Image-Line has announced it has released a 64-bit beta version of its FL Studio music production software for Windows.
We are happy to announce that the FL Studio 64 Bit beta is now available from Looptalk for testing. While FL Studio can already host 64 Bit plugins, this beta moves the core FL Studio application and associated components to native 64 Bit operation.
The beta includes 64 Bit releases of most FL Studio ‘native format’ plugins & components such as Edison, Newtone, Sytrus, Slicex, Harmor, Gross Beat, Vocodex etc. Click on the image above to read up on the full details of the 64 Bit beta release and start testing.
FL Studio 64-bit (and 64-bit VST versions of most plugins) are available to download for registered users. New Image-Line customers can purchase FL Studio and other Image-Line products with a 10% discount.
Ableton has announced that it will release Live 9 on March 5th, 2013.
We are excited to announce that Ableton Live 9 will be out on March 5th. Push, our first hardware instrument, can also be pre-ordered on March 5th and will be available soon at a retailer near you.
The eagerly-awaited Live 9 introduces new dimensions of creative possibilities with Session View automation, inspiring Audio to MIDI tools, curved automation envelopes, new and improved studio effects, an enhanced browser, and much more.
Until March 4th, 2013, you can purchase or upgrade to Ableton Live 8 or Suite 8 to get 25% off the regular price, plus a free downloadable upgrade to Live 9 Standard or Suite.
MuTools has announced the release of its MuLab 5 music production software and MUX 5 Vst, a modular synth and effect plug-in.
MuLab is a top-quality sound and music production system for Mac OSX and Windows, transforming your computer into an inspiring modular studio.
The MUX is the modular sound heart of MuLab. With the MUX Vst plug-in its fantastic sound and great flexibility is also available for use in other DAWs.
Changes in MuLab 5 / MUX 5
Multi-Core Audio Engine. (MuLab)
Integrated Multi-Functional Browser.
Extended Drag-Drop Support.
Enhanced Automation & Modulation Envelopes.
Extended MUX Power.
Enhanced Support For Designing Your Own MUX Front Panels.
MuClips.
Restyled User Interface.
More Than 100 Improvements.
MuLab 5 is available to purchase for 29 EUR (XL) / 69 EUR (UL), MUX 5 UL is 49 EUR, and a bundle of MuLab 5 UL + MUX 5 UL is 99 EUR.
First there was the Maschine, then came Maschine Mikro, and now Native Instruments has updated both to mk2 with new software features, an improved controller, and additional hardware accessories.
For those who have never heard of Maschine before, it is basically a combination of music production software with a dedicated hardware controller. A tightly integrated system that can be used standalone – including hosting of 3rd party plugins, or as a plugin in another host. The groovebox-like hardware controller can also be used to control external hardware and software via MIDI with Maschine’s MIDI mode.
Now, I realize I am a bit late to the party with this review, and to be honest after checking some earlier reviews I found pretty much everything I would like to say has already been written at Oh Drat. So I’ll try my best not to ruminate and list everything you can already find at the Native Instruments website anyway, and instead just mention a few things I found particularly interesting when using the new Maschine.
Multi-colored pads and group buttons on the Maschine mk2 controller.
While the rainbow colored, toy-like appearance did not appeal to me a whole lot at first, I found myself using color coding on sounds and groups pretty much from day one. I already did the same thing in other music production software to indicate groups of instruments, sounds, effects, etc. and having the same kind of thing in Maschine is a definite workflow improvement for me.
Besides having multi-color LEDs, the pads also have a much improved sensitivity. I thought the pads on the original Maschine were really good, but to me the Mk2 is an order of magnitude better still. The sensitivity is just amazing, even at really low velocities. I can now confidently tap away the night without worrying about waking up my kids in the next room.
I also enjoy the new screens a lot better, easier on the eyes and improved readability. It has helped me to do more from the hardware controller where before I would jump to the computer screen. The fact that you can now audition samples from the hardware before committing helps a lot too.
The new screens on the mk2 are very good in places where you have very little light.
On the whole many of these changes are seemingly minimal improvements, but in fact they are most useful. Like the little click response on buttons, something I didn’t even know I wanted until the mk2 came along, what a lovely improvement.
On the software part I feel that Native Instruments has an extremely difficult job. Besides implementing some of the new features to go with the hardware, there are tons of feature requests from existing and potential customers. It is not likely you’re ever going to be able to please everyone with any update, much less a point update.
Time stretch/pitch shift is a much requested feature that was implemented, but… for some reason it is not a real-time process. While the results of processed audio is impressive, it kind of stumps me why can’t just have a preview and commit function?
The additions of the Transient Master module, some new tape and tube saturation models for the Saturator module, and a free copy of the Massive software synthesizer are nice bonus.
With MASCHINE 1.8, all MASCHINE users get the full version of the modern legend MASSIVE – the synth that gave birth to the earth-shuddering bass tones and speaker-troubling leads that have defined the bass music genre. This monster synth contains 1,300 ready-to-go sounds, all instantly browseable via the MASCHINE hardware. MASCHINE’s eight control knobs offer direct access to MASSIVE’s eight Macro controls, for perfect synergy between hardware and synthesizer, and a lightning-fast workflow.
It is my guess that over time, Native Instruments is going to be integrating more and more of its sounds & effects into the Maschine package.
There are a bunch more improvements, of which I want to mention one that may seem minor but it certainly made my day. You can now use both your hands for recording automation of parameters by pinning down the “Auto Write”. I record automation a whole lot so this little feature is a godsend to me.
