Native Instruments presents Komplete Sketches

Berlin, November 21, 2016 – Native Instruments gave 24 contemporary producers a simple challenge: Create a new musical idea using only instruments and effects from Komplete 11. The result is Komplete Sketches – a series of 24 works-in-progress that celebrate the sound of forward-thinking electronic music in 2016. A new microsite showcases each sketch and offers a rare, self-penned look inside the creative process of each artist alongside specially commissioned visuals from multimedia artist Rainer Kohlberger.

Contributions come from Jlin, Chino Amobi, M.E.S.H., Mumdance and Aïsha Devi among others, with labels including Tri Angle, PAN, NON, Planet Mu and STAYCORE represented. Artists were not selected based on their work within any one genre, but rather a shared commitment to unconventional sound design and a blurring of musical boundaries.

Native Instruments launches 50% off Thanksgiving Sales Special

Berlin, November 24, 2016 – Native Instruments today launched their Thanksgiving sales special for 2016. From November 24 until December 5, over 140 Native Instruments products are available at 50% off their original price, including KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects, MASCHINE Expansions, and TRAKTOR PRO 2.

For the first time, the offer includes the SYMPHONY SERIES – a line of highly detailed instruments created for professional scoring. The range includes strings, brass, and woodwinds, and combines best-in-class sound with flexibility and ease-of-use. Both the modular synthesis platform REAKTOR 6 and the sampling platform KONTAKT 5 are also on offer, along with numerous other acclaimed instruments from the KOMPLETE range such as the unique sampled piano UNA CORDA, SESSION GUITARIST – STRUMMED ACOUSTIC, MASSIVE, GUITAR RIG 5 PRO, BATTERY 4, and all KOMPLETE Effects.

During the sale, MASCHINE users save on new sounds with the latest MASCHINE Expansions. The 42 expansions on offer address a wide range of genres and sub-genres, from the eclectic electronica of HEXAGON HIGHWAY and the dark tech house of MOLTEN VEIL to the reggae sound of BLACK ARC and the larger-than-life mainstream hip hop of GOLDEN KINGDOM. MASCHINE Expansions are a range of production-ready sound packs providing samples, one-shots, matched kits, sampled instruments and pre-programmed patterns and songs.

The offer also extends to the flagship TRAKTOR PRO 2 DJ software. TRAKTOR PRO 2 offers up to four virtual decks, support for playing Stems, intuitive looping and cueing functionality, and a wide range of over 40 effects.

  From November 24 until December 5, 2016, selected KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects, MASCHINE Expansions, the MASCHINE 2 SOFTWARE UPDATE, and TRAKTOR PRO 2 are available for 50% off the normal price, at the NI Online Shop exclusively:
www.native-instruments.com/thanksgiving2016

This special offer is valid from November 24 to December 5, 2016. The special offer is not valid on KOMPLETE 11 SELECT, KOMPLETE 11 and KOMPLETE 11 ULTIMATE, hardware, updates, upgrades, or accessories. The recent products FORM and STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2 are also not included. All offers apply to the NI Online Shop only. Savings described here are calculated on the basis of suggested retail prices (MSRP). Note that according to our terms and conditions, e-vouchers cannot be used in conjunction with special offers.

Additional information on this offer is available at:
www.native-instruments.com/thanksgiving2016

Isotonik Studios: Black Friday 20:20!

This year we'll be once again observing the traditions of Black Friday with a 24 hour sale on our website www.isotonikstudios.com

The offer is a simple one, spend more than £20.00 and you'll qualify for a 20% discount...

Buyers just need to add their desired purchase to the cart and then enter FRIDAY as the discount code (not much imagination there!). It'll become live at Midnight on Thursday!

WEBSITE - CLICK HERE 

Keynote Speaker Tim Leiweke, Ja Rule Join Long List of Speakers for XLIVE 2016

XLIVE - Las Vegas, NV - Anticipation mounts as intrepid scholars enter the final weeks before the premiere live event and festival convention XLIVE 2016 descends upon the luminous landscape of Las Vegas this December 5-7, 2016. Just ahead, the masterminds behind the esteemed conference & expo are rolling out even more exciting announcements leading with the addition of Keynote Speaker CEO of Oak View Group Tim Leiweke as well as Artist & Frye Co-Founder Ja Rule and Activision Blizzard Senior Vice President Mike Sepso,who will join the long roster of prominent speakers slated for the event.

