PC and Music News

Access Music is pleased to announce the immediate availability of the Virus TI2 series. The successor of their range of totally integrated synthesizers adds 25% more calculating power and sports a redesigned housing and front panel. Access also used new materials to bring down the weight of the keyboard versions. On the software side of things, a major feature update, OS3, will be available by the time you read this. The new operating system adds several new FX such as a Tape Delay, Frequency Shifter and several new Distortion algorithms along with a new feature called Character.

Character allows you to adjust the overall tone of a preset reminiscent of several vintage and well-known synthesizers. In addition you can emphasis certain aspects of the patch to allow it to cut better through the mix, or fade it into the background with an extra-wide stereo field. The new distortions were built from scratch and feature an extreme dynamic range along with sophisticated controls to tailor the sound to your specific needs. They can add everything from warm, tube-like overtones to complete sonic deconstruction more reminiscent of circuit-bending. The new algorithms also include a revamped bit and sampling-rate reduction, allowing you to change the quality and cutoff point with precise, continuously variable control.

The stereo Frequency Shifter and the new Ring Modulator are state of the art algorithms modelled with old '70s stomp boxes in mind.

The Tape Delay goes way beyond the possibilities of the real Tape Delays in the '60s and '70s. It smoothly syncs to tempo, lets you decide if a Doppler effect takes place when changing the tempo, and even switching the delay time between presets is all smooth, making it perfect for performers. Last but not least, a modification to the main "VCA" algorithm enables OS3 users to design gating FX known from electro and minimal influenced music.

Virus Control has received a completely redesigned user-interface thanks to various improvement requests over the last years. The plug-in now features a side chain input allowing you to mangle audio from a sequencer track with the FX and sound engine of the hardware Virus (for selected hosts only).

The best news, however, is that OS3 is compatible with all legacy Virus TIs and the Virus TI Snow, thus enabling Access' vast user base to update their existing instruments with all the new software features totally free of charge.

OS3 will be available immediately. The Virus TI2, which comes in the following flavours will also be available shortly after NAMM.

Virus TI2 Desktop 19" desktop synthesizer with wooden front application.
Virus TI2 Keyboard 61 keys (semi weighted) keyboard model with wooden side panels.
Virus TI2 Polar 37 keys (synth action) keyboard model with alloy and wooden side panels.

MOTU presents a complete rhythm production center for Mac and Windows : BPM aka Beat Machine Production.

BPM combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80's and 90's. It comes with a 15 GB library and it can sample too.

Overview :
- Complete rhythm production center for Mac and Windows.
- Combines state-of-the-art rhythm programming technology with playable virtual instrument operation inspired by the classic drum machines of the 80's and 90's.
- Provides complete creative control, from recording and programming individual samples to building and arranging entire songs.
- Includes a comprehensive, expertly produced urban sound and loop library for urban, R&B, pop, rock and other music styles.
- Combines drum machine programming, sampling, loops, synthesized drum sounds, multi-sample instrument sounds, mixing, effects processing, song arranging and asset browsing in one streamlined window.
- Plug-and-play support for hands-on pad controllers such as the Akai MPD32 controller.
- Exclusive SP1200 Emulation mode faithfully reproduces the unique characteristics of the classic sought-after E-mu SP1200.
- State-of-the-art environment for laying down beats as quickly as your mind can "hear" them.
BPM will be available for Windows (XP or Vista; 32 or 64 bit) and Mac OS X (10.4 or higher) in VST, AU, RTAS, MAS and stand-alone formats. Pricing TBA.

For more details and mp3 examples, please visit the following link :

Max for Live is a new product, co-developed by Ableton and Cycling '74. Quite simply, it puts the power and potential of Max/MSP inside Live. With Max for Live, it's possible to create completely new instruments, effects and extensions that go beyond the common and predictable and transcend the limits that conventional tools impose. The possibilities
are virtually endless, from completely unique synths and effects, algorithmic composition tools or radical, new music machines fusing Live and controller hardware. Max for Live is a chance to join a society of makers and share ingenuity.
Max for Live will be available from Ableton later this year. No price available yet.

Line 6, Inc. is proud to announce the release of Pocket POD Pack.

This pack includes Pocket POD (32 fully adjustable classic and modern amp models, 16 cabinet models and 16 essential effects), a 1/4-inch guitar cable for connecting a guitar to Pocket POD, a 1/8-inch auxiliary cable for connecting an MP3 player to Pocket POD, earbuds for silent practice, a DC-2 power adapter, a USB cable, and a CD-ROM that's loaded with jam tracks and Pocket POD tone-editing software.

Pocket POD Pack MSRP: $209.99

Spectrasonics announced and previewed their brand new virtual instrument Trilian, the long-awaited successor to their Trilogy bass module. The new instrument has a much larger core library and features highly-detailed new acoustic, electric and synth basses - as well as enhanced versions of the classic Trilogy sounds. Sporting a brand new user interface with numerous software innovations, Trilian is the first 64-bit native software based on Spectrasonics STEAM Engine and is the first virtual instrument to feature full library integration with the company's flagship Omnisphere synthesizer.

Trilian is set to be released May 18, 2009, the MSRP is $299US/€229Euro. All Trilogy customers can upgrade to Trilian for $99US. There is also a special FREE upgrade offer for Trilogy customers on the Intel-Mac platform and for customers who purchase Trilogy in 2009. Upgrades will be available exclusively through Spectrasonics online techshop.

Winter NAMM 2009 sees the launch of Focusrite's first Guitar FX VST/AU Plug-in suite; the result of a collaboration between Focusrite and Overloud.

The Focusrite Guitar FX Suite provides eleven VST/AU plug-ins which include five of the world's finest guitar amp models and four distortion pedal effects, all courtesy of bespoke Italian software company 'Overloud'; experts in the field of accurate Guitar Amp modeling. An attractive 'Hot Tuna' guitar tuner and 'Smart Hum Remover' are also provided.

The amp models include plug-ins based on the Vox AC30, Marshall JCM900, Fender Twin, MESA Boogie Rectifier and the Fender Bassman. The pedal models include plug-ins based on the Boss DS-1, the Ibanez Tube Screamer, the Electro Harmonix Big Muff and the Dunlop Fuzz Face.

The new Focusrite Guitar FX Suite will be available worldwide in January 2009 from a selection of pro audio retailers worldwide. Contact your local distributor for further details.