If you’re a musician or DJ and you want to recreate the sound of a popular 80’s-vintage synthesizer in your compositions, you might be interested in a recent announcement from music tools maker Native Instruments. The company has finished Pro-52 version 2.5, a new version of its virtual analog synthesizer. The new version now supports three new interfaces to improve compatibility with common sequencer and recording environments.
Previously supported as a VST plug-in, Pro-52 has added support for DXi, MAS and DirectConnect, which enables DJs and musicians to integrate the Pro-52 into Cakewalk SONAR, MOTU Digital Performer, and Digidesign Pro Tools systems.
Native Instruments explained that support for DXi means that SONAR can operate and fully automate virtual sound generators; MAS and DirectConnect can route the audio signal of the Pro-52 directly into the mixer channels of the host programs to be mixed using internal effects created using Digital Performer and Pro Tools.
Other new features include the ability to create up to 8 instances of Pro-52 at the same time, each with its own MIDI channel. The new version also sports variable sample rates.
Look for Pro-52 2.5 to hit store shelves in August — the software is distributed worldwide by Steinberg. Registered Pro-52 users can download the 2.5 update for free as soon as it’s available (Native Instruments’ Web site had not yet been updated with a download link as MacCentral went to press with this article.)