Friday 30 December 2016

PolyKB III, virtual synth by XILS-Lab - ‘reincarnation’ of the ultra-rare RSF Polykobol II

Press News
XILS-lab lovingly ‘reincarnates’ the synthesizer they should have invented 40 years ago as PolyKB III
 
Audio software company XILS-lab is proud to announce availability of PolyKB III, the third software ‘reincarnation’ of the ultra-rare RSF Polykobol II — an analogue (albeit arguably failed) French programmable polysynth par excellence — as the synthesizer they should have invented 40 years ago.

Simply speaking, PolyKB III is the most powerful and versatile analogue-modelled polyphonic soft synth available. As such, it faithfully captures the sound and spirit of the ultra-rare RSF Polykobol II, including its most revolutionary feature: aliasing-free, continuously morphing VCOs (Voltage-Controlled Oscillators). On paper, and in reality, it is this that sets it apart from the many ‘run-of-the-mill’ analogue synth recreations already out there since pushy PolyKB III programmers have instant access to hundreds of different analogue-modelled waveforms — from triangle to pulse, through to sawtooth — via its flexible, free-running (VCO1, VCO2, VCO3) oscillators. On top of that, those oscillators can also be controlled by all modulation sources, so, unlike three-oscillator vintage analogue hardware synths such as the trailblazing Minimoog, for example, endless possibilities abound.

And PolyKB III is no slouch when it comes to modulation, thanks to WIRED MOD., a macro modulation matrix with over 35 ‘hardwired’ options between various MONOMOD (LFO1, [NOISE]) and POLYMOD (ADSR2, VCO2) sources and destinations — WHEEL, VCO, VCF (Voltage-Controlled Filter), ATTK (Attack), DEC (Decay), and much more besides... simply click a (virtual) button to establish a connection between different modules, then adjust amounts using the (virtual) knobs. Needless to say, PolyKB III allows adventurous programmers to delve deeper still with USER MOD., meaning that they can choose modulation sources, destinations, and amounts from four custom macro modulation matrices. More meaningfully, each of the four sources can control up to four parameters simultaneously, so 16 additional assignable modulations are available. Amounts can be positive or negative — choose freely between stacks of sources and dozens of destinations, including filter balance for morphing between filters, envelope segments, output levels, and LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) output levels, etc. No creativity roadblocks there, then, that’s for sure!

Several superb-sounding audio demos showcasing PolyKB III can be heard here: 
 

Surely that’s more than enough for most modulation maniacs to be getting on with? Well, with PolyKB III there’s more. Much more, in fact. Firstly, there’s the VOICE XY pad, a per-voice modulator that affects each note played to sound different from previous and subsequent notes. Notably, voices are represented by movable red balls positioned within a square screen; there the vertical and horizontal position of each ball can modulate two different parameters, each with a dedicated amount knob to choose between tons of targets. Truly creative, this tool can perform endless sound-shaping tasks like no other — try tailoring analogue drift, specifically suited to the track in question, or why not go let’s go crazy-style, creating ever-changing sounds? Sounds great? Then try this on for size: SPACE XY, a dynamic stereo modulation pad, allows adventurous PolyKB III programmers to build unique stereo scenes by providing each new note played with a distinct, polyphony-controlled position, making for the widest, most intensive-sounding analogue sounds ever heard!
However, even that’s not all! As well as controlling the width of the overall stereo scene, users can control microphone position and direction, and even make the whole stereo scene move courtesy of some suitably chaotic LFO functions!
Finally, they can even use the highly-programmable SEQ. (sequencer) as a massive modulation-only step sequencer, creating four different sequences of up to 128 steps with each sequencer line controlling up to four different synthesis parameters via USER MOD.! Not necessarily for ‘Simple Minds’, maybe, but everything is possible — from intricate trance-gate patterns to incredible grooving parts. Phrases or sequences — with vintage or futuristic flavourings, of course — are a given with PolyKB III’s SEQ., an eight-part poly-sequencer that takes the creative concept of step sequencers one step beyond... or should that read: several steps?

Obviously, oscillators are the only possible sound source in any analogue synthesizer. Saying that, any analogue synthesizer only sounds as good as its filters. Predictably perhaps, PolyKB III virtually follows suit, though its monumental modulation capabilities clearly take things to a higher state of (synthesized) consciousness. Creamy-sounding like no other, two 0df (zero delay feedback) self-oscillating-capable filters (VCF1, VCF2) with pre-post drive modules, direct KEYB CTRL (keyboard tracking control), and each with their own dedicated envelope ensure that PolyKB III does not disappoint with yet more multiple ‘hardwired’ and custom modulation options outperforming ‘more modern’ synthesizer designs with the greatest of ease. Each oscillator can feed VCF1, VCF2, or both. Both filters can be cascaded and filter morphing with any modulation source is possible by controlling the filter balance.

