Modulate This! - News, Tips and Links for Electronic Musicians and Producers

Microsoft Campaign "PC Hookup" Shot At University of Colorado in Boulder With FL Studio and Toxic Bio Hazard Cameos

Even though these days I mostly use Ableton Live, I still keep up with free FL Studio updates and do use it from time to time. Like Ableton, FL’s workflow sometimes yields very interesting results for me.

FL Studio fans might find this YouTube video of interest as there are cameo appearances of FL Studio and Image Line’s virtual Synthesizer Toxic Biohazard. It’s a Microsoft YouTube promotion called PC Hook-up. Watch on YouTube.

I also find the video interesting because it was shot in my back yard on campus at  the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Links:

• Video Tutorials
• FL Studio: Official Site | New users save 10% | Modulate This Post | Read Image Line Forum Post on this Topic
• Toxic Biohazard Synth: Modulate This Post | New users save 10%

Mark Mosher
http://www.modulatethis.com
http://www.markmoshermusic.com
http://www.twitter.com/markmosher

Ableton Proudly Presents – Live 8

 

The wait is over – visit http://www.ableton.com/ has been refreshed with info on Ableton Live 8!!!

Excerpt From the Press Release Below:

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Ableton Live 8 and Ableton Suite 8 should be available in the second
quarter of 2009, following extensive testing and bugfixing. A public
beta version of these products will be available soon.

Prices for Ableton Suite 8 start at EUR 549/USD 699 (download version). Prices for Ableton Live 8 start at EUR 349/USD 449 (download version).

Upgrades to Live 8/Suite 8 vary in price, depending on the Ableton
products you already own. More details at:
http://www.ableton.com/live-8-upgrades

CAN'T WAIT FOR 8?

Customers who buy Live 7 now get big savings on upgrades to Live 8
and also get two Ableton instruments (Operator and Drum Machines,
worth EUR 198/USD 238 in total) for free.

Customers who buy Ableton Suite now will get a free upgrade to
Ableton Suite 8.

This offer is valid until March 31st 2009. More details at:
http://www.ableton.com/cantwaitfor8

Winter NAMM 2009 News and Announcement Sources

Since I’m not at NAMM I’m not going to cover it in real-time. I'll post some articles once the dust settles. Until then enjoy these up-to-the-minute sources for NAMM news including links to fellow bloggers coverage – after all we’re one big happy tribe of electronic music fanatics anyway right :^).

• http://twitter.com/nammnews
• Synthopia: Blog
• Create Digital Music: Blog | http://twitter.com/cdmblogs
• Harmony Central NAMM Coverage
• Sonic State NAMM Coverage 
• Musicians Friend: Video Highlights | Highlights From the Floor | New Products

If I missed you and you are covering NAMM comment to this post please.

Mark Mosher
www.markmoshermusic.com
www.modulatethis.com
Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/markmosher

Link for 10% off Image Line's New Toxic Biohazard VST Synth

Image Line, the makers of Fl Studio have released Toxic Biohazard, the 4th generation of their Toxic line of software synths. The synth runs on Windows XP/Vista as a VST or on Mac OSX 10.4 (Tiger) or OSX 10.5 (Leopard) as a VST or AU.

For new users, this synth will set you back $99 (use this link to save 10%). Existing users can upgrade for free.

What's new?

• Improved sound quality
• "Physical Envelopes" that allow you to model how sounds in real world decay & resonate etc...
• Integrated effects such as tube-like distortion, to warm stereo delay, reverb, flanger, and phaser.
• A hybrid synth engine combining FM and subtractive synthesis
• A complete rebuilt FM engine adding warmth
• Alias-free oscillators with low CPU consumptom
• An integrated simple sequencer (64 steps, which can be divided into two independent, 32 step modules to allow double-polyphonic patterns. Using our own "Smart Sequencer" technology, when a chord is played, the module defines that chord, and tunes the pattern accordingly.)

Visit http://www.image-line.com/documents/toxicbio.html to learn more, download a free demo, and listen to samples songs created with Toxic Biohazard. Image Line has also published a nice set of video tutorials on Toxic Biohazard here.

Kanye West plays 'Stronger' at the Grammys with Surprise Appearance by Daft Punk Playing JazzMutant Lemurs

(Daft Punk's official post-Grammy press photo from http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2008/02/daft_punk_serio.html)

I just finished watching the 50th Annual Grammy awards. One of the highlights for me was Kanye West's performance of 'Stronger' with special guest appearance by Daft Punk. According to First for Music News, "This was the French duo's first-ever television appearance in their 14-year history."

What were those fantastic touch-screen controllers they were using? Well they were JazzMutant Lemur's and they were being used to trigger samples and synths. If you want to learn more about how Daft Punk uses Ableton Live to maniluplate samples and produce music checkout this interview with Thomas Bangalter.

Learn more about the Lemur at  http://www.jazzmutant.com/, but be prepared for sticker shock as the Lemur goes for about $3,300 US.

Mark Mosher
www.modulatethis.com
www.markmoshermusic.com

NAMM Show 2008 YouTube Channel + KORG Kaosillator

The 2008 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim just wrapped up. I was happy to find that NAMM created a YouTube channel for those of us who didn't get the opportunity to attend.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=TheNAMMShowChannel.

Here is a video highlighting some KORG products. They've released a cool little product called the Kaosillator.

Use this link if you can't see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30EX3s3uZSI

Here is the blurb from the official product page:

"The KAOSSILATOR is a new pocket sized instrument that packs Korg's world renowned synth sound along with innovative performance features into an ultra-compact unit. Anyone can instantly play musical phrases by simply tapping or sliding their finger across the KAOSSILATOR’s touch pad – no previous skills required! The KAOSSILATOR is a portable, travel friendly device that runs on batteries, so you can have fun creating music anywhere your life takes you, with seemingly endless possibilities. Whether you’re an established “tweaker”, an aspiring electronic artist or somewhere in between, KAOSSILATOR is one musical sketch pad that you should not be without!"

Mark Mosher
Blog: http://www.modulatethis.com
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/modulatethis

Propellerhead Reason 4 Has Shipped

It's been quite a month for announcements. First Logic 8, then Sonar 7, then Halo 3 (off topic but great none the less), and now Reason 4!

You can buy the full version or upgrade today worldwide from your favorite retailer (here is a list), or from the PropShop on Propellerhead's site.

Try it yourself by grabbing a demo version from here: http://www.propellerheads.se/go/D94BEDC0.

They are also offering Propellerhead Upgrade Value Packs through their PropShop

• Small: Reason Drum Kits 2 and Abbey Road Keyboards
• Medium: Reason Drum Kits 2, Abbey Road Keyboards and ReCycle 2.1
• Large: Reason Drum Kits 2, Abbey Road Keyboards, ReCycle 2.1 and Reason Pianos

According to blurb on their news site, here is what's new.

"Believe it or not, this is largest update ever to Reason. Version 4 comes jam-packed with features for quickly creating better sounding music. The new version boasts Thor, a highly sophisticated, superior sounding synthesizer; the ReGroove mixer, a new way to adjust the rhythmic feel of tracks; RPG-8, a versatile arpeggiator; a completely rebuilt sequencer coupled with many other workflow enhancements that give you the control and power to make great sounding music faster and easier than ever."

Visit http://www.propellerheads.se/ and click the Reason link for more info and to see videos of Reason in action.

Halo 3 Launches + Video of Composer Marty O'Donnell Talking About Halo 3 Score

I was just flipping through the channels and saw G4's Halo 3 Countdown Launch which offered live coverage of the product launch in New York city. Master chief just handed the first copy to someone who'd been standing in line for a very long time - so it looks like Halo 3 has officially launched.

The composer of the music for Halo 3 is Marty O'Donnell. I found some  interesting videos containing interviews where he discusses his work on the project. I've embed them below. You can also see them at http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/11005. Click the "MENU" on the player to see related videos.

I'll pick up my copy of the game in the morning, so if any readers want to get together, email me and we can swap gametags.

Cakewalk Ships Sonar 7 - Links to use While Their Website is in Flux

Article update: Looks like Cakewalk now has their site in order. Of course the product info and links in this post still apply.

Cakewalk has released Sonar 7 although their web site seems to be in flux regarding this version and they didn't even get a press release out before posting the kit (perhaps they are trying to get it out there quickly with the announcement of Logic 8). Therefore, I dug up some links for you Sonar users out there so you can figure out what's new, as well as purchase. Note, they usual upgrade deals exist.

The front of their website still shows 6 as current, but if you click through to the product page Sonar 7.

According to the product page, here is what's new.

• A complete MIDI overhaul with Smart MIDI Tools and dozens of other new features
• Introduction of the most powerful Step Sequencer found in any DAW
• True linear phase mastering plug-ins
• Internal sidechaining
• Delay compensation for external hardware
• Pitch to MIDI functionality with Roland V-Vocal 1.5
• Numerous workflow, mixing, and delivery enhancements throughout the application.

Here is a link to a flash promo - http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/Sonar_7_Features.swf.

The product page doesn't have an order link, but you can order by clicking purchase, or using this link - http://store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/category.aspx?categoryID=9.

Detail specs are not yet on the product page, but I found a list in the cakewalk forums here - http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=1158394.

Apple Releases Logic Pro 8

Apple has released Logic Pro 8. New features include:

• Single window design
• Simplified setup
• Improved workflow to simplify multi-track recording
• Quick swipe comping which allows you to swipe over the best portions of each take to create a seamless comp
• New audio editing tools such as snap-to-transient selection, graphical time stretching, and sample-accurate editing in the Arrange window.
• Surround mixing and processing
• Ability to save program prefs on .Mac making them portable
• No more USB dongle

Pricing:

• New - $499
• Upgrade from Logic Pro/Platinum 5 or 6 - $199
• Upgrade from logic express - $299

For more details including video demos visit - http://www.apple.com/logicstudio/logicpro/