BigTick has released version 1.0 of Zen, a free universal VSTi presets manager, initially for Windows but we hope that a Mac version is on the road.

Zen is a Universal Presets Manager: It loads in any host as a VST instrument, and acts as a loader for other VSTis. So with Zen, you can search for "Rhodes piano" and get a list of all matching presets – regardless of the final VSTi (Rhino, Zebra, Absynth... whatever). When you select one of the presets in Zen, the corresponding VSTi is automatically loaded to play the requested preset.

Many popular VSTis are supported, and new ones are added daily. Eventually Zen aims to categorize all available presets, for all VSTis.

Zen is online - It constantly synchronizes its own local database of presets with a master online database hosted at www.bigtickaudio.com – users get new presets daily, delivered right into their sequencer, already categorized.

Zen for commercial presets designers - Commercial presets designers can use Zen to send demo versions of their presets to all potential customers. Users can preview the presets in Zen, directly in the context of their track, and buy the presets they like with just one click. Presets can be bought individually, as opposed to purchasing a full bank of presets.

Sound Devices unveils a new audio interface called the USBPre 2.

Features :

• Extended bandwidth, low-noise microphone preamplifiers with 48 V phantom, limiters, high-pass filters, and 15 dB pad.
• Dynamic range greater than 114 dB (in 24-bit operation).
• Flat 10 Hz to 40 kHz (@96 kHz SR) audio bandwidth with very low distortion characteristics.
• Each input individually selectable between microphone, line, and aux level signals (both channels selected simultaneously for S/PDIF connections).
• Precision, 23-segment, multicolor LED peak/VU meter, selectable between input and output sources.
• High-output headphone amplifier can drive a wide range of headphones.
• Balanced outputs on XLR connectors with dedicated level control can be used to drive line- or mic-level inputs.
• Mix control enables zero-delay monitoring of source audio, computer audio, or a mix of both source and computer audio for multitrack recording or computer telephony.
• Phono (RCA) jacks connect Aux Output to external loudspeakers or preamplifiers.
• Bus powering via USB for convenient, single-cable connection to the computer.
• In Stand-Alone mode the USBPre 2 operates as a microphone preamplifier and analog-to-digital converter.
• Hardware loop-through for test & measurement to send computer audio directly back to an input.
• High-strength extruded aluminum chassis.
• Mac® OS X 10.4+, Windows®XP/Vista/7, and Linux, class-compliant audio device.
• Additional features controlled by hardware DIP switches on the back panel; no software-only features and no control panel.
• Available October 2010, pricing TBA

Solid State Logic presents the MADI-X8, a versatile and cost effective 8-port MADI audio router/splitter/aggregator system and the new SDI-MADI, a 4 x 16 channel audio de-embedder with four auto sensing 3G SDI inputs and 64 channel MADI fibre and AES Digital audio outputs at IBC 2010.

MADI-X8 is an affordable, powerful and versatile MADI routing system. In addition to offering simple point to point bulk routing, MADI-X8 offers Source Distribution (one source to many destinations), Device Splitting (any combination of individual channels to any destination) and Source Aggregation (a single 64 Ch. output consists of any combination of channels from various inputs). MADI-X8 is therefore a unique low-cost solution to audio distribution and aggregation challenges in a wide range of applicati ...

Carrying the Nova name, UltraNova is the next generation of Novation's iconic synth family, which brought you the legendary SuperNova and SuperNova II.

Key Features :

• Brand new, single-part synth engine with up to 18 voices, 14 filter types, 36 wavetables and five effect slots.
• Eight assignable touch-sensitive rotary controllers, with one large knob to instantly give you fine control of any parameter.
• Touch and Tweak controls enable totally new sound-shaping and performance options: Trigger envelopes, LFOs, filters and effects just by touching the encoders.
• A tried and tested, stage-ready 37-note keybed with aftertouch, bus power from USB, a 12-band vocoder (with included dynamic gooseneck mic), and loads of controls makes UltraNova the perfect stage or studio synth.
• Free software plug-in editor gives you full visual editing control. The included Patch Librarian lets you organise, store and share unlimited patches.
• Built-in two-in, four-out USB audio interface. Stream high-quality audio to and from a host computer and control your monitor mix, all from UltraNova.
• Full connectivity for stage and studio. Balanced line-level and stereo S/PDIF outputs, plus MIDI In, Out and Thru ports.

UltraNova will be available towards the end of Q4 2010. Prices will be as follows: UK: RRP £587.49. Estimated street price £499.99, Europe: UPE €679.99. EST €599.99.

Audiocation has released Compressor AC1, a free compressor effect plug-in.

The Audiocation Compressor is a dynamic processor VST plugin for Windows optimized for low CPU usage maintaining the highest precision in signal processing. With a free adjustable knee it is unique in this class.

Features :

• Time Constants: Attack and Release parameters.
• Characteristic: Threshold, Ratio, Soft Knee, and Output Gain parameters.
• Extremely fast control times (Attack time 10 ms – 500 ms, Release 50μs – 2 s).
• Coded by Christian-W. Budde.

Audiocation Compressor AC1 is available as a freeware VST effect plug-in for Windows PC. Mac OSX and Windows 64-bit versions are in development.