This Week in Audio
Your Weekly Digest of Audio Deals & News
New audio plugin and synth releases, AI is taking over, and the best deals and freebies of the week
Happy Friday!
Get ready for some fresh audio plugins and hardware releases that are making waves this week!
AI technology is at the forefront, bringing exciting features to enhance your music production.
Don't miss out on the latest deals and freebies below to take your music game to the next level.
🗞️ News
Korg Unveils OPsix SE
Korg announced the release of Opsix SE, a superior version of their Opsix FM synthesizer with a high-quality all-metal design, 61-note keybed with aftertouch, and an enhanced sound engine with increased polyphony. The Opsix SE features expressive performance capabilities, a wide range of onboard effects, six Operator modes with 40 preset algorithms, a powerful step sequencer for long phrases and dramatic rhythms, and it will also come in a limited edition platinum finish and a custom hard case.
Splice introduces "Create" powered by AI
Splice has expanded its AI offerings with Splice Create, a tool that uses artificial intelligence to generate layered sample recommendations based on users' preferred genre. This user-friendly tool allows users to adjust the generated "Stack" by adding or removing samples, as well as basic mute/solo and volume functions.
HoRNet Releases Casette 64
HoRNet Plugins has launched Cassette64, a plugin that replicates the unique sound qualities of vintage cassette four-track recorders, including features like cassette tape emulation, a three-band EQ, hiss emulation, and tape speed control. Priced at €16.99, it provides an affordable option for adding warmth, lo-fi charm, and nostalgic cassette tape sound to music tracks.
Spectre Digital Releases Singularity Virtual Bass
Spectre Digital's Singularity Virtual Bass, a new plugin for Mac & Win, provides advanced bass sound controls using a sampled Kiesel Precision 5-string bass, with features like articulation switching, distortion types, and pitch correction.
Zak Sound Releases Downtown Grand Piano
ZAK Sound has launched Downtown Grand Piano, a virtual instrument for Mac and Windows, that combines piano sounds with city ambience through convolution reverb samples of urban noises. The plugin, crafted using multiple microphones and 1800 samples, offers 39 presets, customizable effects, and requires 2.8GB of space; it's available at a 40% discount until July 10th.
JMG Sound Releases BITPUNK
Bitpunk is a new audio plugin that enables users to manipulate two audio sources with effects like bit-swapping, bit-rate and frequency control, and added compression or saturation for unique soundscapes. Compatible with Windows 8 and above, macOS 10.10 and higher, and available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats, Bitpunk is offered at an introductory price of €19 until August 8, 2023, after which it will cost €79.
Noise Engineering Unveils Univer Inter
Noise Engineering has unveiled Univer Inter, a highly configurable MIDI-to-CV converter with eight outputs that can adapt various MIDI messages to voltage. Offering features like synchronization of in-the-rack sequencers, reset message configuration, and a wide range of output options, Univer Inter is designed for seamless integration into any system and can be chained together for complex polyphony patches; it is available for pre-order at $275 with shipping starting in late June 2023.
D16 Launches Lush-2
D16 has launched Lush-2, a comprehensive update to its multilayer polyphonic synthesizer available for Mac and Windows. This upgraded version offers up to 8 layers, enabling users to design intricate patches, with each layer customizable to any MIDI channel, keyboard zone, or one of 11 stereo buses, allowing for either massive unified sounds or distinct timbres simultaneously.
📖 Interesting Articles
DESIGNING THE SUSPENSEFUL SOUND OF ‘SILO’
In this fresh interview, Nathan Robitaille, sound designer/sound supervisor, and Dustin Harris, sound supervisor, unravel the intriguing sound behind the sci-fi/survival series 'Silo'.
What does AI mastering mean for artists, engineers, and music?
AI has revolutionized the field of music mastering, with platforms like LANDR offering affordable, automated mastering services. The new player, Masterchannel, utilizes reinforcement learning and vast human engineering input to provide genre-agnostic, high-quality mastering services, fostering a shift from traditional methods to AI-supported practices across the music industry, including movie and TV studios, and game developers.
Folamour on Roland Alpha Juno 2: “For £200, it’s the best gear you can have”
At Glastonbury, Folamour chatted about his love for the affordable Roland Alpha Juno 2 synth and urges newbies to push their own boundaries and appreciate the beauty in imperfect tunes.
Are Modular Synths Too Expensive? And What Is "Too Expensive" Anyway?
There's a perception that Eurorack costs an arm and a leg, but is this notion based in reality? The folks at Noise Engineering and other manufacturers have been consulted to shed light on the actual costs involved.