After many years of development, Spectrasonics today previewed their brand new flagship virtual instrument OmnisphereŽ.
The revolutionary 'Power Synth' breaks completely new sonic ground by combining a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of remarkable 'Psychoacoustic' sounds, and many innovative features that have never been seen before in any hardware or software synthesizer.
The new instrument is the first to be based on Spectrasonics' STEAM Engine, the company's newly developed core technology.
Omnisphere is set to be released September 15, 2008, the MSRP is $499 US.

Omnisphere will offer a host of hybrid synthesis and new control capabilities including Variable Waveshaping DSP synthesis, Granular synthesis, Timbre Shifting, FM synthesis, polyp ...

Steve Jobs has unveiled Apple's latest innovations at the Macworld 2008, January 16.
Time Capsule could be interesting for some of us musicians who don't want to use their Mac overloaded USB, FW or Ethernet ports.

But MacBook Air is not for us. No FW, no ExpressCard slot, no SuperDrive (so what if you want to install something ?), only one USB, etc.

It goes without saying : it's a beautiful machine, regarding design and technology challenge. But forget about making music with it.
But it's a beautiful machine...

Weren't we waiting for touch-screen monitors to control our DAWs and plugs ?

At NAMM, Applied Acoustics Systems presents on its upcoming plug-in instrument - Strum Acoustic GS-1, an Acoustic Guitar Plug-in Synthesizer.

- Keyboardist's Acoustic Guitar: Can't learn the guitar in time for your deadline. Your favorite session player is out of town. ROMplers are not quite there. Strum is the just-right solution.
- Play a folk song with open chords: Play the chords you know and Strum voices them as a guitarist would.
- Strum on your keyboard: Auto-strum chords or play them via strumming keys or MIDI loops.
- Pick a guitar from your collection: Go from nylon to steel, from jumbo to concert, or from country rock to finger-style classical.
- Create your own space: Add warmth with the EQ, lush with the chorus, and space with the reverb.

Strum Acoustic GS-1 will be available by the end of Q1 2008 for Windows and Mac OS X (Universal Binary) in VST, AU and RTAS formats.

Novation unveils a new USB controller called Nocturn. Featuring the latest Automap Universal 2.0 software, exclusive to Novation controllers, Nocturn provides automatic, instant and intelligent control of all automatable plug-ins within every major sequencer, including Pro Tools.

Features :

- 8 touch-sensitive rotary encoders, each equipped with a bright eleven-LED ring
- 8 user-assignable illuminated buttons
- smooth, professional 45mm cross-fader
- Novation's unique 'speed dial'; a touch-sensitive rotary encoder that instantly takes control of whatever your mouse is focused on!

Featuring a revolutionary new 'heads-up transparent control GUI', Automap Universal 2.0 places a transparent control map across your computer screen, to be recalled or hidden at will. Little or no user ...

Sonnox has announced the launch of its first new plug-in since the Company became independent in April 2007. The Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser is both a very highly-featured professional De-Esser and a Dynamic EQ at the same time. There is a basic mode for quick fixes, but also an advanced mode for increased functionality and fine-tuning. The combination of an intuitive FFT display and three listen modes enables the user to easily see and hear exactly where the problem frequencies are, allowing the rapid reduction or removal of the offending audio. Rather than simply allowing a frequency to trigger full-band compression, only the offending frequencies are carefully carved out leaving the rest of the mix untouched. Since the SuprEsser can operate at all frequencies, 'plosives' and other annoyances can also be removed effortlessly, making it more than a simple De-Esser. Additional features include Automatic Level Tracking, Linear Phase Filtering and a Wet/Dry blend control for final balancing.

Sonnox will be unveiling its new Oxford SuprEsser plug-in at the Winter NAMM 2008 show in Anaheim, on January 17-20. Stand 201-18, Room 201, 2nd Floor. The company will also be giving away a Native Oxford 6-Pack bundle, (worth $1,250) each day at the show, and attendees will be given a voucher entitling them to a special NAMM deal.