Mark Batty Publisher announces Toy Instruments: Design, Nostalgia, Music

Toy Instruments comprises an eye-popping collection of musical toys from around the world made between the 1950s and today. Culled from author Eric Schneider’s personal collection, Toy Instruments is the first book to explore this niche of the toy industry doing so with an informative and humorous approach. With an intro from the author and a foreword from world-renown experimental electronic and hip-hop musician Paul D. Miller a.k.a.

SKnote announces Rough – Filter / Vocoder (Attitude Series)

SKnote has announced a new effect in its “Attitude” series: Rough is a compact filterbank with vocoder. Main features: 16 analysis bands. 16 synthesis bands. 16 envelope followers. Dynamics. Several algorithms. Vocoder. Filter sequencer. Morphing. MIDI control. Price: Rough will cost €29 (less for existing SKnote customers) and will be available for Windows as a VST effect plug-in. It is currently in beta testing. Visit: SKnote

Global House Top Lines Hits The Zenhiser Shelves

Global House Top Lines is a new insight into samples for us. These eclectic house samples merge non kick drum loops with sporadic house sounds and riffs to create a fresh injection into your house productions. Sitting on the tech house and minimal tech fence these exclusive house samples are perfectly suited for house producers and remixers looking to set up a fast groove and get their house productions rolling. As with all our new Zenhiser samples and loops, each house top line has both the bpm and key information tagged within the file name for extremely fast use. This sample pack contains 44.1 khz 16 bit wav files. All purchased audio samples, music samples, drum sounds, drum beats, music loops and sound fx are available for immediate download within your ‘Completed Orders’ section of your account. Price: AUD 9.99 Link 1: zenhiser.com/products/Global-House-Top-Lines-01 Link 2: zenhiser.com/products/Global-House-Top-Lines-02

Producer Loops releases World Tek

“ World Tek  was produced for ProducerLoops.com by ultra-experienced sound designer, Jeff Rhodes and Multi-Instrumentalist, Todd Milne. World Tek’ includes loops and samples that will work within the following genres: World, Ambient, Glitch, Trip Hop, Dubstep, Drum and Bass, Grime, Industrial, Techno, Soundtracks and more…” World Tek features 2.5 GB Total Content. Formats: Acid Loops, Apple Loops, Reason Refill, Rex (All Files), Wav. 44.1 kHz/ 24-Bit. All loops sync to BPM. Filenames indicate Tempo & Key. Price:  GBP 19.95 Visit: Producer Loops

World Grime Loops and Licks – Chinese Pipa Edition

The Chinese Pipa is a plucked instrument resembling the lute.  It has been around for 2000 years… (Thanks WIKI)… How does it fit into your music production?   Take a page from some of the greatest music producers out there who are using ethnic instruments to add some truly unique flava to their beats. 115 Authentic LIVE chinese Pipa loops in 10 tempos played by a professional Pipa player through class A gear. 570 licks cut from the session mapped across the keyboard and formatted for most software samplers. Contains both authentic Chinese melodies and Chinese melodies designed for Hip Hop and RnB production. All key signatures and tempos are provided The loops come formatted for REX, Apple Garage Band, Sony Acid Pro, Fruity Loops and any software that accepts WAV files!   The licks come as WAV 16bit  files, and also pre-formatted and mapped out across the keyboard for most software and hardware samplers including:Kontakt, EXS-24, Battery, Halion, NN-XT Here is a youtube video of a lady on the pipa if you are curious… Price: USD 29.99 Visit: p5audio.com/chinese pipa

Loopmasters releases Ultimate Beats Vol. 2

Since its release in 2008, „Ultimate Beats“ from producer talent Michel Baradari has evolved becoming an allround specialist among todays sample libraries. Many well-known producers such as Gregor Tresher and Stephan Bodzin gave their recommendation and value, that this sample pack offers everything not just to build respectable beats, but to produce entire tracks with it. „ Ultimate Beats Vol. 2 “ sets the bar even higher and offers even more sounds and even more loops than its predecessor. Next to a diversified collection of different bass drums, claps, snares, cymbals, percussions, FX as well as powerful bass and synth sounds, also the successor again offers a huge loop section that meets all requirements with its fresh loops and is likely to cause tingling in the hands of Electro, Techno and Progressive House producers. Ultimate Beats Vol. 2 features Over 2Gb in Size.

