Roland announces that the VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard is now shipping, featuring newly developed vocal designer effects and high-quality ensemble sounds powered by Roland's exclusive SuperNATURAL technology.

With a solid wood construction and metal chassis, the VP-770 features a newly enhanced interface, plus expressive onboard sounds applicable across a vast array of musical genres. A high-quality headset microphone comes standard and provides the best signal path possible in combination with the VP-770's pristine onboard microphone preamp.

Performers will especially love how inviting and inspiring the VP-770 is to use onstage. It's ideal for musicians who perform alone or in small groups, and for those who need an interactive, real-time backing chorus. Film and TV music composers who are challenged with time and budget can use the VP-770 to generate high-impact choral, string, and brass arrangements on the spot. Churches in need of a choir (or choir enhancer) will love the VP-770 as well.

The VP-770 is also equipped with high-resolution vocoder modeling, which can be used to generate signature vocal effects for the dance music, pop, R&B, and hip-hop genres without the hassle and expense of a separate vocoder or processor.

The VP-770 has an MSRP of $2199.

The Ugly VSTi Interface has been updated to fix an issue with ReWire routing. It also now features drag-and-drop plug-in and patch loading. And, as always, a new version of the Ugly brings a new ugly color scheme.

For the record, the Ugly VSTi Interface is a free host application for VSTi plug-ins. It loads one VSTi at a time, and no effects, but it's intuitive and stable.

The Impressor by Mutronics is a dual mono/ stereo switchable VCA compressor.

The Impressor uses two different operational modes : 'Feedforward' and 'Feedback'. 'Feedforward' mode gives a firm, punchy feel akin to compressors such as the Dbx 160, while 'Feedback' mode gives the user opportunity to take a softer vintage approach calling to mind compressors of yore.

It also features a unique Time Constant control which pertains to its RMS detector circuit. It enables the user to vary attack and release characteristics in a ballpark fashion, which can then be honed with the individual Attack and Release controls.

The Impressor is available at a price of £2000 + VAT.

Clavia has just released the Nord Wave Super Sounds, free programs created by some of the best synthesizer programmers.

Clavia hand picked some of the planet's best synthesizer sound programmers and asked them to create their individual - and ultimate - Nord Wave sound banks. The mission was to bring out the big, bad synthesizer in the Nord Wave, and to exploit its unique sonic character to the limit. The banks reflect the musical heritage and sound preferences of each and every programmer with plenty of personality.

Further descriptions, sound clips and the actual Banks themselves are available in the Nord Wave Program Library area at :

Focusrite announces that 21 new compressor emulations and one new EQ emulation are available to download for free for all Liquid Mix users (including Liquid Mix HD).

The 15 compression emulations are based on two compressors. The API 2500 Stereo Compressor (serial number 001475), provides feed-back or feed-forward options and variations on 'knee' and 'thrust'. The Millenia STT-1 (serial number 0-166), provides the sound of variable input stages, with valve or solid-state compression circuits. Finally, the EQ emulations are based on the original Mk1 Chandler Limited Edition EMI/Abbey Road Passive TG Channel. This uses the same circuit as the Abbey Road mastering console, providing the signature Beatles sound.

For more details, please visit the link below :

Granelli Audio Labs unveils the G5790, a real SM57 modified to turn 90 degrees.

Granelli Audio Labs uses brand new Shure® SM57s and inserts a custom-made aluminum part with an acoustically-engineered internal sound path. The result is a microphone that maintains the SM57's renowned durability and familiar tone while increasing functionality.

Well, this G5790 seems to be a winner for snare recordings !

The G5790 is available now at a price of $149.99.

Voxengo has updated its mastering limiter plug-in Elephant to version 3.3.

Changes :

• "Radial" knob mode can be now disabled completely.
• "Off-Line Render" indication added.
• Global level metering parameters added.
• A/B switch visual appearance changed.
• Knob read-outs now require a single click for keyboard entry.
• Occasional crashes in WaveLab and other hosts fixed.
• Host sample rate switch-related problem fixed.

Millennia AD-D96 and AD-R96 eight channel analog to digital converter options for the HV-3D and HV-3R are available now.

Millennia's audiophile-quality proprietary converter design, tightly coupled to the HV-3 preamp, removes many stages of potential distortion. The Millennia converters are 24-bit 96 kHz eight-channel AES format with Internal/External Clocking with AES or Wordclock in/out on BNC connectors. The AES output is on a DB25 connector that conforms to the Tascam wiring standard.

All HV-3D and HV-3R units can have the option installed.

Millennia AD-D96 and AD-R96 analog to digital converter options for the HV-3D and HV-3R are $1,500 MSRP.

MFB announces that the Schlagzwerg is now shipping.

Schlagzwerg combines the power of analogue drum and percussion sounds with modular versatility in a convenient and compact desktop unit. Schlagzwerg fusions CV-controllable percussion modules and a six-track CV/Gate-sequencer into a unique drum-machine for live and studio applications.

