Propellerheads annouce the beginning of the public beta test of Reason 2.5. The new features are:

- RV7000 Advanced Reverb: A stereo reverb with a multitude of algorithms. Everything from large halls to cool sounding spring reverbs.
- BV-512 Digital Vocoder: A 4 to 512-band vocoder with the power to equalize.
- Scream 4 Sound Destruction Unit: A behemoth distortion unit capable of every kind of destruction, from subtle tape compression to digital bit-loss mayhem.
- UN-16 Unison: A classic chorus-like effect designed to fatten and widen any sound. Fans of classic eighties synths will like this one, only now you can add unison to any sound in the rack!
- Spider Audio Merger & Splitter: A small and indespensible utility for audio path scientists. ...

BIAS release a stand alone version of Soundsoap, its plug-in of noise reduction already available in VST format. So now users of non-VST compatible softwares can use Soundsoap like the others.

This stand alone version is available as a free update for registered users of the plug-in version, and others can purchase it for $99. Soundsoap is OS X only.

Elektron as announced is delivering the last SIDstations Final 100 Edition numbered 100 to 1 as their chip stock is about to end. The MOS6581 SID is the chip used in Commored 64 as a complete synth onboard and has gained vintage status.

900 euros in Europe and $760 in the rest of the world

Steinberg releases a bundle of the following OS 9 and X products:
- Cubase SL
- Waldorf Attack
- Waldorf D-Pole
- Waldorf PPG Wave 2.V

The bundle is said to be aimed at the Dance producer market and will retail for 499€

More info on the upcoming Monomachine from Elektron, our swedish Monomaniacs:

The Elektron Monomachine SFX-6 is a multiple synthesis and FX synthesiser with unique parameter sequencer control. The Monomachine SFX-6 is scheduled for public release in the third quarter of 2003 and delivers musical synthesis and sequencing in certainly the friendly Elektron way, built upon the traditions of previous Elektron synthesiser models SidStation and Machinedrum. The last one being a joy to use, you can count for a great user experience.