PC and Music News

Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) announces the upcoming release of Strum Electric GS-1, an electric guitar software synthesizer plug-in.

Based on the latest AAS physical modeling technology, Strum Electric provides simulation of the guitar itself, with modeling of different pickup types, the strings, and the pick, of the amplifier and speaker cabinet, and several popular guitar effects. It also includes and elaborate voicing module which automatically voices chords played on the keyboard as a guitar player would on the fretboard. Strumming, palm-muting, picking action, and different guitar techniques are reproduced by special strumming keys or MIDI loops.

Strum Electric GS-1 will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2009 at a retail price of $229. Strum Electric GS-1 runs on both Mac OS X and Windows, as a standalone application as well as in host sequencers supporting the VST, Audio Units, and RTAS plug-in formats.

In cooperation with the famous pianist Paul Badura-Skoda, Modartt has constructed a Walter pianoforte add-on for Pianoteq. This particular instrument was made around 1790 and has a powerful sound strengthened by its Viennese pianoforte action. Walter's instruments were frequently used by Mozart and were also praised by Beethoven.

The add-on can be downloaded freely by all customers at the following URL :

Eventide upgrades the OS of its Eclipse. What's on the menu? The Timefactor and Modfactor presets are added while using Eclipse presets. The update will be in beta starting before the end of january.

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.

The Pocket POD Pack has an MSRP of $209.99.

Puremagnetik has just announced the release of a new Micropak for Ableton Live 7, Kontakt 3 and Logic 8 called Microtron Tape 1.

Microtron Tape 1 contains an expertly recorded Brass, 8 Voice Choir and String Section library. All of the original imperfections, vintage analog quality and performance nuances of the Mellotron M400 have been immaculately captured through a Neumann U47 Microphone and Reeves Custom 50 Amplifier.

The Ableton Live version contains 3 individual multisampled instruments and a full "tape" instrument that has similar sound blending functionality as found on the original M400. Microtron Tape 1 for Live also comes packed with 50 Live Clips complete with Macro and effects integration.

Microtron Tape 1 for Kontakt includes all 3 multisampled instruments complete with effects and a custom KSP user interface. Logic and Kontakt versions both include a collection of 50 Apple Loops in SIAL format.

Pricing : Basic Monthly Subscription: $5.75/Month Basic Yearly Subscription: $60/Year All Access Pass - $198/Year.

Starting today, for the full 28 days of February…and for the last time, Moog Music is offering hefty rebates on its best-selling equipment. Moog's Grammy Sale offers rebates of $100 on any Minimoog Voyager, $75 on any Little Phatty and $30 on any Etherwave theremin or Moogerfooger purchased from authorized Moog dealers during February.

"We've been doing this program for five years and it's proven to have a positive impact on Moog dealer sales ~ every year we see a significant spike in customer product registrations during the month of February. We plan to replace the Grammy Sale with something equally attractive in the future, and we thank our loyal customers for participating in the sale," said Chris Stack, Moog Marketing Manager.

For more information on the Moog Grammy Sale, please visit Moog's website.