Ohm Force’s contest upgraded: Novation and Computer Music prizes for the new “Public’s Choice” award

Let’s start 2010 by having some fun with our favorite sport ever! Fork lifting…?   Speed drinking…? Shooting cats? No! Better than all that: MUSIC PRODUCTION! Ohm Force is glad to announce the Remix Cohmpetition 2010 and we bet it’s been a while since the last time you’ve seen a prize kit that fat at any music production contest out there. Almost U$4000 in audio/music goods to be given away to the 3 winners! For those who don’t have all Ohm Force plug-ins yet it’s a great opportunity to finally cohmpleting the whole Ohm collection, while benefiting from the moment to put hands on some additional gear

Togeo Studios Intros Dreamscapes 4 – Free Ableton Live Pack

Togeo Studeos has released Dreamscapes 4 – a free Ableton Live pack that features one hundred plus atmospheric soundscapes, rhythmic drones, airy pads and swirling background textures. These highly tweakable instruments for Ableton Lives simpler device can be used with almost any musical style and genre and will be a welcome addition to your sound library and music production toolkit.  Perfect for film scoring, soundtracks, atmospheric or chilled out ambient and electronic mixes. Each intrument rack has an assortment of macro presets allowing you to quickly alter the sound and effects for a virtually unlimited range of tonal variation.  The Live Pack requires Ableton Live 7 or higher. Visit: Togeo Studios

Ryan Gruss launches The Loop Loft

We’re happy to announce the grand opening of The Loop Loft! Come on in and take a tour. We’ve spent the past few months feverishly working to assemble the highest quality loops in an online store that’s easy on the eyes. Take a listen to the product samples and you’ll hear why The Loop Loft is the premier source for royalty free loops. As you’ll notice from our product selection, we are currently focused on drum loops but we’ll be expanding into other areas throughout 2010. Keep an eye and ear out for guitar, bass, keyboard and all kinds of other instruments in the future. We’ll be working with top session musicians in NYC, LA and London to provide you with the best loops available anywhere. The Loop Loft opens with 5 genre specific sample libraries (previously released in various Gruss Loops Packs at Ryangruss.com ) starting at $24.95 USD, and a Producer Pack which bundles these 5 libraries for $129.95 USD. Visit: The Loop Loft

Clickpruduce releases Dom Kane Tech House Producer Vol. 2

With this follow-up release to his first, highly successful sample pack, Dom Kane brings you another set of pumped-up robo-funk and Tech House loops and samples. This sample library features a healthy set of bass loops, drum loops (divided into folders “With Kick” and “Without Kick”) and synth loops. The whole loops department is complemented with a nasty set of sampler patches for the most popular soft samplers on the market – EXS24, HALion, Kontakt, NNXT & SFZ. The main sample pack also features a whopping 320+ REX2 loops ready to drop into your favorite sequencer. If you’re looking to pound the floors and melt the speaker cones, be sure to give Dom Kane’s new sample pack a test drive. Check out the free samples and see for yourself how genuine and authentic it is.

Devine Machine unveils Cycler – Computer Looper

Devine Machine has unveiled Cycler , a new audio application and plug-in designed to be the missing link between hardware loopers and modern audio applications for live music, and is collaboration oriented. Highlights: Performances in Cycler are different from any other live applications. Special features (scene recalls, ‘one-knob-fx’) have been set to ease the live manipulation of the 16 loopers and the huge number of effects, without loads of MIDI controllers.

TASCAM Announces DR-680 8-track Portable Recorder

TASCAM’s DR-680 brings multi-channel portable recording within reach of any musician for polished live, location and surround recordings. Up to eight tracks can be recorded to solid-state SD card media at 96kHz/24-bit Broadcast WAV quality. Six mic inputs provide phantom power and 60dB of gain for great-sounding recordings with your condenser microphones. Record the six microphones along with a digital S/PDIF source for 8 track recording. Each mic input has a selectable low cut filter and analog limiter for optimal sound

Peavey introduces new PV Series Mixers with exclusive reference-quality mic preamps and a USB interface

The PV® Series has long been the benchmark of performance and value in audio, and these new PV® mixers reinforce this legacy. With exclusive Peavey reference-quality microphone preamps–featuring an astonishingly low THD (total harmonic distortion) of 0.0007%–these new mixers are equally useful in project studios or live- and program-music mixing situations. The PV® 6 USB and PV® 8 USB feature effects send on every channel with stereo return, zero latency record monitoring capabilities, and much more, while a USB port allows direct connection to a USB-equipped computer for recording from the mixer or playing back digital audio (compatible with Mac OSX, Windows XP, ME & 2000). Both of these models also include pre-fader monitor sends; inserts on all channels; and dual switchable line inputs on the two stereo channels. All PV® Series mixers’ mid band EQ are unlike the typical 1-2.5khz you find on other mixers, because the EQ set at 450hz

