QuikQuak has announced the release of BarChimes, a Bar Chimes simulator.

Features :

• A detailed 36 bar kinetic physics simulation.
• Gravity, collisions and audio accurately portrayed.
• Velocity and sweep analysis simulates user movement through the chimes.
• Parameters for physics, pitch and time.
• Frequency editing with fundamentals and partials.
• Percussive rendering with decay controls.
• Swing modulation effects.
• Photo-realistic 3D representation and collision effects

BarChimes is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows in VST and AU formats at a price of £20.

JazzMutant unveils Mu, a multi-touch Ableton Live controller for the Lemur. Note that Mu is a Max for Live plugin - so you'll need Ableton Live 8 + Max for Live to use it.

Pricing and availability TBA.

Here is the latest news you can find on Toontrack's website :

"Wow - we can't believe the first two months of the New Year have already come and gone! With time flying by so quickly, we figured it might be a good idea to just check in with all of you and touch base.

We also figured that with so many projects currently "in development" here at Toontrack, it might be interesting to just "drop some hints" and hopefully peak your interests on a few of the things we have planned for you throughout the year.

So, let's look into the Toontrack crystal ball for clues to what the Swedish software future might hold...

What if you had a software production tool that allowed you to build custom drum kits, work with tonal & melodic phrases and indulge in every aspect of custom sound design you could ever really think of? What if you could have it in June?

Speaking of production tools - what if you had access to

Alesis announces that the DM10 Studio Kit is now shipping to retailers.

Based around the DM10 drum module, the DM10 Studio Kit features Alesis' RealHead drum pads, DMPad Cymbals and StealthRack mounting system.

MXL Microphones will demo the new MXL USB-77 at this year's Musikmesse in Frankfurt (booth B47, hall 5.1).

Designed for recording directly to a desktop or laptop, the MXL USB-77 is a cardioid condenser studio microphone with the look and feel of a 1940's era ribbon.

Features include a gold-sputtered diaphragm and 32mm capsule. An analog gain control dial can be used to manipulate the sound level of your recording and the USB-77 includes a 1/8-inch stereo headphone with amplifier so users can monitor their recordings without latency issues.

The MXL USB-77 interfaces with Windows and Macintosh computers without any special drivers. As a USB device, it carries the added benefit of not requiring an external microphone preamp, as is the case with most cardioid condenser microphones.

The MXL USB-77 includes a carrying case, desktop microphone stand and mounting ring, USB cable, and cleaning cloth. MSRP is $349.95.