Category Archives: Music Hardware

Get Sonivox Orchestral Strings for just $1 – 99% off

Here’s another incredible deal from Plugin Boutique – get Sonivox Orchestral Strings plugin for just $1 instead of $105 – that’s 99% off.

Lush, dramatic, emotional – get the strings you need for your next track.

Sonivox Orchestral Strings comes with professionally sampled multi-layered ensemble strings library (over 9 GB!!!).

There is a comprehensive collection of full orchestral string ensembles, which are fantastic for background string parts or quickly sketching out an orchestral score. It also offers you also a full array of individual string sections so you can really customize and polish your final creation by building things up section by section.



 

Download Sonivox Orchestral Strings

Rob Papen Predator 2 Review

First version of Predator was simple to understand but still advanced and deep synth from synthesis guru Rob Papen. Classical architecture of 3 oscillators and 2 filters and tons of great presets that are covering most of EDM genres made first Predator a goto synth for many producers of different level from beginners to gurus.

Predator 2 looks like same classic Predator but supercharged with lots of cool new sound possibilities which can take sound to the next level.

Let’s take a closer look into what’s new in Predator 2:

Predator 2 User Interface

Original UI of Predator was nice and clear and in general 2nd version took most of the ideas of original Predator UI with slight redesign. Though many people on forums were complaining about dark GUI – I found it easy to use and pretty easy to move from Predator 1 to 2.

For those who prefer playing with presets slightly tweaking its parameters there is Easy Page view – that shows only important parameters:

Predator 2 Oscillators:

Morph mode
Each of the three Oscillators can now have two waveforms and morph between them using various algorithms – which is probably the best new feature that opens huge amount of new sound design directions.
Also you can now use User waveforms – draw wave or partials phase to get your unique sound. As a starting point for user waveform you can load prebuilt waveform and modify it.

Second and third oscillators can be modulated with FM/Ring/PM and some other algorythms. So you can really combine lots of synthesis methods in one single patch: wavetable morphing, classic subtractive, FM.

Filters:

Comparing to Predator 1 there seems to be same filter models but what’s new is pre-filter per-voice distortion with three modes: edge, smooth and dirty, and drive knob.

Also AMP stage has its own distortion with wide range of algorithms.

Play mode

Strum: guitar-like effect of sequencing

Nice sounding Unison (in the play mode) with many different options including two types of Unisons with up to 8 voices and Octave spread mode.

EQ: Predator 2 comes with new graphical EQ.

Presets:
All Rob Papen synths are famous by its presets. Particularly Predator library had the best soundest on the market. Predator 2 adds some new presets and old Predator 1 library as well. But even without presets – the synth is pretty strait forward to program – with all the main controls well positioned on the main window.

Also as already mentioned somewhere – in future updates Predator 2 would bring NKS support so Maschine and Komplete Kontrol users could take full advantage of their controllers to natively integrate with Predator 2 and it’s presets library.

It is great to see legendary synth updated to version 2. And we can’t wait to see when next release of Predator 2 with NKS support and more presets that take advantage of powerful new features: morphing between waveforms, waveform modulations, user waveforms, new EQ and others.

Predator 2 is available at for $149/€149. Upgrade from Predator 1 is just $49/€49. Predator 2 is included in the eXplorer 4 bundle with all other RobPapen plugins.

Get Predator 2

UPDATE: Rob Papen just announced that coming update will introduce new light interface:

Download Predator 2

Steinberg releases Cubase 9

What’s new?

  • New Transport Bar
  • New Windows/Zones system
  • New Sampler Track
  • Mix Console History
  • New 8-band channel EQ
  • Updated plugins

 

 

See how our Cubase Pro 9 DAW steps up the game on all levels! Watch this video that runs you through some of the latest feature additions to one of the best music recording and production software applications out there. There’s the Sampler Track, which is much more than merely the sampler Cubase users have anticipated. There’s also the user-requested mixer undo/redo feature pertaining to the ultra-capable action history that lets you access and branch out from past actions. In its completeness, Cubase Pro 9 focuses not only on new tools but zeros in on greater stability and workflow enhancements — just look at the Plug-in Sentinel and improved cloud collaboration features! Surely, realization should have kicked in by now and you understand that Cubase Pro 9 delivers everything you’ll ever need to produce music from start to finish.

sMexoscope – FREE Oscilloscope VST (64bit)

One of most popular free VSTs was finally updated with 64 bit support.

It is available as VST/VST3/AU format for MacOS and VST/VST3 format for Windows. That was done by migrating the source code to JUCE.

SMEXOSCOPE is a waveform visualisation plugin. It’s a great tool developed by the guys over at Smart Electronix, who did us all a solid and released it for free!

Download s(M)exoscope completely free here

This is, in our opinion, the very best free oscilloscope vst in the market.

👉 CHECK OUT THE LATEST DEALS AND DISCOUNTS ON VST PLUGINS AND DAWS

Here’s a sneak peak of what the interface looks like:

The 2 first knobs in the upper right hand corner control the “zoom” of the display: The time know controls the number of pixels per sample, whilst the amp knob controls the amplitude of the wave.

It also comes with some pretty nifty wave analysis tools, such as:

  • amplitude (linear)
  • amplitude (decibels)
  • length (in samples)
  • length (in seconds)
  • length (in milliseconds)
  • frequency

All in all, its a pretty cool tool that you can use in sampling, sound design, and mastering.

For a deeper look into its features, you can check out the docs here.

PS: Looking for the very best rent-to-own plugins? Then check out this article we just published!

