Produced by Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, engineered by Shawn Murphy
Hollywood, CA (April 25, 2024) — EastWest’s newest virtual instrument collection, HOLLYWOOD STRINGS 2, is now available for purchase – both as a standalone purchase or part of a ComposerCloud+ subscription.
HOLLYWOOD STRINGS 2 offers a rich experience like never before. Recorded in the legendary EastWest Studio 2, the collection features a tight 21-piece group – smaller room, same production team – up close and intimate.
EastWest just published a captivating WALK-THROUGH VIDEO showcasing Hollywood Strings 2’s first violins, second violins, violas, celli, and basses:
Hollywood Strings 2 provides all the essential articulations, including legato, detache, pizzicato, staccato, spiccato, marcato, col legno, and even rare textural styles like flautando, each with up to four dynamics, ensuring an unparalleled level of expressiveness and realism. From the delicate intimacy of pianissimo to the commanding authority of fortissimo, and everything in between, articulations are captured with exacting detail by an extensive array of microphones, giving composers unprecedented control over the performance and sound of the strings.
Every instrument is mic’d closer than ever before, capturing the grit, depth, and air of every note in the finest detail possible. Users can independently control 3 separate close mic positions (including mics attached directly to the instruments), plus main, mid-field, and surround mics. Hollywood Strings 2 is even Atmos-ready to create Atmos mixes in DAWs that support it. Epic arrangements are impressive, but there’s more to strings than scale alone… and while its predecessor is indeed epic, Hollywood Strings 2 goes even further, molding itself to any task.
Hollywood Strings 2 was recorded in EastWest’s own Studio 2, home to classic themes from The Beverly Hillbillies, Hawaii Five-O, and the soundtracks to Encanto and A Star is Born. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Weezer, and Metallica have also recorded in Studio 2 for its tight and punchy sound. It’s only fitting that these strings suit cinematic metal or heavy rock as well as they would an epic film cue. Even for those who already own every available strings library, Hollywood Strings 2 will bring the intimacy that no other collection offers.
Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix have produced multiple award-winning sample libraries and virtual instruments together for over three decades – more than any other sounds production team in the industry – including NAMM TEC Award winners Hollywood Choirs, Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition, and Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra. To capture the same cinematic quality as the original Hollywood Strings, but with more granular control than any other string library, Rogers and Phoenix engaged Award-winning sound engineer Shawn Murphy, one of the most prolific sound engineers and mixers in the history of film. His over 500 credits include Jurassic Park, the Star Wars Franchise, the Indiana Jones franchise, Titanic and many other feature films. Murphy has won numerous BAFTA, EMMY, and GRAMMY Awards, including most recently a GRAMMY for Best Engineered Classical Album in 2023. This cooperation results in Hollywood Strings 2’s clear, clean, dry sound that effortlessly lends itself to any genre.
Availability & Pricing:
Hollywood Strings 2 is available now at https://www.soundsonline.com/orchestral/hollywood-strings-2
The standalone license is $399, but Hollywood Strings 2 is also included in every ComposerCloud+ subscription at https://www.soundsonline.com/composercloud for just $19.99/month or $149/year. For new subscribers, EastWest is also offering a one month trial of ComposerCloud+ so they can try Hollywood Strings 2 and all 60+ EastWest products for free.
About EASTWEST
EastWest Sounds (www.soundsonline.com) has been dedicated to perpetual innovation and uncompromising quality of Virtual Instruments for over 36 years, setting the industry standard as the most critically acclaimed sound developer. Find more about EastWest at soundsonline.com.
The latest addition to the TONEX Ecosystem packs an entire rig’s worth of user-selected
gear to upgrade and expand any size pedalboard with the power of AI Modeling
April 24, 2024 – IK Multimedia announces TONEX ONE, putting IK’s revolutionary AI Machine Modeling technology on any size pedalboard and enabling users to perform with the world’s most sought-after tones in more ways than ever. Budget friendly, TONEX ONE makes the world’s best amps and effects accessible to all performing guitar and bass players.
Ultra-compact and powerful, TONEX ONE plays hyper-realistic modeled amps, cabs and stomps from a nearly infinite supply. It features 3 playable slots that are easily swapped on the fly with any of the 20 Tone Model presets in its active memory. To swap any of the 20 preloaded presets, users can connect TONEX ONE to a computer via USB-C and quickly transfer new Tone Models from their local library, ToneNET (IK’s tone-sharing platform), or their own gear captured with the included TONEX software. With multiple units on a single pedalboard, the tone possibilities are truly limitless.
