Peavey has just acquired Alien Connections and its ReValver plug-in and unveiled ReValver Mk III.

Features :

- 15 amp models, including Peavey 6505, JSX, Classic, ValveKing and Triple XXX.
- Modules in amp head, preamp and power amp formats.
- Two operation modes, with 64-bit and oversampling in HQ mode for hi-fi fanatics.
- FFT based convolution reverb, including sampled spring reverb.
- More than 150 speaker samples using real-time convolution and membrane modeling.
- Algorithm improvements from Mk II to enhance realism, especially in the tube and transformer simulation.
- Standard Tuner and Simul-Tuner with six independent tuners for tuning to presets.

ReValver Mk III will be available for Mac OS X and Windows in VST and AU formats with an MSRP of $299.99.

After Stereoiser and Stereoplacer, NuGen Audio offers with Audio Visualizer a spectral analysis tool with a lot of functionalities.
Already available as a VST plug for Windows, Visualizer is now ready for the Mac, in a beta UB version (AU and VST). Its price is $89.

Main specs:

-Multiple metering meters (Peak/RMS/K12/K14/K20 etc.)
-FFT Spectrum Analysis
-Stereo Spectrum Analysis
-Stereo Spectrogram
-Vector Scope
-Stereoscope
-Stereo Bias meter
-Correlation Meter
-Intelligent window optimisation
-Frequency zoom and scroll
-dB Zoom and scroll
-Peak hold control
-Colour selection
-A/B snapshot

NuGen Audio is always looking for beta-testers, and Jon Schorah, creative director, always shows great reactivity (I'm not a NuGen employee...).

Scuzzphut has announced a new drum machine plug-in Phatbeatz.

Phatbeatz is a drum machine plugin built for quick working and easy kit & sample management. With an exclusive sample library by Electronisounds, an intuitive and easy step sequencer and a host of features designed to make beat creation quick and effective, Phatbeatz is a tool aimed at electronic musicians who want to create, not wait.

Features :

- 10 Sample Slots.
- Pattern Sequencer.
- Kit Browser.
- In place preview of Samples.
- In place preview of kits.
- Drag and Drop Samples from Explorer into phatbeatz.
- 32 step patterns - auto detects if only 16 steps used.
- Automatic loop tuning.
- 3 Outputs with fx on each.
- Decay and tune controls per sample (with fine control).
- Beautiful GUI by Berend Vervelde (Amoebe).
- Simple kit creation and management.
- Exclusive Electronisounds kit library.

Phatbeatz is coming Q1, 2008 with price TBA.

ESI has announced the new U46 XL USB audio interface with 4 input and 6 output channels for all current Windows versions and Mac OS X including Leopard.

Features :

- compact device in stylish white / aluminum case
- supports 48kHz input recording and output playback with 100dB(a) dynamic range ADC / DAC
- 6 channel analog output plus separate mix output
- microphone input with balanced XLR input and switchable +48V support
- Hi-Z input signal support (i.e. for electric guitars)
- 4 channel analog line input (4 simultaneous input channels in total)
- bus powered (no extra power supply needed)

The U46 XL will most likely be shipping in Q2 2008.

Christian Knufinke Software has released version 2.2 of its convolution reverb plug-in SIR2 and also released a public beta version for Intel-Macs (VST and AU).

Improvements in v2.2 :

- More routing capabilities (mono->mono, mono->stereo etc.).
- Better support for mono-channels.
- Auto true stereo file creation for special impulse response libraries.
- Improved host compatibility.

Sugar Bytes has announced Effectrix, a new multi-effect sequencer featuring 13 effects and a 32-step sequencer with 12 sub-patterns. If you are looking for "grooving sound mutations and exciting breakbeat effects" this one is for you !

Effects included : Looper, Timestretch, Scratch, Reverse, Tape Stop, Tonal Delay, Stutter, Crush, Filter (10 filter types), Phaser, Chorus, Delay, Reverb.

Effectrix will be released in February 2008 for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU formats. It will cost €99 / $129.