Togu Audio Line has just announced the release of TAL-BassLine v1.0, a free virtual analog bass synthesizer especially made for bass, acid sounds and effects.

Features :

- Band-limited oscillators (saw, pulse).
- Sub-oscillator: square -1 oct., square -2 oct., pulse -1 oct, pulse -2 oct.
- -18 dB/octave low-pass filter (resonant/self-oscillating).
- LFO (frequency: 0,1 .. 30 Hz, waveforms: sin, tri, saw, rec, noise).
- Very fast nonlinear envelope (A: 1.5ms..4s, D: 2ms..10s, S: 0..100%, R: 2ms..10s).
- Simple Arpeggiator (up, down, one octave mode).
- 2x Unisono Mode.
- Panic button.
- MIDI automation for all sliders and pots.
- Precise fader control while holding down the "Shift" button.
- Supports all sample-rates.
- 2x oversampling.
- 23 presets.
- Tutorial PDF.
- ~2.5% CPU (Intel Core 2 CPU 6700, 44.1KHz, 24Bit, buffer-size 1024 Samples).

TAL-BassLine is available as a VST instrument plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary and it is free.

Apple has just released the long awaited Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update which is recommended for all users running Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.5.1 Leopard. It includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.

More details available here.

Db audioware has released Vocal Intensifier, a new "Advanced Vocal Intensifier" plug-in - the first in a new series of "Studio Specialist" plug-ins.

Basically Vocal Intensifier aims to add punch and presence to your vocal tracks, to make them stand out in the final mix. It uses an advanced studio technique called "parallel compression" (also known as "New York compression"), often used for drum tracks but here specially tuned for vocals. The advantage of this technique is that it boosts the loudness and presence of the vocals without destroying the dynamics of the original performance.

Features :

- Advanced algorithm boosts vocals without loss of detail.
- Efficient user interface saves valuable studio time.
- Uses parallel compression technique, tuned for vocals.
- Encapsulate ...

Toontrack has released EZdrummer 1.1.2 which provides bug fixes in various areas of operation but specifically its purpose is to provide Windows Vista compatibility and improved syncing for ProTools users. It also features a leaner workflow for access to the main parts of the program.

On top of that Toontrack has also announced that EZplayer Pro will ship in april, Superior Drummer 2.0 in the shift between May and June, and Drumtracker in July or in early fall.

Bismark has just released bs-0, a freeware software playback sampler which can load and play SoundFont 2 and DLS files.

Features :

- Loads 1 SoundFont / DLS file.
- 1 (mono) output.
- 4 voices :

* Oscillator/Amplifier/Filter.
* Modulation LFO (to Osc/Amp/Fil) and Vibrato LFO (to Osc) supported.
* Volume EG (to Amp) and Modulation EG (to Osc/Fil) supported.

- Supports MIDI note on/off, CC, Program Change, pitch bend , system exclusive (Universal realtime / non-realtime, Roland GS compatible).
- Internal Effects: Reverb and Chorus.

bs-0 is available now for Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary in VST 2.4 and Audio Units plug-in formats.

Note that Bismark has also released the final (i.e. non-beta) versions of bs-1 / bs-16 v4.0 and bs-spectrum v1.3.