On the Audio Addict booth at the AES, Olivier Bolling ex-technical director of the studios Plus XXX was showing two compressors under the new brand AL SO. Both are high end transparent designs in 2U racks of rugged and solid metal. The DYNAX has 4 modes: limiter, compressor, brickwall and antidyna (parabolic curve). There's a bass drive function, a low frequency filter in the side chain preventing these frequencies to start up the compressor action. The EZAX is a subtler/less heavy handed DYNAX for easier tweaking or slight touch operation. If there was a buzz on compressors at the AES, it was on these beauties, some top heads came in to have a hear or two of them…

MOTU has updated its Digital Performer software to version 5.0.1. This updated version features :

- Improved MIDI playback performance
- Optimized overall performance in very large DP projects
- Optimized QuickTime movie playback
- Improved the display of text under some international systems
- Added optimizations to new instruments (BassLine, Model12, Modulo, nanosampler, PolySynth, Proton)
- Updated Help files.

This free update is available in the MacMusic software section.

Violet Design was showing the brand new Black Hole, a new condenser microphone in its final tuning stages. If the name is rather obvious in origin, the main points of this mic are not there -the hole may be handy to manipulate it but that's all-. First, it uses 2 new paired capsules in a special opposite to one another positioning. Second, it introduces a practical shockmount/stand holder (the rubber beads you may see thru the hole) which can be unmounted in 2 seconds. If it's not enough to draw in your interest, it has 3 switchable polar patterns (omni, cardio and figure of 8), a max SPL of 136 dB and low THD, and a transformerless Class A discrete amp circuit.

Price TBA, available later this year.

BoomBuzzSoftware released groovetool 1.12. Now includes the option to create multiple quantize templates at once- an attempt to make the auditioning process easier. Update also includes a reset button. All customers recieve two years of free updates, and there is a ton of stuff in the works for this little app. groovetool is already becoming an indespensible tool for artists around the world.

More info on the BoomBuzzSoftware web site.

Microtech Gefell was showing for the first time the UM 930 a large diaphragm dual capsule mic with switchable characteristics aimed at broadcast and sound studio uses. The UM 930 has omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hyper cardioid, figure of 8, polar patterns. The frequency responses (40-18000Hz) shows an up to 5 dBs emphase after 10 kHz, and depending of the pattern, a slight lift from 2 kHz on. Other characteristics include: dynamic range 135 dB, max SPL 142 dB, s/n ratio 87 dB A-weighted, noise level 13 dB. The UM 930 is available with various finishes (including 24 carat gold) but more importantly with 3 types of mounting. The Twin version available on demand gives access to 2 polar patterns of choice only but both at the same time thru a 5 pins XLR.

Price and availability TBA (but this year)