Steinberg releases HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2

Steinberg Media Technologies has announced the latest release of their VST sampler and sound creation system, HALion 5, together with the VST workstation, HALion Sonic 2. Both new software iterations combine creative tools with ease of use and versatility.

HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2 feature thousands of synthesized and acoustic sounds through eight new instruments: the virtual analog Trium synthesizer, 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 seamless 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 beautiful sonic textures and the tone-wheel organ simulation with nine organ and percussion drawbars. Also new to HALion is the slicing mode that allows 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.

HALion 5 features at a glance:

• Sampler and sound creation system tailored to the demands of professionals.
• Up to 192 kHz, 32 stereo outputs and 6-channel surround support.
• Powerful multi-timbral audio engine with disk-streaming sample playback, tone-wheel organ simulator and high-end virtual analog and granular synthesis.
• Library including over 2,500 synthesized sounds and authentic acoustic instruments.
• Flexible user interface with multi-monitor support allows you to customize and save your own windows and screen sets.
• AudioWarp provides time-stretching and pitch-shifting functionality.
• Full VST Expression 2 support for smart articulation editing in Cubase.
• FlexPhraser module drives beats, arpeggios and complex tonal phrases.
• MegaTrig for easy programming of playing styles and articulations.
• Wide range of audio effects, including REVerence convolution reverb, VST Amp simulation and many more.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Windows (VST 3, VST 2.4) and OS X (VST 3, AU) plug-in support, including standalone.

HALion Sonic 2 features at a glance:

• Easy-to-use yet powerful music production workstation for synthesized sounds and recreation of acoustic instruments.
• Library including over 2,500 instrument sounds created by sound experts at Steinberg and Yamaha.
• Powerful multi-timbral audio engine with disk-streaming sample playback and virtual analog and granular synthesis.
• Unique morphing filters seamlessly blend between up to 4 of 24 filter types.
• FlexPhraser for dynamically driving beats, arpeggios and complex tonal phrases.
• Wide range of audio effects, including REVerence convolution reverb, VST Amp simulation and many more.
• MediaBay sound management system for immediate access to the libraries.
• Stage optimized workflows with dedicated player view, rapid building of keyboard splits or layers, and switching of entire multi-setups with a single command.
• Full VST Expression 2 support for smart articulation editing in Cubase.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Windows (VST 3, VST 2.4) and OS X (VST 3, AU) plug-in support, including standalone.

Availability and pricing

The HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2 full retail versions are available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop now. 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 May 15, 2013, are eligible for a free, downloadable Grace Period update to HALion 5 and HALion Sonic 2, respectively.