CLOSE, TREE, and AMB. (ambient) choices. Commenting on the latter applied to that full Orchestra patch, Paul Thomson theorises, “The close is giving you a little bit of bite on the brass, a bit of the chippy-ness of the woodwinds, and the crisper sound of the percussion, while with the strings you can hear a bit more of the bow noise, and in the long notes you’re hearing a bit more of the vibrato; the tree is giving you the overall sound — there’s a reason the Decca Tree is the core sound of most orchestral recordings; and then the ambient mics are giving you just that extra bit of expansiveness — almost surround, if you like, with the reflections coming back from the most distant parts of the room. In combination they’re really great, but you can tailor them to get any kind of sound you want, really. Just altering those balances gives you access to a very wide palette of sounds, and, of course, that extends all the way through.”
That all being said, then, TUTTI provides a simplified yet powerful gateway to orchestral composition — perfect for those looking to explore orchestration without feeling overwhelmed. On the face of it, implementing an easy ‘one finger’ approach allows users to achieve breathtaking results in a matter of minutes, whether composing soaring melodies or adding depth to arrangements. All the beauty, drama, and emotion of the orchestra is now within reach — as, indeed, is TUTTI’s thoughtful price point, allowing anyone to discover the unmistakable sound of SPITFIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, and take the first step toward unlocking the full potential of orchestration.
“It’s incredibly easy to play — place your fingers on the keyboard, and it instantly sounds amazing,” announces a justifiably proud Paul Thomson, ending on an equally high note: “TUTTI feels like a musical sketchpad, offering a simple, effortless way into orchestration; it’s a perfect introduction to the rich sound of the orchestra, and, most importantly, it’s so much fun.”
Presented in Native Instruments’ KONTAKT 7 virtual instrument platform, the NKS (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD®)-ready/AAX-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-compatible TUTTI library is available for MacOS 11, 12, or 13 (latest update) and Windows 10 or 11 (latest Service Pack) for £99.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$99.00 USD/€99.00 EUR (inc. VAT) from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/tutti (Anyone who does not already own KONTAKT 7 is invited to download KONTAKT 7 PLAYER for free; though TUTTI will work with both KONTAKT 8 variations, it does not need either.)
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 info, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated TUTTI webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/tutti
Watch Spitfire Audio’s premiere of TUTTI — including its colorful trailer and a walkthrough with company co-founder Paul Thomson — here:
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 — utilizing them in their journey to scoring films and other projects.
© 2024 Spitfire Audio Holdings Limited
300 GB of new articulations in divisi sections make game-changing string library even better
BERLIN, GERMANY, September 25, 2024—Orchestral Tools announces a massive update to Benjamin Wallfisch Strings. Including over 300 GB of brand new material and 60 new patches focused on short note articulations in the divisi sections, this update is Orchestral Tools’ biggest ever and makes one of the most detailed and versatile string libraries ever created even better than before. To celebrate, Orchestral Tools has announced a special discounted offer on the Benjamin Wallfisch Strings bundle, Benjamin Wallfisch Strings, and Stringscapes by Benjamin Wallfisch starting Wednesday, September 25 and running through Thursday, October 10. For more information and to purchase, please click here.
Completely convincing, effortlessly playable
Designed to the exacting specifications of Grammy and BAFTA-nominated composer Benjamin Wallfisch [Alien: Romulus, Blade Runner 2024, IT, The Flash], Benjamin Wallfisch Strings and Stringscapes by Benjamin Wallfisch set a new standard for Orchestral Tools in terms of realism, detail, and playability. Enthusiastic feedback from the composer community to add even more to the collection drove Wallfisch and Orchestral Tools back to the Teldex Scoring Stage in Berlin to add a completely new set of short note articulations to the divisi sections of the string orchestra. “The initial release of the collection was very well received, and user enthusiasm encouraged us to delve even further into what was possible,” said Orchestral Tools CEO Hendrik Schwarzer. “People clearly wanted to have short notes in the divisi sections as well as in the tutti sections. So after consulting with Ben, we went back to Teldex and recorded them.”
