The Vienna Strings Collections are currently available with a 30% discount off MSRP through their website. These collections have thousands of samples, ranging from single notes from solo instruments to trills and tremelos from a 14 violin ensemble. If orchestral string instruments are part of your creative vision, you would be wise to take a look at this sale.
You can read more about these collections here: http://en.audiofanzine.com/virtual-strings/vsl/Vienna-Instruments-Solo-Strings/news/a.play,n.15423.html
Recording Software
Gravity Beats – Free Music App For iPad
This free app certainly isn’t going to produce any award winning symphonies or chart-topping hits, but it can still be a lot of fun. By drawing lines to interact with the falling balls, you can create simple melodies in your spare time. Since this app doesn’t have any deadlines or demanding clients, you can sit back and relax with your productions.
You can read more here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gravity-beats/id608047949?mt=8
New Synth Mystery From Native Instruments
Native Instruments, makers of such awesome programs as Kontakt – perhaps the most widely used sampler/virtual instrument player, Maschine – the groove production hardware/software combo, Massive – the popular software synthesizer, Traktor DJ Software (along with Tracktor Kontrol hardware) and a whole bunch of other really cool stuff, has just put out a teasing video hinting at an incredible new synthesizer. But it’s a mystery. They aren’t saying anything about it or what it’s going to be called. They are using phrases like “one synth to rule them all,” and “A revolution is coming.” Tantalizing, no?
You can, however, hear some of the sounds it can make in the video below:
ASSAULT Released By Sample Logic For Kontakt
Sample Logic has released ASSAULT for Kontakt 5. This suite of over 850 effects, multis, and instruments in addition to preset combinations to help get the music flowing. This suite doesn’t come cheap, but the opportunities that it can avail make the price worth it. This software is available for both Mac and Windows 7.
You can read more here: http://www.kvraudio.com/news/sample-logic-announces-assault-for-kontakt-21569
Ozone 5 Mastering Software Released
Mastering gives tracks a professional polish that they may have been lacking before. You can pay professional studios for this service, or you can use software at home to get similar effects. One of the best audio recording software products designed specifically for mastering has long been Ozone, by Izotope. Through March 6, Ozone 5 is available for only $199 (regular price $249), with discounts available if you own previous versions. The full, professional suite, Ozone 5 Advanced, is available for $999.
You can read more about this software release here: http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/index.asp