PC and Music News

Arturia has released Brass v2.0.

Brass is a software recreation of three wind instruments - a trumpet, a saxophone and a trombone. Version 2.0, Brass offers an entirely redesigned interface with major new features and improvements :

• New physical modelling of the saxophone.
• Two new Saxophone mouthpieces.
• Possibility to play four instruments at a time using a new Harmonization module.
• Advanced spatialization possibilities.
• Improved MIDI control.
• Better integration into DAW software.
• Entirely redesigned interface.

On top of that, Arturia has announced a new limited edition bundle featuring the Brass 2 software and the Akai Pro EWI-USB wind-controller. This bundle will start shipping on January 25th, 2010 at a price of €399 / $449.

Arturia announces the Analog Experience Series, a new series of three hybrid synthesizers: Analog Experience The Player, Analog Experience The Factory and Analog Experience The Laboratory.

Analog Experience The Player - with 25 keys this is the smallest, most lightweight and simple version of the series. It features a compact MIDI keyboard controller and light version of Analog Factory software giving a very easy-to-use and affordable package including the very best of Arturia's signature sounds and a dedicated quality keyboard perfect for the mobile musician.

Analog Experience The Factory - with 32 keys (previously named "Analog Factory Experience") this adds a dedicated keyboard to the Analog Factory software, allowing all sounds to be dramatically modified instantaneously.

Rupert Neve Designs presents a new addition to its Portico line of products, the Portico 5017, which combined a DI box, a mic preamp and a fixed-ratio compressor.

Features :

• DI box / Mic Pre / Compressor
• Variphase, Silk, Blend and two channel operation
• desktop unit


The Portico 5017 will be shipping at the end of February 2010 for $1195.

Akai Professional announces the MPD26 USB/MIDI Pad Controller.

Features :

• Access 64 samples on 16 pressure and velocity-sensitive MPC pads with four banks each
• MPC technologies include Note Repeat, Swing, 16 Level, Full Level, and Tap Tempo
• Control virtually any 12 software parameters on assignable Q-Link knobs and faders
• Dedicated transport controls transmit MMC and MIDI to DAW and sequencing applications
• MIDI output over USB and traditional DIN MIDI I/O for controlling software and hardware
• Backlit, easy-to-read screen
• USB bus powered, class compliant: plug and play with one USB cable
• Comes with Ableton Live Lite and Editor Librarian software

The MPD26 will be available on february at the same price as the MPD24.

Avid has announced the Pro Tools Instrument Expansion Pack, featuring all five Digidesign's virtual instruments - Structure, Strike, Velvet, Transfuser and Hybrid.

The pack will ship in Q1 of 2010, and carries a USMSRP of $499. Upgrade options for existing customers will also be available.

FXpansion has announced BFD Nano, a streamlined, fun and affordable software instrument for acoustic drums, based on FXpansion's BFD2 engine.

Optimized for flexibility and power while being incredibly easy to use, BFD Nano is provided with an extensive built-in library of drum sounds and patterns, and is also compatible with the wide range of FXpansion and 3rd-party add-on expansions.

Feature Highlights:
• 5 kicks, 6 snares, 12 toms and 3 hihats.
• 11 cymbals and selection of percussion.
• 15 built-in effects including EQ, filtering, dynamics, drive, reverb and more.
• Groove section with over 1500 patterns and advanced humanization.
• Customizable keymaps and electronic drum support.
• Built-in Stereo audio export.
• Over 40 great-sounding ...