Togu Audio Line releases updated Chorus Plugin TAL-Chorus-LX for free

If you're looking for a fancy but simple chorus plugin, or you already have the original TAL Chorus plugin and are dying for an update, you're in luck.  Togu Audio Line, the fantastic-- and mostly free-- plugin makers have released a 64 bit updated version of the chorus function included in their only premium synth, the TAL-U-NO-LX, a Juno 106 style plugin.  This chorus is modeled after the Juno series' chorus, and it's called the TAL-CHORUS-LX.  You can download it for free here, both PC and Mac compatible.  This plugin sounds great, and can be applied to a wide variety of sounds.  Perhaps my favorite is a Wurlitzer keyboard through this plugin, as it adds a nice big moving warmth to the sound.  It's been used by some big name artists as well-- I know Fred Falke is a fan.

If you like it, why not donate using their PayPal, or purchase their full Juno 106 recreation?

Arturia Announce 'Next-Gen' Software, Drop Prices

Last week, Arturia announced that it would be releasing updated versions of their current line of soft synths with 64-bit compatibility.  In addition to this, the software has dropped in price dramatically (for some of the synths, anyway) to $99 USD, or 99 euros.  If you haven't tried any of this software, it's all pretty stellar and has had rave reviews for a while, in some cases considered some of the best analog emulation-- in fact, when I upgrade my computer in the near future, some of these will be on the list of things to get.

Press release is as follows:

"Arturia announces ‘Next Generation’ Analog Classic software 

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of ‘Next Generation’ versions of its Analog Classic software instruments as of July 6... 

 Ten of Arturia’s most popular Mac (OS X 10.5 or higher) and Windows (7/Vista/XP) software instruments have had a complete makeover. Slick new packaging coincides with 64-bit compatibility for all, together with MIDI assignment improvements and better performance.

But best of all... all ten titles are now €99.00 EURO/$99.00 USD, a dramatic drop to half their previous street pricing (in most cases). Titles included are the Oberheim SEM V, Jupiter-8V, Prophet-V, ARP 2600V, Mini V (formerly Minimoog-V), CS-80V, and Modular V (formerly Moog Modular V) soft synths; Wurlitzer-V EP 200A electric piano software emulation; Analog Laboratory software synthesizer workstation; and SPARK Vintage Drum Machines.

 Quite simply, there has never been a better time than now to step into Arturia’s True Analogue Emulation (TAE®) world of those high-end synthesizers and drum machines favoured by a wide range of acclaimed artists like Ritchie Hawtin, deadmau5, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), The Crystal Method, Junkie XL, Herbie Hancock, Howard Jones, Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Hans Zimmer, Jean-Michel Jarre, Geoff Downes (Asia), and many more besides. So why wait to join them? Reach out to the Next Generation... today!

 Oberheim SEM V, Jupiter-8V, Prophet-V, ARP 2600V, Mini V, CS-80V, Modular V, Wurlitzer-V, Analog Laboratory, and SPARK Vintage Drum Machines can each be purchased as software downloads for €99.00 EURO/$99.00 USD or boxed versions for €119.00 EURO/$129.00 USD from Arturia’s Online Shop: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/buy/online-shop.html 


 As always, updates are free for all registered users from here: http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/downloads/updates.html"

The Arturia/Moog Partnership ends; Does this mean Moog Plugins are on the way?

While Arturia releases the MiniMoog Original for free, the two companies seem to part ways

Last week, Arturia released a free version of their legendary MiniMoog plugin on Facebook and through their site.  I've been thoroughly enjoying it, but it begs the question: why release one of your products in its almost complete form for free?  The 'occasion' for this seems to have been World Music Day, but also the ending of a partnership between Moog and Arturia.  Arturia has said that they will release the same plugin in the future but with a changed name, which likely means that Moog didn't want to keep their partnership going.  Why not?

File this under "pure speculation", but my guess is that Moog is not far away from their own digital plugins of their popular synths.  The Animoog and Filtatron have been hits on the iPad and iPhone, so they obviously have an incentive to take it further.  They have the programming abilities in house to take care of programming sound apps, and they've released a plugin controller (no sound, however) for the Little Phatty so it can be used easily with a DAW.  The user interfaces of the Moog apps are outstanding, which is a huge selling point.  There's also a market of musicians who want authentic, "from Moog" sound, but don't have the pocket change to buy a MiniTaur or Slim Phatty.  Furthermore, Arturia has stepped into Moog's territory by creating the MiniBrute, which no doubt is in direct competition with at least three of Moog's synths.  The last big factor is that Moog is a synth company whose hardware isn't cheap, but they can easily hit a whole new spectrum of buyers in the sub-$200 range with software.

I know that seems vague, but I would put money on a Moog plugin for your Mac or PC coming down the pipeline-- perhaps very close to the MiniMoog in terms of style.  Maybe we'll even see some digital versions of the massive collection of MoogerFoogers that exist (because I can't quite see myself dropping $700 on a delay pedal any time soon).  What would you like to see from Moog in terms of plugins?

