PC and Music News

Akai Professional announces that their RPM8 reference production studio monitors are now shipping to retailers. Perfect for contemporary music production, RPM8 monitors have been specifically tuned for use with the company's MPC music production workstations and production controllers.

RPM8 studio monitors are two-way, active, bi-amplified, nearfield loudspeakers intended for producers, recording engineers, remix artists, DJs and other musicians. The two-way monitors each feature an eight-inch woven-kevlar low-frequency driver with 80W RMS of continuous amplification for robust, full bass all the way down to 39 Hz. The monitors' high-frequency system consists of a one-inch silk-dome tweeter with 40W RMS of continuous amplification, mounted on a custom, functionally optimized waveguide f ...

The latest update to Novation's MIDI-control application, Automap, has been released. Automap v3.4 brings with it dozens of new mappings for plug-ins and instruments, and also carries firmware updates for Novation keyboards and controllers.

When developing Automap v3.4, Novation focussed on expanding Automap's on-board library of mappings (collections of assignments that tie knobs, faders, and buttons of Novation hardware to software parameters) for Logic, Reason, and Pro Tools. To acheive this, the mappings system was fully rebuild to allow thousands of new mappings across the Novation product range.

Now, Logic, Reason, and Pro Tools are 'fully mapped' (although Logic's Sculpture and Ultrabeat have inherent limitations). This means all plug-ins and software instruments that ship wit ...

Xils-Lab and audioMIDI.com have joined forces to offer the XILS 3LE matrix-style virtual modular synthesizer at just $20.00!

The XILS 3 is a virtual instrument based on the architecture of the classic seventies VCS3 matrix-based modular synthesizer. Matrix connection brings modularity and sound design to a new dimension. More than 450 connections (audio signal, controls signal, trigger signals) are available on the XILS 3, far more than any other type of modular synthesizer! Easy to connect, easy to modify, easy to see, the matrix is far and away the easiest way to connect modules to each other.

XILS 3LE is available for purchase via electronic serial number at this special price until 12/31/09, exclusively from :

Roland Corporation U.S. is pleased to announce general availability of the SP-404SX Portable Sampler. This update to the popular SP-404 offers 44.1kHz/16-Bit sound quality, improved DSP effects, a more versatile pattern sequencer, and easier data management.

The SP-404SX includes 29 DSP effects — including filter, delay, unique voice effects, subsonic, and looper — that switch seamlessly for a smooth performance. Twelve trigger pads, three control knobs, and a Sub Pad for rapid triggering allow DJs, musicians, and sound engineers to trigger samples and jingles and apply effects on the fly at the club, gig, or theater.

The built-in microphone, simple user interface, and optional battery operation enable recording with the SP-404SX anywhere inspiration strikes. It is also easy to import samples and utilize the high quality effects onboard for sound design or unique live performance purposes. The more versatile pattern sequencer now includes an improved quantize mode with new shuffle feel for creating the latest in hip hop, R&B, and reggaeton grooves.

The SP-404SX is now available with an MSRP of $465.50.

For the month of December only, JazzMutant is offering special holiday promotional pricing.

To celebrate the holidays and reward faithful JazzMutant fans, JazzMutant is slashing the price of the Lemur which will be offered at $250/250€ OFF the MSRP price from December 1 to December 31, 2009.

The Dexter (in the past sold as a hardware device with Dexter App software), is now being offered exclusively as the Dexter App, which will be available as a software upgrade for Lemur users. For the month of December only, the Dexter App is being offered for an incredible discount of 50% OFF!

For more informations, please visit :

Togu Audio Line has updated its free virtual synth TAL-Elek7ro to version 2. This new version includes many changes that affect the filter and envelope character, therefore it was decided to make a completely new version of the plug-in that will run alongside previous versions.

Important changes are the new filter types (18dB LP, 24dB LP, 24dB HP, 24 dB BP) that have a smooth warm and almost artifact free sound. CPU usage has also been reduced.