Steinberg North America today announced the shipping of Sequel 2, a new version of Steinberg’s successful music creation and live performance software. Sequel 2 introduces new features, including a hardware Controller Learn mode, Track Freeze, a virtual keyboard, Track Icons and many more.
“This new release builds on the successful launch of Sequel last year, with more functionality that makes music creation even more creative and fun, while making no compromises on ease-of-use and accessibility,” comments Nadine Roos, Steinberg’s Marketing Manager for Sequel. “Many Cubase owners will also find Sequel an attractive, mobile composition tool for sketching out musical ideas, with the included content and the new Sequel Content Sets add even more audio content to fuel creativity.”
The new features include a unique Controller Learn Mode, which allows extremely easy setup for almost any hardware controller to offer tactile control over practically any Sequel 2 function, instrument or parameter. Track Freeze enhances CPU efficiency, while the new Track Icons visually label tracks, making them easy to find and adding an attractive new element to the Sequel user interface. The Sequel MediaBay sound management system has also been improved, while new the new Audio Reverse effect and the Audio Warp features offer even more creative options.
Steinberg has also released three new Sequel Content Sets for the genres of Rock, Industrial and Hip Hop. Each content set adds 200-300 top quality loops in the respective style, and are available from www.steinberg.net.
Sequel 2 is currently available at authorized Steinberg retailers for $99. Updates to Sequel 2 from the previous version are available exclusively from Steinberg’s online store for $29.
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, JULY 3, 2008—Clear-Com® Communication Systems, a brand of The Vitec Group, announces that its first software-based intercom system, Clear-Com Concert™, is now available through its worldwide network of dealers and distributors. This new multi-user conferencing and intercom product provides organizations of all sizes with a reliable and cost-effective way to easily intercommunicate. more
New Features and Enhancements for Greater Creativity
Yamaha Corporation of America announces a new operating system (Version 1.10) for their flagship Motif XS line of music workstations, adding new functionality and features and bringing more flexibility and creativity to their users.
New functionality includes seamless switching in Pattern and Song Mixing providing instant access to 16 Voices or 4 Performances without any interruption in sound as well as a new Copy Locate Points to Punch In and Out Points feature.
Workflow enhancements include the ability to connect a standard USB ASCII keyboard for quick navigation, and data entry as well as the ability to store Ethernet settings to simplify network connectivity.
Along with the OS, Yamaha released a new Voice and Multi-Part editor with enhanced Drum Kit and Utility features.
The new Motif XS Operating system and editor will be available July 2nd, 2008 at www.yamahasynth.com.
CME, makers of the BitStream 3X MIDI Controller, have released version 1.8 firmware for the unit, adding new features and enhancing its functionality.
As the world’ s first 3 axis MIDI controller, CME Bitstream 3X is a completely new direction in MIDI controllers and is perfect for controlling Virtual Instruments, DAWs, and even other MIDI hardware. This compact desktop unit includes 35 knobs, 8 sliders, 16 buttons, a joystick, a cross-fader and controller.
The new version 1.8 firmware update adds the ability of the Bitstream 3X to generate SMPTE Sync at 24, 25, 30 dropped and 30 frames per second, 64 new Arppegiator Scenes independent from the 100 existing Snapshot Scenes, and an enhanced Switch (Jump/Toggle) Mode.
Workflow improvements include independent enabling/disabling of Hook Mode, Scenes can now be changed via incoming program changes (0-99), the Arppegiator is now initialized in Automatic Mode after a factory reset, and Start/Stop/Pause bitmaps are now updated when the unit is synchronized from external source.
The Bitstream 3x is fully programmable and includes more than 13,000 presets for popular samplers, synthesizers, and software including Propellerheads Reason and Rebirth, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor, Traktor, Kontakt, and Absynth, Fruity Loops and more. An 8 track motion sampler, transport functions, and a large LCD display round out this versatile unit.
Version 1.8 Firmware for the CME Bitstream 3X can be downloaded free of charge for registered users at http://www.waveidea.com/en/products/bitstream_3x/download_fw.php.
For more information, please visit www.cme-pro.com.
HOLLYWOOD, JUNE 5, 2008 — Harmonization of both vocals and brass has been made easier with Best Service’s Vielklang harmonization instrument, created by Z.Plane Development. EASTWEST, exclusive U.S. distributor of Best Service products, is helping to bring this cutting-edge harmonization technology to musicians, songwriters and producers.
Vielklang is able to create backing vocals and brass sections with up to four voices in a more musical way than possible with previous harmony processors. The software uses sophisticated voice-leading and harmony progression models to generate more natural and musical arrangements than producing plain parallel voicing. Vielklang is able to automatically detect the best harmony for the input melody and synthesizes up to four voices, allowing users to tweak the results to the best fit for their project rather than having to edit them from scratch.
“Vielklang lets users jump right into being creative rather than concerning themselves with parameters such as root note, scale and tuning frequency,” says Doug Rogers, president and CEO of EASTWEST. “The end result is a harmony that’s more musical and that users have the ability to completely modify and control.”
With Vielklang, users can easily modify melodies and single-voiced loops in terms of pitch and scale, as well as experiment with different harmonizations or chords triggered by different MIDI inputs. Each voice can also be adjusted for pitch correction, delay, timing humanization, timbre, volume, and pan. Vielklang also allows users to edit their harmonies and single pitches, control the playback speed of the harmonies generated, and convert the audio to MIDI.
Vielklang retails for $329.95. For more information and to hear sample demos, visit the EASTWEST website, www.soundsonline.com.
About EASTWEST
Since 1988, EASTWEST (soundsonline.com) has been dedicated to perpetual innovation and uncompromising quality, setting the industry standard as the #1 producer and distributor of sample CDs and virtual (software) instruments. With over 30 years’ experience in the audio industry, founder and producer Doug Rogers has the expertise in music production to understand the creative tools professional musicians need. The recipient of numerous gold and platinum records including Recording Engineer of the Year, and over 40 international awards, Rogers is featured in The Art of Digital Music: 56 Visionary Artists and Insiders Reveal Their Creative Secrets by David Battino and Kelli Richards.
In January 2006, EASTWEST purchased the legendary Cello (formally United-Western) Studios on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, re-naming it EASTWEST Studios. The 21,000 sq. ft. facility, redesigned by master designer Philipe Starck, houses five recording studios and is the world headquarters for EASTWEST.
Yamaha Corporation of America has updated their famed 01V96V2 and 02R96V2 Digital Mixing Consoles. While there is no change in the retail price, the new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models retain the powerful V2 features and add a host of powerful VCM effects pre-installed.
Previously available as “add-on” effect packages for top-line digital consoles, Yamaha’s highly regarded VCM Channel Strip processors and REV-X reverb are now standard features on the 01V96VCM. These extraordinary effects are based on innovative Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology that actually models the original analog circuitry — right down to the last resistor and capacitor. VCM effects are capable of capturing subtleties that simple digital simulations cannot even approach, going beyond simple simulation and delivering the truly musical performance that makes classic analog gear invaluable even in today’s digital production environment.
The new 02R96VCM is the 02R96 Version 2 plus a formidable array of state-of-the-art processing technologies that provide all-new production power with no need to patch in external processors. Included are extraordinary recreations of classic compression and EQ units from the 70’s, simulations of several legendary analog open-reel tape decks, a complete suite of unmatched REV-X reverb effects, a high-quality surround post-production package, and even a selection of vintage stomp boxes.
The new 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models are currently available at Yamaha dealers. Customers who purchased an 01V96V2 or 02R96V2 from January 1, 2008 are eligible to receive a free update CD. For more information, visit www.yamaha.com or call Yamaha customer support at 714-522-9000.
HOLLYWOOD — In response to user feedback, EASTWEST, the industry leader in soundware development and distribution, announces RTAS? support for Mac and PC versions of all PLAY products. Current PLAY-powered collections can be upgraded to include RTAS support through a free update posted on the company‘s website (http://www.soundsonline.com/updates.php). The software updates (PLAY v1.0.056) are available for both Mac and PC platforms in both standalone and plug-in versions, with PC updates being offered for both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. more
New integrated package offers creative music education with Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4
Hamburg, Germany (February 15, 2008) - Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH is pleased to announce that its unique new product for the English-language education market, Classroom Resource Pack, is now shipping. Written by teachers for teachers, the Classroom Resource Pack integrates up-to-the-minute software technology into a comprehensive music teaching package, and provides all necessary elements for educators to deliver a wide range of innovative, modern music lessons. Classroom Resource Pack is available now through Steinberg‘s regional distribution network.
“Computer technology is increasingly being used for teaching music in schools world-wide,” comments Mark Porter, Steinberg‘s International Sales Manager. “But often the task of providing classroom resources is left to the individual teacher, even if their personal experience using modern music technology products has been somewhat limited. So the huge quantity of structured, high-quality resources provided by the Steinberg Classroom Resource Pack will be invaluable to music teachers everywhere, whether they are experienced Cubase users or are completely new to using computers - because it gives them more time for applying their teaching rather than preparing for it,” he continues.
Catering primarily for the age groups 11-18, the CRP supplies all required materials, templates, worksheets and much more - all in an easily navigable and highly usable package. The included 100 hours of fully prepared material has been prepared by teachers for teachers to cover aspects of music composition and performance as well as recording, production and technology. With its contemporary, modern outlook, the Classroom Resource Pack combines the best of traditional music teaching with the latest audio technology. The Classroom Resource Pack contains all needed media files such as audio, MIDI, loops, videos - all integrated directly into the specially designed lesson plans. The custom-made interface guides through each step, and provides fast and easy access to all the included materials, files, worksheets and Cubase projects.
Classroom Resource Pack on the road:
The Classroom Resource Pack will be featured at events worldwide this year including:
Feb 13-16 2008
Texas Music Educators Association Conference in San Antonio, Texas, USA
Feb 19-23 2008
DIDACTA in Stuttgart, Germany
March 12-15 2008
Frankfurt Musikmesse, Germany
Price and Availability:
Classroom Resource Pack is now available for $399.
About Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
Steinberg is known the world over for its professional media solutions. The company has been developing, manufacturing and selling software products for musicians and producers in the music, film, post production, and multimedia industries since 1984. Steinberg products are used by Grammy and Oscar award winning composers, engineers, and producers. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net.
VirSyn updates Matrix Vocoder to v1.1 with native VST3 support for enhanced integration with Steinberg‘s VST3-ready host applications Cubase and Nuendo
Hamburg, Germany (February 11, 2008) - Leading German software synthesizer and virtual effect manufacturer VirSyn has announced the worldwide first update for VST3 compatibility for a commercially available third party plug-in. With the update to version 1.1, Matrix Vocoder is now available as a native VST3 version for Mac OS X 10.4 and Windows XP through the VirSyn website.
Harry Gohs, VirSyn‘s founder and lead developer commented on the release: “Developing the update for VST3 was problem-free, and it was a very easy transition. We‘re looking forward to releasing updates to other VirSyn products for VST3, as it offers us new features which will be very useful for our products like multi-channel processing for surround. Another aspect of VST3 is that it‘s ready for the future, meaning that it appears to be very extendable and easily updatable. That‘s very important to us,” Gohs continues.
Steinberg‘s Marketing Director Frank Simmerlein comments: “We‘re very pleased that VirSyn have started updating their excellent plug-ins to take advantage of the new capabilities of VST3. This marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the audio industry with VST-3 powered effects, instruments and host applications,” Simmerlein continues.
VirSyn‘s Matrix Vocoder 1.1 utilizes the new native sidechaining ability of VST3 to improve handling and routing when used with all of Steinberg‘s latest generation of VST3-ready Cubase and Nuendo production environments.
Released in January 2008, VST3 is a next-generation audio interface standard that offers third party plug-in and host application manufacturers new capabilities and tools for developing virtual instruments, effects and DAWs. VST3 introduces a new dynamic I/O and bussing system, enhanced CPU efficiency, sample-accurate automation and much more.
For more information about the advantages of VST3, please visit Steinberg‘s website.
For more information about Matrix, access to the Matrix demo version as well as audio examples, please visit the VirSyn website.
Press Resources
About Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
Steinberg is known the world over for its professional media solutions. The company has been developing, manufacturing and selling software products for musicians and producers in the music, film, post production, and multimedia industries since 1984. Steinberg products are used by Grammy® and Oscar® award winning composers, engineers, and producers. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net.
All trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective owners.
ANAHEIM, CA — EASTWEST, leader in soundware development and distribution, is revolutionizing the industry with its preview of Quantum Leap Forbidden Planet, a virtual sample-based synth collection of more than 1,000 cutting-edge presets which allows users to combine, morph, process and modulate sample-based sounds in any way they desire. Forbidden Planet was previewed at NAMM 2008.
Geared towards film, TV and game composers as well as hard-driving electronica, gothic punk, industrial and ambient composers, Forbidden Planet will “wow” composers with sounds that jump out of their speakers, and ease-of-use that will quickly make it an industry favorite. Forbidden Planet gives users the best of both the analog and digital worlds. The collection offers more than 1000 presets that are based on sampled analog waves, modulators and sampled filters recorded through a custom Neve 8078 console and vintage Fairchild 670 compressors. For added variety and flexibility, Forbidden Planet offers parallel programs using the unprocessed analog waves and all of the digital filters, modulators and fx. Additional presets are provided by Troels Folmann and other leading sound designers.
Using the collection‘s new convolution technology, Q-FusionTM, users can create unique sonic combinations such as a very detailed electric cello that is modulated by an electrical disturbance or a theremin that morphs into an ethnic vocalist. Forbidden Planet also features Riptide™, a cutting-edge wave sequencer that incorporates real acoustic waveforms, unusual custom sound design elements, as well as sampled analog waveforms. The 3-dimensional audio image can be controlled using the collection‘s Q-Space™ function. Musicians can expand their sound options by selecting the type of analog filter model used.
The collection also provides users with a comprehensive set of built-in multi-effects including the new “Déjá Vu™” effects processor. “Déjá Vu” is a self-contained multi-fx sampling engine that gives musicians access to imaginative, sampled fx chains such as demonic effects and processors like tuned feedback, ring modulation and dozens of psychotic effects. To control rhythmic, glitched and melodic waveforms, Forbidden Planet also comes equipped with an industry leading time and pitch machine.
“Forbidden Planet goes way beyond sample sounds - it is a cutting-edge creative tool,” says Quantum Leap producer Nick Phoenix. “With no other collection can a user have alien vocal phrases echoing inside of a giant bronze bell. The combination options are endless.”
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