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United Plugins JMG Bitpunk

United Plugins Unleash Their Punk Attitude with JMG Sound’s BITPUNK, a versatile degrafation effect plug-in

United Plugins LogoPRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: independent development teams federation United Plugins is proud to announce the availability of BITPUNK from founding partner JMG Sound — anchored around an advanced bit-swapping engine that takes two source channels (A and B) and ruthlessly rips the bits from one to another to manipulate them in various vicious-sounding ways, with audio damage limitation being far from its intended audio remit as a punk attitude-pushing powerful and versatile digital degradation effect plug-in like no other… one which can, nevertheless, go from subtle sonic magic to all-out degradation, deformation, and destruction — as of June 22…

Powerful bit manipulation
Far from simply being a loud, fast-moving, and aggressive form of rock music popularised in the late-Seventies, punk effectively turned pop music and its attendant culture on its head with resonating attitude. As such, the punk attitude-pushing BITPUNK from United Plugins founding partner JMG Sound allows anyone to experience the raw energy of digital degradation as the ultimate effect plug-in for bit manipulation, unleashing its immense power to transform their sound through a wide range of bit-altering techniques, including swapping, crushing, inverting, and morphing. An array of cutting-edge bit-mangling effects — enhanced by master compression (PRESS), saturation (HEAT), and hard clipping (CLIP) — collectively conspire to make BITPUNK stand proud as the pinnacle of bit plug-ins, pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration like never before.

Enhance or destroy
As a punk attitude-pushing powerful and versatile digital degradation effect plug-in like no other, BITPUNK can subtly enhance the sound in various ways — add top-end crunch with some bit-crushing and rate reduction, smooth it out with filters, and beef up the low end with feedback, then compress and saturate for ultimate enhancement; but by its very nature, it can just as easily smash the life out of those bits, deforming them with frequency shifting and glitch effects, then overdrive everything through aggressive compression and hard clipping. Indeed, it can go from subtle sonic magic to all-out degradation, deformation, and destruction.

BITPUNK GUI

Swapping bits
An advanced bit-swapping engine powers BITPUNK towards doing what it is it does. Indeed, its main focus is to swap bits from two sources. SWAP MODE selects how the sources will be swapped; MORPH progressively swaps the bits from BITPUNK’s color-coded — A (green) and B (red) — channels, with each bit being individually crossfaded with the next to enable smooth transitions between bits — great for transitions and automating, while GRID allows each bit to be independently swapped from A to B — good for setting a custom bit pattern. Put it this way, though: those two sources must be different in some way for bit-swapping to take effect, which is why the two channels provide several effects to achieve this, including a RATE reducer — create crunchy-sounding top end by using sparingly or, alternatively, achieve lo-fi broken arcade-type effects by smashing it hard; square wave frequency shifter (SHIFT) — uses a dirty lo-fi algorithm with square-wave modulation; SYNC (syncable) DELAY — short values create cool phasing effects; self-explanatory HP (high-pass) and LP (low-pass) filters; plus more besides. BITPUNK also has a SIDECHAIN input as part of its B MODE SELECTION, so users can route any audio into its B channel to then swap bits between the two signals, allowing for smooth morphing between two completely different sound sources in very unique ways. Said SIDECHAIN can also be used to duplicate the input signal so external effects can be used to create the differences between the two channels.

A new kind of crush
BITPUNK’s B MODE SELECTION also includes a MUTE mode, making it possible for users to swap bits from the input with silenced bits for the classic bit-crushing effect. It is well worth noting here, however, that while standard bit crushers silence the bits starting from the highest to the lowest, BITPUNK users can silence them in any order they wish, making for a modern twist on a classic effect. Enhancements to finalize the sound can additionally be made after finishing deforming and degrading the audio with BITPUNK’s bit effects, thanks to its inclusion of an aggressive compressor (PRESS), soft clipping diode saturation (HEAT), HP and LP filters, and a hard clipper (CLIP); use them to tame harshness, fatten the sound, or overdrive it into oblivion, then blend the overall effect with the master DRY/WET mix. Musically speaking, an enormous range of damage, of course, can be inflicted. Is it any wonder, then, that award-winning producer, sound designer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist Zardonic (a.k.a. Federico Augusto Ágreda Álvarez), the Venezuela-born-and-bred 2016 Unión Rock Show Awards winner famed for finding the perfect flashpoint between the heavy metal and electronic music worlds.

Key features:
∙ Anchored around an advanced bit-swapping engine that takes two source channels and ruthlessly rips the bits from one to another
∙ Transforms sound through a wide range of bit-altering techniques — including swapping, crushing, inverting, and morphing — to go from subtle sonic magic to all-out degradation, deformation, and destruction
∙ Silences the bits in any order, making for a modern twist on the classic bit-crushing effect
∙ Finalises the sound with further enhancements, having deformed and degraded the audio with bit effects

JMG Sound’s BITPUNK is available to purchase for a time-limited introductory promo price of only €19.00 EUR until August 8, 2023 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €79.00 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/BITPUNK/), 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 BITPUNK 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 BITPUNK 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.

© 2023 United Plugins

 

29 Jun 2023
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Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Piano

Spitfire Audio Introduces the BBC Symphony Orchestra Piano, an exciting new addition to Spitfire Audio’s renowned BBCSO line.

BBCSO Piano Pro RRP: £149 / $189 / 189€
During Promo Period: £99 / $129 / 129€ *

BBCSO Piano Core RRP: £79 / $99 / 99€
Promo Crossgrade Period: £59 / $74 / 74€ *
More information here:

* A discount for anyone who owns BBCSO Core/Pro. Promo Crossgrade period ends on Thursday, July 20th, 2023

Spitfire Audio BBCSO Piano: PRO

Spitfire Audio LogoSpitfire Audio’s most detailed and versatile piano to date, the BBCSO Piano faithfully captures the live concert sound of a pristine Steinway Model D grand, at the iconic home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Maida Vale Studios — also host to The Beatles, Hendrix, Bowie, and countless film scores.

Recorded in concerto position in Studio One, this highly expressive piano has been captured with the same expertly curated microphone positions, designed to blend seamlessly with the orchestra. A range of specific close mics are available for cinematic and pop contexts, as well as pedal and hammers volume control, for stunning realism.

The BBCSO series has something for everyone, available in three editions – Discover, Core, and Professional – with the ProfessionalBBC Symphony Orchestra Logo edition being unmatched in its versatility, featuring 15 signals in total for endless sound sculpting possibilities.

Whether paired with the BBCSO or as a standalone instrument, BBCSO Piano promises to provide a rich, authentic piano sound suited to any genre.

