Results for tube

Native Instruments has announced the release of version 1.8 of its MASCHINE groove production studio software for Windows and Mac.

The free MASCHINE 1.8 update is now available. Workflow enhancements and new effects like TRANSIENT MASTER and time stretch add new flexibility to your MASCHINE projects.

And starting with MASCHINE 1.8, all MASCHINE owners also get the legendary MASSIVE for free, adding powerful synthesis to the premier groove production studio.

Changes in Maschine v1.8

• Time stretch and pitch shift capability: Stretch smoothly from one BPM to another, aided by the automatic BPM detection. Or stretch your audio to a specific length – to fit one sample to the same length as another, for example. What’s more, make your beats match harmonically, by tuning your samples with the pitch shift function.
• Transient Master: Dynamics and mixing effect fully integrated in the MASCHINE 1.8 software. Ideal for positioning drums and percussion, it lets you mix from front to back, giving each sample exactly the right amount of space.
• New Tube, Tape Saturator and Tube Saturator effects: Bring the secrets of analog warmth and natural, harmonic compression to MASCHINE, for even greater sound coloring potential.
• Host transport control: Running the MASCHINE software as a plug-in in your DAW*, use the transport buttons on the MASCHINE hardware to control transport in the host software. Important: Requires the latest version of the NI Controller Editor.
• New Browser sample preview mode: Easily scroll through the browser list and pre-hear samples without loading them.
• Revised select screen: Now includes individual note length and velocity editing.
• Auto-write pinning: Pin the Auto-Write button for improved automation recording – tweak with two hands!.
• New hardware shortcuts: Select and erase events quickly and easily.
• Panic button: Immediately cuts off all sound from MASCHINE.
• Improved missing sample handling: Now locates files per project – point the MASCHINE software to the location for one missing file, and it automatically resolves other related missing files.
• Sampler play position indicator: See the play marker in the sampler wave display – also shown in the hardware display.
• Save Group with samples: Now you have the option to save Group with samples.

The MASCHINE 1.8 update is now available from the Native Instruments Service Center. The software is compatible with all versions of MASCHINE and MASCHINE MIKRO, including the new MK2 hardware. Registered MASCHINE users will get their free copy of MASSIVE by email.

More information: Native Instruments / MASCHINE

Voxengo has announced updates for a number of its free effect plug-ins for Windows and Mac.

These updated plug-ins are now available in native 64-bit AudioUnit and VST formats on Mac OS X. Note that on Mac computers, these plug-ins now support Mac OS X v10.5 and higher only, running on Intel processors. Mac PowerPC support is not available.

These updated versions include a fix to the previously available graphics display issue on Mac OS X 10.8.

Voxengo’s Marvel GEQ free graphic equalizer plugin for Windows and Mac.

Updated Voxengo plug-ins

• Voxengo Marvel GEQ linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer with multi-channel operation support (supporting up to 8 input/output channels, audio host application-dependent). Marvel GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
• Voxengo Overtone GEQ 7-band harmonic (overtone) graphic equalizer with multi-channel operation support (supporting up to 8 input/output channels, host setup-dependent). Overtone GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
• Voxengo Stereo Touch implements a classic technique of transforming a monophonic track into spacious stereophonic track by means of mid/side coding technique.
• Voxengo Tube Amp applies asymmetric tube triode overdrive usually found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes. The sound this plug-in produces varies from a mild “warm” overdrive to a fuzzy distortion.

The updated plug-ins are available to download now.

More information: Voxengo / Free plug-ins

Native Instruments has introduced the Premium Tube Series, a new collection of high-end effects, capturing the warm, natural sound of tube-driven hardware.

PREMIUM TUBE SERIES is made up of three individual effects – PASSIVE EQ, VARI COMP and ENHANCED EQ – available either individually or as a high-value bundle. PREMIUM TUBE SERIES makes these effects available for the first time as native plug-ins that run individually within a DAW in VST, AU, RTAS or AAX format. The effects are modeled by Softube, the renowned team behind Native Instruments’ VINTAGE COMPRESSORS.

PASSIVE EQ is a fully-parametric, two-channel, four-band equalizer, with additional high and low pass filters plus a wide collection of presets for all use cases. Characterized by its versatile nature and natural sound, it is well suited to a wide range of production duties – from individual tracks to sub groups and even mastering. As with all the effects in the series, running as an individual plug-in in any DAW gives it significant ease-of-use advantages over hardware units, such as built-in parallel processing options, and mid/side mode.

As its name suggests, VARI COMP is a compressor with a flexible range of use cases, from instrument groups to individual tracks. Emulated to possess a clear and warm ‘analog’ sound, VARI COMP limits and compresses. In limit mode, it uses a unique automatic ratio and knee adjustment, altering the compression ratio from 4:1 up to 20:1 automatically in response to the input signal.