The new update adds multiple short note articulations to each of the divisi sections. Each A and B divisi section of each instrument group—Violins 1, Violins 2, Violas, Celli, and Basses—gets 5 new articulations: Staccato, marcato, spiccato, pizzicato, and ornaments. These new articulations offer the same peerless level of detail and playability as those in the tutti sections, as well as the same number of dynamic layers and round robins. The result is 100% consistency across the entire collection making the Benjamin Wallfisch Strings and Stringscapes by Benjamin Wallfisch collections even more versatile and playable than ever before.
“We were completely blown away by the positive feedback we got from the composer community on the initial release of Benjamin Wallfisch Strings,” said Wallfisch. “However, I knew we could achieve more. The team at Orchestral Tools was completely committed to adding even more articulations and detail to this collection to make it the best it could possibly be. What we have now is, I believe, the most realistic string library ever created and an invaluable tool that will power the next generation of Hollywood composers.”
Offer Details
For more information about the new Benjamin Wallfisch Strings update, please visit: https://www.orchestraltools.
About Orchestral Tools
Orchestral Tools is a forward-thinking sample library development team with offices in Berlin and Freiburg, Germany. Originally founded in 2005 by Hendrik Schwarzer, the company creates premium-quality sampled instruments that encompass both the traditional orchestra as well as modern sound design, with influences from classic film scores, contemporary orchestral music, post-punk, field recordings, and musique concréte. In addition to creating flagship libraries that have become industry standards such as the Berlin Series and Metropolis Ark collections, Orchestral Tools has also worked alongside industry luminaries such as Benjamin Wallfisch, Harry Gregson-Williams, Bleeding Fingers, Richard Harvey, and Alexander Hacke to expand and challenge the definition of ‘the orchestra’.
UVI release World Suite 3, a major update to the iconic global sound and instrument library, available now with special pricing
Paris, September 19, 2024 – UVI is excited to announce the release of World Suite 3, the latest evolution of its groundbreaking global sound library. With 430 playable instruments, 12,000+ loops and phrases, and over 80,000 samples, World Suite is more than just a collection of sounds – it’s a portal to the rich, diverse musical traditions of our world. A major update, World Suite 3 includes a newly redesigned engine, new user interface, new instruments, new loops and phrases, improved organization, and much more. World Suite 3 is available now, with a special introductory price of $199 / 199€, available through September 30th, 2024 (regularly $299 / 299€).
World Suite 3 introduces a completely redesigned engine, delivering even greater expressiveness and ease of use. Users will find over 1,900 new hand-crafted presets, allowing them to explore fresh sonic landscapes and deepen their creative potential. Version 3 has been expanded with 46 new instruments, including a dedicated Native American section, ancient Greek instruments, hybrid instruments from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, and more, empowering users to bring the authentic spirit of world music into their compositions.
For those working on fast-paced projects or looking for instant inspiration, World Suite 3 features reimagined World Traveler and Voice Traveler instruments. Rebuilt from the ground up, World Traveler delivers seamless access to thousands of regional loops and phrases in a single unified instrument, and includes over 400 new hand-crafted presets. Similarly, Voice Traveler has been reorganized as a unified instrument including all regions and voice types, making it easier than ever to navigate and experiment with the rich vocal traditions of the world.
World Suite 3 is a powerful tool for composers, producers, and sound designers alike, offering incredible sound quality, meticulously recorded instruments, and an intuitive workflow that inspires creativity and discovery through an epic suite of sounds and instruments.
World Suite 3 offers native 64-bit standalone operation by way of Falcon or the free UVI Workstation, providing comprehensive support for all modern DAWs and simultaneous authorization on up to 3 computers or iLok keys.
World Suite 3 is available immediately at a special price of $199 / 199€ (regularly $299 / 299€), with upgrades available at $49 / 49€. Special pricing is valid through September 30th, 2024.
Additional information on World Suite 3 is available at:
Innovative and physics-defyingly powerful, iLoud Micro Monitor Pro is a game-changing
monitoring system that transforms any space into a working space.
