Arturia has announced the release of its MiniMoog V 2.0. This new version of the Minimoog synthesizer emulation includes :

- Advanced automation mode
- A revolutionary preset navigation system called the SoundMap
- New formant-analysis-based FX called the Vocal Filter
- Various improvements to the sound structure
- A fresh bunch of presets
- Bug fixes.

The upgrade is free for all registered users.

Ableton Live 8 software is now available, so it's time to discover its new features and functions through these workshops. An Ableton specialist will be on hand to introduce Live to those who haven't yet seen it in action, with its unique approach to creating and performing music. The workshops will also give existing Live users a chance to explore some of its more advanced features and participate in question and answer sessions.

There will also be various Ableton goodies to give away, as well as exclusive Loopmasters sample disks with over 500MB of copyright-free samples, Ableton free trial disks and much more. Ableton and Novation will also be giving away one of Novation's Nocturn MIDI controllers – worth £90 – at every single event. The prize draw will be open to all those who attend.

Tour dates :

1st May — Sheffield College of Music, 1pm.
8th May — Confetti, Nottingham, 11am.
6th May — Futureworks, Manchester, 4pm.
6th May — PMT, Manchester, 7pm.
9th May — SAE, Liverpool. Multiple sessions starting at 11am.
13th May — Middlesbrough College, 2pm.
14th May — Manchester Walrus (Livetek Event), 1-5pm.
14th May — Sounds Live, Newcastle, 3pm.
15th May — SAE, Glasgow, 1pm.
16th May — Academy of Music and Sound, Edinburgh, 12pm.
20th May — SAE, London, 11am.
21st May — Digital Village, Romford, 11am.

The events are free, but attendees are required to sign up to the workshops at :

BIAS has announced SoundSoap Pro 2, a major upgrade to its professional audio noise reduction and restoration software plug-in for Mac and Windows operating systems. SoundSoap Pro combines four restoration tools - Broadband noise reduction ; Click and Crackle removal ; Hum removal ; and a Noise Gate.

SoundSoap Pro's intelligent broadband noise reduction is significantly enhanced in version 2 by new adaptive noise reduction (ANR) algorithms from BIAS. "SoundSoap Pro 2 provides 'super-intelligent' noise reduction", said Jason E. Davies, VP Sales & Marketing for BIAS, Inc. "Traditional approaches to broadband noise reduction require a selection of isolated noise in order to work effectively. In cases where the broadband noise changes over time — the results can suffer considerably unless t ...

Roland has released an update for the OS of its JUNO-G. Main new features of this version 2.0 include the possibility of recording external sources and linking samples to individual keys to then use as pads.

You can upgrade for free from the site's user area.

AcousticsampleS has just released the SFZ version of their latest Jazz Drums sonor Library, DrumTasteJazz.

It does not give access to the scripted features of the Kontakt version, but with minor editing, you can reach the multi mic position mixing and the mapping features.

16bits/44.1khz and 24bits/48khz versions are available. Price: €44.

Univers Sons / Ultimate Sound Bank introduces Jazzistic, a collection of authentic sounds, loops, kits, and instruments entirely dedicated to Jazz. It includes drums, double bass, jazz guitar and some typical electric keyboards.

The main part of Jazzistic focuses on drums, using different styles, tempo and drum sticks, offering you access to more than a thousand loops and phrases from the most basic to the most sophisticated jazz patterns :

- Swing
- Brushes
- Latino
- Herbie
- Funky Jazz
- Big Band
- Breakbeat and more

But that's not all, thanks to the UVI concept, you will also find instruments ready to play :

- 2 excellent sounding Double Basses
- Several variation of a pure Jazz Guitar
- Vintage Rhodes MK1
- Jazz selection of Hammond B3 sounds
- Drum kits

Supplied with the UVI Workstation, it is also the first UVI Soundcard to contain Kits and Patterns in BPM format, for an improved flexibility.

Jazzistic is now available for $149, and includes the full version of UVI Workstation.