Mac and Music News

Sonalksis has announced the release of version 2.04 of the "Essentials Mk2" plug-in suite which includes SV-315 Mk2, SV-517Mk2 and SV-719 plug-ins.

Changes :

- All Essentials Mk2 :

. Ported to Digidesign Audiosuite format.
. Improved cross-platform session handling.
. Support display of Unicode characters in names.
. Mousewheel handling for plugins via hook added for all hosts.
. Mousewheel functionality added for text boxes.
. Mousewheel sensitivity improved.
. Mousewheel/Drag interaction handling improved.
. Non "Velocity Sensitive" mode now works with Wacom tablets.
. GUI "Off switch" (plug-in bypass) switches off all LEDS.
. Stop signal LED from locking "on" when bypassed.

- RTAS :

. Sample rate problem fixed.
. Shelf bug fixed.
. Added Alt+Ctr ...

Everything happens ! Stillwell Audio has finally released Mac OS X Universal Binary VST and AU versions of all its beautiful plug-ins. It includes :

- 1973
- Bad Buss Mojo
- Event Horizon
- Major Tom
- Transient Monster
- Verbiage
- Vide-EQ

For more information, please visit

Camel Audio's presets for Absynth and Massive have been updated to KORE 2 format including full attributes, thanks to the efforts of Stephan Wey. This update makes finding the presets you require even easier.

In addition, owners of the Biolabs Massive soundset can now download an extra free bank of over 50 presets created by Biomechanoid, Antonio Blanca and Tim Conrardy. The bank features pads, leads, basses and atmospheres - all produced to the exacting standards of these leading sound designers.

For a limited time you can buy any of the preset packs for Absynth or Massive at a reduced price of just $59 / €49 / £39.

KORE users will also be pleased to hear that all the CamelPhat and CamelSpace factory preset banks are now available in KORE 2 format, together with template KORE presets.

PreSonus Audio Electronics is pleased to announce the Open Beta Driver Program allowing customers the opportunity to download and use beta version drivers for PreSonus products.

The first beta driver available for download is the all new driver, firmware and Control Console (version 2) for the FireStudio 26x26 firewire recording system. The new FireStudio driver package for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac Leopard increases overall efficiency and stability as well as introduces a completely new version of the Control Console DSP mixer/router software with a switchable "expanded mix mode" making the second bank of ADAT channels for mixing and routing available.

Stanton DJ proudly introduces the Uberstand, a laptop stand described as "the essential tool for the traveling laptop DJ or musician".

Specification :

- Stable, rugged laptop stand for use by DJs and musicians
- Folds flat into a 12" zippered bag (included)
- Metal — aircraft grade — aluminum and stainless steel
- Lightweight and small form factor when folded
- Adjustable shelf to store Final Scratch ScratchAmp or external hard-drive
- Reusable plastic ties and Velcro

The Uberstand will retail for $99.99.

Universal Audio unveils the 710 Twin-Finity, a radically new UA pre-amp design which uniquely combines both the classic retro warmth of UA tube design and the transient bite of solid-state in a 2U, half-rack, all-metal chassis.

The 710 Twin-Finity design with dual signal paths is centered around the innovative phase-aligned "Tone-Blending" knob which is continually variable from 100% Tube to 100% Solid-State offering easy access to a myriad of unique pre-amp tones.

Features :

• Vacuum Tube(12AX7) & Solid-State Dual-Path Preamp
• UA Sonic Quality, Twin-Finity Phase-aligned Tone-Blending
• Dual Gain Stages: Wire with Gain to Creamy to Crunchy
• Class A, High-Headroom, High Gain (70dB+) Mic Pre & DI
• Metal Chassis, Designed & Made in the USA, Rack-Kit Included

The 710 Twin-Finity will have an MSRP of US$999, an estimated street price of US$799, and will include a single or dual-unit 19" pro rack mount kit. The 710 Twin-Finity will ship worldwide in July 2008.

After Bitter Sweet II, Flux today announces the release of its new freebie plug-in called Stereo Tool.

Stereo Tool offers controls and visual feedback for the stereo stage. It features ultra precise controls of input gain and individual pan for left and right channels. A phase inverter is available for each channel. A global stereo pan and a stereo width setting are also implemented to complete the management of the stereo signal. Stereo Tool also offers an accurate visual feedback reflecting the signal content. A vector scope display, Peak meters for both inputs and outputs, and a phase correlation meter permanently monitor the signal. As all Flux plug-ins it features 64-bit floating point processing, up to 8 FS (384 KHz).

Stereo Tool is available for AU, RTAS and VST compatible host applications for Windows and Mac OS X.

KRK Systems has announced the second generation of their industry-standard Rokit monitor. The second generation Rokit incorporates several technologies from the company's flagship VXT and E8B lines, including radically radiused edges along the front of the cabinet. The new Rokits replace the current Rokit 5", 6" and 8" models.

The Rokits leverage KRK's research and development into baffle design and fabrication. The Rokit G2's curved front baffle was engineered to minimize diffraction of high-frequencies, resulting in a sweet spot that is significantly larger than products with square or lightly rounded baffles. The baffle also houses a molded front-facing bass port that minimizes low-frequency phase distortion and unwanted frequency emphasis typical of rear-facing bass ports. The end result is a harmonious yet accurate blend of low and high-frequency components that result in a more accurate speaker. Additionally, the Rokit G2's voicing has been slightly enhanced to provide even better mix clarity and precision.

The new Rokit G2's are available now at a price of $149, $199 and $249 for the 5, 6 and 8 inch versions, respectively.

Native Instruments has just released Kontakt Retro Machines, the latest addition to its Kore Soundpack range of sound libraries for Kore 2 and the free Kore Player.

Based on material from the Kontakt 3 factory library, Kontakt Retro Machines offers an essential collection of charismatic vintage instruments that were formative for many electronic music genres of the past decades. This includes various classic synthesizers as well as several sought-after drum machines, with their creative potential maximized through the powerful capabilities of the Kore platform.

Native Instruments is determined to firmly establish the Kore Soundpacks line as the most valuable, diverse and inspiring range of sound material for studio and stage, and will release a substantial number of additional libraries over the course of 2008.

Kontakt Retro Machines is now available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for $59 / €49.

Voxengo has announced the release of Voxengo Crunchessor v2.0, a major new version of its general-purpose track compressor.

Version 2.0 features a wide range of enhancements over the previous version: namely, multi-platform support, multi-channel operation, mid-side processing, preset manager, and other additions.

New features :

- Multi-channel support.
- Multi-platform support.
- Wet/dry mix.
- Custom key filter adjustments.
- Undo/redo.
- Routing matrix.
- Mid/side processing.
- Preset manager.
- User interface coloration.
- User interface re-scaling.
- Channel grouping.
- Plug-in instance naming.
- Selectable oversampling level.
- Bypass switch.
- In Gain control removed (it is superfluous).
- Better metering.

Crunchessor 2.0 is available now in VST and AU formats for Mac OS X and Windows. One-month introductory price of $39.95 is now effective, which is 20% off the regular price of $49.95. Upgrading from the previous version costs $24.95 if previous version was purchased earlier than 90 days from now: otherwise upgrade is free during this grace period. Demo versions of Crunchessor are available.