XILS-lab and audioMIDI is offering you to buy XILS 3 for only $20 (available only at the audiomidi.com shop from December 1st). But, there’s a hatch, the “no-brainer version” is based on version 1.0.2 (see the differences below) and won’t be updated. You will however be able to update to the full version for €69/$99.
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Open Labs has announced SoundSlate, a virtual instrument player and “hardware DAW”. It uses Open Labs’ own Riff software for VST playback and features identical converters to the Digidesign 192 I/O. It costs like a smaller computer, and appears to have the tech specs of one. Open Labs mentions Pro Tools many times, but I’m still a little uncertain how it integrates. With their other products it’s more apparent.

SoundSlate could be an interesting addition to a studio, somewhat battling the Muse Receptor and SM Pro Audio V-Machine I suppose (the latter didn’t impress me).

More about Open Labs SoundSlate at their website.

A while back I told you about my intention to completely rebuild my entire working/music area. Since I’ve just started making the first couple of purchases I thought I’d fill you in on what’s happened so far.
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Kenny Gioia is back with another video, this time showing a song being built from scratch.

From Groove3:

Product Hightlights

• 27 Tutorials / Over 4.5 Hours Total Runtime
• Shot in Pro Tools 8
• For all intermediate to advanced Pro Tools 8 users
• Tutorials written by multi-platinum selling producer Kenny Gioia
• Simple to use video control interface for Mac & PC

More about Music Production with Pro Tools Vol 1 – Pop at the Groove3 website.

Most Pro Tools users have a copy of Ableton Live Lite. As a part of Able10 – the companies 10 year anniversary – until January 15, 2010, you can save 20% on upgrades to Ableton Suite or Ableton Live 8.

More about Able10 discounts

Toontrack has announced the latest addition to their MIDI packs: Monster MIDI Pack 4 – Fills Odd Meters. Peter Fredlander is back with fills for your 5/4, 6/8, 9/8, 7/8 and 11/8 songs.

More about Monster MIDI Pack 4 at the Toontrack website.

Native Instruments has launched “Synthsgiving”, offering some of their software instruments at greatly reduced prices.

From the Native Instruments press release:

Until November 30th, ABSYNTH 5, FM8, MASSIVE and REAKTOR 5 will be available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $99 / 99 EUR, a discount of up to 75% on the regular pricing.

More about Synthsgiving at the NI website.

Native Instruments has released Sonic Fiction, a Kore-powered instrument evoking thoughts of science fiction and outer space. Jeremiah Savage is the man behind it, who also happens to be responsible for Acoustic Refractions.

Sonic Fiction can be used with the free Kore Player or Kore 2.

From the Native Instruments press release:

Expanding on sound design paradigms established with Jeremiah Savage’s previous ACOUSTIC REFRACTIONS collection, the sounds in SONIC FICTION are inspired by imaginative Science Fiction scenarios and concepts. Unusual, complex acoustic sources ranging from volcanic mudpots to television static were carefully captured in extensive field recording sessions, and combined with the vast synthesis and sound processing capabilities of ABSYNTH, KONTAKT and KORE. The result is an array of previously unheard, charismatic instruments that are both alien and organic in their sonic character, but also highly playable and of profound musical value.

SONIC FICTION provides 100 KoreSounds with eight morphable Sound Variations each, resulting in 800 individual sounds. Concise parameter assignments allow for immediate, intuitive sound tweaking in KORE 2 and KORE PLAYER. Full musical metadata for all presets also makes SONIC FICTION integrate seamlessly with any individual collection of KORE-Powered instruments.

More about Sonic Fiction at the NI website.

Sonivox is also having a holiday sale, offering a 30% discount on all their products. Their offer ends November 30th.

Enter the code “TURKEY” at checkout to receive the discount.

Studio Devil is slashing their prices over the holiday. Prices until December 31st are:

Amp Modeler Pro – $99.00
Virtual Guitar Amp – $49.00
Virtual Bass Amp – $49.00

Studio Devil