September 19, 2024 – IK Multimedia is proud to announce the release of the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro, a feature-rich, professional version of the extremely popular iLoud Micro Monitor. The iLoud Micro Monitor Pro delivers studio-quality sound in an ultra-compact format, making critical mixing possible anywhere.
Revolutionizing Portable Sound
Offering professional sound quality that fits in any backpack, the all-new iLoud Micro Monitor Pro is incredibly balanced with a wide soundstage even at close distances. Double the power of the standard iLoud Micro Monitor, the Pro version provides 50 watts RMS per speaker and offers IK’s legendary iLoud physics-defying bass down to 42 Hz. With built-in calibration and X-MONITOR integration, it’s more powerful and versatile than speakers twice its price.
Key Features:
Ultra-Compact Design: Perfect for travel and tight spaces, weighing around 3lb./1.4kg each.
Powerful Performance: Each speaker sports a 50W RMS Class-D amplifier, custom-designed drivers, and a peak SPL of over 107 dB.
Advanced DSP: Ensures near-perfect phase alignment, time coherence and flat frequency response for unparalleled accuracy.
Built-in ARC Self-Calibration: Adjusts instantly to any space with precision, providing consistent sound quality regardless of the environment.
X-MONITOR Software Integration: Offers complete control over speaker parameters and the ability to emulate the sound of other top studio monitors.
Studio-quality Sound Anywhere
With a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz (±2 dB), the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro delivers transparent, true-to-life sound without hype or coloration. The built-in ARC room correction technology instantly tunes the monitors to any room, ensuring the most accurate audio representation, even in the smallest spaces.
Perfect for A/B Testing and Reference Monitoring The iLoud Micro Monitor Pro is more than just a set of portable monitors. With full X-MONITOR software integration, it becomes a complete reference monitoring system. Users can easily switch between different virtual monitoring voices, allowing A/B testing of mixes on a variety of simulated reference systems.
Versatile and Easy to Set Up
Thanks to a tiltable flip foot design and a 3/8″ threaded insert, the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro can be set up anywhere, whether on a desktop, mounted on a mic stand, or wall-mounted. Its versatility makes it the ideal solution for any situation requiring high-quality monitoring. Best of all, they can be spread as wide as needed with no link cable. They can be used independently or bundled together for a powerful immersive setup that takes up minimal space. The Micro Monitor Pro is the only portable monitoring system that combines the power and essential tools for professionals and audiophiles to perform anywhere the road takes them.
Pricing and Availability
iLoud Micro Monitor Pro monitors can be purchased now from the IK Multimedia online store, and
IK authorized dealers worldwide at the following prices:
iLoud Micro Monitor Pro (Single) – $/€279.99* – ARC MEMS microphone not included.
iLoud Micro Monitor Pro (Pair) – $/€559.99 – Includes ARC MEMS microphone.
*All pricing excluding taxes.
For more information about the iLoud Micro Monitor Pro or to see the studio monitors in action,
please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/iloudmmpro
WATCH PRODUC VIDEOS HERE:
www.ikmultimedia.com/iloudmmpro/video
About IK Multimedia: IK Multimedia is a leading innovator in guitar, instrument and recording technologies that
helps millions of users sound better in the studio, on the go or onstage. iLoud® and X-MONITOR® are registered
trademarks and property of IK Multimedia. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners
SHATTERFORD, UK: having made its public debut earlier this month at Knobcon Number Twelve — held just outside Chicago, IL, USA as a one-of-a-kind synthesizer convention now in its twelfth year — with a successful soft-launch showcase, British boutique electronic instruments innovator Analogue Solutions is proud to be showcasing its AS500-SEQ standalone 64-step analogue sequencer — announced as an almost identical ‘reboot’ of its legacy Megacity (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/megacity), readily re-engineered to incorporate some general enhancements and internal improvements into a space-saving, desktop-friendly design with a smaller form factor that is also anchored around a host of unique features that sets it apart from others — somewhat closer to home at the self-explanatory SynthFest 2024 in Sheffield, UK on October 5, with wider availability as of September 18…
Megacity made a splash in the hands-on electronic music-making world when intriguingly introduced as a so-called TEAR DROP STEP SEQUENCER — alluding to its unique matrix-style arrangement of tear drop-raining LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) — several years ago. Analogue Solutions stated that it was formatted and operated differently to other step sequencers since they traditionally run horizontally from left to right, then loop back to the first step — shorter patterns are possible, but, beyond that, not much else is generally on offer. On the other hand, however, Megacity’s 64 steps ran downwards vertically in columns and as the last step of each column was played the next column to the right would then start playing. But better still, switching Megacity’s unique JUMP system to the ON position on any column meant that any remaining steps would be bypassed as the sequencer ‘jumped’ straight to the next column to the right. “These two features in particular are familiar enough ways of working to be intuitive, but different enough to force you to work and think in a slightly different way,” was company founder Tom Carpenter’s contemporary thinking behind that — some might say — brave design decision, adding at the time: “The end result is you will get sequences and patterns that you might not have created otherwise.”
