Universal Audio’s 2 latest releases, which provide evidence of the company’s new direction: the Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio and the Capitol Mastering Compressor. The first is an emulation of a 1974 Rhodes Eighty Eight Suitcase Mark 1 electric piano; the second recreates the CM5511, an in-house hand-built tube mastering compressor designed by Capitol Studios. Both can be used with any audio interface, so no UA hardware is required.
As well as emulating the piano itself, Electra 88 also brings you the sound of vintage mics, a high-powered American 2×12 tube combo amp, 1176 compression, reverbs, modulation, EQ and more. This spec sheet and the overall aesthetic indicate that the instrument will slot nicely into your ‘70s MOR rock productions, but we’re assured that its sound can be tweaked to suit any genre.
The Capitol Mastering Compressor is said to be the only “authentic” emulation of the CM5511, which was used on recordings by labels such as Blue Note, Motown, Verve and, of course, Capitol itself. Saturator, Mix and Headroom controls can be used to add flavour, and there are also Mono Fold and Mid/Side capabilities.
The Electra 88 Vintage Keyboard Studio is available now for the introductory price of $149/£149 (regular price $299), and the Capitol Mastering Compressor is available now for $174 (regular price $349). Both plugins are also included in the $20-per-month/$150-per-year Spark subscription.
The acclaimed physical modelling keyboard instrument goes mobile.
Pianoteq comes to iOS, and if you own the desktop version, you will get it for free
Pianoteq iOS the mobile version is said to be an exact replica of the desktop software (now up to version 8), but with a reworked interface. In addition, we’re told that it will even work on older devices – right back to an iPhone 6s running iOS 15.
Unlike a lot of piano plugins, Pianoteq uses physical modelling to create its sounds rather than samples. This means that it can create a pretty broad variety of tones – not only acoustic pianos, but also electric ones, harpsichords, vibraphones, guitar, steeldrums and more. Another benefit is that it will take up very little storage space.
The iOS app itself is free. This enables you to demo all of the available sounds (certain keys will be disabled) and you can unlock your first two instrument packs by purchasing a Pianoteq Stage license (€139).
The good news is that, if you own the desktop version, you’ll immediately have access to the iOS one. Similarly, any licences you purchase via the App Store will carry over to the desktop version.
Pianoteq for iOS runs standalone and as an AUv3 plugin, so you can use it for playing and performing or in a suitable host. Find out more on the Modartt website.
Virsyn has introduced XinematiX, a virtual instrument for iOS that they say brings workstation-class sample libraries to iOS.
XinematiX delivers over 25 GB of sounds, the result of over 3 years of recording and programming work by sample sound producer KARO Sound Development.
Features:
990 programs available à la carte via in-app purchases
Excellent dynamics via velocity switching and clever programming.
Round Robin sample triggering will make your performances and productions sound more natural.
Multi power – Up to 3 different programs can be stacked simultaneously in a multi and either be crossfaded or layered.
MIDI Polyphonic Expression – XinematiX is compatible to the MPE standard allowing you to program sounds that behave more like acoustic instruments in terms of spontaneous, polyphonic sound control using appropriate MPE controllers.
Seamless transitions – special care is given that your sound never cuts off or glitches.
Multi power – Up to 3 different programs can be stacked simultaneously in a multi and either be crossfaded or layered for dramatic sound sculpting with the intuitive color-coded on-screen fader. Live Mode – organize your multis and programs for quick access in a dedicated Live Mode with 128 scenes and 16 tiles per screen.
Details on pricing and availability are to come at the Virsyn wesite.
