Studio Electronics is on the way to launch a new analogue rack synth the CODE, it'll be declined as CODE 2, 4 and 8 (regarding the number of voices and the number of filterbanks). All share SEM and diode filters, MIDI control and sound much like cut down/twisted version of the Omega family. Price and availability TBA. If the only available information on the code is on the site of Nova Music, this shop sells a limited edition of the SE-1X too, the SE-1x ne, featuring an amp overdrive, an ultra fast enveloppe, modified extended range filters, sine waves generator and a special soundbank and two new looks.

Available now for $1699.

Applied Acoustics Systems announced its new Lounge Lizard Session, a new virtual electric piano based on the Lounge Lizard EP-3 sound engine. Offering four different types of pianos and a great selection of effects, Lounge Lizard Session is the perfect solution for anyone in need of the legendary Rhodes and Wurlitzer sounds in their sonic arsenal. It also features tremolo, distortion, chorus, flanger, phaser, vibrato, wah, delays, and reverb.

Lounge Lizard Session (standalone, VST, AU, RTAS) ships for $99.

On the Audio Addict booth at the AES, Olivier Bolling ex-technical director of the studios Plus XXX was showing two compressors under the new brand AL SO. Both are high end transparent designs in 2U racks of rugged and solid metal. The DYNAX has 4 modes: limiter, compressor, brickwall and antidyna (parabolic curve). There's a bass drive function, a low frequency filter in the side chain preventing these frequencies to start up the compressor action. The EZAX is a subtler/less heavy handed DYNAX for easier tweaking or slight touch operation. If there was a buzz on compressors at the AES, it was on these beauties, some top heads came in to have a hear or two of them…

MOTU has updated its Digital Performer software to version 5.0.1. This updated version features :

- Improved MIDI playback performance
- Optimized overall performance in very large DP projects
- Optimized QuickTime movie playback
- Improved the display of text under some international systems
- Added optimizations to new instruments (BassLine, Model12, Modulo, nanosampler, PolySynth, Proton)
- Updated Help files.

This free update is available in the MacMusic software section.

Violet Design was showing the brand new Black Hole, a new condenser microphone in its final tuning stages. If the name is rather obvious in origin, the main points of this mic are not there -the hole may be handy to manipulate it but that's all-. First, it uses 2 new paired capsules in a special opposite to one another positioning. Second, it introduces a practical shockmount/stand holder (the rubber beads you may see thru the hole) which can be unmounted in 2 seconds. If it's not enough to draw in your interest, it has 3 switchable polar patterns (omni, cardio and figure of 8), a max SPL of 136 dB and low THD, and a transformerless Class A discrete amp circuit.

Price TBA, available later this year.