On the face of it, AS500-SEQ is an almost identical ‘reboot’ of Megacity, built by hand in the UK of solid steel and aluminium construction, featuring two true analogue sequencers that forsake encoders in favor of high-quality, sealed CV (control voltage) potentiometers and analogue CV circuits. At any rate, it is readily re-engineered to incorporate some general enhancements and internal improvements into a space-saving, desktop-friendly design with a smaller form factor measuring merely 382mm (W) x 292mm (D) x 85mm (H) when set against the legacy Megacity’s more generous 430mm (W) x 140mm (D) x 306mm (H) proportions — albeit, admittedly, the latter’s loftier 7U height was specifically designed to accommodate optional rack-mounting ears originally designed for Analogue Solutions’ same-sized Telemark, a semi-modular monosynth that is also no longer in production, while optional wooden side panels originally designed for that same synth alternatively allowed for upright positioning of Megacity for desktop operation — while weighing in at only 2.2kg, exactly half that of Megacity. Make no mistake, though: the readily re-engineered AS500-SEQ is no half-pint offering!
As a standalone analogue sequencer, each of AS500-SEQ’s 64 steps has its own CV level control, though these are not quantised as — unlike Megacity — AS500-SEQ is a purely analogue affair, meaning MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) connectivity is not present this time. There are also toggle switches for X, Y, and JUMP functionality per step, selecting whether a trigger will be sent to the GATE OUT X 3.5mm mini-jack sockets or GATE OUT Y 3.5mm mini-jack sockets, or whether the SEQUENCER order will ‘jump’ to the start of the next column to the right or, alternatively, ‘jump’ to the first step of the first column (if pressing the RESET button at the same time).
Again, avoiding falling into the trap of many other step sequencers that can quickly start to sound somewhat repetitive and dull due to the same pattern usually looping endlessly, AS500-SEQ — like Megacity — allows its users to effectively split the SEQUENCER in half by switching out of SERIAL (FILL) mode, whereby the SEQUENCER runs as a single 64-step sequence, and into one of three SPLIT modes: 1:1 SPLIT — SEQUENCER runs as two 32-step sequences, the LEFT (1-32) and RIGHT (33-61) channels playing together in parallel at the same tempo; 1:2 SPLIT — SEQUENCER runs as two 32-step sequences, the LEFT (1-32) and RIGHT (33-61) channels playing together in parallel with the latter playing at half tempo; and 1:4 SPLIT — SEQUENCER runs as two 32-step sequences, the LEFT (1-32) and RIGHT (33-61) channels playing together in parallel with the latter playing at quarter tempo. AS500-SEQ also allows its users to split the SEQUENCER in half and use the RIGHT (33-61) channel as a fill-style pattern to add variation — much like vintage drum machines — by simply switching the SEQUENCER into SERIAL (FILL) mode and turning on FILL functionality with the associated ACTIVE switch. As a result, the SEQUENCER will loop the LEFT (1-32) channel sequence while the RIGHT (33-61) channel-played fill pattern/sequence is activated by pressing the FILL push button or sending a trigger pulse to the FILL IN (input) 3.5mm mini-jack socket. Saying that, the FILL pattern/sequence can play for a specific number of times by repeatedly pressing that same button or sending multiple trigger pulses correspondingly, though the FILL pattern/sequence plays after the current LEFT (1-32) channel loop has finished playing a whole bar regardless. Whatever way anyone chooses to use them, the LEFT (1-32) and RIGHT (33-61) channel sequences each have their own GLIDE — adds portamento to the CV output — and RANGE — sets the range of the VOLTAGE OUTPUT — controls for further flexibility, with dedicated CV OUT 3.5mm mini-jack sockets for the LEFT (1-32) and RIGHT (33-61) channel sequences.
