Rupert Neve Designs has launched the Portico 5016, a two-channel device combining the RND 5012 microphone preamplifier with a D.I., which may be used together or independently. A Variable Phase control allows the manual phase-alignment of the direct input source in relation to the microphone input signal.

The Portico 5016 is available at a retail price of $1195.

TriTone Digital has released AngelTone which is a digital mastering EQ that utilizes "state-of-the-art modeling" to combine analog mastering EQ sweetness with digital precision and recall.

AngelTone features five bands. Three bands are capable of full-range parametric operation. The two extreme bands feature both full-range peaking and shelving EQ modes. All parametric and peaking bands have access to the entire range of EQ frequencies available in AngelTone, allowing for powerful sculpting and precision. It also features four classic EQ models : "Milly", a sweet but precise tube EQ ; "Sonny" is based on one of the oldest parametric EQ designs and has a tight solid-state low end ; "Massy" is based on a modern beast of a tube EQ that is noted for its sweet sound and broad curves ; "Avy" ...

Moog has released version 3.0 of the Voyager Editor Librarian which is a program designed to be the ultimate tool for organizing and creating presets for the Minimoog Voyager. Through a MIDI connection, this program can pull single presets or the entire bank of presets from the Voyager - as well as replace individual presets or the entire bank. Once the presets are in the computer - all parameters are displayed on the graphical user interface, including EDIT mode functions like Pot Mapping, Touch Surface Destinations and Filter Poles. The settings of the front panel controls are displayed with high resolution editing available, so this program can also be used to learn how the factory presets work as well as edit sounds with precision. In addition - the "Genetics" function can be used to create new presets by morphing or mutating two presets together into a whole new bank.

Voyager Editor Librarian 3.0 is available now at a retail price of $79.

Applied Acoustics Systems unveils the Sound Banks Series, a new line of products that expands the sonic possibilities of their current and future crop of software instrument plug-ins. The Sound Bank Series will propose new preset collections on a regular basis covering various genres and themes.

The first release of this series is Analog Essentials for the Ultra Analog VA-1 synthesizer. This 148-preset add-on offers a selection of high quality arpegios, basses, pads, percussions, sound effects, and various synth sounds.

The Analog Essentials sound bank is available now from the AAS Store for $39. For more information and a preview of Analog Essentials, visit the address below.

Our friends from SonicState.com have started streaming a new IPTV video show called The Top 20 Greatest Synths. The show is based around interviews with synth users and collectors like Will Gregory (Goldfrapp), Roger O'Donnell (The Cure), Ade Utley (Portishead) and Howard Jones (Howard Jones!) and features footage, photos and facts about the greatest electronic instruments ever made.

"We've based the chart on the votes that have been coming in plus a bit of poetic license to include some outsiders, underdogs and a few surprises!" Sonic founder Nick Batt and former BBC producer Simon Power have been pleased with the response to previews of the show already available to watch at Sonic.

"It's basically an excuse to rant about all-things-synth in a show that's shamelessly nostalgic abou ...