Results for modular

u-he has announced some more details on its upcoming releases, recently introduced at the Musikmesse 2013.

We had a great time at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt in April. Check out the photo album we posted on our website: http://www.u-he.com/cms/129-musikmesse-2013

Apart from all those updates we also presented a couple of new products and the new modules for Diva…

u-he’s all new Satin Tape Machine plug-in.

Satin is a tape simulation plug-in that includes tape delay and true flanging. Under-the-hood features: record / playback head calibration, tape coating selection, NR-encoding/decoding and more.

Satin created such a buzz during the show that we can’t wait to release it!

Satin is scheduled for release in May for VST2, VST3, AU (AAX tba), estimated at $129 USD.

The long-awaited virtual modular synthesizer instrument Bazille is expected June, 2013, with an estimated price of $149 USD.

Many of you will already know the alpha version of Bazille, a spin-off from our long-term project “Berlin Modular”. It’s been a few years already, so its about time we finished the job!

For those who didn’t know, Bazille is a large modular synth with FM, PD and Fractal Resonance built into each oscillator:

• Unique FM / PD based modular synthesizer, audio-rate modulation
• Quality effects and many other features not available in the alpha version

The Diva virtual analog synthesizer is also getting another update, expected this June.

Despite the current update to V1.2, Diva will undergo yet another free update to include the following new modules:

• digital oscillator emulation with dual multi-saws, internal feedback, pitched noise and more
• ‘uhbie’ emulation of a certain legendary 2-pole filter
• powerful arpeggiator and sequencer
• ETA is June 2013, free update from Diva 1.x

Furthermore, u-he announced that a public beta of its Presswerk compressor plug-in will be available shortly.

More information: u-he

MuTools has updated its MuLab sound and music production system and MUX VST high-quality and super flexible modular synth and effect plug-in to version 5.1.5.

Changes in MuLab / MUX v5.1.5

• Improved audio level compressor.
• Extended support for different types of WAVE files.
• Mixdown start-end is only set automatically on first time, after that it’s purely defined by the user.
• Composer and Sequence Editor: Zoom Selection, Copy Time Zoom and Paste Time Zoom are now shortcuttable functions.
• Rack naming: If loaded from a preset, the preset name has more priority than the first plug-in name.
• New preset file function: “Unlink From Preset”.
• Improved VST engine especially wrt VSTs that rely on timing info from the host.
• Improved support for rack desk shortcuts when the rack desk is docked.
• Added a bypass for a load problem in ToonTrack EZ Drummer.
• Fixed a recent bug that could cause audio noises.
• MUX VST now properly reports the effective host samplerate to VST plugins.
• Fixed a little bug in the VST engine which could cause improper syncing between host and plug-in. (eg Kirnu Cream).
• “Select Composition” function: When used via a shortcut, the popup list was displayed in the bottom-right corner. Fixed.
• Audio File -> Create New Sample From Selection did not update the samplerate of the new sample. Fixed.
• Fixed a little issue wrt the session editor window size when loading sessions that were saved with another editor window size.
• Fixed an initialization bug that could have various consequences. One known consequence was that eg the Shortcut Map context functions were not listed in the shortcut target function list.
• Extended log info for better diagnosing certain problems.

MuLab 5 is available to purchase staring at 29 EUR, MUX 5 UL costs 49 EUR.

More information: MuTools

Abeem Live Technologies has released version 0.99 beta 2 of its Rack Performer modular host for Windows.

This is the last version before 1.0 and it adds complete multi-channel audio recording support, as well as many usability improvements, mostly in the patching workflow and the audio monitor.

With the new any-point recording and record groups features it is possible to “plug” the audio recorder anywhere in the patch, and record simultaneously any number of sources and channels directly to the hard drive.

The audio recorder can be mapped to external controllers and with the follow-clock option and external synch on, the process can be fully remote-controlled and slaved to any external transport master device.

Several improvements have been made to the patcher, including the new “swap” and “disconnect” actions, as well as better multi-point patching and smoother overall operation when performing actions on multiple selections.

Amongst the notable additions, VST programs and banks (FXP/FXB) can now be imported and exported via the module context menu. The audio monitoring system has been improved too, and many reported bugs were fixed.

