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#news//IK.against.freeware

Here we go with another episode of audio developer drama theatre, this time starring IK Multimedia. IK have issued a rebuttal to a MusicRadar article on the benefits of freeware, which I found through an article on CDM. The original article was a great list of reasons that you should use freeware, but good ol’ IK decided to reply to the article as if they were telling people to STOP BUYING IK’s PLUG-INS. Listen IK - can I call you IK? Good. Listen, I’m not a customer of yours, but it would seem to me that by rebutting a perfectly general list of reasons to use freeware, it just makes you look really bad. Here’s my list to you about why you should have probably just kept the trap shut -

TOP FIVE REASONS WHY IK SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT BEFORE SPEAKING

1. IK Multimedia are regarded as a large, high quality plug-in development company. They’ve now made themselves look ridiculous by telling people “Hey, freeware isn’t the way to go - buy our stuff” which also happens to be priced on the fairly high side. This was a not-so-smart move. Maybe if they had waited to post something seperate [and written much differently] further down the line, it wouldn’t look so much like a ‘bash the freeware scene’ rebuttal. Too late. Also, they claim that not all plug-in developers are huge corporations, but small groups of people. So what? What’s your point IK?

2. IK make a point in the rebuttal that commercial developers have the overhead and responsibility to pay wages, marketing and such but that freeware developers typically have day jobs and/or live with parents. Are you serious? This is a reason to use payware and not freeware? Ludicrious. Why would you even make that statement? This reason alone is a great reason for IK just to have thought a little bit before speaking.

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#news//renoise.V2.beta

Renoise 2.0 Beta 1 music sequencing software now available.

I was going to just drop in the PR but it’s really long and since they already have it all right on their page, you can just go to the renoise website and check it out for yourself. I’ve always been intrigued by Renoise, but I’ve just always been a bit too busy to try it. Also, I typically don’t make a whole lot of my own music. But now that I’m actually thinking of starting a new personal music project, I may just have to test it out. I mean come on, look at all the cool stuff they jammed into V2 (along with the stuff it already had). It looks like it would be the perfect companion to Ableton, which I just won’t ever give up.

#news//aurora.mixer.available

Remember when CDM reported on the Aurora open source mixer? Well, I just got a note from the creators of the Aurora who said it’s now available for purchase.

The Aurora mixer will be $340 USD for the complete kit, which includes an assembled pcb, top and bottom panels, all mechanical hardware, knobs, button caps, and a usb cable. This kit can be assembled with just a hex screwdriver and a bit less time. A cheaper $270 USD kit is also available which does not include the top and bottom panels, mechanical hardware, or knobs and button caps. The DIY kit requires some soldering, but heck, a little pain for the pleasure of having this fine piece of hardware? No problem. Well, maybe for some of you out there. The Aurora mixer is available now from the Aurora mixer online shop.

EDIT: Looks like CDM has just posted a write-up on this too

#news//controller.madness

Here’s another story I picked up from Create Digital Music about creating a monome clone with the arduino controller board, and the MachineCollective - a DIY moudluar controller platform. Take a look at this….

The possibilities are endless!

Now while I’m already insanely busy as it is, this makes me want to really think about getting back into hardware concept design and firmware programming. I mean, look at that. It’s nuts. Maybe hardware synth design is next. Not sure, but this sure does give a ton of inspiration, that’s for sure.

#news//shiftmedia.now.open

ShiftMedia has now officially opened for new users. ShiftMedia is an audio collaboration community which provides musicians, developers, designers and producers with a number of different resources and services to help them promote their skills and products. By the way, the service is free! No strings attached at all, so stop by and see what you think. If you’re looking for a new home on the interwebs, contact them to set up an account and get started. Included with your free account is, among other things:

• yourname.mediashift.net
• Hosting for your projects
• Personalized ShiftMedia logo
• Five (5) full e-mail accounts
• Full Wordpress Installation
• Resources for getting started
• Use of the ShiftMedia store