Category Archives: Information

HOFA’s SYSTEM Basic is Freeware

Information

HOFA is offering SYSTEM basic as freeware. You can download it for free from the HOFA website.

SYSTEM basic is the freeware version of the popular EQ, dynamic & effect toolbox by HOFA. 21 modules are available which you can use separately or combined. All routing happens automatically, whereby multiband, mid/side and dual mono routings are always on-hand.

150+ HOFA presets are loadable, but can only be edited to a limited extent. There are two different kids of presets. Presets for modules can be loaded in HOFA SYSTEM basic as long as the restricted parameters aren’t changed. For example, an AlgoVerb preset can be loaded as long as it uses the Plate algorithm.

Besides module presets a major feature of HOFA SYSTEM is to save whole processing chains. These chains can be loaded and changed in HOFA SYSTEM basic as long as all used modules parameters are available in the freeware. If a chain preset contains modules that would need a license it can only be loaded if it is a factory (HOFA) preset. In this case, it isn’t possible to change any routing or parameters.

There is a very detailed chart on the HOFA website that lists individual modules, points out its limitations (if any), and shows if it is always included of what full version it is available in.

Get Soundtoys Outer Limits Collection for Free

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Soundtoys audio effects bring color, character, and creativity to your digital music studio with plug-ins that merge the sound and vibe of classic analog gear with modern musical twists. You can get their Outer Limits collection for free.

Outer Limits is a FREE collection of 67 presets designed to turn any audio into strange and frightening sounds, spacey sci-fi soundscapes, and mutated audio oddities. This preset expander uses the virtually limitless power of the Soundtoys Effect Rack to take sound design to alternate realities. Perfect for movies, TV, games, or that far out song intro you’ve been searching for.

Outer Limits requires the Soundtoys Effect Rack (version 5.2 or later), which is exclusively included in Soundtoys 5. You can listen to some of the Outer Limits sounds right on the Soundtoys website. They are grouped into three categories: Voice, Effects, and Drones.

Tether Tools Released its Case Relay Camera Power System

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Tether Tools is committed to supplying professional and enthusiast photographers with the finest tethering photography equipment. They have released their Case Relay Camera Power System. It is a first of its kind, and provides uninterruptible power for a DSLR or mirrorless camera using any standard 5V USB external battery pack.

The Case Relay Camera Power system works in sync with the Relay Camera Coupler, designed specifically for your camera. A Relay Camera coupler is inserted directly into the camera battery port, then connected to the Case Relay CPS. The Case Relay connects directly to any standard 5V external battery, commonly known as a portable USB charger, widely available at most stores or via TetherTools.com.

With Case Relay’s own secondary, internal 1200 mAh battery, if the photographer’s external battery pack runs low it’s easy to swap the external battery and not lose power to the camera. With the Rock Solid External Battery Pack (10,000 mAh) from Tether Tools, photographers will be able to shoot considerably longer than with a standard camera battery. A 10,000 mAh external battery will provide 3-10 times the power of most camera batteries, depending on the camera.

Advantages:

  • Continually power your camera with USB battery packs
  • Hot-swap batteries mid-shooting with no downtime
  • No need to purchase multiple camera batteries
  • More cost effective than purchasing multiple proprietary camera batteries
  • Power sources are non-proprietary, so you can power your camera with the same 5V battery you use to charge phones or tablets.
  • Never need to charge camera batteries again

AT5047 is a Premier Studio Microphone

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Audio-Technica released the AT5047 cardioid condenser microphone. It is equally at home with vocals and instruments.

Boasting an exceptionally wide dynamic range – the greatest among all Audio-Technica microphones – the AT5047 captures the full, expressive character of a sound source, no matter how loud or how soft. And since it is equipped with a transformer-coupled output, the microphone maintains a constant load output impedance, even when capturing sources at extreme SPL, resulting in a stable relationship between the mic and a mic preamp or console input.

In keeping with the 50 Series’ commitment to purity of sound, the AT5047 includes the four-part rectangular element originally developed for the AT5040. Four exquisitely matched ultra-thin diaphragms function together (with outputs proprietarily summed) as Audio-Technica’s largest-ever element, providing combined surface area twice that of a standard one-inch circular diaphragm.

Features include:

  • Exceptionally wide dynamic range captures the full, expressive character of instruments and voices – from the cress of drum brushes to powerful vocal performances
  • Four rectangular diaphragms (2 micron) function together to provide a combined surface area twice that of a standard one-inch circular diaphragm
  • Discrete components carefully selected and optimized for maximum performance and compatibility with standalone microphone preamps and console inputs
  • Transformer-coupled output provides smooth sonic character
  • Hand assembled and inspected for 100% quality control
  • Advanced internal shock mounting decouples the capsule from the microphone body
  • Elegant, durable housing of aluminum and brass
  • Included advanced-design custom AT8480 shock mount provides superior isolations
  • Custom hard-shell carrying case with die-cut foam compartments offers protection during storage and transport

The AT5047 cardioid condenser microphone is priced at US $3,499.00.

