Allen & Heath unveils the ZED-R16 which combines an analogue recording mixer with a FireWire soundcard, MIDI controls and 'home-studio' routing so you can build tracks in the studio, record live gigs, mix-down and remix.

The ZED-R16 can be employed as a standard analogue mixer while recording multi-track via FireWire or ADAT, a traditional inline mixer recording with send and return per channel via FireWire, or as a MIDI controller via switchable channel faders. It features 16 mono inputs, 2 stereo inputs, a high quality dual mic pre-amp, 4-band fully-parametric EQ, 4 auxes, a stereo bus, 2 stereo returns, and 18+18 FireWire I/O and 8+8 ADAT I/O.

The ZED-R16 can be employed as a standard analogue mixer while recording multi-track via FireWire or ADAT, a traditional inline mixer recor ...

AudioWarrior has just announced the release of the Studio Drums Plugin, a collection of 24-bit stereo precision tuned and expertly programmed drums and percussion in a plugin that works in everything including a standalone version that requires no host sequencer.

Expensive hardwood acoustic kits, cheap trashy low-fi street kits, electronic kits, and world percussion sounds from Nepal, Africa, India, and Ireland in an affordable 32-bit studio quality state of the art plugin with built in effects, stereo to 5.1 surround output, and 256 voice polyphony.

Studio Drums Plugin is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and Standalone versions for a fee of $49.

Sinevibes announces a new line of sound expansion libraries for the Roland Fantom-G workstations. The GX Series covers a wide range of instruments, from drums to synth.

A total of 8 titles are planned with prices ranging from $29/€23 to $39/€29. You can pre-order the first 4 expansion libraries now, including Drums, Synth, Bass and Atmospheres, as well as a bundle for $79/€59 (37% off). The libraries will begin shipping starting from 20th June. Note that audio examples are available.

Psychic Modulation has released Cerebrum v4.0.

Cerebrum is a groovebox-style drum machine with onboard sequencers that follow your host, allowing for serious beat creation. With 8 drums, 2 samplers, a bassline synth and algorithmic functions such as sequence and velocity randomization, Cerebrum is a rhythmic arsenal in a single plugin.

Features :

- 8 Drum Modules.
- 2 Sampler Modules.
- 1 Bass Module.
- 16 Step Drum Sequencers.
- 32 Step Bass Sequencer.
- Sequence Randomization.
- Velocity Randomization.
- New sequencers follow host flawlessly.
- Can store 3 patterns for each sequencer for switching.

Cerebrum 4 is available as a VST instrument for Windows for $34.95.

Future Audio Workshop (FAW) has just announced the release of Circle, a new semi-modular software synthesizer, designed to be easy to use, allowing you to concentrate fully on sound design and performance.

Features :

- Ease of Use :

o Designed to be easy to use and intuitive through simple work flows.
o Large easy to see knobs and sliders.
o Connect up modulations via color coded circles in a simple and visual fashion. To preview a modulation, simple place a circle under a knob, and hear its effect.
o See all your connections at a glance, without the clutter of virtual cables.

- Interactive Control :

o Visually interactive MIDI learn. Assign your MIDI controllers in a simple, fast and familiar way.
o Attach multiple Circle controls to a single knob. Speed up an LFO, while closing a filter, while increasing a delay effect time. Experiment with control.
o Use hands on control in a creative way as part of the sound design process.

- Live Performance :

o Single view, high contrast screen, lets you see everything at a single glance.
o Organize and group your sounds for live performance using the sounds browser.
o Use Apple iRemote to change sounds from afar (Mac version only).

- Fresh Sounds :

o 4 oscillators per voice, choose between classic analog or contemporary wave generators.
o Semi-modular voice structure, giving you the freedom to pick and choose from many different sound modules.
o Unrestricted modulation - connect up modulation in an easy and free way.
o Lots of great master effects to choose from.

Circle is availabe now for $199.00 / €149.00 in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions for both Mac OS X and Windows. A demo version is available.

I was among the lucky few beta tester and believe me, this synth is going to be legen, wait for it... dary !!