Essential software and shiny gear for music producers
Zero-G just released Hauntology, a 3.2GB sample library filled with organic electronic samples created by composer/producer Si Begg.
Read the whole post “Zero-G Hauntology: Organic Electronica Sample Library”
Soundtheory just released Gullfoss (named after that huge waterfall in Iceland btw), an intelligent automatic equalizer plugin that uses “unique computational auditory perception technology” to identify and resolve problems in your track or mix.
Read the whole post “Soundtheory Gullfoss: Intelligent Automatic Equalizer Plugin”
Step aside, Nintendo Labo, here’s KAMI-OTO; a DIY midi keyboard you fold yourself out of prime cardboard.
The KAMI-OTO is the brainchild of Reo Nagumo who created Beatmania 20 years ago, these days he runs a company called Yudo and this project is now up on Kickstarter (it still needs a few bucks to reach the goal though). Based on Japanese origami you get the cardboard body and keys ready to be folded, then just add the silicone contacts and main board and you’re ready to go.
Read the whole post “KAMI-OTO: A DIY Cardboard MIDI Keyboard”
Serato has changed the name of their flagship DJ software, going from simply Serato DJ to Serato DJ Pro.
So, basically, Serato DJ Pro is a free update if you already got a Serato DJ license – all supported hardware will still work and so will your existing expansion packs. What’s new is that they reset the trial period, so if you tried it before and want to have a go again you’re all set to do so, added 64-bit support (better performance and no limit on library size) AND they’ve added a new mode called Practice Mode (ta-daaa!).
Read the whole post “Serato Updates DJ Pro, No Need For Hardware”
Wavefactory’s Spectre is a sound-shaping plugin promising to combine a sound enhancer with a graphical parametric equalizer.
Spectre processes the difference between the input signal and the EQ signal, introducing harmonic content to just the part of the spectrum that you want from a variety of saturation algorithms based on classic recording hardware.
You can choose from eight different saturation algorithms to get the sound you’re after, from warmth to creamy or harsh.
Check it out in action here:
Download it here: Wavesfactory: Spectre Plugin (32/64 bit VST, AU, AAX)
PaulStretch has been around for quite a while to create extremely lush sounds by stretching audio to the extreme, but only for Windows (well, there’s been ways of building it for Macs but with quite the hassle, apparently). Now, this isn’t for nifty timestretching to fit loops, this is stretching done to create pretty awesome soundscapes. Want to turn Darude’s Sandstorm into an ambient soundfest? Here you go.
Enter PaulXStretch, a free VST/AU plugin for Windows, Mac and Linux that solves all that for you.
Get the free PaulXStretch plugin here: xenakios.wordpress.com/paulxstretch-plugin/
Check out this lush version of No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” slowed down 8 times:
(If you want to find the original PaulStretch you can always find it here)
Eplex7 DSP Quantakor is a new VST / AU plugin aiming at helping you produce futuristic, sci-fi, experimental, atmospheric, FXs, soundscapes and pads suitable for anything from EDM to witch house to film music.
The plugin got multi-octaved and multi-sampled sounds, waveforms and synths and according to the authors a lot of the sounds were made using their own artificial intelligence resampling / morphing and neuronal synthesis.
While being a polyphonic synth you can play in monophonic mode too with legato slides.
Focusrite announced an update to their Clarett audio interface line, now offering them with USB and USB-C connectors instead of Thunderbolt which makes them usable for pretty much any computer with at least a USB 2.0 port or better. The series consists of Clarett 2Pre USB , Clarett 4Pre USB and Clarett 8Pre USB and they sport 10-in/4-out, 18-in/8-out and 18-in/20-out respectively.
The mic preamps comes with the “air” effect which promises to add “air and clarity, especially to vocals and acoustic instruments”, reproducing the the input impedance and frequency response curve of Focusrite’s original ISA mic preamp.
All three models ships with software by XLN Audio, Focusrite, Softube, Ableton and Loopmasters.
While FM synthesis can produce incredible sounds it can also be quite a struggle to grasp as a concept (which you pretty much need for FM sound sculpting). This is something the Swedish company Elektron seem to have focused on when they created Elektron Digitone – an 8-voice, polyphonic FM synthesizer with a classic subtractive synthesis signal flow and a really interesting interface. Or as they put it, “from jagged chaos to mellow soundscapes in less than a second”.
The price tag for the Digitone is about $1,000, but it looks like it’s completely sold out at the moment.
Check out the Elektron Digitone in action here:
KORG volca mix is a compact, 4 channel analogue mixer designed to go hand in hand with the volca series of gear. You get two mono inputs and one stereo (all mini jacks) along with three DC outputs, making it perfect to sync, power and control up to three volca units. Control-wise you can adjust the gain, volume, mute and hi/low pass filters on each channel as well for effects or just to balance the mix.
The master chain got a few effects as well (like expand mono to stereo and sidechain) and you can process the sound further by hooking up external effect units for each channel using the mini jack send out and aux in.
Check out the KORG volca mix in action here: