Category: Press-releases

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Cherry Audio Unleashes P-10 Synthesizer, Based on a Timeless Classic

Press Release

Cherry Audio has released P-10, a virtual synthesizer plugin based on one of the most desirable flagship analog polysynths ever created. Released by SCI in 1980, the original instrument was essentially two of the revolutionary P5 programmable synths in one behemoth dual-manual case, plus a “poly sequencer” built into the bottom-manual end cheek. It could be configured to play as two independent five-voice synths, a single ten-voice synth, dual-patch layered, or alternating between layers with each keystroke. Cherry Audio’s P-10 exactingly reproduces all that is exceptional in this legendary classic, including the original P5 and P10 factory presets, while boosting its feature set for today’s music production and workflow, and celebrating 50 years of groundbreaking innovation from the company that changed the music industry forever.

P-10 is available at cherryaudio.com and authorized resellers for $59. For a limited time, producers can also take advantage of Cherry Audio’s Pick 3 option to get P-10 and two other award-winning Cherry Audio instruments for just $99. P-10 is also included in the recently updated Synth Stack 5, a bundle of all 29 of Cherry Audio’s virtual instruments released through 2024.

With P-10, Cherry Audio has made every effort to capture the sweet-yet-powerful sounds of the eighties from countless artists as varied as Hall & Oates, Vangelis, Japan, John Carpenter and Alan Howarth, Tears for Fears, Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Rick Wakeman, Duran Duran, Brad Fiedel, Geoff Downes, Talking Heads, Pink Floyd, The Cars, Kraftwerk, and more.

Every aspect of P-10 has been modeled with the utmost care, from the Curtis 3340 oscillators and 3320 filters to its unmistakable oscillator sync. Although maintaining “the sound” was at the forefront of our mission, we’ve added thoughtful updates to modernize the user experience, including an expanded 16-voice per layer polyphony, a four-track step sequencer, velocity, polyphonic aftertouch, and keyboard split. P-10’s extensive modulation includes Mono Mod with LFO/Noise source mix, the renowned and innovative Poly Mod, with individual voice modulation paths, an Aux Mod section that extends upon the original’s Pedal Mod capabilities, and a newly added Pressure Mod section with support for mono and polyphonic aftertouch. 

We’ve also added a second panel with an arpeggiator and complete effects section for each layer, including a fully independent assignable independent LFO section and modulation of key effects parameters via aftertouch. P-10’s comprehensive MIDI mapping capabilities and over 500 professional presets — including the original P5 and P10 factory patches — make it a must-have virtual instrument that will thrill both vintage synth enthusiasts and today’s music producers.

P-10’s most notable features include:

  • Highly optimized, massive dual-layer voicing architecture with 16 polyphonic voices per layer.
  • Configurable as two independent synths, a single synth, dual-preset layered, or alternating between layers with each keystroke
  • Keyboard split or stacked layer modes allow two simultaneously playable layers, with separate per-layer controls for all parameters, including arpeggio and effects
  • Over 500 professionally designed presets, including the original P5 and P10 factory patches, accessible in a convenient preset browser
  • Exquisitely rendered and immersive UI with show/hide keyboard option
  • Extensive modulation through routing and support for mono and polyphonic aftertouch: Pressure Mod, Poly Mod, Mono Mod, and Aux Mod.
  • Per-layer drift control subtly varies oscillator and filter parameters for authentic analog character
  • Extensive layer utility functions for duplicating and exchanging synthesis and effects parameters between layers and presets
  • Step Sequencer consisting of four individual monophonic sequences: up to 128 steps, assignable to either layer, and stored individually with each preset
  • Arpeggiators with tempo sync, independently assignable to both layers
  • Two independent studio-quality effects chains with global or dual layer modes: distortion, 4/6/12-stage phaser, flanger/chorus, three types of delay with sync, and five types of reverb
  • Independent, per-layer FX-LFOs, FX Pressure-Mod, and FX Mono-Mod to modulate effects parameters
  • Directly import original P5 and P10 patch bank SysEx data via drag-and-drop

More extraordinary sounds are on tap exclusively from Cherry Audio with the Exponents for P-10 Preset Pack ($9.99, sold separately), featuring 100 more presets that further explore P-10 through layers and splits, sequences, arpeggios, effects, modulation, and aftertouch.

Cherry Audio’s P-10 synthesizer is available for macOS (10.13 and above) and Windows (7 or above) in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, a deep-dive instructional video, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos. 

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New Cubase 14 Is Designed to Inspire 

Press Release

Steinberg releases the latest version of Cubase, with innovative new features for music creation, beats and grooves, audio optimization, scoring, and effects that make composing, producing, and mixing more inspirational than ever. 

