Steinberg introduces HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2

Steinberg Media Technologies has announced the latest release of its VST sampler and sound creation system HALion 5, together with the VST workstation HALion Sonic 2.

“For more than a decade HALion has been considered a premium brand that transcends the typical possibilities of professional audio manipulation,” said Matthias Quellmann, Product Marketing Manager at Steinberg. “The latest two releases keep with this tradition. HALion Sonic 2 provides a wealth of first-class sounds, while HALion 5 offers endless inspiration for creating own sounds.”

HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2 treat users to thousands of synthesised and acoustic sounds, dialled in through eight new instruments: the sleek virtual analogue Trium synthesiser, Auron for granular oscillation, Voltage delivers extra punch, World Instruments and World Percussion, HALiotron, the Model C organ emulation and the B-Box step sequencer for beats and drum patterns.

Both HALion and HALion Sonic now feature nine new effects including VST Amp for guitar and bass effect sounds and Auto Filter for sound morphing. Based on Yamaha’s Motif technology, FlexPhraser offers complex arpeggios, now sporting the user phrase editor to create custom patterns and phrases.

In addition, HALion 5 comes with two new sound sources, introducing the granular synthesis engine for creating sonic textures and the tone-wheel organ simulation with nine organ and percussion drawbars. Also new to HALion is the slicing mode that enables users to adjust audio material to fit any beat or track. Two new MIDI modules feature MIDI Player to load MIDI files that can be edited and triggered remotely. Drum Player is a step sequencer conceived and designed to play drum beats and rhythms.

The HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2 full retail versions are available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price for HALion 5 is €349, including German VAT. The suggested retail price for HALion Sonic 2 is €249, including German VAT.

Downloadable updates and upgrades are available through the Steinberg Online Shop.

Customers who have activated HALion 4 and the first version of HALion Sonic or Absolute VST Instrument Collection since 15 May 2013 are eligible for a free downloadable Grace Period update to HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2 respectively.

www.steinberg.net