NewsFlash #6 | Roland TR-8S, Tracktion Waveform 9, Softube Volume 2 plug-in bundle

03/12/18 • 2 min

This week Roland followed up its TR-8 drum machine with the new TR-8S Rhythm Performer. It has component-level models of sounds from the classic TR-808, 909, 606, 707, and 727 drum machines, as well as 150 other internal samples. It also imports external samples from an SD memory card. All of those sounds are subject to the TR-8S’s sound design, effects, sequencing, and motion recording functions. The unit has 128 patterns, each with up to 8 variations, and 128 kits, which have total recall of all the settings and routings for the sounds. In addition to being a USB audio interface, the TR-8S also has 8 analog outputs and a trigger output for controlling analog gear. The Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is on pre-order now for $699 USD. Tracktion has released the Waveform 9 digital audio workstation software. Its new Multi Sampler instrument includes the ability to rip audio directly from other software, such as a Web browser, making the possibilities for sampling audio endless. Among many other features, Waveform 9 includes new rack presets, 24-track drum construction kits, Macro controls, and time-saving Chord Tracks. Waveform 9 packages range in price from $109 to $259 USD. This week Softube released its Volume 2 plug-in bundle, a total of 19 effects, amplifier models, dynamics plug-ins and also the Heartbeat drum synthesizer and Modular, a virtual Eurorack synthesizer. For the Volume 2 bundle, Softube added a phaser effect, a tape machine emulation plug-in, and the brand new Weiss MM-1 Mastering Maximizer, which is based on the hardware Weiss DS1-MK3 high-end mastering processor. The Softube Volume 2 plug-in bundle is selling now for $399 USD. That’s this week’s Audio Tech News Flash, brought to you by Accusonus. If you like this podcast, please subscribe and also leave us a 5-star review. That way, you can help spread the Audio Tech News. LINKS: Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer https://www.roland.com/us/products/tr-8s/ Tracktion Unveils Waveform 9 Music Production Software https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform https://www.youtube.com/user/TracktionSoftware/videos Softube Volume 2 plug-in bundle https://www.softube.com/index.php?id=volume2

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NewsFlash #5 | Bitwig 2.3, Splice acquires Indaba Music, Serato DJ Pro 2.0

Bitwig has released the Bitwig Studio 2.3 digital audio workstation update. Additions include time-signature markers on the timeline, improved time-stretching for audio, new sounds and device presets for the content library, and more. However, the biggest news for Bitwig Studio 2.3 is the new Phase-4 four-oscillator synthesizer. Phase-4 uses phase manipulation synthesis, similar to the classic Casio CZ phase distortion synthesizers from the 1980s. However, Bitwig’s Phase-4 goes even further with extensive modulation control and a highly visual interface. Bitwig Studio 2.3 is a free update to licensed users with an active upgrade plan, and anyone can try the free demo at Bitwig.com. Two large musical artist communities joined together when Splice acquired Indaba Music. Both companies actively present remixing, production, and songwriting contests, and will collaborate on new projects like the weekly Firestarter series, now available at the Splice.com blog. The Firestarter challenges give producers a creative spark, such as a set of samples, a MIDI pattern, or a project file for them to build off of and share their results. Digital DJs can finally try out Serato DJ Pro 2.0, which is a free upgrade for Serato DJ users. The update adds an offline Practice Mode that lets you prepare tracks with loops and cue point and practice mixes without any hardware connected. The new Performance Pad View shows the DJ decks with cue points laid out in two rows of four, mimicking the layout of many Serato DJ controllers. Serato DJ Pro is now optimized for high-resolution displays and has 64-bit support for greater reliability and unlimited DJ library sizes. That’s it for this week’s Audio Tech News Flash, brought to you by Accusonus. If you like this podcast, please subscribe and also leave us a 5-star review. That way, you can help spread the Audio Tech News. LINKS: Bitwig Studio 2.3 update: https://www.bitwig.com/en/bitwig-studio/bitwig-studio-2.html Splice.com & Indaba Music Firestarter Series: https://splice.com/blog/ Serato DJ Pro 2.0 https://serato.com/campaign/dj-pro

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NewsFlash #7 | Arturia Filters, Waves - Audeze Mobius, Hans Zimmer Strings, IK Multimedia

French company Arturia has released 3 Filters You’ll Actually Use. And that is actually the name of this 3-plug-in bundle that models the filters from 3 iconic vintage analog synthesizers: the Moog Minimoog, the Oberheim SEM, and the Oberheim Matrix-12. Besides emulating the behavior and response of the hardware filters, these plug-ins add contemporary features like modulation sources and step sequencing. 3 Filters You’ll Actually Use is selling at an introductory price of $99 USD until April 5th of this year. Waves Audio has teamed up with Audeze on the new Mobius planar magnetic headphones for 3D audio. With the continued advancement of virtual reality, augmented reality, and high-end gaming, 3D audio is on the rise. The Mobius headphones integrate head tracking, sound localization and room emulation to create an immersive and personalized 3D listening experience. The Mobius Creator Package combines the Mobius headphones with the Waves Nx Virtual Mix Room plug-in and other software for creating 3D Audio content. The package is now funding on an Indiegogo campaign, with prices starting at $499 USD and should be delivered in June of this year. In the realm of virtual instruments, Spitfire Audio announced Hans Zimmer Strings, and IK Multimedia released the Total Studio 2 bundle of software instruments and effects. For Hans Zimmer Strings, Spitfire collaborated with the legendary composer and 344 musicians to create an enormous string library using advanced sampling techniques. With the Total Studio 2 Max bundle, IK Multimedia delivers 94 total products, composed of its best mixing and mastering processors, cinematic and orchestral sounds, and both electronic and acoustic drums, keyboards, and other instruments. It’s selling now for just under $1000 USD, with an entry-level version available for $499. That is all for this week’s Audio Tech News Flash, brought to you by Accusonus. If you like this podcast, please subscribe and also leave us a 5-star review because that will help spread the Audio Tech News. LINKS: Arturia 3 Filters You’ll Actually Use https://www.arturia.com/products/software-effects/filters-bundle/overview Audeze Mobius headphones with Waves Audio Nx 3D Audio Technology https://www.audeze.com/products/mobius-series/mobius-creators-edition https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/mobius-immersive-cinematic-3d-audio-headphone-headphones/#/ Spitfire Audio Hans Zimmer Strings https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/hans-zimmer-strings/ IK Multimedia Total Studio 2 bundles http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ts2max http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/ts2deluxe/