CV connectivity continues — ensuring Eurorack compatibility, while AS500-SEQ also lives together in perfect harmony with most CV/gate-equipped analogue synths, vintage or otherwise — courtesy of self-explanatory CLOCK IN (input) and OUT (output) 3.5mm mini-jack sockets and a CV input 3.5mm mini-jack socket for changing the clock SPEED (tempo), plus a RESET IN (input) 3.5mm mini-jack socket for resetting the SEQUENCER to the first step on the following clock signal. It is also possible to manually reset the SEQUENCER to the first step at any time by pressing the RESET push button, while pressing the STEP push button advances the SEQUENCER one step forward. Finally, SYNC selects from four available sync sources: 1: EXT — external clock from CLOCK IN (input); 2: STOP — the SEQUENCER will not run; 3: STOP — the SEQUENCER will not run; and 4. INT — internal clock.
Clearly, then, Tom Carpenter’s contemporary thinking behind Megacity also applies to its almost identical ‘reboot’ as AS500-SEQ: sequences and patterns that users might not have created otherwise will, without doubt, duly flow forth for anyone to hear. Anyone attending SynthFest 2024 — itself originally created to give companies of all sizes an opportunity to showcase their synth products in front of the public — on October 5 at The Octagon Centre in Sheffield, UK can see and hear AS500-SEQ in action, where Tom Carpenter himself will be showcasing it as his namesake company’s latest creation alongside the recently released Maximus 4V (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/maximus4v), a four-voice (eight-VCO) version of Analogue Solutions’ spectacular eight-voice (16-VCO) Maximus AS300 semi-modular stereo polysynth that surely stole the show at SynthFest 2023 with a successful showcase soft-launch that opened eyes and ears to its maximal size and sound.
Limited quantities of AS500-SEQ are already available to purchase directly from Analogue Solutions for £999.00 GBP (excluding tax/VAT) via its dedicated webpage (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/as500seq), while stock will soon be arriving at selected dealers (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/dealers).
See AS500-SEQ in action, working with a vintage ARP Odyssey analogue monosynth, here:
About Analogue Solutions (www.analoguesolutions.com)
Analogue Solutions is a UK-based boutique electronic instruments innovator that specializes in true analogue synthesizers, sequencers, and Eurorack modules. More than 25 years’ experience in the industry means that it was right there at the start of the Eurorack revolution — the third company to start producing modules, in fact. Furthermore, Analogue Solutions products are all hand built in England — many being tested by founder Tom Carpenter himself, who has hands-on involvement in all aspects of the company. Characterful to boot, Analogue Solutions’ innovative instruments are applauded for proudly possessing a truly vintage sound — synthesizers featuring fully-analogue audio paths with analogue LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) and EGs (Envelope Generators) are the order of the day here. Having no memories means that nothing is being made to sound sterile by CPU (Central Processing Unit) control; conversely, turning a knob directly changes the voltage or current in an actual synth circuit to audible affect. As implied by name, Analogue Solutions consistently constitutes proof of Tom Carpenter’s genuine passion for analogue synths, drawing upon his years of owning and using vintage analogue synths and drum machines that he still uses in his own music productions… alongside Analogue Solutions products, predictably. Put it this way: with its present-day music electronics for electronic musician’s mantra ringing true as always, Analogue Solutions has certainly come a long way with its boutique electronic instrument innovations!