THE BBCSO PLUGIN

The library opens in the existing award-winning dedicated BBCSO plugin – with a beautiful, modern design by ustwo (Monument Valley, DICE) – allowing for seamless integration with the rest of the BBCSO line and proving incredibly useful when writing for the piano and orchestra together.

In the Professional edition, the majority of mic signals are recorded in the same configuration as the original BBCSO library, while the close mics get you straight to the heart of the instrument. The piano has been expertly played by BBCSO concert pianist Elizabeth Burley — an exceptional player with a consistent touch.

ONE PIANO, THREE EDITIONS

A universal starting point for composers and music creators of every level, BBCSO Piano comes in three editions: Professional, Core, and Discover.

Spitfire Audio BBCSO Piano: DISCOVER

Discover: Get to know the BBCSO Piano with the smaller-sized version, integrated into the BBCSO Discover orchestral plugin — featuring limited sampling depth and one signal

BBC SO PIANO - DISCOVER

 

Spitfire Audio BBCSO Piano: CORE

Core: Full sampling depth and controls, with one curated mix signal

BBC SO PIANO - CORE

Spitfire Audio BBCSO Piano: PRO

Professional: Full sampling depth, two mixes, and the full range of signal options (15 in total), including hammer and pedal volume control

BBC SO PIANO - PRO

BBCSO Piano Discover and BBCSO Piano Core are free for owners of BBCSO Piano Professional.

THE PROFESSIONAL EDITION

The Professional edition is the definitive tool for writing professional, world-class music. Its 15 signals and controls offer all the options you could possibly need to curate your own bespoke mix to match the exact sound you’re looking for. It’s also ready to play straight out of the box, with two expertly curated professional mixes to choose from — Mix One offering your standard orchestral mix, and Mix Two offering a wider, more vibrant cinematic sound.

KEY FEATURES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL EDITION:

  • ~35GB
  • Reverb, Tightness, Hammers & Pedal Volume Control
  • Four Round Robins
  • Six Dynamic Layers
  • 15 Signal Options – including two bespoke mixes:
  • Mix One – An all-purpose standard orchestral classical mix.
  • Mix Two – A hyped, wider, more vibrant mix, perfect for cinematic purposes

Mics:

  • Tree – Situated above the conductor’s head, this gives a great representation of the sound. Use this as a basis to add other signals to
  • Outriggers – A wide set of omnidirectional microphones, designed to be used in conjunction with the Tree to add width
  • Ambients – High above the orchestra near the back of the room, these microphones add the most reverberant sound of the room
  • Mono – Traditionally what the BBC used to record the orchestra, a single ribbon microphone above the conductor’s head
  • Piano Hammers – A set of condenser mics placed directly above the piano hammers for a tight, percussive sound
  • Piano Ribbons – A set of ribbon mics positioned fairly close to the strings.
  • Piano Mids – A stereo pair at a medium distance from the piano.
  • Piano Far – A stereo pair at a further distance from the piano.
  • Sides – Super wide omnidirectional microphones. Ideal for adding a unique level of width or for adding to an Atmos mix
  • Balcony – As far away from the instrument as possible, these are right at the back on the viewing balcony of the studio
  • Atmos Front – A stereo submix specifically for use within the front of a Dolby Atmos mix
  • Atmos Rear – A stereo submix specifically for use within the rear of a Dolby Atmos mix
  • Spill All – A combination of other section mics covering the rest of the orchestra, use to add an element of realism to the mix
  • Velocity Curves – Use a range of controls to fine-tune the dynamic response of the Piano. Setting the Dynamics to Compress
  • Velocity High/Low enables the Mod Wheel to alter the sensitivity, while several velocity curve shapes are available

MODE SWITCHING

It’s now easier than ever to share and collaborate with fellow composers, collaborators, and directors — whatever edition of BBCSO Piano you own. Spitfire Audio’s groundbreaking mode-switching technology makes each edition of BBCSO Piano and BBCSO interchangeable, so you can mock up your scores quickly and with ease.

For composers on the go or with a limited technical setup, start writing a piece of music using Discover, and finish it in the Core or Professional edition, with a fuller range of signals, controls, and versatility. It also works the other way around: write a piece in the Professional edition and a collaborator can open it in Discover, play what you’ve written (with the sounds intelligently substituted), and add to it. When you reopen their edited version, you will hear their additions alongside your original composition – with your full selection of signals.

A UNIVERSAL INSTRUMENT

Since its release in 2019, the BBCSO library has become a core staple in the musical journey of thousands of composers, producers, and musicians worldwide. With this new grand piano, Spitfire Audio is enabling users at any level to further expand on their virtual orchestra — with a path to upgrade to new features and sonic possibilities when you’re ready, through Spitfire’s innovative mode-switching technology. This feature also makes it easier than ever to share and collaborate with fellow composers, regardless of which edition they own.

THE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the musical beating heart of the BBC itself – the oldest entertainment organization in the world, trusted and respected globally. The BBC Symphony Orchestra has been performing for nearly a century and is at the forefront of championing new orchestral music and composers at the BBC Proms and beyond, selling out concert halls the world over.

In the spirit of the BBC’s founding values — to inform, educate and entertain — Spitfire Audio has created a frequently updated range of resources designed for the next generation of producers, composers, and musicians — from templates to tutorials, to score breakdowns.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Available – June 29th, 2023 at 5pm BST
Link –

BBCSO Piano Pro RRP: £149 / $189 / 189€
Promo Crossgrade: £99 / $129 / 129€ *

BBCSO Piano Core RRP: £79 / $99 / 99€
Promo Crossgrade: £59 / $74 / 74€ *

BBCSO + BBCSO Piano Collection (Crossgrade) * :
BBCSO Pro + BBCSO Piano Pro: £1,048 / $1,188 / 1,188€
BBCSO Core + Piano Core: £458 / $523 / 532€

* A discount for anyone who owns BBCSO Core/Pro. Promo Crossgrade period ends on Thursday, July 20th, 2023

 

About The BBC Symphony Orchestra (https://www.bbc.co.uk/symphonyorchestra)

The BBC Symphony Orchestra has been at the heart of British musical life since it was founded in 1930. It plays a central role in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, performing at the First and Last Nights, as well as throughout each Proms season. The BBC SO performs an annual season of concerts at the Barbican in London, where it is Associate Orchestra. Its commitment to contemporary music is demonstrated by a range of premieres each season, as well as Total Immersion days devoted to specific composers or themes.

