DSPaudio unveils the second version of its sequencing software Nortron.


Features :

- Contextual MIDI assignment (MIDI Learn)
- 32 channels of independent sequencing
- 8 channel control groups (for linked channel actions)
- 4 VST Instrument or Effect slots
- Ultrastep Automation (editable animations during play)
- Quick Record (sounding good? write it to disk)
- 12 new Modulation Targets (Note length, Velocity A & B, Channel Delay, Global Tempo, Local Pulses, Global Pulses, Local Row, Global Row, Local Pattern, Global Pattern. Insane sequencer feedback loops are possible.)
- Improved graphics and themes including Neo Tron, Hacker, Lunar, and Hive
- On Screen Transport Controls
- DJ friendly (tempo wheel now has pitch offset and pitch snap) for synchronization to live sources (tap tempo gets you close, then dial it in)
- Sequencer navigation by MIDI (use your MIDI keyboard like a computer keyboard)
- Channel Transpose Opt-Out, for keeping keymapped drums from changing when using global transposition.
- Local Transposition Controls
- Improved performance
- Usability Enhancements
- The usual dead bugs, now mummified

MoReVoX has released MoReVoX, a new drum sample library created with distorstion in mind.

DriveDrums has been developed by generating distortion through different kind of devices. Vacum Tubes, Analog Tapes, Preamps are been used to create samples with light to aggressive and violent distorsion. Samples have been divided into two categories: Drive Samples and Over Samples. The Drive Samples have been developed starting from the classic hardware harmonic distortion, so all the samples contain a smoother distortion character (Tape compression warmth, subtle valve saturation). The Over Samples instead are based on distortion; the samples have been developed finding their character in conjunction with the hardware distortion (Valve/Console Preamps, Analog Tape Saturation, Heavy Valve Compression, Dedicated distortion outboard).

MoReVoX DriveDrums contains 30 Kicks, 30 Snares, 8 Toms Racks, 30 Cymbals and more for a total of 800 Samples 24Bit|44.1khz. It is available now in Drumagog, Drum Rehab, Battery 3 and Raw WAV formats for $99 (download) / $129 (DVD).

Showcased at this year's NAMM Show, Steinberg has just announced that Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 are now available worldwide.

Features :

- LoopMash: Brand-new, first-of-its-kind interactive loop synthesizer
- Groove Agent ONE: Powerful drum sampling with detailed sound shaping
- Beat Designer: New beat construction plug-in, works hand in hand with Groove Agent ONE
- VariAudio: Gives you complete control over the melody and intonation in monophonic vocal recordings
- PitchCorrect: Easy and automatic intonation control and scale correction of vocal and monophonic instrument recordings
- REVerence: The world's first VST3-based convolution reverb processor with an impulse library including over 70 pre-sets
- New automation handling: More transparent and flexible than ever before
- VST Expression: Ultra-intuitive new way of working with multiple instrument articulations
- The new HALion ONE Expression Set 01 including a new set of 14 studio-quality instruments with multiple articulations for natural and expressive performances (ideal to try out VST Expression)
- The new Channel Batch Export exports the audible output of multiple mixer channels to audio files, ideal to create archives or exchange projects with other production systems
- Full support for 64-bit high performance computing under Microsoft Windows Vista 64 with up to 1 terabyte of addressable memory
- Support for the new WASAPI audio driver technology, and therefore lower latency with generic on-board sound hardware under Windows Vista
- Plus: A fully functional trial version of the HALion Symphonic Orchestra 16-bit Special Edition,perfect to exploit the potential of VST Expression in your arrangements. This trial version runs for 90 days, and can be easily unlocked online for €99 for unrestricted functionality
- Of course, Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 integrate perfectly with Steinberg's innovative range of hardware, the CC121, MR816 CSX, and MR816 X.


Pricing :

- Cubase 5 : €599 (Update from Cubase 4 or Cubase SX3 : €199).
- Cubase Studio 5 : €399 (Update from Cubase Studio 4 or Cubase SL3 : €129).
- Cubase 5 Grace Period Update Process for European customers

Learn more...

Univers Sons/Ultimate Sound has just released Percussion Store, a new collection of percussion sounds.

Packed with 100% original sounds, Percussion Store contains more than 150 percussions coming from all over the world for a total of more than 6000 samples:

Afoxe, Agogo, Bata, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau, Birdcall, Blocks, Bongos, Bonko, Cajon, Castanet, Caxixi, Chimes, Chocalho, Claves, Congas, Cowbell-Campana, Cricket, Cuica, Cymbals, Derbuka, Djembe, Dundun, Ganza, Guiros, Jingle Bells, Maracas, Moroccan Tabla, Ocean Drums, Pandeiro, Quinto, Rainstick, RecoReco, Repinique, Shaker, Shekere, Sistre, Sonnaille, Surdo, Tamborim, Tambourine, Tarol, The Blue, Timbalito, Timbau, Tom-Tom, Triangles, Tumba, Udu, Whistles, Wood Block, Yoruba Tamb.

As usual the Ultimate Sound Bank team were really committed into recording quality: first they did use an excellent recording studio with a percussion expert sound engineer, and then use excellent gear: Brawmer and Neumann microphones, Manley, Fearn & Neve preamp and compressors, high end analog to digital converters and the best sounding soundcards in the market.

Percussion Store doesn't contain any loop, only single shots. Of course every instrument was deeply "multi-sampled" in 24 bits / 96 kHz, at dozens of velocity levels when applicable, different playing techniques (depending on the instrument), different hand positions, rolls, etc...

Percussion Store is now available for $149 / €129, and includes the full version of UVI Workstation.

Milab Microphones presents the BDM-01, a brand new bass drum microphone equally at home in the studio and on the road. The condenser capsule is hand built by Milab in Sweden and provides superb attack and high-frequency response, especially when compared to dynamic capsules, which are found in most bass drum microphones.

The electronics have been specifically designed to handle the power of the most hard-hitting drummers - the BDM-01 takes 155 dB without audible distortion. The dynamic range, frequency response, sensitivity and pop filters have been optimised for the sound and power of the bass drum and other bass instruments.

Features :

- Hand built cardioid condenser capsule
- Rubber fitted capsule
- Integrated pop filters
- High SPL handling
- Gold plated XLR-connector

The BDM-01 will be sold separately and as part of the Milab Drum Pack. The Drum Pack is an aluminium case with 7 VM-44 Classics, shock mounts, mic holders, windscreens and now the BDM-01.

This new addition to the Milab product range will be presented at the Prolight + sound fair in Frankfurt. Visit Milab in Hall 8.0, Stand C05. Hosted by the Milab distributor for Germany — FBM Audio.

The suggested retail price will be ca €520, $680 USD (excl VAT).