Lightworks Open Source NLE

The Lightworks Beta program just sent out their first newsletter. This looks to be a promising open source NLE. I'm excited to play with it as soon as a version is released for download. Right now it sounds like Windows users will be able to download something to start playing with as early as Q3 of this year.

Vadrum Video - iPod Drumming to Metallica

You may recognize Andrea Vadrucci as "Vadrum" or simply "that guy that made the YouTube video drumming to Mario Bros. music." Regardless, I think this video deserves a bit of recognition as well.

I can't help but imagine his response to an unknowing skeptic that says "yeah, but dude I bet you can't play that on real drums."




It looks like he has a CD coming out this fall.

Reaper.fm Audio Editor and Multi-tracker

Every once in a while I try to catch up with what's going on in the audio editing world. Over the years I've played around with Cakewalk, Pro Tools, and the open source Audacity. But my current favorite has to be Reaper.fm. It has a passionate development team behind it and a loyal community. I've been very impressed with what I've seen.

Unlike so much software out there, the more I use it the more I like it. It's hard to explain, but it just seems extremely well thought out and useful. Want to record multiple takes automatically? No problem. Want to treat midi like your other audio tracks? Sure! Want to be able to edit envelopes for every conceivable setting on the fly while running multiple instances of Reaper through themselves? Done.

And the hefty download? 4.4MB. Adobe take note.

Now if only I had something brilliant to record...

Reaper.fm is not free, but it also isn't crippled. It reminds you to purchase a license if you find the software useful and decide to keep using it. Two licenses are offered. You pay either the discounted $60 license or the $225 for the full license depending on your intended use.