HAMBURG, Germany — Steinberg has today announced the immediate availability of Cubase 14 with significant new features and enhancements that make the award-winning music production software truly designed to inspire. 

Cubase 14 offers three different versions which give users a natural creative pathway — from those taking their first steps with the powerful yet intuitive tools of Cubase Elements through intermediate-level users with Cubase Artist all the way to the comprehensive, industry-standard features of Cubase Pro, which is used on countless well-known recordings by high-profile artists. Cubase provides everything musicians and producers need, for every genre of music, skill level and budget. 

The new features in Cubase 14 put creativity first, enabling users to create music which is unique and innovative while making the writing, mixing, and production processes more inspiring and intuitive than ever before.

New features to power your creativity 

Cubase 14 introduces six powerful, intuitive Modulators which allow users to modulate any parameter of a track or channel that contains an audio signal. With an LFO and Step Modulator among others, this is a major new feature that will help to push the creative envelope of many music productions. 

A new addition to Cubase’s track types, the Drum Track is an all-in-one environment for the creation of complex drum patterns and offers comprehensive features that allow users to build custom drum kits. At its core are the new Drum Machine, a versatile hybrid of drum sampler and percussion synthesizer and the Pattern Editor for programming propulsive, dynamic beats, randomizing grooves, and exploring new rhythmic worlds with just a few clicks. 

Refined audio mixing, editing and processing 

The full MixConsole can now be opened in the Lower Zone of the Project window, allowing channels to be re-arranged via drag and drop for faster, more intuitive mixing. 

The event volume curve editing in Cubase 14 has been enhanced so that users can optimize their audio with draw tools that are familiar from automation editing to edit fades and adjust static event volume offsets. 

New effects in Cubase 14 include Shimmer, a reverb plug-in that lives up to its name. Then there is StudioDelay, a distinctive, easy-to-use delay with quick access to built-in effects like modulation, distortion, reverb, and pitch. Autofilter is a filter specially designed for modulating its cutoff frequency via the input track or sidechain signal. Cubase 14 introduces Underwater, a brand-new signal processor for building atmosphere and space for vocals or lead instruments with the well-known “party next door” effect. And to round out the new additions, a Volume effect allows control of volume independently of the MixConsole volume fader. 

Notation is now even more elegant and powerful 

Cubase 14 introduces a revamped Score Editor built on technology from Dorico, the cutting- edge music notation and composition application from Steinberg. The new Score Editor provides a powerful, notation-based MIDI editor which will allow users to quickly and easily examine and edit music as notation while producing great-looking parts for live recording projects. 

More to discover 

Customers will appreciate that Cubase 14 is a true evolution, with the many new features and enhancements to the already comprehensive feature set, making it the perfect solution for music-makers of all levels. 

  • DAWproject file format support for seamless project transfer between DAWs. 
  • The enhanced Range Selection tool provides many new functions and workflows. 
  • The play probability of each individual note in the Key Editor can be set to add variation to projects. 
  • The performance monitor shows exactly when and where projects are pushing the processor’s limits. 
  • Backup files are now stored in a dedicated Auto Saves folder. 
  • More colors are included with SuperVision to visualize meters based on frequency or intensity. 
  • The Control Room has been given an aesthetic makeover. 
  • SpectraLayers Go 11 adds new spectral audio editing tools for music, sound design, restoration, and repair. 
  • Enhancements to immersive audio, including Dolby Atmos monitoring speaker layouts and support for up to fourth-order Ambisonics. 
  • Further improvements to audio connections, project management and import/export, enhanced video engine performance, and much more. 

Availability and pricing 

Cubase Pro 14, Cubase Artist 14, and Cubase Elements 14 are available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price for Cubase Pro 14 is 579 euros or 579.99 US dollars. The suggested retail price for Cubase Artist 14 is 329 euros or 329.99 US dollars. The suggested retail price for Cubase Elements 14 is 99.99 euros or 99.99 US dollars. Prices may vary according to region. 

A range of downloadable updates and upgrades, crossgrades, and education versions are exclusively available through the Steinberg Online Shop. 

Customers who have activated Cubase Pro 13, Cubase Artist 13, and Cubase Elements 13 or earlier versions from October 9, 2024, are eligible for a free, downloadable grace period update for their particular version of Cubase. 