Maschine Jam with FL Studio 12.4 Quick Demo

FL Studio 12.4 brought an update to Maschine Jam support.
Apart from playing notes with 8×8 grid and FPC notes with 4×4 “maschine-like” grid it now allows to sequence your drums directly from Maschine Jam. And it integrates really nicely – you can switch instruments, patterns, change pattern length (automatically while you’re adding notes) and tap tempo.
And of course 8 touch faders are assignable to any parameters (actually there are 8 banks of 8 faders so you can link up to 64 parameters to control).

When Native Instruments launched Maschine Jam they provided out-of-the box integration with Maschine and Ableton Live (Ableton integration of sequencing drums with 16-levels of velocity even is not available for Maschine). And now after FL Studio supported Maschine Jam sequencing features it can really became standard MIDI-controller for most of the DAWs. And it is one more reason to get Maschine Jam.

Roli updates NOISE with all new interface and Blocks controllers support

ROLI – developer of innovative Seabord and Seabord RISE keyboards has introduced new controllers for their iOS music app – Blocks. And today they have updated their iOS app NOISE with the support of Blocks. And actually updated app looks like complete rebuild with the whole new concept of Blocks in mind.

Here’s how previous version looked like:

And here’s new version:

So it is a complete redesign – I don’t know why but ROLI has decided to take out old keyboard that had few modulation dimensions and few faders – and leave only new “Blocks” interface without much control over sound…

UPDATE from ROLI: “We’ve redeveloped NOISE from the ground up, and that’s why we’ve had to temporarily disable Seaboard View and other features. Not to worry, though! We will reintroduce them within a month. We apologize for any inconvenience that the temporary removal of these features may have caused.”

If you liked previous version and had some IAPs – don’t update – wait while they fix it.

The new version is more like Scram or Figure. It is very simple – you just touch the screen and music plays. No IAA, no AU, no Audiobus.

So the app is really basic though it sounds pretty good. All embed sounds (there are not many) are pretty playable especially while modulating them by moving your finger.

And new controllers are amazing I think. Watch these videos:

It is really cool set of modules. Really small but still playable. And with several modules you can create your own unique layout. I just wish ROLI either develop NOISE app to give more control over sound or open MIDI interface to control other apps.

[appstore id=1011132019]

 

KORG Monologue – NEW Analog Mono Synth with Aphex Twin touch

Another great update from KORG – after announcement of release of ARP Odissey for iOS – KORG has announced Monologue – their new mono synth that will be available in January for just $299.


It is available in 5 colors – so you’ll need to think a lot which one you prefer.
The keyboard has 25 keys – from E to E (not your regular C to C keyboard) – pretty reasonable decision for a synth focused on bass sound. Front panel is pretty typical for a 2 oscillators synth (except advanced sequencer and tiny display showing waveforms or menu). To build Monologue KORG took the best from Minilogue and added new sound sculpting abilities – “completely new filter, modulation, drive, and LFO can generate powerful basses and sharp leads, creating awesome mono sounds that showcase its single-voice design”.

From what we can hear on the sound demos – synth sounds amazing! Check out the video:

 

What stands this synth apart from others is advanced sequencer, waveform display and advanced microtuning developed in partnership with Aphex Twin.

In essence:

  • Analog synthesizer with all-new synthesis structure optimized for amazing monophonic sounds and sequences
  • Fully programmable, with 100 program memories (80 presets included)
  • 16-step sequencer with extensive motion sequence technology to make your sound move
  • Microtuning lets you freely create scales and alternate tonalities\
  • Oscilloscope function helps visualize the waveform in real time
  • Battery-powered for portability
  • Rugged and stylish with aluminum top panel, chassis-mounted pots, rubber-coated knobs, and real wood back panel
  • MIDI, USB MIDI, and Audio Sync for all types of in-studio and live connectivity, including direct sync with minilogue, SQ1, volca, electribe, and more
  • Five color variations that will shine on stage or in the studio

Intro to Modular Synthesis: Making Generative Music

Breaking down some of the most useful module types one-by-one to aid in the pursuit of making generative music on your modular. AKA: How to jumble your shit! TABLE OF CONTENTS:

2:38 VCAS – To Modulate Modulation
8:35 LFOS – To Enact Changes Over Time
11:00 Random Voltage Generators – To Add Life
12:17 Pitch Quantisers – To Make Randomness Musical
14:15 Clock Dividers – For Long, Timed Occurrences
19:49 Sequential Switches – To Jumble Your Shit
23:25 Logic Modules – To Make Ace New Clock Patterns Out of Simple Or Unruly Ones

Qu-Bit Wave – Sampler Eurorack module

The Wave is a voltage controlled, polyphonic sample player. It is designed for the simultaneous playback of high fidelity audio files. Each channel has its own varispeed pitch control, allowing for countless permutations of the original sample. Each unit ships with a microSD card replete with drum hits, synth sounds, vocal samples, and more, ready to get you patching immediately. From drum machine to full-blown music production system, the Wave opens up a whole new world of sounds within your Eurorack modular.

  • High quality audio playback
  • 4 banks of 16 samples can be stored at a time (64 samples total)
  • Unlimited file length
  • Ships with microSD card loaded with Wave one shot sample library
  • Width: 28hp

The Wave will play 44.1 kHz, 16 bit, mono, audio files in the .wav format.
The files should not contain meta data.
Visit www.qubitelectronix.com/waveformat for detailed information on how to format files as well as download our free formatter application that will handle the formatting for you.