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Yamaha’s AG08 continues the flow of new live streaming and podcasting mixers. It can capture your conversations or broadcast to the world.

Yamaha has unveiled the AG08, a new flagship live streaming mixer for podcasters, YouTubers and Twitchers. Building on the blueprint laid-out by the existing second-generation AG mixers, AG08 offers eight channels of live streaming action and several new features.

These include the addition of six pads that can be used to trigger your favourite sound effects, and there is also a voice changer with the usual gender-switching, robot and other effects. Actually, there are five DSP effects in total, and you can switch between effect presets on channel 1 with the dedicated buttons.

A priority ducker is included, as well – this ensures that channels 1 and 2 are always audible by attenuating other signals relative to their input levels. The Maximizer is designed to boost the gain on the entire mix.

Other new features include on the AG08, the signals from multiple computer apps or analogue line inputs can be assigned to three faders (for Channel 3/4, 5/6, or 7/8) so you can control their levels in real time during recording or broadcast sessions.

 

 

Connections include two phantom-powerable inputs for condenser mics and 4-pole mini I/O for Android devices. Two independent headphone monitor channels are also included, and power can be drawn via the supplied adapter or USB.

Live streamers and podcasters are currently spoilt for choice when it comes to new hardware. Recent additions to the market include the gaming-focused Roland Bridge Cast, the Røde RødeCaster Pro II, and the IK Multimedia iRig Stream Mic Pro.

Yamaha AG08 comes in black and white colour.  Yamaha AG08 looks set to cost $630 and is expected to be available next month. Find out more on the Yamaha website.

Woodman’s Immaculate Maple Syrup Studio has released WoodSynth 3.0, a significant update of its multi-layer synthesizer for iOS and Mac, with a new sequencer UI and new sequencer functionality.

WoodSynth is available for iOS for $13.99 and for Mac for $44.99.

What’s new in WoodSynth 3.0:

New Sequencer functionality:

– Step “On” or “Skip” probability.

– Random note can now be set per step (was previously on/off for all steps).

– Random note probability per step.

– Random note range can be set per step.

– Ratcheting (repetition of same note in the step) per step.

– 9 ratcheting patterns provided (triplet, 4-sixteenths, 2-eights, etc).

– Different duration per step. (regular step time multiplied or divided by 2,3 or 4).

– Ratcheting probability per step.

– 4 sequence Variations (which can have different values for all step params).

– Variations can be selected manually, randomly or from a Playlist.

– Playlist allows to create 64 steps sequence or can be used for verse, chorus, etc.

– Variation glide for note values and volume : gradual transition between 2 Variations.

– Sub semitone allows for “strange” note values in a Variation glide or for random notes.

– Variation glide between notes can be limited to the selected scale.

– Variation glide and Sub Semitone can be set on/off per step.

– Added Envelope ADSR parameters per step.

– Added more scales to the random note Limit Scales. (Ionian, Minor Harmonic, Acoustic, Lydian, Dorian, Phrygian)

New Sequencer UI:

– New large panel with all 16 steps in 1 row.

– Added per step Mute/Skip button.

– New large Volume fader per step.

– Added on/off/skip Led and playing Led for each step.

– Volume curve can be drawn.

– Added “All Steps” button. (modifying a step parameter is set in all steps).

Smaller improvements and fixes:

– Touch bar lowest center note is now C1 (was C2)

– Floating panels (Sequencer, CV, 3D, Advanced) can be moved around

– Midi Out channel for Sequencer and Touch bar are now global and not part of a preset any longer.

– Delay now has its own Mod LFO (freeing up the general LFO’s).

– Stereo Out delay now only applied on delay and reverb (to avoid destroying center bass notes).

– Resizing the window does not toggle between the classic-expanded view any longer.

– Smaller iPads can now also toggle to the expanded view (overview …).

– Fixed a problem in the Copy Factory Presets (was sometimes duplicating presets).

– Fixed delay and reverb in 3D output.

 

 

Developers of AudioCipher – a plugin that enables you transform words into MIDI melodies – have released version 3.0, adding a chord generator and more.

AudioCipher is a MIDI generator that turns words or phrases into MIDI output. Each word is translated, letter by letter, into a MIDI sequence. Parameters like key signature, chord types, and rhythm settings dictate the phrasing of those notes. And chord and rhythm randomization let you create variations.

 

AudioCipher Version 3.0 was released in December last year and includes new features like a chord generator, more scales, and triplet subdivisions for the rhythm controls. The size of the user interface has been reduced as well, to take up less space in the DAW.

AudioCipher is available now for $29.99.