AudioThing has released Soundscapes Vol.2 for Native Instruments Kontakt.

Soundscapes Vol.2 includes soundscapes, textures and ambiences ready to use as Kontakt instruments or WAV loops. These sounds are divided into four categories: binaural, concrete, inductor and piezo. Like Soundscapes Vol.1, the samples were recorded in different places across the world (Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Naples, and Cosenza) using studio or portable equipment. AudioThing used different types of microphones, including handmade piezo and inductor mics, a large condenser microphone and a binaural microphone set. All samples are seamless loops, so if you don't have Kontakt it is possible to load them directly into your DAW.

Details:
- 35 Kontakt Instruments (.nki).
- 35 Samples (48kHz / 24-bit).
- Formats: Kontakt and WAV (loops).
- Size: 207 MB.
- Samples derived from: binaural recordings, inductor and piezo effects, mixed objects/places.
- Native Instruments Kontakt 4.2.4+ or 5 full version required.

Nektar Technology, Inc. announce the deep integration with the new, exciting Bitwig Studio DAW and the Nektar Panorama range of controllers featuring the unique and musician friendly direct DAW integration Nektar P series Keyboards are famous for.

From day one, Bitwig Studio will benefit from the extensive and transparent Panorama workflow integration that allows for controlling the Bitwig Studio mixer, instruments, effects, transport plus clip and scene launching right from Panorama P1, P4 or P6.

Building on Panorama's workflow concept developed first for Reason and Cubase, additional functionality has been added to take full advantage of the Bitwig Studio controller API. This includes the ability to browse the instrument and effects device libraries of patches by category or creator, right from Panorama.

A step sequencer has also been included using the 8 LED buttons to program any of the up to 32 steps in a sequence. Panorama creates the events directly in Bitwig Studio so they are instantly part of a song and ready for further manipulation.
Taking advantage of the pads on the Panorama P4 and P6, it's possible to trigger, create and record clips and scenes in absolute real-time. The Panorama display provides constant updates to show which clips are currently active, including the name of the clips available on the current track.

All things considered and also taking into account the compatibility of BitWig Studio with VST plug-ins, full navigation of all devices and their parameters, complete mixer control including motorized fader - the Panorama/Bitwig Studio combination may well be the most advanced hardware/software combination to date.

PreSonus' new Music Creation Suite is a complete, integrated music-creation solution that's ideal for educators, students, and home studio enthusiasts. PreSonus will offer lesson plans and instructional videos to help music educators get the most from the new hardware/software recording and composition kit.

This all-PreSonus package includes:

- AudioBox USB audio/MIDI interface
- Studio One™ Artist recording and production software (DAW)
- Notion notation software
- PS-49 USB 2.0 MIDI keyboard

Four ports-connect AudioBox USB, PS-49, and two more devices
U.S. map/street price is expected to be $399.95. Custom site licenses for multiple units can be generated when the products are registered.

Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH announced WaveLab 8.5, a purchasable point update for the award-winning audio editing and mastering software. Available from June, WaveLab 8.5 includes new and easy file conversion and batch processing, A/B comparison between encoding formats, AAC encoder implementation and convenient multi-format rendering.

“This update marks an important step forward for the eighth iteration of WaveLab, focusing this round on encoding and processing audio files in a most efficient way,” said Timo Wildenhain, product marketing manager at Steinberg.

The new automated Watch Folder rendering feature applies processing to all audio files drag-and-dropped into designated folders. Users can now assign tasks, such as dithering, normalization, plug-in rendering and audio file format conversion, to any number of Watch Folders without having WaveLab open. Putting a big emphasis on working with codecs, WaveLab 8.5 sports the new Encoder Checker plug-in for real-time comparison of codecs and settings, with an FFT graph allowing for a precise analysis of the compressed sound quality. WaveLab now also supports encoding to the AAC file format to ensure compatibility with iTunes and related Apple hardware. Introducing new multi-format rendering capabilities facilitates exporting files to various formats simultaneously, and with much more ease than in previous versions.

Availability and pricing

The WaveLab 8.5 full retail version will be available from June 2014 as boxed version from authorized Steinberg resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price is 549 euros, including German VAT.

60 channels of audio, high-end microphone preamps, reference class converters, a complete effects section and operation at up to 192 kHz are the base for many more features:

Ultra-low latency operation with USB or FireWire, combined with the legendary RME driver stability and maintenance. Active jitter suppression, individually switchable reference levels for all inputs and outputs, full stand-alone functionality, RME’s unique DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox, and identical operation on Windows PC and Mac.