Brainworx is about to release bx_solo and bx_control, two new M/S tools for Pro Tools and VST. bx_solo is a free M/S plug-in (RTAS & VST) to get people started with M/S separation with Solo buttons for M, S, L & R plus M/S stereo width (stepped only) while bx_control is a M/S matrix (to be used with any other plug-in!) for Pro Tools and VST-apps, including Mono Maker (up to 26kHz) and M/S Stereo Width control, plus their unique Solo buttons for L/R/M/S - to give you total (bx_)control over any stereo signal / mix.

bx_solo and bx_control are both expected to be released on September 1st.

Novation has released a new MIDI controller, the ReMOTE SL COMPACT. Combined with Automap Universal, it provides an affordable route to automatic, instant and intelligent control of all major sequencers and all automatable plug-ins.

Features :

- 2 models : 25 or 49 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch
- 7 Velocity Curves individually assignable for each Template
- Pitch and Mod wheel
- 144-character screen displaying up to eight assigned parameters at once
- Data Ports: 1 x USB MIDI (Win XP/Mac OSX class-compliant)
- MIDI: 1 x MIDI Out, 1 x MIDI In
- Sustain Pedal: 1 x 1/4" Jack Input
- Expression pedal: 1 x 1/4" Jack Input
- 8 infinite rotary encoders (x4 with Group Select switches A-D)
- 8 buttons (x4 with Group Select switches B1-4)
- 8 trigger pads
- Transport Controls: ...

Electrix has released Virtual Repeater Pro, a plug-in for live loop recording, sampling and overdubbing using your PC or Mac based upon its hardware big brother Repeater. Sync your loops to audio or MIDI and control them with your hands or feet. Record a loop and then speed it up or slow it down - without affecting the pitch. Other Effects and features include Time Stretching, Undo, Reverse, Slip, Overdub and Resample which allows you to bounce multiple tracks down to one.

Features :

- Easy to use intuitive GUI
- Classic Repeater and Modern control interface
- Pitch shift; +12/-24 semitones
- Time stretch; 1bpm to 150% of recorded rate
- Individual track transport; play, stop, reverse
- Up to 12 tracks per loop
- Seamless loop cue and engage
- Advanced real-time beat detection ...

Previously available for Pro Tools|HD only, Softube Studios has just announced that Vintage Amp Room is now available as VST/AU plug-ins for native platforms and PowerCore. Straightforward and simple, Vintage Amp Room emulates three carefully selected guitar amps in a complete studio set-up with speaker cabinets and fully flexible microphone positioning.

Main features :

- Three great-sounding vintage amp models that handle like real amps.
- Raw & authentic sound.
- Flexible & continuous click-and-drag mic positioning.
- Fully automatable parameters.
- 3-D rendered photo-realistic user interface.
- Compatible with all effects that work with real amps.

Vintage Amp Room is available in both Native and PowerCore VST and AU formats for Windows and Mac OS X (plus the existing TDM version) priced at :

- Native VST/AU: €349 / $429
- PowerCore VST/AU: €399 / $489

Note that a fully functional 10-day demo version is also available (iLok required).

Apogee has released updates to their Symphony PCI-E card driver and Maestro application. This dual update includes many new features, such as support for Apple's 8-Core Mac Pro and long sought after Maestro improvements, including the ability to assign software and hardware inputs and outputs to multiple hardware outputs.

The new installer, which updates the Symphony driver and Maestro application, is now available on :