Zplane, a industry leading provider of audio SDKs and smart tools for music applications announced today the upcoming release of v3 of [aufTAKT]

[aufTAKT] is able to identify the tempo and musical beat locations in an audio file and can be found as integral part of numerous category defining applications in the DJ and music production field.

The new version offers:

• Automatic downbeat detection
• Automatic detection of time signature
• Additional "forced straight tempo" mode for electronic music
• Improved tempo detection stability

The [aufTAKT] technology can be licensed as Software Developers Kit (SDK) at the zplane website.

Arjen and Aram of Audio Ease went by Frank Zappa's studio, the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, to meet with Dweezil Zappa and together record the acoustics of both the tracking room and the famous Zappa echo chamber. Microphones and speaker in the echo chamber were set up just the way Frank had left them.

The resulting impulse responses can be downloaded for free for use in Altiverb, Audio Ease's convolution reverb plug- in.

KJ Sawka, drummer extraordinaire, has given you something special—two free Live Packs, full of live drum recordings, loops and riffs. He also produced his own movie to promote the Live Packs and give you an idea of what to expect.

The first Live Pack is called 'Mad Beatz.' Here's a personal description from the artist:

"I'm KJ Sawka and I'm excited to introduce the 'Mad Beatz' drum n' bass, dub step and breakbeat collection exclusively for Ableton Live, as a special holiday gift. I'm proud to be part of the world changing Ableton team!

'Mad Beatz' is mainly drum and beat-oriented stemming from a live acoustic drumming session recorded at the Art Institute in Seattle, Wa USA. There are also plenty of electronic drum loops, percussion, basslines and keyboard riffs."

As if that wasn't enough, there's the second Live Pack. Here's what KJ Sawka has to say about that:

"I've also included a song off my latest recording, 'Undefined Connectivity,' called 'Void of Truth.' An interesting take on drumfunk drum n' bass with a twist of lime."

SoundToys has announced that a beta version of Decapitator is now available.

Decapitator models the saturation or distortion created when driving professional analog studio equipment. SoundToys analyzed vintage and modern classics from Neve, API, Ampex, EMI and Thermionic Culture, and more to create accurate models of high-end studio gear. Decapitator creates that highly sought after analog sound from subtle harmonic changes to extreme driven distortion.

Decapitator features an intuitive interface with the look and feel of classic analog gear. A selection of tone controls including high cut, low cut, and a single "Tone" knob give you additional shaping control that take many of these classic sounds past their original design. The "Punish" button pushes even more gain through the modeled saturation circuits for more extreme drive. It also features a "Mix" control for blending the original sound with the sound of Decapitator, without the need for routing and bussing, and built-in auto leveling controls the output volume for a perfect balance automatically, even in the "Punish" mode.

The Decapitator public beta supports RTAS, AudioUnits and VST on Mac OS X and Windows. TDM is coming soon. Note that an iLok hardware key is required.

U-he has updated Uhbik to v1.1, which includes the addition of a new plug-in: Uhbik-G / GrainDad.

GrainDad is a Granular pitch shifter and vast audio mangling device. Tape stop effects, reversing effects, weird metallic drones from otherwise harmless material. Try on drum loops first.

Improvements :

• Uhbik-G / GrainDad (granular pitch-shifter) added.
• Support for RTAS Mac.
• Automatable Softbypass button for click free bypass operation (each Uhbik).
• Gain slider +/- 12dB (each Uhbik).
• Support for MIDI Bank Change (CC#0), to switch through folders in MIDI Programs.
• Support for Favourite & Junk preset tagging.
• Drag'n'drop preset organisation (does not work in Logic 9.0.2).
• Some minor fixes.

Denon DJ is shipping the new DN-HP500 Professional Headphones. The DN-HP500's are stylish, new, entry-level DJ headphones that, like Denon DJ's HP1000 and HP700 models, produce "impeccably clean and vibrant audio while withstanding the high-volume demands of today's DJs".

The DN-HP500's offer 1300mW input power, 40mm driver, 40 Ohms impedance, 103dB output, 10Hz - 28kHz frequency response, and 90-degree swivel mechanism, with comfortable ear pad and headband for prolonged periods of use.

Key Features :

• Type: Air tight Closed Dynamic
• ±90 degree Swivel Mechanism
• Driver Unit: 40-mm Neodymium Magnet
• Impedance: 40 Ohms
• Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 28kHz
• Output (Sensitivity): 103dB
• Max Input Power 1,300mW
• Cord Length: 1.2m (max. 3m)