A Complete Rig in a Mini Pedal
Small Size, Huge Sound
TONEX ONE packs the same incredible responsiveness and dynamics as TONEX Pedal, but in a mini format that saves space and travels anywhere. Presets can be fine-tuned on the fly using the onboard gain/volume and 3-band EQ, then FX like noise gate, compression and stereo reverb are there to dial in the right sound at any live venue. All changes made are automatically saved without a computer and ready for the next rehearsal or gig.
Infinite Tones on Tap
TONEX ONE keeps users inspired no matter where their musical journey takes them. Store up to 20 presets from the included 200+ premium Tone Models or download any of the over 25,000 and growing user Tone Models from ToneNET directly to the pedal. Add more tones with IK Signature Collections or explore hundreds of ever-expanding Tone Partner collections that feature rare, vintage and modern amps and pedals expertly dialed in.
The Best Gear Forever and Always
It’s never been easier to create a virtual version of one’s favorite amps and pedals. Capture any rig with the included TONEX SE software for use across the entire TONEX Ecosystem including: TONEX ONE, TONEX Mac/PC, TONEX Pedal and TONEX iOS. Imagine always having favorite gear on hand with TONEX ONE to play live or in the studio.
Speaking of studio, TONEX ONE doubles as a handy USB-C audio interface for recording electric guitar or bass on a Mac/PC. For low-latency monitoring, users can record with any of the onboard Tone Models and effects, while using the stomp button in real time to switch between presets. The TRS/stereo output works with both headphones or active speakers for monitoring.
Ready for the Road
TONEX ONE delivers not only jaw-dropping tones and essential effects, but also the right connectivity and controls for the best performance possible at each venue. Select between Dual A/B or Stomp operating modes for either channel-switching type operation or standard pedal on/off function when using stomp captures.
The 3 micro knobs feature 9 custom LED colors that can be assigned and saved to any preset for visual identification of the selected Tone Model, or for differentiating between multiple TONEX ONE pedals during live performance. TONEX ONE also makes streamlining for travel easy with its onboard smart tuner.
Any Rig, Any Size
Designed to fit all pedalboards and small enough to chain multiple pedals, TONEX ONE gives users the freedom to build the perfect travel rig or enhance their existing pedalboard. Use 2 TONEX ONE pedals to create a killer stereo rig or place multiple units in series for tone stacking and boosting lead and rhythm tones.
TONEX ONE is simple to use and connects to any type of guitar or bass rig including real amps, PA systems and FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) cabs. Its “no cab” option is a must when using real guitar cabinets or speaker emulators. Or activate the “cab” for consistent, pristine miked cabinet tones night after night. Even load custom IRs to use with other gear to experience rich, cranked amp tones at any volume level, perfect for in-ear monitors or where controlling stage volume is essential.
Expanding Ecosystem of Tone
TONEX ONE goes beyond the stage with the massive ToneNET community sharing new tones daily (currently offering well over 25,000 Tone Models). Explore, demo and download, or share gear captures with the community instantly within the included TONEX software. TONEX ONE represents a revolution for guitar and bass players. Throw it in the gig bag and never leave home without the best rigs in the world.
Pricing and Availability
TONEX ONE is available now for pre-order from the IK online store and IK dealers worldwide for $/€179.99* each with units shipping mid-May. *Pricing excluding taxes.
For more information about TONEX ONE and to hear it in action, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/tonexone
Steinberg announces a world first for performers, as VST Live 2 adds significant new features to develop its ground-breaking live performance platform into a fully featured, advanced stage production system.
HAMBURG, Germany — Steinberg has today announced the immediate availability of VST Live 2, which adds DMX plug-ins, new Flex Loops functionality, automation, and much more to deliver a comprehensive, easy to use control system for all aspects of your live performance.
Alongside dedicated instruments, a wide range of effects plug-ins, live stacks, a fully fledged mixer, syncable lyrics/chords and a sequencer with audio, MIDI and video tracks, VST Live 2 adds features which will make your performance look truly professional.
An eye-catching visual show usually plays an important part for live performances. Running visuals in sync with your music is key to making the right impact, so VST Live Pro 2 is the first DIY production system to include DMX plug-ins, which will help to create a memorable visual performance in no time.
VST Live now includes Flex Loops, allowing users to set up a dedicated version for each part, including duration, continuous looping or set a number of repetitions. Flex Loops gives users the power of ultimate loop control.
VST Live 2 now comes with much-requested new automation, recording automation data that is not exclusively linked to a specific track or instrument. This means that any source information can be sent to any target which opens up literally endless possibilities for working with automation.
Other highlights in VST Live 2 include MIDI plug-in support and Focus Control. Focus Control lets users set up customized windows with only the controls and parameters needed at that time.
