IK Multimedia has announced at NAMM three expansion kits for its sample player SampleTank LE. Expansion Tank Features: default presets with STRETCH allow you to take advantage of more realistic sounds thanks to its format preserving perfect bending (strings, brass, vocals), 3 synth engines: new STRETC Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch, Resampling, 32 built-in DSP effects, 5 playable effects per part, 2 editable effects per part, loop sync for easy BPM matching and 1 CD of sounds each with an accurate selection of must have instruments and loops.

Expansion Tank have an MSRP of $99 each. The series is also available as a 3- Pack at MSRP of $249. The range of 20 Expansion Tank sound libraries will be available for shipping at the beginning of August 2004.

Korg has announced an upcoming software update for its Legacy Collection of soft synths. v1.1 will add a number of enhancements for the Wavestation and MS-20 synths, many based on popular requests from users. For the Wavestation, new features include: The ability to now reset any parameter edit by clicking on the parameter while holding the command or ctrl key, The ability to edit multiple steps of a wavesequence at the same time when desired, A "Snap" function for setting the duration of steps in a wavesequence to a note value (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, etc.), as determined by MIDI clock. For the MS-20/MS-20FX: Many of the Patch Point parameters can now be used to modulate the FX for increased creative sound design and control.

The free v1.1 update is planned for release in late August.

You can't attend the summer NAMM, Nashville is too far away from your studio or you're not a lucky boy who has the famous "new securised optical reading passport" to visit the USA, don't worry : MacMusic tries to give you information about this event and all the new products. But if you really want to feel the Summer NAMM atmosphere you can also visit the NAMM official web site.

Daily photos and information are available on this web site.

Alesis announces at summer NAMM its new line of powerful, portable, affordable USB mixers designed for a wide range of operating environments and applications. The MultiMix USB Series includes 3 different tabletop mixers : The MultiMix 8USB and 12USB have 4 high-gain mic/line. The MultiMix 16 USB has 8 high-gain mic/line (XLR and 1/4" balanced) inputs with phantom power, 2 stereo balanced 1/4" line inputs, aux send (can send to onboard or external effects), stereo aux return. All MultiMix USBs have 100 28-bit onboard preset effects including reverbs, delays, chorus, flanging, pitch and multi-effects, a 3-band EQ per channel with high/low shelving and mid band pass/reject. Additional features of the MultiMix USB series include separate 1/4" balanced main and monitor outs, headphone out, an integrated USB Port to transfer audio directly between the MultiMix USB mixer and your computer.

More info on Alesis web site.

At summer NAMM, Waves Ltd. announces its plugins bundle "Musicians Bundle II". The Musicians II bundle features two signature Waves processors found on countless hit releases; Renaissance Compressor and Renaissance EQ. Add to that, two great delay and ambience tools, SuperTap and Doubler, and you are ready to create sounds with unique sonic distinction.

Musicians Bundle II costs $200 and a 14-day demo is available on Waves web site.