EastWest has just released Quantum Leap SD2 - The Next Generation virtual instrument, the sequel to Stormdrum. Packed with approximately 10GB of percussion, SD2 - The Next Generation does not offer loops, instead the collection delivers MIDI performances created with Roland V-Drums and Zendrum percussion controllers. This allows the user to change anything, with absolutely no sound degradation. MIDI performances are pre-mixed, panned and produced for quick use.

Quantum Leap SD2 - The Next Generation is available now at a retail price of $495. For more information, please visit their web site.

IK Multimedia has released version 1.1 of CSR - Classik Studio Reverb, a free update for registered CSR owners that provides compatibility with Mac Intel Systems (Universal Binary) and no longer requires a USB iKey or dongle. This version is also fully Pro Tools 7 compliant and compatible with VST 2.4 hosts such as Cubase 4 and Live 6. Note that a new free demo of CSR 1.1 is available. The demo is fully functional for a grace period of ten days and does not require a USB iKey or dongle.

Every few weeks Audio Ease releases free new impulse responses for their convolution reverb Altiverb. Today, Audio Ease is proud to release the impulse responses of the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic: Walt Disney Concert hall. This IR release is as complete as always with many microphone set-ups in stereo and surround, interactive surround VR photography and Google Earth Placemarks.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Dan Dean has announced the release of his new "Dan Dean Solo Strings ADVANCED" DVD-ROM library in Native Instruments Kontakt 2 player format. Priced at $199 (US) for the single DVD, this orchestral library has been completely redesigned featuring chromatically sampled Violin, Viola and Cello in both Solo and Ensemble configurations.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Asylum Studio Productions have created PAEIN, a free plug-in that allows fine tuning of pan law and other panning characteristics for both mono and stereo tracks. Using various curve algorithms for both the pan law and channel attenuation, along with a very detailed graphical representation of the pan settings, a user can very quickly relate what they see to what they hear. This is very useful since most DAWs do not give you many options to control how the built in panners work.

PAEIN is available for Mac OS X (UB) in AU and VST formats, RTAS support is scheduled for later this year.