Thanks to its semi-modular concept, Schlagzwerg is ready to go without any need for patch-connections. Its internal pre-wiring comprises trigger-assignments for the gate-tracks of five (of six) drum-sounds as well as hihat decay-control. The additional CV-tracks can freely be patched to any of the modules' functions. Naturally, the available CV-inputs can also be addressed by external control sources like LFOs, envelope generators or a Theremin-controller.

Features :

• semi-modular drum-machine
• true analogue sound sources
• kick, snare and tom (DRUM-04/-05/-06)
• cymbal and hihat (DRUM-07)
• step-sequencer with 16 steps and 16 A/B-patterns
• 6 gate- and 6 CV-tracks
• separate CV/Gate-tracks, e.g. for use with Kraftzwerg
• integrated MIDI/CV-interface
• integrated stereo-mixer with panning


Schlagzwerg is available now at a price of €680.

Glacier by 9 Soundware is a set of instruments for the EXS24 sampler within Apple Logic Pro. The theme of the sound set is glaciers. They are depicted with renderings of glacial shimmer, floating ice, violent avalanches, intense wind, as well as simulations of actual sounds of melting glaciers.

The instruments are based on 50 samples (46 loops and 4 hits). The source sounds for the samples include ocean field recordings, audio with digital artifacts which were created from deleting and recovering files using utility software, noise, and human breathing. The loops range from evolving textures lasting approximately 30 seconds to wavetable-like audio.

In addition to the 137 MB Glacier.exs instrument which uses all 50 samples, included are 20 instruments which make extensive use of the modulation capabilities of the EXS24 mkII sampler. Among them are tempo synced instruments, free-form textural instruments, impact instruments, as well as noise instruments which are equally suited for both texture and percussion (Cryoseism.exs), and an instrument inspired by actual glaciers sounds recorded by artist Katie Paterson (Melt.exs). Many are designed to be played primarily with the modulation and pitch bend wheels (and less so with the keys). As they lend themselves more to performance than step sequencing, a midi controller is highly recommended when using this sound set.

The 138 MB download includes 21 .EXS files and 50 WAV files (24-bit/44.1 kHz).

Glacier is available now for $19.99 at :

112dB has just updated their high-end reverb plug-in Redline Reverb to version 1.0.1. This new version includes bugfixes and a new vintage skin.

This update is free for registered users. For more details, please visit the link bellow :

In the style of today's R&B club and radio hits, Modern Beats proudly delivers
its new "RnB Klub Loops 1" library. This melodic construction style loopset
delivers 330+ loops derived from 20 multi-track construction loop themes.
Each of the 20 multi-track themes provides layered modern and classic R&B
performances where each instrument is separated into its own loop file. Plus,
all loops mix-match seamlessly together, allowing users to create hundreds
of original multi-track music combinations with ease.

'RnB Klub Loops' includes a wide array of powerful radio R&B hooks and riffs
for today's serious R&B music producer. Years of music theory, performance
technique, and dynamics have been poured into the music loops library, providing music producers with over 340MB of skilled performances. 'RnB Klub Loops' provides users with both style and sophistication with its upbeat arpeggios, soulful keyboard leads, and complex chord progressions.

'RnB Klub Loops 1' is organized into 2 popular Hip-Hop industry tempo groupsand key signatures: 111bpm = Key of A major/minor and 116bpm = Key of C major/minor. The loop library features a sample accurate acidized WAV format for use with Acid Pro and all WAV format supporting music software.

RnB Klub Loops is offered as a download, priced at just $39.95. For more info
and audio demos, visit :

Following the introduction of Flux products on their online store and facing the incredible success of their promotion launched on May 1, DontCrac[k] today announces that will extend the -40% introductory price on all Flux products and bundles until May 31, 2009.

"We have sold over 130 plugins and +50 bundles since May, 1" says Peter Donovan, marketing Director at DontCrac[k]. "Flux products received incredibly positive user reviews on all major audio boards and the interest for Flux products is just amazing" adds Peter. "We therefore decided, in accordance with Flux, to follow-up with numerous customers request asking to extend our Flux promotion till May, 31 and so we will" concludes Peter.

Up to 20% extra discount can be obtained by adding other products to the shopping cart (-5% per product added). That is DontCrack's permanent "Make your own Bundle" offer which is quite a good deal if you look at it closely...

Learn more from the following URL :

Puremagnetik has announced the release of "Human Beatbox" and "Funky Constructions" Artist Kits, two new free Ableton Live 8 Packs.

The Human Beatbox Kit includes a dynamic and expressive beatbox Drum Rack and a collection of looped clips for Ableton Live 8.

Funky Constructions is a fine collection of funky beats and hot grooves for Ableton Live 8 in grouped "construction kit" format.

Both of them are available for free at :