ArtsAcoustic releases CL Series Dynamics Bundle

ArtsAcoustic has announced the release of the ArtsAcoustic CL Series , a new bundle of three analog-modelled photoelectronic dynamic processors, namely CL-1 , CLMS-1 and CLMS-1 XL . They’re based on various analog optoelectronic diode tube compressor schemata used during the late ’70s up to the mid ’80s. ArtsAcoustic’s goal was a dynamics processor suite that gives the perception of true analog sound. To help achieve that goal, over the last 1 1/2 years ArtsAcoustic dissected every rare analog high end compressor/limiter they could get their hands on (1176 silverplate, dbx 160, valleypeople dynamite, to name a few). Developing the compressors, ArtsAcoustic didn’t stop at just emulating the circuit structure, but they modelled the crucial parts of the units (transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.) themselves, where they felt it was necessary, as only then the desired effects take place. The result is an algorithm that provides the same sound of an analog circuit, along with all beautiful side effects we love from those old, colorful machines, according to ArtsAcoustic. CL Series Features: Optoelectronic diode circuit Tube driven gain stage. Comprehensive mid/side capabilities. 64-bit internal precision

PSPaudioware adds PSP McQ to the PSP sQuad Bundle

PSPaudioware has announced that it has updated the PSP sQuad bundle of equalizer plug-ins with the addition of yet another plug-in to the bundle: PSP McQ , a versatile track equalizer. PSP has also decided to extend its “Winter Squad” offer until 17th of January. Until 17th of January 2010 you can buy PSP sQuad bundle at the special price of $99*. Starting from 18th January 2010, the regular price of $249* will be applied. (*prices exclude taxes) PSP McQ captures the sonic character and functionality of various classic console equalizers such as the versatile MCI console EQs. However, while PSP McQ was inspired by these analog classics, PSP added several modern features such as adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters, steepness (resonance) control for the shelving filters, optional bell filters for the low and high bands, and three nominal Q values for the midrange filters. PSP packed the PSP McQ full of musical features, such as gain following Q factors for the midrange bell type filters. By this, PSP mean that the Q factor of these filters gradually increases along with increases in boost or attenuation. The PSP McQ is especially suited for deep track tweaking in order to get a desired sound for a track, or to get great track separation in the mix. Price: USD 249.00 Visit: PSPaudioware

Free Moog Voyager Samples – NI Kontakt Instruments

“I sampled some Moog Voyager sounds and made a free Kontakt instrument. All samples are made with analog outboard gear like API A2D, 5500, 2500, SMC 2b or Hammer EQ. For now you can download two demo packs: “Big Boy” and “I saw U”. More sound packs will come soon – Hope you like it. Have fun …” iMoog Big Boy – Saw – Demo – 01 by ajondo Visit: soundblocker.com

Zenhiser releases Blooming Boom FX & Breakdown FX

HTML clipboardWhen it comes to breakdown fx, transitions, drops or heavenly booms we’ve got you covered. Comprising of 50 brand new 24 bit stereo wav files per pack this collection supplies a huge collection of breakdowns and booms that once dropped into your mix will ensure instant gratification. It takes time to construct a good breakdown or boom fx with the right frequency, punch, attack, white noise and reverb to carry it off……. so we’ve done all the hard work for you. Now you’ve got a great array high end fx samples at your finger tips. With tails on these booms and breakdown fx ranging from 2 seconds through to 20 seconds there’s something to cover all your music situations and styles. By always keeping our prices low and our sample quality high we believe once again this collection of boom fx & breakdown fx is great value for money. Price: AUD 8.99 Visit: Booms & Breakdown FX

Jamendo Pro For Businesses, Shops And Projects

Jamendo [HQ located in Luxembourg] is a community of free, legal and unlimited music published under Creative Commons licenses. What do you get? Anything your soul wants, your soul gets. Choose from Ambient to Zen, download any song or album and share it with any of your friends….That’s how Jamendo works. Of course, if you can support the artists with a donation, why not do it? What else? Besides having access to every possible song published on Jamendo and radios and , there’s a Pro service for businesses such as restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping centers and many more to play background music  and for m ultimedia projects such as in movie and gaming industry, internet and business services. Say you need a soundtrack for a documentary or for a commercial, you can get it via Jamendo at a very reasonable price. The reason why Jamendo is good for your business if you need background music or soundtracks, is that it reduces tremendously your yearly costs . NO additional fees for a Public Performance music license (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC). How legit is it? If you play the music in your shop or business, your license and certificate will serve as a proof of legality in the event of an inspection by performance rights organization representatives. You get a certificate exempting you from performance rights (no fees to pay to ASCAP, PRS, BMI, BUMA, etc.), legally recognized by these organizations. Prices and references can be found here: Jamendo Pro . Conclusion: If you need to cut on costs to up to 50% on background music for your business, Jamendo is the service to go with. It’s legal and it comes with guarantees. Ducati, VW, Yves Rocher, Quick are some of the companies that have chosen Jamendo

