Swayzak, UK artisans of compelling electronica, have made an exclusive, free Live Set for you to download. In their own words:

"We take a fairly unstructured path to making a Live Set. Clips are grouped by type (beats, bass, percussion etc) but we don't usually split a track into stems in order to replay it. We assign key commands to mute each track plus key commands which turn the global effects on and off (on the master channel). We have two sends (reverb and delay); this provides some space and, of course, "dubbiness." It's important to really know all the sounds—we usually go through and listen to each one on solo during preparation for a gig (we also delete or transform them if they are boring).

Then it's a process of improvisation, as we build up songs using the clips. The aim ...

Vengeance Sound announces the launch of its new plug-in series dedicated to dance music with the release of the Vengeance Producer Suite - Multiband Sidechain plug-in.

Features :

• High quality 2-band EQ with smooth FFT in the background.
• Total control over 2 independent sidechain channels (Low and Hi).
• Unique GUI (exact display of the audible sidechain effect).
• Freely configurable main display with 8 predefined scenes.
• Free choice: you can trigger the sidechain with Audio signals, MIDI notes or host sync.
• 32 "powerful and pumpin'" dance presets by Manuel Schleis.
• Also includes the "VPS Transmitter" plug-in.

Vengeance Producer Suite - Multiband Sidechain is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU effect plug-in formats. It costs €99. Not that a Syncrosoft Dongle / Steinberg Key is required but of course not supplied.

FXpansion has just announced the release of DCAM: Synth Squad, their brand new suite of advanced synthesizer instruments. The advanced DCAM analogue modelling technology carefully reconstructs the sound of vintage hardware on your computer at a fraction of the cost.


At the heart of DCAM: Synth Squad are three modeled synthesizers - Strobe, Amber and Cypher - bulging with the weight and power of old-skool analogue, according to FXpansion. These are no mere emulations stunted by the limitations of the past. Instead, they combine the best features from legendary machines with new and exciting ideas to drag them kicking and screaming into the modern world. Also included is Fusor, a semi-modular layering and performance environment for the DCAM synths with a high-quality FX suite, advanced step-sequencer/arpeggiator and flexible modulation.

Avenson Audio has announced that the IsoDI is now shipping.

Building on the circuitry of Avenson's SmallDI, the IsoDI adds two optional isolation stages.

The main signal path is still a clean, wide bandwidth transformerless FET amplifier, but the power is generated with an isolated DC to DC converter so that you can have true ground isolation and still run the IsoDI on phantom power.

The IsoOut jack can be a buffered, transformer isolated output to feed amplifiers or other inputs that can compromise the performance of the main signal path if connected in parallel. Now there is a way to get a clean DI signal even when there is bad stage power that causes the amp to buzz from light dimmer hash!

The switchable IsoOut / Parallel jack give you the flexibility to configure the jac ...

As preparations for the 127th AES Convention Committee enter the final phase of a year-long planning process, Convention Chair Agnieszka Roginska has announced that the Preliminary Calendar of Events is now live.

The convention is set for Oct. 9-12 at NY's Javits Center.

Studio Devil presents its new amp modeling and studio effects plug-in : Amp Modeler Pro.

Features :

• 15 Preamp Models cover every range of playing styles and modeled using Studio Devil's proprietary digital vacuum tube modeling technology
• Authentic Tone Controls: Gain, Bass, Mids, Treble, and Presence controls that interact with your tone just like on real tube amps
• Boost, Deep, and Bright Switches quickly liven up and adjust your tone!
• 3 Power Amp Models with Drive Control: Tube Class AB, Tube Class A, and Solid-State MOSFET to adjust natural power amp compression
• Impulse Modeler / Cabinet Processor imports any WAV or AIFF file and features Zero-Latency switch, adjustable Filter Length, and High-end Sizzle controls
• 32 Studio Devil Cabin ...

Voxengo Crunchessor version 2.5 is now available for download. Crunchessor ($49.95) is a general-purpose track compressor for professional audio production applications. It is available in AudioUnit and VST plug-in formats, for Mac OS X and Windows computers.

Version 2.5 change log :

• "Radial" knob mode can be now disabled completely.
• "Off-Line Render" indication added.
• Level metering parameters added.
• 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.
• Minor visual improvements implemented.
• Plug-in initial loading time reduced.

We have more information about the S90 XS and S70 XS Music Synthesizer that Yamaha announced 2 month ago.

The S90 XS will have an MSRP of $3,799 while the S70 XS will cost $3,699. They are both expected to be available in September 2009.

Last month we told you about the Waves Rental Plan, a new and easy way to access selected Waves bundles on a short-term basis. Well, it seems that this offer has evolved in a much attractive one... check out this email we received :

"Now, you can rent the Waves you need to give your next project that extra edge.

