Akai has just released Vintage Beat Machines, a sample library for MPCs containing all kinds of classic drums and percussion sounds. You'll find some of the most common sounds, and some sounds you've likely never heard before. These sounds are from drum machines, beat and rhythm generators, and other synthesizers dating from the 1980s all the way back into the 1960s ! This sample pack works with all MPC models and contains samples and analog synthesis-based sounds from more than 55 different beat machines.

Vintage Beat Machines is available now at an introductory of $19.99 (instead of $29.99) through March 12 only.

This great actor of the sound synthesis scene has just passed away on February 28, he was just turning 51.

He was mainly active on the Camel Audio website where he was a main player of the sound design of the production. A memorial of him is online here :

PSP Nitro has been updated to version 1.1.2.

Changes :

- Default bank file can be defined for each bank slot. The bank will then be loaded on plug-in startup (to return to factory bank hold Apple/Ctrl button on clicking DFLT).
- GUI controls respond fine in MOTU Digital Performer.
- AudioUnit PowerPC<>Intel-Mac session portability issues resolved.
- PC<>PPC<>Intel-Mac bank and preset file portability issues resolved.
- Some minor GUI issues fixed.

The new Inward Connections EQP2 is a versatile fully parametric 2-band "500 Series" equalizer utilizing the legendary SPA690 discrete amp blocks. Capable of 20db of boost/cut per band, this all discrete design will offer smooth equalization from subtle to extreme.

Features :

- Low band frequency range 35Hz to 1KHz
- High band frequency range 560Hz to 16KHz
- Maximum boost/cut +/- 20dB
- Range of bandwidth adjustment 0.16 to 2.0 octave
- Bypass switch
- SPA690 all discrete legendary amp blocks
- Differential balance input transformer less
- Balance output transformer
- Fits standard 500 series slot configuration mechanically and electrically

The Inward Connections EQP2 is available now at a retail price of $1050.

Ableton proudly presents the Ableton Certified Training program. The doors to several Ableton Certified Training Centers are now officially open for those looking to learn about Ableton Live in the US and the UK. The Ableton certificate means that these courses meet our high standards for Ableton Live training.

Live trainers came to three certification sessions in NYC and Berlin recently, and we gave their product knowledge and teaching skills a real once-over. After a grueling couple of days, we were proud to award all participants the Ableton Certificate of quality training.

Image Line Software, the developer of FL Studio, has announced the upcoming release of Sawer, its latest virtual synthesizer.

Described as "a powerful vintage modeling synthesizer that cuts through the mix with precise articulation and a punchy sound", Sawer pays homage to the envelopes and filters of a rare 1980's Soviet analog synthesizer, Polivoks. Maxx has devoted meticulous attention to the detail of Sawer's filter and envelope designs, ensuring Sawer delivers a unique sonic character reminiscent of the Polivoks hardware. But Polivoks, like all analog synthesizers, wasn't without its problems. Keeping the oscillators stable and in tune has been likened to 'moving a pile of live frogs, by wheelbarrow', impossible! As Sawer is algorithmic, this solves the problems of tuning and stability, however, in the same way electrical component instability makes analog gear unique (if not cranky), Sawer benefits from the 21st century equivalent, a coding error.

While programming the SAW oscillator, Maxx accidentally set some incorrect variables and immediately the sound gained bass, acquired some light but pleasing noise on the attack and an overall richer sonic spectra. Maxx realized this was no mistake but a discovery and built on this, adding some frequency modulation to give it a touch of analog authenticity and so 'Sawer' was born.

Key features :

- Main oscillator for subtractive synthesis: SAW shape with Sync frequency.
- Sub oscillator (-2 to +2 octaves) with level, phase & detune controls.
- 1 Noise Oscillator.
- Variable polyphony (1 to 24 voices).
- 8 voice Unison with user-adjustable stereo panning, detune and 'Octaver'.
- Sync & Ring frequency modulation.
- 2 ADSR envelope generators (one user-assignable to modulation parameters).
- 4 Filter modes - low pass (24 & 12 dB/Oct), band pass and high pass.
- Chorus, Phaser, Delay & Reverb effects.
- Multi-mode Arpeggiator.

Sawer is currently available for pre-order for $79 (instead of $99) until the end of March 2009. It will be available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, FL and stand-alone formats. Pre-release demo versions are already available for download.