“Although VST Live has seen several major feature updates since it was first launched, version 2 is the biggest step in the evolution of this remarkable software. There is no other system on the market which combines MIDI, audio, VST instruments, mixing/sequencing technology and video/lightning control in one product,” says Director of Corporate Affairs & Product Portfolio Strategy Frank Simmerlein.
“Most importantly for the performer, although VST Live continues to evolve with many new features, it is designed to be very easy to use, with a clear, intuitive interface and controls.”
VST Live Pro 2 is available through the Steinberg Online Shop for 99.99 euros or 99.99 US dollars.
The update and upgrade are exclusively available through the Steinberg Online Shop, with an attractive upgrade price for VST Live Elements customers.
Both update and upgrade will initially be offered at a 20% discount on the regular price.
These introductory offers end on May 20, 2024.
Product page: www.steinberg.net/vst-live
YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/steinberg
Steinberg is known the world over for its music and audio software and hardware solutions. The company has been developing, manufacturing and selling innovative products for musicians and producers in the music, film, post-production and multimedia industries since 1984. Steinberg products are used by Grammy and Oscar award-winning composers, engineers and producers.
Visit www.steinberg.net for further details.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: independent development teams federation United Plugins is proud to announce availability of Randomachine as the latest must-have effect plug-in from founding partner SounDevice Digital — duly designed to relieve monotony wherever the need to quickly make many variants of one sample in next to no time arises; no matter if its user is actively involved in film or game sound design, or even making electronic music, laying waste to uniformity and mechanical sterility is all but guaranteed — as of April 15…
Triggering trio
All audio material is not the same, so SounDevice Digital duly decided that Randomachine can be triggered by three different TRIGGER sources — namely, TRANSIENT, which, as implied by name, triggers by transients, thereby igniting Randomachine’s engines with each incoming signal, so sonic hits instantly change the settings of the selected effects; SYNC, synchronises to the project tempo within the host DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), changing the settings of the effects regularly upon whatever interval is set (such as every beat as well as every hi-hat hit, for instance); and MIDI, meaning any MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) note coming from the dedicated source, be that track or controller, can reset Randomachine at any time.
Change is as good as a rest
Randomachine randomly changes multiple parameters in each of its six effects that are always running behind the scenes each time it is triggered, the upshot of this being that every hit differs from the next or last. Thankfully, those six effects are wonderfully varied, comprising DISTORT — randomly changes the distortion or saturation of the audio being processed; PAN (panorama) — randomly changes the panorama (left/right position) of the audio being processed; AMBIENCE — randomly changes the ambience (reverb time and space) of the audio being processed; TIME — randomly changes the timing of the audio being processed; PITCH — randomly changes the pitch of the audio being processed; and FORMANT — randomly changes the formants of the audio being processed (albeit with a caveat of the spectral analysis involved adding latency to the plug-in).
Make many variants of one sample in next to no time
All in all, then, Randomachine has been duly designed to relieve monotony wherever the need to quickly make many variants of one sample in next to no time arises; no matter if its user is involved in film or game sound design, or even making electronic music, laying waste to uniformity and mechanical sterility is all but guaranteed. Get this, though: in keeping with its fellow United Plugins partners’ software siblings, SounDevice Digital’s Randomachine plug-in provides its users with the maximum audio quality possible thanks to its internal 64-bit audio processing and an ability to handle any sampling rate — reaching 192 kHz or even higher without breaking into a sweat. Similarly, the photorealistic yet flexible (resizable) nature of its GUI (Graphical User Interface) imbues it with impressions of working with real hardware as opposed to being a virtual effect plug-in. Ultimately, United Plugins software smartly manages bypass functionality to ensure that users do not experience any clicks or harmful noises when automating that parameter, and SounDevice Digital’s Randomachine is no exception to that (written) rule.