Waves Rental Plan is the new, easy way to use selected Waves bundles. For tracking, mixing, mastering, restoration, or live—whatever your sound field, you require the very best audio signal processing available. For a week or for a month, rent Waves plug-ins, and get the job done—professionally.

Best of all, you can now apply your Waves Rentals fees to the purchase of any product or upgrade!*

Visit our online store or contact your local dealer to rent Waves plug-ins today!

*Please note:
• The Rental period begins once the iLok has been authorized.
• With each Rental, you will receive a Rent-to-Own coupon code.
To redeem the code, contact your dealer.
• Rent-to-Own coupons can be redeemed for up to 50% toward the MSRP, up to 45 days from Rental expiration date.
• Waves Update Plan coupons can be redeemed for up to 50% toward the MSRP, up to 45 days from Update Plan purchase date.
• Rent-to-Own and Waves Update Plan coupons together can be redeemed for up to 50% toward the MSRP."

Blue Cat Audio has released a new version of two of its audio analysis plug-ins for Mac and PC, with new 3D visualization capabilities: Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro spectrum analyzer and Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro stereo field analyzer now include 3D waterfall representations of the audio signal.

The upgrade for this new version is free for registered users, and a special offer is available for others until the end of August. Demo versions of the plug-ins (VST, Audio Unit and DirectX) are available for download on the editor's website.

What's new :

• New 3D waterfall view to monitor the evolution of the spectrum or stereo field over time.
• Drag the rulers to move the curve when zoomed (can keep measurement/selection mode and still drag the curves).
• Output automat ...

SAE is the world's biggest private educator with more than 50 campuses around the globe, and many thousands of students have enjoyed the superb facilities and expert tuition on offer at them. But now anyone with an internet connection can also get an SAE education as the company launches SAEOnLine, a revolution in on-line education. It will bring SAE's expertise in music production, games programming (from SAE's sister company Qantm who specialise in superb game-based courses) and film production to homes in far flung places around the world or to people too busy to take on a full time educational course.

SAEOnLine currently offers 22 courses (see the link below for details), expected to rise to 25 and beyond over the coming weeks. These cover every aspect of creative technology includi ...

SONiVOX has released Aggro Electro Boom, a virtual instrument plug-in for Mac and PC designed for fast and professional contemporary beat creation for hip hop and electronic music producers. Aggro is the latest in the company's "Playa" product family and carries an MSRP of $149 and an introductory street price of $99.

Aggro's distinctive user interface allows effortless integration of midi keyboards and MPC pad controllers, bridging the gap between MPC style beat creation and the computer-based virtual instrument environment.

Aggro is packed with more than four gigabytes of instruments designed for sonic and stylistic versatility, including earth-shaking basses, blazing leads, trippy pads, slamming construction kits and more. All the sounds were recorded and programmed by SONiVOX's s ...

Arturia launches its "10 Year Anniversary Contest". What is the challenge ? Send Arturia your most creative response to the following question : "How Arturia changed your life ?".

Qualifying material can be video, music or any other creative content in line with the topic. The contest will end on September the 30th and results will be announced on October 9th.

The winners will receive :

1/ Origin synthesizer
2/ 10 Year Suite
3/ Analog Factory Experience
4/ one of the Arturia Analog Classics software
5/ Arturia T-Shirt and USB flash drive

For more information, please visit the link below :

Redline Equalizer by 112dB is a versatile parametric equalizer with novel features. Combining mastering-quality processing with unrivaled workflow, Redline Equalizer provides high precision control over the entire audio spectrum with perfect transparency and absolutely zero phase shift.

Whether it's silky smooth highs or ultra-tight lows you're after, Redline Equalizer delivers. Boost or cut up to an incredible 60dB per band without any harshness or boom. Choose dynamic EQ to make your equalization curves adjust in realtime to the source material. Pick either linear phase for extreme transparency, or from several vintage phase and cut/boost characteristics to make your tracks stand out in a mix. And with its proprietary S.A.M. (Smart Auto-gain Makeup) you will never have to manually ba ...

D16 Group has announced that Toraverb v1.0.1 is now available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU plug-in formats priced at €35. It is also now included in D16's Total Pack and Silver Line bundles. Demo versions are available.

Toraverb is not a classic-type reverb unit like spring, room, hall or plate. It is a concept algorithm reverb. Using a set of easily accessible parameters, it allows the user to create practically ANY type of reverb.

Features :

• High quality of diffusion algorithm.
• Modulated tail.
• Cross-talking spatial reflections.
• Early and late reflections equalization.
• Presets organised into groups.
• MIDI learn function.
• 64-bit internal processing.