Getting Started with the Pulsar Dual LFO - Propellerhead Software

Once again Propellerhead has provided us with another awesome tutorial video. It focuses of the new Pulsar LFO tool that's avalible in the new Propellerhead store. The video takes you through some of the basics of what pulsar can do, such as using it as a basic LFO to control other Reason instruments and even using it to build a basic modular synthesizer within the reason rack. As we've come to expect from the guys over at propellerhead software, the video is really easy to follow and actually quite humorous in some parts (That's if you enjoy cheesy synth jokes, which you should).



"NOTE: Reason 6.5 and Reason Essentials 1.5 users can and get Pulsar from the Rack Extension Shop for FREE until October 1st, 2012! Reason 6.5 and Reason Essentials 1.5 are free upgrades for Reason 6 and Reason Essentials 1 users and special upgrade pricing is available for users of earlier Reason versions.

Pulsar in the Rack Extension Shop:
http://shop.propellerheads.se/product/pulsar/

Also featured, the Synapse Audio AF-4 Filter:
http://shop.propellerheads.se/product/synapse-af-4-analog-filter/

The Pulsar Dual LFO, new as a Rack Extension in the Propellerhead Shop, is a flexible little powerhouse utility with tons of routing potential. Even though Pulsar is capable of some wild tricks, it also is one of the best places to start learning about modular synthesis and LFOs.

We put together this introductory look at how to use LFOs to spice up your existing sounds and how to get Pulsar making some sounds of its own."

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Electronic Music Composition (pt 3) - Faithless 'Insomnia' - Point Blank

"Go to: http://www.pointblankonline.net/electronic-music-composition-emc.phpto check out our online Electronic Music Composition Course where you can learn more techniques like this. Please get in touch with our course advisors at advice@pointblankonline.net if you want to find out more.

In this tutorial Ski Oakenfull breaks down the chord sequences in Faithless' dance anthem 'Insomnia'. Buy here:http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/insomnia-best-faithless/id305775034

Do you have a track that you would like to see Ski deconstruct musically? Then let us know in a comment below or hit us up on twitter with:
#emcrequest @point_blank + your suggested track title

Please subscribe to our channel to make sure you don't miss future exclusive tutorials from Point Blank Online school."

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Free Korg Polysix RE presets

I've only just downloaded the trial version of the new RE version of Polysix by Korg but I know for sure that this is one that I'm going to purchase soon. While I was messing around I made a few Combinator presets using the Polysix RE.

There's only 7 combinator files all together but I thought I'd upload them here for you guys. In order for you to use these presets you'll need Reason 6.5 or Reason Essentials 1.5 plus a trial or full licence for the Polysix Rack Extension. These will NOT work for the VST version of Polysix.

Get the Presets here (.ZIP)

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HyperTunes for iOS

HyperTunes lets you compose and arrange music directly in terms of musical structure, such as verse-chorus-bridge song forms. It also lets you collect and organise all your musical patterns, song fragments, and songs within the app, so that they're ready to "plug and play" in a new song with just a few touches.

This app offers a fresh approach to song management and and arrangement on the fly. For more details check out hypertunes.net

Hypertunes is available in the Apple AppStore for £6.99

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Pulsar LFO tool Reason Rack Extension

I'm glad to see the good folks over at Propellerhead showing a bit of humor in this advert for the new Pulsar Rack Extension.

Pulsar is a dual LFO/Monosynth module that's currently avalible in the Propellerhead shop as a free download. If you're a reason 6.5 or Reason Esentials 1.5 user then head over and grab it while it's still free.

"For more information: http://shop.propellerheads.se/product/pulsar/

Pulsar LGM-1 is a dual channel modulation powerhouse for the Reason rack. We call it an LFO—but it's also a powerful little synth in its own right. For tweakers, Pulsar makes every single thing in the rack a little bit better. For back-of-the-rackophobes it comes with patches containing everything from lush evolving pads to the grittiest of wobble basses.

When the rate is turned up, Pulsar transforms from low frequency oscillator to high powered synth with plenty of character. The LFO waveforms when combined with lag and shuffle bring tons of tones."

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Logic Tutorial - Turn the Korg Monotron into a Polysynth - Point Blank

My Korg Monotron has been sitting on the shelf for a few months now, not really seeing any action in the studio. This video from Point Blank made me pick it up and have a little mess around with it.

Turning the Monotron into a poly synth using pitch shifters and tuning effects seems like a pretty cool idea. This tutorial shows you how to get this effect using the built in effects in Logic but the techniques shown can be easily recreated using other DAWs. I managed to get a pretty close sound using Ableton live and a few 3rd party plugins.

"http://www.pointblankonline.net/courses/logic-courses.php This week Paul Yarrow shows you how to open up a new world of performance capabilities for Korg's Monotron by turning it into a polysynth enabling it to play chords.

Learn more techniques like this on our wide range of Logic courses: http://www.pointblankonline.net/courses/logic-courses.php

Check out even more free tutorials at http://www.logic-cafe.com/

Please subscribe to our channel to make sure you don't miss future exclusive tutorials from Point Blank Online school."

