Music software maker Native Instruments ends October with a slew of product update and new product announcements. The company has taken the wraps of synthesizer Absynth 3 and the Traktor Beatport Player, and has also announced the forthcoming release of an update to Guitar Rig.
Absynth 3 is a software synthesizer with sampling capabities that features the ability to do granular sampling, subtractive, wavetable, FM, AM, ring modulation and wave shaping synthesis. The big improvement in Absynth 3 is its support of surround sound; it supports 3.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.0 formats. It also incorporates new oscillator functions and integrated effects, and with live input can be used as a “real-time sound mangling tool” as well. Absynth 3 revamps its user interface, comes with more than 1,000 presets including 256 brand new ones. It’s coming in December for US$339 or €289.
Traktor Beatport Player is a free audio player software for users of the Beatport online music store, developed especially for music DJs. Designed based on Traktor DJ Studio, Traktor Beatport Player features two decks with waveform displays, pitch faders and a cross fader, and can support MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, AIFF and FLAC formats along with CD audio. Traktor Beatport Player imports iTunes playlists and collections, supports playback of Traktor mix files and more. It’s coming in November along with the release of Beatport 2.0.
Guitar Rig 1.2 is coming soon, as well. Guitar Rig is the combination pedal kit and software that enables guitar players to emulate classic and modern amps, cabinets, mics and effects pedals. The new software release adds four more stomp boxes, including “Fuzz Ace,” “Big Fuzz,” “Cat” and “Demon Distortion.” Also added are more than 40 new presets, as well as minor improvements, cosmetic changes and some bug fixes. Guitar Rig 1.2 is a free update for Mac and Windows users alike, coming by mid-November.