© 2024 Analogue Solutions (UK) Ltd
Slower is an instrument library featuring high-end sample content, recorded to four distinct tape machines. The recordings are then played back at half-speed so all sounds are pitched down by one octave. Familiar instruments become magical, warm, and tangible. Explore a diverse range of sounds, including keys, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and much more. With extensive modulation capabilities, Slower offers deep sound design potential. Unlike digital emulations, Slower delivers genuine analog warmth and character, perfect for all genres.
Features:
Why Half Speed Tape?
Half-speed tape transforms familiar sounds—like pianos, strings, and more—into something uniquely textured and captivating. By pitching down analog tape, you achieve a depth and warmth that digital methods can’t replicate. The natural tape characteristics, such as wobble, noise, and flutter, add rich, organic layers. This technique enhances acoustic timbres, making wind instruments, for example, breathier and more expressive. The process also brings out low-end frequencies, creating thick and mellow sounds. This distinctive texture evokes emotion and adds a magical, nostalgic quality to your music, enriching your sonic palette in profound ways.
Four Tape Machine Types
The Slower sample content is recorded onto four different kinds of tape machines for you to choose from.
Each offers unique audio qualities and characteristics, particularly at half speed. From the subtle warmth and fidelity of the Studer A812 High-End open reel to reel recorder to the lo-fi crunch of the Sony M650v Dictaphone, these machines provide a range of vibes and moods. This variety allows you to explore and experiment with different tape flavors, giving you the flexibility to find the perfect sound for your productions.
Diverse Instruments
With over 60 different sound sources, each recorded on four distinct tape machines, and a wealth of synthesized sounds, Slower offers a deep collection of unique tones. The extensive variety includes categories such as keys, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and rarities like dulcimer, glockenspiel, and harmonium. The tape recording process transforms classic instruments such as grand and upright pianos, electric and acoustic guitars, and orchestral strings, offering a broad spectrum of textures. Additionally, synthesizer recordings from renowned models add rich, evolving pads and intricate textures to your palette. This comprehensive sound library ensures endless inspiration and possibilities, allowing you to find the perfect sound for any musical context and genre, from Hip-Hop to Ambient and Electronica.
Powerful Sound Design Engine
Slower features a powerful effects section with 27 built-in effects and comprehensive sound design capabilities, including an amp envelope, LFOs, modulation envelope, step modulator, aftertouch, and more. A customizable five-slot FX chain allows you to get creative with delay, distortion, reverb, filters and more, all curated by sound designers to complement the sound content in the Slower library. The reverse samples enable the creation of ethereal sounds with slow attack, adding a unique dimension to your music. Separate noise and wobble controls further enhance tape characteristics, allowing you to dial in the perfect amount of analog imperfections. Most parameters can be modulated, enabling extensive sound processing possibilities. Whether through subtle enhancements or dramatic alterations, the Slower sound design engine ensures a truly unique and engaging music production experience.
Macro Controls
Slower features three macro controls that provide single-knob control over multiple parameters, facilitating real-time sound transformation. These macros allow you to perform automation changes effortlessly, making it easier to create dynamic and expressive performances. This intuitive control system helps you to quickly and creatively manipulate sounds, adding an interactive layer to your music production.
Preset Library
Slower comes with 230 presets crafted by top sound designers in the industry, offering instant inspiration and a starting point for your creations. Explore warm, moody pianos, unique and tangible string instruments, and deep, textured wind instruments that bring authentic, imperfect, and rich qualities to your music. Whether you need lush pads, emotive textures, or characterful sounds, the diverse range of presets ensures you can quickly find sounds that fit your project and spark your creativity.
Feature Summary
Analog Authenticity:
Experience real, pitched-down tape sounds for unique musical creations, bringing rich, organic layers to your music.
Four Tape Machines:
Explore diverse vibes with Studer, Uher, Tascam, and Sony tape machines, each offering unique audio qualities and characteristics.
Diverse Instruments:
Access over 65 sound sources and synthesized sounds, recorded on four tape machines, including keys, synths, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and rarities like dulcimer and harmonium.
Preset Library:
Get inspired with over 230 presets from top sound designers, offering a range of warm, moody, unique, and textured sounds.