What didn’t get much attention is MIDI. I work pretty much completely in the box so it’s no big deal to me, but if you use a lot of external gear and need full MIDI implementation with MIDI CC and multiple outputs, version 1.8 does not yet bring what you’re looking for. Native Instruments never said they would implement this in the update so can’t blame them really, but it would be good to see full MIDI support nonetheless. I haven’t a clue how much work it is to get it implemented, perhaps it will take version 2.0 to get it…
Lastly, I want to mention the new custom kits and stand accessories.
The custom kits are available in a variety of colors.
Some companies were already offering custom stickers and modifications for the original Maschine, so Native Instruments cleverly pulled the market towards themselves by offering a custom kit with faceplate and knobs in various colors. Granted, the pricing of these kits is a bit steep, but I have to say they look really good. Great quality and replacing the magnetic faceplate and knobs is really easy.
The stand is also something you could probably do yourself for less money, but again, great quality piece of hardware and it looks sleek. It can be mounted on standard drum hardware with the included Mounting Adapter.
Alright, to finish I want to show the obligatory Jeremy Ellis video. It should be said that this makes me want to sit down with my Maschine all day, but realize that it is not likely you will ever get anywhere near the amazing stuff he does. At least, this is truth in my case.
Also, for a great overview of everything new in Maschine mk2 and the 1.8 software, check out this excellent video by Dubspot’s Matt Cellitti.
So what do I think?
Product: Native Instruments Maschine mk2 Format: VST/AU/RTAS/Standalone Price: 599 EUR / $669 USD Like: Amazing pads, great screens, many workflow improvements, fun! Don’t like: No real-time time stretch, No full MIDI implementation Verdict: 9/10
Improved pads, screens & workflow, new effects and the Massive synth included. No earth shaking features perhaps, but with mk2 the Maschine platform is moving along rather nicely.
At the same retail price of the first model, Native Instruments is definitely offering a superior package with Maschine mk2. For those who already have the original Maschine, the software update is free. Personally, I enjoy the pads and colored LEDs so much to justify getting the mk2, but whether the controller improvements are worth the upgrade or not is up to you.
There is still a lot of room for Maschine to grow, and I am pretty confident that Native Instruments is going to tackle some of the top feature requests in future upgrades, but as is, Maschine mk2 remains an amazing piece of gear. Native Instruments calls it fast, intuitive, powerful and flexible. I call it a joy to work with.
MuTools has announced the pre-release of MuLab 5 sound and music production system for Windows and Mac and MUX 5 VST, a high-quality and super flexible modular synth and effect plug-in.
Changes in MuLab 5 / MUX 5 VST
Multi-Core Audio Engine. (MuLab).
Integrated Multi-Functional Browser.
Extended Drag-Drop Support.
Enhanced Automation & Modulation Envelopes.
Extended MUX Power.
Enhanced Support For Designing Your Own MUX Front Panels.
MuClips. (MuLab).
Restyled User Interface.
More Than 100 Improvements.
MuLab 5 UL and MUX 5 VST are available in the MuTools shop at reduced prices.
Abeem Live Technologies has updated the Rack Performer modular host software to version 0.99-beta.
This new version includes several important new features, mostly centered around MIDI and connectivity.
External instruments and effects can be controlled by adding instances of the new “External MIDI Gear” special module to the patch. This module acts as a bridge between the application and the external gear. It can be mapped and automated like any standard module, and appropriate MIDI messages are automatically sent to the controlled gear.
The new “MIDI output turbo mode” option greatly improves MIDI output events timing and reduces jitter by dedicating one CPU core to the task. This option works especially well when coupled with the “aggressive scheduler timing” advanced option. Both options are enabled by default when available on the host machine.
Incoming MIDI events can be filtered by type at three levels (per MIDI input device, per input channel or per module) and all modules can have MIDI effects applied to their inputs. The simple included effects allow to easily create keyboard splits, layers and merges.
MIDI can be freely routed between modules (interlinks) and plugins operating in pure MIDI mode (ex: VST sequencers) are now supported.
A lot of other improvements are also included.
Changes in Rack Performer v0.99-beta
New modules:
External MIDI Gear (special module to control external instruments and effects via MIDI output).
Dual-Stereo Clear-Path Master Module (2×2 in + 2×2 out + clock).
Fixed regression in Rapier DX and Trident DX (single) DirectSound wave engines.
A fix introduced in previous version led to a regression in the way VST GUIs dimensions are retrieved (some GUIs had wrong size in wrappers, ex: dblue Glitch).
SyncToPush and other events coming from the synch engine did not trigger clock location change flags.
Changing VST control rate in config without reloading document would crash.
Partially incorrect clock information was sent to VST plugins, leading to some sequence looping issues (ex: Superior Drummer).
Finally resolved the long lasting bug around MIDI input (falsely identified as a timing bug in previous release, now properly fixed).
Resolved a nasty bug leading to the “problem with the modules” error message.
Sometimes patch was not live-updated after using undo/redo history.
Fixed a bug that prevented disabling MIDI routings (driver-level thru-mode) after a config change with engine running.
Fixed some edge cases around presets management when operating on disabled or non-powered modules.
Too many VST plugins do not support a tempo value of zero, a tiny value is sent instead to avoid crashes.
Module popup context menu is no longer displayed for internal modules inside a PopUp Design GUI wrapper (led to bad things).
Fixed slight font display issue in two RMC modules as well as the RMC LFO.
The new beta is now available to download for Windows.
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