Highlights of the 2022–23 season at the Barbican include Total Immersion days exploring the music of George Walker, Kaija Saariaho and Jean Sibelius, the last two led by Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo, who also conducts concerts showcasing the music of Grażyna Bacewicz. Principal Guest Conductor Dalia Stasevska conducts two concerts, one featuring Elgar’s Cello Concerto with cellist Sol Gabetta and a family concert celebrating the work of French animator Grégoire Pont.

A literary theme runs through the season, which includes Neil Brand’s new version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles and the world premiere of Iain Bell’s Beowulf, with the BBC Symphony Chorus and with soloist Stuart Skelton. Ian McEwan, one of the most admired storytellers of our time, joins the orchestra to read from his own works, with music curated around his readings. The BBC Symphony Chorus also joins the BBC SO for Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, under Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, with soloists including Pumeza Matshikiza and Dame Sarah Connolly. Among this season’s world and UK premieres are Victoria Borisova-Ollas’s Portrait of a Lady by Swan Lake, Kaija Saariaho’s Saarikoski Songs and Valerie Coleman’s Umoja (Anthem of Unity) conducted by Gemma New, and the season comes to a close with the UK premiere of Joby Talbot’s opera Everest.
The vast majority of the BBC SO’s performances are broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and a number of studio recordings each season are free to attend. These often feature up-and-coming talent, including members of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme. All broadcasts are available for 30 days on BBC Sounds and the BBC SO can also be seen on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, and heard on the BBC’s online archive, Experience Classical. The BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus – alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Singers, and BBC Proms – also offer innovative education and community activities and take a lead role in the BBC Ten Pieces and BBC Young Composer program.

About BBC Maida Vale

The iconic Maida Vale Studios holds a rich history, having been at the center of BBC music since 1934 when it became home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Built in 1909, it was originally the largest indoor roller-skating rink in Europe, before being transformed into seven unique sound studios. From The Beatles to Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin to Bowie, from the Undertones to the swansong of the late Bing Crosby, from the era-defining John Peel Sessions to Radio 1 Live Lounge: over the last 75 years, Maida Vale has captured the performances of more famous artists than any other.

Responsible for some of the most influential and innovative developments in music technology and electronic music, including the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, it’s also renowned for its impressive gear list, including a diverse range of equipment from various eras and technologies — a unique combination of vintage gear, custom BBC designs, and state-of-the-art digital equipment — making it the preferred recording destination for countless musicians.

About Spitfire Audio (https://www.spitfireaudio.com)

Spitfire Audio is a British music technology company that specializes in sounds — sample libraries, virtual instruments, and other useful software devices. It collaborates with the best composers, artists, and engineers in the world to build musical tools that sound great and are exciting to use.

Spitfire Audio was founded by two award-winning composers. Born out of their shared dissatisfaction with string sample libraries, they pooled their resources and decided to record their own string samples at the legendary Air Studios in London. Initially, they invited a limited number of friends and associates to own copies of their samples, but whispers of this private sample club soon started to echo across the Atlantic Ocean throughout the composer community. Within a year, some of the most renowned composers in film and television signed up, so they decided to take their samples public.

To date, Spitfire Audio has recorded and released over 200 sample libraries, collaborating with some of the biggest names in media composition, including Hans Zimmer, Eric Whitacre, Ólafur Arnalds & the London Contemporary Orchestra. Spitfire Audio’s sounds are heard in everything, from major Hollywood film scores to recordings by Radiohead and U2. This initial side project is now a thriving international music technology enterprise, with a uniquely experienced and diverse workforce, all focused on a shared mission: to inspire a generation of composers. The composer team remains at the center of the business, drawing on their own experience as obsessive music makers to explore the needs and wants of their fellow composers.

29 Jun 2023
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GForce M-Tron Pro IV Featured

GForce Software Ltd. launches M-Tron Pro IV

GForce Logo newLondon, 20.06.23 – GForce Software is excited to introduce M-Tron Pro® IV, a completely revamped and significantly enhanced version of their beloved instrument. M-Tron Pro has gained significant acclaim as the finest software emulation of the Mellotron®, appreciated by both top producers and avid Mellotron enthusiasts. Boasting an extensive 3.5GB sound library, including over 200 tape banks and 800+ presets, it provides a wealth of sonic possibilities. The newly enhanced browser simplifies the exploration of this vast library, making M-Tron Pro IV an unparalleled source of inspiration. With its redesigned interface, GForce’s M-Tron Pro enables effortless and efficient sound customization, allowing you to shape the sounds according to your creative ideas.

WHAT’S NEW?
M-Tron Pro introduces a range of exciting new features that elevate the user experience and expand creative possibilities. M-Tron Pro IV has a fully-scalable UI. The new powerful Preset and Tape Browsers empower effortless navigation through the extensive library of more than 800 presets, ensuring quick access to the perfect sound. Take advantage of new functionalities like Undo, Redo, Copy, and Paste, ensuring seamless editing and experimentation. Enjoy an extended keyboard range, now spanning seven semitones lower.

GForce M-Tron Pro IV

Experience the authentic tape-based playback with the new Tape Wow and Flutter feature, capturing the organic imperfections that give the Mellotron its unique charm. Amp simulation brings warmth and character to your sound. The introduction of an alternative state-variable filter and ensemble effect, new LFO shaping possibilities, and a matrix reverb adds further depth and character to your sound. The expanded Aftertouch and Velocity controls offer enhanced playability and expressiveness.

With these remarkable new features, M-Tron Pro empowers you to push the boundaries of creativity and elevate your musical productions.

Working on GForce M-Tron Pro IV has been an incredible journey of innovation and musical inspiration. We aimed to create a truly exceptional instrument that not only pays homage to the iconic Mellotron but also pushes the boundaries of sound and performance. With its vast library, enhanced features, and user-friendly interface, M-Tron Pro IV opens up a world of sonic possibilities for musicians and producers. We can’t wait for the music community to experience the magic of M-Tron Pro IV and unleash their creativity like never before.” Chris Macleod, GForce co-founder.

THE ORIGINAL – THE MELLOTRON M400
GForce’s M-Tron Pro IV delves into the iconic Mellotron M400, a tape-based keyboard famous for its use in recordings by renowned artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Oasis, Trent Reznor, Trentemøller, AIR, Nils Frahm, and many others. Its distinct sounds are widely utilized in genres such as progressive rock and indie rock but also lo-fi and hip hop.

From the flutes on the legendary introduction to The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” to tracks from The Moody Blues, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones to the modern sounds of The Flaming Lips, Nine Inch Nails, Modest Mouse, Muse, U2, Sigur Ros, and more, there’s no question that the sound of the Mellotron M400 is a deep part of music history.