27 Effects:
Unlock extensive processing with curated delays, distortions, reverbs, and filters, all customizable in a five-slot FX chain.
Modulation:
Dive into in-depth sound design with assignable LFOs, Mod Env, step modulator, aftertouch, and more for extensive sound processing.
Macro Controls:
Transform sounds in real-time using three single-slider macros, facilitating dynamic and expressive performances.
Additional Tape FX:
Dial in more wobble, noise, and flutter to enhance the tape characteristics when needed.
Reverse Samples:
Create ethereal sounds with slow attack using the reverse parameter, adding a unique dimension to your music.
NKS and Kontakt Compatibility:
Compatible with Native Instruments Kontakt 7.10.2 or the free Kontakt player, and fully integrated with Native Instruments NKS.
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Available now from e-Instruments:
https://e-instruments.com/
ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware is proud to announce availability of PowerChord as a unique guitar plug-in — permitting users to quickly create phenomenal power chord groove sequences utilizing fanciful features that could conceivably leave some guitarists green with envy, even enhancing those grooves by making use of the plentiful presets available, or opting to manually play a STROKE, LONG STROKE, and GHOST STROKE — as of September 11…
“PowerChord is a unique guitar plug-in that allows you to create fantastic power chord grooves and lots more!” So, somewhat succinctly, says Rob Papen himself, perfectly positioned to introduce his namesake company’s latest offering to the technologically-minded musical masses. But before delving deeper, those not necessarily familiar with finding their way around a
fretboard may well benefit from noting that a power chord — commonly known as a fifth chord — is a regularly used term for a chord played on an electric guitar that consists of the root note and the fifth, as well as, possibly, octaves of those notes, and are often played with an amp with intentionally added distortion or overdrive effects as a mainstay of many styles of rock. Rob Papen’s PowerChord is, therefore, about as perfectly named as it gets.
Get this, though, rather than relying on sampled loops, which can clearly be rather restrictive — not to mention repetitive — by their very nature, PowerChord users naturally find themselves actively engaging in an interactive experience that truly fosters creativity. Simply select Sequencer PLAY MODE to quickly create phenomenal power chord grooves with instant access to no fewer than 12 single solo guitar sounds — such as Grunge PowerChord; PowerChord; PowerChord Drop-A (tuning); PowerChord Drop-D; PowerNote (single notes); and RG PowerChord, the latter being the distortion sound of RG (https://www.robpapen.com/rg.html), Rob Papen’s similarly unique guitar plug-in for quickly creating classic rhythmic guitar grooves — and 41 stacked guitar model sounds utilizing those solo guitar sounds. Being billed by its creator as a grunge guitar groove synthesizer, so-called groove sequences are created within PowerChord using four 32-step sequencers — namely, A, B, C, and D — selectable by keyboard range: MIDI Notes 36 C1 to 47 B1 play sequencer A; MIDI Notes 48 C2 to 59 B2 play sequencer B; MIDI Notes 60 C3 to 71 B3 play sequencer C; and MIDI Notes 72 C4 to 83 B4 play sequencer D. Fanciful features for each sequencer row include STEP (on/off), SEMI OFFSET, STROKE, LONG STROKE, GHOST STROKE, VELOCITY, RATCHET, FLT (filter) DECAY/RELEASE, and AMP DECAY/RELEASE, plus FREE 1 and FREE 2. There are also sequencer controls for SWING, VEL/KEY, SMOOTH (for free rows), SPEED, RETRIGGER, TIED mode, and RATCHETING.
