Instead of trying to find 32 professional musicians, why not give Orchestral Strings One a try? This software puts the sound of 14 violins, 10 violas, 8 cellos, and 6 double basses at your fingertips. The modeling technology used by Sound Magic in this software really helps the string ensemble come to life. The overall flow of sound that is so vital to a lifelike string sound is done very well, instead of the single-note sound of some sampling software. The hardware requirements are mild, and it offers Mac and Windows 64-bit support. Give it a try!
Read more about this software here: http://rekkerd.org/sound-magic-releases-orchestral-strings-one-vst-for-mac-concert-strings-preset/
Home Recording Equipment
KORG Legacy Collection update adds 64-bit cross-platform support
The KORG Legacy Collection compresses the cost and space of five KORG synthesizers into one piece of software. Keeping up with the technological times (and popular demand), KORG has updated the Legacy Collection to include support for 64-bit system architecture and operating systems for both Windows and Mac. If you already own the collection, the update is free. Otherwise, this is just one more reason in a long list to take a close look to see where this software might fit into your musical toolbox.
Get all the details here: http://musicindustrynewswire.com/korg-offers-64-bit-support-for-legacy-collection-software-on-both-mac-and-windows-platforms/
Analog Synthesizer For iPhone And iPad – Arctic Keys
Here is another cool music making app for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch – Arctic Keys Virtual Analog Synthesizer. This is an instrument that emulates hardware synthesizers, which create sounds via oscillators. This one has two LFOs (low frequency oscillators) and the same kinds of controls you would expect from an analog synthesizer to create your own sounds by endless tweaking, including arpeggiator, 16×4 step sequencer, pitch and mod wheels.
You can save your performances as 16-bit 44.1KHz wav files or as MIDI files. And as with most iOS music apps, you then share it via one of several methods.
The app costs $4.99 in the Apple app store. For a complete description of the specs and features, see the article here: http://www.idesignsound.com/arctic-keys-virtual-analog-synthesizer-ipad/
RØDE Rec Audio Recording App For iPhone And iPod Touch
RØDE, the company that makes excellent microphones (my everyday go-to mic is the large diaphragm condenser called the RØDE NT2-A), has just come out with an audio recording app for iPhone and iPod Touch. And they’ve done it together with another big name in audio recording, iZotope, maker of fabulous mastering (Ozone) and other audio effects and tools.
You can record direct into the device with the built-in mic, or you can use something like the iRig Mic ( see our review of the iRig Mic here – Review of IK Multimedia’s iRig Microphone For iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) or other iOS compatible mic or mic/interface connection. Then you can use the built-in processing presets, such as Dictation, Interview, Lecture, Office Mode, Live Concert Outdoors, Outside Noise reducer, Rumble Reducer, or Hiss Reducer. You can also apply compression and EQ. When you’re done, you can share your audio in a bunch of different ways, including SoundCloud, Dropbox, iTunes & Browser Sharing, eMail or FTP. You can also save the audio as anyone of a number of formats, such as AAC, Podcast, Apple Lossless, FLAC and Ogg Vorbis.
This is pretty darned awesome even without an external microphone. And with the right microphone connector, such as the Tascam IM2 Stereo Microphone for Apple iOS products, or the soon-to-be available RODE iXY Stereo Microphone for iPhone/iPad (see picture on the right) you can turn your phone into the only field recorder you’ll ever need. Use it for interviews, gathering sound effects, dictation, recording lectures, etc.
It costs $6.99 at the Apple App Store, a pretty amazing value.
New Home Recording Bundles: Rode and Pro Tools Vocal Studio
I just found out about some killer home recording studio bundles now available from B&H Pro Audio. Both use the Rode NT1-A large diaphragm condenser microphone, which is one of the most amazing vocal mics on the market for recording your voice. And both of these bundles fall into my home studio classification of “configuration 2,” which means they are standard XLR microphones that get plugged into an audio interface, which in turn gets plugged into a computer, via USB in this case.
Mbox Mini Vocal Studio
The Avid Mbox Mini Vocal Studio (the “mini” is for the product called the Mbox Mini) consists of the awesome Rode NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic, along with the Rode shock mount and integrated pop-filter and 20-ft. mic cable; the Avid Mbox Mini audio interface with ProTools Express recording software; Audio-Technica ATH-M20 Closed-Back Headphones, and the On-Stage Round Base Desktop Microphone Stand.
This is no-kidding professional stuff for anyone recording voice-overs, podcasts, or 1-man-band music, or doing Skype calls, webinars, etc.
If you were to buy each item separately it would cost $517.31. But for the bundle, the price is: $459.95! CLICK HERE for more details and/or to buy.
MBox Mini Vocal Studio + Pro Tools 10 + Studio Monitors
This package starts with the same contents as the one above, but then cranks up the “awesome” by using the full version of the audio recording industry standard Pro Tools 10, a pair of KRK RoKit 45W 5″ active monitor speakers, a full-size microphone boom stand, 2 mic cables, and a set of Auralex MoPAD Isolation Pads for the monitors.
This version of the package gives you all you need to rock-solid professional voice-over work, but also to record vocals and instruments, add virtual drums and other instruments with Pro Tools, and produce professional sounding multitrack music projects as well.
This would cost $1,450.70 if each item were bought separately.The cost for this one is $1,039.50. You save $411! CLICK HERE for more details and/or to buy.