WANT MORE?
M-Tron Pro is also available as part of the “M-Tron Pro – Complete” bundle that includes the instrument and all the Expansion Packs. That is a superb 11.3GB sound library with 500+ tape banks and 3500+ presets.

M-Tron Pro IV – key features

  • Nearly 200 total tape banks (sample sets)
  • The most authentic and exclusive library with over 3.5GB of factory samples
  • [New] 800+ patches including many curated by world-class recording artists and programmers including 100+ new presets
  • [New] Fully-scalable UI.
  • [New] Powerful Preset and Tape Browsers.
  • [New] Additional state-variable filter.
  • [New] Additional ensemble effect.
  • [New] Wow and Flutter with instability control.
  • [New] Amp simulation with warmth, noise, and saturation.
  • [New] Matrix Reverb effect.
  • [New] Individual FX locks.
  • [New] Extended keyboard range (down seven semitones)
  • [New] Undo, Redo, Copy, and Paste
  • [New] LFO shaping and destinations (Pitch, Filter, Pan, Level)
  • [New] Expanded Poly Aftertouch and Velocity controls for extra playability
  • Dual layer and split keyboard operation
  • Programmable MIDI CC response via MIDI Learn
  • Tape Reverse, Tape half-speed
  • The Brake – provides the ability to slow the tape playback speed for fabulous pitch-shift effects

 

More info
https://www.gforcesoftware.com/products/m-tron-pro/

Price
M-Tron Pro IV £149.99 +VAT
with an intro price of £74.99 + VAT
and upgrade price of £29.99 + VAT

M-Tron Pro IV Complete £333 +VAT
with an intro price of £199.99 + VAT

Compatibility
Mac: Standalone Application, AudioUnit, AAX, VST, and VST3
PC: Standalone Application, AAX, VST, and VST3

 

About GForce Software Ltd.
www.gforcesoftware.com
Specializing in vintage synthesizer modeling, GForce Software offers a range of products with the most authentic sonic and musical quality in the virtual arena. Our mission is to inspire composers and producers by providing well-crafted instruments and sounds, and to nurture those aspiring to learn and grow during their musical journey.

29 Jun 2023
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IK Amplitude Morley Collection

IK Multimedia Releases AmpliTube Morley® Collection

Three tradition-shattering effects pedals that inspired a generation of players
with new sounds for guitar and bass

AmpliTube Morley Collection - Image 1
June 29, 2023 – IK Multimedia releases AmpliTube Morley® Collection, bringing to AmpliTube 5 three officially certified classic and rare stompbox effects from the pioneers of effects pedals. Over the years, the Morley company has produced innovative wah-wahs, volume pedals, phasers and delays used by a wide range of musicians, including Steve Vai, Cliff Burton, David Gilmour, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Jerry Garcia and Lee Ritenour.

AmpliTube Morley Collection - Image 2

Get More with Morley
AmpliTube Morley Collection features three of their most groundbreaking stompbox designs including the much sought-after EVO-1, which uses an electro-static delay apparatus famously called the Oil Can Delay. Each effect captures perfectly the original’s unique tone-shaping design with some added new features approved by Morley in the case of the EVO-1.

Morley EVO-1 “Oil Can Delay”
The Morley EVO-1 is a rare and highly coveted effect pedal that was released in the early ’70s. It uses a patented electro-static delay technology to create a warm, warbly sound that is unlike any other delay pedal. Perfectly recaptured by IK’s design team and sound-certified by Morley, users get all of the hardware’s sonic idiosyncrasies and unpredictability along with new tone-shaping controls over Disk Noise, Disk Erase and delay BPM.

Morley Power Wah Fuzz
The Morley Power Wah Fuzz is another classic effects pedal released in the ’70s that combines a wah and a fuzz effect into one unit. Using the latest modeling technologies IK has faithfully recreated the warmth and saturated tone of the original MPSA12 transistor. Even the wide frequency range of the optical sensor (the first of its kind) was modeled to deliver a variety of sounds from subtle to extreme.

Morley Contour Wah Pedal
The Morley Contour Wah Pedal Model is an electro-optical wah pedal that was first released in 1996. The AmpliTube version offers the same wide frequency range and a variable Q control for precisely shaping the wah sound. Like the original, the virtual pedal has a Contour mode for sweeping filter effects that along with the Level control can fine-tune the high-end response and personality of the pedal from mellow to bright and cutting.

Pricing and Availability
AmpliTube Morley Collection is available now from the IK Multimedia online store and from IK authorized dealers worldwide for $/€49.99.* Morley Pedals may also be purchased individually for $/€24.99 each.

Special Offer
AmpliTube Morley Collection will be included with new purchases of AmpliTube 5 MAX v2 and Total Studio 4 MAX through July 31.

*Pricing excludes taxes.

For more information about AmpliTube Morley Collection and to hear it in action, please visit:

29 Jun 2023
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Synclavier Digital Regen - Featured

Synclavier Digital releases regenerated Synclavier® II trailblazer as timeless Regen desktop synthesizer enhanced by present-day DSP developments

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: soft-launched late last year to widespread critical acclaim at the Synthplex® synthesizer expo and electronic music festival hosted at the Marriott Convention Center in Burbank, CA, USA with pre-orders opening for fulfilment in 2023, timeless synthesis product manufacturer Synclavier Digital is proud to announce wider availability of Regen — released as a desktop synthesizer that is, in short, a real regeneration of New England Digital’s seminal Synclavier® II digital synthesizer that took the pro audio industry by storm when introduced in its initial incarnation in 1980 (evolving beyond that to blaze more technological trails with polyphonic sampling and, ultimately, DAW — Digital Audio Workstation — capabilities well before that term was invented, even), extended and enhanced to take advantage of the increased computing power available today to make it as compelling in a modern setting as the prohibitively pricey original did during its time (finding favour with top-tier film composers, record producers, and recording artists), while the considerable cost and size reductions associated with Regen’s present-day design criteria conversely position it well within reach of (almost) anyone — as of June 29…

Synclavier Digital Regen Desktop Synthesizer:

