PC and Music News

Since the release of the Prophet '08 in August 2007, Dave Smith has received numerous requests for a version with more "vintage-style" controls. The standard Prophet '08 primarily uses rotary encoders for its front panel controls, but some customers prefer potentiometers (AKA "pots") like those used on the vintage Prophets, particularly for the more performance-oriented parameters like filter cutoff and resonance. The new Prophet '08 Pot Edition offers an alternative with 38 of the 52 front panel parameters controlled by pots; rotary encoders are still used for the remainder of the controls.

So, what's the difference? The features and functionality of the non-pot and pot versions are exactly the same. The difference is strictly in the controls themselves. Encoders are "endless"—they ha ...

A teaser on Flux website announces that they are about to launch a brand new plug-in called Syrah, the same name as the dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines.

Official details are not available for now but we've heard that it may be a new compressor plug-in with stereo enhancing functionality. Knowing the excellent quality of their other products, Syrah must be really musical and flexible.

Stay tuned for more info...

By the way, don't forget that DontCrac[k] has extended the -40% introductory price on all Flux products and bundles until May 31, 2009 !

Brainworx announces that its bx_boom! plug-in is now available separately from the bx_dynEQ plug-in bundle (which it is still included with).

bx_boom! is actually the one bx_dynEQ preset demonstrating the superior M/S features of this EQ best. Stripped down to only 2 parameters and an intuitive graphic design this tools enables you to attenuate or boost the impact of your bass drum sound - in a final mix (!) or a complete stereo drum-loop. bx_boom! is only availble as a true stereo plug-in due to the M/S nature of the beast.

Features :

• 3 different modes (lo / mid / hi).
• Hi-end Brainworx band pass-filters.
• Boost and attenuate your bass-drum in a final mix(!) or an individual drum loop.
• Fully automatable.
• Dedicated BYPASS switch (cymbal sign) in the plug-in GUI.
• "Mouse over feature": adjust the parameters by holding the mouse over the bass-drum or the pedal and simply turn your mouse wheel.
• Direct access: just type in any valid number into the text fields for direct access to the exact value.

bx_boom! is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS and TDM formats. Pricing starts at €89 (+VAT).

New Atlantis Audio has released B.E.A.S.T., a complete realtime analog bass workstation for Propellerhead Reason 4.

Features :

• 100 Combinator patches, 51 NN-19 sampler patches.
• Flexible. Tweakable. Powerful. — Operating from within a completely modular customdesigned rack, B.E.A.S.T. features dedicated knob and button within fast reach for every function. Load up a single instance of B.E.A.S.T., configure your MIDI controller once, and jam for hours. Easily tap into the filter, effects and modulation sections with dedicated ins and outs for external devices.
• Built for Speed — Freely swap instrument sounds on the fly without effecting the rest of the rack or stopping the music. Bend, twist and mangle the fattest analog bass tones around in realtime with 4 indepe ...

The Impressor by Mutronics is a dual mono/ stereo switchable VCA compressor.

The Impressor uses two different operational modes : 'Feedforward' and 'Feedback'. 'Feedforward' mode gives a firm, punchy feel akin to compressors such as the Dbx 160, while 'Feedback' mode gives the user opportunity to take a softer vintage approach calling to mind compressors of yore.

It also features a unique Time Constant control which pertains to its RMS detector circuit. It enables the user to vary attack and release characteristics in a ballpark fashion, which can then be honed with the individual Attack and Release controls.

The Impressor is available at a price of £2000 + VAT.

Clavia has just released the Nord Wave Super Sounds, free programs created by some of the best synthesizer programmers.

Clavia hand picked some of the planet's best synthesizer sound programmers and asked them to create their individual - and ultimate - Nord Wave sound banks. The mission was to bring out the big, bad synthesizer in the Nord Wave, and to exploit its unique sonic character to the limit. The banks reflect the musical heritage and sound preferences of each and every programmer with plenty of personality.

Further descriptions, sound clips and the actual Banks themselves are available in the Nord Wave Program Library area at :