PC and Music News

To start the New Year off right, McDSP has extended all their specials until May of 2010, allowing customers to purchase anything and everything for up to 30% off !

Once McDSP releases Audio Unit (AU) compatible versions in May 2010, all prices will increase. Existing customers may simply upgrade their plug-ins at that time to receive AU support. Visit the McDSP Store today to make sure you take advantage of sale prices before they go up !

Don't forget, you can still upgrade an LE plug-in to Native for only $69 each !

D16 Group has just announced the release of Syntorus, the latest plug-in from their Silver Line.

To create a chorus effect, an audio signal is mixed with one or more delayed, pitch modulated copies of itself. Described as a "Double Path Analog Chorus", Syntorus aims to provide a rich analogue chorus similar to the effect found on classic synthesisers like the Solina, Synthex or Juno.

Features :

• Emulation of analogue delay line.
• Double delay line.
• LFOs synchronized with host application.
• Built-in tremolo effect.
• Presets organised into groups.
• MIDI learn function.
• 64-bit internal processing.

Syntorus is available now for both Mac (VST/AU) and PC (VST) at a price of €35. All current users who own Silver Line effect(s) can take an advantage of a nice cross grade offer and purchase Syntorus for a lower price. Total Bundle and Silver Line collection have been updated and now both include Syntorus.

Toontrack Music is proud to announce the release of this colossus of a Metal MIDI package, featuring one of the most prominent players in today's metal scene, Dirk Verbeuren, drummer in Soilwork, Scarve and Aborted.

So, ever felt like having insane, extreme world class Metal drumming, executed with such a razor-blade perfection and ingenious brutality that it will hit you like a 20 ton wrecking ball of sheer metal.

Enter Library of the Extreme - Blasts & Fills, the ultimate and one of its kind collection of more than 1000 individually played MIDI files.

• All material categorized by Style, BPM and Leading Instrument
• Both Straight and Triplet variations available
• Works with EZdrummer®, Superior Drummer® (optimized for 1 or 2 kicks, 1 snare, 2 toms, 1 floor-tom, 2 crash-cymbals, 1 china and 1 ride-cymbal)
• Includes Dirk Verbeuren custom Kit Selections for The Metal Foundry SDX and Superior Drummer 2.0® core library N.Y - Avatar

Available now at a price of €15. Please check Library of the Extreme Audio demos, video and more at :

Audio Damage has announced the release of its first virtual instrument : Tattoo. This is a drum synthesizer where everything old is new again. Featuring 12 independent "voice-tuned" synthesizer topologies loosely based on the X0X series, and an incredibly sophisticated step/mod sequencer, Tattoo is at home in all forms of electronic music production.

Features :

• 12 Drum Synths: Tattoo comes equipped with twelve different voices, instead of the one general catch-all voice you find in most drum synth plug-ins.

• Sophisticated Step Sequencer: Tattoo's internal sequencer comes correct, taking grid programming to the next level.

• Randomization For Days: There are multiple routes to randomizing your beats, from subtle ghost notes to full on haywire.

• Par ...

CEntrance has announced a new hardware product : the DACport USB Headphone Amplifier, featuring a reference-quality audio signal path.

DACport is an audiophile-quality, stereo 24-bit / 96kHz Digital-to-Analog converter (DAC) with exceptional jitter management, resulting in extreme clarity and revealing musical detail. Its professional 1/4" output offers the highest quality headphone connection, while the unit also comes with an adaptor for 1/4" to mini 1/8" stereo for other headphone connections. Featuring CEntrance-designed AdaptiWave USB technology and innovative JitterGuard clock management system to offer the highest quality analog audio along with super-clean dual power supplies and an audiophile headphone amplifier, the DACport redefines the category of portable headphone amplifiers.

DACport is compatible with any Windows, Mac or Linux computer and draws power straight from the USB jack. The DACport connects to the computer without special software drivers - offering driverless USB performance up to 24-bit / 96kHz, plug 'n play operation, analog volume knob, and Class A headphone amp, DACport packs a lot of features into its anodized aluminum tube, setting new standards in portability, convenience and sound quality.

DACport ships with a handy belt clip, 6 foot USB cable, and a velvet carrying pouch. Available now directly from CEntrance for $500.

The brand new URS Phat C is a multi purpose analog sounding compressor plug-in for individual tracks and buses. It replicates characteristics of not one but many hardware compressors. It's Input Stage adds saturation to color and effect the compressor's response to different program material. The six saturation models recreate vintage harmonics and soft clipping that effect transients before compression.

Features :

• Six Input Stage Saturation Models (VCA, Opto, Fet, Tranny, Tape and Tube)
• Input Saturation Mix control
• High Pass filter
• Threshold Control
• Ratio 1.2:1, 1:5.1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 6:1, 8:1, 10:1
• Soft Knee for Ratio 1.2 and 1.5
• Attack selectable Fast 20ms or Normal
• Release adjustable from 50ms to 3 seconds
• Gain Make Up from 0db to 40db
• Compressor Wet/Dry Mix slider
• Phase reverse switch
• Gain clipping indicator
• In/Out Bypass switch
• Plasma Style Input and Output VU Meters

Available now for Mac (VST, AU, RTAS) and PC (VST, RTAS) at the introductory price of $99.99 until the end of the month (regular price : $249.99).