Results for SoundCloud

Soundiron has announced the release of version 2 of its Rust 1 sample library for Native Instruments Kontakt.

We’re thrilled to release the long-awaited 2.0 update to the original Rust 1 metallic percussion library. This first volume focuses on a variety of small odds and ends like racks, paint cans, soda cans, magnetic balls, galvanized nipples, brass beams, a bowed saw, along with bigger sounds found in mine shafts, steel tunnels, towering stairways and more.

With 1.74 GB and 2724 samples, this classic collection delivers big value. We’ve also added tons of deep control features, an awesome new UI and added bonus content. We’ve refined key mapping and zone placement, velocity layering, humanization, tuning and more.

This update is free to existing Rust 1 owners. And for everyone else, you can grab Rust 1 now for only $49. Hurry, the price goes to $59 after October 5th, 2012.

Soundiron has also launched an official Rust 1 demo contest in celebration of the update, in collaboration with Pulse Controller.

It’s open to all existing and new owners of Rust 1. Just send us a song you’ve created using sounds from Rust 1 as lead instruments. Upload your mp3 here.

On October 5th, we’ll select our three favorite song entries as new official Rust 1 demos. The winners will also receive their own awesome Pulse Surface Controller System.

The Pulse Controller is a revolutionary midi drum trigger and software interface that turns literally any surface into a incredibly responsive and natural sounding midi controller. It makes the perfect compliment to Rust 1 or any of our percussive instruments. Check out the video above to see it in action with several of our instruments. It also offers outstanding arpeggiation that work equally well with melodic and percussive instruments. We highly recommend checking it out.

Rust 1 for Kontakt is available to purchase for $49 USD until October 5th, 2012 (regular $59 USD).

More information: Soundiron / Rust 1

Cakewalk has announced that its SONAR X2 music production software is available now.

SONAR X2 is undoubtedly the best version of SONAR to date. Not only does it introduce exciting new features, but much time and care went into refining almost every aspect of the program.

With an ear to our customers and a keen eye on what today’s musicians need, we improved performance, workflow, aesthetics, and stability. Our goal? To craft a program that excels at every stage of music production and enables musicians to sound their very best. With literally hundreds of enhancements and improvements, SONAR X2 delivers the best music production experience on the market today.

New in Sonar X2

• A better experience
  • Skylight—The Skylight user interface was a huge innovation in SONAR X1 and it’s even better in SONAR X2. With Auto Zoom, Timeline Zoom, Smart Grid, and a revamped NOW time, Skylight looks better than ever and contains numerous improvements that make it faster and more fluid.
  • Better Views—Many of SONAR’s views have been updated to improve function and match the look and feel of the Skylight interface. New Take Lanes, enhanced Clips Pane, improved PRV, Loop Construction View and the revamped Matrix View are better integrated and dramatically improve user experience.
  • Improved Smart Tool—Introduced in SONAR X1, the Smart Tool drastically reduced the need to switch tools. In SONAR X2, the Smart Tool practically eliminates the need completely. And most common functions don’t even need a modifier key. Range select across tracks, paint MIDI notes, draw automation and more.
  • Plus
    • Over 100 other UI enhancements
    • Windows 64-bit support for all versions of SONAR X2
    • Audio engine optimizations
    • MIDI engine improvements
    • Easier installation and improved Online Help
    • Windows 8 and touch screen support (coming in free patch)
• Enhanced workflow
  • Matrix View—The Matrix View brings a live performance feel to SONAR with clip triggering and realtime arranging capabilities. SONAR X2′s Matrix View is revamped with rock-solid playback of audio and MIDI, per-cell trigger resolution, flexible routing, and external MIDI hardware support.
  • Automation—SONAR X2 now includes Automation Lanes which make it easier to create professional, dynamic mixes. In addition to lanes, SONAR X2 includes new Latch, Touch, Overwrite, and Punch, modes as well as improved editing with the Smart Tool including freehand and line drawing.
  • SoundCloud and more—Online music and social media are a huge part of music today. With SONAR X2′s integrated SoundCloud support, you can distribute your own music and notify your fanbase instantly. In addition, you can export MIDI to your favorite notation software using MusicXML, burn CDs and more.
  • Plus
    • Smart Grid
    • Track Lanes
    • Replace a synth for one step instrument swap
    • Enhanced screensets for one touch workflow management
    • New per-clip MIDI editor
    • Improved track and data selection
• New plug-ins and tools
  • Overloud TH2—SONAR X2 now features the critically acclaimed Overloud TH2 technology with special editions of TH2 SONAR (SONAR X2 Essential and Studio) and TH2 Producer (SONAR X2 Producer). Just plug-in and experience the most realistic guitar sounds ever available in any DAW.
  • R-MIX SONAR—Exclusively available in SONAR X2 Producer, R-MIX SONAR will change the way you mix forever. Now you can visualize your mix and use R-MIX SONAR to isolate different parts of your mix for the ultimate creativity. All powered by Roland’s powerful V-Remastering technology.
  • Console Emulator—Inject the sound of three legendary consoles right into SONAR X2 Producer’s ProChannel, bringing “in the box” mixing to a whole new level. Add it to any channel or bus and dial in the warm sound of these legendary analog hardware consoles – all with the flexibiity of software.
  • Plus
    • BREVERB SONAR VST & ProChannel (Producer exclusive)
    • Softube Saturation Knob for ProChannel (Producer Exclusive)
    • Modular ProChannel with updated EQ (Producer exclusive)
    • Updated LP-64 mastering plug-ins (Producer exclusive)
    • Critically-acclaimed Rapture synthesizer (Producer exclusive)
    • FX Chains with new presets for each version
    • ProChannel FX Chains (Producer exclusive)