Arturia to release free-for-1-day-only MiniMoog Original Plugin

Arturia, who's quickly becoming one of my new favorite companies, is releasing a free plugin this Thursday, June 21st for World Music Day.  The MiniMoog plugin is not identical to their normal plugin, but a slightly stripped down version designed to work just like the original MiniMoog.  If you're any fan of plugins, you know that the Arturia emulations are outstanding, and some of the best in terms of recreating those vintage warm tones.  The MiniMoog is a great emulation of the original, so I absolutely wouldn't miss this chance to get your hands on such a high quality product for free.  This will also be a nice distraction for those of you waiting for the new MiniBrute, which is supposedly just around the corner in terms of shipping.  For the time being, everyone can get a little Moog in their sounds without emptying their wallet.  Dr. Moog would be proud.  Don't forget though, this is a one day only offer, so make sure you don't miss it!

From the press release:

"Get Arturia Minimoog-V Original for free on June 21!

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia announces the end of an agreement with Moog Music that will see its Moog Modular V and Minimoog V soft synths soon remerging as the updated and renamed Modular V and Mini-V, and is marking the occasion by giving away a one-off ‘commemorative’ edition of the Minimoog-V on World Music Day... 


 On June 21 only, musicians everywhere can download Minimoog-V Original from the Arturia website (http://www.arturia.com/minimoogv-original) — for free! Minimoog-V Original includes all the sounds (more than 1,000 presets created by talented artists and renowned sound designers) and features (32-voice polyphony, plus much more besides) from the latest Minimoog- V update (Version 2.5), but without the additional functionality accessible behind the ‘hinged’ front panel — just like the original Minimoog.

Minimoog by name. Minimoog by nature. It’s been several successful years since Arturia announced the release of its much-admired Minimoog-V soft synth — meticulously modelling the distinctive tones and analogue nuances of the legendary Seventies-vintage Minimoog Model D monosynth — in an agreement with Moog Music initiated by Bob Moog himself. Moog changed the musical world with the Minimoog and Arturia helped change the music software world with the Minimoog-V, so what better way to toast the passing of that productive partnership and end the arrangement between the two companies on a high note than with a generous giveaway on World Music Day?


Don’t miss out: go get Minimoog-V Original for free on June 21! Save the ‘download date’ in your calendar..."

Arturia drops two new releases: The Wurlitzer 200A Electric Piano and the SPARK Vintage Drum Machines Software Instruments

Here's a couple of new releases from Arturia.  I'm actually really intrigued by the SPARK vintage drum machines because vintage drums are among my favorite sounds, just below vintage analog synths.  If you check the list below of the drums included, some really great sounds are there, like the Oberheim DMX (used on New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle") and the Sequential Circuits DrumTraks (a Chromeo favorite).  Of course, the Wurlitzer emulation sounds pretty authentic too...

Arturia announces availability of drum machine software

GRENOBLE, FRANCE: music software and hardware company Arturia is proud to announce availability of its newly-developed SPARK Vintage Drum Machines (Standalone, VST 2.4 & 3 — 32-bit and 64-bit, RTAS and US — 32- and 64-bit) software instrument, placing 30 legendary drum machines at discerning musicians’ rhythmic fingertips!

Moog Delivers AU/VST Little/Slim Phatty Editor

Moog has finally released a proper editor for the Slim and Little Phatty today.  It supports almost all the major DAWs for both Mac and PC and uses both VST and AU formats.  Basically, this is the missing link between your DAW and Phatty, allowing you to save and load patches, play the synth via MIDI, edit parameters, randomize settings, filter out MIDI information, etc, etc.  Essentially, it should be like using a soft synth with your analog gear, which is great, considering the appeal of using digital gear oftentimes is the ease of it inside your DAW.  The only thing I don't agree with is the rather steep price tag of $69.00, considering this software is sometimes included free, especially in Moog's most recent synth, the Minitaur (and the Little Phatty is twice as expensive).  Check it out if you're a Little or Slim Phatty user looking to better incorporate it into your DAW.

Full information/ To purchase, click here.

Incredible Free VSTs and AUs: Togu Audio Line

Togu Audio Line is a free, donation based VST and AU plugin collection from the awesome Patrick Kunz.  These great plugins got my attention a couple months back when some guests mentioned that they used them, and more recently I've seen that even the mighty Fred Falke is a fan.

I strongly encourage you to donate to this guy if you get some of his plugins, because they're way too much of a steal.  I'll list off a few that he has up for grabs:

The TAL-U-No-62, which is based off of a Roland Juno 60, is great for polyphonic sounds.  Seen above, it's a great way to get an idea of a Juno 60 without breaking your bank.  There's also the TAL-Chorus-60, which is what Fred Falke used in one of his tracks.  This is a great way to add the very famous vintage chorus to any synth, let alone a Juno imitator.

The TAL-Bassline is based off of the Roland SH-101, another classic synth.  Off the top of my head, both guests Frankmusik and Starsmith used the real deal.  This is perfect to put together a great low end, or even a lead on your track.

The TAL-NoiseMaker is another synth plugin.  Not based on a retro synth, but plenty of options to mess around with too, especially if you're trying to go more "modern" and don't want the limitations of the classics.

There's even more on the site, including an EQ, a Reverb, a Vocoder, and more.  This is the PERFECT place to start if you want some free plugins straight away on your new DAW (or even something like Garageband!)  Part of the reason these types of plugins are so desirable is they limit you in the way the classic synths did-- that's why the programmers of the 80s were so awesome.  They invented ways to get great sounds out of some synths that weren't easily programmed or didn't have a ton of options.

Check out the site here and be sure to donate if you download!  I'm sure the programmer appreciates any little bit he can get for his time.