VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is the first release in a new range of professional studio effects based on the GUITAR RIG effects framework. Developed in collaboration with acclaimed Swedish DSP developers Softube, known for their highly sophisticated emulations of analog audio hardware, VINTAGE COMPRESSORS comprises three different models designated as the VC 76, VC 2A and VC 160. While the VC 76 excels at drums and vocals, the VC 2A is popular for vocals, bass and guitar, with the VC 160 being a common choice for string instruments and individual drum sounds as well.

All three emulations offer the full feature set of their analog hardware counterparts, with their sonic characteristics and intricacies authentically replicated through advanced analog component modeling. The GUITAR RIG framework also provides an additional sidechain input with adjustable high-pass filter as well as a wet/dry control for parallel compression, opening up a wide array of advanced techniques. All three emulations are also available separately, and integrate seamlessly with any existing arsenal of effects in the GUITAR RIG 4 or the GUITAR RIG PLAYER software.

VINTAGE COMPRESSORS is available as a download in the NI Online Shop for $229 / 199 EUR, with the individual models being available for $119 / 99 EUR each.

Pfinztal, Germany /Music Industry Newswire/ — VirSyn today announced the release of VTAPE 2.0 and PRISM 1.5. First, VTAPE 2.0 – The Analog Tape Suite: VTAPE is a set of three plugins based on a thorough simulation of the famous sound of analog tape machines. Saturator simulates the recording and playback on an analog tape mastering machine. Delay combines this sound with a modern, step sequencer-like tapped delay engine which leads the tradition of the tape echo machines into the 21st century. Flanger simulates the legendary “Tape flanging” effect which can be achieved through the playback of two tape machines running at slightly different speed.

New Features in version VTAPE 2.0: VST3 / VST2.4: 64-bit version for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Delay plugin with optional triplet and dotted notes. Flanger plugin with LFO Modulation.

PRISM 1.5 – The Pitch Designer: The multi-band pitch shifter PRISM takes a fresh approach to solve the problem of shifting the pitch of complex sound sources in realtime. Traditional frequency shifting shifts all frequencies in an input up by the same amount and thereby alters their harmonic relation and tends to produce inharmonic results. But it’s perfect in dealing with transients.

New Features in version 1.5: VST3 / VST2.4: 64-bit version for Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Optional 27 Band Ringmodulator. Individual LFO Pan Modulation for each Band. Increased attenuation range for each Band.

OXFORD, U.K. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Solid State Logic, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional digital and analogue consoles, is proud to announce the release of Duende Native. Duende Native plug-ins are functionally and sonically identical to the highly acclaimed, but now discontinued DSP powered Duende plug-ins, but they run natively using your host computer’s processing resources.

The Duende Native Plug-in suite is a collection of audio processing tools that bring professional audio quality, sophistication and benchmark performance within reach of all DAW users. Duende plug-ins provide the superior precision, advanced feature set and legendary tonal characteristics of SSL console products in affordable VST/AU/RTAS* plug-in form. They are quite simply the easiest way to get your hands on professional tools that will help you achieve professional mixes that sound like a record.

The foundations of the Duende Native collection are plug-in adaptations of two SSL console classics; the EQ & Dynamics Channel plug-in provides an EQ & Dynamics processing solution with all the power, precision, flexibility and signature tone of an SSL console channel strip… the legendary Stereo Bus Compressor plug-in gives you the classic SSL stereo master bus compressor that brings power and punch to your mix without compromising clarity. In addition to these SSL classics Duende Native includes Drumstrip and Vocalstrip, which are ‘task specific’ plug-ins that each gather together a set of carefully selected and lovingly crafted processing tools to get you straight to outstanding Drum and Vocal sounds quickly and easily. X-EQ and X-Comp are both mastering grade processors that deliver superb balance of precision and tonal character. X-Verb is an incredibly powerful and flexible processor that brings beautiful hardware standard Reverb to your DAW.

All Duende Native Plug-ins are available for a free, fully functional initial 30 day demo AND for ongoing periodic free demos. Duende Native plug-ins are available to purchase individually from the SSL web store. Two boxed product bundles; Duende Native Essentials (includes EQ & Dynamics Channel and Stereo Bus Compressor) and the Duende Native Studio Pack (includes EQ & Dynamics Channel, Stereo Bus Compressor, Drumstrip, Vocalstrip, X-EQ and X-Comp) are available exclusively from SSL Resellers worldwide.

