PC and Music News

Akai Professional announces that the APC40 Ableton Performance Controller is now available for purchase worldwide. For the record, the APC40 is a control surface developed specifically for Ableton Live software.

The ACP40 has a retail price of $599 and an estimated street price of $399.

On popular demand, Toontrack has decided to release another Monster MIDI Pack, aptly named Monster MIDI Pack 2.

This time the package features Odd Meters and contains over 470 Progressive Rock MIDI files, individually played by drummer extraordinaire Peter Fredlander.

The Monster MIDI Pack 2 is available now for $19/€15 from the Toontrack webshop.

AudioMIDI.com has partnered with Modena, Italy-based music software developer Overloud in the release of the Breverb audioMIDI Edition reverb plug-in at just $4.99 US. Breverb has received numerous accolades from press and professional recording engineers as one of the finest reverb plug-ins out the market.

"Once users hear Breverb's incredible fidelity, we're confident they will take advantage of audioMIDI's affordable upgrade paths to the full version of Breverb", said audioMIDI.com's Russ Jones.

Compatible with both Mac (AU/VST) and PC( VST), Breverb aM Edition includes fully-functioning versions of two (Room and Plate) of Breverb's four reverberation algorithms, and is available for purchase via electronic serial number now from :

Beginning June 1, 2009 McDSP will announce two never before seen specials that you won't want to miss !

20% Off Emerald Pack and Classic Pack

For the month of June, purchase or upgrade to Emerald Pack HD or Native or Classic Pack HD or Native for 20% Off retail value. Emerald Pack includes Analog Channel, Channel G, Channel G Compact, Chrome Tone, CompressorBank, DE555, FilterBank, FutzBox, MC2000, ML4000, NF575, Revolver and Synthesizer One. Classic Pack includes Analog Channel, CompressorBank, FilterBank and MC2000.

The McDSP HD product line supports TDM, RTAS and AudioSuite formats, and operates on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. The McDSP Native product line supports RTAS and Audiosuite formats, and operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. Special available only via electronic delivery.

Individual LE Plug-ins Only $79 !

On a budget? No problem, for the month of June, all customers may purchase individual LE plug-ins for only $79 each. Individual LE plug-ins include Analog Channel LE, Chrome Tone LE, CompressorBank LE, FilterBank LE, ML4000 LE, Revolver LE and Synthesizer One LE.

The McDSP LE product line support RTAS and AudioSuite formats, and operate on Pro Tools HD, LE and M-Powered. Special available only via electronic delivery.

ESI introduces Midimate II, a convenient USB 2.0 MIDI interface cable with up to 32 input or 32 output channels for PC and Macintosh systems.

With Midimate II you can obtain perfect MIDI timing and performance at an extremly affordable price. The interface cable is compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista as well as Mac OS X and instantly works after you plug it in - no driver installation is required. There is more, Midimate II even automatically detects the incoming and outgoing MIDI signals, which means that both connectors work as input or output. You can use as 1 simultaneous input and 1 simultaneous output (with 16 channels each), 2 input (32 channels) or 2 output (32 channel) device.

Features :

• USB MIDI interface with 2 MIDI connectors, each can work as independent input or output
• high-speed connection to USB 2.0 or 1.1 equipped PC or Macintosh system
bus powered, requires no external power supply
• no driver needed for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X

Midimate II costs $34 / €27 / £24.

In this 3rd installment of the Guitar Rack series, Puremagnetik has cranked it up a notch! This Micropak includes a collection of highly expressive guitar instruments as recorded from a classic 1963 Guild Starfire hollow body. Slides, hammer-ons, staccato and jazz articulations are all available at your fingertips with Guitar Rack 3.

Guitar Rack Volume 3 includes 5 expertly programmed multisample instruments complete with easy edit controls. Menus like "WalkingChord" and "OctaveLead" put the classic sound of the hollow body directly in your hands. Over 70 looped clips for are ready for immediate playing in your session. Each Live Clip comes with a preloaded amp effect while the Logic version contains a library of Apple Loops ready for rocking!

Additionally, the Ableton Live version includes an add-on amplifier effect pack for Live 8. Making use of the latest features in Live 8, PM's resident guitar gurus have programmed a healthy dosage of raw rock effects!

Guitar Rack Volume 3 Includes :

• Over 700 24-bit multisamples
• 5 sophisticated hollow body instruments
• Over 70 Live Clips and Apple Loops
• Add-on Amp Effect Pack for Live 8
• Custom Kontakt KSP GUI and native Kontakt effects

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