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FREEEeee Reverb Effect For Mac and Windows!

Big Al — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:15:19 +0000

Found this over at Synthtopia:

DUY has released Z-Room, a free reverb effect for RTAS, MAS, VST and Audiosuite.

An e-mail address required for the free download. A list of features is below the picture.

Features:

High quality density and diffusion provide an unparalleled sound quality.
Total control over parameters which had never been available to the user before, with a friendly and intuitive user interface.
Three modes: Deluxe, Economy and Earlies. The second allows to free processing time, and the third focuses the strength of the algorithm on the processing of Early Reflections.
An exclusive Rehearsal Mode allows you to set the parameters while hearing the real impulse response of the reverb. This is one of the finest tools to evaluate the quality of the reverb.
You can choose between several room responses (reverse, gate, hall, room, stage…). All these values can be modified with the Stretch and Pre-delay parameters.
Processing time is freed when you choose not to include Early Reflections.
Internal 64-bit processing.
Independent mixing controls for each of the three selectable bands, as well as for the Direct, Early Reflections and Reverb signals.
Total control over the iteration depth, with six levels of calculation.
Over 50 presets are included.
Z-Room is the only reverb that allows you to control the time base of the reverb’s algorithm.
Visualization of the Direct, Early Reflections and Reverb signals in the time domain.

Get it!

FREEEeee Reverb Effect For Mac and Windows! is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Aligning Tracks Recorded With Multiple Microphones? Try Auto-Align by SoundRadix!

Big Al — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:59:15 +0000

Any time you record a source with more than one microphone, several challenges pop up, e.g. phase, time alignment, etc.

Here’s an interesting tool that could solve these common challenges very quickly and accurately. It’s a new plugin called “Auto-Align” by SoundRadix.

Check it out in action on an electric guitar:

Using a screen reader? Click here for the video.

There’s a FREEeeee trial available.

Here’s more from the SoundRadix web site…

Time-aligning a multi-microphone setup is crucial to achieve coherent and punchier sound. When recording an instrument with more then one mic, sound tends to reach each microphone at a slightly different time and thus cause some frequencies to cancel each-other while other frequencies can build-up unnaturally.

Until now, compensating for the delay between the microphones had to be done manually – an extremely time consuming and inaccurate process.

Enter Auto-Align.

Auto-Align will “listen” to your multi-mic recording and will automatically measure and compensate for the delay between the microphones – sample accurate.

When distant microphones are used and a delay is desired to preserve a sense of space, Auto-Align can time-place the microphones to better match the close-mic’ed source.

Auto-Align can also automatically detect a reversed polarity mic and compensate for it.

Q&A

Q: What is Auto-Align?

A: Auto-Align is a Audio Unit plug-in (VST & RTAS coming soon), designed to automatically and sample-accurately, time-align audio tracks that were recorded using multiple microphones or with two or more separate sources such as a DI and a microphone.

Auto-Align does not alter the sound of the recorded tracks in any way, but rather shifts them in time, compensating for the delay caused by the speed of sound.

Q: How Does It Work?

A: Auto-Align works by “listening” to two audio tracks at a time, sample-accurately time-shifting the track it’s engaged on, in order best match the track it is listening to via side-chain. Auto-Align can also detect if the track is reversed in polarity to its mate and compensate for it.

Q: What are the requirements for Auto-Align?

A: Pretty much any Mac will do, PPC or Intel running Leopard OS or higher. You’ll need your DAW to support Side-Chaining. It is currently available as Audio Unit plug-in. VST and RTAS coming soon. During the installation you’ll need to have an internet connection in order to authorize your copy of Auto-Align.

Q: Is it possible to use Auto-Align to align different takes of the instrument?

A: No. Since Auto-Align doesn’t manipulate your sound but rather moves it in time, trying to align different takes isn’t going to be beneficial.

Aligning Tracks Recorded With Multiple Microphones? Try Auto-Align by SoundRadix! is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Pro Tools 8.0.4 Released – What’s New? What’s Changed? What’s Fixed?

Big Al — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:37:50 +0000

Pro Tools 8.0.4 – What’s New? What’s Changed? What’s Fixed?

I had a difficult time finding the specific answers to these questions and the exact details of this new release.

That is, until I found a link to this official PDF that is a wealth of information – enjoy!

Pro Tools 8.0.4 Release Notes

Pro Tools 8.0.4 Released – What’s New? What’s Changed? What’s Fixed? is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Steven Slate Digital TRIGGER EX Drum Replacer Now Available

Big Al — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:52:21 +0000

Slate Digital’s TRIGGER multi-channel drum replacement tool for VST, AU, and RTAS has been called the new “GOLD STANDARD” in drum replacement and has already won two awards, earning a 10/10 rating from Computer Music magazine.

Mixer Michael Brauer (Coldplay, Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney) had this to say about TRIGGER:

“I consider Trigger the state of the art for drum replacement, it’s exactly what i’ve been patiently waiting for to come around. Slate has an excellent sample library and some really great presets to start with. It’s the best and most versatile program I’ve ever used.”

