PC and Music News

SoundToys has announced the release of the SoundToys V4 bundle, offering two new plug-ins, a new built-in preset management system and an exclusive V4 set of presets. The new plug-ins are the much anticipated Decapitator analog saturation modeler and the PanMan rhythmic auto-panner.

Existing customers can upgrade for $199 for SoundToys TDM Effects or $99 for SoundToys Native Effects. V4 upgrades for single plug-ins also available. New customers can purchase the bundle for $1195 (TDM) / $495 (Native).

SoundToys is now offering individual plug-ins in native formats for $179 per plug-in, with support for RTAS, VST and Audio Units. For Pro Tools HD users, single TDM plug-ins are still available for $349 each.

MXL Microphones will display their new Cube microphone at this year's Muskimesse (booth B47, hall 5.1). This mic caters to musicians who want a tool for recording drums and percussions.

Features :

• Gold sputtered, 6-micron diaphragm
• FET balanced output
• Cardioid
• Small size, low-profile
• Supplied with mic clip (optional shockmount available)

The MXL Cube is now shipping with an MSRP $159.95.

SONiVOX has released a new Grand Piano Virtual Instrument called Eighty Eight.

Conceived and designed as an exceptional virtual embodiment of a Steinway CD 327 grand, Eighty Eight affords piano and keyboard players alike the opportunity to experience a world-class grand piano from the relative comfort and proximity of their digital audio workstation.

Exhaustively sampled and expertly voiced, Eighty Eight was recorded within the same acoustic confines as the SONiVOX Symphonic Collection, utilizing the same recording philosophy of the simplest signal chain with the highest quality A/D converters and mic pre's.

The Eighty Eight package also provides a wealth of additional instruments, pads, and textures which, when taken as a whole, supply the composer a considerable arsenal of tools ...

Spring is nearly here, and EastWest heats things up with its "Buy One Get One Free" worldwide promotion of PLAY products.

Until April 15, 2010 each customer that purchases a PLAY virtual instrument will receive an additional free product of equal or lesser value from among the following products : SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA GOLD, PLATINUM and PLATINUM PLUS, SYMPHONIC CHOIRS, PIANOS, PIANOS GOLD, FAB FOUR, GOLIATH, STORMDRUM 2, GYPSY, MINISTRY OF ROCK, VOICES OF PASSION, SILK and RA.

For more information, please visit the link below :

FabFilter has released a new Synth Classics sound set by Daniel Maurer for FabFilter Twin 2, its powerful and innovative software synthesizer.

The Synth Classics sound set includes over 150 presets, featuring leads, pads, plucked sounds and a vintage polysynth selection, programmed by Daniel Maurer. All sounds were thoughtfully created to not simply bring back good memories, but to inspire new music with several fun twists the originals could never have done. Useful parameters are assigned to the Mod Wheel, Sustain Pedal and, of course, the fun X-Y pads in Twin 2 allowing for quick, painless personalization to your music.

Daniel Maurer is a long-time synthesizer lover and programmer who started tweaking synthesizers in 1978. Many classic synths followed these humble beginnings and at one point he was touring with six different keyboards across North America to produce all the sounds needed. Daniel's sounds can be heard in many of today's popular software synthesizers as well. The Synth Classics sound set was inspired by the way FabFilter Twin 2 faithfully reproduces and vastly improves both the sound and flexibility of those analog monsters Daniel used to work with.

The Synth Classics sound set for FabFilter Twin 2 is now available in FabFilter's online shop for €19, $28 or £17. It can be used on both Windows and Mac OS X in any of the available plug-in formats.

Developed for and tested by professional audio engineers, Stereoizer by NuGen Audio adds natural sounding width and depth to any audio recording, mono or stereo, leaving the inherent character of the original source intact. Quite simply Stereoizer will make your audio more coherent, highly polished and spatially balanced without adding artificial reverberation, chorusing or delay.

Stereoizer allows for the full range of stereo image enhancement, from gentle width adjustments to huge dynamic ambiences that transform the soundstage. With visual audio analysis feedback and an intuitive control layout, Stereoizer delivers a satisfying user experience and the right result with the minimum of effort.

New in Stereoizer 3:

• New IID algorithm
• New ITD algorithm
• Frequency limited processing
• New dynamics options
• Intuitive stereo spectral analysis
• Stereo position meter
• Balance controls
• Solo controls
• Comprehensive presets

Stereoizer v3.0 is available now for Windows (VST) and Mac OS X (VST/AU) for $99.