SONAR X2 is now available to purchase in Essential, Studio, and Producer Editions. Various upgrades are available to Cakewalk customers as well.

More information: Cakewalk / SONAR X2

Prime Loops has announced its Recording Studio Contest, a chance to win a free recording session.

Calling all musicians! This is your chance to get your track professionally produced:

Prime Loops, in conjunction with Soundcloud and The Lab Studios, are giving away a free recording studio session!

Contest prizes

• 1 free recording session with a top Producer & Engineer.
• Premium Soundcloud accounts and runner up Soundcloud Lite accounts.
• A huge selection of Prime Loops packages.

To enter simply submit a demo of the track via Prime Loops’ Soundcloud Widget.

More information: Prime Loops / Recording Studio Contest

A Tasty Pixel has announced a major update to its Loopy live-looping iOS app.

The update includes a big overhaul of the app’s sophisticated audio engine, bringing an entirely new level of audio quality, responsiveness, and audio hardware support.

Loopy is an app that brings live-looping, an innovative music creation technique previously limited to the realm of expensive hardware and complicated computer setups, to anyone with an iPad or iPhone. Furthermore, the app does it in style, with a sleek and tactile interface.

Changes in Loopy v2.3 / Loopy HD v1.2

• Multi channel audio interface support.
• Retina support (New iPad) [Loopy HD only].
• Big improvements in punch in/out interaction and track gestures, generally.
• Count-in quantize length setting.
• Toggle track sync via MIDI.
• SoundCloud update.
• Added Japanese localization, and updated Italian one.
• Many assorted interface and workflow improvements.

Loopy for iPhone is available for $2.99 USD; Loopy HD for iPad (Universal version of the app) is $7.99 USD.

More information: Loopy

The Loop Loft has announced the Hunter/Harland Remix Contest, an opportunity to make a remix and win over $2,000 USD in prizes from SoundCloud, Propellerhead and The Loop Loft.

What happens when you take one of the most innovative drummers in the world and one of the funkiest guitar players on the planet, and remix them with your own tracks? This question begs to be answered and we want to give away over $2k in prizes to find out (and hear) your results!

Download these free loops featuring drummer, Eric Harland (Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain, Joshua Redman) and 7-string guitarist, Charlie Hunter (D’Angelo, John Mayer, Frank Ocean) and incorporate them into your own original track.

Use the sounds of Charlie Hunter and Eric Harland in your remix for a chance to win prizes!

Hunter/Harland Remix Contest prizes

• 1st Place: Propellerhead Balance, a SoundCloud “Pro” Account for 1 Year plus The Loop Loft ReFill Bundle (a $1,315 USD value)
• 2nd Place: Reason 6.5, a SoundCloud “Lite” Account for 1 Year plus The Loop Loft Charlie Hunter & Eric Harland ReFills (a $555 USD value)
• 3rd Place: Reason Essentials, a SoundCloud “Lite” Account for 1 Year plus The Loop Loft Indie Rock Drums ReFill bundle (a $215 USD value)

The deadline for submitting your remix is August 16th, 2012.

