PowerFX just barely released this new virtual in-browser DAW and already they’ve added some impressive updates. Among them are note clips, five different virtual instruments to choose from, a side chain compressor emulator and more.

The PowerFX Virtual DAW - Soundation

Here’s more of the lowdown from the official site…

Soundation Studio is the web based sequencer that enables you to make music, ringtones and audio clips directly from the internet without downloading any software. This beta version includes over 400 royalty free audio loops, 9 different effects, track automation, basic loop editing, loop audition, master channel control and mix down to desktop. Please give this beta a go and let us know your impressions. For more information please read the help document.

Soundation Studio is developed by PowerFX, an industry leader with over 10 years experience producing and digitally distributing loops, samples and sound effects which have been included in music making software products from Apple, Cakewalk, Yamaha, Sony, Propellerheads, Abelton Live and Microsoft.

Some of the new virtual instruments are:

• “Simple”, a 4 oscillator synth with Saw, Square, Sine and Noise waveforms complete with Amp and Filter envelopes.
• “Mono”, 2 oscillator synth with a mix pot to blend the saw and square waveforms.
• “SuperSaw”, 7 oscillators with Detune, Spread and Amp envelopes.
• “Drum Machine”, with 8 classic 808 style sounds and individual drum sound settings for Gain, Pitch, Hold and Decay.
• “Noiser” is a white noise generating synth with an Amp envelope for the romantics in us all.

Click here to go and play with this great online app now…

PowerFX Soundation Studio “DAW In The Cloud” Updated is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Related posts:

1. Soundation Studio, The Web Based Sequencer
2. How To Build A Home Studio For Computer-Based Music Recording
3. Are We Approaching The “DAW In The Cloud” Generation?

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Making and recording music is a fun and rewarding experience! The only prerequisites to this tutorial are having a computer and being musically inclined.

Steps

1. Write a plan of what you want to do. Do you want to build a recording studio? Is it a singing booth? Is it an engineering booth? Is it for computer-based music production? Knowing what you want before you start can help you decide which equipment you’ll need.
2. Acquire the appropriate equipment, such as: amplifiers, microphones, mixers, electric instruments, cables for connecting it all together. A modern computer built or purchased within the past past three years should be sufficient. If possible, acquire a working high-quality soundcard, such as an M-Audio Fast Track Pro or DigiDesign Mbox Mini.
   

   Mbox 2 Mini

   Creative Labs DOES have a Pro Music line called EMU. I’d recommend a 1212M PCI system if you were going to go that route. Monitor speakers are helpful if you’re looking to stick with this for more than a hobby. I recommend the M-Audio Studiophile BX8a’s, KRK RP-8 Rokit, or if you’ve got money to burn, the Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors. If you’re into hip hop, techno, or dance music, a set of turntables will be needed to record your sets or scratches on the fly. A MIDI keyboard will be useful if you want to use MIDI software (which you can use to write bass lines, piano parts and drum beats). Nothing fancy is needed, but each person will have their own preference.
3. Buy or download music-editing software for your PC. The following are recommended Reason, Cakewalk, Pro Tools, Cubase, Fruity Loops, Adobe Audition, LMMS or Audacity. If you have a fairly new Mac, it will already have GarageBand preinstalled. This will work well, although if you want to be more professional you can also buy Logic. Play with it, learn the keyboard shortcuts.
4. Connect everything up. This is where most of the genius (and perspiration!) comes in. In general, keep it as simple as possible. For best playback quality run from the sound card into a mixer or amplifier and then to your monitor speakers. For best recording quality, run instruments/mics into a mixer (make sure you are getting a clean, clear, undistorted signal) then run from the mixer into the sound card.
5. Learn how to record a sound from an input line and how to arrange pre-recorded sounds. Also learn how to turn an arrangement into a .wav or .mp3 file. (After all, eventually you want to make a CD with all this awesome music!)
6. Select a room in your house. Soundproof it if possible. It not, try to use special carpet or insulation that can at least reduce external noise.
7. Start writing simple tracks. Start off with a drumbeat. Add a bassline or piano or vocal track. Start mixing. Explore! It’s all about experimentation. At the beginning, you don’t have to write a masterpiece – just focus on having fun!
8. If you have trouble with any of the above, pick up a Mixing / Studio Book. It’ll help you understand the underlying concepts needed to keep you going for a lifetime.
9. Once you’ve learned the basics, start breaking it down. Lay a bunch of tracks together. Experiment with processed effects. Experiment with VSTs, loops, new hardware and anything else you can get your hands on.