After a two-year development period leading to its soft launch late last year, Synclavier Digital’s Regen readies and steadies itself for use in a modern setting as a timeless desktop synthesizer distinctively designed around a rugged, backpack-friendly — 310mm (W) x 260mm (D) x 42mm (H) — aluminum housing weighing in at 1.8kg and finished in a sand-textured black coloration complimented by a ‘Synclavier-red’ surround securely set upon non-slip rubber plinths, and also embracing ergonomic features such as VESA mount compliance. Connectivity clearly abounds in that eye-catching surround, with MIDI IN and THRU ports provided on 1/8” TRS connectors alongside a Phones TRS jack (for 32Ω – 300Ω headphones to monitor master audio with independent volume control); DC-coupled stereo (L and R) Balanced Outputs on XLR connections (for studio use at pro-level 4dBu, with associated GND — ground — lift); DC-coupled stereo (L and R) Single-Ended Outputs on TS connections; HOST USB port (for connecting to a computer for MIDI input from a DAW); four Accessories USB ports (for connecting MIDI keyboard controllers, sequencers, and audio interfaces — or even a standalone Synclavier® KNOB, should someone be lucky enough to own one of these rare re-engineered recreations of the original knob central to the seminal Synclavier® II digital synthesizer’s speedy control surface, specially commissioned by co-inventor Cameron Warner Jones as a USB device); and an SD CARD reader (for unlimited user timbre and sample libraries above and beyond Regen’s 1GB of onboard factory content). It is, however, Regen’s unique user interface that sets it apart from today’s production pack, dominated as it is by two glorious full-color sunken OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays with advanced animated graphics, contemporarily comprising a so-called VK display — duly named on account of its mimicking the display from the top-tier Synclavier® II VPK (Velocity Pressure Keyboard) edition emerging back in 1985 — that shows the most pertinent information, as well as a main modal display dominating the NAVIGATION panel that shows current parameters, user settings, timbre library, and more. Meanwhile, responsive silicon back-lit parameter buttons are grouped accordingly, complimented by 12 touch-sensitive selector buttons that can handle gestures to swiftly select multiple PARTIALS or TRACKS, while the vertical-value SWIPER is touch accurate to 128 levels of resolution for precise control of every parameter as a virtual knob capacitive slider with epoxy coating.

Cutting to the technological chase, then, Regen’s rich sound-design capabilities are anchored around an advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) synth engine that powered the seminal Synclavier® II digital synthesizer. It is, in fact, the self-same DSP engine modeled in software with all the quirks and nuances of the original hardware that lend Regen a musicality seldom found in modern synthesizers. Saying that, though, this has been extended and enhanced to take advantage of the increased computing power available today to deliver 12 separate tracks of multi-timbrality, assignable to MIDI (Musical Digital Interface) tracks and keyboard ranges; up to 98 simultaneous voices (albeit voice count is dependent on system load and likely to be much higher in typical scenarios); 12 partials per timbre with each partial — always essential to Synclavier sound design, as reflected by its inventors filing a patent on the Partial Timbre Sound Synthesis Method and Instrument back in 1984 — operating in one of the available — Additive (supports coefficient and phase control of 24 harmonics), Sample (up to 24 samples can be placed on the partial’s patchlist), Subtractive (can have a noise generator or up to nine de-tuneable continuous sawtooth waveforms), and Hybrid (resynthesized samples, resynthesis being a technique developed by New England Digital in the Eighties to create sounds with precisely-controlled harmonics that vary over time) — oscillator modes; timbre-level effects, including a stereo reverb algorithm (with pre-delay and presets library), highly-optimised multi-mode filter (with sophisticated filter envelope), and bit-crusher (for use with Additive, Sample, and Hybrid modes); FM (Frequency Modulation) controllable per partial (all modes) with envelope; and a sophisticated modulation system that allows many parameters to be controlled via MIDI, LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) — 24 per timbre, or driven by envelopes — 24 per timbre. The high-resolution 24-bit stereo DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) circuit involved in allowing those rich sound-design capabilities to shine forth for all to hear is designed for ultra-low noise floor with 11dB of headroom over nominal level, delivering a measured 130dB of dynamic range and a 50kHz sample playback rate — to take full advantage of the Synclavier II DSP synth engine, which was optimized around the 50kHz sampling rate of the original ‘poly-sampling’ system, and to give an accurate reproduction of many of the included New England Digital (NED) samples that were recorded at 50kHz. Indeed, inbuilt performance at such high levels sees to it that Regen is never going to be the weakest link in anyone’s audio chain for sure.

Samples are, of course, clearly integral to Regen, which features over 2,000 royalty-free examples — including over 350 selected original NED samples and 195 newly-commissioned ones from sound design luminaries like English musician and soul singer Jamie Lidell and Canadian keyboard player Leith Fleming-Smith — alongside 550-plus preset timbres categorized by instrument tags, to include 64 hand-picked examples by American musician, composer, and conductor Anthony Marinelli from his film composing heyday — think Blue Thunder (1983), WarGames (1983), Starman (1984), and Stakeout (1987), having originally worked out of a converted pool-house at his parental home eventually equipped with a Synclavier® II digital synthesizer, subsequently stepping up to a Synclavier® D-to-D (Direct-To-Disk) digital recording and editing system specially configured to meet the needs of the film and video post-production professional. Polyphonic aftertouch and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) are supported by Regen, and many presets are optimized for MPE.

It is, quite clearly, fair to say that Regen has a history. After all, over 40 years of synth design has led to its creation as Cameron Warner Jones’ justified response to a question hitherto repeatedly deflected since NED’s dissolution: “When are you going to do another hardware version of the Synclavier?” Effectively enlisting Craig Phillips — with whom he had previously collaborated on the aforesaid audacious Synclavier® KNOB — to play the part of original Synclavier hardware designer Sydney Alonso, the resulting Regen is a sound designer’s dream in a timeless desktop package, one to which the Synclavier Digital dream team has added more firmware-upgradable features since its eye- and ear-opening introduction, including resynthesis of samples and more microtonal options, plus six additional libraries of presets available to download. Concludes Craig Phillips: “Looking at this synth now, and the complexity of it from both a hardware and software standpoint, it seems unreal that we completed the development, but back when Cameron and Sydney Alonso were working on the Synclavier II together, that was a monumental achievement, too.”

Regen retails for $2,500.00 USD (excluding any local taxes or import duties); if purchasing directly from Synclavier Digital’s Online Store (https://store.synclavier.com/products/synclavier-regen), the webpage will calculate a local currency price — including free postal service shipping in the USA and Canada, while other express and international shipping options are shown during checkout — based on a fair exchange rate at that time. (That webpage also lists Synclavier Digital’s growing global network of dealers in the USA, Europe, Canada, and Japan, should purchasers prefer to shop locally in those territories.)

