January 30, 2014

014 NAMM Show: Sony Creative Software has released Sound Forge Pro Mac 2 and updated SpectraLayers Pro [WIN/MAC] applications. These products can be purchased separately or together in the new Audio Master Suite Mac bundle.

Sound Forge Pro Mac, now in Version 2, now features: batch processing, refined metering for discriminating mastering and broadcast professionals, more processing tools, and event editing improvements.

The free SpectraLayers Pro 2.1 update features seamless interoperability with Sound Forge Pro Mac, an efficient reverb removal process, an improved noise reduction algorithm, expanded noise removal process options, and user interface improvements.

While Sound Forge Pro Mac 2 and SpectraLayers Pro 2.1 are standalone applications, both are now configured to work seamlessly with each other, providing a comprehensive editing environment that combines deep waveform and spectrum editing capabilities.

Here are the details:

Sound Forge Pro Mac Software New Features

Convrt Batch Processing Automation Tool. A freestanding utility for mass file format conversions, plug-in signal and effects processing treatments, and file metadata attachments including art. Convrt can handle repetitive chores in the background while recording and editing audio in the Sound Forge Pro Mac workspace.
Interoperability with SpectraLayers Pro 2.1. Transfer audio data between Sound Forge Pro Mac and SpectraLayers Pro and experience the thrill of working freely across the world’s premiere waveform and spectral editing applications.
iZotope® Nectar Elements. The included Nectar Elements plug-in makes vocal treatment a snap. Get great results quickly by loading one of Nectar’s professionally designed Style presets and then customizing your sound by adjusting dedicated controls.
Loudness Meters. Win the volume war with new metering options. EBU R128/CALM (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act) compliant metering helps you follow the new rules while maximizing the dynamic range potential of your audio.
Event Mode Improvements. Convert regions to events, lock event markers, region markers, and envelope points to events, and automatically ripple successive events forward in time while editing.
FLAC file format support. Generate files in this popular lossless format that features space-saving compression and comprehensive metadata-handling capabilities.
Auto Trim/Crop tool. Automatically remove unnecessary silence in a sound file while fading the edges of program segments in and out with user-controlled fade lengths.
SpectraLayers Pro 2.1 Software Update New Features

Free update for registered SpectraLayers Pro 2.0 users; purchase price unchanged.
Interoperability with Sound Forge Pro Mac. Effortlessly move audio data between SpectraLayers Pro and Sound Forge Pro Mac and enjoy the strengths of both programs in a seamless process.
Reverb removal process. Reduce or eliminate reverb in the spectral domain with just a few clicks.
Improved noise reduction algorithm. Subtract more noise with less impact on the program material.
Noise reduction process option. Send program material directly to a new layer.
Price and Availability

Sound Forge Pro Mac software (MSRP $299.95), SpectraLayers Pro software (MSRP $399.95 MAC/WIN), and both applications bundled in the Audio Master Suite package (MSRP $499.95) are now available for digital download, with physical products available February 1, 2014. See the Sony site for details.

J. Cole also explains what his role with Dreamville will allow him to do.

J. Cole’s Dreamville imprint made headlines yesterday (January 27), when it was announced that it would join Interscope Records in a partnership. Cole spoke with Forbes about how the partnership works.

“We provide the artist, the direction, the guidance, the music, the new ideas, and they provide muscle and years of experience of really giving artists the proper push,” J. Cole said. “We hope to add to the list of legendary albums that were made over in that building.”

Cole’s work with his Dreamville imprint allows him to do more than rap, according to the emcee.

“As an executive it gives me the opportunity to sign acts and break them, but as a producer it allows me to produce someone’s entire album and put it out,” Cole said. “That’s what I really look forward to.”

During his Forbes interview, Cole acknowledged that this would not have been possible without witnessing the work of others in Rap and in business.

“It’s definitely a path that’s been made possible by the Dr. Dres and the Jay Zs,” Cole said, referring to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Record and Jay Z’s Roc-a-Fella and Roc Nation imprints. “These guys who had amazing artistic ability in terms of rapping and production and song writing, but also had a double-sided executive mind.”

On top of announcing the Dreamville-Interscope partnership, J. Cole also released Revenge of the Dreamers, a project that can be streamed here.