MOTU has just updated Digital Performer to version 5.1.1. This maintenance release includes numerous program enhancements and optimizations. The 5.11 update also includes hundreds of new presets for DP5's six included virtual instrument plug-ins. Of course this is a free update for all DP 5.x owners.

Best Service is now shipping Chris Hein - Guitars which is a Kontakt Player 2 based virtual guitar library offering thousands of samples, many articulations and dynamics all in one preset per instrument. It includes 40,000 samples and 18 GB of sample content.

Main Features:

* Kontakt player 2 included.
* ~40,000 Samples, 18 GB content.
* 3,000 - 6,000 samples per instrument.
* Over 30 articulations in one preset.
* Up to 13 velocities.
* 70 intelligent MIDI controllers.

Instruments:

* E-Guitar Clean
* E-Guitar Blues
* E-Guitar Chorus
* Jazz Guitar Plectrum
* Jazz Guitar Finger
* Steel Guitar Plectrum
* Nylon Guitar Finger
* Banjo
* Mandolin

Chris Hein - Guitars has an MSRP of €399 / $499 and is available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, DX, RTAS and stand-alone formats. Videos and audio demos are available on this web site :

After the recent announcement of BassLine Pro 2, AudioRealism now announces Drum Machine, a new plug-in for Windows and Mac OS X that contains two modeled vintage drum machines with additional features such as a Pattern controlled filter and a distortion unit.

Features:

* Two realtime switchable drum machine models, 11 sounds for Model A and 8 for Model B.
* Internal 32 step sequencer with global accent per step, four pre-scale selections per pattern.
* Various pattern transformation functions.
* Full MIDI CC with learning function.
* MIDI Output.
* Rebirth pattern import.
* Two MIDI modes (Pattern and Note).
* Integrated distortion unit.
* Pattern controlled filter (PCF).
* Sample accurate sync to host.

Drum Machine is expected to be released in Q1 2007 for Mac OS X in Audio Units format with pricing to be announced. ABL and ABL Pro registered users will receive a cross-grade offer.

Universal Audio have launched two major worldwide fall promotions for UA's Hardware and Software products. The Universal Rack Rebate offers up to $200 cash back from UA on hardware purchases through UA's worldwide dealer network. The Holiday Season plug-in sale offers discounts of up to 50% on the UAD plug-in collection at UA's online store. Both promotions are limited-time and will run until December 31st 2006.

Universal Rack Rebate Details:

* $50 Cash back for: LA-3A, SOLO.110, SOLO/610
* $100 Cash back for: 1176LN, 2-610, LA-610
* $150 Cash back for: Dual LA-3A, 2-1176, 6176
* $200 Cash back for: LA-2A, 2192

For more information see this web page :

Steinberg has made Pre-Release version of HALion available for download for registered users. While preliminary testing carried out with this version indicates that it is stable and reliable, it has not gone through Steinberg's full QA testing cycle. Therefore, this pre-release version is not officially supported.

Improvements:

* Keyboard: visualisation of used Key Ranges (Megatrigg).
* Instantiation of HALion has been improved regarding the loading time.

Fixes:

* Mapping Chromatic of imported samples failed when activating "Use included Root Keys".
* Send FXs were not correctly load in projects and in banks (fxb).
* Crash could occur when loading a program (fxp) where velocity crossfade were used.
* Crash could occur when loading a bank (fxb) which uses FX and a diff ...