Waves Audio - in cooperation with Musicsoft Arts - introduces Mashup, an innovative new iPad app. Featuring an advanced playback engine and effects controlled by an intuitive interface, Mashup lets users play and mix directly from their iPad music library, plus download exclusive tracks from leading DJs like Junior Sanchez and Kris Menace. Mashup is a complete mobile DJ booth, with studio-quality EQ and analog-style resonant filters, Vinyl Touch glitch-free scratching, and independent time-stretch and pitch-shift for each of its two stereo decks, saving users thousands of dollars in gear. The Mashup app from Waves Audio and Musicsoft Arts will be available Q1 2012 from the iTunes store with pricing TBA. [source]

Engineer and producer Jack Joseph Puig (John Mayer, U2, Lady Gaga) has joined forces with Waves Audio to introduce the PuigChild Hardware Compressor. Modeled on a rare, pristine-condition Fairchild 670 compressor from Puig's personal collection, the PuigChild captures distinctive nuances of the original, along with its advanced compression techniques and sound. Featuring dual mono, linked and lateral vertical stereo modes, 16/24-bit digital I/O with sampling rates up to 96 kHz and high-quality 24-bit A/D and D/A converters, housed in a rugged 2U, 19-inch rack unit, the PuigChild is a world-class compressor, in the studio or on the road. Waves PuigChild is now available at an MSRP of $3,680 US. [source]

Waves Audio unveils V9, the new version of its acclaimed line of Waves plug-ins. One of Version 9's most highly anticipated features is 64-bit operating system support. Now Waves users can unleash the power of massive amounts of RAM memory in the DAW hosts of their choice. In addition, V9 offers faster scanning, faster loading and faster processing times. V9 also marks the introduction of Waves' new easy-to-use authorization system, Waves License Center, which eliminates use of the iLok. Waves Audio also introduced several new effects, including the InPhase plug-in (developed to correct phasing issues between tracks), the NLS Non-Linear Summing plug-in (models over 100 individual channels for analog-style summing), and the Waves Loudness Meter (WLM) plug-in for precision loudness measurement and metering (available now, for an MSRP of $400 US with a special introductory price of $299 US). Waves V9 will be available Q1 2012. [source]

...is an updated version of Voxengo's dynamic parametric equalizer plug-in for Audio Units and VST formats (including native 64-bit support) and Mac OS X (v10.5 and later, Intel-based machines) or Windows platforms. GlissEQ 3.5 adds GUI improvements, as well as 6 dB/oct low-pass and high-pass filters. Full licenses are $99.95 US, free demos can be downloaded here . [source]

Native Instruments launched a comprehensive rework of their successful ABBEY ROAD DRUMS instruments: The ABBEY ROAD DRUMMER Series. These new instruments allow both experienced and hobbyist musicians and producers to create authentic acoustic drum tracks, combining meticulously-sampled drums, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, with a comprehensive Groove Library and a detailed Mixer Section with class-A studio effects. This 'Drums, Studio, Drummer' approach was pioneered recently in Native Instruments' STUDIO DRUMMER, and the new ABBEY ROAD DRUMMER instruments use the same technical framework, based on KONTAKT 5. The instruments run in the latest version of KONTAKT 5 or the free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER. Owners of existing ABBEY ROAD DRUMS products are entitled to a free upgrade to the new version of the instruments they own. The ABBEY ROAD DRUMMER Series is now available for $119 US / 99 EUR per instrument. All four instruments are also available as a bundle priced at $349 US / 299 EUR. [source]

Steinberg has released a maintenance update for its music post-production software Nuendo 5. Version 5.5.2 addresses several issues, including the video engine performance and the MediaBay usability. The update is now available free of charge from the Steinberg website. Nuendo 5.5 or later is required to install this update. [source]

Pixologic, Inc. released an updated version of ZBrush, their 3D painting and sculpting software for Windows and Mac OS X systems. I addition to fixes, the 4R2b version introduces several new features, including FiberMesh to create true 3D fibers, fur and hair (which may be sculpted, painted, UV mapped and even exported to other applications), new set of BPR filters and operators to greatly improve your final ZBrush renders, BPR Global Shadow and Ambient Occlusion settings which simplify shadow management, new Cavity Mixer to define different material shaders based on the mesh cavities, improved small details creation through Alphas and Masks, new JPEG Exporter with Crop, Preview and adjustment settings, and more. ZBrush4 R2b is a free update for all registered ZBrush users, new licenses are $699 US. [source]

CoreCG, a New Zealand-based R&D company that specializes in creative solutions for CG animation and visual effects, announced the release of MentalCore - a cross-platform, standalone plug-in designed to help artists achieve maximum creativity and efficiency while using NVIDIA mental ray with Autodesk Maya. The software is production-proven and provides enhancements to the standard rendering workflow using Autodesk Maya with NVIDIA mental ray. Suitable for any size studio, MentalCore supports Maya 2011 or Maya 2012 and Windows, Linux and Mac OS X systems, and hosts a user-friendly interface and robust feature set, including a quick access to all global settings and render passes, node-based render pass system, dedicated shader library, support for a linear color workflow, support for ambient occlusion transparency, Python API, and compatibility with a stand-alone version of mental ray... MentalCore is available now as a node locked license at an introductory price of $189 US, or as a floating license for $199 US. A free 30-day trial of MentalCore is also available. [source]

At this year's NAMM Show, Steinberg unveiled an attractive hardware/software bundle - the CI2+ Production Kit. It combines the acclaimed CI2+ audio interface with the music production software Cubase AI 6 and the audio editing suite WaveLab LE 7. The USB-powered CI2+ unit is an interface and controller in one, with two phantom-powered microphone preamps, one with Hi-Z for direct guitar connection, and two TRS outputs, the innovative AI Knob and dedicated transport buttons. [source]

TASCAM, a long-time developer of home recording devices, announced the iU2. TASCAM's iU2 is an audio interface for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It includes all of the features of TASCAM's best-selling USB audio interfaces, including a pair of high-quality microphone inputs with phantom power. These feed an onboard microphone preamp and A/D converter for better sound performance than those built into iPhone and iPad - true stereo recording with low noise and less tendency to distort. The inputs also accept line-level signals or a high impedance instrument. In addition to compatibility with iOS devices, the iU2 also works with Mac OS and Windows-based computers. A zero-latency monitoring path allows musicians to hear themselves directly through the unit, without any distracting delay. MIDI in and out are provided to interface with synths and drum machines, and a digital output connects to digital mixers or recorders (more). [source]