Leading Soft Synth Developers Announce Support
for DXi
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| Native Instruments' B4 DXi |
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| RBC Audio's Voice Tweaker DXi |
January 23, 2001Leading soft synth developers today announced their support for DXi (DirectX
Instruments), the new software synthesizer plug-in standard for Windows-based
music and sound production. Developed by Cakewalk and based on Microsoft DirectX
technology, DXi is an open standard available to Windows software developers for
creating DXi soft synth plug-ins and host applications for the PC.
Software developers announcing support for DXi soft synths today at NAMM include:
Applied Acoustics Systems, Alien Connections, Audio Simulation, BitHeadz, FXpansion
Audio, Image-Line, Koblo A/S, Live Update, Native Instruments, RBC Audio, Roland
Corp., and STL (Software Technology Limited).
DXi soft synths make it possible to recreate the sounds of vintage analog synth
gear, as well as create entirely new sounds and combinations. DXi soft synths
are controlled through DXi-compatible host applications including Cakewalk's new
SONAR™ multitrack digital recording system and Image-Line's new Fruity Loops
3.0. These low-latency soft synths can be played live using a MIDI controller,
or used as MIDI sound modules during playback. Unlike other soft synth plug-in
formats, DXi is designed to be "thread-safe," providing a stable environment
for soft synths to work within multi-threaded Windows applications like SONAR.
Third-party DXi Soft Synths
The following third-party DXi soft synths will be available for SONAR and
other DXi host applications beginning Spring '01. See the manufacturer for more
information and availability of individual software synthesizers.
Applied Acoustics Systems' Tassman DXi- a truly modular soft synth based
on advanced physical modeling. It can be used to re-create vintage analog synths,
acoustic instruments, or unique hybrid constructions. Tassman includes a large
library of synth models, and received Electronic Musician's 2001 Editor's Choice
award. (The full-featured Tassman is included with SONAR XL; basic edition of
Tassman included with standard SONAR package.)
Alien Connections' ReValver DXi- a guitar amplifier simulator that works
as a DXi transformer- an audio effect automatable through MIDI. ReValver allows
users to build an amp system in seconds by simply combining their favorite sets
of effects and amp-types. Scheduled for release Spring '01.
Audio Simulation's DreamStation DXi- combines physical models of analog
circuits together with mathematical reproductions of analog oscillators. Works
just like real analog synthesizers. Allows users to sweep the pitch and apply
pulse width modulation with no digital aliasing. DreamStation is included with
both SONAR and SONAR XL packages.
BitHeadz's Retro AS-1 DXi- a full-featured professional soft synth from
BitHeadz that recreates the sounds of classic analog synthesizers. Retro also
lets users create custom soundscapes from scratch with full programmability. Scheduled
release Spring '01.
BitHeadz's Unity DS-1 DXi- turns a PC into a full-featured, professional
digital sampler. Users can recreate the sounds of acoustic instruments or any
other audio source with complete realism and control. Scheduled release Spring
01.
FXpansion Audio's DR-008 Drumsampler DXi- a virtual drum machine with
up to 96 channels, real-time pattern manipulation, sample playback, and analog
modeling. Scheduled release Feb. 2001.
FXpansion Audio's Series One / Series Two / Series Three (DXi)- innovative,
affordable DXi plug-in effects to deliver real-time MIDI automation and BPM-synchronization.
Scheduled release Summer '01.
FXpansion Audio's Mysteron II DXi- a unique monophonic soft synth with
Theremin-like capabilities. Scheduled release Feb 2001.
FXpansion Audio's RT.FX- not a DXi plug-in but a stand-alone, modular
mixer / effects processor that will host DXi soft synths, providing very low latency
and support for MIDI remote control surfaces. Scheduled release Spring '01.
Image-Line's FruityLoops 3.0- powerful, flexible, stand-alone sample-based
loop creation tool that hosts DXi soft synths as well as DirectX audio effects.
Distributed by Cakewalk. Scheduled release Spring '01.
Image-Line's SimSynth DXi- uses filters from classic Oberheim gear and
overdrives three oscillators into them in a manner similar to a classic MiniMoog.
Provides classic analog sound with wall-to-wall presence. Scheduled release Spring
'01.
Koblo's ToneMill Editor DXi- from the creators of the Studio9000 soft
synth comes their next-generation DXi synth with advanced editing functions, hundreds
of presets, an expanded GM sound library, and a new, simplified user interface.
Scheduled release Spring '01. Also shipping will be the basic ToneMill DXi (without
editing) and FreeMill DXi trial software.
Live Update's LiveSynth Pro DXi- a professional-grade wavetable soft
synth offering full Emu/Creative Technology SoundFont 2.0 compatibility. LiveSynth
Pro delivers all the benefits of SoundFonts without sacrificing valuable PC slots
or rack space. LiveSynth Pro DXi is included with SONAR and SONAR XL, both scheduled
for release March '01.
Native Instruments' REAKTOR DXi- a complete sound design studio with
nearly infinite possibilities for producing and performing music. REAKTOR can
be used as a synthesizer, sampler, effects processor, groovebox, and more. Scheduled
release Winter '01.
Native Instruments' SPEKTRAL DELAY DXi- a revolutionary new effects
processor for real-time manipulation of audio material of any kind. SPEKTRAL uses
real-time FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation) to split up each side of a stereo
signal in up to 160 separately modifiable frequency bands (up to 1024 bands internally).
Works as a DXi transformer-an audio effect with flexible MIDI automation. Scheduled
release Winter '01.
Native Instruments' DYNAMO DXi- a flexible tool for the production or
performance of music at the highest level of sound quality. Includes 25 instruments
with a wide range of presets. Works as a synthesizer, sampler, or effects processor.
Scheduled release Spring '01.
Native Instruments' B4 DXi- a complete virtual tonewheel organ, capable
of reproducing in authentic detail the sound of the legendary B3 organ and rotating
speaker cabinet, including tube amplification and distortion. Scheduled release
Spring '01.
RBC Audio's Voice Tweaker DXi- a pitch transposer designed for monophonic
signals such as spoken or sung voice, or solo instruments. Voice Tweaker transposes
the pitch and harmonic independently, enabling both formant-preserving pitch transposition
and other more unusual effects. Also features pitch correction and MIDI control
through DXi. Works as a DXi transformer. Scheduled release Spring '01.
Roland's Virtual Sound Canvas DXi- one of the world's most popular MIDI
sound modules ever, recreated as a flexible DXi soft synth. The definitive GM2/GS
format wavetable synthesizer. VSC DXi is included with both SONAR and SONAR XL,
both scheduled to ship March '01.
STL's VAZ Modular 2 DXi- provides up to 16 modular synths, samplers,
sequencers, a 16-channel mixer, various effects, and support for DirectX effects
either as a module within a synth and/or at the mixing stage. Create your own
real-time, multi-timbral, polyphonic, analog/sample-based synthesizer patches
by simply combining module, oscillators, filters, envelopes, effects, and other
controls. For more information, visit their web site at www.cakewalk.com. | 