ENHANCED EQ is an easy-to-use effect adept at providing tracks with both subtle definition and rich loudness. Modeled from a boutique studio standard, this is the EQ for adding warmth and weight to the low end of individual tracks, thanks to a special curve produced by simultaneously cutting and boosting the low frequencies. ENHANCED EQ works equally well at adding clarity and shine to midrange.

The Premium Tube Series bundle is available to purchase for $229 USD / 199 EUR. The individual effects can also be bought separately: Passive EQ $169 USD / 149 EUR, Vari Comp $119 USD / 99 EUR, Enhanced EQ $79 USD / 69 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Premium Tube Series

ToneBytes has announced the release of its Noise Bundle, a collection of three plug-ins at 25% off.

From 15 Aug 2012 to 15 Sep 2012 get all the noise plugins for only $45 in one bundle that includes: Analog Noise, Ambient Nature Noise, Industrial Noise

Noise Bundle features

• Industrial Noise — is an easy-to-use virtual effect plug-in for Windows which adds the sound of different mechanisms, machines and technical devices to your recordings. The purpose of the plug-in is to add sounds typically found in various industries, plants and factories. It has 21 sound profiles, including the sound of motors, pumps, fans, tools, and machines and much more other.
• Ambient Nature Noise — is an easy-to-use virtual effect plug-in for Windows which adds the sound and atmosphere of alive and lifeless nature to your recordings. It has 21 built-in sound profiles, including the sound of birds, insects, bats, trees and other flora and fauna, and the sounds of lifeless nature such as sound of waterfall and rain, wash, fire crackling and much more other.
• Analog Noise — is an easy-to-use virtual effect plug-in for Windows which adds the sound and atmosphere of analog recordings to your tracks and mixes. It has 21 built-in sound profiles, including the sound of magnetic tape with various coverings, the sound of vinyl records, and the sound of the signal of various tube and transistor devices, such as Hammond Sounder, Moog Liberation, Akai Ax-73, JVC MI-5000, etc.

The Noise Bundle for Windows (VST) is available to purchase for $45 USD until September 15th, 2012 (regular $60 USD).

More information: ToneBytes

Gemini Audio has released KultComp Tube, a tube distortion library for Nebula3 by Acustica Audio.

This library is based on the Tube Harmonics function of a Modern German Tube Compressor which is loved by many for its versatility and audio quality with the musicality and user-friendliness that this company’s units stand for. It finds its application in Mastering, Mixing and Recording.

Discrete, very high performance gain cells were developed for this compressor and are used instead of the usual VCAs. This compressor is the first product to use them. They ensure the highest level of musicality and clarity in signal processing and demonstrate significantly improved distortion values over VCAs. The adjustable tube saturation of the output stages combined with automatic output level adjustment can produce tube sound effects that range from the delicate to the raucous.

KultComp Tube features

• 96kHz (Nebula converts it automatically to your project’s sample rate).
• Stereo Programs.
• Includes 10 Kernel programs.
• Includes HQ programs (10 Kernel programs using the TIMED engine).
• Includes SE versions of all programs (CPU friendly 5 Kernel programs).
• Consists of 27 programs.
• Library size 280MB.

The library is available to purchase for the introductory price of 8 EUR (regular 11 EUR). A free Kernel reduced demo version can be downloaded at Gemini Audio.

More information: Gemini Audio / KultComp Tube

Ignite Amps has announced the release of SHB-1, a digital emulation of a tube amplifier for bass.

It has been developed to accurately model its real harware counterpart, built for Subhuman bassist Federico Fulceri by Ignite Amps, in 2012.

From well fat and round tones for blues, to very tight and focused funky sounds, up to all out distorted, jackhammer-like poundings for modern metal, paired with the proper cab, the SHB-1 can cover them all and
then some. Every single component on the signal path of the real analog circuit has been took into account and modeled in the best possible way to match the original sound, keeping an eye to CPU performances and real-time playability at the same time.

The SHB-1 is meant to be used as a bass amplifier for live playing and jamming, tracking or mixing inside hosts capable of VST or AU Plug-Ins support.

SHB-1 features

• Dynamic 12AX7 / ECC83 coupled triode stages analog modeling.
• Mono / Stereo processing support.
• Selectable oversampling rate (up to 8x).
• Global input / output level controls.
• Double precision (64 bit) floating point mathematical model.
• Fully automatable controls.
• Zero latency.

The SHB-1 is available as a freeware effect plug-in for Windows and Mac (VST/AU).

More information: Ignite Amps