Duende Native is fully 64-bit capable in suitable Mac and Windows Operating Systems.

Find out more at www.solidstatelogic.com/duende .

Adelaide SA /Music Industry Newswire/ — Crysonic today announced the imminent release of Version 4 of their flagship product Spectralive NXT and it will available by mid February for Mac OSX and PC in all native formats. Amongst many new features Spectralive NXT V4 HD will now be a native 64-Bit plug-in for both PC and Mac as well as offering 32-Bit compatibility.

Spectralive NXT V4 HD has been re-coded for speed providing at least up to 30% better CPU usage together with many new features such as a full 3D high-resolution Real-Time FFT Spectrum waveform display (there is also the option to use anaglyph red/blue glasses ) and a Spectrogram display enabling precise monitoring of the effected audio, including many other new features and improvements. Spectralive V4 HD now works in 2 switchable modes between Simple and Advanced GUI settings giving the user the ability to choose the mode that best suits their requirements.

Spectralive V4 also increases the number of methods by which the user can convert a mono signal such as vocals to a true stereo signal using new proprietary algorithms attaining exceptional and outstanding results. The included 11 Band Look-ahead Soft Peak limiter /EQ /Maximizer with intelligent clip warning assistant has also been re-coded for finer control, CPU efficiency and enhanced quality. A Final Master Clipping prevention system ensures your audio does not distort and this can be switched on or off. More features to be announced until the launch date so stay tuned.

Taking the lead from the very popular previous Spectralive plug-in, SPECTRALIVE V4 HD will be available to purchase on-line from the crysonic website by the middle of February 2011 for Mac OSX Universal Binary, VST and PC VST formats as a native 64-Bit plugin.

Music Industry Newswire: The international virtual instrument company, Sonic Charge (they don’t disclose their geographic location for some odd reason), have announced an update to their synthetic drum machine uTonic (MicroTonic), as well as a new “sound like a robot” plugin called Bitspeak. Sonic Charge µTonic version 3.0. The first major upgrade to their flagship drum machine in over five years, with over 20 new features and a brand new look, µTonic is as good as new again. µTonic 3.0 is 100% backwards compatible with µTonic 2.0 and when you load your old projects, it will sound virtually identical, so do not hesitate to upgrade.

About µTonic
Sonic Charge µTonic (pronounced “MicroTonic”) is a VST / AU plug-in for Windows and Mac featuring a unique drum and percussion synthesizer combined with a pattern based drum-machine engine. Price is $99 (or get both uTonic and Synplant for $150).

You can use µTonic as a sound module to play drum sounds from your MIDI keyboard or sequencer, or you can use the built-in pattern engine to play drum patterns in sync with your sequencer. The sound of µTonic is 100% synthetic and rendered in real-time. No samples or pre-rendered waveforms are used.

Sonic Charge µTonic was created by Magnus Lidström. Magnus is known for his work with Propellerhead Software and XLN Audio. In particular, he was the brain behind the highly acclaimed Malström synthesizer introduced in Reason 2.0.

Bitspeak plugin
According to the company, “We are also releasing a small voice effect plug-in that we call Bitspeek. Bitspeek recreates any audio you feed into it using pulse oscillators, white noise and linear prediction filters. Sounds strange? Well, that’s the point. It is supposed to sound strange. The price of Bitspeek is $29.

Learn more about Sonic Charge virtual instruments and plug-ins here: www.soniccharge.com/ .

WARSAW, Poland /Music Industry Newswire/ — PSP Audioware has announced the re-release of its classic freeware plug-in PSP PianoVerb. Now it is compatible with newest systems including OSX. The “new” PSP PianoVerb version 1.7 is still a freeware plug-in but requires authorization.

PSP PianoVerb reproduces special kind of reverberation originally provided by piano strings. It generates reverberation using twelve string operators with adjustable damping and decay time. Each of them is tuned to a particular note starting from A(55Hz) to a G#(103.8Hz). The PSP PianoVerb string system can be transposed in the range of +-24 semitones, tuned within a range of +-100 cents and be detuned as well.

Transposing to lower octaves produces a bigger and less resonant sound similar to traditional reverbs, while in turn transposing to higher octaves produces a very bright harp-like effect.

