Flux have been busy recently and have released a new true peak limiter Elixir aimed at the audio post production market for those producing content to one of the new loudness specs like the EBU R128. But this isn’t a loudness management plug-in, it is designed to manage the true peak levels to keep them within the broadcaster’s delivery spec whilst being as transparent as possible and not unduly adding to the loudness. I think this is the first product of its type and so I wanted to see if Flux had managed to meet these expectations.   I set up a session with a range of different programme types to see how it would perform and also followed it with a loudness meter to see if it changed the loudness too much.   I found it was very good with very few side effects even when working it hard.  It is very simple to use with the main Threshold control often the only one I would need to set.  Once I had got to grips with the basics I studied the manual because there was a couple of controls I didn’t expect to see on a limiter.

The Pure Analyzer from Flux  is a big application with loads of options that displays and measures your audio in so many ways.   Separate App The first thing that is different about Analyzer, is unlike their other products that function as plug-ins within the host application like Pro Tools, Analyzer doesn't. It is a separate application that picks up signals from a Sampler Grabber plug-in (similar to ReWire) and routes the data to the main Pure Analyzer application.  This threw me at first as I was expecting a plug-in and having run the installer I couldn't find the plug-in. However once I had read the manual the configuration and arrangements were very clear and I had Analyzer running very quickly.

  This is from their press release....   Flux:: Sound & Picture development release Elixir - Real True Peak Multichannel Limiter   French software company, Flux:: Sound & Picture Development, specialized in innovative software tools for the post-production and audio mastering industry, today announce the release of Elixir - The Premier Real True Peak Multichannel Limiter Plug-in

Flux are happy and proud to announce that IRCAM Tools SPAT is the winner in the plug-in category of the Resolution Awards 2011!   The Resolution Awards recognise quality and innovation in professional audio and the winning products in the awards have been judged to be outstanding in these respects by the best informed readership in the industry.   We would like to thank all of you loyal Flux:: users and Resolution Magazine readers for nominating us in the awards and for voting in our favour!     IRCAM Tools SPAT   IRCAM Tools nominated in the Sound On Sound Awards 2012      The IRCAM Tools has been nominated in the Plug-in/Effects category of the prestigious annual Sound On Sound awards 2012. Voting is open now, and everyone casting a vote in the SOS awards will be automatically entered into the home studio giveaway, with a chance to win one of three home studio prize bundles worth £7,000 (approx $10,800) each!   SoS Awards 2012   (Voting closes at 23:59 PST on 30th November 2011)   IRCAM Tools Win your own copy of IRCAM Tools!   To celebrate this prestigious nomination we are together with Sound on Sound giving away one copy of the IRCAM Tools bundle in their monthly draw!   Participate Now!   (The deadline for entries is 11th November 2011)  

Pure Analyzer Essential   Get acquainted with and learn more about Pure Analyzer Essential and all analyzer options and metering standards provided!

New Builds Available! Two days ago, the 26th September, we released new builds of ALL Flux:: software. Please login to the Flux:: user download area to access the latest build of Your software. Software Version Released Flux:: Series:  2.3.0.10872 IRCAM Series: 1.2.0.10872

Flux just want to remind everyone that the IRCAM Verb and Hear release special with 25% discount on all the IRCAM software is about to end, with the last day available Friday 30th September. Flux:: Online Store      

I ran My Pro Tools rig up to do some work and Pro Tools reported that a critical update was required. I was running Pro Tools 9.0.3 HD on a Mac Pro with 10.6.8 OS.   So I downloaded the Pro Tools 9.0.5 update and installed it. After the obligatory restart, I ran Pro Tools and it crashed towards the end of the start up cycle.  Reading the crash report it seemed to point to my Flux Sryah plug-in causing the crash.

Pure Analyzer System – The Next Generation RTA (Real Time Analyzer) System   The Flux:: Pure Analyzer System is a network-driven modular RTA-system providing an extensive range of analyzer options for any imaginable audio analysis and measurement applications.   For maximum flexibility and efficiency, Pure Analyzer presents the option to separate the signal acquisition from the analysis utilizing a Sample grabber plug-in, and in addition to the Sample grabber plug-in, Pure Analyzer also provide I/O support for ASIO and Core Audio.

On Monday the 5th September the Pure Analyzer System will finally be released and available in public!  The Pure Analyzer System is a network-driven modular RTA-system providing an extensive range of analyzer options for any imaginable audio analysis and measurement applications.

After a long persevering winter the sun finally is here to spread warmth and joy over France. To celebrate this and to share our joy, we now offer You the great occasion to fill up your toolbox at very beneficial prices!  Visit our online store, our take the occasion to see your local dealer again, to benefit from this great 45% offer Now! Flux:: Online Store (Direct download purchase) Flux:: Distributors (To find your local dealer)   Get the latest installer version of your Flux:: Plug-ins If you want to download the latest version of the installer for your plug-ins, please just go to the download page and login with your ilok account id, or your Flux:: dongle serial number using the text field to the left side on the download page.  Flux:: Download Page   Warmest Spring Greetings, The Flux:: Crew.

New Product announcement at Musik Messe in Frankfurt 2011 Pure Analyzer System - The Next Generation Real Time Analyzer (RTA) The Flux:: Pure Analyzer System is a network-driven and modular RTA-system providing a wide range of analyzer modules for any imaginable audio analysis and measurement applications. The graphic rendering in the Flux:: Pure Analyzer System is performed using a GPU-efficient 2D/3D graphic engine based on OpenGL optimizing the audio to visual experience. The Flux:: Pure Analyzer System will be available during Q2 2011, and will be released as standalone applications with the ability to receive audio data from a plug-in environment over a standard IP network. The Pure Analyzer System will initially be available in three different versions, namely: Pure Analyzer Studio Spectrum Analyzer, Vector Scope, Phase Meter, True Peak, RMS, ITU-1770, EBU-R128 (PLOUD), Metering History and a new and unique innovation from Flux:: providing full control of Spectrum over Space (Spatial Spectrogram). Pure Analyzer Surround Spectrum Analyzer, Vector Scope, Phase Meter, True Peak, RMS, ITU-1770, EBU-R128 (PLOUD), Metering History and a new and unique innovation from Flux:: providing full control of Spectrum over Space (Spatial Spectrogram) for any kind of multi-channel environment. Pure Analyzer Live Metering, Transfer Function (Magnitude, Phase, Coherence), Impulse Response and Real Time Delay Finder. Screenshots of the different versions Live demonstrations at Musik Messe Where? The Berlin Conference Room, Hotel Maritim Frankfurt When? The 8th April 2011, Demonstrations start every hour from 10.00 to 17.00  

Flux:: just want to make sure you don't miss their time-limited Winter Holiday Special offering amazing prices on most of our products (from -30% to -40%, at least). The last day you may benefit from this offer is Monday, 31st January. Simply follow the links below to benefit from their limited offer. Flux:: Online Store (Direct download purchase) Flux:: Distributors (To find your local dealer) Get the latest installer version of your Flux:: Plug-ins If you want to download the latest version of the installer for your plug-ins, please just go to the download page and login with your ilok account id, or your Flux:: dongle serial number using the text field to the left side on the download page. Flux:: Download Page

So don't miss our time-limited Winter Holiday Special offering amazing prices on most of our products (from -30% to -40%, at least). This offer ends in less than three weeks. Don't miss this, simply follow the links below to check out the deals Now! Flux:: Online Store (Direct download purchase) Flux:: Distributors (To find your local dealer) Get the latest installer version of your Flux:: Plug-ins If you want to download the latest version of the installer for your plug-ins, please just go to the download page and login with your ilok account id, or your Flux:: dongle serial number using the text field to the left side on the download page. Flux:: Download Page

These tutorials are so simple but very effective to show how to use these new plug-ins. Tutorial 4 shows how how to change the age and gender of a spoken voice using the Voice Forger in IRCAM Tools TRAX Transformer. Tutorial 5 shows how to make a normal spoken voice sound like it's whispering, using the 'Breathy' function of the Voice Forger in IRCAM Tools TRAX Transformer. Tutorial 6 shows how to transform the voice of a singing woman using the Voice Forger; Young/Old, Male/Female, Transpose and Formant controls. Tutorial 7 shows how to Transform the age of a singing woman using the Voice Forger and the Transpose (Pitch) Modulator in IRCAM Tools Trax Transformer. Tutorial 8 shows how to adjust the expression and tuning of a singing voice using the built in tuning modes in the voice forger in IRCAM Tools Trax Transformer. Tutorial 9 demonstrates how the pitch change on a polyphonic instrument is done in order to achieve the best possible result. Tutorial 10 shows how to pitch and remix a loop and change the characteristics of it completely. Tutorial 11 shows how to use the Spectral Envelope in TRAX Transformer to create a special effects sound from an instrument sound loop. and tutorial 12 shows how to transform an ordinary acoustic guitar into a twelve string guitar with a little chorus effect on, using Transpose and Modulation in the Trax Transformer.

