PC and Music News

Markbass has announced the release of the Mark Studio 1 plug-in.

Based on three Markbass amp heads and six Markbass cabinets, this plug-in incorporates six different microphone choices, plus control over compression, mic position, tweeter level, room ambience, and more. The amps featured are the all-tube Classic 300, the tube-preamp R 500, and the solid state (with tube compressor) TA 501. The cabinets modeled in the plugin are the Standard 151HR (rear-ported 1x15"), Standard 152HR (rear-ported 2x15"), Standard 104HR (rear-ported 4x10"), Standard 104HF (front-ported 4x10"), Standard 106HF (front-ported 6x10") and Classic 108 (sealed 8x10").

Mark Studio 1 is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions with a retail price around $200.

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.