Tips

• It’s also helpful to have a raw sound-file editor programs. The best ones, such as Sound Forge or Cool Edit, are expensive, but Audacity has most of the features you’d be looking for and it’s free.
• Good quality equipment, while expensive, will help the overall quality of the sound. Do your homework, and buy the best quality that you can afford.


One Type Of DI Box

• Use DI boxes where applicable to cut down on noise and interference.
• If you’re using instruments like electric guitar with your DI box or plugging it straight into the sound card but really want the sound of your amp, see if you can get your hands on a microphone. Put the mic in front of the amp and plug the mic into the computer instead. If noise is an issue, most amps will also let you run a direct line from the amp into the computer.
• The first few recordings will not sound very professional. No matter what recording software you choose, you’ll have to play with the quality settings to achieve the sound you want.
• Get an extra hard drive, either internal or external, and don’t use it for anything except sound recordings. Quality, uncompressed digital sound files take up a lot of space.
• If you don’t have the money to throw at all of this right away, start with the basics. That way, you’ll be completely familiar and comfortable with the setup by the time you have all the equipment you need.
• Remember, your system is only as strong as the weakest link. When looking to upgrade equipment, work out what the most important piece of equipment is for your system. Is it the sound card, the mic, the software or the computer itself?
• Get advice from your local music shop specialist. They usually have studio professionals who know what they’re doing for the most part. If not, contact a local recording studio and ask what they have and then try to reduce down the costs to what you need.

Warnings

• As with all electrical equipment, exercise caution with live cables, wires and speakers. Discharge static electricity when necessary.
• Make sure the mixer’s main line isn’t too hot! You’ll blow your eardrums out if you’re not careful.
• Make sure you turn on the monitor speakers after you turn on everything else. This is to avoid the sudden occurrence of transient noise caused by significant variations in the signal path (like turning on the mixer). Such noise is potentially harmful to your speakers as well as your ears.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Build a Home Studio for Computer Based Music Recording. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To Build A Home Studio For Computer-Based Music Recording is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

Related posts:

1. Soundation Studio, The Web Based Sequencer
2. Imogen Heap’s Amazing Home Studio
3. Can A Choir Be Captured In A Home Studio, With Just 3 Singers?

Cakewalk has announced that the SONAR V-Studio 100 is shipping.

This is another interesting piece of kit that’s following the trend of marrying software DAWs and hardware for recording away from your computer. While not as low in price as the new Zoom (at $399) this one is still not bad for $699.

Here’s a quick video demo from Musikmesse:

Some key features:

• High Speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface
• Universal DAW Controller
• Personal Digital Mixer
• SD WAV Recorder
• VS Production Pack suite of virtual instruments and effects (Mac/Win)
• SONAR VS digital audio workstation (Win)
• 8 in + mix/6 out
• 24-bit/96 kHz quality
• Two XLR Mic Preamps with phantom power and input sensitivity
• Two ¼” TRS inputs
• Hi-Z ¼” Guitar Input
• USB 2.0
• MAC/PC compatible with ASIO, WDM, WASAPI and Core Audio support
• Works with SONAR, Ableton Live, Cubase, and more

SONAR V-Studio 100 is shipping now for around $700 US.

See more at SonarVStudio.com

If You Had Sonar, Life Would Be A Cakewalk is a post from: Home Recording Studio Guru

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