Accompanying the already impressive program of keynote speakers as a welcome addition is Tim Leiweke, current CEO of Oak View Group and Former CEO of AEG. The live events venture mogul brings with him one of the most impressive resumes in sports and entertainment to the XLIVE forum. Be sure to catch Tim Leiweke Tuesday December 6th, 10:50-11:20AM.

Speaking on two panels throughout the course of XLIVE, Grammy nominated rap artist Ja Rule will enlighten attendees of the ‘All About the Benjamins’ and ‘State of the Artists’ panels. Here, Ja Rule will join music industry titans to debate how festivals and fans are being impacted by the new financial realities of talent booking and share how festivals have positively impacted the careers of the artists they manage and work with.  Ja Rule will also provide insight into how emerging artists can use festivals as a springboard in their own success. Conference attendees can join Ja Rule for ‘All About the Benjamins’ Monday December 5, from 5:45- 6:30PM and/or ‘State of the Artists’ which takes place Tuesday December 6 at 4:00PM.

XLIVE is also excited to announce that Mike Sepso, SVP at Activision Blizzard, as a featured speaker joining the XLIVE eSports track. Sepso will discuss how Activision Blizzard's recently unveiled Overwatch League will bring a professional sports dynamic to the eSports industry complete with teams associated by city and live streamed competitions taking place in arenas around the world watched by millions of fans. Mike is slated to present on Wednesday December 7, 11:00-11:30AM.

As the world’s premiere festival industry conference & expo, XLIVE 2016 will provide invaluable learning and inevitable networking for those looking for an insightful introduction or to evolve within the booming industry.  Engaging emerging innovators for this year’s festivities, XLIVE is welcoming both young entrepreneurs from across the nation and enterprising startups to the platform. Cultivating young talent, XLIVE’s new Young Festival Entrepreneur Program aims to afford inductees of the program opportunities to learn, meet with and network with seasoned industry executives. Selected from a vast pool of youthful aspirants, the eleven young professionals recognized in the 2016 program are:  

• Lyle Maxson, CEO, The 2Courtiers Inc.
• Sean Kupchella, Health & Service Team Manager, Insomniac Events
• Melissa Selinger, Director, DeeplyMoved Productions
• Topher McDaniel, Executive Director/Partner, Boogaloo Music Festival
• Evelina Bershadsky, Owner/CEO/Founder, Ninjalina Productions
• Kenneth Gray, Managing Partner, Draft 2 Craft
• John Davidson, Installation Artist, Noise Revolt
• Rebecca Tsui, Junior Marketing Assistant, Vendini
• Gianna Mascaro, Social Media, Consequence of Sound
• Cheyenne Havens, Public Relations Manager & Artists Liason, EPIC Productions
• Addie Olsen, Festival Director, Marketing & Administrative Director, Winter Circle Productions

Be sure to catch these participants receive accolades Monday December 5, directly preceding the evening’s keynote.

XLIVE 2016 will offer a taste of every facet of live event execution imaginable, from throwing a successful festival to debating the impact of social media on culinary culture.  The XLIVE Startup Showcase will host trailblazers of live event production in the 24,000 square foot exhibit hall, where select companies will showcase products and services. Select startups slated to exhibit at XLIVE 2016 include: the world’s premier Lost & Found software and services provider, Crowdfind; Switchboard, a company that connects producers, brands and developers to a worldwide network; tech company Robin which will demonstrate how they give consumers the ability to reserve concert tickets for their favorite artists at the push of a button plus many other incredible demonstrations.  

With over 140 speakers, the insight & learning possibilities featured at XLIVE 2016 are endless! Full event agenda here. To register for XLIVE 2016 visit the XLIVE website and be sure to stay up to date on the latest news via the XLIVE Facebook page.