Public voting is from August 17th to 22nd, after which the top 10 finalists will be announced. The all-star panel of producers, DJs and musicians (incl. Mocean Worker, Charlie Hunter & Eric Harland) will pick the top three winners, which will be announced on August 30th, 2012.

More information: The Loop Loft

Harrison has announced the release of version 2.1 of its Mixbus mixing console software, with special features and pricing that make it the preferred choice for educational facilities.

Mixbus is a virtual audio mixing console with an embedded DAW, making it an excellent tool for learning console mixing techniques as well as complex audio editing and processing. The key to Mixbus is that it is, first and foremost, a true audio mixer developed by a company that builds world-class audio consoles. Mixbus presents controls in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get format with knobs for EQ, Filter, Compression, Limiting, Saturation, and associated metering available directly on the screen without opening plugin windows.

Mixbus also provides full workstation features including industry-standard plugins, automation, nondestructive editing, crossfades, import/export, and bouncing. Windows runs on Windows, OSX, and even Linux.

Mixbus is a full-featured digital audio workstation with “True Analog Mixing” technology.

Mixbus 2.1 includes three new features that realize the benefits of “cloud computing”:

• Importing directly from Freesound.org allows users to search a massive online database of royalty-free sounds, searchable by tags such as “drums”, or “car engine”, and import them directly into a session from the Mixbus import window.
• Exporting final mixes to Soundcloud.org directly from the Mixbus export dialog allows users to securely share their mixes worldwide via the power of cloud computing.
• New “Metadata” dialog allows users to store critical metadata inside the audio session, and also store critical global user metadata to speed up operations such as BWAV region-stamping, session copyright dates, and login details for included services such as Soundcloud. Metadata stays with the session and can be searched, sorted, stored and scripted using tools that recognize the industry-standard XML format.

What is different about Mixbus that makes it suitable for education?

• Mixbus includes a real mixer console window; it acts as a bridge between analog signal flow and DAW technology. Students who are taught basic signal flow on analog mixer will find an easy transition to DAWs using Mixbus. Or Mixbus can be used in computer-only curriculums to introduce students to analog console operation.
• Mixbus incorporates many best-in-class DAW concepts such as Playlists, Ripple Edit, Transient Detection and “Smart” tools. It also includes pre-configured keyboard shortcuts that match some popular DAWs. Mixbus was specially designed to incorporate the best practices that have evolved in other DAWs.
• New “Freesound” import allows students to search a massive online database for royalty-free sounds which can be used in their sessions.
• New “Metadata” window stores information about the user, session, and the course/instructor. This information is available in the XML session format and may be searched, sorted, and stored for future reference.
• Portions of Mixbus are open-source. Advanced classes can view the source code of Mixbus, develop plugins, or otherwise take advantage of the open architecture. Session files use an open text-based format that can be operated on with scripts or versioning systems: perfect for streamlining the educational workflow.
• Mixbus is cross-platform and has the widest compatibility of any DAW available. Because Mixbus runs on Windows, MacOS, and even Linux, your students can use Mixbus on any computer they have available. Mixbus uses industry-standard CoreAudio, ASIO, and JACK I/O; and it loads VST, AudioUnit, and LV2 plugins (depending on platform).
• Mixbus sounds great! Engineers around the world agree that making a mix in Mixbus is faster and easier than other DAWs, because the most-needed tools are immediately at your disposal, just like a traditional analog recording studio with a console.

Facility administrators appreciate Harrison’s sterling reputation at worldwide facilities including Full Sail, Sony, Universal, ARRI, Mosfilm, Soundfirm, and more. Instructors who are interested in evaluating Mixbus should contact mixbus@harrisonconsoles.com.

To accommodate the tight budgets of schools and students, Harrison is providing 3 new payment methods for Mixbus:

• Anyone may purchase a Mixbus Subscription for $49 + $9/month.
• Facilities may purchase a recurring yearly site license for only $999 which provides 10 instructor/lab licenses.
• Students may subscribe to Mixbus for only $9 per month, waiving the $49 initial payment! This makes it VERY cost-effective for students to install Mixbus on their own systems.

All three new plans provide free updates to Mixbus (including major and minor version updates) during the period of the subscription, as well as email support from Harrison. Subscribers may cancel their subscription after the initial 3 months, and continue to use Mixbus without the free updates or email support. Mixbus is also available for the one-time payment of $219.00 (MSRP)

More information: Harrison Consoles