But there’s more: three analogue-modelled envelopes (ADSR1, ADSR2, ADSR3) are ‘hardwired’ to the VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) and VCF1 and VCF2, but can also be used as modulation sources and destinations, including individual envelope segments, while keyboard tracking is also available for the envelopes. Additionally, ADSR1 and ADSR2 can loop, or be used as an LFO to supplement LFO1 and LFO2 and the (synced) Sample & Hold module. Moreover, all envelopes benefit from a MUL (time multiplication factor) function to help handle anything thrown at them. Those two full-featured LFOs can cumulate several waveforms, while featuring DELAY and FADE (in) functions, SYNC (to the host or internal CLOCK), and benefit from a reset/note on parameter.
Perfectly complementing this flashy feature set, EFFECT accesses analogue-modelled vintage CHORUS and PHASER effects alongside an analogue-type DELAY and dual EQ lending a strong character to PolyKB III’s already unique-sounding sound. DELAY TIME, PHASER RATE, and CHORUS RATE can also be used as USER MOD. destinations to create Solina String Ensemble-style processing or other stranger effects.
An ARPEGGIATOR adds to PolyKB III’s already authentic-sounding analogue polysynth pedigree, perhaps showing why RSF synthesizers soon found favour with a whole host of electronic music pioneers, including Vince Clarke, Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel, Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, and Hans Zimmer.

What was it, then, that made the original Polykobol II sound so special, yet still sell so few? As a 1983-vintage programmable analogue polysynth based on two waveform-morphing, aliasing-free oscillators, and a self-oscillating four-pole low-pass filter, it was superficially similar-looking to — though much more highly specified than — Sequential Circuits Incorporated’s innovative Prophet-5 — the world’s first fully-programmable polyphonic synthesizer — by virtue of its beautifully finished woodwork (purportedly by Michel Lâg-Chavarria of LAG Guitars fame); whereas SCI shipped around 7,500 Prophet-5s during an impressive three-revision, four-year production run, sadly, Serge Fernandez’s RSF SA. Synthétiseurs managed a mere 30 Polykobol IIs before running into financial difficulties — hardly surprising given its technical complexity (with 500-plus parts) and attendant (22kg) weightiness with a weighty price tag (equivalent to €6,500 Euro) to match, all of which were hardly in keeping with the-then ‘art nouveau’ digital age of dominating desirable FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis from Yamaha’s considerably cheaper ‘analogue killer’, the DX7.

What goes around comes around and today XILS-lab’s PolyKB III is all set to give its competitors — virtual and analogue alike — a serious run for their money...without weight issues and at an affordable price for any serious synthesist! Looks like XILS-lab has lovingly ‘reincarnated’ the synthesizer that RSF should have invented 40 years ago, after all! 
PolyKB III is available to purchase as a USB eLicenser or iLok (1 and 2 dongle hardware or software) protected plug-in for an introductory promotional price of €119.00 EUR until January 21, 2017 — rising to €159.00 EUR thereafter — on the XILS-lab web store here: https://www.xils-lab.com/products/PolyKB-III.html 
(Owners of the original PolyKB or PolyKB II can upgrade to PolyKB III for an introductory promotional price of €25.00 EUR until January 21, 2017, rising to €39.00 EUR thereafter.)


PolyKB III can be directly downloaded as a multi-format (AAX, AU, RTAS, VST), 32- and 64-bit 16-voice virtual analogue soft synth plug-in (with switchable six mono/unison/poly playing modes) for Mac (OS X 10.7 and later) and Windows (XP, 7, 8, 10) from here: https://www.xils-lab.com/pages/PolyKB3_Download.html

For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated PolyKB III webpage here: https://www.xils-lab.com/pages/PolyKB3.html

About XILS-lab (www.xils-lab.com)
Based in Grenoble, France, XILS-lab is an audio software company, created and managed by Xavier Oudin. Having created some of the best known virtual instruments and effects plug-ins on the market for various companies over the last 20 years, today he focuses on bringing his passion for audio, instruments, and music to bear on his own company.Working with highly-skilled professional musicians and sound designers, the company collectively believes that a virtual instrument or effect is not simply a series of mind-boggling mathematical algorithms designed and scrutinised over by bookish PhD engineers but rather a useful and useable musical tool made for musicians. Moreover, XILS-lab loves to create virtual instruments and effects that inspire its users to create more imaginative music than they ever dreamed possible!

Sunday 25 December 2016

Huge list of Xmas freebies! Happy Holidays guys!

Being Xmas time receiving gifts creates always a good mood, as well as doing gifts.😊
So here we go with a quite long and nice list of Xmas freebies thanks to the generosity of many developers and websites.
Hoping to make you happy.
By the way, hurry up about a couple of them as they will be set free only for few days (and the Arturia's one ends today, the 25th..so be quick! ). And check you've have enough giga on your hard disks as some are pretty huge ;-).