System requirements
PC

VST
* Windows x32 or x64 (XP Service Pack 2, Vista or 7)
* VST 2.4 compatible application

RTAS
* Windows x32 or x64 (XP Service Pack 2, Vista or 7)
* ProTools LE 8.0.0 or ProTools TDM 8.0.0 (or later)

Mac

AudioUnit
* Mac OSX 10.5 or later
* 32 or 64-bit host application capable of running AudioUnit plug-ins with Cocoa view

VST
* Mac OSX 10.5 or later
* VST 2.4 compatible application

RTAS
* Mac OSX 10.5 or later
* ProTools LE 8.0.0 or ProTools TDM 8.0.0 (or later).

More information: www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/reverbs/psp_pianoverb/ .

ONTARIO, Canada /Music Industry Newswire/ — TC Electronic is proud to announce that PowerCore 4.0 software for Mac is now ready for download. At the same time this marks the final release of the Vintage Guitar Bundle that is now available for both Mac and PC.

The Mac version supports OSX 10.5 (Leopard) running in 32-bit on PowerPC- and Intel-based computers as well as 10.6 (Snow Leopard) running in 32-bit and 64-bit kernel mode on Intel Macs. In short, this new version features highly optimized multi-core support as well as a large number of driver related fixes.

Thomas Valter, Product Manager of HD Recording, said: “I am very pleased to announce that we are now able to deliver PowerCore software that is fully compatible with current operating systems on both PC and Mac. The Vintage Guitar Pedal Bundle is incredible and I would like to encourage PowerCore users to give the trial version a try.”

Both the Mac and PC version (which has been available for a while) feature improvements in stability and general performance.

Miami Beach, Fla. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Safta Consulting has announced the latest update to their Gigastudio/Gigasampler sound file player, G-Player 1.2.4, is now available. For those not familiar with the product, G-Player was created to emulate the Gigastudio sound as close as possible. According to the company, “When other samplers can only improve their Gigastudio file import, we work directly on the audio engine until we get a perfect result. For example, G-Player is the only sampler that emulates the 3 velocity curves of Gigastudio (linear, non-linear and special).” You may know the publisher as the developer of the popular CDXtract.

This new version includes the following improvements and corrections:
- New stack editor
- 2 new stack modes: Velocity and Random
- Stack key switch can be placed on the right side of the instruments
- Each instrument in a stack can be transposed
- Fixed a bug that prevented G-Player to load many giga files on Windows
- The sample pre-loading can be set down to 0.2 second for super fast loading

- Good news, the Mac 64 bit version is almost finished.
- We also have a beta version that runs on the MUSE Receptor.

More information: www.soundlib.com/gplayer/ .

For new users, the product is $149. It loads most Gig files perfectly, however will not open fully encrypted files like some BFD libraries, or Larry Seyer drums (or other files requiring iLok key or dongle). It does not require GSIF drivers!

I have been testing this product on my new Mac 8-core machine (purchased copy), as a long-time Gigastudio™ user, and will post a review on MusicIndustryNewswire.com soon.

SUNRISE, Fla. /Music Industry Newswire/ — Sonic Reality announced today that their new Neil Peart series drum sample instrument library, Neil Peart Drums Volume 1: The Kit, is shipping in the NI Kontakt-compatible edition (requires SR’s Infinite Player for authorization). The BFD2 version was announced as shipping earlier this month. Neil Peart, legendary drummer of the band RUSH, has collaborated with Sonic Reality and producer / engineer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains) to bring the authentic sound of Neil Peart’s Snakes and Arrows Custom DW Drum Kit into the digital domain. With advanced features such as deep level dynamics, humanized random alternating hits, discrete multiple mic mixing and more, this deluxe sampled kit is an ultra-realistic recreation of Neil s actual acoustic set as used live on tour and in the studio.

The BFD2 version is also available as a download and as a DVD package at the same introductory price of $149. We also offer a crossgrade product to allow you get the second version at a low price. If you own either the Infinte Player or BFD2 version, you can purchase the other version for just $49.95.

The Whole Story:

Sonic Reality is proud to announce Neil Peart Drums Vol. 1: The Kit, a sample library for Infinite Player powered by Kontakt, as part of the Drum Masters series. Neil Peart, legendary drummer of the band Rush, has collaborated with Sonic Reality and producer/engineer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) to bring the authentic sound of Neil’s “Snakes and Arrows” Custom DW® Drum Kit into the digital domain. With advanced features such as deep level dynamics, humanized random alternating hits, discrete multiple mic mixing and more, this deluxe sampled kit is an ultra-realistic recreation of Neil’s actual acoustic set as used live on tour and in the studio.

