Native Instruments introduced ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS, the third instrument developed together with the iconic British recording studios (read about Native Instruments ABBEY ROAD 70s DRUMS here). With two expertly engineered premium drum kits for use in the free KONTAKT PLAYER and the KONTAKT 4 sampler, ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS allows musicians and producers to recreate the defining drum sound of the 80s with the highest level of sonic fidelity and authenticity. The set contains two characteristic instruments that significantly contributed to the sound of the respective musical decade - a vintage Yamaha 9000, one of the most groundbreaking and most-recorded kits in music history, and a Slingerland Magnum Chrome with single-headed concert toms and a full set of Octobans, the melodically tuned tubular toms that were popular among drummers of that time. Both drum kits were set up and sampled in Abbey Road's Studio Two and Studio Three, taking full advantage of the acoustic properties of these famous recording rooms, as well as the revered Abbey Road's gear. ABBEY ROAD 80s DRUMS is available for purchase for an MSRP of $119 US / 99 EUR. [source]

Propellerhead Software released for sale worldwide the biggest overhaul to its Record - Reason music creation application family to date. These highly anticipated upgrades introduce new instruments, effects, sequencing, sounds, patches and more for composing, beatmaking, loop-mangling, vocal treatment, songwriting, remixing and music production. For more information on new features, watch the following video demos: Introducing Kong Drum Designer (Reason); Dr. REX octuples into Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player (Reason); New Neptune Pitch Adjuster and Voice Synth Device (Record); Block based pattern sequencing mode (Reason, Record); Expanded Factory Sound Bank with Signature patches (Reason); Live sampling (Reason)... All full versions and upgrades are available now (Propellerhead's online store), full versions of Reason are 305 EUR / $349 US; Record costs 279 EUR / $299 US, bundle of both is 405 EUR / $449 US. Record 1.5 Upgrade is offered free of charge, while Reason 5 Upgrade from any version is priced at 99 EUR / $129 US. Record for Reason Owners Sidegrade (includes Reason 5 upgrade) costs 149 EUR / $169 US. Updates and demo version are available here. [source]

German audio software developer updated its drums and percussion sampler BATTERY 3 for Audio Units, VST, and RTAS (under Pro Tools 7/8) hosts or stand-alone running on Windows and Mac OS X platforms. Version 3.1 adds the emulation of MPC60 and SP-1200 vintage drum machines; MIDI Learn function for all sliders and knobs which can be automated; and new loading behavior option (more). BATTERY 3.1 is a free update for all users of version 3; users of older version can upgrade for 99 EUR, while full versions cost 179 EUR. [source]

Griid is an advanced clip grid interface which allows you to control Ableton Live (running on your desktop or laptop) from your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Using specially developed touch objects and simple gestures, Griid is designed with the performance experience in mind. Finely tuned for rapid navigation, you can enjoy the freedom of playing Live sets of any size with ease, combined with wireless operation, this means you can perform with Ableton Live without ever needing to look at the computer screen. Griid is available in three flavors: Griid Lite (free), Griid, and Griid Pro - read about version differences here. [source]

German audio software developer VirSyn Software Synthesizer introduced iVoxel, a vocoder application for iPhone, iPod and iPad. iVoxel is a combination of a voice optimized synthesizer and a vocoder with an unprecedented intelligibility. The vocoder part is based on the Matrix vocoder from VirSyn, the channel filters used by iVoxel are based on the Sennheiser Vocoder VSM201 resulting in a rich and fat analogue-like sound. For more information on features, watch the demo video on YouTube. iVoxel is available now on Apple Store. [source]

German audio software specialists Native Instruments announced KOMPLETE 7, a significantly expanded version of their studio-standard software bundle. The next generation of KOMPLETE includes the latest versions of Native Instruments' acclaimed full-featured instruments and effects, ranging from ABSYNTH 5, BATTERY 3.1, FM8, GUITAR RIG 4.1, KONTAKT 4.1 and MASSIVE to the upcoming REAKTOR 5.5. As the next generation of the legendary modular synthesis studio, the new REAKTOR version adds powerful modal and additive synthesis, a revised user interface, the unique "Lazerbass" synthesizer and more. KOMPLETE 7 also incorporates five completely new products: The powerful studio reverb REFLEKTOR with its advanced zero-latency convolution engine; the highly expressive REAKTOR PRISM modal synthesizer designed by NI founder Stephan Schmitt; the performance effects suite TRAKTOR'S 12, derived from Native Instruments' leading DJ software; the new VINTAGE ORGANS instrument with its comprehensive arsenal of painstakingly sampled electromagnetic organs; and the new RAMMFIRE amp emulation that was developed in close collaboration with one of Rammstein's guitarists, Richard Z. Kruspe. KOMPLETE is 'kompatible' with VST, Audio Units, RTAS (Pro Tools), ASIO, Core Audio, DirectSound, and WASAPI standards on Windows and Mac OS X platforms, and costs 499 EUR. Updates are from 199 EUR. [source]

Steinberg released a new version of its VST3 plug-in development kit. VST3.1 comes with two convenient "wrapping" tools, enabling VST3.1 plug-ins to be transformed into the Audio Units format as well as - for older DAWs - into the VST2.4 standard. Further features are the support of MIDI poly pressure, a future proof Mac 64-bit test host as well as four new interfaces, including time accurate parameter group editing, delayed opening of the plug-in editor while loading a project/preset, "dirty status" allowing the plug-in to communicate generic changes to the host and several editor features like the set knob mode to open the about or help window. Visit Steinberg's developer area to download the VST3.1 update or to register in case you're new to the VST development platform. [source]

The Tube-Tech PE 1C audio effects plug-in is based on the hardware equalizer of the same name, originally created 25 years ago by Lydkraft/Tube-Tech to be an exact replica of the famous Pultec EQ. The PE 1C is a passive, tube-based equalizer suitable for many different sources ranging from bass drums and guitars to vocals. The equalizer features a Low Frequency section made up of two low shelf filters which can be combined to attenuate and boost at the same time. These filters are actually bit apart in frequency even if they are controlled by the same frequency selector. The High Frequency section has a peak and shelving filter working in parallel, which provides a smooth top end while not getting too bright. The plug-in requires a VST, Audio Units, RTAS or TDM-compatible host application running on Windows and Mac OS X platforms, and can be purchased for $229 US (Native) or $329 US (TDM/Native), excl. VAT. This offer ends August 16, 2010. [source]

Digital Performer, a Mac OS X-based DAW application from MOTU, has been updated to v7.2. This free update includes the new Themes feature (lets you completely change the look and feel of Digital Performer's entire user interface with one click), live searching in list windows, right-click menus, and more, plus all the features and enhancements first introduced in DP 7.12 and earlier. For an overview of the latest new features, visit What's new in DP 7.2. Refer to the download description and update Read Me documentation for complete details (requires registration). [source]

MU.LAB, music production software for Mac OS X and Windows systems, has been updated to v3.2.3. The update contains several fixes and enhancements in the Audio Lab and Composer departments. Free for current users; new customers will pay 75 EUR for MU.LAB UL, 25 EUR for MU.LAB XT or nothing in case of the MU.LAB FREE license (version differences). MU.LAB features a hi-quality audio engine, sample accurate sequencing, easy workflow, VST plug-in support, integrated synths and can be used from a USB memory stick... [source]