WNAMM13: Make Noise Modules and Records

First release - Richard Devine

Winter NAMM 2013 - Make Noise

Tony Rolando showed us the latest models from Make Noise, makers of interesting Eurorack modular synth modules.

First up is the RxMix - which applies the surrealist technique of Exquisite Corpse game (Consequences in the UK) to control voltage and audio mixing to generate unexpected results. With up to 6 sources that can be algorithmically controlled via external sources.

MMG - Multi Mode Gate - singel channel filter with overlaod on input, strike input and an accent input for additional animation. with CV control of the filter mode too.

Function - single channel analog generator and processor, for sample an hold , track and hold and step waveforms. Based on the Match Engine.

Available later this year.

Make Noise have also formed Make Noise Records with releases planned from Richard Devine,Allesandro Cortini, Robert A. A. Lowe, Keith Fullerton Whitman and Surachai

Its a concept series that provides each of the artists with a Make Noise Shared System - a compact self contained modular system and has them create music using only that. First to be released is Richard Devine (Catalog MNR001).

Available on vinyl 7" records - you can find out more at MakeNoiseRecords.com

More Information
MakenoiseMusic.com

Presonus 32.4.2AI Digital Mixer Details

New desk has more channels, more DSP

Presonus are continuing to offer a complete solution to producing live shows with the introduction of theirStudioLive 32.4.2AI .

The new desk has 32 physical channel faders as well as four groups and a stereo master. They've added the new Active Integration CPU DSP chip to enhance the power available too.

Features

• 32 physical channel faders, mutes and solo's
• 32 XMAX Mic preamps
• Wireless connectivity for use with iPad and laptop apps
• 60 gates, compressors, EQ's
• 4 effects processors
• 14 aux mixes
• 48-in/34-out FireWire S800 digital recording interface (24-bit/44.1 kHz and 48 kHz)
• 16 31-band graphic equalizers
• A/B dual fat channel setting switch
• Optional I/O cards
• Thunderbolt-FireWire S800-S/PDIF Out
• Ethernet/Dante-FireWire S800-S/PDIF Out

Available by Summer 2013 price TBC

More Information
Presonus.com

Organic Synth And Soundscape Collection

Soundiron releases a redesigned Ambius 1: Transmissions

Soundiron has released the all new total redesign of their Ambius 1: Transmissions, which they describe as a uniquely nuanced textural and atmospheric fully playable organic synth and soundscape collection. They say that the new upgrade builds on adaptive groove-building and inspiring tone and texture shaping features that were engineered for the new Ambius 2 Systematik library. Here's Soundiron's description of the new collection:

Ambius 1 Transmissions features a hand-sculpted array of dark atmospheres, drones, pads and tonal sustains crafted from various real-world field recordings and acoustic instruments. It's divided into 3 main categories: Horror, Melodic and Tuned. Each category includes a number of different sub-collections that are easily accessible and ready to blend and shape in multi-layer instrument modules. The Horror category captures creature, hell-scapes and gore ambiences and twists them into hideously dark yet fully playable sound design monstrosities. There's even a playable organ created with actual dental root canal recordings. The Melodics section weaves complex musical elements into undulating multi-timbral dream-scapes. The Tuned category takes natural acoustic instruments and manipulates them into infinitely sustaining multi-layered tonal pads and organs that preserve threads of their original character and yet veer off into strange new creative territories.

This broad collection of richly nuanced flavors is designed to quickly layer, warp and twist any way you like, with a broad range of tonal and textural elements programmed into uniquely responsive and adaptive instruments. The cutting-edge GUI combines nuanced performance and tone shaping controls with an incredible step sequencing engine that lets you build your own grooves and lock any parameter to any BPM. Ambius 1: Transmissions puts the raw power to sculpt new sonic concepts in your hands.

One of the driving forces behind the development of our original atmospheric synth collection was the desire for a fresh sound based on real organic recordings that was deeply flexible for those of us who like to customize and yet easy enough to dive into right away for those who just want it to sound good out of the box. Using only organic source recordings as our raw elements, we've created a deep pool of content to choose from and shape, with a wide palette of sonic flavors ranging from fat lo-fi leads to crisp, complex hi-fi sound-scapes.