LEARN | EXPERIENCE | ENGAGE | TRANSFORM

STAY CONNECTED:

XLIVE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Venture Down the Rabbit Hole -- Mysteryland USA Launches Pre-sale with Release of Official 2016 Aftermovie!

Mysteryland USA offers a glimpse into the magic, unveiling the spellbinding 2016 Aftermovie alongside the pre-sale ticket announcement & opens campgrounds to welcome nomads 19+  

November 17, 2016 - Mysteryland USA - A festival steeped in culture, rich with colorful history and exploding with magic returns to the hallowed grounds of Bethel Woods, New York for the annual stateside experience, taking place June 9th - 12th, 2017. Join us where the legendary Woodstock Festival started it all in 1969 as Mysteryland enters its fourth US residency of the longest-running electronic music festival series in the world. Echoing the limitless imagination of its Dutch counterpart, Mysteryland USA allows us to enter a portal where dreams become reality and reality is in the eye of the beholder. The journey down the rabbit hole begins today - Pre-sale tickets for Mysteryland USA 2017 are on sale now!

Mysteryland will continue its overarching reign into 2017 as a globally-renowned electronic music, culture, arts and sustainability festival, expected to embrace 75,000+ nomads over the course of the three-day camping festival in 2017. Elevating curious voyagers to inspiring heights, those in attendance are encouraged to embrace the musical legacy of Bethel Woods’ fabled past, while shaping the future of music culture for generations to come. Building a reputation for hosting incredible talent in years past, including Kaskade, Moby, Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus (2014) and Diplo, Empire of the Sun, Kygo, Porter Robinson, (2015), the 2016 iteration of Mysteryland USA united the diverse musical talents of both the mainstream and underground.

Native Instruments introduces SESSION GUITARIST – STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2

November 17, 2016, Berlin – Native Instruments today released SESSION GUITARIST –  STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2, a new addition to the SESSION GUITARIST series. STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2 complements the original STRUMMED ACOUSTIC instrument, adding two carefully selected, vintage acoustic guitars – a 6-string Martin and 12-string Guild – plus more strummed patterns and new performance controls. STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2 runs in KONTAKT 5 and the free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER and is available at the NI Online Shop for $99 / 99 € / ¥ 12,800 / £89 / AU$159.

STRUMMED ACOUSTIC 2 includes two renowned instruments, captured in precise detail and played by skilled session players. Users can choose the warm, mellow tone of a  small-bodied mahogany 6-string from 1934. Or they can select the full yet articulate sound of a benchmark jumbo 12-string – first produced in the late 1960s.

"Sega system" by "Potential differenSe" is Released Today

Detroit Underground releases, "Sega system" by "Potential differenSe" today:

The 2017 NAMM Show Offers Enriching Professional Development, Inspirational Sessions Across Industry Segments

-More than 120 free sessions await members at the annual industry gathering-

CARLSBAD, Calif. – November 15, 2016 – At The 2017 NAMM Show, inspiration and innovation, transformative business know-how, and leading strategies and tips for music industry professionals and businesses of all sizes will be offered through more than 120 free educational sessions. The Show’s NAMM U and TEC Tracks sessions have been designed to inspire members from various disciplines within the music products industry — from music product retailers and manufacturers to professionals in pro audio, live sound and lighting. Registrants will have access to learning sessions from the world’s top thought leaders and their peers who will present successful strategies and best practices trending across the industry today.

On Wednesday, January 18, many business-enhancing opportunities begin before the show officially opens, with an all-day intensive training: Retail Boot Camp. Featuring two different tracks, this training includes a schedule of strategies and tools for everyone involved in music retail who aims to strengthen their businesses and business practices through “Sales, Marketing and Websites” or “Financial Management” tracks. Speakers in the first track include pre-eminent thought-leaders “The Retail Doctor,” Bob Phibbs; digital marketing pioneer Larry Bailin; and Ben Blakesley, social media marketing leader at Reebok. In the financial track, experts Alan Friedman and Daniel Jobe of Friedman, Kannenberg & Co. will offer tools and strategies for sound fiscal management.

Isotonik Studios: Working in Ableton Live's Arrangement View

Up until now most of our MaxforLive devices have focused on improving the workflow for users that special in the Session view of Ableton Live....

When we released MultiClip Editor, the only way to edit multiple MIDI Clips at the same time, we were introduced to a new league of subscribers who do their work in Arrange View and so it set us thinking...

The most subscribed device in our line up is Follow, it offers the user automatic follow actions at clip end in Session View. The Follow actions can trigger other clips in a track or entire scenes which allow a performance to be pre-configured yet allow for spontaneity in allowing a scene to be looped at will or a dummy clip to be fired to reset parameters...

How about the Arrange view specialists though?

They have their set lined up like an arrangement and whilst pressing play can deliver the same performance everytime how can it become more organic and offer the same level of creativity on the fly as Session View?

Enter Follow ARRANGE!!

Follow ARRANGE is a MaxforLive device that scans your Arrangement for locators each time the transport is stopped, it sorts these into the order they occur and then observes the current position of the playhead as the transport plays...

As each new locator is reached the user sizable floating window offers three MIDI mappable jump buttons, allowing you to re-trigger the current, previous or next section of the arrangement as defined by the locators!

A progress bar shows how much of the current section is left to play to allow for the rest of the band to see where they are and in addition the Arrange Loop Brace automatically fits itself around the current and next locator...

This means that with one button on a MIDI controller or Footswitch you can choose to engage the loop and have the current section repeat until you're ready to let the arrangement roll onto the next one...

Follow ARRANGE is available as part of the package of Follow devices or as part of the Modular Series!!

MORE DETAILS - CLICK HERE 

IK Multimedia announces iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite Bundles

iRig Pro Duo Studio Bundles give musicians an incredible value with all the hardware, accessories and software they need to play, sing and record with GarageBand and more

November 10, 2016 - IK Multimedia is pleased to announce two new complete bundles - the iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite and iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite Deluxe. iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite includes the iRig Pro Duo dual-channel audio/MIDI interface, the new iRig Mic Studio XLR professional compact analog condenser microphone and XLR cable, iRig professional closed-back monitoring headphones, plus AmpliTube 4, SampleTank 3 SE, T-Racks Deluxe, Miroslav Philharmonik 2 CE software and more. iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite Deluxe includes everything above, plus the addition of iRig Keys Pro, IK's 37-key MIDI controller for sequencing and playing virtual instruments. The iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite bundles give players a complete solution ideal for making and recording music in GarageBand for iOS and Mac, as well as other compatible digital audio workstation software (DAWs).

Each iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite bundle offers tremendous savings over the price of the individual hardware, software and accessories making it perfect for students, education environments, professional mobile studios, home studios and musicians of all types.

iRig Pro Duo - the heart and soul of the bundle

At the heart of the iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite bundles is the iRig Pro Duo, the dual channel audio/MIDI mobile interface for iOS, Mac & PC. The iRig Pro Duo features dual XLR/1/4" combo jack inputs with individual gain controls and phantom power for connecting studio microphones, guitars, basses and other instruments. It has both a headphone output with level control and dual balanced 1/4" outputs for monitor feeds and features MIDI in/out for connecting standard MIDI controllers and control surfaces. iRig Pro Duo is a truly mobile interface - it can be powered by USB, or by the included AA batteries and is core-MIDI and USB class compliant so giving players "plug-and-play" performance.

iRig Professional Studio Headphones

Hear every detail with all-day comfort - that's the iRig Headphone difference. iRig high-definition headphones feature a closed-back design to prevent audio bleed-through while recording, and provide exceptionally deep low frequency definition. Plus, iRig Professional Studio Headphones give you ultra-accurate midrange and treble response so you hear your music exactly as it is intended. The lightweight, ergonomic design, thick foam ear surrounds and double-comfort headband adjusts to any head size, giving you the most comfortable monitoring experience for long recording sessions.