Key features:
∙ Relieves monotony wherever the need to quickly make variants of one sample arises
∙ All but guaranteed to lay waste to uniformity and mechanical sterility
∙ Three different — TRANSIENT, SYNC, and MIDI — TRIGGER sources available
∙ Randomly changes multiple parameters in six — DISTORT, PAN (panorama), AMBIENCE, TIME, PITCH, and FORMANT — effects
∙ Every hit differs from the next or last
∙ Provides maximum audio quality possible
SounDevice Digital’s Randomachine is available for free from April 15 until April 21, 2024, followed by a time-limited introductory promo price of only €9.00 EUR until May 21, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €49.00 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/Randomachine/), 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 Randomachine 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 Randomachine 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 utilise 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
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: audio software company XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of its Les Diffuseurs effect plug-in bundle — turning to the Twenties (read: early 20th Century), and an early electronic musical instrument called the ondes Martenot, more specifically French inventor Maurice Martenot’s Métallique and Palme so-called diffuseurs speakers, as inspiration for its La Palme and Le Metallique effect plug-ins to effectively enable anyone to experience the outlandish sounds of those ‘unobtainium’ originals from the comfort of their present-day DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) — as of April 9…
As an early electronic musical instrument inspired by the accidental overlaps of tones between military radio oscillators, the ondes Martenot — literally translating from French as Martenot waves — dates all the way back to 1928 when it first appeared as the result of its French inventor namesake Maurice Martenot’s intention of creating a new instrument with the expressiveness of a cello. Clearly there was some correlation there between Martenot himself being a cellist and also working as a radio operator during the First World War. While there were several ondes Martenot versions available during an admittedly impressive 60-year-manufactured-to-order run — it can, for example, be played with a metal ring worn on the right index finger, sliding the ring along a wire to produce Theremin-like tones generated by oscillator circuits using vacuum tubes, or, in the case of the seventh model, transistors — that all the same saw Martenot remain resolutely uninterested in mass-producing his namesake instrument, it was the challenge of effectively reproducing the outlandish sounds of two of four speakers known as diffuseurs that Martenot specifically created for the instrument in question that truly excited the ears of fellow Frenchman Xavier Oudin, obviously prompting his audio software company XILS-lab to turn its attention to collectively set about duly developing and now launching Les Diffuseurs.
As an effect plug-in bundle par excellence, Les Diffuseurs comprises La Palme — inspired by Maurice Martenot’s Palme speaker first presented alongside the sixth version of the ondes Martenot in 1950, itself anchored around a resonance chamber laced with strings tuned to all 12 semitones of an octave so that when a note is played in tune it resonates a particular string, producing chiming tones — and Le Metallique — inspired by Maurice Martenot’s 1932-vintage Métallique that features a gong instead of a speaker cone, thereby adding a specific metallic character to the overall ondes Martenot sound. Saying that, though, present-day digital technology-based breakthroughs have not only allowed Xavier Oudin — ably assisted by Nori Ubukata, a renowned sound designer (think Japanese giant Yamaha’s GS-1, DX7, SY99, and other notable FM synths), synthesist, and Thereminist, together with synth designer Yves Usson (primarily known for his work on French music hardware and software specialist Arturia’s MiniBrute and MicroBrute monosyths) — to effectively reproduce the outlandish sounds of those ‘unobtainium’ originals from the comfort of present-day DAWs but also add more possibilities to the plug-ins themselves, such as muting any STRING (La Palme) or changing the GONG size in real-time (Le Metallique).
Moreover, in addition to those individually tuneable and mutable strings, La Palme also features global INPUT, DAMP — more string oscillations equal less higher frequencies, DECAY, TRANSPOSE, and TUNE controls; Le Metallique’s dual-sized GONG can be modulated by an LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) or MIDI WHEEL and also features INPUT level and frequency DAMP — more gong oscillations equal less high frequencies — controls, together with DECAY and LOW END level controls, plus an LFO that can be synced to the project tempo. The ‘wooden’ BOX central to each plug-in’s operation features further DECAY and DAMP controls.
And as if that was not enough to be getting on with, XILS-lab has pushed the concept further still by powering its Les Diffuseurs effect plug-in bundle with its True Stereo Dynamic Engine (TSDE), so users can not only position those La Palme and Le Metallique speakers left and right in a true stereo image but also in front to the stereo field or, indeed, farther back — all of which was surely unimaginable way back in 1928!
Thanks, then, to XILS-lab’s Les Diffuseurs effect plug-in bundle, anyone can now experience the outlandish sounds of Maurice Martenot’s Métallique and Palme so-called diffuseurs speakers like never before — made match fit for truly 21st Century usage in modern-day music production by being effectively enhanced, in other words.
The Les Diffuseurs effect plug-in bundle is available to purchase at a time-limited introductory promo price of only €45.00 EUR until May 15, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €89.00 EUR, downloadable in 64-bit AAX (native)-, AU-, VST2.4-, and VST3-compatible formats for macOS (10.9+) and 64-bit AAX (native)-, VST2.4-, and VST3-compatible formats for Windows (7/8/10/11) directly from XILS-lab here: https://www.xils-lab.com/products/les-diffuseurs-p-173.html# (Les Diffuseurs is copy-protected by a license serial number, requested when first launched.)
