ABLETON 11 Devices – Inspired by Nature, Interview with creator Dillon Bastan
Ableton 11 Devices – ‘Inspired by Nature’ Interview with creator Dillon Bastan Ableton 11 has a lot of great new features coming out in 2021. We had the pleasure of speaking with device designer Dillon Bastan about his 6 new devices for Ableton Live 11 – “Inspired By Nature”. You can see Dillon’s demo for each device at the bottom of the page. What is your background, are you a physicist? What got you interested in making sounds based on natural phenomena? I’m not a physicist at all and am coming from a music background/self-taught programming, my academic math level is low. For some of the devices I make I try to get to a game-like/playful approach to sound generation/design. A couple of years ago I began to learn more about coding simulations of natural phenomena, particularly simple particle systems in the case of these devices, so it was …
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FeelYourSound ChordPotion 2 – Generate Fresh MIDI Ideas!
ChordPotion 2 – Generate Fresh MIDI Ideas! Feel Your Sound is back with a new chord composition tool called ChordPotion 2. In case you haven’t seen our last article on them, check it out for some more background! ChordPotion is a MIDI plug-in that transforms incoming chord notes into entirely new phrases, rhythmic chords, and melodies using its algorithmic AI. It’s mighty powerful, and handy as heck. Breakdown ChordPotion2 is a compositional idea-box in the form of a flexible plugin. The lovely thing about ChordPotion 2 is that its interface is streamlined, and it doesn’t try to do too much. Aside from the main portion of the GUI (pictured above), there are only two other sections for editing the MIDI generation parameters. Overall it’s a great device. It allows up to 128 steps in the sequencer, and each of those steps can have customized effect …
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Should I Buy It? – Audio Realism ABL3
Should I Buy It? – Audio Realism ABL3 In this edition of Should I Buy It? Yeuda has whipped out a powerful Acid Bass plugin, the ABL3 from AudioRealism. It’s a 303 emulation that does a fair job of recreating the real thing, all from a neatly packed plugin. Watch the review video below, then our breakdown below that. Breakdown The AudioRealism Bass Line 3 is a faithful emulation of the original Roland TB303. Its interface follows the same form factor as its hardware inspiration with some added features to make the most out of the digital format. At startup, you will see the Classic editor which is easily recognizable as the original 303 interface. There are transport controls, randomize buttons, step selectors, the MIDI keys, copy/paste, down/up, accenting/sliding, and a handy record button. The record button is great because you can step-record in each …
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Should I Buy it? – Future Audio Workshops SubLab
Should I Buy it? – Future Audio Workshops SubLab Welcome back everyone to our latest edition of Should I Buy It! It’s been a wild few months of spring as we’re sure most of you can relate. We’ve gotten a bit more settled now that summer is here, we’ve reopened the school and our diving into our review schedule. First up is FAW’s killer plugin SubLab. Read below for our score and breakdown. Breakdown Future Audio Workshpos touts SubLab as the one-stop plugin for all your bass needs. Use it to design subbass sounds for Hip-hop, Future bass and Trap genres. We put it to the test. Interface / Layout SubLab sports a minimal look, opting for the flat design style that’s been a favorite of modern plugins. The dark theme, and the separation of the plugin’s modules, helps avoid the normal pitfall of flat …
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Loopback Audio – Virtual Audio Routing
Loopback Audio – Virtual Audio Routing With all the social distancing recently, a lot of people have been forced to work from home. Video calls, classes, lessons – so many things have been forced onto the computer to be conducted via the internet. Well, this week we’re going to give you the rundown on an essential audio tool – Loopback Audio. Loopback Audio is a tool that lets you create virtual routing on your computer. It was created as a follow-up to the infamous Soundflower plugin. Soundflower still exists in its original form, but the creator no longer provides support, that’s where Rogue Amoeba’s Loopback comes in. Continue below to learn more about the application! The Interface Loopback Audio’s interface is quite simple and easy to immediately figure out. It even resembles Apple’s OS audio/MIDI system settings interface quite a bit. Loopback functions as a virtual routing board, which …
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Waves Audio Mod Multirack – Modulate Your Waves Distortion FX
Waves Audio Mod Multirack – Modulate Your Waves Distortion FX “MultiMod Rack is the next level in distortion processing and effects. It’s a 3-slot rack that accepts all of Waves’ newest distortion plugins – Abbey Road Saturator, Berzerk, and MDMX Fuzz, Overdrive & Screamer” Waves just released the follow-up plugin to their recent slew of distortion plugins – Mod Multirack. This plugin acts as a multi-effects chain that you can configure three slots and modulate. You even have multiband control over that modulation! It’s a fun plugin that we had the pleasure of checking out so read the overview below! Overview The Mod Multirack allows users to chain up to three effects from their recent distortion plugins. Those recent plugins include Abbey Road Saturator, Berzerk Distortion, and the MDMX Distortion Trio. In addition to those plugins, Mod Multirack also includes four effect modules – Autopan, Chorus, Delay, and Reverb. Open up the plugin …
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Should I Buy It? – XLN Audio XO Review
Should I Buy It? – XLN Audio XO Review What’s happening, everyone! As COVID-19 (coronavirus) quarantines start to go in effect and keep you indoors, we’re here to keep you entertained. This week Yeuda takes a look at the brand-spanking-new XO from XLN Audio. XO is a drum sampler, sequencer, mixer, and sound designer in one. It’s an incredibly innovative approach to sampling and we’re super stoked to share our review with you. Watch the video below, and read our breakdown below that. Overview XO is a beautifully designed plugin, from its interface to its function it is a pure delight. Navigation has a quick learning curve to conquer, but once you do you’ll easily start using the plugin as intended. The first thing you’ll see when opening the plugin is the welcome splash which gives you a short introduction (seen below). …
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Should I Buy It? – Arturia Pigments 2
Should I Buy It? – Arturia Pigments 2 Yeuda takes a look at the second version of Arturia’s original softsynth – Pigments. Arturia has always been known for its killer hardware and incredible synth emulations, so it makes sense that Pigments holds up the reputation. It’s a truly unique plugin that we were stoked to review. Watch the review video below, and read our rating breakdown below that! Breakdown Pigments is Arturia’s original software synthesizer plugin. It has a notably colorful design that lends to its highly visual GUI, hence the name “Pigments”. The interface layout differs from the last few next-generation softsynths we have covered while still maintaining a modular style. Next-generation software synthesizers all utilize enhanced oscillator voicing, complex modulation routing, and flexible mapping capabilities. Pigments stands in line proudly and takes a step forward with its own unique approach to synthesis. …
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