The Focusrite Forte Suite is a channel strip TDM and RTAS plug-in for Pro Tools|HD and Pro Tools LE systems based on the now legendary Focusrite Forte recording console of the mid-80's. Comprised of virtual vintage modules, Forte Suite features software models of the classic ISA 110 EQ and ISA 130 Dynamics module including compressor, de-esser, and noise gate.
Forte Suite also includes a multi-channel surround compressor as well as graphical representations of EQ, compression, and related module curves. If you're familiar with Focusrite's family of products, you'll recognize that the Forte Suite plug-in's interface components closely resemble the ISA series modules. If the sound also resembles the ISA modules, it may become a killer plug-in...

Don't talk about GIGA-. Completly out of fashion! It's TERA-, now! LaCie will release its new high-capacity FireWire and USB hard disks in April with a whole terabyte of storage: FireWire 800, FireWire 400, iLink/DV, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 or USB 1.1,
Approximative price US$1,199.

Ed: You have no idea how much I want one of these for video, thanks to those DV ports, but this is audio droolworthy, too. April, folks: can you save $1199 in pennies (or, er, 1EUR coins?) by then? I'd better find some higher-paying gigs! Hit comments and let us know if you're going to buy one. -PK

The virtual synth Albino by LinPlug comes with a cutting-edge selection of presets designed by sound designer Rob Papen. Albino 2.0 is a VST and AU plug-in synthesizer for Mac and features a modular, extensible design with three oscillator modules, two filter modules, two envelope modules and eight effect modules. The synth is 32-note polyphonic (CPU-dependent) with up to four oscillators per voice.

Demo sounds are available on the LinPlug web site; the full version of Albino 2.0 costs US$199.

Native Instruments has just posted the 1.5.2 update of its sampler Kontakt. This new version features multiple dimension controllers, inverter modules for pan and phase and important enhancements and fixes, like Akai batch convert for entire CDs. This update is available as a free download for registered users of version 1.5 on the Native Instruments website.

PSP Nitro by PSP AudioWare is a multimode filter plugin (VST for Mac OS X; AU/RTAS for Mac OS X in development). It offers many filter types derived from analog prototypes in addition to other useful processing blocks such as phaser, bit-crusher/downsampler, waveshaper and interpolated delay blocks. These can be connected to each other using virtually any routing scheme.

A VST demo version for Mac OS X is available for download now; the full version will be released March 21 for MSRP US$149.