News Archive for November 2000

SynC Modular's future development has been officially "cancelled", except for bugfixes. It seems Dr Sync has got a job with Native Instruments and will be developing with them in the future. Read the full announcement HERE.

Version 2.0 of "VSTi Host" is now available. VSTi Host is a Mac application that allows VSTi's to be used as standalone synths. [Mac Host]

• Two VST effects can be added to the audio chain
• Enhanced user interface
• Now costs $14.99

Muon Software are running a special promotion for tonight only, buy the Muon Electron for only $50 (£30) and if at least 50 people make a purchase before midnight they all get the Atom Pro thrown in for free (Usually $30 on its own!). Be quick though it's only on for another couple of hours!

This is part of a warez experiment, check out this post on the forum which explains the idea....

Ces has updated FMHeaven to v1.1 already!

• Bug fix when running under Windows 98
• Support for sustain pedal
• Various multi-timbral fixes
• Improved performance, especially on notes with a long decay
• Support for additional DX7 file formats.

A new LM-4 kit by The Silver Surfer:

• Dick Special R8

Also, a new Tutorial\Guide thanks to Rainer @ amok labs

• Using Reaktor in Cubase with full sample-rate and/or many voices, with poor CPU power

Ces has released a new VSTi, for both PC & Mac, called FMHeaven, a 6 Operator FM Synth. Demo versions are available that lack DX7 bank import and sample accurate sync. [PC & Mac]

• 6 operator FM model.
• 64 voice polyphony (CPU dependant)
• Independent control over the frequency of each oscillator, being either fixed (0.4 to 20000Hz) or tracking pitch (+/-96 semitones in cents).
• Fully configurable modulation matrix. Any operator can modulate any other operator (including self), and complex feedback arrangements can be built.
• Independent four stage envelope for each oscillator, with rates varying from 1ms to over 1 minute.
• Keyboard scaling control for each oscillator.
• LFO with three waveforms (sine, square and S/H), and three modes of operation.
• Multi-timbral operation with a polyphony limiter for each midi channel.
• Ability to import DX7 settings, giving immediate access to over 5000 sounds already available freely on the net.
• Mac & PC versions
• Costs $50

LinPlug have updated Rupsta Gamma to v2.0 and renamed it RM2, Rhythm Machine 2. More than a bug fix update this is more like a completely new VSTi! Check out a screenshot. [PC]

• 18 pads with up to 32 samples each
• 24 voice polyphonic (CPU dependent)
• Stereo output and 6 individual outputs
• Mono & Stereo WAV or AIFF files (up to 32 bit / 96kHz) loaded direct from the instruments front panel
• Volume, Panning, Tuning ( +- 2 octaves), Mute, & Solo per channel
• 4 Choke settings (Groups 1 & 2, and Left & Right)
• Attack-Hold-Decay envelopes for volume and pitch
• 9 Velocity response curves
• Samples may be layered up to 32 layers or split into 32 velocity zones, or a mixture of both arrangements
• Up to 576 samples can be loaded and individually triggered
• Imports LM-4/LM-9 Kits
• ECS (Easy Controller Setup) MIDI CC mapping
• Available in Gold & Black skins
• Cost $45 (Free to Rupsta Gamma owners)

SynC Modular has been updated to v2.08.001 [PC]

• Fixed - Several bugs in sampler module
• Fixed - Large ensembles run slower immediately after load
• Fixed - Switches causing internal errors in feedback connections

Dextra Synth Beta 3 has been released [PC]

• It's hard to describe, try it.

Nenad Siskov's LM-4 Drum Kit Editor has been updated to v1.003

• New - Install/Uninstall
• New - Kit Size monitoring
• New - Basic AIFF support

FrankyD has created a huge, high quality, multi velocity Ambient DrumKit for the A0 DK1 drum sampler, its over 5mb but worth the download:

• DK1 Ambient Kit

Tom has released another new version of LM-4 Creator (v1.3.0.8)

• New - Basic AIFF support (requires Media Player)
• New - 'Save Changes' warning if changing kits
• New - Samples can be deleted from pads/multi-velocity set-ups
• Fixed - Pad names saved correctly

We've added a new Tutorials section, with some basic, no nonsense, guides. If you'd like to contribute to this section please let us know:

• How to record VSTi automation
• How to record VSTi output as audio
• How to create an LM-4 kit quickly and easily without using an editor
• LM-4 Text Files Explained

ArGuru have released new versions of Psycle and TraxVox (Formerly known as FastFuck3r) in the last week with many fixes and new features [PC Hosts]

Stefan Andersson's been busy making another two 32 patch banks for DX10 and JX220

• DX10 SA Bank 2
• JX220 SA Bank 1

A0 DK1 has been given a bit of a makeover for v1.2, due out today. It's currently the most popular Drum Sampler available according to its current standing in our user ratings section so if you haven't tried it yet maybe its time to give the demo a go. [PC]

• All the known pitch bend issues for samples spanned over multiple keys are solved
• Restricted polyphony to 127 voices, because voice 128 is always used to preview samples in the file selection box (CTRL+Click)
• Pad numeration in the swap and copy dialogue is now correct
• The pad lighted with a short delay (<10ms) when clicking on it
• MIDI Notes in the editor can now be entered by name (e.g. C3,A#4...)
• Reduced RAM usage for the graphics
• New GUI - See Screenshot

We've introduced a user rating and reviewing system for the VSTi's. Each VSTi's page will now display an average rating, out of 5, compiled from users votes.
You can also add a review/comment, I'll try to keep an eye on these and delete anything that's just wasting space!

There is a full listing of all VSTi's and their user rating HERE. It's sorted by highest average first.

Note: The rating you give with your review is not included in the average totals, so if you review a VSTi you must actually rate the VSTi in the ratings section as well as in the review section.

Those generous guys over at LinPlug have made GakStoar Delta v1.15 available for free on the cover CD of this months Computer Music magazine (UK). [PC]

SynC Modular v2.08 update has been released [PC & BeOS]

• New - Samples can be linked to from sampler module
• New - Sync input for Noise module
• Fixed - File dialogue bug (BeOS version)

We have a new version (v1.2.0.4) of Tom's LM-4 Creator available that now allows you to load and edit kits, create multi-velocity layers, and change the Root Key for each pad. Get it HERE [PC]

We've also added a MIDI CC info screenshot for the PPG Wave, thanks this time to FrankyD

Nenad Siskov has released another LM-4 editor [PC]

• Samples and kits can be anywhere on disk
  
• Kits can share samples
  
• Export/import pad (instrument)
  
• Auto searching samples
  
• Auto dynamic velocity
  
• Auto checking (double defined note in your drum set)
  
• Auto renaming (removing "-_#()" characters from sample name)
  
• Delete unused samples from VST LM-4 folder
  
• Midi audition and editing
  
• Rename, delete, cut, copy, paste, undo, from LM-4 editor
  
• Multi select editing
  
• Editing samples in your favourite wave editor
  
• Volume (pan) in dB
  

Progressive Production have put development of Tracy on the back burner for a while while they concentrate on Tribone as a lot more interest has been shown in that product, they've spruced up their home page with some new information too [PC]