Burial’s Fostercare

This is the music video for Burial’s Fostercare . via VjPaparazzi : On 22 July, 2008 The Guardian reported that Burial was a nominee for a 2008 Mercury Music Prize.

iZotope Partners with Sweetwater for New Product Delivery System

Project Preset – Quantum Leap Goliath Orchestra

For video details search in the main site. Torley offers his take on the presets in the massive Quantum Leap Goliath . It’s part of his Project Preset project, in which he opens up synths, checks out the presets and riffs on the patches.  Quantum Leap Goliath Pianos For video details search in the main site. Quantum Leap Goliath New Age Ensembles For video details search in the main site. Best quote: “Get in touch with your inner spirit! Meditate or something!” Quantum Leap Goliath Synth Pads For video details search in the main site.

The Bananalogue Serge VCS Eurorack Module

Bananalogue has introduced the Serge VCS Eurorack Module . Designed by Seth Nemec and Ken Stone with the cooperation of Serge Tcherepnin, the Serge VCS universal slope generator is now available in Eurorack modular format from Bananalogue . The VCS packs a lot of functions into a 16hp module. Uses include: slew/portamento AR envelope generator sound processing/wave-shaping It can also act as an oscillator, LFO, modulation source and more. via BigCityMusic

HP & Native Instruments Announce Envy Beats Audio Computer

HP has introduced the Beats version of it’s Envy laptop. Dr. Dre and Native Instruments teamed with the computer maker to release a high-performance laptop dedicated to audio production and DJing. The result is the HP Eny 15 Beats Limited Edition. This performance machine comes with Native Instruments’ quality Audio 2 DJ soundcard and

New String Synth For Mac, Windows & Linux

Loomer String is a new virtual instrument that emulates the beautiful sound of the polyphonic string synthesizer . According to Loomer, String’s authentic tone comes from its accurate emulation of the divide-down oscillator technology behind the lush ensemble synths of the 70s. It’s available for Mac, Windows & Linux for £50 (+ VAT if applicable). A demo version is available. Details below. Dual Layer String has two individual sound generating Layers, each housing three phase-locked oscillator stops at 16′ , 8′ and 4′ ranges for Layer 1, and 8′ , 4′ , and 2′ ranges for Layer 2. The relative volumes of each stop can be finely tuned to produce an enormous range of timbres. Both Layers have controllable note split points. Layers can be placed so that each is controlled by a specific range on the keyboard, or even overlapped and stacked together. Five Voicing Modes Each Layer has its own Voicing Mode from a choice of Monophonic with Last , Low , and High Note Priorities , Paraphonic , and Polyphonic . In Polyphonic mode each voice has its own Attack/Release amplitude modulation envelope.

Voxengo update GlissEQ to V3

New mid/side and routing matrix –

Brainworx offers pre-Xmas discount

Brainworx are offering customers a discount with their unusual “Reverse Advent Calendar” promotion. Starting with 24% off the usual price of their products, each subsequent day the discount is reduced by 1%. We’re not quite sure how this is the “reverse” of getting a bit of chocolate or a different nativity-themed picture every day, but we do know that if you’re interested in Brainworx’s range of plug-ins you should head over to their site sooner rather than later.

Rockwilder On The Beat Thang Virtual

For video details search in the main site. Producer Rocwilder checks out the Beat Thang Virtual – a virtual music production system for Windows and Mac. via BeatKangz : Rockwilder just Finished Producing 50 cents new single “Do you think about me” on itunes now. He loves the new sounds in Beat Thang virtual! He’s currently using it on major record slated for release in 2010!

Hardstyle Synth Tutorial Using Toxic Biohazard

For video details search in the main site. This is a tutorial that looks at programming a hardstyle synth patch using Toxic Biohazard . via limmylimm : The Melody is Project One – Life Beyond Earth remade by myself You can download the midi @ http://145.118.4.14/56820/music/

Wireworks Highlights AV2000 Multimedia Cabling System at GV Expo 2009

Jerry Harvey Returns with JH Audio