The new TRIGGER EX is also pretty darn affordable. TRIGGER EX is the exact SAME plugin as TRIGGER Platinum, but rather than come with the entire Steven Slate drum sample library, it ships with 10 of the most popular kicks and snares and 3 sets of toms.

At any time, you can easily upgrade your Slate Sample pack to the full Platinum.

TRIGGER EX is available now at the www.SlateDigital.com online shop for the introductory price of only $129!

Original Post

Steven Slate Digital TRIGGER EX Drum Replacer Now Available is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Yet Another Vuvuzela Solution – And It’s FREEeeee!

Big Al — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:55:22 +0000

Yes, another solution to our Vuvuzela national nightmare.

And yes, it’s FREEeeee!

It’s from the good folks over at Prosoniq and it’s called VuvuX.

Prosoniq calls it “the world’s first realtime Vuvuzela filtering plug in based on sonicWORX’ audio de-mixing technology.”

How does it work?

There are two ways to filter out the Vuvuzela noise: You can use a finely tuned notch filter or a parametric equalizer that zaps one or more of the frequency ranges that the Vuvuzela hum occupies. The problem with this is that the Vuvuzela hum fluctuates, and that the frequencies of the audio commentary overlap with the zapped frequencies. As a result, you get a tinny sound that is almost as annoying as the original Vuvuzela sound:

What does VuvuX sound like?

Obviously, the notch filter solution cannot be used in practice as it affects the resulting overall sound and commentary quality too much.

VuvuX is different. The process used in VuvuX has been developed to distinguish between voice, Vuvuzela hum and background noise by applying pattern detection and tracking.

VuvuX is based on technology used in Prosoniq’s novel audio de-mixing application sonicWORX Isolate.

With sonicWORX you can remove or isolate voice from an entire song, leaving you with the lead vocals or the playback.
This technology does not use a notch filter or parametric EQ to remove the noise.

VuvuX is a free Apple AudioUnit plug in that suppresses the noise created by the South African trumpet called “Vuvuzela” in realtime without affecting the audio commentary or the stadium atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy a noise-free World Cup 2010.

To hear audio examples and download the free plugin, go here.

Yet Another Vuvuzela Solution – And It’s FREEeeee! is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Vuvuzela Noise Reduction – Waves Comes Up With A Solution!

Big Al — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:17:00 +0000

In response to the widely publicized complaints from TV viewers and broadcasters of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Waves has unveiled a solution which dramatically reduces the problematic sound of the omnipresent Vuvuzela trumpet favored by South African soccer fans.

Working in conjunction with a major television broadcaster, they’ve precision-crafted a preset processing chain which drastically decreases Vuvuzela noise: The WNS Waves Noise Suppressor and the Q10 Paragraphic Equalizer.

Together, they not only minimize Vuvuzela noise, they increase the intelligibility of the game announcers’ play-by-play action and color commentary.

The processing chain for Vuvuzela noise reduction is now available as load-and-use sessions for Pro Tools, Waves MultiRack, and Cubase.

WNS Waves Noise Suppressor is a real-time noise reduction plugin which is unsurpassed for noise suppression in both indoor and outdoor environments with constant or modulating noise. Originally engineered for reducing noise from dialogue in film and video, WNS has since proven itself invaluable as a broadcast tool.

Q10 Paragraphic Equalizer delivers precision equalization in any audio situation: broadcast, recording, mixing, mastering, and more. With power and features that far surpass the capabilities of analog gear, the Q10 lets you create spectral modifications that range from subtle to extreme.

HOW IT WORKS

A combination of dynamic broadband noise suppression and notch filtering are utilized to create the Vuvuzela noise reduction processing chain.. Routing schemes and parameter settings were painstakingly adjusted, contrasted and, compared; multiple instances of each plugin, with different settings, were ultimately used to achieve optimal results.

More info here

Vuvuzela Noise Reduction – Waves Comes Up With A Solution! is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Steinberg Announces Nuendo 5 For Mac OS X 10.5 & 10.6, Windows 7, Vista & XP

Big Al — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:23:36 +0000

Here’s a great announcement that many of you have been waiting for. Thanks to the fine folks over at Synthtopia for the original post.

According to Steinberg, Nuendo 5 represents a new “state-of-the-art production environment.”

“This is a landmark release for Nuendo, introducing extremely valuable new functionality,” says Steinberg’s Timo Wildenhain.

Among the new features presented in Nuendo 5 is a new ADR toolset engineered for audio post, providing new capabilities for spotting including advanced take-and marker handling, EDL import, a new video engine and much more.

Clip Packages have been designed specifically for sound editors as a new way of organizing and handling audio as clusters of files across multiple tracks that can be archived, previewed and retrieved almost instantly using the upgraded Nuendo 5 MediaBay.