These are simple tutorials that show how to use these clever but at times complex tools to do some very smart tricks. The first set is all about the Transformer plug-in and demonstrates how to change the gender of a speaker as well as some finer adjustments.... Apparently there are more of these in the pipeline so either subscribe to the Flux channel on YouTube of follow them on Twitter.

Back in March 2010 Flux:: announced a partnership with IRCAM (Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics and Music) in Paris, France. Well at last its out. this is from their first press release.... IRCAM is one of the world's leading public research institutes within the fields of musical expression, musical research, sound, and acoustics. The first result of this partnership collaboration is the software audio plug-in suite, IRCAM Tools and is released to the public today! Read more about the IRCAM Tools here. This is the specs.... IRCAM Tools, as all Flux:: plug-ins, provide Up to 8 channels Input/Output. 64-bits internal floating point processing. Sampling rate up to 384 kHz DXD (Pyramix DSP based). Sampling rate up to 384 kHz for native (AU/RTAS/VST). All major native formats are supported Windows - XP, Vista, 7 all in both 32 and 64 bits. VST (2.4) RTAS* Mac OS X - 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 in 32 bits. VST (2.4) AU RTAS* *The RTAS version requires ProTools 7 or later. I cannot wait to get my hands on them and see how good they are.

Hi folks, In case you have missed the ad in the side bar you only have 10 days left to snap up Flux plug-ins at half price. If you want to know what I think of them then take a look at my reviews in Sound on Sound here & here as well as my review of the Epure II plug-in on this blog .

Flux have announced some new bundles as special offers valid until 30th April 2010, enjoy... Elemental Pack Bundle Elemental Pack - Dynamic Processing 101. Record, Mix and Master! The elemental components needed to take control over the dynamic processing when recording, mixing or mastering. NOW ONLY 159€/$219 (MSRP: 229€/$319) - Elemental Pack, Product Page DynaMix Pack Bundle DynaMix Pack - Everything you'll ever need in order to master the dynamics of your audio recordings, be it recording, mixing, or mastering. A Premium Class bundle offering the most powerful dynamic processors imaginable. NOW ONLY 709€/$979 (MSRP: 1019€/$1399) - DynaMix Pack, Product Page About Flux:: Plug-ins All major native formats are supported for both Windows (VST/RTAS) and OS X (VST/AU/RTAS) and the Epure II TDM-version is Venue D-Show compatible. RTAS/TDM versions requires ProTools 7 or later.All Flux:: plug-ins provide up to 8 channels of processing as well as up to 384 kHz with 64 bit float processing. Flux:: Product Page The last day of this offer is the 30th April 2010 and to take advantage of it Now please visit our online shop, or visit your local dealer. Flux:: Online Shop (Direct download purchase) Flux:: Worldwide Distributors (To find your local dealer) With our warmest regards, The Flux:: Crew

Flux have sent out an email advising folk that there introductory offer for their new plug-in Syrah hasn't got long to go. During the release period for our latest plug-in Syrah, all our customers has been offered a beneficial introduction price on Syrah. Now is the last chance to take advantage of this offer ending the 28th February. Follow the instructions in this message to take advantage of this ending offer Now! Syrah, a new generation dynamics processor utilizing real time dynamic detection and level dependent processing, providing adaptive dynamic capabilities, which mean that Syrah is always trying to adapt to the music and to the beat of the material. Using parts of our exquisite 'BitterSweet' technology, our new adaptive-dynamics technology, and our well-recognized level independent dynamics processing, Syrah will be well suited as a creative versatile processor for recording and mixing, as well as for delicate and demanding mastering tasks. Syrah, Product Page If you own the Flux:: Full Pack Visit the Flux:: online shop, enter your iLok account id, or your Flux:: dongle serial number, in the "Dongles & Licencing" section to access your upgrade and crossgrade offers. Then simply select the "Full Pack to Full Pack II" (Full Pack II is the Full Pack with Syrah added). If you own any other Flux:: plug-in or bundle Visit the Flux:: online shop, select Syrah for purchase, click "I have a coupon code" in the "Shopping Cart", and enter the code SYRAH2009 to recieve Your discount offer. Flux:: Online Shop