Convolution reverberation
Pianoteq STAGE makes use of a new exciting convolution reverb unit that simulates real acoustic surroundings, from small studios to giant cathedrals, enhancing the sound quality and listening experience.

New effects
New effects that benefit the electric pianos but also other Pianoteq instruments are included, such as delay, chorus, flanger, amplifier and compressor. Also included is a mallet bounce effect, especially adapted for the chromatic percussion add-on instruments (vibes, xylophone, marimba, cimbalom…).

Pianoteq Stage is available for 99 €. More information at Pianoteq.com.

Blue Cat Audio has released a new version of its limiter plugin – Blue Cat’s Protector 2.0, which includes a number of new features and fixes.

Among the news we find much improved visual feedback – including rms metering, attenuation history, loudness boost measurement, improved readability – as well as a new presets manager, new MIDI and automation mapping capabilities, new presets, Windows AAX support, and much more. Check the list below for full details.

I haven’t tried Blue Cat’s Protector and can’t tell you how well it stacks up against other limiters.

Here are all the new features and fixes, according to the Blue Cat Audio press release.

- New Features:

* Brand new fully customizable user interface.
* New gain reduction history display.
* New input and output RMS meters.
* The meters can now be zoomed to improve their precision.
* New average loudness boost meter.
* New DC Filter to kill DC offset.
* New integrated presets manager:
+ Load/save presets from the plug-in’s user interface.
+ Organize presets with folders.
+ Customize the default preset.
+ Exchange presets easily.
* Automation range and response curve can now be customized for each parameter.
* Automation and MIDI settings (channel, MIDI learn etc.) are now accessible from the main user interface.
* AAX plug-in format is now also supported on Windows.
* Improved the algorithms for increased precision of the limiter.
* Side chaining made easy: the MIDI and automation side chaining capabilities can now be fully configured within the main user interface.
-Improvements:
* Plug-in name has been shortened for a clearer display in mixer view for most host applications.
* The plug-in now appears in the “Dynamics” category in Pro Tools.
* Changed the default VST install path on Windows.
* License is now shared between plug-ins type (register only once for all formats).
* Added new presets.
* Improved value display in fine edit window.
* Optimizations and Performance Improvements:
* Reduced VST plug-in loading time.
* Improved parameters precision (now stored as 64-bit).
* More compact presets format (uses less space and loads faster).
* Smaller binaries on Mac (dropped PowerPC support).

-Bug Fixes:
* Fixed presets-related crashes in Cubase on Mac.
* Fixed user interface display issues in Wavelab on Mac.
* Fixed MIDI output for 64-bit VST version.

Brainworx has made a video showing off the new saturation plugin bx_saturator. I’m in the middle of evaluating it but will be back with a review of it soon. Let us know what you think of it if you have tried it.

By the way, they have also reset all the demo licenses so if your 14 days of trial were up, you can now try it again for 14 more days.

Go to http://www.soundsonline.com or http://www.soundsonline-europe.com for European customers (Best Service and Zero-G products are not available from the European store). Promotional prices may not be combined.

Eventide has released Blackhole, a software inspired by the stompbox which was inspired by the company’s insane effect found in the DSP4000 and H8000.

Blackhole has evolved over the years. In its earliest incarnation on the DSP4000 and H8000 studio processors, it was regarded, by some, as a secret weapon. With today’s announcement Space’s widely-acclaimed Blackhole is now available as a native plug-in for desktop and laptop recordists.

“The response to Blackhole from our beta testers has been gratifying,” said Ray Maxwell, Vice President. “We are delighted to bring this other-worldly reverberator to a whole new group of users.”

Blackhole may not be your first choice to simulate an enclosure on the surface of the earth but, if you’re at all interested in ‘sculpting sound’, Blackhole just might pull you in. Its possibilities appear to be endless; can’t see beyond the event horizon.

I will review the three new Eventide AAX plugins soon – Blackhole, the Omnipressor and Stereo Room.

By the way, the Blackhole Native plug-in is free with the purchase of any Eventide Stompbox effective immediately through June 30, 2012.

Blackhole is available now for a special limited time only introductory price of $99.

• An extensive collection of chord progressions for pop and rock.
• Organized in full song structures (intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge).
• A section solely devoted to ballad playing styles.
• Covering straight or swing in 4/4 and 6/8.
• Played by professional session pianist.

Toontrack promises that Pop Rock covers “everything from soothing ballads to funky pop and uptempo rock”.

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts this last week or so. I’ve been very ill for well over a week and am basically trying to stay away from all work. I try to post something everyday but I realize that it’s still perhaps not the frequency you guys and gals are used too. I was hoping to be fine by now but medication just hasn’t helped very much. Hopefully I will soon be back to my normal asskicking self.

The good news is that I now know what I’d look like if I ever took up powerlifting seriously, I just have to look at the right side of my neck for the answer to that!

Last week I was hoping to post a bunch of more saturation plugin reviews with a mother of all saturation plugins post that you’ll love. That obviously didn’t happen but rest assured it will all be posted as soon as I’m back to my music rig again. I’ve also been comparing some channelstrips, both hardware (Retro Powerstrip and Fink CS2-FA) and software (Metric Halo, Avid) and will post my findings about them as well.

Last but not least, if you’ve sent me any emails and didn’t get a reply yet, this is the reason. I can easily get over 100 emails a day and I hope that you understand that when I say that I’m doing the minimal amount of possible work, that means not digging through my inbox all day. I will reply… Eventually!

Alright, that’s it for now. Thanks for reading folks. I’m trying to post here every day anyway but thought you still deserved an update. Take care and stay healthy.