Audix has introduced the next series of Fusion mic packages. The first package to hit the market is the FP5, designed for miking a 5-piece drum kit for both live and studio applications.

The FP5 contains a completely new series of dynamic microphones which is designed, assembled, and tested by Audix in the USA. The FP5 contains five microphones: the F6 for kick drum, the F5 for snare, and three F2's for rack toms and floor tom. Each mic is provided with the snap-to-fit DCLIP mic stand adapter, and the entire system is packaged in a heavy-duty custom aluminum carrying case.

The FP5 carries an MSRP of $559.

Optional accessories for the FP5 includes the D-VICE rim mounting system ($29.95), the CBL-DR25 25' right angle XLR-XLR mic cable ($29.95), the D-FLEX butterfly mounting clip ($19.95), the D-CLAMP clip for lug nut mounting ($29.95), and the STAND-KD pedestal mic stand for use with bass drum and guitar cabs ($44.95).

Avant Electronics introduces a new version of the Avantone Active MixCubes.

Each MixCube incorporates a Class A/B amplifier module which exhibits extremely low noise and distortions specs (.005% THD @ 1 KHz) that are comparable to the very finest studio rack amps. They are rock-solid; conservatively rated at 60 watts RMS per box. Together with our new power supply, they generate exceptional operating headroom.

The new Active MixCubes in addition to the new power rating and expanded headroom are also a true "Cube". "We were able to maintain the original Cube shape instead of an elongated shape as in the first edition. Furthermore, we have a detented System Gain knob on the back panel along with a pin 1 audio Ground Lift Switch, an illuminated On/Off Switch, Combo-style ¼"/XLR input j ...

Moog Music and reKon audio have announced the release of the VST Little Phatty Editor,

Created by reKon audio, the VST Little Phatty Editor is a VSTi format software application that provides full control and editing of Little Phatty presets and performance controls via MIDI from within your VST compatible host application. This allows total management of custom sounds directly within the user's sequencing and music production environment. The following actions are supported :

• Full editing of all Little Phatty preset parameters via MIDI CC messages
• Automation of all LP parameters in real time through the VST host application
• Save/Load presets to and from the Little Phatty
• Presets can be saved in VST Editor format

VST Little Phatty Editor is available for Windows and Mac OS X in the VST instrument plug-in format. It is available directly from Moog Music for $69.

Ableton has updated Live 8 and Ableton Suite 8 to version 8.0.8.

Improvements since v8.0.5 :

• Updated manuals.
• Updated Help Pages.
• Control Surface support for Novation Launchpad.
• Several improvements for the AxiomPro Controllers.
• Several bug fixes

Ring by 9 Soundware is a collection of presets for the RingShifter ring modulator/frequency shifter within Apple Logic Pro. These settings explore the audio morphing capabilities of the unique plug-in, which combines the two effects.

The sound set consists of 35 presets in Frequency Shifter mode and 15 in Ring Modulator mode. Examples include settings which add delay-based rhythmic layers to drum grooves (e.g., Drum Ricochet 1.pst), generate tempo synced modulations (e.g., Automation Surprise.pst and Space Cake.pst), radically reshape harmonic structures (e.g., Anti-Tune.pst and Fiend.pst), as well as those which maintain tonality of the input signal (e.g., Daguerreotype.pst and Sun Dance.pst).

The 0.2 MB download includes 50 .pst files.

Ring is available now for $14.99.