A time-limited full version of Les Diffuseurs can be requested for pre-purchase evaluation purposes here: https://www.xils-lab.com/products/les-diffuseurs-p-173.html#AskDemo
Watch two videos demonstrating differing aspects of La Palme — one of two effect plug-ins included in XILS-labs’ Les Diffuseurs bundle — here:
About XILS-lab (www.xils-lab.com)
Based in Grenoble, France, XILS-lab is an audio software company, created and managed by Xavier Oudin. Having developed some of the best known virtual instruments and effect plug-ins on the market for various companies over the last 20-plus years, today he focuses on bringing his passion for audio, instruments, and music to bear on his own company. Working with highly-skilled professional musicians and sound designers, the company collectively believes that a virtual instrument or effect is not simply a series of mind-boggling mathematical algorithms designed and scrutinised over by bookish PhD engineers but rather a useful and useable musical tool made for musicians. Moreover, XILS-lab loves to create virtual instruments and effects that inspire its users to create more imaginative music than they ever dreamed possible!
© 2024 XILS Audio sarl
MADRID, SPAIN: Heritage Audio is proud to introduce its HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition Vari-Mu compressors — capturing the spirit of hearing records made at Ardent Studios by effectively recreating what made one of the world’s most iconic recording studios’ original modified vintage Fairchilds sound so unique, ultimately responsible for those records really representing the heart and soul of Memphis — as ultra-limited-edition units produced only on request through the European pro audio manufacturer’s distributors as of April 1…
Lovingly located on Memphis’ Madison Avenue since the Thanksgiving weekend of 1971 — though the notable name dates back to 1959 and much more humble beginnings in a family garage, today Ardent Studios is one of the most iconic recording studios in the world, well known for its creative energy and technological excellence. Indeed, it has been home to a wide range of unique and talented recording artists, producers, and engineers, while witnessing the creation of many timeless recordings that have influenced the direction of modern music and music production.
It is perfectly understandable, therefore, that when Ardent Studios first contacted Heritage Audio to evaluate the possibility of having an ‘Ardent Edition’ of the European pro audio manufacturer’s HERCHILD Vari-Mu compressors — carefully crafted as modern-day alternatives to the most revered processors in the world and released to widespread critical acclaim in May 2022 as mono (MODEL 660) and stereo (MODEL 670) variations following in the Fifties-vintage footsteps of an inspirational technology that became an essential ingredient to making history happen on so many hit records with a sought-after sound so many have become accustomed to hearing in over six decades of music production — with which they could replace their original Fairchild units, Heritage Audio collectively could barely believe it. In reality, however, Heritage Audio’s HERCHILD has effectively established itself as the industry reference for ‘Vari-Mu Fairchild’ compression the world over, but Ardent Studios’ (rejuvenating) request provided the European pro audio manufacturer with a challenge (and also a unique opportunity): to take its carefully crafted (re)creation to another level, one that could conceivably turn its exceptional enquirer into an ardent admirer.
All of which begged an obvious question: what is it, exactly, that is so special about Ardent Studios’ original Fairchilds? An answer lies in the fact that the team at Ardent Studios modified the attack and release times of their original units back in the early Seventies so that the time constraints were faster and more suited, therefore, to the increasingly rigorous demands of making modern recordings at that time. The modifications in question were first used to track Jimmy Page’s acoustic guitars on the 1970-released Led Zeppelin III album, and that remained a best-kept secret… until now. Needless to say, after receiving the pencil-on-paper notes pertaining to those original modifications, Heritage Audio worked with the team at Ardent Studios tirelessly to nail the time constraints of the original units and — after several months in the making — the ultra-limited-edition HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition Vari-Mu compressors are now here. Thankfully, the team at Ardent Studios were so impressed with the resulting performance that they have now replaced their original modified vintage Fairchilds with four HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition units alongside a Model 670: The Ardent Edition. Enter Ardent Studios into the written proceedings, who — upon taking delivery of their new Heritage Audio units on January 23, 2024 — promptly proclaimed: “Peter Rodriguez of Heritage Audio was first contacted by our team when we wanted to recreate what made our original modified vintage Fairchilds unique — from combing through our old modification notes to unique component values, he more than did his homework and has proven himself a true historian of recording technology; we at Ardent would like to thank him for taking on such a unique project that has meant so much to us.”
Ultimately, Ardent Studios has been a special creative space for a diverse and well-known clientele, counting English rock royalty Led Zeppelin; American soul and R&B duo Sam and Dave; American rock band ZZ Top; American rock band R.E.M.; American blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn; American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer B.B. King; American rock duo The White Stripes; American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan; American musician Stevie Wonder; American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins; and American rockers The Allman Brothers Band amongst its impressive rallying roll call, to name but a notable few. Fortunately, thanks to Heritage Audio ardently capturing the spirit of that iconic Memphis recording studio with its HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition Vari-Mu compressors, anyone can effectively now own a legendary piece of gear that has been the centerpiece of so many multi-platinum recordings for many decades.
Available as ultra-limited-edition units produced only on request through Heritage Audio distributors, the ‘modified’ HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition Vari-Mu compressors — and, indeed, their HERCHILD Model 660 and Model 670 standard siblings — are a result of the European pro audio manufacturer successfully following the original Fifties-vintage ‘family’ — formed from one-time availability as mono (MODEL-660) and stereo (MODEL 670) variations — design that made them the most revered processors in the world as an essential ingredient to making history happen on so many hit records with a sought-after sound so many have become accustomed to hearing in over six decades of music production, albeit rarity rising throughout the decades has made original units increasingly hard to come by and near impossible to acquire. As such, Heritage Audio was able to trace the necessary components to manufacture modern-day alternatives, priced more realistically to suit those trying to craft contemporary hits of their own making with that familiar tone. This has been quite a long and winding road on Heritage Audio’s part — from tracing thousands of NOS Vari-Mu tubes from all around the world to commissioning the best names in the industry for making the needed transformers. By being based around 11 valves and five transformers in the case of the mono HERCHILD Model 660 and 22 tubes and 11 transformers in the case of the stereo HERCHILD Model 670, users can be assured that they will imprint that signature sound all over their tracks. Though this has taken Heritage Audio years to achieve, the European pro audio manufacturer has patently produced something so special that it is capable of letting the old ‘grandaddy’ of all compressors take a long-deserved rest — as Ardent Studios’ stunning reaction to taking delivery of its favored four HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition units alongside a Model 670: The Ardent Edition with which to continue making its revered recording journeys to glory, ones which really represent the heart and soul of Memphis, clearly proves.
It is well worth noting here that, while staying true to the originals in terms of response and sound, Heritage Audio added a few things to make its HERCHILD Model 660 and Model 670 — and, by that token, also its HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition — Vari-Mu compressors more practical in modern-day studio setups, starting with direct access to the continuously variable slope (DC THRESHOLD) control — something that makes those compressors so much more convenient since such control was only available on the originals via an inconvenient screw adjustment hidden from immediate access — and also including SC FILTER control with four different frequencies to precisely tailor compression needs; needless to say, the stereo HERCHILD Model 670 and its ‘modified’ Model 670: The Ardent Edition sibling both provide an option to use them independently or linked together with IND (Individual), LINK (stereo), LAT VERT (mid-side), and LAT VERT LINK operational modes, the latter providing a whole new world of options when mixing. Moreover, those modified release times to perfectly match Ardent Studios’ original units in the case of those ultra-limited-edition HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition units should not, of course, be overlooked when choosing which one — or more — of Heritage Audio’s (temporarily) expanded family of vintage-sounding Vari-Mu compressors might best suit anyone’s modern-day studio setup.
The ultra-limited-edition HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition are being produced only on request through Heritage Audio’s growing global network of dealers (https://heritageaudio.net/where-to-buy-international/) with an SSP (Standalone Selling Price) of €5,999.00 EUR (including VAT) and €10,999.00 EUR (including VAT) in the EU, respectively, and a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $5,999.00 USD and $10,999.00 USD, respectively, US distribution being handled via RAD Distribution (https://raddist.com/en/brands/heritage-audio).
For more in-depth info, please visit the dedicated HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition webpage here: https://heritageaudio.com/herchild-660-ardent-edition/
For more in-depth info, please visit the dedicated HERCHILD Model 670: The Ardent Edition webpage here: https://heritageaudio.com/herchild-670-ardent-edition/
Watch Heritage Audio Product Specialist Sam Orlich and company CEO Peter Rodriguez — head designer of the HERCHILD Model 660: The Ardent Edition and Model 670: The Ardent Edition Vari-Mu compressors — discussing Ardent Studios’ use of the original Fairchild and how they have recently decided to replace them with Heritage Audio’s ultra-limited-edition units here:
About Heritage Audio (www.heritageaudio.com)
Heritage Audio was founded in 2011 by Peter Rodriguez. As a civil engineer and music producer, he went from building wind turbines to following his true passion — developing recording equipment with the vintage sound that he himself admired so much and so many others yearned for. Fortunately for all, he was able to master the key elements necessary to make high-quality recording gear affordable and reliable by combining his analytical mindset with his experience as a producer within a relatively short space of time. Today, the 15-person team has expanded its production plant located in the heart of Madrid, Spain, where it collectively continues to follow a philosophy of making vintage sound possible for today’s studios, successfully introducing innovative products to rank amongst the most popular brands with top retailers throughout the world.
