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127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
PRESS RELEASE
Leading Soft Synth Developers Announce Support for DXi
January 23, 2001
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Leading 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 SynthsThe 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 http://www.cakewalk.com/.
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