Rylo is a Little Camera that Captures Cinematic Video

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Rylo is a little 360° camera that is powered by innovative software that enables you to create larger-than-life, cinematic video. It captures everything around you with breakthrough stabilization technology. When you are done shooting video, you can connect Rylo to your smartphone and use the Rylo app to easily edit and create a video that you can share.

Rylo captures everything in 360° all around you in beautiful 4K resolution, letting you share vivid and realistic scenes loaded with details. With the Rylo app, you can create a perfectly framed clip from any section of your 360° shot and share traditional HD video, or fully immersive 360° video.

After you shoot a video with Rylo, just plug the camera into your phone and the Rylo app automatically opens, providing tools to quickly edit and share the perfect shot. Of course, you’ll see familiar editing controls like trimming and cropping, but also advanced camera techniques you can apply with a couple of taps – it’s like having a full video production studio in the palm of your hand.

FrontBack: Put yourself in the action with a picture-in-picture that shows your reactions as you capture a moment. Rylo’s dual lenses make sure you never miss a moment, including those behind the camera.

Follow: Rylo’s follow feature lets you track the action with just a single tap in the app. Follow an object and Rylo automatically adjusts the camera’s orientation to keep the action in the frame.

Points: Control the camera’s perspective, after-the-fact, by tapping on specific points of interest in your video. Rylo automatically produces smooth video that connects each of your points.

Timelapse: Create moving timelapse videos by speeding up Rylo’s stabilized video. Control how fast you want your video to play (up to 16x normal speed) and make cinematic timelapses without a gimbal or tripod.

Line 6 Releases Limited Edition Amethyst Variax

Information,

Line 6 has released a the Variax Limited Edition Amethyst guitar. It is made with a special translucent-purple finish.

Featuring a translucent-purple finish over a flamed-maple veneer top, the Variax Limited Edition Amethyst guitar was selected by more than 2,000 guitarists in the Line 6 Color Sweepstakes. Each instrument features a Limited Edition insignia and numbered neck plate – plus a look that’s sure to command attention. This guitar is being produced in a limited run.

Features include:

  • Translucent-purple finish over a flamed-maple veneer top, with matching headstock overlay and black pickguard
  • Small production run with Limited Edition badging and numbered neck plate
  • Lightweight alder body with proprietary tremolo bridge
  • One-piece maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and Graph Tech neck
  • Three Yamaha Alnico V single-coil pickups
  • Wide range of guitar sounds and alternate tunings via Variax HD modeling
  • HD guitar models based on historic Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, and other renowned vintage instruments

At the time I am writing this, the Line 6 website says that the Variax Limited Edition Amethyst guitar is “in stock”. It is priced at $899.99.

Vimeo and Livestream Announced Mevo Plus

Information,

Vimeo and Livestream announced their first product integrations as well as the launch of Mevo Plus, an all-new edition of Livestream’s pocket-sized event camera. With the new integrations, users of Mevo Plus, Mevo, and Studio software are able to instantly stream to their Vimeo Live accounts, allowing for a seamless and high-quality experience.

Mevo Plus comes with enhancements to the critically-acclaimed Mevo camera, delivering faster data transmission speeds, increased range of use, stronger Wi-Fi performance, reduced network interference, and improved stability. These launches follow Vimeo’s acquisition of Livestream, a deal that was announced in September and finalized on October 18, 2017.

Highlighted features of Mevo Plus include:

Instantly stream to any platform:
Mevo Plus users will be able to stream to Vimeo Live and Livestream, as well as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Mevo Plus will include all recent Mevo software updates, including features such as electronic image stabilization, Full HD 1080p streaming, and 4K recording, making it one of the most versatile video cameras available.

Upgraded hardware:
A powerful new 802.11ac Wi-Fi chip combined with Bluetooth 4.1 deliver top of the line wireless connectivity. Mevo Plus users will have significantly more versatility for their broadcasts with over 100 feed of range, more than 5X the first generation Mevo camera. The introduction of 2×2 MIMO antennas allow for faster data transmission speeds, strengthened connectivity in noisy environments and increased connection range.

Live editing tools:
In-app editing tools give Mevo Plus users the ability to cut, pan, and zoom between multiple live shots, delivering the same storytelling capabilities used between professional live TV productions. Sophisticated face detection and advanced scene analysis power Autopilot mode, which chooses the most interesting shot and edits the stream for the user.

