Acoustica 8 With AI-Powered Tools “Most Ambitious Release To Date” Now Available


Acon Digital’s machine learning-powered Acoustica 8 audio editor is the company’s ‘most ambitious release to date’. The longstanding editing, mastering and restoration suite gets a major update loaded with AI-powered tools

There’s no shortage of plugin brands touting machine learning tech right now, but Norwegian outfit Acon Digital has proved itself to be one of the most adept in the field.

Last innovative Remix:Drums, for example, put a uniquely-focused spin on stem separation, applying the ubiquitous tech specifically to percussion in order to allow live remixing and editing of already mixed drum parts.

Now the brand has returned its focus to its longstanding audio editing, mastering and restoration application, Acoustica, for what Acon claims is the most significant update in the company’s history.

Acoustica 8 updates and expands upon its predecessor’s suite of tools, working the latest versions of Acon Digital’s AI and machine learning algorithms throughout. This includes overhauls to the DeNoise and DeHum modules, which are now machine learning-powered. The DeClip and DeClip tools, meanwhile, get new, streamlined interfaces.

Version 8 also includes Extract:Dialogue 2, which introduces individual sliders and sensitivity controls for adjusting voice, noise and reverb elements. This is joined by AudioFill, which can intelligently close gaps in audio content and as of this update promises to fill larger regions for “smoother, more natural repairs.”

Acoustica 8 also features some more fundamental updates. The entire UI has been overhauled, adding a new launch page, customisable toolbar and dockable workspace. The application also supports immersive audio, allowing for up to 9.1.6 channels, including Dolby Atmos.

There are also updates to the application’s spectral editor. This gains a new ‘select similar’ tool, along with adjustable feathering for smoother edits, and improved visualisation of the stereo field.

“Acoustica 8 is a result of listening closely to our customers and the wider audio community to fully understand the technical challenges they face every day,” says Acon Digital CEO Joel Heatley. “It is our most ambitious release to date, combining best-in-class tools with pricing unmatched in our industry.”

As with previous versions, Acoustica 8 is available in several tiered editions. These start at £119/$149 for the Standard edition, rising to £239/$299 for the Premium and £359/$449 for the Ultimate editions. Each tier has differing levels of flexibility – Standard, for example, is stereo only, with no immersive support.

Acoustica 8 runs as a standalone app or as AU/VST3/AAX plugins (depending on the edition). As of this version, the application supports ARA2.

Visit the Acon Digital site for more information on each edition.

Noise Engineering Legio Eurorack Module Platform Now Offers 23 Different Firmware Options


Noise Engineering has released 16 new firmware options for its Legio Eurorack module platform.

The idea behind Legio is that it’s a Eurorack hardware platform that can load a wide variety of firmware, making it the foundation of a variety of module types. Anyone with any Legio module can try any firmware for it, for free.

Legio firmware options now include:

  • Plus Legio — Full additive voice
  • Bitcrush Legio — Stereo pitch-tracking downsampler
  • Gator Legio — Stereo supersaw PM oscillator
  • AT Legio — Ataraxic Translatron Legio LFSR voice
  • Kick Legio — Analog-inspired kick voice
  • Snare Legio — Analog-inspired snare voice
  • Cymbal Legio — Voice based on granular metallic synthesis
  • Tom Legio — Analog-inspired tom voice
  • Bos Legio — Cowbell voice
  • Klang Legio — Drum voice with zappy percussion
  • Marimba Legio — Percussive physical-modeling voice
  • Reso Legio — Karplus-Strong voice and resonator
  • Ovis Legio — Granular Shepard-tone processor
  • Chasma Legio — Mid/side dynamics processor
  • Megafold Legio — Wavefolder and waveshaper
  • Unda Legio — Full phase-modulation voice
  • Ampla Legio — Multimode filter-gate with vacuum-tube-style processing
  • Morbus Legio — Noise generator
  • Sinc Legio — Multimode stereo oscillator
  • Roucha Legio — Multimode stereo filter
  • Tymp Legio — Stereo digital percussion voice
  • Librae Legio — Dynamics processor in 6HP
  • Virt Iter Legio — Modular multi-function voice/processor

Visit the Noise Engineering site for details.

Hands-On With Elektron Outbox 8


Elektron guru Matthew Piecora – in his latest EZBOT video – shares a hands-on demo of the new Elektron Outbox 8.

The Outbox 8 is an eight-channel audio/CV breakout box and USB host/device designed to expand your connectivity, with creative possibilities to boot. It adds eight fully configurable physical outputs to a compatible connected device allowing the user to route their sound and control wherever the moment calls for.

Topics covered:

00:00 – Intro & First Impressions of Outbox 8
03:20 – What is Outbox 8? (Features & DC Coupling)
05:40 – Live Setup & Audio Routing Overview
10:00 – MIDI to CV Control & Sequencing Moog Mavis
14:20 – Digitone II Audio Routing Rules & Caveats
20:10 – Step-by-Step Outbox 8 Setup Walkthrough
25:55 – Clock & Trig Settings for Modular
29:20 – Live Q&A: Compatibility & Use Cases
34:55 – Octacosm V2: External FX Processing with Octatrack
44:20 – Sound Demo: Ambient FX & Synth Processing
55:55 – Outbox Web Configurator Setup
59:40 – Testing M8 Tracker Multitracking & Diagnostics
01:05:45 – Automatic Device Profiling & Hardware Specs
01:11:45 – Dual-Bus Live Performance Jam
01:16:20 – Digitone II Pseudo-Delay Trick (Retrig + Volume Fade)
01:20:05 – Chat Q&A, Small Shop Hunting & Final Thoughts
01:30:50 – Wrap-Up & Next Stream Preview