Additionally, all kinds of synthesizer-styled features are also on hand to assist PowerChord users with sculpting sounds still further… think analogue-modelled filters with 25 different character FILTER types, Ring modulation, and Amp modulation modes; MOD (modulation) MATRIX with eight slots; EQ with fixed (RG-style) EQ and five-band parametric with LOWCUT filter; three high-quality effects blocks — FX 1, FX 2, and FX 3 — arranged in serial mode with 34 effect types, including Amp Simulator (five models), AutoPan, AutoWah, Bass Enhancer, Cabinet Simulator (five models), Chorus, Chorus/Delay, Clipper, Comb Filter, Compressor, Distortion, Ensemble, Flanger, FX Filter, Gator, LoFi, Mono Delay, Multi-Distort (11 types), Noise Gate, Phaser, Reverb, Ring Modulator, Shift FX, Stereo Delay, Stereo Widener, TalkBox, Tape Chorus, Tape Delay, Tape Flanger, Tape Phase, Tremelo, WahWah, WahWah/Delay, and Waveshaper. All are audible in PowerChord’s plentiful presets, of course. And as if all that was not enough to be getting on with, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) tempo-based settings are available in most effects, together with BY (bypass) per effect — not forgetting the welcomed inclusion of an overall effect bypass for full flexibility.
Familiarity for some comes courtesy of Rob Papen effectively transplanting the performance enhancing RIBBON CONTROLLER feature from BIT-2 (https://www.robpapen.com/bit2.html) — its critically-acclaimed analogue synthesis-modelled virtual instrument — into PowerChord, thereby allowing users to dynamically control several parameters at once using a mouse or external MIDI controllers; unlike a hardware ribbon controller, it also has a tempo-based SPRING BACK feature with QUANT (quantise) and BIPLR (bipolar) modes.
Meanwhile, Manual PLAY MODE makes it perfectly possible for more adventurous PowerChord users to manually play a STROKE, LONG STROKE, and GHOST STROKE, should they wish to do so. Says Rob Papen, ending on a well-thought-through high note that provides much in the way of food for thought in not too many words: “PowerChord will never replace a real guitarist, but, then again, a real guitarist can’t replace PowerChord due to the unique sounds it can create!” Indeed, it is even possible that those quickly-created phenomenal power chord groove sequences could conceivably leave some guitarists green with envy.
PowerChord is available as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.15 or higher, M1/M2/M3 ARM processor compatible) and as a 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for PC (Windows 7 or higher) — with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — priced at an attractive introductory promo price of €65.00 EUR/$65.00 USD until September 17, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €79.00 EUR/$79.00 USD — from authorised Rob Papen resellers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen itself for the same pricing from here: https://www.robpapen.com/powerchord.html
PowerChord is included in the latest version of Rob Papen’s all-encompassing eXplorer-9 bundle (https://www.robpapen.com/explorer-9.html) at no additional cost, so existing owners only have to download the latest installer and run it to add PowerChord to their Rob Papen virtual instrument and effect plug-in collection.
Watch Rob Papen’s insightful introductory PowerChord video with a voice-over from Rob Papen himself here:
Watch and learn in the capable company of Rob Papen, providing some useful PowerChord tips here:
About Rob Papen (www.robpapen.com)
Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen started working with synthesizers at the tender age of 15 when purchasing an analogue Korg MS-20 semi-modular monosynth and accompanying analogue SQ-10 sequencer. Suitably inspired, he subsequently released several albums as part of Dutch electronic music groups Peru and Nova — the latter featuring the same members as Peru, but with a more commercial slant — with whom he enjoyed number one hit singles in The Netherlands (Nova) in 1982 and Austria (Peru) in 1988. Peru disbanded in 1993, by which time Rob had already established himself as a sought-after sound designer, creating presets for the likes of Waldorf, Access, Ensoniq, and E-mu, before going on to found his namesake company in pursuit of creating a sound designer’s dream synth. That software dream soon became reality when Rob formed the RPCX (Rob Papen ConcreteFX) partnership with music software developer Jon Ayres to develop new Rob Papen virtual instruments and effects plug-ins, starting with BLUE — an exciting-sounding, self-styled ‘Crossfusion Synthesis’ affair (combining FM, Phase Distortion, Wave Shaping, and Subtractive synthesis into one powerful dream synth) — in 2005. Today Rob Papen soundware defines cutting-edge contemporary music production: powerful virtual instruments and effect plug-ins that intermix innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical, production-grade presets to make tracks truly shine, whatever the musical genre… Inspiration Soundware, indeed!
© 2024 Rob Papen Inspiration Software
