VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is 15YO

VST – Virtual Studio Technology describes a protocol that makes possible the simulation of traditional recording / music production studios with software by using DSP / Digital Signal Processing. Practically is an interface between audio synthesizer and effects plugins and hard disk recording systems. The technology as the interface and also SDK was developed and released by Steinberg in 1996, exactly the year of the birth of Cubase 3.02. The first available VST formats was included with Cubase (Espacial, Choirus, Stereo Echo and Auto Panner). The VST interface as tech specs was updated to version 2.0 in 1999 and a major update was done in 2008 when was upgraded to version 3.0. Now we talk about version 3.5 since february 2011 and I have a feeling that the road does not come to an end yet.

So … if Steinberg gave birth to VST in 1996, the world’s leading audio interface is celebrating these days 15 year of existence.

Competitions | Win $1000 US cash & a Free Lesson with Legendary Beatboxer Beardyman with TC-Helicon

The world’s leading vocal effects company, TC-Helicon, launches a ‘Gone Loopy’ Competition that is open to all singers with an urge for creative looping.

TC-Helicon’s ‘Gone Loopy’ Competition runs from 30 June to 30 September, and the only requirements to participate is a TC-Helicon product with looping capability (TC-Helicon VoiceLive Touch, TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 or the TC-Helicon VoiceJam app for iPhone), a personal YouTube account and an open, creative mind.

TC Electronic Updates Its Entire Loudness Meter Range to Comply With ITU-R BS.1770-2

A global audio revolution is in the happening. For the past two years, pro audio and broadcasting has been moving away from peak level normalization and towards new, loudness-based solutions. In April 2011, another important step was taken when ITU-R upgraded its BS.1770 standard to BS.1770-2.

The first version of BS.1770 relied on ambiguous speech detection, which can have unexpected consequences trying to control the level of commercials or programs of certain genres. The improved 1770-2 recommendation incorporates a clever relative gate, making the measurement well-defined and practical to use, also across genres.

It is now even relevant for controlling the level of promos and commercials. Further, the new version is completely open standard, because TC Electronic donated core technology to EBU, where it was refined by PLOUD; and now brought back into the revised ITU standard.

Live Q&A | Avid Venue Live Sound Webinar

If you have any questions about Venue from Avid or if you want some help solving a live sound issue, Robert Scovill will answer to all of these because Avid announces today a Live Sound Webinar. All you have to do is to register online and go on June 22nd to the Avid’s Open Forum.

Robert Scovill will take questions on a first come, first served basis so, get ready to join this conversation.

Press Release | Boss Loop Station World Championship 2

BOSS® Corporation is excited to announce the BOSS Loop Station World Championship 2, the second annual search to find the world’s top looping artist. Guitarists, bassists, beatboxers, vocalists, violinists, drummers, keyboard players, and looping musicians of all sorts are invited to start by submitting a video performance using any BOSS RC-series looping product. The result could be a trip to the U.S. finals in Hollywood, California, where the top looper will earn $3,000 in BOSS gear and a spot in the international championship at Musikmesse 2012 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Press Release | Native Instruments Announces Shareholder Reorganization

Native Instruments has just completed a major share reorganization that makes the company entirely self-owned. The reorganization was facilitated by CEO and founding shareholder Daniel Haver, and comprises both a general shareholder consolidation and the reacquisition of about 30% of the company’s shares from a long-standing venture capital investor. Implemented in the month of Native Instruments’ 15th anniversary, the consolidation effects complete ownership of the company by its original founders and its executive management team, and makes it independent from external investors.

Video | Audio Technica US Facility Tour

If you have a microphone or your headphones are from Audio Technica and also if you ever wondered how their headquarter looks … now you have the possibility because the guys from Audio-Technica USA – Stow, Ohio together a video tour, giving an interesting inside look at a typical AT day.

Press Release | Roland 2011 V-Drums National Championship

Roland U.S. is pleased to announce the 2011 V-Drums® National Championship, its second annual competition to find the top drummer in the United States.

The V-Drums National Championship gives drummers throughout the U.S. the chance to make history by competing at the local, regional, and national levels with solo drum performances on the TD-20SX V-Pro® Series V-Drums. Along the way, contestants can win professional percussion gear and swag, with the champion drummer earning the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the V-Drums World Championship in January 2012, at the Winter NAMM Show.

Players start by submitting a digital audition, via YouTube™, to qualify for one of more than 30 preliminary competitions to be held at local music retailers throughout the country from June 23rd-30th. Winners at the prelims will go on to compete at eight regional semi-finals on July 28th, with the top players moving on to the national finals on August 25th at Sam Ash, in Las Vegas.

Prizes throughout the various rounds will include, but not limited to, a TD-20SX drum set, RMP-5 Rhythm Coach® and stand, a TD-9KX2, a set of custom REMO shell wraps, Drum Workshop hardware, and subscriptions to DRUM! magazine.

The finals event will host an array of live performances by top drumming artists and celebrity professional drummers as the guest judges.

Roland U.S. will evaluate the digital auditions and select preliminary round qualifiers based on musicianship, stage presence, and the creative use of technology in their drum performances.

Digital auditions are being taken now through June 7th, at www.RolandUS.com/VDrumsContest.

Only for Mac Users | Make your iPhone or iPad or iPod a Daw Remote

Optimized for Apple Logic, Daw Remote is the newest entry as a Digital Audio Workstation Software Controller. From now on, you can use your iPhone or iPad or iPod with DAW Remote to control DAW functions anywhere in your studio. Xiao Yixiang are the developers of this gadget-software and the price for the application is only 2.99$.

Even if DAW Remote is optimized to work with Apple Logic, it is also compatible and you can use with other popular DAW softwares such as Pro Tools, Sonar, Cubase and other MIDI-enabled-softwares, like Ableton Live.

Xiao Yixiang Daw Remote

* Lightweight. Essential functions to accelerate your workflow.
* Track Control. Record, Mute, Solo, and Track Selector.
* Markers Control. Add, Delete markers. Quickly jump to previous and next marker.
* Playback Control. Play/Pause, Record, Stop
* Jog Wheel Mode (with speed adjustment). Quickly seek the right location of your song.
* Shuttle Wheel Mode. Rewind and Forward in a creativity way.
* Remote Project Save.
* Use Wi-Fi to connect with host computer
* No extra drivers required.

Fresh Music Production Contest | MixVibes DJ Contest 4 powered by Reebok and MTV

MixVibes, one of the most known company acting in dj solutions field, invites you for a new contest. It partners with Reebok and MTV for the 4th edition of their Music Production and DJ Contest. What do you have to do to compete ?