Wishing you a very Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays guys!
And if you want to like us on facebook, follow in other social platforms (see links here on the left of the page) or subscribe to our DCSI Newsletter, you're mostly welcome!
Season Greetings. Take care.
DCSI

* * *
 
Rigid Audio & The Beat Community Offer Free Cinematic Kontakt Instrument
https://ask.audio/articles/rigid-audio-the-beat-community-offer-free-cinematic-kontakt-instrument

MSW1 Stereo Width by SoundSpot
http://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/27-Stereo-Width/3044-MSW1

Grooove BPB Is A FREE Drum Sampler For PC & Mac
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2016/12/23/grooove-bpb/

SONIC BLOOM ABLETON LIVE SKINS MEGA PACK (50 Free Skins)
http://sonicbloom.net/en/sonic-bloom-ableton-live-skins-mega-pack-50-free-skins/

KINETIK TREATS an original KONTAKT INSTRUMENT by NATIVE
https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/seasons-greetings/ 

KRT free plugin collection 32 bit Windows
https://www.kring.co.uk/
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-avx1luFGRbVkFQOGp6aW1STmc

ORCHESTRAL RISE BUILDER - Kontakt Instrument by HIDDEN PATH AUDIO
http://www.hiddenpathaudio.com/free

Daily Beats VST 14 sample based instruments plugins
https://www.dailybeats.pt/daily-beats-vst/ 

VSMINI by WOK a free vocoder plugin modeled after the Sennheiser VSM201 vocoder
http://wokwave.com/old-plugins/html/vsmini_vocoder_plugin_by_wok.html

ESTEY REED ORGAN - PEDAL ORGAN FOR KONTAKT (until 31st)
http://www.soniccouture.com/en/products/28-rare-and-experimental/g57-estey-reed-organ/

IAN BODDY RADIOPHONICA (until 26th)
http://www.timespace.com/product/RAD-110/3/10000111/free_ian_boddy_radiophonica_%28download%29.html

ARTURIA MINIFILTER V (until 25th)
https://www.arturia.com/arturia-festive-gift

SINEDUST 100 Wav samples and 15 Kontakt Instruments
http://www.sampletraxx.com/release/sinedust-free-soundpack/

AIR XPAND2 (until Jan 4th)
http://djworx.com/everyone-is-a-winner-with-worxmas-2016/

Little Red Devil – 128 FREE Presets for Charlatan 2 synth vst
https://thefxbproject.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/little-red-devil-128-free-presets-for-charlatan-2/

Aphelion v2 – plugged out: suspense pack - 325mb of Loops and single sounds
http://www.particular-sound.de/wordpress/sample-libraries/aphelion-sfx-library/aphelion-v2-plugged-out-suspense-pack/

PRECISIONSOUND lots of free libraries
http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=421159505bccafbca5410f03c&id=9f784aac30

SAMPLEPHONICS RANDOM FREEBIE 1 giga of sounds
https://www.samplephonics.com/products/free/experimental/samplephonics-random-freebie

SYNTHMAGIC - many valuable Kontakt Xmas freebies
http://www.synthmagic.co.uk/free.html

RVK-808 a VST/AU drum machine ROMpler inspired by the TR-808
https://beatmaker.xyz/rvk-808-free-drum-machine-rompler/ 


10 awesome freebies from CINEMATIQUE INSTRUMENTS (mostly Kontakt)
http://www.cinematique-instruments.com/free_stuff_query/index.php

DIGITAL MALFUNCTIONS a collection of digitally processed audio loops
http://99sounds.org/digital-malfunctions/

Serum FM Wavetable Studio - nice free utility to generate wavetables
https://sites.google.com/site/glowshrimpsoftware/home

Smidy free MIDI Sequencer
http://www.smidy.de/smidyfree.html
http://www.smidy.de/index.html


3 FREE SAMPLE PACKS from Soundkore (Vocals, Effects, Essential)
https://soundkore.com/free-downloads/

Heaven 17 sounds - Sample library (until 26th)
http://www.zero-g.co.uk/store/heaven-17-wav-p313.php

12 Ableton Live Instrument Racks built with Ableton's Operator FM Sythesizer by AFRODJMAC
http://www.afrodjmac.com/blog/2016/12/25/12-synths-of-christmas-free-ableton-live-pack-149 

Free Memory Collection Christmas 2016 pack
http://www.sampleism.com/productionszvon/mc_christmas_2016 
 

Wednesday 21 December 2016

"Run Aleppo's child run", a track for a contest, and the start of something good...

Hi.
A couple of days ago in just a bunch of hours I managed to quickly produce the track "Run Aleppo's child run",  rushing to meet the submission deadline of a contest.
The contest allowed to use only one vst synth - Synthmaster - (as many instances as one needed), using or factory presets, or presets from a couple of chosen extra banks, or original designed presets (being late I went for using some presets from 2 chosen banks), plus was allowed to add drum loops and some effects.
Now it's up to be voted for few days.

If you're on soundcloud and want to click on that little heart ♥ next to the track (if u like it) I'd truly appreciate and being grateful for.
While I want to thank all the guys at Kv331audio both for their gorgeous Synthmaster vst and for this opportunity, as the track was done on a hurry to be able to join the contest, along with another friend/collaborator of DCSI Productions I made the decision to later use it for another reason as well.

Once the contest will be over, I'll release a final improved version, with video too, which will be available online to be purchased. From 50% to 60% of the generated incomes will be devolved to a humanitarian organisation helping refugees from Aleppo city.
These days I'm
actually having a meeting with a local videomaker to see if we can make a video together for the purpose.
However the final version and all the related links will be available soon as possible, and I'll keep you posted both here and on all my DCSI Productions pages on the various social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, Youtube, and so forth).


This is only a start, as from now on, every year DCSI Productions will be always active with this side activity to help and giving our humble contribution to charity/humanitarian organisations.
The name of this will simply be "DCSI for Life" and we'll host a page only for this purpose on this same website soon.


It's all by now, and to start as said, if you'd click the little heart on the contest track linked above, that would give us a help to gain more visibility at least during the contest period.
Thanks a lot. Take care guys.
DCSI

* * *
 
Note: "Run Aleppo's child run" by Diego Callegari is copyrighted. DCSI Productions 2016

Thursday 15 December 2016

SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS - Orchestral woodwinds for Kontakt


 
Spitfire Audio, purveyors of the finest virtual instruments from the finest musical samples in the world, is proud to announce availability of SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS — with a decade of woodwind virtual instrument-making experience going into creating this second-to-none conclusive compendium for Native Instruments’ industry-standard KONTAKT PLAYER platform, featuring the finest woodwind performers recorded and ‘deep sampled’ with no expense spared via the finest signal path at Lyndhurst Hall within London’s legendary Air Studios.
Concluding this year’s namesake symphonic sampling journey that has already seen Spitfire Audio recently releasing SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC BRASS and SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC STRINGS to widespread critical acclaim, as implied by name, SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS represents the culmination of four years spent capturing the finest woodwind players performing in one of the finest recording locations — Lyndhurst Hall within London’s legendary Air Studios, committing the (literally) breathtaking results to two-inch Studer tape using a stunning selection of vintage valve and ribbon microphones via Neve ‘AIR Montserrat’ preamps and a Neve 88R large-scale console before being digitally stored at 96k. And that’s only the start of an admirable approach to this latest long and winding road to sampling glory. George Martin (RIP) — multi-talented founder of London’s leading independent recording studio complex frequented for so long by Spitfire Audio, and no slouch himself when it came to symphonic orchestration as an extraordinary English record producer, arranger, composer, conductor, audio engineer, and musician (often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle’ by none other than Paul McCartney) — would, in all likelihood, have approved of the stunning sounds of Spitfire Audio’s achievement with woodwinds.

While SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS features the usual suspects, Spitfire Audio’s deep sampling exploits extend to walking through the less well trodden — though no less musically magical — areas of the wood choir, including ALTO FLUTE, BASS FLUTE, and CONTRABASS CLARINET, to name but three! Together with BASS CLARINET, BASS FLUTE, BASSOON SOLO, BASSOONS A2, CLARINET SOLO, CLARINETS A2, CONTRABASS CLARINET, CONTRABASSOON, COR ANGLAIS, FLUTE SOLO, FLUTES A2, OBOE SOLO, OBOES A2, and PICCOLO FLUTE, all feature multiple dynamics, vibrato control, numerous round robins, and a variety of traditional and more esoteric articulations. Anyone looking for a spot of cheeky clarinet tongue flutter needs look no further, for SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS does it all... and a whole lot more besides!

But although SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS was originally released as multiple modules forming part of Spitfire Audio’s long-running BML (British Modular Library) — an ambitious project to create the greatest-sounding and, ultimately, future-proofed living orchestral virtual instruments collection, it really rationalises those numerous, deep-sampled components into an all-new file architecture along with many more improvements, including a whole host of new articulations adding an additional 30% of content in and of themselves to create an affordable entry into what its creators collectively consider to be the finest orchestral woodwinds library available anywhere today. To justify such a confident claim from anyone else would normally take some doing; Spifire Audio is no normal company, however, and SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS is far from the norm. Simply citing those contributory factors already mentioned should surely be more than enough to pique the interest of any modern media composer — or, indeed, anyone — seeking to add ‘windpower’ to their productions.
Put simply: SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS will keep any composer busy for many musical years to come!

Why woodwinds? Well, more to the point, why, specifically, SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS when it comes to choosing a suitable sampled virtual instrument candidate? Considered to be amongst the best in the world, woodwind players in London are where it’s at for film music sessions, pure and simple — so much so that arguably anyone wouldn’t want to go anywhere else!
While woodwinds are commonly underrepresented in modern orchestral scoring, they are an essential part of the orchestral palette, providing production power par excellence. Enter SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS... where London’s finest players of the more traditional and ‘popular’ instruments — including bassoons, C flutes, clarinets, and oboes — were recorded solo and in unison as an A2 pairing (producing a slightly larger-sounding section while maintaining spectral integrity).

In a nutshell, since Spitfire Audio’s co-founders have collectively clocked up a quarter-century as working composers themselves, they are perfectly positioned to draw upon the spirit and diversity “...of our music scene in London that breeds a diversity of skill sets and broadens our palette beyond the standard woodwind hegemony.” Is it any wonder, then, that this is also to be found within SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS’ wondrous palette of bass and contrabass clarinets and alto and bass flutes fashioned to enrich users’ compositions with the diverse zeitgeist being created near the shores and mudbanks of the Thames!

To conclude, truth be told, the ‘woods’ truly are a secret weapon when it comes to adding potent power to productions as appropriate, and, in doing so, SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS does not disappoint — daring those composers already on friendly terms with its BML-based predecessors to take delight in what’s new... new ‘Volume 2’ articulations above and beyond all articulations previously available in those multiple modules for starters! And just like SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC BRASS and SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC STRINGS before it, SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS comes complete with Native Instruments’ industry-standard KONTAKT PLAYER (with file access via the library pane) and also offers full compatibility with NKS® (NATIVE KONTROL STANDARD), an extended plug-in format allowing advanced integration with NI’s KONTROL keyboard controllers. Cross-grading or buying into this core set of samples also affords an opportunity to purchase expansion packs with more mic positions — above and beyond the standard C(lose), T(ree), and A(mbient) offerings — and stereo mixes. Many more tweaks and performance/musical improvements ensure that SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS is a mighty wind, indeed!

SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS can be purchased and digitally downloaded (as 102.8 GB of uncompressed .WAV files, featuring 72,504 samples) from Spitfire Audio for a time-limited introductory promo price of £374.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$434.00 USD/€441.00 EUR (inc. VAT) until 08:00 GMT on December 31, 2016 — rising thereafter to an RRP of £499.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/ $579.00 USD/€589.00 EUR (inc. VAT) — from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/spitfire-symphonic-woodwinds/ (Past purchasers of BML MURAL libraries are all entitled to a discounted upgrade path to SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS.) 

Note that Native Instruments’ free KONTAKT PLAYER is included with SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS, while Spitfire Audio’s free Download Manager application for Mac or PC allows anyone to buy now and download anytime.
For more in-depth information, including several superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated SPITFIRE SYMPHONIC WOODWINDS webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-z/spitfire-symphonic-woodwinds/



* * *
Cheers - DCSI

Tuesday 13 December 2016

What about 6 new freebies ?

Hi once again guys, I've gathered from my web trips, another tranche of computer music freebies during the past days, hoping to make you happy;-)
Let's go with the first one!

FLOWs by Tim Exile

directly from his website:
"FLOWs is an algorithmic loop sequencer packed with 1GB+ of royalty-free loops meticulously curated from improvised jams with my Flow Machine instrument over the last 5 years. Explore, mutate and create sonic structures with audio-reactive sculpting and stochastic modulation. Or just let it play and zone out to the visualiser: it's for makers and listeners alike.
You'll need a copy Native Instruments' Reaktor Player to run it."

Hey, it's free - donationware!
For more details and download link too please head over his page
https://tim-exile.myshopify.com/products/flows

* * *

HORNET HARMONICS wave shaper by Hornet plugins


directly from his website:
"HoRNet Harmonics is a wave shaper based on the Chebyshev polynomials. Its non-linear processing lets you adjust the level of harmonics added to the signal, warming it up in different ways.
The plugin provides 10 harmonics generators of which you can set the amplitude and phase, increasing or decreasing the impact of the harmonic on the input signal.

FEATURES
Individual harmonic manipulation 
Adjustable level and phase for each harmonic 
10 different harmonics generators 
Mac OS X (>=10.5 Intel only) and Windows support. 
64-bit compatibility both on Mac and Windows.
Audio Units VST2.4, VST3, RTAS and AAX format.

Details and download link: 
https://www.hornetplugins.com/plugins/hornet-harmonics/

* * *
Chokidar EQ 1 by Noisebud
 
"Chokidar EQ is intended for balancing mixes in mastering."
The new improved version 2 has just been released and it's payware but if you're short on budget the former version 1 has been released for free at the same time, just scroll down the page.
The version one brings a HP, Low, Mid, Hi, and LP.
It's available for Windows 32 bit only.
Details and download link: 

* * *

Wahman by NSP VST plugins
 

Wahman it's a new free VST wah effect. It's algorithm is based on real scheme. Has 64-bit internal processing, and it's available for 64 and 32 bits versions (Windows only).

In the same website you will find also a pretty neat Overdrive and another Booster stomp plugin, all from the same nice, simple and effective vst line from this developers.

 
Surely worth a visit.
Details and download link:
http://www.nsp-vst.ru/

 * * *

Now go, grab them all and enjoy this nice bunch of free plugins.
If you feel incline it's always nice to drop a greeting to the developers or even a donation as well.
Thanks and see you soon around.
Cheers
DCSI

The Secrets of Dance Music Production - Attack

Press News
Electronic music production magazine Attack has announced publication of The Secrets of Dance Music Production, the definitive guide to making cutting-edge dance music.
Featuring 312 colour pages packed with technique, tips, illustrations and hands-on walkthroughs, The Secrets of Dance Music Production pulls together all you need to take a mix from concept to club-ready master – whether you make house or techno, 2-step or D&B, EDM or trance.

Attack Magazine was launched in 2012 to offer impartial, independent insight, news and reviews on technology, technique and creativity to dance music producers. The Secrets of Dance Music
 
Production is its debut book, featuring a wealth of exclusive content from its award-winning team of
writers, including:

Studio fundamentals: Synthesis and sampling; studio setup and monitor placement; EQ, ambience and compression all covered in detailed 101-style guides. 
The golden rules of mixing: Learn how the pros get loud, defined and dynamic mixes stacked with interest and energy. 
Essential techniques: Layering, frequency bracketing, lo-fi processing, bass splitting, vocal production, mastering… It’s all inside. 
Up your writing chops: Compose inspired bass and toplines with kick-starter approaches to voicing,
arpeggios, syncopation, killer chord progressions and more.  Arrange loops into tracks with analysis of tried-and-tested dancefloor structures. 
Bigger beats: 50+ pages of rhythm-making insight. Masterclasses in drum sound design, transient shaping, swing crafting and ghost placement plus 30+ beats broken down. 
Learn from the masters: Pro tips from the world’s finest producers. Huxley, Redlight, Breach, Tricky, Justice, Sigur Rós, Todd Edwards, Kenny Gonzalez and more share their secrets. 
Get that sound: From vintage arps to supersize FX; ripping Reese basslines to stacked EDM leads; ethereal soundscapes to deep house keys – dozens of sounds built from the ground up in media-rich walkthroughs.

Released today at the price of £24.90 (free postage UK), The Secrets of Dance Music Production can be purchased from the new Attack Store at www.attackmagazine.com/store/secrets-of-dance-music-production/

ABOUT THE EDITOR
David Felton is a dance music producer and serial entrepreneur who founded leading sample brands Sample Magic and Sounds to Sample before launching Attack Magazine, the world’s leading dance music production website. As an artist, he was signed to Toolroom Records where he remixed Mark
Knight and was remixed by, among others, Grum and Manual de la Mare.
As an editor, he has helmed a range of music bestsellers, including The Secrets of House Music
Production and Paul White’s The Producer’s Manual.
The Secrets of Dance Music Production brings together his 20 years’ worth of production insight and experience.

* * *

Cheers
DCSI

Monday 12 December 2016

Audified U78 Saturator high quality plug-in. Modelling the U73b hardware analogue circuitry

Audified announces availability of serious saturation plug-in based on U73b compressor circuitry
 
“The character that it imparts on a song is actually priceless. This is the glisten, the glass, the glow that people lack in their digital workstations. It does everything — pounding kicks, crunchy claps, burning Motown strings... I’m really impressed!”- Baby Brown (Grammy®-nominated producer), 2016
Host application and audio effects developer Audified is proud to announce availability of U78 Saturator saturation effects plug-in par excellence, utilising meticulous models of the amazing-sounding analogue circuitry central to the U73b, the treasured Sixties-vintage German broadcast compressor/limiter that found favour in European mastering circles well into the Eighties and beyond, but supplementing the tube saturation circuitry with high-pass and lowpass filters and a unique tone filter for some seriously satisfying saturation.
 Despite having recently rebooted its award-winning U73b Compressor as a new and improved emulation of the unique-sounding Sixties vintage German broadcast compressor/limiter hardware with which it shares its name and takes its inspirational sound, Audified has not stood still when it comes to taking tube saturation to higher levels of creativity for demanding DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) users... users like Boris Carloff, a well-known Czech Republic producer who just so happens to ‘moonlight’ as a product designer for Audified. After all, almost anything is possible in the digital world. With the right skills and technology you can create absolutely anything you like... like the U78 Saturator. “I was always crazy about the sound of the U73b,” begins Boris Carloff. “I like this unit — great saturation, but there are situations when I need more saturation and distortion. This is why I came up with the idea of the U78.” 
Implementing that idea involved removing the U73b Compressor’s compression function. Filters were added — HiPass sets the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter, which comes before the saturation circuit in the signal path, ranging between 30 to 800 Hz; LowPass sets the cutoff frequency of the lowpass filter, which also comes before the saturation circuit, ranging between 1 to 8 kHz — alongside a Tone control to dial in (or out) the unique tone filter, with lower settings producing Dark sounds with more low frequency content while higher settings result in Bright, sparkly sounds; finally, a strong Gain control adjusts the input gain of the saturation circuit — the higher the settings, the more rich the sound that can be achieved — and effectively completes the seriously satisfying U78 Saturator sound... to Boris Carloff’s satisfaction!
U78 Saturator informative introductory video
(featuring both Boris Carloff and Baby Brown)
Understandably, U78 Saturator’s gorgeous GUI (Graphical User Interface) implementation is superficially similar to that of its recently released U73b Compressor sibling. Predictably, perhaps, the two plug-ins even share some more mission critical features. For example, the power and calibration module is identical when taken at face value with an On/Off switch (to toggle between processing and bypassed states) and a -9dB default Calib. (calibration) setting with an added value mechanism; moreover, the software model works with real voltages that are the same as those found in the original hardware circuitry (related to the dBu scale), but the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) in DAWs works with dBFS (Decibels relative to full scale) so users can (carefully) set the calibration (to work within the correct operational range of U78 Saturator’s saturation effect).

