YellowTools Independence Instruments

YellowTools provides separate parts from its samples libraries at download (22 available for now), whose sizes range from 200 Mb to 1,7Gb, and prices from 19 to 39$ (except the Symphonic Orchestra part – 4,13 Gb -, that is priced 99$).
We can listen audio demos in the original libraries sections. Moreover, Independence Pro, priced 399 euros (70 Gb of samples), is probably more interesting for the whole, as it contains drums, percussion, acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic and electric basses, pianos, organs, pop brasses, saxophones, synthesizers, an entire symphonic orchestra, the FULL sound libraries of Candy, Culture and Majestic, and many, many more instruments. We can also find Independence Basic, that includes less samples (12 Gb), and is priced 199 euros.

Activating of Independence Download Instruments is made through software (contrary to Independence Pro, that requires the Yellow tools USB Authorization Key). For all orders of the Download Instruments with a total amount of more than 100 euros we get for free (this special offer ends on December, 31, 2009) Independence Pro 2.5 Software Suite, that contains the player, the live version, and effects plugins (initially priced 149 euros). This suite is included with Independence Pro and Independence Basic.

We can also download for free Independence Free 2.5, that contains the player (full version, and no time limit) and 2,5Gb of samples from Independance Pro library. The player (universal binay) can even import third party VST plugins, and then be used as a host for TC Electronic M30 Reverb plugin (as only its VST version works on PPC macs) !

NI Synthsgiving : special prices

Native Instruments provides special prices (50 to 75% save) from 27 to 30 November, on the following products (available each for 99$) : Reaktor 5, Absynth 5, Massive, FM8. These are download versions only.

Reverbs : convolution/algorithms/hybrid

At Gearslutz forums about TC Electronic M30 plugin, we can find interesting (and complex) details about reverberation effects. To sum up, convolution-based reverbs are well suited for reproducing early reflections, however they do not achieve convincing feeling for later periods (lack of modulation – not random because “recorded” reverb). Algorithms-based reverbs provide more various and musical trails (on a perceptive side – not on the realism one). Then it is close to difference between synthesis (dynamic, living) and samples (accurate but less musical). Most evolved reverbs (as Lexicon ones) use both solutions.

We can bypass a convolution reverb at around 200 ms and merge it with a conventional one (with an initial delay of the same duration). As the convolution part is now shorter, it requires far more less resources (depends from the duration), while the algorithm-based part uses constant resources (whatever the duration).

We can find many recent algorithm-based software reverbs, as Eos from Audio Damage (49$). It provides 3 algorithms (Plate 1 – mono in, stereo out -, Plate 2 – true stereo -, and Superhall – true stereo), and also work on G4 due to low resources requirement ! Audio examples are provided.

The incredibly long modulated hall sounds of Eno-style ambience are where Eos thrives, something that is made of unobtanium with convolution ‘verbs. Quite simply, an impulse response can not do what Eos does.

NI Sonic Fiction Kore pack

Native Instruments announced Sonic Fiction, a Kore Player sound library that features 100 instruments (1 Gb) : Pads & Strings, Soundscapes, Sound Effects, Synths, Mallets, Bells & Keys, Percussion. Audio demos are available, as well as a video. It is priced 79$.

TC Electronic M30 Reverb free !

TC Electronic provides the M30 Reverb plugin (AU and VST) for free at download for 72 hours. This is a fully functionnal version, without any time limitation. We can read details here. Algorithms are derived from the M40 (found on hardware processors). That is then the best complement to Logic Express 9 !
UPDATE : Problem with the AU version not showing on G4 confirmed at TC Electronic’s forums, Apple’s forums and gearslutz forums. Morever some experienced (on compatible configurations) very loud and harsh white noise, so a lot of care seems required.

Steinberg The Grand 3

Steinberg announced The Grand 3. Besides famous pianos (C7, 290 Imperial, Steinway D) it provides a CP80 and a Nordiska Pianofabriken. The whole weights 32 Gb (up to 20 velocity levels). A G5 mac and USB Steinberg Key are required. Audio demos are available, and the software is priced 349 euros.

NI separate pianos / Kontakt Player 4

Native Instruments now provides the 4 pianos from Akoustik Piano separately (79$ each, and about 3 Gb each). The whole can be purchased for 189$.

We can also download Kontakt Player 4 (the installer now requires an Intel mac).

Kurzweil PC3LE6 : answer to M50

Kurzweil announced the PC3LE6 (due this December), the expected answer to Korg M50. Then the PC3LE6 (whose originally planned name was PC361 LE) onboards the same audio engine (from the PC3) than the PC361 (including VA oscillators), the same number of presets (about 800, including String Section, KB3), effects (10 inserts against 16 on the le PC361, and no mastering effects), the sequencer, the arpeggiator. Only polyphony is reduced (64 voices – 128 on the PC361), and the PC3LE6 doesn’t provide expansion slots (2 on the PC361). However it features 8 pads (for drums) and semi-weighted keyboard (piano keys – synth keys on the PC361).
Finally it is priced 1495$ (2395$ for the PC361). Audio demos are available.

Zero-G : Nostalgia through download

Zero-G Nostalgia isn’t anymore provided with Intakt, but with Kontakt patchs instead, in 3 parts (downloads) : Pack 1 (US Classics, Euro Classics, and Japanese Classics), Pack 2 (Playback Keyboards, Organs, Electro-Mechanicals, Digital ROMpler Synths, and Vintage Samplers) and Pack 3 (Cheap n Cheezy, Obscure Synths, Drum Synths, Classic Beatboxes, Obscure Beatboxes, Sci-Fi, Atmosferics, String Synths, and Basses). Each one is priced 64.99$ (179.99$ the whole).

Zero-G Dark Skies-Cinematic Ambiences

Zero-G presents Dark Skies – Cinematic Ambiences , a 4,3 Gb samples library (ambiences, soundscapes, drones and FX) that includes 1027 patchs for Kontakt and EXS24. Audio demos are provided. It is priced 149.95$.

EastWest Silk review

Audiofanzine provides a full review of EastWest/Quantum Leap Silk. Audio examples are included.

Pianoteq PRO and standard 3.5

ModArtt released Pianoteq PRO, that allows per note settings (22 parameters), and a rendering up to 192 Khz (48 Khz in the standard version). We can watch a video here. It is priced 399 euros (249 euros for the standard version).
Pianoteq Pro also includes the enhancements brought by Pianoteq 3.5 (see here and there). A demo version of Pianoteq standard 3.5 is available.