New features at a glance 

  • Modulators for adding movement to your music [Pro] 
  • Pattern Sequencer and Pattern Editor to radically enhance your rhythmic world [Pro・Artist]
  • Drum Track all-in-one environment for drum creation and sequencing [Pro・Artist]
  • Drum Machine for designing and sampling drum sounds [Pro・Artist]
  • Powerful event volume curve editing and streamlined workflows for better gain staging [Pro・Artist] 
  • Shimmer effect for creating ethereal soundscapes [Pro・Artist]
  • Revamped Score Editor based on state-of-the-art Dorico technology [Pro・Artist・Elements]
  • Enhanced MixConsole for faster, more intuitive mixing [Pro・Artist・Elements]
  • Supremely versatile StudioDelay [Pro・Artist] 
  • Underwater plug-in, simple but effective for vocals and lead instruments [Pro・Artist・Elements]
  • AutoFilter plug-in for enhanced filter movement [Pro・Artist]
  • A range of other tool and performance improvements [Pro・Artist・Elements]

Promotional video

More info

https://www.steinberg.net/press/2024/cubase-14

About Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH 

Steinberg is known the world over for its music and audio software and hardware solutions. The company has been developing, manufacturing and selling innovative products for musicians and producers in the music, film, post-production and multimedia industries since 1984. Steinberg products are used by Grammy and Oscar award-winning composers, engineers and producers. 

Visit www.steinberg.net for further details. 

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e-instruments SLOWER

Press Release

Hamburg, GERMANY, September 2024

e-instruments announce the release of SLOWER, an innovative instrument library for NI Kontakt Player that offers music producers and composers a unique sonic experience brimming with new sounds and analogue textures. SLOWER captures high-end sample content recorded on four distinct tape machines, each played back at half speed resulting in all sounds being one octave lower to create rich and evocative tones.

SLOWER: A New Dimension in Analogue Sound

Designed for those seeking emotional, analogue-inspired textures, SLOWER delves into the world of half-speed tape to deliver an extraordinary range of sounds. The library features an eclectic mix of keys, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and rarities such as the dulcimer and harmonium. These sounds are transformed by the half-speed tape process, resulting in everything being one octave lower to produce deep, warm, and nostalgically rich tones, available across four distinct types of tape machines: Studio, Portable, Cassette, and Dictaphone.

SLOWER – Key Features

  • Analogue Authenticity: Experience genuine, pitched-down tape sounds that bring rich, organic layers to your music.
  • Four Tape Machines: Explore a variety of tones with Studer, Uher, Tascam, and Sony tape machines, each offering distinctive audio qualities.
  • Diverse Instruments: Access 65 sound sources, including keys, synths, guitars, strings, woodwinds, brass, and rare instruments, all recorded on four tape machines.
  • Preset Library: 230 presets from top sound designers, offering a wide range of sounds to inspire creativity.
  • 27 Effects: Unlock extensive sound processing with curated delays, distortions, reverbs, and filters, all customisable in a five-slot FX chain.
  • Modulation Matrix: Dive deep into sound design with assignable LFOs, modulation envelopes, a step modulator, aftertouch, and more.
  • Macro Controls: Transform sounds in real-time with three single-slider macros, enabling dynamic and expressive performances.
  • Additional Tape FX: Add extra wobble, noise, and flutter to enhance the tape characteristics as needed.
  • Reverse Samples: Create ethereal, slow-attack sounds with the reverse parameter.
  • NKS and Kontakt Compatibility: Compatible with Native Instruments Kontakt 7.10.2 or the free Kontakt player, with full NKS integration.

The Art of Half-Speed Tape 

Half-speed tape recording transforms familiar sounds into something entirely new and captivating. By slowing down analogue tape playback, SLOWER introduces a wealth of texture that digital methods simply cannot replicate. The natural wobble, flutter, and noise inherent to tape add depth and warmth, enhancing acoustic timbres and bringing out lower frequencies to create thick, mellow sounds. This technique imbues music with a unique emotional quality, adding a magical, nostalgic layer to any composition.

Exploring The Tape Machines 

SLOWER’s sounds are captured using four distinct tape machines, each imparting its own sonic character:

  • Studio: The Studer A812 and Revox PR99 open reel-to-reel machines offer warmth and fidelity, ideal for polished, high-end sounds.
  • Portable: The Uher 4400 Report IC and Monitor models deliver a compact, yet richly detailed tonal palette.
  • Cassette: The Tascam Portastudio 424 mk III embodies the unmistakable warmth and grit of cassette tape.
  • Dictaphone: The Sony M650v microcassette provides a raw, lo-fi texture, perfect for adding a nostalgic crunch.

Each machine brings its own flavour to the table, allowing users to explore and experiment with a wide range of sonic possibilities, from the refined to the lo-fi.