Enhanced mixing features in Nuendo 5 include further developments on the Nuendo automation system as well as direct routing with multiple destinations. A new plug-in set with the next-generation Surround Panner and a surround bus Patch Editor further add to the advanced feature set for surround that have been the hallmark of the Nuendo audio engine since its inception.

Numerous other additions in Nuendo 5 include a waveform display in the Nuendo mixer, improved compatibility with Pro Tools audio files and automated Batch Export functions.

Nuendo 5 also integrates seamlessly with Steinberg’s Nuendo SyncStation synchronizer hardware, providing sample-accurate sync in almost any situation requiring rock-solid sync to almost any modern sync standard. Nuendo 5 also features complete support for a range of controller devices such as Euphonix, WK Audio and the Smart AV Tango.

Nuendo 5 will retail for about $2,200 US

Click here for more info on the current version of Nuendo.

Steinberg Announces Nuendo 5 For Mac OS X 10.5 & 10.6, Windows 7, Vista & XP is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

New Roland Keyboards: GAIA SH-01 & V-Combo VR-700

Big Al — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:37:59 +0000

Mitch Gallagher from Sweetwater chats with Bob Bailey from Roland about the concepts behind the new GAIA SH-01 synth and V-Combo VR-700. Then, Daniel Fisher plays both of them, showing many of the exclusive sounds he’s created that will come included when you get one from Sweetwater.

Using a screen reader? Click here for the video.

New Roland Keyboards: GAIA SH-01 & V-Combo VR-700 is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

TC Electronic Set To Release New PolyTune iPhone App

Big Al — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:12:11 +0000

The first 25,000 copies of the PolyTune iPhone App will be free of charge – after that it’ll cost $9.99.

TC Electronic Facebook fans, Twitter followers and subscribers to the TC Electronic Guitar Newsletter will be the first to know exactly when the PolyTune iPhone App is available on the App Store.

The PolyTune iPhone App is a 1:1 port of the award-winning PolyTune pedal tuner, and it offers the exact same tuning technology and features.

TC Electronic brought something new to the table of guitar tuning at a stroke – or strum – with PolyTune, the world’s first polyphonic guitar tuner. This new tuning technology revolutionizes tuning and accomplishes something very interesting: tuning all strings simultaneously. It’s as simple as: Strum. Tune. Rock!

PolyTune has a chromatic tuner as well, rivaling the best current tuning technology with a +/- 0.5 cent accuracy.

MonoPoly, another unique, new TC Electronic technology, recognizes whether one or more strings are being played and seamlessly switches between the polyphonic or the chromatic tuner on the fly.

When using the The PolyTune iPhone App with an iPhone or an iPad, the internal microphone allows for instant tuning of acoustic guitars, but for tuning electric guitars, a converter cable (mini Jack connector to female 1/4″ Jack connector) is required.

The original PolyTune pedal was introduced at the 2010 NAMM Show (which I covered here on the blog) and has since won critical acclaim from professional reviewers and users all over the world. Now, with the new PolyTune for iPhone, they’ll be able to do so anywhere, anytime.

The PolyTune iPhone App turns a regular iPhones into a lean, mean, tuning-machine!

PolyTune iPhone app main features:

Polyphonic Tuner – Tune all strings simultaneously – simply Strum, Tune, Rock!
Chromatic Tuner – Ultra fast and steady response, Needle and Stream display modes with +/- 0.5 cent accuracy
Drop-tunings – Dropped tunings from E-flat down to B supported in Polyphonic mode
Works with both guitar and bass – Both Polyphonic and Chromatic mode works for both Guitar and 4-, 5- and 6-string Bass.

Here’s a video of the hardware version of the PolyTune at work:

Using a screen reader? Click here for the video.

Here are some links to the hardware version of the TC Electronic PolyTune. (Click on one of the links below to order PolyTune and support this blog. Thanks!)

• TC Electronic Polytune Chromatic Pedal Tuner from MUSICIAN’S FRIEND

• TC Electronic Polytune Chromatic Pedal Tuner from GUITAR CENTER

• TC Electronic Polytune Chromatic Pedal Tuner from MUSIC 123

TC Electronic Set To Release New PolyTune iPhone App is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Put A Little Monster On Your Microphones!

Big Al — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:53:23 +0000

Sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest differences.

When it comes to your microphones, do you leave them up on stands, or are you constantly setting them up and putting them away, over and over?

What about protecting them while they’re set up while you take a break during a session, especially of that break is over night?

Enter Mic Monsters…microphone protection with a little flare!

To quote from the official web site:

These are handmade, one-of-a-kind creatures that will protect your microphones. Lined with high quality vinyl on the inside, they keep out dust and other particles to keep your precious mics in tip top shape.

Mics can stay set up so that they are ready to go when inspiration strikes or you can safely store your mics inside, thanks to the handy drawstring.

Using a screen reader? Click here for the video.

They all run about $25.00. Click here to check them out.

My favorite:

Put A Little Monster On Your Microphones! is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru