MOTU has just annonced the release of Volta, its new virtual instrument plug-in that allows users to play and automate modular synthesizers — or any hardware equipped with control voltage (CV) inputs — from their favorite host audio workstation software.

Volta is now available for Mac OS X as an Audio Unit plug-in instrument at a list price of $249.

Ueberschall announces the release of Studio Works, their latest Elastik Soundbank. This 1.8 GB package is immensely compatible with Soul, Funk, RnB, Acid Jazz, House, and Downbeat sound environments. In addition to construction kits, a substantial selection of individual phrases are also provided. Ueberschall strived to maintain richness of tone from the ground up in their approach and implementation of methods to assemble this collection. Zero Virtual Instruments/Virtual Effects were used, leaving the material in it's most transparent valve, tube, tape enhanced state, to further alter and treat at your discretion.

Studio Works has an MSRP of $119 / €99 / £69. The included Elastik Players is available for Mac OS X and Windows in AU, VST and RTAS plug-in formats. To hear a demo go to :

Ohm Force has launched a new video contest called the Ohm Studio Video COhmpetition.

"How do you use the Ohm Force plugins? How do they help you to give your personal touch to your audio tracks? What Ohm tricks & threats have you already learnt and/or created, from the most known and used to the secret techniques you keep for the *right* moments? In this contest you'll be able to share your ohm studio techniques with all the ohmfriends around the world. And maybe get a huge prize kit in reward."

Five winners will be chosen from the submissions to win one of five increasingly awesome prize packages that include both Ohmn and non-Ohm branded prizes :

SAE launch entry-level course aimed at aspiring producers, singers and musicians starting a home recording studio…

Opportunities to record and produce music at home have never been greater – or more affordable. Couple that with the ability to distribute music online and you have the ingredients for what is shaping up to be the future of the music industry.

But with so many options available it's easy for the technology to get in the way of creative ability, so spending time trying to figure out how to work the technology rather than getting down to recording your masterpiece is a common problem amongst those wanting to unleash their creativity.

SAE's new Home Studio Certificate aims to change all that. This new entry-level qualification is ideal for the singer/songwriter, hobbyist or beginner wanting to produce their own music, and will leave students fully conversant with the basic equipment and techniques necessary to take control and record music at home.

The Home Studio Certificate will train students in setup and optimisation of any standard home recording system with regards to recording instruments and vocals, editing, adding signal processing and even mixdown into a finished track.

Courses start June '09 – call SAE for further details.

FXpansion is proud to introduce the latest addition to the BFD2 expansion kit range, BFD Oak Custom Expansion Kit, which features a high-end Yamaha Oak Custom drum kit and Bamboo snare.

Oak is a great material for a drum shell : it resonates with a solid fundamental delivering awesome power when played. Consequently, the toms sound very full-bodied and the bass drum offers a devastating low-end response. In order to complete this set, a new 'lite' (16-velocity layers) Yamaha Bamboo snare is included. Its crack and strong tone make it very easy to place in a mix.

Feature highlights include :

• Low-cost expansion kit for BFD2 featuring Yamaha Oak Custom Kick and Toms
• Yamaha Bamboo Snare
• Kick recorded with 2 beater types
• Toms recorded with sticks, mallets, brushes, hotrods
• Bonus samples of the drum cases!

BFD Oak Custom Expansion Kit is a download only product and is available now from the FXpansion web shop. BFD Oak Custom is priced a £25/€35/$50 for all registered BFD2 owners.