New Gear Alert: MicroFreak Vocoder by Arturia, SPL’s Phonitor se, Friktion Modeled Strings for Reason & More

Arturia unleashes the MicroFreak Vocoder Edition.

The same MicroFreak you know, but now offering more—meet Arturia’s MicroFreak Vocoder Edition.

With the new MicroFreak Vocoder Edition, you can sing alongside glistening digital textures, add paraphonic harmonies to external sound sources, scatter spoken word across sprawling modulated sequences, and much more. This updated version is still Arturia’s uniquely unpredictable MicroFreak formula, but not as you know it.

The new MicroFreak Vocoder Edition includes the following features: a gooseneck microphone that is easily adjustable and removable; a limited-edition finish featuring a sleek, eye-catching white design with a unique Swan graphic; a 16-band Vocoder engine that can accurately detect, filter, and replicate the complex harmonics of the human voice; sawtooth, pulse, width and noise waveforms, with 16 new presets to boot; and the ability to connect external sound sources like a drum machine/synth via the headphone socket.

The MicroFreak Vocoder Edition is available to purchase at any authorized Arturia dealer while supplies last, priced at $349.

SPL releases the Phonitor se headphone amp.

Sharing the same DNA as its bigger siblings, SPL debuts the Phonitor se headphone amp.

The new Phonitor se headphone amp is available in two models, one with an SPL DAC. The new model is an entry into the SPL “Professional Fidelity” Phonitor world.

The Phonitor se features the same audio signal amplification as its bigger brothers Phonitor x and Phonitor xe, and therefore—thanks to SPL’s VOLTAiR technology—offers the same sound experience. Of course, the high-quality look and feel is maintained. Playback of analog signals are via an unbalanced stereo RCA input and for digital players, via the optional DAC768xs.

An unbalanced headphone input, easily accessible on the front of the device, allows the connection of all common types of headphones. Thanks to its powerful amplification stage, the Phonitor se provides enough output power (2 x 5 W at 250 Ω [1 kHz, 1 % THD]) to satisfy even the most demanding headphones.

Phonitor se is available now, priced at $1,190; Phonitor se with DAC768xs is priced at $1,590.

Reason Studios announces Friktion Modeled Strings.

Reason Studios delivers a realistic and nuanced approach to digital strings with Friktion.

Friktion Modeled Strings is a Rack Extension plugin for Reason. Friktion is tailored specifically for Reason’s virtual rack, which can be used in any digital audio workstation or for standalone music making.

Friktion is a physical modeling string synth designed to be a highly playable instrument with full control over every aspect of the sound, from the fundamental shape of the instrument itself to subtly adjusting finger placement and bow pressure. It excels at nuanced violin, viola, cello, and bass, but Friktion can also be used to create all manner of organic string sounds with expressive performance controls. Realistic sounds that seemed impossible to get right before are now a breeze with Friktion—at the same time also being a joy to play, with no complex setup.

Reason plugs into any digital audio workstation as a VST3/AU/AAX plugin. That means any music maker, regardless of what software host they use, can add the organic sounds of Friktion to their creative setups—along with Reason’s already vast array of instruments, effects, utilities, or other optional Rack Extensions.

Friktion Modeled Strings is immediately available as a separate purchase for $99, or as a free 30-day trial in the Reason Shop.

ujam releases Beatmaker HYPE.

ujam adds HYPE to their growing line of Beatmaker products, perfect for house, EDM, and other electronic productions.

HYPE is the latest addition to ujam’s Beatmaker line. This instrument, loaded with Progressive House and EDM samples, presets and grooves, allows producers to create genre-savvy beats without a learning-curve. HYPE features 460 Progressive House, EDM, Deep House and classic Ibiza patterns professionally sampled in 20 styles, and a signature Riser special control that automates the multi-effect chain needed for high-impact builds.

HYPE complements the Beatmaker series including EDEN 2 (HYPE’s EDM sister), DOPE 2 (Vintage HipHop), HUSTLE 2 (Trap), VICE (80s and Synthwave) and VOID (Drum & Bass).

HYPE is available now in VST, AU 2 and AAX formats also as a free, fully functional
30-day trial at ​ujam.com​. There is a special introductory promo price of $49 until August 30th, 2020. After that, the plugin sells for $69. The bundle of six Beatmakers, including EDEN 2, DOPE 2, HUSTLE 2, VICE and VOID is available for $289 (reg. $414 for the single products). Owners of the Beatmaker Bundle are offered to upgrade their bundle with HYPE for a special loyalty offer of $29 August 30th.

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