WaveMachine Labs is pleased to announce the next major Drumagog release, Drumagog 5. Available in the first quarter of 2010, Drumagog 5 represents more than two years of design and development.

Some of the new features include :

• Auto-Align 2.0 - A collaboration between WaveMachine Labs and Fraunhofer (inventors of the MP3 format) has resulted in a revolutionary new alignment algorithm.
• Direct Plugin Hosting - Play any virtual instrument from within Drumagog. VSTi plugins like BFD2, Kontakt, and Superior Drummer are inserted directly into Drumagog to allow a virtually unlimited sample palette. (Platinum version only)
• Redesigned graphic interface – Streamlined control and easier sample editing.
• Support for multiple room samples - The Gog format now allows for different room sounds and mics. Simply dial in the amount of room desired.
• Auto Hi-Hat Tracking - automatically detects the hi-hat pedal position (open/closed) in real time.

Upgrade and pricing information to follow. As current beta testing expands over the coming weeks any existing Drumagog 4 users interested in participating should contact WaveMachine Labs.

Vir2 Instruments is pleased to announce that the MOJO 1.2 update is availabe for immediate download.

Here's what is new and improved :

• New microtuning feature available in the main menu, allowing for instant access to more than a dozen different common alternate tunings.
• All instruments tweaked sonically to improve their overall sound.
Improved sound and performance for Punch feature, now converted to a pulldown menu.
• Improved load time across all instruments.
• Optimized polyphony usage across all instruments, resulting in less voices used and less CPU hit.
• Trombone doit release issue fixed.
• Improved tempo-syncing of all crescendos and swells across all instruments.
• Improved quality of timestretching of all crescendos and swells ...

During the 2009 AES Conference in New York, Rupert Neve Designs will release the Portico II Channel, the first in a new series of rack-mounting modules based on the high voltage single-sided op-amps developed for the 5088 mixer, with a new range of dedicated transformers, and an extensive arsenal of tonal controls.

The Portico II is a self-powered 2U Channel module comprised of a fully featured mic preamplifier, 4-band EQ, compressor-limiter, "texture" control and level metering. The Portico II includes a bevy of new features including: Variable Silk / Silk+ Texture control, a fully tunable de-esser, multiple VCA filtering and detection options, a transient-optimized swept HPF, and parallel compression blending. With its simple yet powerful topologies and extensive feature set, every el ...

Sonnox is about to unveil a brand new suite of audio restoration plug-ins at the upcoming 127th AES Convention. Sonnox Restore is a suite of three plug-ins : Oxford DeBuzzer, Oxford DeClicker and Oxford DeNoiser, designed to accurately restore impaired audio recordings.

Developed over an exhaustive 18-month R&D program, the Sonnox Restore suite represents a quantum leap beyond previous restoration plug-in technology. Its advanced algorithms allow fast and extremely effective removal of pops, clicks, crackles, scratches, hum, buzzes and extraneous background noise from virtually any recording. All three plug-ins provide detailed graphical feedback, and include novel features new to the restoration field such as a specialized dialogue mode in the DeClicker.

The Sonnox Restore Suite will be available at a price of $1995 in the fall of 2009, and will be compatible with Pro Tools (RTAS), Audio Units and VST platforms.

Platinum Samples and John Emrich are pleased to announce the release of the Real Jazz MIDI Groove Pack.

Real Jazz is a Jazz MIDI groove collection featuring both stick and brush grooves. Over 2,100 actual live, jazz grooves were recorded as a real performance on an electronic drum set at specific tempos. It includes 2-beats, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, ballads, and shuffles for both sticks and brushes. Real Jazz even includes some bop and jungle grooves.

This definitive jazz collection features the first real usable set of brush patterns for MIDI. By using the sweep articulations available in drum VST and Core Audio instruments, the Real Jazz grooves replicate the correct sound and feel of playing brushes.

Real Jazz is available now as a download from Platinum Samples' website and includes BFD2 groove palettes, BFD 1.5 groove bundles and GM Standard MIDI files for $35.