Expert Sleepers has just released Little Spacey, a new delay plug-in for both Mac OS X and Windows.

Little Spacey is delay effect, inspired by classic analogue 'bucket brigade' delays but with refinements only possible in the digital arena - not to mention a maximum delay time that would cost a small fortune to realise in hardware. Great care has been taken to give Little Spacey the smooth, creamy sound which makes analogue delays still popular today.

In common with the best analogue delays Little Spacey allows you to modulate the delay time for chorus or vibrato effects. Unlike most analogue delays, Little Spacey is not restricted to mono operation, and works well in stereo or multi-channel (AU only) settings, offering variation of the effect between the channels for particularly rich and involving sounds.

Little Spacey is available now in VST and AU effect plug-in formats at a price of $29. For a limited time Expert Sleepers are running a special offer, giving customers the chance to get Little Spacey for just $5.

The SC800 Instrument Direct Box from Switchcraft converts the outputs of high impedance line level audio devices and musical instruments to low impedance, balanced and isolated mic level signals that can be connected to audio console's, mic pre's, effects processors, and other equipment with 3-Pin XLR inputs. The SC800 was developed with one goal in mind… to provide audio engineers and musicians with the highest quality passive direct box available today. Built by hand in Chicago, USA.

Features :

• Jensen Transformer
• Dual ¼" Thruputs
• All Metal Switchcraft ¼" I/O Jacks
• 20dB Pad
• Pin 1 Ground Lift
• Recessed I/O Panel
• Laser-Etched Product Labeling
• Rugged Extruded Aluminum Enclosure

IZotope has just updated its audio restoration application / plug-in RX to version 1.20.

New Features :

• Support for markers in WAV and AIFF files in RX application.
• Manually edit noise profiles in Denoiser with envelope.
• Added visualization for Spectral Repair before/after regions in waveform/spectrogram display.
• Added visualization for Declipper thresholds in waveform/spectrogram display.
• Major optimizations to RX Denoiser Algorithms B and C.
• Added support for keyboard shortcuts which select a module's preset and apply that module. Useful for quickly switching between module settings (for example when using Spectral Repair repeatedly on large files).
• Declipper threshold can now extend below -8 dB by zooming the histogram window.
• Many performance improvements throughout all of RX's processing modules, especially when using RX plug-ins with small buffer sizes.

This update is free for all registered users.

Avid has unveiled version 6 of its music notation software Sibelius.

New Features :

• Magnetic Layout - designed to cut the writing time between the moment of inspiration and the final printed score -- all individual objects are positioned conventionally on the score where musicians expect to find them. The software automatically spaces and lays out scores to look professional and clear from the very first note. Previously, aligning individual score objects required time-consuming manual adjustments which now occur transparently to the user.

• Versions - enables educators to track student progress, spot plagiarism and promote collaboration. Students can record progress and submit creative commentary with their final coursework. Professionals now have a effective way to ...

NuGen Audio has announced the release of a free 'Stereo Techniques' tutorial video demonstrating methods for widening, enhancing, positioning and defining stereo and mono audio material, using the plug-ins included within their Stereo Pack.

This video is available on the NuGen Audio website at :

Peavey has finally released an official RTAS version of its virtual guitar amp ReValver Mk III. Consumers who have purchased ReValver MKIII can download the RTAS upgrade now at :

Brainworx announces that its bx_boom! plug-in is now available separately from the bx_dynEQ plug-in bundle (which it is still included with).

bx_boom! is actually the one bx_dynEQ preset demonstrating the superior M/S features of this EQ best. Stripped down to only 2 parameters and an intuitive graphic design this tools enables you to attenuate or boost the impact of your bass drum sound - in a final mix (!) or a complete stereo drum-loop. bx_boom! is only availble as a true stereo plug-in due to the M/S nature of the beast.

Features :

• 3 different modes (lo / mid / hi).
• Hi-end Brainworx band pass-filters.
• Boost and attenuate your bass-drum in a final mix(!) or an individual drum loop.
• Fully automatable.
• Dedicated BYPASS switch (cymbal sign) in the plug-in GUI.
• "Mouse over feature": adjust the parameters by holding the mouse over the bass-drum or the pedal and simply turn your mouse wheel.
• Direct access: just type in any valid number into the text fields for direct access to the exact value.

bx_boom! is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS and TDM formats. Pricing starts at €89 (+VAT).

New Atlantis Audio has released B.E.A.S.T., a complete realtime analog bass workstation for Propellerhead Reason 4.

Features :

• 100 Combinator patches, 51 NN-19 sampler patches.
• Flexible. Tweakable. Powerful. — Operating from within a completely modular customdesigned rack, B.E.A.S.T. features dedicated knob and button within fast reach for every function. Load up a single instance of B.E.A.S.T., configure your MIDI controller once, and jam for hours. Easily tap into the filter, effects and modulation sections with dedicated ins and outs for external devices.
• Built for Speed — Freely swap instrument sounds on the fly without effecting the rest of the rack or stopping the music. Bend, twist and mangle the fattest analog bass tones around in realtime with 4 indepe ...

Since the release of the Prophet '08 in August 2007, Dave Smith has received numerous requests for a version with more "vintage-style" controls. The standard Prophet '08 primarily uses rotary encoders for its front panel controls, but some customers prefer potentiometers (AKA "pots") like those used on the vintage Prophets, particularly for the more performance-oriented parameters like filter cutoff and resonance. The new Prophet '08 Pot Edition offers an alternative with 38 of the 52 front panel parameters controlled by pots; rotary encoders are still used for the remainder of the controls.

So, what's the difference? The features and functionality of the non-pot and pot versions are exactly the same. The difference is strictly in the controls themselves. Encoders are "endless"—they ha ...

A teaser on Flux website announces that they are about to launch a brand new plug-in called Syrah, the same name as the dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines.

Official details are not available for now but we've heard that it may be a new compressor plug-in with stereo enhancing functionality. Knowing the excellent quality of their other products, Syrah must be really musical and flexible.

Stay tuned for more info...

By the way, don't forget that DontCrac[k] has extended the -40% introductory price on all Flux products and bundles until May 31, 2009 !

Ableton has updated Live 8 and Suite 8 to v8.0.3.

For more details upon the several bugfixes and improvements, please follow the link below :

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.