After the announcement of DP6, MOTU unveils Electric Keys, a cross-platform virtual instrument that delivers "authentic sounds" of 50 classic, vintage electric keyboard instruments from the last 40 years.

With a massive 40GB sound library Electric Keys includes over 20,000 meticulously crafted 24-bit 96 kHz multi-samples of legendary electric pianos, electric organs, clavinets, Wurlitzers, tape samplers, string machines, keyboard basses and other rare and exotic electric keyboard instruments. Samples are streamed from disk, so even large presets load quickly and conserve computer memory. Sounds are organized in 12 banks, each with its own authentic look ("skin"), allowing users to install on their hard drive only the banks they wish to use. Electric Keys presets can be loaded into MachFive 2 for advanced sound design and layering.

The Electric Keys window offers a few simple controls, including volume, pan, tone and tremolo settings, along with two preset slots, which allow users to layer two sounds using the convenient multi-column preset browser. All parameters can be automated via convenient "MIDI learn". Users can click the FX button to open the FX-Rack, which is a separate window with eight effects that can be applied individually or in combination as a multi-effect to any preset. Effects include amp simulation, filter, chorus, flanger, phaser, UVinyl (to add "wear and tear"), delay and reverb. Users can load and save "combis" consisting of a snapshot of the entire plug-in, including effects.

Electric Keys supports all major plug-in formats on Mac OS X and Windows (XP and Vista), including VST, DXi, MAS, Audio Units and RTAS. It also runs as a stand-alone application. Electric Keys will ship in February, 2008 for a list price of $295.

Nomad Factory and NUSofting are proud to announce their collaboration in creating "top-of-the-line" virtual instruments. The first announced of this collaboration is the Analog Strings Station, an advanced emulation of vintage electronic keyboards known as "String Ensemble Synthesizers " or "String Machines".

Differently to other string machine emulations available as virtual instruments, the Analog Strings Station (ASS) doesn't use samples recorded from the original hardware keyboards, NUSofting developed a native emulation of the "octave divider" circuitry that is the essential technology of the vintage polyphonic synthesizers. The ASS digital "octave divider" can reproduce the same "phase synced" sound of the original Solina, Crumar Performer and similar vintage keyboards.

Priced at $189, Analog Strings Station is "coming soon" for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU and RTAS formats.

Abbey Road Plug-ins has just released the TG12413 Limiter for Mac OS X and Windows VST and AU hosts.

The TG12413 plug-in is an emulation of the compressor / limiter from the legendary EMI TG12345 mixing console, which was used on many classic recordings such as The Beatles' Abbey Road and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. The TG12345 consoles were never sold commercially and were only available to EMI studios.

The plug-in functions as a 2:1 compressor or as a limiter with up to 20dB of gain reduction. It accurately reproduces the behaviour of the original and features an authentic, TG-style graphical interface. In addition, it can be used in multi-channel configurations, supporting up to 7.1 surround operation.

Two plug-in modules are included, providing variations on the TG so ...

KRK systems has announced ERGO, a digital room analysis and correction system. Compatible with all recording and monitoring systems, ERGO (Enhanced Room Geometry Optimization) aims to improve any studio mixing space by correcting for 'real world' acoustic problems.

In developing ERGO, KRK teamed up with the acoustics experts at Lyngdorf Audio and integrated their patented "Room Perfect" 3D room analysis and correction algorithms to provide the best room correction solution available. The technology analyzes and compensates for undesirable room acoustics which can negatively impact audio mixdowns. The unit connects to a computer via Firewire when it is performing its room analysis, but since all correction processing resides in ERGO, no overhead is needed from the computer audio system. This means that ERGO can function in pure analog systems since it can work as a stand-alone room correction/speaker control unit after room analysis is complete.

In addition to room correction, ERGO also acts as a speaker switcher and master volume control and creates a seamless full range monitors-plus-sub system with subwoofer integration. It is also a 4-in, 6-out Firewire audio interface that easily interfaces with PC and Mac hardware and audio software, ERGO provides high-quality audio through its use of 120dB SNR digital-to-analog converters and phase-accurate signal processing. KRK further incorporates Firewire and S/PDIF input for digital connections to DAWs such as Pro Tools and other systems. A high quality analog volume control and headphone output are also provided in the system.

ERGO will be available on April 2008 at a retail price of $799.

ChocolateAudio has announced Imperial Drum BFD2 expansion library for Fxpansion's BFD2.

Features :

- Sampled at 88.2, released at 44.1.
- Edited from scratch for BFD2 release.
- Dry signal path while recording makes for an excellent use of BFD2 mixing and routing features.
- Some drums feature alternate mics (requires updated BFD2).
- 51 DW, Ludwig and Paiste and other brand drums.
- 13 different stick types, 3 beater types for Kicks.
- Mid-sized Room for maximum mixing flexibility.

The Imperial Drums BFD2 expansion will be available on February 2008 with price to be announced. Note that a crossgrade option will be available to current Imperial Drums and Imperial Drums XL users.