iRig Mic Studio XLR – the compact pro analog studio mic

iRig Mic Studio XLR - the analog version of the wildly popular iRig Mic Studio digital microphone. iRig Mic Studio XLR is an ultra-compact cardioid studio condenser microphone designed for capturing pro recordings on the go with an iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac or PC and a compatible audio interface like the iRig Pro Duo. iRig Mic Studio XLR features a unidirectional large-diaphragm 1" condenser-electret microphone capsule housed in a rugged compact durable metal enclosure. iRig Mic Studio XLR is small enough to fit in any travel or gig bag and makes the perfect travel recording companion. iRig Mic Studio XLR comes with a portable tripod tabletop stand, mic stand adapter clamp, and a 2-meter XLR cable.

iRig Keys Pro

The iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite Deluxe also comes with iRig Keys Pro, the 37-key MIDI keyboard controller for iPhone, iPad, Mac & PC. iRig Keys Pro is the perfect MIDI controller for musicians on the go - it's core-MIDI compatible and USB class compliant so players have a complete plug-and-play solution anywhere they make and play music. It features 37 full-size velocity sensitive keys, pitch & mod wheels, plus fully assignable backlit softouch buttons and a programmable data/volume knob.

Over $/€690 of included software, free

iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite bundles also come loaded with software tools musicians need to make their compositions and performances the best they can be. Included are AmpliTube 4, the ultimate guitar and bass tone studio, SampleTank 3 SE sound and groove workstation, T-Racks Deluxe mixing and mastering suite, T-RackS Mic Room microphone modeling suite, Miroslav Philharmonik 2 "Classik Edition" orchestral workstation plus 25 "Custom Shop" gear credits for use on any gear or instrument collections in the Custom Shop.

Pricing and availability

iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite bundles offer huge savings and amazing value for musicians, producers, sound designers, video editors and students:

iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite (iRig Pro Duo, iRig Mic Studio XLR, iRig Headphones and software) is available now from music and electronics retailers worldwide, and from the IK online store, for only $/€299.99 (excluding taxes), a saving of $/€794 or over 70% off the individual included hardware and software.

iRig Pro Duo Studio Suite Deluxe (iRig Pro Duo, iRig Keys Pro, iRig Mic Studio XLR, iRig Headphones and software) is available now from educational music and electronics retailers worldwide and from the IK online store for only $/€399.99 (excluding taxes), a saving of $/€844 or over 65% off the individual included hardware and software.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irigproduoss/

http://www.ikmultimedia.com/irigproduossd/ 

Cycling '74: A Few Words about Max and ROLI BLOCKS

I’d like to take a few minutes to tell you about the new Max tools we released last week for BLOCKS, a modular system of controllers created by ROLI. We think that the pressure-sensitive multitouch surface offers a variety of interesting possibilities for combining of abstract modular hardware and abstract modular software.

David Z.

Continue Reading --->

Meet the Minds Behind the Magic - Industry Sponsors Gather for XLIVE 2016

XLIVE - Las Vegas, NV: A handful of weeks stand between eager scholars of the “live event” + festival industry and XLIVE 2016 - the unrivaled conference & expo covering all things music, tech, food, wine, beer, film, and eSports taking place in Las Vegas this December 5th - 7th.  XLIVE 2016 boasts an impeccably-curated speaker lineup and is forecasting a Who’s Who of the festival community to be in attendance.  Participants can expect interactive workshops, infinite topics + panels in which to gain invaluable knowledge, incredible exposure to industry goods & services, and networking opportunities galore.

Covering every facet, from rental equipment to ticket sales to host venues, over 80 benevolent sponsors will band together for XLIVE 2016 to represent the highest quality of live event services and in some cases, to present throughout the course of the convention. The world’s largest self-service ticketing platform, Eventbrite, is among the top sponsors in 2016 graciously donating time and resources. In addition to presiding as the platform for procuring your pass to XLIVE 2016, CEO of Eventbrite, Julia Hartz will be delivering one of the esteemed speaker keynotes over the course of the event. Following suit is Mike Pine, Vice President of Business Development for fellow sponsor Cinetransformer,who will discuss live event sponsorship activation strategies that make brands stand out during the “Noticing You, Noticing Me” panel.  Also in attendance will be Greater Palm Springs CVB, Southern California’s premier live event and festival destination and home to world class events including the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, Modernism Week, and most recently, the history making Desert Trip.

Playing host to numerous XLIVE after-hour events during the course of the convention, two local establishments, MGM Resorts International and Hakkasan,are waiting to dazzle conference attendees with a taste of Las Vegas’ illustrious nightlife. Located directly in the famed MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, innovative nightclub Hakkasan will kick off XLIVE 2016 on Sunday December 4th, where anyone with an XLIVE badge will enjoy complimentary VIP entry and a dedicated area to mingle with other XLIVE guests and burn up the dancefloor. Renowned for bringing the best DJs, mind-blowing lighting, bumping sound systems and confetti cannons, MGM Grand Las Vegas x Hakkasan will help to open the week’s festivities with a bang!

Further industry sponsors gathering to take part in XLIVE 2016 include festival solution organizers Vendini, RFID technologists Connect&Go, the world’s largest rental providers United Rentals, event marketing cloud Feathr, crowd control equipment suppliers Epic Solutions, full-service media + publicity agency The Confluence, ticket re-seller Ticket Galaxy, end-to-end security solutions Fortinet, production needs providers MS Event Production, visually-stunning email builders TailoredMail, advanced credential systems Access Event Solutions, live stream and on-demand wizards TourGigs, event information technology providers Backstage Networks, creative content producers XI Media Productions, online booking platform Curadora, live event producers and design services ATOMIC Design, actionable insight providers Umbel plus many more as listed below!

To register for XLIVE and see the full list of 2016 Sponsors visit the XLIVE website. Be sure to stay up to date on the latest via the XLIVE Facebook page.

LEARN | EXPERIENCE | ENGAGE | TRANSFORM

STAY CONNECTED:

XLIVE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The creators of XLIVE 2016 would like to extend an immense ‘Thank You’ to the 2016 Sponsors and Creative Partners who have came together to make this year’s event the best yet, including:

Access Event Solutions ~ Aggreko ~ Aloompa ~ Amplify ~ Astor Chocolate ~ ATOMIC Design ~ Backstage Networks ~ Best Beverage Info ~ Best Ring POS ~ Billboard Touring Conference & Awards ~ Bluemedia ~ BML Blackbird ~ Canadian Music Week ~ Cedar Packaging ~ Cinetransformer ~ Connect&Go ~ Crowdfind ~ Curadora ~ Direct Source Distributing ~ DTI Management ~ EDMbiz ~ Epic Solutions ~ EPS Doublet ~ Event Safety Alliance (ESA) ~ Eventbrite ~ EventLocker ~ Evercharged ~ Everfest ~ Fastbar ~ Feathr ~ Festdrive ~ Festival Pro Software ~ Fortinet ~ Front Gate Tickets ~ Gaitlinburg CVB ~ Gingerbread Shed ~ GoCharge ~ Greater Palm Springs CVB ~ Hakkasan Group ~ HardPin ~ ID&C ~ InGo ~ LDI ~ Lennd ~ MedTech Wristbands ~ MGM Resorts International ~ Mountain Productions ~ MS Event Production ~ MusicFestivalWizard ~ Naruscope ~ National Event Services ~ Optimystic ~ Ovationtix ~ PDC ~ Playing For Change Foundation ~ Porta Kleen ~ Price Chopper ~ Red Bull ~ RFID/4ID Solutions ~ Road Radios ~ Showclix ~ Skedaddle ~ South by Southwest (SXSW) ~ Star Ale ~ Switchboard Live ~ TailoredMail ~ The Confluence ~ The Iris Companies ~ The SF MusicTech Summit ~ Ticket Galaxy ~ Ticketfly ~ TiqIQ ~ TourGigs ~ Transportation Management Services ~ Ultimate Festival Guide ~ Umbel ~ United Rentals ~ United Site Services ~ Unity Travel ~ Vantage.tv ~ Vendini ~ Wizard Creations ~ XI Media Productions