Novation's synthesis technology is now available to the desktop computer music market for the first time. The new Novation V-Station virtual analog synthesizer recreates the power and rich sound of the K-Station synth as a plug-in for Mac or PC platforms.

At the core of the V-Station is Novation's Liquid Analog synthesis engine, delivering rich, dense sounds that offer vast creative potential. The plug-in combines these with a clear and responsive front panel interface, with all the key sound shaping controls a simple mouse click away.

Any one of the 200 factory presets can be recalled, modified and saved instantly in one of 400 program locations. The patches, that are named and not numbered, cover a huge sonic range, from searing leads and passionate pads, to delicate electric piano ...

Waves software version 4.0 initially offers OS X support for TDM, AS, RTAS and VST, with other formats to follow

Version 4.0 will initially support TDM, AS, RTAS and VST, while forthcoming releases will support the full gamut of plug-in formats under Macintosh OS X. The powerful, UNIX-based multithreaded nature of the OS X operating system makes it ideal for audio, and allows the highly efficient DSP optimization coding schemes developed by Waves to be used to their fullest capability, maximizing single and dual processor availability for DSP operations, freeing up the power needed to run many more plug-ins, and in the case of host-based systems such as Nuendo 2.x, making it possible to handle significantly more tracks and simultaneous functions.

The KONTAKT 1.2 update and Direct from Disk extension are now available on NI website. KONTAKT 1.2 comes with many new functions such as a release trigger for triggering groups by releasing notes as well as a key and controller activator for group activation either by keyboard commands or via a Midi controller. The update also comes with a Round and Random Robbin function for consecutive cycling through groups upon keystrokes or for random cycling through groups for playback and much more.

The separately available Direct from Disk extension enables KONTAKT to
play samples directly from the hard drive. Sample size will no longer be
limited by the amount of physical RAM - an instrument can be as large as
available hard drive space. All KONTAKT instruments will load many times faster than RAM-based instruments.

The Direct from Disk extension requires the update to KONTAKT 1.2

Edirol announced the new 10-channel Mixer, complete with a number of audio/voice effects plus a stereo USB audio interface. This mixer is primarily targeted at the videographerand has various connections, such as XLR/TRS combo connectors with phantom power, RCA & 1/4" connections, S/PDIF Optical & Coax out, Aux Sends & Returns, and separate Monitor, Master, & Headphone output. It can also record a stereo track directly to the computer through the USB port, and has a separate volume control for playback of audio on the computer.

This 10-channel mixer/ 24-bit USB audio interface is optimized for the videographer with its wide array of Voice effects, including: Narration and Vocal Enhancers, Compressor, Chorus, Noise Reduction, Reverb, Radio, Robot, Male & Female pitch & formant effects.

TC-Helicon Vocal Technologies announced two new vocal harmony processors, the TC-Helicon VoiceWorks and the TC-Helicon Quintet. Both products debuted at Winter NAMM 2003 in Anaheim, California.