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.

CP2JavaWS 1.0 final : protocol check

The final version (1.0) of CP2JavaWS is available :

Added support for service protocol (CP class with methods signatures) specifying when retrieving a proxy, in order to allow :
– arguments type check
– nil arguments values (the expected type can then be retireved from the protocol – required for Java reflect)
– generic methods arguments (CPObject in CP, Object in Java)

Renamed HabiltationService/Filter to AuthorizationService/Filter.

Bug fix in CP2JavaWSJSONPConnection (synch. with latest code since addition of URL class).

MasterDetailView now uses alternating row color for table view, and background for detail view .

Note : documentation has been moved to MediaWiki.

iPhone : Ravensword available !

Ravensword is finally available at the AppStore (6,99$), a few time after its new submission (now uses an updated version of the Unity framework, that doesn’t use anymore private APIs). First reviews are very positive (best graphics, close to WoW and even landscapes that remind Oblivion). However customization aspects (weapons, character) are somewhat limited, and characters animations are not the best.
We can watch videos here, there, and also here.

First Atlas beta’s screencast

A first screencast of Atlas beta is available here : payment calculator from chapter 2 of Cocoa Design Patterns (Cib-based project, laying out an interface and binding outlets/actions to working code).

New Core i7 imac bench

Benchs of new Core i7 imac (compared with Core i5 and Core2 Duo imacs, and MacPro) are available. It is as fast as a MacPro quad.

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.

Cappuccino : Atlas beta launched

The 280North’s Atlas beta program just opened ! That is here for registration (20$ through Paypal or credit card – will be deducted from the final price).

Cappuccino and spriting

Back from JS Conf (Berlin), the 280North staff published an article about the new advanced spriting feature in Cappuccino (available in the jake branch, and in the upcoming 0.8 version. See also the CP2JavaWS demo that uses it). This solution doesn’t require any code change, and also works with older IE 6 and 7 (as all other Cappuccino features).

CP2JavaWS 0.92 available : Jake/spriting

A new version (0.92) of CP2JavaWS is available. It puts the project in synch. with most recent branchs (tested with latest jake branch) :

– CP2JavaWSURLConnection updated from CPURLConnection changes due to new URL class
– CP2JavaWSURLConnectionAuthDelegate updated due to new URL class (now uses its facilities methods)

The demo on AppEngine has also been updated (uses the jake branch, and so the spriting feature that allows a faster download).

Note : there is still a bug in core CPTableView : a wrong transient value is displayed shortly in first visible row’s first column, after calling reloadData and before the datasource’s methods get called (it then happens after sortDescriptors:didChange ends).
It happens both in Firefox and Safari (but for the later it doesn’t show as it draws the cells values much more faster – can however be tracked when adding a breakpoint).

The documentation pages for the project at sourceforge are being migrated to the new MediaWiki app (DocMan has been deprecated recently by Sourceforge).