Elsewhere, in the level control module, Mix controls the dry and wet signal ratio with the dry signal only delayed to match the wet signal path latency to prevent phasing issues, while Output adjusts the output gain of the whole effect and can be adjusted automatically when Auto is switched to On (thereby retaining approximately the same loudness whenever the input Gain parameter is changed).
Continuing onwards and (literally) upwards, just like the U73b Compressor reboot before it, U78 Saturator’s gorgeous GUI implementation includes a display area that is as easy on the eye as it is easy to use with selectable display colour. All parameters can be set numerically while Preset management is located on the right-hand side of the display alongside self-explanatory LOAD and STORE functions and a helpful key symbol-designated services menu (to access the User Manual, Check For Updates, go to the Audified Website, and more).

More meaningfully, U78 Saturator sees Audified keeping the heart and soul of the machine to deliver a beautifully musical tube sound. Satisfaction guaranteed, the result is a saturator that sounds like no other. By being blessed with the things that dreams are musically made of, the U78 Saturator plug-in is even better than the real thing... just ask Baby Brown. “I can’t wait to see what these guys come up with next,” notes the Grammy®-nominated producer, before concluding: “This one’s now in my toolbox... they’re not getting it back!” 
U78 Saturator is available to purchase as an iLok-protected plug-in — running as an AAX, VST3, and VST2 plug-in on Mac (OS X 10.9 - 10.12) and PC (Windows 7, 8, and 10) and AU on Mac — at an introductory price of $129.00 USD — rising to $149.00 USD on January 1, 2017 — from Audified’s online shop here: https://shop.audified.com/products/u78-saturator
U78 Saturator is available to download directly from Audified from here: http://services.audified.com/download (Please note that iLok dongle hardware is not needed for either the 30-day trial or full version of U78 Saturator — simply create a free account and install PACE Anti-Piracy’s iLok License Manager from here: https://www.ilok.com) 
About Audified (www.audified.com)
Audified is the premier brand of privately-owned Boskovice-based DISK Multimedia, s.r.o. in the Czech Republic, created to develop specialised audio applications, as well as handling the company’s high-end hardware product portfolio. Pioneering the development of audio applications for live (realtime) performance, as well as developing the first audio effects plug-ins for Apple’s Mac OS X, the company created some of the first plug-ins for Power|Core, TC Electronic’s hardware-accelerated DSP platform, prompting the Danish developer’s then-PR Manager Thomas Valter to comment, “Our two companies have been working closely together on various projects, and we are very satisfied with the products that have been a result of our cooperation.” Consequently, the company returned to its host application and audio effects developmental roots in 2007 by branding itself with the Audiffex appellation to resourcefully reflect that directional change with an award-winning array of innovations, including MixChecker — a must-have mixing assistant plug-in that transforms studio monitors into classic reference monitors or one of several consumer devices to instantly improve mixes.
Moreover, Audified is not just a for-profit business, however; its parental company clearly cares about the future of audio software/hardware development, developing partnerships with both Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU) in Brno, Czech Republic — realising a research project to bring modern audio engineering technologies to music education, and also Brno University of Technology, one of the Czech Republic’s leading research and teaching institutions — working with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies on scientific projects. Participating in organising entry exams and teaching at these highly- respected higher education establishments has helped establish the first specialised studies of audio engineering in the Czech Republic.
In keeping with spreading the (audio engineering) word, Audified has helpfully seen fit to recently release a range of free plug-ins, available from here: http://shop.audified.com/collections/products/free#tags
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Thanks for your interest - DCSI

Sunday 11 December 2016

Late Sunday audio news, goodies and sound curiosities

Hi guys
It has been a pretty gloomy winter day in the DCSI Productions cave., but no matter what, we kept doing our duties ;-) and here's a brand new post.
This time I'd like to point out some news, goodies and curiosities happened during this weekend.

Buy an app, help Doug
First of all, as some of you may already know, a precious member of the active iOS Musician online community, Doug Woods from Thesoundtestroom, which delivered for free, during years, tons of clips available on youtube, demoing with his friendly attitude all the music apps, possibly existsting on iPhone, iPod and iPad (and providing in this way a huge service for the ios musicians community) is now unluckily facing some personal health problems.

