Vir2 has just released BASiS, a new virtual instrument dedicated to the "low end".

Featuring a comprehensively sampled collection of electric, upright, fretless, and synth basses, BASiS includes more than 7 gigabytes of the most diverse collection of basses available in the world of virtual instruments: classics like the Jazz Bass, P-Bass, Rickenbacker, and Musicman basses are presented alongside personality and genre tributes such as a classic Motown bass, a gospel bass, Jaco's Fretless, and Macca's Hofner. One upright bass and three slap basses are also included. In the synth bass category, more than a hundred patches are provided, ranging from thumping vintage synth basses to techno basses and esoteric fresh creations to spice up your tracks.

All electric basses have been sampled from both the direct input (DI) and an amped perspective. A knob on the interface allows phase-aligned blending of the two, or the selection of one or the other. For the upright bass, the same knob allows mixing of the direct input and a phase-aligned tube mic output capture of the same sessions. Other onscreen controls allow pitch bend range adjustment, pick noise and fret noise controls, release layer controls, adjustable velocity curve, and instant and detailed control over EQ. A comprehensive selection of effects is included, including an octaver, compression, saturation, lo-fi, distortion, limiter, phaser, flanger, chorus, reverb, and delay.

Performance features include a legato tool and a customizable vibrato engine with control over vibrato types, speeds, and depths. Rather than opting for traditional LFO-based vibrato, BASiS uses a sophisticated character vibrato modeled after real bass players, completely controllable from the keyboard and onscreen interface. Randomized pick noises, release samples, and fret noises add to the realism of each instrument.

Powered by the Kontakt Player 2 engine, BASiS is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions for a fee of $299.95.

Alesis unveils the MultiMix 8 Line, a flexible, affordable rack line mixer for stage, studio, boardrooms, conference rooms, health clubs, restaurants, houses of worship, and other installed sound applications.

Features :

- Eight-channel stereo line mixer
- Microphone/line input on channel one
- Stereo effects bus can be shared between two linked units
- Channel expansion feature for expansion to 16 stereo input channels
- Individual Pan and Effects Send controls on each channel
- Signal clip and overload LEDs on each input channel
- Stereo five-stage LED ladder for output level indication
- Stereo monitor out
- Mono input source compatibility for stereo output
- 1RU 19-inch standard equipment rack size

MultiMix 8 Line will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Alesis announces ProTrack, an handheld digital stereo recorder for iPod.

Features :

- Sleek industrial design incorporates iPod
- Integrated recording to iPod (Classic and 5th generation) and iPod nano (2nd or 3rd generation)
- Pro-grade connections: two combo XLR - 1/4-inch inputs, 1/8-inch stereo output
- Supplies 48V phantom power to inputs when wall-powered
- Records 16-Bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo
- Two built-in condenser microphones for detailed recording
- Built-in microphones in XY configuration for optimum stereo image
- Switchable limiter ensures overload-free recordings even in unpredictable aural situations
- AC power adapter included
- Four AAA batteries provide four to five hours of operation
- Tripod stand mount for placing into ideal recording conditions

ProTrack will be available on Q3 2008 with price TBA.

Abbey Road Plug-Ins has just announced the release of the Brilliance Pack, a new bundle which consists in three EQ plug-ins providing authentic emulations of vintage EMI 'presence' EQs.

Based on the original modules built in the 1960s, the plug-ins bring these classic EQs to the digital domain. The original RS127 and RS135 EQ boxes were custom-built by EMI technicians in the early 1960s to supplement the limited EQ on the REDD mixing consoles. They were the predominant outboard EQs at Abbey Road throughout the '60s and were used on many famous recordings during this period, including almost every album made by The Beatles.

The plug-ins were developed from original EMI circuit schematics, circuit simulation and digital modelling of vintage Abbey Road units. The plug-ins retain the operation and characteristics of the original hardware and essentially provide the complete range of presence EQs that were used at Abbey Road in the '60s.

Three plug-in modules are included :

- The RS127 Rack is modelled on the original rack-mount Brilliance Control.
- The RS135 recreates the 8kHz boost unit.
- The RS127 Box plug-in was created by modelling the standalone Brilliance Control with an EMI transformer used to connect it to modern consoles. The plug-in features an exaggerated response or 'transformer effect' at some settings, which is due to an interaction between the RS127 and the transformer.

The Brilliance Pack is available now in TDM, RTAS, AU and VST for Mac OS X and Windows at a price of $199. A demo version is also available.

Tascam has announced the avaibility of the SS-CDR1, a single-rackspace CD recorder which also features solid state recording to Compact Flash cards for maximum flexibility and recording times. Audio can be recorded to Compact Flash card and then transferred to CD or vice-versa, and the recorder features standard Tascam features such as automatic track increment, balanced XLR in and out and RS-232C control.

The SS-CDR1 has balanced and unbalanced analog I/O as well as S/PDIF digital I/O. The unit can be controlled with RS-232C, parallel or a wired remote control. Compact Flash cards up to 8GB can be installed for hours of recording time at MP3 or WAV file formats.