PC and Music News

SM Pro Audio announces the V-Machine, a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ's. It is one little beast that cannot be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plug-ins.

Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders.

Features :

- External hardware host for Windows plugins (VST instruments and effects)
- Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software
- Create synth layers and chain them with effects
- Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine
- Multiple VSTi's can be combined
- MIDI learn functions included
- All effect and synth chains can be switched latency free
- USB-Ports for copy protection dongles
- Use software samplers and stream its content from any USB drive
- sensor to adjust the display's contrast automatically
- control configuration software compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (future support)

Pricing and availability TBA.

Native Instruments just released Massive Expansion Vol. 2, a new Kore Soundpack based on the Massive engine. The library features 200 synthesizer sounds for use in Kore 2 and the free Kore Player as well as the individual Massive synthesizer, providing producers with a practical creative resource for a wide range of electronic music styles.

Massive Expansion Vol. 2 covers the whole sonic spectrum from leads and basses to pads and sequenced sounds. All sounds are equipped with eight morphing-capable Sound Variations per preset, with crucial sound parameters also conveniently assigned to the unified Kore user interface.

Massive Expansion Vol. 2 is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of $59 / €49.

Mickael Kastrup, who has designed the famous Oldskool Soundsets for Zebra 2, has just released a new VST plug-in called ST Chorus.

ST Chorus is a vintage stereo chorus plug-in capable of chorus, mild phaser and flanger effects.

Features :

- True stereo modulation effect.
- Low CPU usage.
- Chorus I and II mode.
- Wet signal monitoring.

ST CHorus is available now for Windows in VST format and costs €19. Note that a demo version and audio examples are available on Mickael Kastrup's website.

Future Audio Workshop, a.k.a. FAW, has just released the second volume of their free sound packs for Circle, a great semi-modular software synthesizer by the way. Dajan Izzo designs over 30 for this Circle Sounds 2 which you can start using in your music straight away.

You can download the latest Circle Sounds and previous releases at :

I've always dreamt of a way to discover the sound of a specific mic on a specific source. Today my dream becomes reality...

Well almost 'cause Schoeps has open an online Showroom where you can listen to their beautiful microphones in different kind of situation. A very cool site and a great idea that should spread over the web for our greatest joy !

Behringer has launched the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey. By taking a few minutes to tell them about the style of performance and what mixer features are most important, DJ's can have a major say in the next generation of products available at their local dealers.

"No one knows more about the right mixer for their style of music than the DJ", stated Scott Garside, Behringer Corporate Communications Manager. "Any company eager to listen to their users is going to learn not only what is right about their mixers, but also where they have missed the mark. Our greatest hope is that DJs who use any brand of mixer will see this as an opportunity to get a design really right. In any case, the DJ wins."

With the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey, the DJ really can win. A completed survey is also an entry to win one of five Behringer DDM4000 digital DJ mixers. Winners will be announced on January 1st, 2009. To participate, just follow the link below :