The foundation of the new Ambius 1 was developed for our new Ambius 2 Systematik percussive lead synth and atmospheric design library. This new GUI is wrapped around our unique Instrument Designer system. You can watch a detailed walk-through videos showing how this new system works for both Ambius 1 and 2 Here. Each layer is equipped with independent core parameter control and instant sound loading so your instruments can truly evolve with the music. Each instrument is driven by our exclusive 32-step Dual-LFO groove system with selectable filter modes and the ability to synch nearly any parameter to your host tempo. And our custom convolution loading, mighty Uberpeggiator and full EQ controls give you full control over the sound.

Ambius 1 Transmissions includes 352 long, evolving sound-scapes, deep pads, hypnotic drones and atmospheres and clocks in at nearly 2.8GB, but its freely mixable instrument design and shaping controls give you nearly infinite sonic possibility with just the twist of a few knobs.

Pricing and Availability:
Ambius 1 Transmissions is priced at $89, but it's available now at a special intro price of only $69 through Feb. 12th, 2013.

More information:
Soundiron

Isolate A Drum Kit From The Floor

Auralex are now shipping their HoverMat Isolation Platform

Auralex is now shipping its HoverMat Isolation Platform. They tell us that HoverMat is a sturdy, slip-resistant drummers' mat that improves acoustical isolation and clarifies drum tone. Like Auralex's HoverDeck Isolation Riser, the HoverMat isolates a drum set from the floor or a hollow stage, reducing coloration from floor resonance by decoupling the drum kit, thereby resulting in a tighter, more pure sound for both studio and live applications. The HoverMat and HoverDeck can also be used in combination for extra isolation.

The HoverMat comes as a 4'x6' section of Auralex's a sound-deadening SheetBlok sound barrier material, covered with charcoal gray Ozite-type, commercial-grade, road-ready carpet, and is ideal for musicians on the go, worship groups, live performance venues, or anywhere a drum kit needs additional isolation.

The result is a tighter, more focused and pure drum sound night-in and night-out. Auralex says that the HoverMat can be rolled up after any performance or session, and the included heavy-duty cinch sack makes transport a breeze.

Features and Highlights:

• 6' width x 4' depth; ¼" thickness
• Non-slip surface holds drums and hardware in place
• Provides acoustical isolation
• Weighs 28 lbs - cinch sack with shoulder strap included
• Great for drummers and keyboard players alike
• Fabricated with industry-leading Auralex SheetBlok™

Pricing and Availability:
See website

More information:
www.auralex.com

Quality Digital To Analog Converter

Lindell Audio introduces the DACX

Lindell Audio tells us that the DACX is an extremely high end digital to analog converter, sporting only the best parts available on the market today, and made for the demanding engineers who wants the highest possible resolution and sound quality coming out of their DAW. Here's what Lindell has to say about it in their own words...

What sets the DACX apart from everyone else is the sheer insane amount of engineering that has gone into the power supply and output stage! Some other boxes uses the AK4397 da-chip too, but no one powers it like the way we do.

The DACX adopts 4 pieces of low magnetic flux leakage power transformer in total 24 group independent power supply cells, in order to decrease the crossover distortion or interference of different circuit system.

The DUAL OUTPUT STAGE let's YOU select 'Tube' or 'Opamp' for flavouring. Use the clean opamp stage when using the DACX in your monitor chain and try out the Tube output stage if you use the DACX in your mastering DA chain.

The DACX features dual AES/EBU inputs, Coax SP/DIF, Optical SP/DIF and USB audio. The selectable upsampling feature lets you set the output sample rate to taste: 24/96, 32/96, 24/192, 32/192.