© 2024 Heritage Audio
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY: truly analog-sounding plugins developer Fuse Audio Labs proudly presents its VCE-118 Dynamic Range Enhancer plugin as a unique dynamics tool — turning to breakthroughs that took place in the early Seventies with the advent of VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) technology that cemented the reputation of the vintage device from which it draws its inspiration; indeed, a secret weapon reliant on a distinctive ratio implementation that enabled both compression and expansion, combined with a distinctive linear mode acting as powerful fuel for bending dynamics as a creative effect — as of March 29…
Duly dominating its familiar-looking ‘vintage’ GUI (Graphical User Interface), VCE-118’s central knob offers compression ratios ranging between 1:1 and ∞:1 or expansion between 1:1 and 1:2, while the intensity of the effect can be tweaked with the THRESHOLD control. An all-important ‘mode’ button switches between regular gain reduction or expansion, whereby only ABOVE THRESHOLD levels are processed, to LINEAR operation, affecting the full level above and below the threshold.
Helpfully, VCE-118 provides the ultimate punchy compression known from early VCA compressor flagships like the famous ’160, but does not simply stop there since its expanded dynamic range surprises with intriguing effects reminiscent of gates and transient shapers. Indeed, its LINEAR operation can take this even further, venturing, for instance, into the sonic realms of heavily pumping beats or dead silent ambience.
“VCE-118 is nothing short of a giant in disguise; it can slam your drums into oblivion while within a second it can become a great punch enhancer — if used sparingly in parallel.” So suggests Fuse Audio Labs CEO Reimund Dratwa, drawing to a close with, “LINEAR mode is such an advantage when you’re hunting for unusual, extreme dynamic effects, applicable in various amounts with the all-important MIX knob.”
VCE-118 is available at an attractive 50%-discounted introductory promo price of only $29.00 USD until April 29, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of $59.00 USD — directly from its dedicated webpage, which includes more in-depth information, here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/vce118.html
Note that 14-day trial versions of all Fuse Audio Labs plugins without any restrictions are also available to download for free from here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/plugins.html
Get a feel for VCE-118 while watching Fuse Audio Labs’ informative introductory video here:
About Fuse Audio Labs (www.fuseaudiolabs.com)
Fuse Audio Labs is a number one source for truly analog-sounding plugins designed for the daily demands of real-world musicians and engineers. As an acclaimed company, it was founded in 2017 by Reimund Dratwa, deeply knowledgeable as an expert in translating complex analog topologies into top-tier DSP code. Creating a huge portfolio of leading modeling titles over the years for brands like ACME, Black Box, Black Rooster, elysia, Millennia, Neold, Vertigo, and many others available via Plugin Alliance and the UAD-2 platform, his own designs remain 100% pure Fuse Audio Labs.
© 2024 Fuse Audio Labs
“I’m fascinated by the human voice, so anything that lets me use it in ways I’ve not heard before is a must; FOLDS can either sit amongst real voices, generating a unique and complex — yet subtle — character, or it can drive a piece up front with its own very performable and programmable settings.”
– GRAMMY-, BMI-, and World Soundtrack Awards-winning film composer David Arnold (Casino Royale, Godzilla, Independence Day), 2024
LONDON, UK: cutting-edge contemporary music-orientated virtual instrument creator VOID & VISTA is proud to announce availability of FOLDS — formulated as an intimate yet expansive boutique virtual instrument for Native Instruments’ KONTAKT platform and NKS-compatible devices, based upon the human voice and its creator’s award-winning sound design engine — as of March 28…
Creatively combining expressive, characterful, and unique sampling with powerful sound design features and an inspiring UI (User Interface) to offer 32 sound sources anchored around expressive vocal articulations and textures, both real and imagined, FOLDS is ideally suited to contemporary media composers, production music writers, and sound designers alike. And thanks to the variety of emotive textures that it offers, electronic music producers and artists across multiple genres can clearly expand their toolbox, too.
That being said, then, FOLDS’ bespoke collection of carefully curated male and female vocalist articulations incorporate soft and hard arrhythmic expressions; weaving and wavering vowels; broken reversed hums; evocative vocalizations designed for bass; sound effects; and more.
For FOLDS also features an inspiring collection of effect sounds, such as reverse granulations, as well as re-synthesized, deconstructed, and synthetically processed sounds using Eurorack modular, effect pedals, and tape machine manipulations. Sampled synth waveforms taken from a collection of analogue hardware are also featured.
FOLDS’ 32 sound sources can be layered, sculpted, and effected using a deep, two-layer sound design engine that includes multimode filters; dual motion LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators); six envelopes; customizable LOFI effect;
three-stage parallel CHARACTER effects (with presets and user impulse response import); and dedicated REVERB and DELAY in the SPACE section. Such sound design power is available to all via an inspiring and intuitive UI with over 150 controls — including access to a custom MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) mapping page and dedicated send effects — designed to keep users focused on making music.
