Puremagnetik has just released Test Run - a free "Live Ready" pack with over 100MB of sound content. It contains a collection of the best sounds from past Puremagnetik packs.

Test Run is compatible with Ableton Live 6.0.5 and higher and is available for immediate download at Puremagnetik's web site.

Forever For Now has released Octave Shifter 2.0, the second generation of their popular real-time pitch shifting effect.

Building on its predecessor, Octave Shifter 1.5, it features a revamped generic Cocoa and Carbon GUI, a new low latency processing mode and a multitude of usability enhancements.

Key features include :

- real-time, low latency processing for live performances
- high precision post-processing for studio quality results
- four full octaves of pitch adjustment
- continuous pitch change, enables automation of pitch parameter
- extensive user manual

Octave Shifter 2 is available for Mac OS X (UB) as an Audio Unit plug-in. By the way, it is freeware so enjoy !

ASK Video Interactive Media is now offering Editors Keys keyboard overlays for many popular digital audio workstations to customers and dealers in the US and Canada.

Editors Keys Keyboard Key Sets help users of popular DAW's work up to 40% faster by transforming a standard keyboard into a fully functional audio editing keyboard. Each Key is easily applied to your standard keyboard using a handy applicator, and contains the program shortcut icon, key letter and also a text reference telling you exactly what each tool is. The keys are color grouped for greater efficiency. They are made from over 40 micro-interweaved PVC layers of the highest quality, both for optimal durability and to help blend in with your own keyboard. They are manufactured to the highest quality standards, ensuring th ...

Digidesign today announced a new family of bi-amplified, professional-grade studio reference monitors—the Reference Monitor Series (RMS). Developed jointly with PMC (the Professional Monitor Company, based in the UK), the new RMS monitors unite Digidesign's deep expertise in digital audio with PMC's legacy for fine, cutting-edge loudspeaker designs and meticulous manufacturing.

Available as a 5.5-inch two-way (RM1 ) and a 6.7-inch two-way (RM2 ), the Digidesign® RMS monitors incorporate innovation in almost every aspect of their design—from amplifier topology to acoustics and the deployment of advanced digital signal processing. Key technologies employed in Digidesign RMS monitors include the following :

- Advanced Transmission Line technology from PMC
- Bass Port Emulation provid ...

Antelope Audio launches the Isochrone 10M, an atomic master clock device, ideal for professionals and audiophiles demanding the highest possible accuracy. At the heart of the Isochrone 10M is the chemical element rubidium, which thanks to the hyperfine structure of rubidium's energy levels produces a clock that is 100,000 times more stable than crystal oscillators. Whereas an average crystal oscillator running free at 98Khz would lose one audio sample a second, this unit can be relied on to be sample accurate for eight days. With impressive stability of 0.03 ppB (parts per billion), it has a practically immeasurable jitter, while the Rubidium technology ensures the most stable and accurate clock reference possible.

The Isochrone 10M is compatible with any audio converters that can lock to an external clock source using either Wordclock BNC, S/PDIF or AES connectors. For more information, please visit their web site.

After many months of development, Numerology version 2.0 is closing in on the final stages of development.

New Features :

- Universal Binary
- ReWire Device Mode with Live, Digital Performer, Logic, and ProTools
- Much-Revised UI (cleaner graphics and fonts, new tab-based system for switching between stacks, etc...)
- New Routing System
- Patchbay system that allows you to create as many inputs and outputs as you need, give them proper names, then assign them to whatever hardware ports you desire
- MonoNote/PolyNote Sequencers Two all-new mega sequencers with an absurdly long list of feature !
- Envelope Module
- Enhanced mixer
- etc...

Numerology 2 will be $99, the same as the current price for 1.4, there is no upgrade price. Registered users can access the current 2.0 beta builds now. A public beta is currently planned for late Februrary. There is no current release date set.

Updating their instruments to Universal Binary has been an epic task for GForce Software, but now the hat trick has been scored with the release of the UB Oddity.

The update is free to users who purchased and registered their instrument after the 1st October 2006. For these users the instrument has automatically been allocated to their accounts at the GForce website. If you purchased your Oddity before 1st October 2006, you will need to update to the Universal Oddity via the shop at a price of £13.99 (plus VAT), €19.99 (plus VAT) or $26.00.

Note that GForce are promising that the Universal Binary versions of their remaining MiniMonsta instrument will be available in a matter of weeks.

Mackie unveils the HRmk2 high resolution studio monitor series with the new THX approved HR824mk2 and HR624mk2 monitors which replace their predecessors.

Crafted from a single piece of cast aluminum, the HRmk2's new Zero Edge Baffle minimizes diffraction for a crystal clear mix image, while its Optimized Waveguide delivers wide, even dispersion as well as full, articulate mids. Coupled with the passive radiator, the new baffle design also ensures tight, articulate bass extension. And with a real wood enclosure, the HRmk2s perform with maximum detail, clarity and warmth. The HR624mk2 features a 6.7-inch low distortion LF transducer (woofer) and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter while the HR824mk2 has a 8.75-inch low distortion LF woofer and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter.

They will be available late June 2007 and have a European retail price of €599,00 for the HR824mk2 and €449,00 for the HR624mk2.

SonicProjects has just released OP-X version 2.0, their remake of the legendary OB-X from Oberheim for Reaktor.

What's new :

- enhanced new gui
- faster envelopes from op-x pro
- a brand new factory bank containing the best sounds from all banks
- some great new sounds in the factory bank
- new banks added: opx_obx, opx_percanalog and opx_syncsolo
- new sounds added in several banks (arp, jupiter8, strings)
- new arranged prophet 5 bank featuring a lot of great new sounds
- enhanced analog approximations in equal tuned mode (from op-x pro)
- some phasing issues fixed that could occur in offline exporting mode
- a new copy protection scheme Receptor version available

OP-X 2.0 is available now for Mac OS X as a Reaktor Ensemble. This update is free for registered users.

Ohm Force has just release Ohmicide : Melohman. Based on Predatohm design, Ohmicide:Melohman is organized around up to four frequency bands, each of them coming with their own Noise Gate, Dynamics, Distortion, Feedback Generator and all mixing abilities with just a twist of pre- and post-processing (distortion input, high shelf output).

Core features :

- Phase corrected multiband stereo effect.
- Band distortion : a heap of modern sounding stereo distortions that can feedback.
- Band dynamic : alien compressor or expander, synchronized noise gate
- Band stereo : optionally process in mid/side mode for more stereo field tweak-ability.
- First Melohman effect: midi controlled preset morphing or randomization.
- Optional High Quality rendering (internal oversampling)
- Great on gu ...

Eliosound is proposing a group buy of its ELS Vocoder. The aim is a -55% from the normal price, or even -65% for the first in the deal (they are already 20 buyers and the reduction 15%). It runs until the 1st of May and if at this date the number of buyers is higher than 300 it'll be -55% for everyone save the lucky first ones… The original price of the ElS Vocoder is $279 / 219€, the aim is $125 / 98€! Don't waste your time, it's a very very nice voder.

In a promotion marking the beginning of the new company, Sonnox is offering a free Oxford TransMod plug-in to anyone who purchases and registers an Oxford Plugins bundle between April 16th and May 31st 2007. Bundles are available for ProTools TDM, Native (AU, VST, ProTools LE) and Powercore platforms and can be custom created by choosing anything from two to six plug-ins.