While we wish him all the good thoughts and wishes to reach soon a better condition, there is a way tomorrow  to help him out, simply buying some apps.
For one day, the December 12th, some developers will send him 100% of their app sales.
That's a very nice gesture from their side.
In this link here you'l find a page hosted at Yonac.com with the list of the apps, and relative iTunes store links, joining the cause.
There may be some apps you were waiting siince long to buy, which were maybe on your wish list, so have a look as these ones as could be the right moment to do that purchase and help a cool mate and his family out. Thanks

Link: http://yonac.com/friendsofdoug.html
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SOUND CHOPPER 2
free sound designing software
by MATTEO CERQUONE

While surfing here and there today I've found an awesome freebie.
The first one is Sound Chopper 2, developed and kindly released for free by Matteo Cerquone, musician and sound designer.
 Here following a sum up of the description you can read in its entirety on the website.
"Sound chopper 2 is a stand alone application built in Max/MSP...a tool designed mostly for sound designers and musician.
It features a granulator, stretcher, pitch shifter, slicer and tremolo, panner, bit crusher, 8 different delays (mono and stereo) and 8 filters....parameters can also be automated over time....are midi compatible, also you can use your webcam as an xy pad to interact with them.
Inside the software you'll find a pdf (under "Option" - "Let's get started") that explains it in more details."
To run it you anyway don't need to own MAX/MSP at all.
Just download the app and run it.
Note: some standalone Max/msp apps take some time to load up once launched, depending on your pc. So be patient and wait :-), on my old pc tooks about 40 seconds to appears.

It's available for Mac and Windows.
Hope it's a nice and useful one for you guys, Go, read, and grab it!

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 R.A. MOOG MODULAR SYSTEM
Here's a couple of interesting video and articles for synth heads and sounds lovers.
The first comes from Reverb.com website and it's a video about a moog modular synthesizer.

 While the video is a good opportunity also simply listen to the deep sound of these audio monsters, the article offers a variety of interesting informations on these synths and that periods, and toward the end details too on the restoration process.
Worth a read if you are into such kind of things.
https://reverb.com/news/restoring-an-original-67-moog-modular-synthesizer

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Being Italian I'm happily surprised about a new discovery coming from my country.
AZZAMBELLS it's a company designing strange instruments, made out of high quality wood or marble, surely worth a look.
Here's a STONE ARP. Yes, exactly, stone. This instrument is made out of the finest Carrara's italian marble!
STONE ARP
 

And here's a drum made entirely of Oak Mahogany wood!

ROOSTICK DRUMS


Pretty cool stuff! If you're interested here are the links of this Italian sound lab.
Support their creativity.

http://www.azzambells.com/
https://www.facebook.com/azzam.bells
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx7w7AggOCIJegtaShPvQ5A

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Thanks for hanging around guys!
Have a nice time, and see you soon for other news and reviews.
Cheers
DCSI


Thursday 8 December 2016

Random Groove Generator PRO - Advanced sequencer/sample slicer device for Max For Live.

Press News 
For Ableton Live and Max for LIve users

Audiomodern
RANDOM GROOVE GENERATOR – PRO

Created by developer Mario Nieto, Random Groove Generator PRO is an advanced sequencer and sample slicer device for Max For Live.
WHAT IS RANDOM GROOVE GENERATOR – PRO
Random Groove Generator PRO is a midi tool that features four channels that generate pattern sequences for you, you can randomize the steps, pitch, volume, filter, sample point, amount of notes and more..
You can change the range of randomization of each parameter or link between the different modes. Random Groove Generator PRO offers virtually unlimited creative potential for any audio production.

Its unique approach to music creation is sure to have you finding new grooves, rhythms and melodies never heard before. Unlike an ordinary step sequencer, Random Groove Generator PRO creates sequences by combining groove, Pitch, filters, Resonance, velocity and more.
New ways of creating grooves and melodies help to break new ground in music and sound. Random Groove Generator helps you explore new rhythms and melodies using a unique concept of generating patterns and it is done in a visual way that is easy fun to use.
It is literally a swiss army knife for creating random beat grooves, sequences as well as musical riffs on the spot and it goes as far as your imagination can.

You’ll be surprised about its incredible flexibility in producing so inspirational results.
Random Groove Generator PRO has been designed to promote music creation both in studio and live with a simple and convenient user interface. As a Bonus we have included a folder containing 180+ One Shot samples divided in 6 categories to get you started.
Features

· Advanced random pattern & sequence creator
· Randomize Filter
· Randomize Resonance
· Randomize Velocity
· Randomize Pitch
· Save/Load and preset selector
· Bonus 180+ One Shot Samples included
· The only available plugin of its kind!
· The last Sequencer you'll buy


If interested about AUDIOMODERN and have a look at their products line as well,
please visit this links.
Website : https://audiomodern.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Audiomodern
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Audiomodern
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audiomodern/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/audiomodern
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/audiomodern
 
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Greetings.
DCSI