A Rich Collection Of Instruments And Sounds

SLOWER boasts 65 different sound sources, each recorded on four separate tape machines, as well as an extensive selection of synthesised sounds. This library transforms classic instruments – including grand and upright pianos, electric and acoustic guitars, and orchestral strings – into a broad spectrum of textures. Additionally, recordings from renowned synthesiser models provide evolving pads and intricate textures, making SLOWER a versatile tool for any genre, from Hip-Hop to Ambient and Electronica.


Advanced Sound Design Capabilities 

SLOWER is equipped with a powerful sound design engine, featuring 27 built-in effects, envelopes, LFOs, step modulator, aftertouch, and more. Users can customise a five-slot FX chain, utilising delay, distortion, reverb, filters, and other effects curated by sound designers to complement the library’s content. Reverse samples enable the creation of ethereal sounds with a slow attack, while separate controls for noise and wobble enhance the tape’s inherent imperfections. Most parameters can be modulated, offering extensive sound processing possibilities that range from subtle enhancements to dramatic transformations.


Preset Library 

SLOWER comes with 230 presets crafted by top sound designers, providing instant inspiration and a solid foundation for any project. Whether users are seeking warm, moody pianos, unique string textures, or deep wind instruments, the diverse range of presets ensures that there is always a sound to fit the creative vision.

Price & Availability

Intro Price: €99 / $99 (Ends 10th October 2024)
Regular Price: €149 / $149 Product Page: https://e-instruments.com/instruments/tape/slower/ 
Official Promo Video: https://youtu.be/hYgaOZTkUHQ
Walkthrough Video: https://youtu.be/tHR0xWgefoA  
NKS and Kontakt Compatibility:
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Compatible with Native Instruments Kontakt 7.10.2 or the free Kontakt player, and fully integrated with Native Instruments NKS.
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Cherry Audio Unveils Atomika Synthesizer

PRESS RELEASE

Cherry Audio, a leading innovator in music software development, is excited to announce the release of Atomika. This highly anticipated virtual instrument pays tribute to the legendary Polivoks synthesizer, manufactured in the former Soviet Union from 1982 to 1990. Cherry Audio’s Atomika faithfully recreates the unique character of the Polivoks while adding new filter options, full polyphony, an arpeggiator, integrated studio-quality effects, and more.

Designed in collaboration with award-winning DSP developer Mark Barton — who recently made waves in producer Anthony Marinelli’s “Why Modern Digital Synthesis Is More Analog Than Analog” YouTube video — Atomika is a faithful emulation of the original duophonic analog synthesizer. The synthesizer retains the iconic Polivoks filter and adds new controls and expanded filter modes, including highpass, notch, and peak responses. This updated version is provisioned with state-of-the-art software features tailored to meet the needs of modern music production.

Atomika elevates its capabilities with enhanced polyphony, expanding from duophonic to a robust 16-voice polyphony. It adds unison oscillator stacking, an expanded LFO with more waveforms, and comprehensive performance controls, including velocity, tracking, aftertouch, and pitch and mod wheel response. These enhancements ensure that Atomika not only captures the essence of the original but also provides modern conveniences and an intuitive user interface.

Another standout feature is Atomika’s second panel, which includes a versatile arpeggiator and four studio-quality effects — Phasor, Flange/Chorus, Echo, and Reverb — with a dedicated effects LFO for expanded parameter modulation. The stunning 3D user interface is immersive and customizable, with the options to display panel labels in the original classic text and a “hide keyboard” feature to maximize workspace.

Atomika provides users with a wide range of sonic options with over 350 carefully designed presets by Cherry Audio’s team of experienced sound designers. Its extensive MIDI mapping capabilities ensure smooth integration into any studio setup, offering a versatile and expressive synth plugin for all music producers.

With its blend of rare, classic character and cutting-edge innovation, Atomika promises to inspire creativity and elevate music production with new sounds that go far beyond the original hardware. It offers an unparalleled experience for synthesizer enthusiasts who have long wanted to try the original hardware. Priced at only $49, Atomika is the ideal choice for music producers looking to incorporate the sounds of one of the world’s rarest synthesizers into their projects.

Even more extraordinary sounds are available directly from Cherry Audio with the Chain Reactions for Atomika Preset Pack ($9.99, sold separately), featuring 100 more presets by talented sound designer James Dyson that explore Atomika’s atmospheric side through arpeggios, effects, modulation, and aftertouch.

Cherry Audio’s Atomika synthesizer is available for macOS (10.13 and above) and Windows (7 or above) in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats. A free 30-day demo is available. Visit cherryaudio.com for additional product details, a deep-dive instructional video, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos.