Tek’it Audio has announced the release of Arp-EG classic, a MIDI arpeggiator plug-in for Windows.
Using Arp-EG classic all the VST instrument you like and even your hardware synth (using your DAW MIDI out) can now play arp sequence.
Use the six playback mode and the four octave range, speed up or slow down your arp sync on the beat of your DAW. Control the groove using the shuffle and gate function, control the expression with the transpose function, give to each note his one velocity, play polyphonic chord or notes sequence. Assign all the parameters to your MIDI controller easily and randomly generate your arp with a single click.
Arp-EG classic MIDI arpeggiator
Arp-EG classic features
Six arpeggio playback mode.
Shuffle and Gate length control.
Polyphonic chord or notes sequence.
Two velocity handling mode.
+ or – 48 semitones transpose.
Notes Hold mode.
Full MIDI automation support.
Easy MIDI learn on all parameters.
Use 7-bit MIDI Continuous Controller or High resolution 14-bit MIDI NRPN and RPN.
Preset manager, rename, copy, save, load….
Undo your changes to initial preset value.
One click randomize all parameters.
16 Factory presets.
Up to 32 user presets per bank.
Comes with a comprehensive user manual.
Easy installer.
Arp-EG classic for Windows (VST) is available to purchase for 12 EUR / $16 USD.
I count Soundiron among some of the most interesting sound library developers I know.
Whether it’s the 30-voice male chorus of epic choir library Mars, M1 Garand’s rifle sound fx, a tear-jerking Emotional Piano, or the Bronze Bin percussive sounds made with a trash can, Soundiron seems to be able to take any sound source for a proper deep sampling session and turn it into something beautiful and useful.
So how about a bunch of glass pebbles on a beach? Enter Glass Beach.
Glass pebbles at “Glass Beach”, MacKerricher State Park (Fort Bragg, CA)
For this sample library Mike Peaslee went on a trip to record sounds at a place that was once used to dump refuse.
Beginning in 1949, the area around Glass Beach became a public dump. It is hard to imagine this happening today, but back then people dumped all kinds of refuse straight into the ocean, including old cars, and their household garbage, which of course included lots of glass.
By the early sixties, some attempts were made to control what was dumped, and dumping of any toxic items was banned. Finally in 1967, the North Coast Water Quality Board realized what a mistake it was and plans were begun for a new dump away from the ocean.
Now, over 30 years later, Mother Nature has reclaimed this beach. Years of pounding wave action have deposited tons of polished glass onto the beach. You’ll still see the occasional reminder of its earlier life, such as a rusted spark plug, but for the most part what you’ll see is millions of pieces of glass sparkling in the sun.
In 50 years we’ll probably be saying the same thing about some of the things we do in this day and age, but… what were they thinking?!
The Glass Beach library includes 225 samples (24bit/44kHz, non-encrypted PCM wav files), which are used in 31 Kontakt patches in three categories.
The percussion section includes various pebble sounds (hit, scrape, bounce, etc.) and some individual footsteps. These are mostly high pitched click-type sounds, great for adding some interesting glitchy elements to your music, or you can use them as a support or main part in your percussion. Using these sounds with the included “Uberarpeggiator” Kontakt script is easy and fun.
The Glass Beach Grain Hit patch with the “Uberarpeggiator”
The ambient soundscapes category includes sounds of waves crashing on the shore and in a tide pool, a waterfall trickling down a sea cave, and some sounds of man and his best companion walking through the sea glass sand and the pebbles on the beach.
Since these samples were recorded in an outdoor location you might also notice some “unintended” sounds, most audibly some sea birds (I guess). One of the presets actually includes a flock of geese flying over. The lengthy ambience samples can be set to start at a random position with the “Random” control to achieve a kind of round-robin effect.
Lastly, there’s the special fx section. Here we find a number of designed instruments, including some synth and pad type sounds, creative percussion, sound fx and more. Quite a lot of processing is going on with most of these, and in some instances unrelated samples are used as well (e.g. the Glass Piano). These are not necessarily typical for Glass Beach. However, they are a nice addition to the palette of sounds and they work exceptionally well with the other content in Glass Beach.
The Kontakt instruments include a number of performance controls (controls vary per instrument), the Tone/FX panel with various effects, and there’s the custom “Uberarpeggiator” script mentioned earlier.
A collection of 40+ convolution impulse responses is included as well. These are readily available in the reverb section of the Tone/FX tab for some instruments, or you can use a 3rd party software of your choice.
Check Mike Peaslee’s video below for a quick tour of the Glass Beach library.
So what do I think?
Product: Glass Beach by Soundiron Format: Kontakt 3.5+ (unlocked), 24bit/44kHz samples Price: $9.99 USD Like: authentic & original, well designed sounds, value for money Don’t like: – Verdict: 9/10
Glass Beach is found in Soundiron’s “Experimental” category of instruments — and rightly so. It’s basically a mixture of field recordings and designed instruments which match the character/vibe of the location. Obviously this library is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. To me, the sounds of Glass Beach are quite beautiful, evocative and inspiring.
The glass pebble sounds have a unique quality, great for creating glitchy rhythms. I reckon the ambiences will appeal to soundtrack composers, for film/tv/games, or perhaps for use in music productions that just need that soothing quality of sea and beach sounds. The included “special fx” patches are well designed and a valuable addition to the library, bringing greater diversity of sounds. I absolutely love some of the delicate, dreamy and hauntingly beautiful tonal patches.
Soundiron is selling this library for $9.99 USD, a real bargain if you ask me. Glass Beach is packed with unique sounds, it is well produced, and — true to Soundiron’s mission — it feels like a proper labor of love.
Arturia has announced its MiniBrute analog synthesizer at the NAMM.
MiniBrute is a revolutionary new analog synthesizer from Arturia. Featuring a pure analog signal path and a host of unique features, it sets a new standard for what a hardware synthesizer should be.
Its 100% analog audio signal path features a VCO wave mixer, the classic Steiner-Parker multimode filter, as well as numerous analog innovations such as the Metalizer, Ultrasaw, and the Brute Factor™. Boasting a complete MIDI, CV and USB connectivity, MiniBrute is right at home with your computer or your vintage synths, making it the ideal companion to deliver a pure analog blast anywhere you go.
MiniBrute features
Monophonic synthesizer.
100% Analog Audio Signal Path.
Steiner-Parker Multimode Filter (LP, BP, HP and Notch).
Voltage Controlled Oscillator with Sub-Osc.
Oscillator Mixer (Sub, Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, White Noise, Audio In).
LFO1 with 6 waveforms and bi-polar modulation destinations.
LFO2 with 3 vibrato modes.
Brute Factor™ delivering saturation and rich harmonics.
Akai Professional has introduced the MAX49, a new controller which places revolutionary MIDI and CV control at your fingertips.
With an intuitive layout and included AkaiConnect automatic-mapping software, MAX49 offers an instant, fully immersive experience with your favorite music software and virtually all VST plugins.
From its 49 semi-weighted keys and 12 real MPC pads, to its groundbreaking LED touch faders and vintage CV & Gate outputs, MAX49 combines cutting-edge Akai Pro technology with classic capability to give you an unprecedented music-making experience.
MAX49 features
49 semi-weighted keys with Aftertouch for complete musical expression.
Built-in step sequencer for detailed track construction.
Expanded arpeggiator with latch and time division controls.
Included AkaiConnect software automatically maps to VST plugins.
12 backlit, real MPC pads with MPC Note Repeat and MPC swing.
Eight backlit LED touch faders for gradual or instant parameter value changes.
Four pad banks & four fader banks provide a total of 80 assignable pads & faders.
CV & Gate outputs for use with vintage analog synths (1V/Oct).
Large, centrally-positioned transport controls & rubberized pitch and modulation wheels.
Mackie Control & HUI modes provide instant compatibility with many DAWs.
Homegrown Sounds has released Modulator, a free modulation effect plug-in for Windows.
Modulator does what it says on the tin, it uses an LFO which can then be used to create many modulation style effects such as Flangers, Phasers, Ring Modulators etc… The LFO can also be swapped for an Envelope follower which will use the incoming sound level as the modulation source in various ways.
Modulator features
Available effects include Flanger, Phasers, Low/Band/Hi Pass Filters, Frequency Modulation, Pitch Shift, Chorus, Ring Modulation, Gapper, Autopan, Low Shelf, Hi Shelf, Notch, Peak, Decimator, and Modulation Delays.
Feedback Intensity.
LFO Depth.
LFO Offset.
Huge choice of Waveforms/Envelopes, also including 150 custom Waves with Smooth Control.
BPM Synced or Freeform Tempo.
Randomizers.
All effects have Autopan ability.
Use Midi Pitch Bend, Aftertouch, and Mod Wheel to affect parameters.
Midi Note On Re-triggers the LFO.
Modulator is available as freeware for Windows (VST).
Homegrown Sounds has also updated its ARP arpeggiator plugin.
Changes in ARP v1.53
Hold Mode – Now when hold mode is active, if a note is triggered it will stick, but if it is triggered again it will be released.
Fixed a bug where some people where having issues with ARP loading in some hosts.
Fixed an issue with the clocks in certain hosts. [V1.52]
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