Now for the first time, e-drummers, keyboardists and composers can play rock drum samples with the iconic signature sound of drum legend Neil Peart and have a world-class, hard-hitting drum kit suitable for many styles of music from Progressive Rock to Heavy Metal! Producer Nick Raskulinecz engineered the sample sessions with over 20 channels of Neve® mic preamps, deluxe vintage tube mics and multiple room positions for one of the most elaborate sampled drum kits ever.

Neil Peart has been one of the world’s most acclaimed drummers for over 35 years. His virtuosic work with the band Rush has inspired drummers and expanded the school of rock drumming beyond all technical limitations. Peart is known for his intricate beats, fast hands and complex time signatures.

Neil Peart joined Rush in 1974, who has written and recorded rock classics such as “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Freewill,” “Limelight” and “YYZ.” The band continues to play around the globe to enthusiastic audiences of all generations.

Note about Kontakt Player and Infinite Player:

Remember that while Kontakt Player 4.1 itself is FREE from Native Instruments (we provide it to you for convenience), these third party sounds do require a “gateway” for them to be played in Kontakt Player or the full version of Kontakt. The gateway that unlocks Sonic Reality sounds with NI’s service center is called the “Infinite Player”. You must have the Infinite Player in order to play Sonic Reality sounds.

For purchasers of this product, a complimentary Infinite Player license will be provided to all new users of the Infinite Player. For exisiting Infinite Player users, your license already supports this product.

Requirements: Operating System
* Windows XP
* Mac OSX
* Vista
* Universal Binary.
More information: www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=4432 .

ATLANTA, Ga. /Music Industry Newswire/ — CDSoundMaster, an accomplished developer of custom mixing and mastering software, as well as custom recording hardware, announces the release of the NICE EQ VST Plug-In. This ground-breaking software equalizer package includes two plug-ins: the NICE EQ Solid State EQ and the NICE EQ Vacuum Tube EQ. According to the developer, this software represents a new level of realism in analog sound design. It is inspired by a world-class EQ known for its musical and expressive sound in mastering and mixing applications, as well as its dual-format topology.

Based upon a new sound engine called Acqua, the NICE EQ is “Powered by Nebula Core II Technology,” an advanced form of audio generation developed by Acustica Audio, called V.V.K.T., or Vectorial Volterra Kernels Technology.

“By using this advanced technology, we are able to accurately reproduce exacting details of analog sound, not only how it changes in frequency spectrum, but also harmonic content in the form of live, streaming data,” says Michael Angel, CDSoundMaster.

NICE EQ Features:
* Bell-shaped Solid State and Vacuum Tube EQ’s with a unique 1.0 “Q” width, including first order even and odd harmonics, and +/- 20dB of Gain.
* Frequencies included: 100Hz, 250Hz, 750Hz, 1.3kHz, 2.5kHz, 4.8 kHz, 7.5 kHz, 10kHz, 16 kHz, 20kHz, and 25kHz.
* Acqua Stand Alone VST Plug-In for Windows VST Audio Platform, featuring V.V.K.T. advanced sound engine.
* True harmonic content that changes with every frequency and gain value.
* Compatible with any Windows 32 bit VST Host.
* 64 Bit dynamic audio processing and 96kHz Actual Sample Rate with unmatched conversion quality to different rates.

NICE EQ is available now for instant download for $59 and you get both the NICE EQ Solid State and Vacuum Tube Plug-Ins.

About CDSoundMaster:
Michael Angel, owner and founder of CDSoundMaster, has been a mastering engineer for over 13 years, and became involved in software beta-testing and development in 2005. CDSoundMaster develops audio programs for their own projects, including what they believe to be the finest mastering filters available. Their software customers include world famous recording artists, producers, engineers, composers, touring musicians, and state-of-the-art recording facilities across the globe.

CDSoundMaster is an Official Third Party Library Developer for the Nebula Plug-In VST Host, and is pleased to be releasing this technology to a larger audience with the stand alone NICE EQ VST Plug-In.

For more information and instant download, visit www.CDSoundMaster.com/site/vst.html .