Native Instruments has released the NI Accessibility Helper, a new lightweight app that works with Maschine software to help visually impaired producers and beatmakers.
The Accessibility Helper works by enabling Maschine users to hear touch-triggered audio cues that read out each control that is used, with all encoders, pads, and screen-menu items identifiable in this way. Additionally, the Accessibility Helper provides a degree of in-app help and orientation over the hardware – which are triggered via computer keyboard input.
First introduced for Maschine MK3, the NI Accessibility Helper will soon be available for use with more NI hardware devices as part of NI’s commitment to developing new tools that empower producers to create without barriers. Plus, by building a dedicated app, NI can continue to deliver Accessibility-focused improvements without needing to make changes to Maschine software.
Native Instruments is releasing the Accessibility Helper with special thanks to their consultants, Andre Louis, Tim Burgess (Raised Bar), Jason Dasent, and Chris Ankin—musicians from the visually impaired producer community—whose knowledge and expertise have been invaluable in the development of the tool.
Void And Vista has introduced Strands, a virtual instrument for Native Instruments Kontakt that they say combines expressive, characterful and unique sampling with powerful sound design features and an inspiring interface.
Featuring 32 sound sources, based on the concept of bowed textures both real and imagined, it’s designed to be ideal for contemporary media composers, writers of production music and sound designers.
What they say about it:
“Built around an original set of bowed sound sources (including: acoustic and electric guitar, bass, viola, vibraphone), Strands also features a collection of Effects sounds (such as a bowed cymbals, wine glasses and synthetically deconstructed and processed sounds using eurorack modular and pedal FX) and sampled synth waveforms from a collection of analog hardware.”
Features:
Nearly a thousand presets
5gb of samples
32 Sound Sources
Layered sound design engine
UI with over 150 controls
2 Morph Layers
Expressive Dynamics
2 LFOs & 6 Envelopes
2 Multi-Mode Filters
A customizable Lofi effect
3-stage parallel multi-FX
Convolution with user impulse response import
Dedicated Send FX
Custom MIDI mapping page
Download & install via Native Access
Compatibility:
NKS / Kontakt Player Compatible – (Available in VST, VST3, AAX & AU)
Compatible with all major DAWs
Kontakt 6.7.0 or higher
macOS 10.14 or above – Natively compatible w/ Apple Silicon
Windows 10 & 11
Strands is available now for £99 until March 25th, 2023 (will be £129).