For more in-depth info, including some stunning-sounding demos, please visit the dedicated Regen webpage here: https://www.synclavier.com/synclavier-regen/

Read more about the remarkable Regen backstory here:

https://www.synclavier.com/genesis-of-regen/

See and hear Regen in action in Synclavier Digital’s illuminating introductory video here:

About Synclavier Digital (www.synclavier.com)
Timeless synthesis product manufacturer Synclavier Digital was established in 2018 to recreate a modern iOS-based version of the Synclavier® digital audio system, whose world-class synthesis origins date back to March 1976 when inventors Cameron Warner Jones and Sydney Alonso attended Dartmouth College, a private Ivy League research university in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. Ultimately realizing that their trailblazing project had commercial potential, the dynamic duo and their mentor, Jon Appleton, founded a Corporation called New England Digital (NED) in nearby Norwich, Vermont. There they continued creating their own CPU (Central Processing Unit) architecture and writing their own software compilers — no small feat at the time — to fulfill their increasing ambitions and the demands of digital audio, the results of which took the pro audio industry by storm in summer 1980 when the trailblazing Synclavier® II digital synthesizer was unveiled, using its innovative Real-Time Program software to create its signature sounds with the patented Partial Timbre Method, utilizing both FM (Frequency Modulation) and Additive (harmonic) synthesis. Surfacing in an era when recorded music was commonly captured to 24-track tape, the 1985-vintage VPK (Velocity-Pressure Keyboard), a Synclavier® with an incredible velocity-sensitive keyboard and polyphonic sampling, was a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) well before that term was even invented! It came at a price — priced higher than an average home. However, the Synclavier® soon found favor with top-tier recording artists such as Michael Jackson — the ominous gongs opening ‘Beat It’ introduced the wider world to a stunning Synclavier® II preset in all its ear-opening glory — while playing a major role in enabling record producers like Trevor Horn to create cutting-edge records for the likes of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Seal. Saying that, having found a high-flying home in just about every major recording and film studio, the hand-built-to-order, high-quality component-constructed instrument’s days were numbered as cheaper technologies took its (pride of) place and NED filed for bankruptcy… but not before the cutting-edge-enabling company succeeded in securing itself pole position in music technology history, thanks to its innovative hardware and software system for all digital non-linear synthesis, polyphonic sampling, magnetic (hard-disk) recording, and sequencing systems technology that is commonplace in all music and sound effects/design to this day. History has a way of repeating itself, though; today Synclavier Digital is home to the Synclavier Go! digital synthesizer app for iOS and, most recently, Regen — representing a bold move ‘back’ into the hardware arena as a timeless desktop synthesizer; in short, a real regeneration of NED’s seminal Synclavier® II — from the miraculous mind of the original iconic instrument’s co-inventor, Cameron Warner Jones, ably assisted by 20-year software veteran Craig Phillips with whom he has joined forces.

© 2023 Synclavier Digital Corporation Ltd.

29 Jun 2023
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UJAM Beatmaker COZY Featured

UJAM’s Latest Beatmaker Gets COZY

German-American plug-in makers UJAM announce a new Beatmaker with drum sounds that emphasize tape warmth and dusty vinyl crackle: Beatmaker COZY. The plug-in is full of LoFi hip hop beats that are perfect to relax or study to.

The proprietary special control Nostalgia gives producers even more vinyl feel, smoothing transients, increasing saturation, and adding the sound of a beautiful tube mic via convolution by simply moving one dial.

COZY adds to the Beatmaker series including CIRCUITS (classic drum machines), BERSERK (dubstep beats), RICO (Latin pop grooves), IDOL (modern K-Pop), GLORY (trap and modern hip-hop), NEMESIS (cyberpunk beats), KANDY (billboard charts pop), HYPE (progressive house), EDEN 2 (HYPE’s EDM sister), DOPE 2 (90s hip hop), HUSTLE 2 (trap & grime), VICE (80s synthwave) and VOID (drum & bass).

UJAM Beatmaker COZY: GUI

COZY is available now in VST 2, VST 3, AU 2, and AAX formats and also as a free, fully functional 30-day trial at . It also runs natively on Apple Silicon systems.

COZY contains the following features:

  • 20 styles, 50 presets
  • 10 drum kits, 460 patterns
  • MIDI Drag and Drop
  • Special control: Nostalgia

Pricing and availability

COZY is now available at for an introductory offer of 49 EUR / USD, owners of any Beatmaker get a special loyalty offer of 29 EUR / USD until July 9th. After that, the plug-in sells for 69 EUR / USD.

The bundle of 14 Beatmaker plug-ins including COZY, CIRCUITS, BERSERK, RICO, IDOL, GLORY, NEMESIS, KANDY, HYPE, EDEN 2, DOPE 2, HUSTLE 2, VICE and VOID is available for 499 EUR / USD (instead of 966 EUR / USD for the single products).

All Beatmaker plug-ins can be downloaded in VST 2, VST 3, AU 2, and AAX formats for any compatible DAW, including Logic, Garageband, Cubase, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, FL Studio and Studio One. Free, fully functional 30-day trials are available.

About UJAM

UJAM is a German-American maker of music technology co-founded by Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams. With the Plug-in series Usynth, Virtual Pianist, Groovemate, Symphonic Elements, Virtual Guitarist, Virtual Bassist, Virtual Drummer, Beatmaker and Finisher and a range of software solutions, UJAM helps people to make music.

28 Jun 2023
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East West Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra: Featured

EastWest Releases Hollywood Fantasy Winds, Chapter Three Of Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra

East West LOGOHollywood, CA (June 22, 2023) – EastWest expands their new series Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra yet again and is proud to release Hollywood Fantasy Winds with an array of ethereal, majestic woodwind instruments that transcend the modern orchestra, complete with true legato and a wide variety of articulations to command the realism and power for a cinematic ensemble of winds. The entire collection is deeply rooted in Celtic musical literature and is perhaps the most unique and evocative section in Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra.

Hollywood Fantasy Winds features instruments that have no parallel in the modern orchestra but fit right in with the grandest settings, carrying a rich, haunting quality that conventional sample libraries can’t touch:

Four Irish Whistles (2 high, 2 low) are staples in Celtic folk music. The high flute is extremely flexible as a topline addition to the melodies you can create with other instruments in this collection. The low whistle provides the same mystical sound but with a lower pitch range and a deeper, rounder, and more mellow sound quality.

Two Renaissance Flutes: This flute has a similarly smooth, breathy tone to the concert flute, but its wooden construction provides a rounder and more mellow sound similar to that of an ancient recorder. Its smooth, breathy quality is simultaneously intimate and regal.

Three Uilleann Pipes: This Celtic classic from the 1700s has been used in countless scores like Braveheart, and Titanic, along with Square’s classic game Xenogears. Its construction is similar to that of the bagpipes, but its quality is more lyrical rather than piercing, making these pipes the perfect choice for regal melodies that blend seamlessly with a full orchestra. Uilleann pipe sound libraries have been around for some time, but an ensemble was unheard of until now — layer this with strings or other winds, or let it shine on its own for rich melodic passages fitting for the soundtracks of any scale.

Four Ocarinas: Nintendo’s iconic game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time brought this haunting, hollow-tone but long-forgotten instrument back into the public eye. Think of this as a more agile folk complement to the Renaissance flute used more often in court music; it’s soft, flexible, and allows for beautiful trills and ornaments that add depth to anything you play. This ocarina ensemble is the perfect choice for soft, expressive passages when whistles and pipes cut through a little too sharply.

Produced by sound titans Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra includes everything you need to create fantasy film, television, and game soundtracks. It includes unique ensembles that bridge the gap between orchestral and world instruments – perfect for your next big fantasy epic or medieval tale. Recorded in the same soundstage as their award-winning blockbuster series Hollywood Orchestra, many of the instruments of Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra have been recorded in small ensembles with full stereo imaging mic placement, surround sound options, and all the features of EastWest’s revolutionary Opus software.

The next installments of Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra will be Hollywood Fantasy Percussion (available July 27th for $99), Hollywood Fantasy Voices (available August 31st for $99), and the Hollywood Fantasy Orchestrator (partnered with Sonuscore, available October 5th for $99.) Soon you’ll have an entire collection of instruments at your fingertips perfect for creating cinematic fantasy masterpieces of any size and scale!

Pricing & Availability

Hollywood Fantasy Winds is available for individual purchase for a special introductory price of $99, or you can get it as part of a Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra bundle, or with EastWest’s popular ComposerCloud+ subscription service, which gives you access to this and all collections in their massive catalog.

For new subscribers, EastWest is now offering a 1-month ComposerCloud+ Free Trial: https://www.soundsonline.com/composercloud

About EASTWEST
EastWest Sounds (www.soundsonline.com) has been dedicated to perpetual innovation and uncompromising quality of Sample Libraries and Virtual Instruments for more than 30 years, setting the industry standard as the most critically acclaimed sound developer. Find more about EastWest at soundsonline.com.

23 Jun 2023
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Steinberg Spectral Layers 10: Featured

Steinberg Presents SpectraLayers 10: Now with Even More Detail, Speed and Control

The latest version of Steinberg’s state-of-the-art spectral editing software comes with a range of new tools, processes, and significant enhancements which deliver unmatched power to sound editors in every field.

Steinberg LogoHAMBURG, Germany — Steinberg today announces the immediate availability of SpectraLayers Pro 10 and SpectraLayers Elements 10, delivering the finest in spectral audio processing. Updated with a redesigned core and greatly evolved AI potential, an array of new features for enhanced control has also been added, making spectral audio editing faster and more precise than in any previous version.
SpectraLayers 10 offers remarkably flexible, powerful, and intuitive spectral editing, thanks to its artificial intelligence-driven processing. Sounds are displayed as visual objects and layers, enabling ultra-precise editing for any application, including music and postproduction, sound design, audio restoration, and much more.

SpectraLayers’ many new features focus on unmixing, new approaches to speech recognition and processing, enhanced AI-powered editing and comprehensive improvements for better sound results.
The unmixing potential that SpectraLayers 10 has to offer is immense: unmixing tracks into six stems now includes dedicated guitar and drum processing, with additional layers for clean kick and snare drums, as well as cymbals. Use the new Unmix Multichannel Content capability to analyze the relative power of a specific sound across multiple channels, which can then be extracted evenly across them. With the included AI-supported processes — such as Reverb Reduction and Voice Denoiser — better unmixed vocal results can be achieved than ever before.

Turning to unmixing multiple voices and speech transcription, with SpectraLayers 10 users are now able to extract multiple voices to individual layers. Speech can be separated from noise, with each noise reduction algorithm upgraded in this latest version. And there’s more: speech can now be transcribed into nine languages and displayed on the timeline, which is a huge time-saver in audio post-production. Taking ambient space control to the next level, the Reverb Match process now works seamlessly with the Ambience Match, EQ Match, and the enhanced Reverb Reduction tool.

More processes feature more control in version 10. Multiple VST 3 plug-in support means users can now chain several effects. The new capability to import multiple audio files is useful for launching a new project or adding layers to an existing project. Also new to SpectraLayers 10 is that multiple process dialogs can be displayed side-by-side for users to toggle between the different processes.
Other new capabilities in SpectraLayers 10 include:
• Improved sliders enhance making adjustments, no matter how detailed they are.
• Contextual cut/copy/paste allows users to operate seamlessly by simply right-clicking the selection in the desired location.
• Logical layer colors allow users to stay organized by automatically selecting alternate colors when creating layers.
• New insert and cropping options are now available per layer.
• Preview and apply keyboard shortcuts to simplify the user’s individual workflow.
• Improved online help is now available to every tool and process.

“We wanted SpectraLayers 10 to be even faster and more powerful than before. This version has truly made a giant leap forward, with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and its rebuilt engine,” says Marketing Manager Luis Dongo. “With all its unmixing tools, speech recognition and processing, enhanced control, and many improvements, we are sure that our users will appreciate how much time they will save when working with SpectraLayers 10.”

Availability and pricing
Full-license retail versions of SpectraLayers Pro 10 and SpectraLayers Elements 10 are available through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price for SpectraLayers
Pro 10 is 299 euros or 299.99 US dollars. The suggested retail price for SpectraLayers Elements 10 is 79.99 euros or 79.99 US dollars.
Various downloadable updates, upgrades, and crossgrades are available through the Steinberg Online Shop.
Customers who have activated previous versions of SpectraLayers Pro and SpectraLayers Elements since May 24, 2023, are eligible for a free, downloadable grace period update to the latest respective version.
For more information visit the official product page: www.steinberg.net/spectralayers

 

About Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
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. The company also offers business customers license management and copy-protection systems.
Visit www.steinberg.net for further details.

22 Jun 2023
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Albion Re-Issue Featured

Spitfire Audio Celebrates 12 Years Of Albion Re-Releasing The Original Titles

Out-of-the-box composer tools created for film scoring — a collection of orchestral ensembles featuring strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion as well as loops, synths, and atmospheres, all captured at AIR Studios, Lyndhurst Hall. This classic Spitfire library is full of character, providing users with a cinematic orchestral palette for composers to sketch large, epic‑sounding, Hollywood‑style film scores.
Captured in 2011, this sample library was Spitfire’s maiden Albion product, which kickstarted the whole range of Albions, a selection of all-in-one products of cinematic inspiration.
A classic in the Spitfire catalog, an all-in-one composer tool designed to inspire and create beautiful, detailed music. This volume encompasses an expertly sampled chamber-sized orchestra, featuring strings, woods, brass and cinematic drums, alongside eclectic loops and an inspiring organic synth. The perfect starting point for independent films, period dramas, or more cerebral and intimate music.
Recorded at the legendary AIR Studios, Lyndhurst Hall, Albion Loegria is a one-stop-shop for media composers, students wanting to break into media music or the building blocks for a fine orchestral setup.
Albion Iceni stands out as a revolutionary assortment of awe-inspiring sounds, meticulously curated into a cutting-edge collection. This extraordinary package boasts epic low-end brass and electrifying woodwinds, harmonized with a string ensemble comprising an extensive range of cellos and basses, delivering both graceful legatos and commanding staccatos. This all-in-one composing tool also delivers an extraordinary collection of the thickest and deepest synth sounds available, and loops that encompass an enchanting array of organic, pulsating, and percussive sounds, providing the perfect finishing touch to your score.
Albion Iceni caters to the creative vision of composers and music producers who seek to craft immense and foreboding low-frequency sounds, evoking the atmosphere of dystopian futures or the chaos of a raging battlefield. This exceptional collection is perfect for creating cinematic scores, game soundtracks, and epic compositions in the realms of rock, pop, and electronic music. Unleash the power of Albion Iceni to bring your artistic visions to life, commanding attention and leaving a lasting impact on your audience.
22 Jun 2023
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PLANER the II Featured

Avantone Pro pushes Planar the II as advanced open-back reference-grade headphones with planar drivers design

Avantone LogoTALLMAN, NY, USA: having introduced its original open-back reference-grade headphones with planar drivers design to widespread critical acclaim three years ago as a radical departure from traditional dynamic designs, Avantone Pro is proud to announce the availability of Planar the II — taking its best and making it better by reducing the weight of that already surprisingly low-weight Planar predecessor to ensure even greater comfort during long-haul mix and listening sessions while continuing to take advantage of the amazing accuracy, high-end detail, clarity, natural bass, and response time that can clearly be attributed to its namesake planar drivers, duly making it an ideal solution for mix engineers, musicians, podcasters, live-streamers, and hi-fi enthusiasts alike — as of June 21…

An appreciation of some science goes some way towards an appreciation of Planar the II’s namesake planar drivers;Avantone PLANER the II LOGO with that, of course, comes an appreciation of the advantages of Avantone Pro’s advanced open-back reference-grade headphones themselves. Traditional moving-coil (dynamic) drivers deploy an asymmetric single-magnet design that begets an asymmetric waveform, driving audio from a single point to create an unnatural spheroid wavefront that relies on the surround’s elasticity to return the driver to the neutral position — pushing but not pulling, in other words. What this really boils down to, though, is a distorted misrepresentation of audio reproduction. Reality dictates that planar drivers, conversely, operate via a matrix of neodymium magnets that both push and pull from both sides of its incredibly thin, ultralight diaphragm across its entire surface area, thereby creating a more naturalistic wavefront with very little harmonic distortion and incredibly fast response time. It is, in fact, these symmetrical vibrations that are responsible for Planar the II’s trademark tight bass and breathtaking soundstage. An attendant 30 kHz ceiling is, impressively, also well worth noting.

Needless to say, Planar the II really represents the sum total of Avantone Pro’s extensive experience in meeting the demands of music professionals. Planar the II employs a perfectly tuned open-back architecture, designed to eliminate the pressure build-up, acoustic resonance, and frequency curve typical of closed-back headphones, further ensuring that any monitored music is represented as accurately as possible. Put it this way: when working with Planar the II, the air and breath in every vocal, the long decays of shimmering reverb tails, and the tight, punchy bass that hits hard can clearly be heard — and all without being overhyped.

Avantone PLANER the II headphones with carrying bag

Of course, Avantone Pro has far from sacrificing the need for comfort when designing Planar the II as an audiophile-grade quality product perfectly suited to any situation where music matters most by making the advanced open-back reference-grade headphones more lightweight than the already surprisingly low-weight classic Planar design that preceded them. This is further bolstered by cozy ear pads that will surely stay comfortable during long-haul mix and listening sessions. Speaking of comfort, the Planar the II package also comes complete with a high-grade, removable, two-metre-long, noise-free 3.5mm cable that can be plugged into either side to suit workflow or handedness. Handily, an eco-friendly shoulder bag with room for accessories — and a pouch for that cable — is also included in the purchase.

Planar the II is available — in a color choice of Black, Creme, or Red — at Avantone Pro’s US Dealers (https://www.avantonepro.com/en/dealers) with a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of $399.00 USD. (MSRP — Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price — in the European Union is €532.00 EUR, including VAT, with international dealers listed by country here: https://www.avantonepro.com/en/international-dealers)

For further information, please visit the dedicated Planar the II webpage here: https://www.avantonepro.com/en/products/planar-ii

 

About Avantone Pro (www.avantonepro.com)
As a producer of affordable high-quality studio monitors, reference headphones, microphones, and accessories, Avantone Pro is a different kind of audio company — a creative vehicle, in effect, enabling its core team to bring to market the things viewed as missing in the industry. Indeed, this could be anything as simple as meeting a particular price point to give excellent quality for reasonable pricing to a product that simply does not exist until built by that team. Far from using the shotgun approach to creating a product line, however, each and every product produced has passion and purpose driving it forward. Regardless of whether attracting a two- or four-figure price tag, attention to design is consistent throughout all Avantone Pro products. Performance comes first, of course, but a great deal of design time is spent creating visually attractive products. Put it this way: the company collectively enjoys classic, timeless designs itself; it is convinced, therefore, that others feel the same way! With its microphones and monitors used in studios around the world — whether within home-based project setups or world-renowned multi-million-dollar facilities, Avantone Pro is sensitive to the real-world operating budgets of bigger and smaller studios alike but also appreciates struggling songwriters/artists who are passionate about creating great music yet must adhere to budget limitations based on common sense spending. Since it strives to offer products that anyone would be proud to own and have long-term use of in the quest for creating great music, even those on a budget can comfortably access Avantone Pro’s world-class sound.

© 2023 Avantone Pro

21 Jun 2023
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