New in Rack Performer v0.99 beta 2

• New Audio Recorder with associated floating window and global application control ports for external mapping (source/volume/enable/cut).
• Any-point Recording allows to record audio from any patch location(s), pre or post processing level, and stream data to disk in real-time.
• Monitor groups and associated groups management dialog (allow record source switching and complex source selections).
• Follow-clock recorder option makes the audio recording start and stop with the master clock (sample accurate).
• One file for all channels or one file per channel recording option.
• Application can export audio to EBU RF64 file format (all bitdepths, including IEEE Float32).
• Application can export audio to WAVE file format (all bitdepths, including IEEE Float32).
• Audio recordings above 4GB in size are automatically converted to RF64 format.
• Many minor modifications and bug fixes. See the changelog for details.

The new beta is available to download for Windows. The beta is fully functional, but document saving and audio recording are disabled in this demo version.

More information: Abeem / Rack Performer

Subatomic Software has updated the Audulus modular music processing app for Mac and iPad to version 2.0.

With Audulus, you can build synthesizers, design new sounds, or process audio. All with low latency real-time processing suitable for live performance. Audulus’s user interface is clean, simple, and easy to learn, allowing you to focus on sound.

Changes in Audulus v2.0

• The Audulus Store. To open the store, tap the Store button in the Patch Browser (left side).
• Math Expression node (Math -> Expr). Enter textual math expressions, like “2*x + y +z”. Available as an in-app purchase, this node has a variety of uses, including: unit conversion, control-signal mapping, wave-shaping or building custom oscillators. It can also be used when doing math with individual nodes is too cumbersome.
• Timing mode (the little stopwatch button below the lock mode button). This shows timings for all the nodes so you can optimize your patch. This is available as an in-app purchase.
• The Oscillator node now has an amplitude input. If the amplitude is zero, the oscillator takes up much less CPU. Synth patches will see a big performance improvement from driving the Osc amplitude with the ADSR.
• Significant improvement in loading times. Indicate progress while loading.
• No waiting to close a patch. Patches are saved in the background.
• Audio engine optimizations. The audio engine now takes various shortcuts when values aren’t changing.
• Improved responsiveness of the on-screen keyboard.
• Bug fixes.

Audulus is available to purchase for Mac and iPad for $29.99 USD and $14.99 USD respectively.

More information: Audulus

Inear Display has released version 1.2 of Eurydice, a semi-modular sound mangling plugin focused on sound design.

The original Eurydice was based on two sound buffers, two multimode filters and two crushers. Starting with version 1.2, these blocks can now be combined in multiple ways thanks to the introduction of a patch panel that allows you to bend the signal path to your will.

Changes in Eurydice

• Rewritten from scratch.
• Linux native VST version (32 and 64 bit).
• Patch panel allowing free audio/modulation routing.
• 4 LFOs.
• 4 signal mixers.
• 2 signal multipliers.
• “x 100? rate mode for the LFOs.
• Master gain control.
• Filter morph.
• Independent mix control for the crushers.
• Buffer sync helper.
• Retrigger LFOs via MIDI.
• New preset system and format (presets made with previous versions are not compatible).

Eurydice (VST/AU) is available to purchase for 20 EUR until April 29th, 2013 (regular 30 EUR).

More information: Inear Display / Eurydice

Tronsonic and Synthmagic have announced the release of System1000M, a modular style synthesizer for Native Instruments Kontakt.

This is based on a famous Japanese modular, with a few alternative features. Plenty of modulation possibilities, its great fun to use. Steve and I have streamlined the instrument to make it as cpu efficient as possible – it handles very well in fact.

There’s an arpeggiator, with 2 ‘interval’ sections, allowing some very interesting patterns to be made. Most of the tracks in the video were made with pressing one or two keys of a multi-mode preset.

There is a dual polarity Keytrack function assigned to the mod-wheel. This acts as a great alternative to filter cutoff, as it is pitch specific.

System1000M features

• Over 275 presets.
• From raucous laboratory experiments, acid house and techno to serene radiophonic bliss-scapes.
• Optional new ‘add-on’ banks and presets (coming soon).
• Sampled with vintage valve equipment to quarter inch tape for maximum analogue texture.

The sample library is available to purchase for the introductory price of £14.99 GBP until May 20th, 2013. Requires Kontakt 5.1.0 full version.

More information: Tronsonic / Synthmagic