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How to download, install and buy Propellerhead Rack Extensions

Propellerhead have uploaded a video to show users how to download, install and buy Rack Extensions for use in the Reason rack.

It's pretty simple but if you're unsure then check out the embedded YouTube video below.

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Reason 6.5 and Essentials 1.5 update goes live

The updates for propellerhead Reason and Reason Essentials have gone live. This includes access to the new propellerhead store and the new Rack Extension technology. If you already own Reason 6.0 or Reason Essentials 1.0 then the update is completely free.

At the moment there's only a few Rack Extensions in the store but be sure to quickly grab Pulsar (Free until Oct 1st) and Softube Saturation Knob (Free until Aug 14th).

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FXpansion reveals Etch RED Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason

Yet another awesome Rack Extension that will be available for the Upcoming Reason 6.5 update. FXpansion Etch RED is an awesome analog modelling filter plug in. This is the stuff that makes me so exited for the update, this thing looks amazing!

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Audio Realism reveal ABL2 (TB-303 clone) Rack Extension

Finally, I've wanted a TB-303 module in my reason rack for years. Audio Reaslism have answered that prayer by transforming their popular ABL2 303 clone into a Rack Extension for the up and coming Reason 6.5 update.

That's all well and good, but I think that the classic TB303 style sequencer is what gives the VST version of ABL2 its charm. With that iconic sequencer missing from the Rack Extension version I'm still on the fence whether or not it's going to make its way into my reason rack. If the sequencer was included with CV note out and maybe a copy pattern to grid option (like the existing Matrix Pattern Sequencer has) then the ABL2 would make it into my rack without question.

Hopefully the pricing of this rack extension will reflect the missing features. The VST version is currently priced at €95 (Approx. £77) which to me is a hell of a lot of money for what essentially is a two oscillator (one voice) monosynth with extremely limited functionality. It's hard to estimate how much Audio Realism will charge for the Rack Extension version of ABL2 seeing as the iOS version (Technobox) is priced at just £2.99 and the full VST version is roughly around £77. I suppose a reasonable price for the Rack Extension would be about £15-20 but we'll have to wait to know the actual price of the thing for sure.

There's no word yet on what routing options that will be available around the back of the Rack. It would be interesting to find some of the more advanced modular possibilities that are present in Audio Realism's ABL pro synth but to be honest I'm not expecting anything major. Maybe a few ins for controlling the basics (like filter control). However, Audio Realism did mention on their Facebook page that they had been controlling it with the Matrix Pattern Sequencer so it's safe to say that it will have the basic Gate/CV sequencer inputs.

All in all it looks the part, and of course the synth engine will be the same as the VST version (Which to me is the best softwear 303 clone that I've come across). It all comes down to the price and what features live around the back of the rack.

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DM-1 Drum Machine now available for iPhone

The DM-1 from Fingerlab has got to be one of my favourite drum machines for the iPad, it's simple to use and it just looks great. So I was happy to hear that it's now available on the iPhone and it's priced very generously  at 69p (GBP).

Check out the video of the iPhone version below.

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Propellerhead reveal Polar harmonizer Rack Extension

Propellerhead software have just revealed their second Rack Extension 'Polar'. Polar is a cool harmonizer effect perfect for injecting a little crazy pitch modulation madness to your tracks. This new Rack Extension isn't only capable of whacked out crazy pitch effects, it can be used to add some subtle modulation effects too. Check out the audio demos below.

"Polar is an old school harmonizer and pitch-shifter effect with a host of modern tricks up its sleeves. Use it for classic harmonizing, stereo-widening, and realtime pitch-shifting, or experiment with buffer looping and audio freezing to create otherworldly effects.

Load up Polar in the rack, and it will instantly make your sounds wider. Introduce slight pitch-shifting to make it even bigger. Turn the Shifters to add harmonics — up to two octaves above — or radically change the pitch down to two octaves below. Finish up your patch by turning on the filter, manipulated by the built-in LFO and envelope.

If you are a singer, producer, guitarist or remixer who is looking for transparent pitch-shifting, creative ways of turning bland recordings into wide, evolving soundscapes — or want to completely mangle a sound into an interesting mess, Polar brings all this and much more to your Reason rack."

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Custom FX Rack Design in Ableton Live - Stereo Width (Free Rack DL) - Point Blank

"http://www.pointblankonline.net/courses/ableton-live-courses.php In this tutorial Danny J Lewis shows you how to create a custom FX rack in Ableton Live to add stereo width to your mix

Download the rack for free here:https://www.facebook.com/pointblankcollege/app_326957207366280

Learn more techniques such as this on our Ableton Sound Design course, an 8 week module that involves the creation of many bespoke effect and instrument racks :: http://www.pointblankonline.net/ableton-live-sound-design.php - get in touch with a course advisor at advice@pointblankonline.net if you want to find out more.

Please subscribe to our channel to make sure you don't miss future exclusive tutorials from Point Blank Online school."

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