Native Instruments has just released version 1.1.1 of its popular Guitar Combos amplifier emulation series, which includes three studio-grade models that include “Twang Combo,” the “AC Box Combo” and “Plexi Combo.” All three consist of a classic amp, speaker and several integrated effects, giving musicians and producers straightforward access to a wide range of highly musical guitar tones in software. The 1.1.1 update adds a versatile tape deck with high-quality time-stretching, allowing for convenient audio recording and playback directly within the software, as well as an integrated metronome for guitar practice. The new version also introduces Universal Binary compatibility for users of MacIntel computers. The 1.1.1 update for Windows and Mac OS X is now available as a free download for all registered users of Guitar Combos on the NI web site.
Sony has given their Sound Forge 9 professional digital audio production suite a bit of a makeover. Version 9.0b is free to all registered Sound Forge 9 owners and is now ready for downloading at the Sony web site. Some of the notable fixes and changes in version 9.0b include:
- An Update loop bar on Mark In/Out check box has been added to the Editing tab in the Preferences dialog
- A Seek Cursor on Playback command has been added to the Options menu. When this command is selected, playback will restart when you position the cursor.
- The keyboard shortcuts for saving and recalling views has changed. The new shortcuts are Ctrl+Shift+ to save a view and Ctrl+ to recall a view.
- You can now press the 0-9 keys (not numeric keypad) to move the cursor to the corresponding marker or select the corresponding region.
- Meters now stretch to fit their windows.
- Fixed a bug in Spectrum Analysis when Real Time Monitoring is enabled.
- Fixed a bug that could cause Sound Forge to crash when dragging selections to the desktop when Kjaerhus automated effects exist in the chain.