Modartt has released Pianoteq Stage, basically a rebranded version of what used to be Pianoteq Play. Pianoteq Stage (a better name than “Play” if I may say so myself) is intended for those on a budget or simply doesn’t want or need all the features of Pianoteq 4. It includes the refined sound found in the previously released Pianoteq 4 (more…)
Antares Avox Duo Evo for $29
Another Antares deal today, this time it’s Avox Duo Evo that you can grab for cheap. $29 buckaroos to be exact. Offer is good until Thursday, May 17th.
Blue Cat Audio releases Blue Cat’s Protector 2.0
Blue Cat Audio has released a new version of its limiter plugin – Blue Cat’s Protector 2.0, which includes a number of new features and fixes.
Among the news we find much improved visual feedback – including rms metering, attenuation history, loudness boost measurement, improved readability – as well as a new presets manager, new MIDI and automation mapping capabilities, new presets, Windows AAX support, and much more. Check the list below for full details.
I haven’t tried Blue Cat’s Protector and can’t tell you how well it stacks up against other limiters. (more…)
Video of bx_saturator in action
Brainworx has made a video showing off the new saturation plugin bx_saturator. I’m in the middle of evaluating it but will be back with a review of it soon. Let us know what you think of it if you have tried it.
By the way, they have also reset all the demo licenses so if your 14 days of trial were up, you can now try it again for 14 more days.
Soundsonline.com offers 30% off most titles
Soundsonline.com is offering 30% off list prices of most EastWest, Best Service, and Zero-G purchases made from May 7 through May 21, 2012. The EastWest offer also includes upgrades and licenses.
Go to http://www.soundsonline.com or http://www.soundsonline-europe.com for European customers (Best Service and Zero-G products are not available from the European store). Promotional prices may not be combined.
Eventide Blackhole now available in AAX format
Eventide has released Blackhole, a software inspired by the stompbox which was inspired by the company’s insane effect found in the DSP4000 and H8000.
Blackhole has evolved over the years. In its earliest incarnation on the DSP4000 and H8000 studio processors, it was regarded, by some, as a secret weapon. With today’s announcement Space’s widely-acclaimed Blackhole is now available as a native plug-in for desktop and laptop recordists.
“The response to Blackhole from our beta testers has been gratifying,” said Ray Maxwell, Vice President. “We are delighted to bring this other-worldly reverberator to a whole new group of users.”
Blackhole may not be your first choice to simulate an enclosure on the surface of the earth but, if you’re at all interested in ‘sculpting sound’, Blackhole just might pull you in. Its possibilities appear to be endless; can’t see beyond the event horizon.
I will review the three new Eventide AAX plugins soon – Blackhole, the Omnipressor and Stereo Room.
By the way, the Blackhole Native plug-in is free with the purchase of any Eventide Stompbox effective immediately through June 30, 2012.
Blackhole is available now for a special limited time only introductory price of $99.
First EZkeys expansion – Pop Rock
You know, I just got EZkeys and the first time I fired it up I wondered when Toontrack would start to release expansions for it. Today’s the day. Toontrack has announced the first MIDI expansion – Pop Rock.
• An extensive collection of chord progressions for pop and rock.
• Organized in full song structures (intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge).
• A section solely devoted to ballad playing styles.
• Covering straight or swing in 4/4 and 6/8.
• Played by professional session pianist.
Toontrack promises that Pop Rock covers “everything from soothing ballads to funky pop and uptempo rock”.
Antares Avox Choir Evo for $29
Antares continues to sell out their Evo plugins, now it’s time for Avox Choir. Antares claims that Avox Choir is neither a harmonizer, nor a chorus but tells us that it “turns a single voice into 4, 8, 16, or 32 distinct individual unison voices, each with its own pitch, timing and vibrato variations”. Right now and until May 10th you can grab it for $29.
My apologies
Hello folks,
I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts this last week or so. I’ve been very ill for well over a week and am basically trying to stay away from all work. I try to post something everyday but I realize that it’s still perhaps not the frequency you guys and gals are used too. I was hoping to be fine by now but medication just hasn’t helped very much. Hopefully I will soon be back to my normal asskicking self.
The good news is that I now know what I’d look like if I ever took up powerlifting seriously, I just have to look at the right side of my neck for the answer to that!
Last week I was hoping to post a bunch of more saturation plugin reviews with a mother of all saturation plugins post that you’ll love. That obviously didn’t happen but rest assured it will all be posted as soon as I’m back to my music rig again. I’ve also been comparing some channelstrips, both hardware (Retro Powerstrip and Fink CS2-FA) and software (Metric Halo, Avid) and will post my findings about them as well.
Last but not least, if you’ve sent me any emails and didn’t get a reply yet, this is the reason. I can easily get over 100 emails a day and I hope that you understand that when I say that I’m doing the minimal amount of possible work, that means not digging through my inbox all day. I will reply… Eventually!
Alright, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading folks. I’m trying to post here every day anyway but thought you still deserved an update. Take care and stay healthy.
50% off individual McDSP plugins until May 9th
McDSP lets you buy any individual plugin at a 50% discount between May 7th and May 9th. They’re promising AAX support soon (AAX DSP sometime this summer) by the way, which will be free for all v5 users.