Mevo Plus is available for purchase in the U.S. at Best Buy, Amazon, B&H, Adorama, and getmevo.com, for the suggested retail price of $499.99. The first generation Mevo will continue to be available while supplies last for a suggested retail price of $299.99.

Sennheiser Received 5 NAMM Sec Award Nominations

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Sennheiser has received five nominations for Outstanding Technical Achievement for the 33rd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards. The nominations were for their AMEBO VR Mic, Digital 6000 and XS Wireless microphone systems, HD 200 PRO headphones and ‘Pro Talk’ educational video series.

The AMEBO VR Mic, nominated in the Microphones-Recording category, was carefully designed in consultation with virtual-reality content creators as an elegant solution for three-dimensional audio capture. An Ambisonics microphone fitted with four matched KE 14 capsules in a tetrahedral arrangement, it captures the sound that surrounds you from a single point.

The Digital 6000 wireless system, nominated in the Wireless Technology category, adapts the groundbreaking Long Range transmission mode and proprietary audio codec that Sennheiser pioneered on its Digital 9000 wireless system into a two-channel receiver format. With a massive 244 MHz of switching bandwidth, an easy-to-use user interface and frequencies that can simply be placed in an equidistant grid, the Digital 6000 is a powerful, scalable tool for pristine digital wireless transmission.

Sennheiser’s XS Wireless systems were also nominated in the category of Wireless Technology. The XS Wireless systems offer powerful wireless performance across two series, XS Wireless 1 for first-time wireless users and XS Wireless 2 for users who need greater flexibility and control. A total of 11 different microphone and instrument sets ensure excellent live sound, quick setup, a stunning design, and incredible ease of use.

The HD 200 PRO Studio Headphones were nominated in the Headphone/Earpiece Technology category. These headphones offer an ideal entry point into the world of home recording and content creation, and are also the perfect partner for enjoying music with excellent sound quality.

Sennheiser’s Pro Talk Series was nominated in the category of Audio Education Technology. It brings interviews with the industry’s top sound engineers to the Sennheiser YouTube channel. The series is a valuable resource for aspiring engineers and producers of all levels to learn from the experience of luminaries.

Non-Lethal Applications Released Snapshot

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Non-Lethal Applications is a software development company based in Southern Germany. Florian (Flo) Loferer is the founder, Alex Knauer is the web developer, and Leonardo Cossio Morales is in charge of design. Non-Lethal Applications released Snapshot. You can download it for free!

Snapshot is plug-in. Use it to take a picture of anything you are using in your recording session and store it in the tracks of your DAW. Snapshot gives you a simple way to remember your settings or set up, so you can recreate it when needed.

Snap it on your phone, send it to your computer, and save it in your session using the free Snapshot plug-in. You can also add notes to each instance of Snapshot. It’s like a chinagraph for the 21st century. Snapshot works with all major DAWs, uses minimal resources, and is simple to use…and did we say it’s free?

Visit the Non-Lethal Applications website to download Snapshot for Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, Cubase, Studio One, and any DAW that supports AAX, AU, or VST plug-in formats. Snapshot currently supports macOS 10.9 or higher.

Canon Announces PowerShot G1 X Mark III Camera

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Canon, a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced a new flagship addition to its acclaimed G-series of premium compact cameras, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III. Lightweight and portable without sacrificing the very best in Canon digital imaging technologies, the new G-series flagship features a 24.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and Canon’s revolutionary Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Auto-Focus) technology, both firsts for a Canon point-and-shoot compact camera offering.

The new Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III offers dramatic improvements from the series’ previous flagship, the PowerShot G1X Mark II, headlined by a larger, 24.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, resulting in fantastic image quality in both stills and video. This dramatic sensor upgrade pairs with a wide-angle 24-72mm (3x zoom) lens with Optical Image Stabilization featuring a wide f/2.8-5.6 aperture to allow for maximum brightness and increased sharpness in images with an ISO range of 100-25,600.

Technology commonly found in Canon DSLRs and advanced cameras has now arrived for the first time in the PowerShot G-series as the G1 X Mark III will feature Canon’s acclaimed Dual Pixel CMOS AF system. This feature, popular among enthusiast and professional users, provides extremely fast and smooth autofocus capabilities across nearly the entire focal plane, allowing for more creative compositions when framing a subject away from the center of a shot.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is scheduled to be available in November 2017 for an estimated retail price of $1299.00. In addition, the Canon Lens Hood LH-DC110, Waterproof Case WP-DC56, and Deluxe Leather Case PCS-6300 for the PowerShot G1 X Mark III will be available for an estimated retail price of $59.99, $499.99, and $99.99 respectively.