FXpansion is proud to introduce the latest addition to the BFD2 expansion pack range, Japanese Taiko Percussion.

Taiko groups have wowed audiences the world over with their visually arresting performances, earth-rumbling bass, pure percussive volume, dynamics, and rhythm. The unmistakable taiko sound has also gained acceptance in many applications far removed from traditional Japanese music. And yet the taiko — the king of Japanese traditional instruments — has been missing from the ranks of professional sound libraries. Sonica Instruments Japanese Taiko Percussion finally delivers the massive sound of taiko drums to the BFD 2.1 platform.

Feature highlights include :

- Shimedaiko
- Ohdaiko
- Chudaiko
- Kane
- Vocalizations
- Groove pack for JTP — separate purchase

Japanese Taiko Percussion for BFD 2.1 is a download-only product and is available now from the FXpansion web shop. Japanese Taiko Percussion is $125/€90 /£70. Grooves for Japanese Taiko Percussion, available separately, is $25/€20/£15.

Let me introduce you to Try-Sound, the first online Test Station for virtual instruments and Plug-Ins. For the first time ever Best Service and SoundsOnDemand are presenting the possibility of testing virtual instruments from your home anywhere in the world by transmitting MIDI and audio over the internet.

All you have to do to enjoy this service is to register for free at :

Korg has officially announced the microKORG XL. Here's an excerpt of what you can find on their UK website :

"The microKORG range expands with a new big brother to mega selling microKORG synth.

The original microKORG is loved and used daily by musicians around the world – from keyboardists to guitarists – enabling everyone to experience the enjoyment of a great synthesizer. Now an advanced microKORG is available; a synthesizer that lets you generate your own personal sound, packing a cutting-edge sound engine and powerful effects into a compact, vintage-like body. Welcome the microKORG XL

Main features :

- New vintage design is both fresh and nostalgic.
- Korg's renowned MMT Multi Modeling Technology, optimized for the microKORG XL.
-Sixteen band vocoder for voice controlled effects. A gooseneck microphone is included, so you can begin vocoding right away.
- 128 powerful sounds are built-in and ready for immediate use.
- Intuitive sound selection; simply specify the music genre and instrument category.
- Seventeen powerful KAOSS derived effects.
- Newly developed natural touch mini keyboard is compact, yet easy to play.
- Editing software can be downloaded from the Korg website, as well as converted MS2000 and microKORG programs.
- Battery powered for on-the-go enjoyment."

The microKORG XL will be available in early 2009.

Sugar Bytes has just released Consequence - The Chord Synquencer, a new plug-in described as a "chord groovebox".

Consequence is a composition tool which can create chord-lines or whole songs on the fly, but also chords which are played via MIDI can be super-sized using the innovative sound and sequencing engine.

Features :

- 3 sample-based oscillators with independent envelopes and gate selection for overlaying chords with arpeggios.
- 32-step sequencers for chord selection, gate, performance (arp, tie, multi-trigger, octave, glide) and modulation.
- New sound design features like polyphonic frequency-dependent sample rate reduction and oscillator aging.
- Included kick 4/4 kick drum for easy groove orientation.
- Multi-effect with 5 effects (reverse, chorus, phaser, delay, reverb).
- Master compressor (can be driven by 4/4 kick via sidechain).
- Monophonic and polyphonic 5-mode filter (lp, bp, hp, br, comp) with independent gate selection.
- Pattern change via MIDI note.
- MIDI input for sequencing chords in realtime.
- Easy chord creation via chordmaker, chord-recording and manual chord drawing.
- Audio recorder for session recording or for creating loops.
- 100 first class sounds available.
- Split preset system can combine sound-, sequence- and chord-presets.

Consequence is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU plug-in formats with a price of €149 / $199.

Radial Engineering is pleased to announce it will be launching a series of lunchbox modules to fit the popular API 500 series format.

Radial JDV-LB Class-A direct box

The Radial JDV-LB is a class-A direct box with a feed-forward circuit topology. By eliminating all negative feedback loops, the audio remains absolutely pristine. The result is a natural open sound. To further dial-in the tone, Radial's unique Drag Control load correction allows the user to replicate the effect of amplifiers and cables on the instrument and when disengaged, introduces a 4meg-Ohm input to properly mate with piezo pickups. This makes the JDV-LB an ideal interface for bass guitar and acoustic instruments.

Radial PHZ-LB phase adjustment tool

Following the success of the Radial Phazer, this 'studio tool' will also be ported over to the lunchbox format to allow multiple Phazers to be assembled into a recording kit. The PHZ-LB is a class-A analogue phase adjustment tool that allows the engineer to combine the sound of two sources such as microphones or direct boxes to create fuller more natural tones or introduce weird effects. Variable from 0° to 180° and equipped with a polarity reverse to capture the 181° to 360° cycle, the Radial PHZ-LB is more fun than a barrel full of lizards!

Pricing and Availability TBA.

For the month of December, Wave Arts is taking 15% off all prices. Existing Wave Arts customers can also get additional upgrade discounts this month :

* Version 4 customers: get $100 (per plug-in) towards the purchase of the version 5 equivalent or version 5 bundle containing the plug-in(s) - Custom Duo, Custom Trio, or Power Suite (applies to Power Suite plug-ins only).

* Version 5 customers: get $150 (per plug-in) towards the purchase of a custom bundle containing the plug-in(s) or Power Suite (applies to Power Suite plug-ins only). For Master Restoration, get $100 off the whole Master Restoration Suite for MR Click, MR Hum, and MR Gate, and $275 off for MR Noise.

For more information, please visit their website.