M-Audio Releases GForce Virtual String Machine, a new virtual instrument that evokes '70's string synthesizers and more: over a dozen of the finest vintage string synthesizers. Emulations included : the Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30 and more. The software manifests in over 60 different Sample Sets spanning the many different settings of these venerable instruments—over 3,200 meticulous samples in all.

More than a preset device, the Virtual String Machine does not stop at simply emulating the best string machines of all time. It allows users to layer any two Sample Sets and apply synthesizer parameters to each layer—creating different envelopes, filter settings, pitch LFO, pan positions, fine-tune amounts and more. The master output stage then provides a vintage-style phaser and/or ensemble to the final patch. While fully programmable, this software instrument also ships with over 500 factory presets.

The Virtual String Machine can function as a stand-alone instrument in conjunction with a MIDI controller. It is also a plug-in compatible with most popular host applications including Pro Tools LE®, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools M-Powered , Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, SONAR, Digital Performer, and ACID. Compatible formats include VST 2.0 (Mac/PC including VSTi), RTAS (Mac/PC) and Audio Units (Mac).

The Virtual String Machine is currently available and carries an MSRP of $149.95 US.

BIAS Master Perfection Suite, an ensemble of six professional audio processing plug-ins, has been updated to version 1.2 and now supports additional host applications on Mac and Windows computing platforms. The Master Perfection Suite is aimed at musicians, recording and mastering engineers, audio and video editors, sound designers and other audio professionals. This value packed plug-in bundle includes: Repli-Q (spectral matching), PitchCraft (pitch correction/manipulation), Reveal (analysis), Sqweez-3 & -5 (multi-band dynamic processing), SuperFreq (paragraphic EQ), and GateEx (gate/expander).The Master Perfection Suite now integrates with a broad range of Audio Units (Mac), RTAS(Mac/Win), and VST(Mac/Win) compatible host applications including: Audition, Cubase, Digital Performer, Live, Logic, Peak, Pro Tools, Sonar, Sound Forge, Wavelab, and more.

In addition to supporting Mac OS X v.10.3.9, 10.4 and Windows XP, the Master Perfection Suite is also fully compatible with Apple's new Mac OS X v.10.5 (Leopard) and Microsoft's Vista operating systems.

The Master Perfection Suite is now available for $599 US SRP through authorized BIAS resellers and distributors worldwide, and directly from BIAS. While the suite offers a savings of almost $400 US, the individual plug-ins may be purchased separately via download and start as low as $79 US (introductory price). Registered users of Master Perfection Suite may download the version 1.2 update at no charge from the BIAS web site. The Master Perfection Suite is also available as part of the Peak Pro XT package. Visit the BIAS web site for additional details.

TC electronic which was announcing for some time the release of the new Powercore Software 3.0 for its DSP engines has postponed the release to December.

Mabuse is a real-time Audiovisual Composition and Performance tool for all electronic music and video makers. Musicians, video artists, performers, VJ's who want to make music, and DJ's who want to make videos in real time. It is a real-time Audiovisual Composition and Performance tool based on Max/MSP/Jitter and extra coding. It is a fully functional AVJ tool - that's AUDIOVISUAL, not just Audio/Visual. You make music and video, all at once on the same machine in real time.

The forthcoming 1.5 version will add in the next 6 months:
• Automatic segmentation of Audio and Video files.
• Dual channel video with keying support.
• freeframe plugin compatibility.
In future releases:
• Ability to record whole Mix on instant record.
• MIDICLOCK external synchronisation
• Recall different movie clips via MIDI.
• Adding floating text to the video.

Mabuse runs on OS X 10.4 on both Intel and PPC, as on Windows XP and Vista. Recommended hardware: Mac Pro, MacBook Pro or MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz and 2 GB RAM or on PCs: anything faster than a Pentium 4 3GHz with 1GB RAM

Limited time introduction price £65, normal price will be £95.

MHC Synthesizers and Effects announce the release of Industrial Tones 1.5 for Windows (VST). The Mac OS X version will be released in the next 2 weeks. Version 1.5 includes the following changes:

• New graphical user interface.
• 13 of the samples/waveforms were either improved or replaced.

Main features are:
• 1024 presets (if all soundpacks are installed).
• Crossfading and layered effects which feature distortion, filter banks, a resonator, flanger, sub oscillation, amp modulation, pitch shift etc.
• All knobs can be mapped to MIDI controllers with a simple "learn" function.
• Ensemble with adjustable amount and mix. Stereo delays.
• Full polyphony. Only your CPU sets the limit or you may set a fixed voice limit.

Version 1.5 is available as a VSTi for Windows and will be as an AudioUnit for Mac OS X (Universal Binary). Meanwhile: Mac users may purchase and use version 1.0 and then receive a free update to version 1.5.

Price $139. Optional soundpacks are available for $39 (including all three soundpacks).