Highlights:

• Sample Rate Supported- 44,1 - 48 - 88,2 - 96 - 176,4 - 192kHz
• AK4397 Delta-Sigma D/A from AKM
• 4 pieces of low magnetic flux leakage power transformer
• Balanced And Unbalanced Outputs
• Switchable Output Stage- Tube or Clean Opamp
• S/N Ratio <114db
• THD <0,002%
• Gold Plated Pc Boards

Pricing and Availability:
$2299
In Stores- April

More information:
DACX

More Sylenth Patches

Patchwerkz releases a new set for Lennard Digital Sylenth1

Patchwerkz has released what they describe as 64 new killer patches for Lennard Digital Sylenth1, in FXB format. These sounds were crafted by sound designer Stanley Van de Meent, and cover Big Room, Electro, Dance and Trance.

A spokesperson told us, "In this bank you will find only the most cutting edge and current sounds for sylenth that will definitley inspire and spark new creative ideas."

Pricing and Availability:
$19.99

More information:
Sylenth Volume 2

A Personal Drummer Inside AmpliTube

IK Multimedia introduces Loop Drummer for iPhone, iPad & iPod touch

IK Multimedia has introduced Loop Drummer, described as a high-quality drum module that's included in the new AmpliTube 2.9, the latest version of IK's real-time guitar-and-bass multiFX-processing and recording app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. They tell us that the programmable, loop-based drum section lets users easily create custom drum tracks and sync them seamlessly to the AmpliTube recorder. Here's more details direct from IK Multimedia...

With Loop Drummer available inside of AmpliTube, users can jam and practise over single loops or entire drum sequences, or they can compose a full-length drum track (with intro, groove variations, fills, and ending) to be used as a start-up rhythmic base for recording full multitrack compositions on the AmpliTube recorder. All of this can be done inside the app.

Loop Drummer sports over 500 loops, which are available in a variety of popular styles including Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, Funk, and more. Loops are grouped in "Style Packs" containing up to 64 different loops for each of the available styles, which are organized in 8 "songs" with 8 loops each, including intros, outros, fills, and alternate parts.

Loop Drummer's powerful and unique Remix feature allows the production of an entire drum track with a single tap, using an intelligent algorithm that sequences the loops, structuring a song as a producer would do. At each tap on the Remix button, a new track is generated. This allows for the creation of endless inspiring grooves for jamming, practising, or for use in composition.

Alternatively a drum part of any length can be produced by dragging loops into the timeline. Any of the loops can also be customized with the Cymbal button, which sets a crash on the downbeat.

A Tap Tempo button is also available for easily changing loop tempos, and the module is equipped with a high-quality time-stretching algorithm that automatically processes the loops when the tempo is changed. As a result, the loops are usable at a wide range of tempos with no effect on quality.

Loop Drummer has its own built-in mixer controls, with a cool circular volume control that allows for adjusting the overall drum level, independent of the recorder's volume, and also functions as a reverb send.

In addition to Loop Drummer, the new AmpliTube 2.9 adds a handy new feature to the recorder, a pre-roll function that can be turned on and off. The pre-roll gives the musician who's recording two measures to lock in on the groove before recording starts, making it easy to play in tempo from the very first beat.

Pricing and Availability:
AmpliTube 2.9 is available for €17.99 from the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at AppStore.com. The AmpliTube App includes Loop Drummer with a free set of 8 loops from the Rock style pack. Eight additional Style Packs (each containing 64 loops) can be obtained via In-App Purchase for €3.59 each. The complete collection is available in the All Style Pack bundle, which sells at the discounted price of €13.99.

More information:
www.ikmultimedia.com/loopdrummer

Drum And Percussion Instrument For Kontakt Player

Soniccouture releases Konkrete 3

Soniccouture has announced the release of Konkrete 3, which they describe as a drum and percussion instrument for all types of electronic music.

The follow-up to Konkrete 1 & 2, Konkrete 3 includes the original content from those libraries, and adds 41 brand new kits, all housed in a powerful new virtual instrument.

Features :

• Beat generator - The Beat Shifter
• 90 kits | over 5000 sounds
• Custom convolution effects
• Real time glitch module
• Focus Mapping maps single sounds across full keyrange
• Beat Library
• NI Maschine presets
• Kontakt Player compatible

Pricing and Availability:
Konkrete 3 is available now for download, priced GBP £99 / USD $129
New users can get 15% off Konkrete 3 until 18th Feb 2013

More information:
www.soniccouture.com