Sound Designer II: This format was originally introduced as the native file type of the veteran Macintosh-based Digidesign audio editing program of the same name. Originally, the output consisted of two linked mono files, but there is now a single stereo file version as well. You might want to export in this format if you are working with Pro Tools users on the Mac, or those aficionados still using Sound Designer!

AIFF: This is Apple’s full-bandwidth PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) file format that maintains the full audio quality of the bounce. AIFF files can have a maximum size of 2GB, which equates to stereo files of about three hours and 15 minutes at 16-bit, 44.1kHz resolution.

WAV: WAV files are, effectively, the Windows version of AIFF. These days, Macs are perfectly happy with WAV files, but Windows programs cannot always use AIFF, so if you expect your files to end up on a PC, WAV format is preferable. Sonically, there’s no difference between WAV and AIFF. Logic generates Broadcast Wave Files (BWF), so the maximum WAV file is 4GB (about six hours and 30 minutes at the CD standard bit and sample rates).

CAF: To address the limitations of AIFF and WAV files, CAF (Core Audio Format) has been introduced, and can cope with durations of up to 13 hours and 30 minutes at 44.1kHz. While bit depth and format (stereo, mono or surround) do not affect recording time, sample rate does, and the recording time is reduced to about three hours at 192kHz.

MP3 and AAC: Both of these formats use ‘perceptual encoding’ to trim down file sizes. You can select a bit rate (the higher the rate, the higher the quality, but the larger the files generated) or use variable bit rates, which change depending on the harmonic content of the audio, with lower rates during simple passages and higher rates for more harmonically complex ones.

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ArtsAcoustic has announced the release of BigRock, an authentic, accurately modeled emulation of the legendary Electro-Harmonix Small Stone, a phase shifting stomp box, of which its first revision was released in 1974.

Being 2010, ArtsAcoustic has of course overcome most of the limitations of the original and equipped BigRock with the necessary features in an special advanced mode. For example, BigRock allows stereo input and processes the signal in stereo, while the original Small Stone was strictly mono. Essentially, you now have the ability to edit BigRock in most of the common phaser parameters such as the dry/wet mix, the center frequency, the LFO amount and the stereo phase offset of the LFO. You can also sync the LFO frequency to the host, always in phase to the sequencer’s play position.

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In light of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Sample Logic has released a Vuvuzela sample library. With this South African stadium horn, the Sample Logic team was able to create and deliver a wide range of sounds – from traditional staccato, sustain, and flutter patches, to morphed war calls, impacts, and ethnic rhythms.
This $9.99 mini sample library contains 40 instruments and multis for Kontakt that will conjure up the spirit of the World Cup 2010 while adding a new ethnic twist to your collection.
Offered as a direct download for $9.99, Vuvuzela will only be available for a limited time before it goes away into the Sample Logic vault. Kontakt 3.5 or higher is required (This will not work with the free Kontakt Player).

get it here www.samplelogic.com

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Music in motion

iSequence is one of the most powerful music creation studio designed exclusively for iPad. Thanks to intuitive 8-track sequencer, tons of instruments and flexible mixer with DSP effects you can easily program and record profesional loops, beats and melodies. Now you control every aspect of your music project.

The iPad edition has been rewritten and redefined to take advantage of a bigger screen and better performance.

The workflow is extremely fluid, you record tracks and controls movement in real-time, edit them using step sequencer and automation editor, switch between instruments, tracks and views without stopping playback. You can compose, jam and mix at the same time!

Features [specification]

• 165 built-in high quality instruments embedded in 3 banks; acoustic, drum kits, pads, leads, sweeps and ambient atmospheres recorded with top classic and modern hardware synthesizers. Additional banks available in the BankShop.
• Pattern sequencer: 8 tracks and FX curves editor. Instruments are not bound to tracks, so you can play chords or use multiple instruments on a single track. Up to 999 patterns in the project.
• Piano keyboard (6 octaves) or drum pads.
• Event parameters: note duration, panning, velocity and gliss
• Real time recording; metronome and ‘slow down’ mode.
• Copy/paste, move and transpose selected area or patterns.
• Mixer with 2 effect busses. Each bus contains 3d delay and a filter section. All parameters can be recorded in real-time or edited using automation editor.
• WIFI-sharing: HSQ, MIDI, WAV export. HSQ import.

find more info on beepstreet.com

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Today, Steinberg released the free 5.5 update for Cubase and Cubase Studio – with a feature set that speeds up workflow and boosts creativity! The brand-new version delivers performance, automation and video enhancements, as well as refined beat tools and workflow improvements in key areas.

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Patchpool is a new website featuring free samples and patches for Kontakt, Synplant, Alchemy, More Feedback Machine 2, Reaktor 5, iZotope plug-ins, Absynth. The site accepts donations, so if you find the patches useful, be sure to show them some love!

[via waveformless.blogspot.com ]

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ExtensionFM is a browser extension for Chrome that finds every MP3 file on pages you visit and automatically creates a library of those songs for you to enjoy.

• Find and listen to every MP3 you come across
• Play songs from the source or within ExtensionFM
• Get a constantly updating stream of new music from the sites you’ve visited
• Continue to play music after you’ve left the page

You can download this free Chrome add-on here www.extension.fm

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Now available from Apple’s App store is an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch version of TC Electronic’s PolyTune guitar tuner, which allows checking the tuning of all guitar strings simultaneously. This 1:1 port of TC’s award-winning PolyTune pedal tuner offers the exact same tuning technology and features found in the pedal version. It also offers an onboard chromatic tuner with ±0.5 cent accuracy.

Polyphonic and Chromatic modes both work for guitar and a 4-, 5- and 6-string bass used with an iPhone or an iPad. The internal mic allows instant tuning of acoustic guitars; for tuning electric guitars, a mini-jack to ¼-inch adapter is required.

The first 25,000 download copies of the PolyTune iPhone App are offered free of charge; afterward the price is going to be $9.99.

For more information visit Apple’s App store or go towww.tcelectronic.com/polytune.asp.

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find out more on pedalsapp.com

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If you’ve been into softsynths since the beginning, you undoubtedly remember the initial offering from a little Swedish company called Propellerheads.  Rebirth was one of the first widely popular software synths and emulated the infamous Roland TB-303 and TR-909 and 808 drum boxes.

[via Waveformless]

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