Moreover, FOLDS comes complete with a vast collection of over 300 preset snapshots organized locally for ease of use; all have pre-assigned mod wheel and/or aftertouch modulation mappings for jaw-dropping sound manipulation and adding musical expression… evidenced by award-winning film composer David Arnold’s understandably uncurbed enthusiasm!
FOLDS is initially available to purchase for 20% off with the FOLDSLAUNCH20 discount code that is valid until May 8, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of £129.00 GBP — as a KONTAKT PLAYER- and NKS-compatible AAX-, AU-, and VST-formatted virtual instrument plug-in featuring4.5 GB of samples that is compatible with all major DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) running on macOS 11 or above — natively compatible with Apple Silicon — and Windows 10/11 directly from the dedicated product webpage here: https://www.voidandvista.com/products/folds
To function, FOLDS needs Native Instruments KONTAKT 7.7 or higher via the Native Access 2 administration tool for music creation software available from here: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/native-access-2/
Watch VOID & VISTA’s tantalizing trailer video for FOLDS here:
About VOID & VISTA (www.voidandvista.com)
VOID & VISTA is a team of four highly-experienced UK-based recording musicians, sound designers, and engineers, whose work has probably been heard by many without them even realizing it. Inspired by a mutual love of pushing musical sound design and expression to its limit, they aim to use their combined expertise to create cutting-edge virtual instruments for contemporary music. Collective credits include: composing and mixing music for Disney+, Netflix, and PlayStation; performing on film, television, and video game scores for notable composers like Lorne Balfe, Patrick Doyle, and Shigeru Umebayashi; sound design for manufacturers including Arturia, Korg, and Novation; writing, mixing, and mastering for various artists and labels such as EMI, Erased Tapes, KPM, Max Cooper, Rival Consoles, Sony BMG, and Universal; and producing award-winning sample packs for Ampify, Loopmasters, and Ninja Tune.
© 2024 VOID & VISTA Ltd
Los Angeles-based plugin developer Lunacy is announcing the release of its new interactive multi-effects engine, BEAM. In celebration of its release, BEAM is 40% off from now through April 24th.
The next installment in the growing Lunacy universe, BEAM ushers in the next generation of interactive granular sound design, textural convolution, and flexible parallel processing. Transform any sound: sparkle your keys, spice up your vocals, reshape your drums, and launch your synths into outer space all within an innovative “hear what you see” audio graph system.
Launching at an introductory promotional price of $59, BEAM features:
Following Lunacy’s award-winning 3D sampling engine, CUBE—which has grown to include over 1,000 presets and 280 multi-sampled sound sources—BEAM is the next step in the company’s continued efforts to revolutionize virtual sound production and interface design.
For a limited time through April 24th, BEAM is available for just $59 (from $99). For full details, visit the Lunacy website at https://lunacy.audio/products/beam
Technical Requirements
Paris, March 27th, 2024 – UVI release Xtreme FX 2, a completely redesigned modern sound design and foley instrument, with over 4,000 high-quality sounds, new engine with advanced sound shaping tools, XY performance controls, modulation, macro effects, new UI with streamlined workflow, full support for user samples and presets, and more. Xtreme FX 2 expands on the original vision, blurring the line between comprehensive effect library and stylized instrument designer with a massive library of sounds and breathtaking quality throughout.
Xtreme FX 2 is available immediately with a special intro price of $99 / 99€, and upgrade pricing of $49 / 49€ for users of Xtreme FX, now through April 8th, 2024 (regularly $149 / 149€).
Xtreme FX 2 delivers an incredible resource and creative inspiration to musicians and sound designers alike, with thousands of sound effects, foley, environments, synchronized rhythms, instruments and more, all quickly browsable and fully customizable, with drag-and-drop right in your DAW. Explore 16 categories including Activities, Animals, Combat, Elements, FX, People, Machines, Musical, Nature, Objects, Places, Sci-Fi, Themes, Transportation, Unreal, and Urban, each with numerous subcategories, providing a diverse range of material and a lightning fast workflow.
Xtreme FX 2 offers a finely-tuned set of sound shaping tools including performable XY controls, custom one-knob macro effects, time and pitch stretching with up to 4 octaves of pitch and speeds from 25-400% – adjusted independently or linked, synth-style ADSR controls for amp and filter, modulation, and bus effects for final polishing. Xtreme FX 2 also offers full support for user samples and user-based presets. Give new life to your personal sample library and leverage Xtreme FX 2’s powerful engine to tweak, warp, and perform your sounds in new and exciting ways.
Xtreme FX 2 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.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Xtreme FX 2 is available immediately with a special introductory price of $99 / 99€, and upgrade pricing of $49 / 49€ for users of Xtreme FX, now through April 8th, 2024 (regularly $149 / 149€)
