ReFX has updated Nexus to v1.3.5 and released two new expansions, Stratosphere and Bass, in its sound shop.

New features :
- Filter- and Amp-Modifier can now also be locked and switched off globally, just like the master-filter, the master-delay and the reverb can.

Bug fixes :
- The voice-stealing was too conservative which resulted in clicking. The new approach is absolutely click-free, but could increase performance usage slightly.
- The trance-gate was prone to clicking in certain cases.
- Internal optimization and minor bug fixes.

[CodeOperator] has released IIR-Reverb which is the first plug-in in its new URSonic series. IIR-Reverb is a colorful reverb effect with a high density. It comes with a 5-Band full Parametric Graphical based Equaliser that you can edit the reverb tail in every frequency you like. You can form every space you need, especially Drum Rooms.

IIR-Reverb is available now for Windows and Mac OS X (UB) in VST, AU and RTAS formats via the Pluggo Runtime and costs $199. Note that audio examples and demo versions are also available.

Steinberg has just released a hotfix update for HALion 3.3, HALion Symphonic Orchestra 1.3 and HALion String Edition 2.3 as well as both the HALion Player 3.3 retail and HALion Player 3.3 OEM versions. The new version updates functions within the underlying HALion 3 sampler engine shared by all these products. These include enhancements when recalling tempo settings in standalone mode, with zone display in the Key Zone Editor as well as program change functionality.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Zoom has announced that the H2 Handy Recorder will be available... soon... maybe at the end of this summer...

Features :

- W-XY mic patterns with 4 mic capsules and signal processing allows Front 90° cardioid, Rear 120° cardioid and 360° polar patterns
- Built-in USB 2.0 interface for data storage and audio interface
- Records in WAV 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit, MP3 to 320kbps and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) data formats
- Time Stamp and Track Marker functions in Broadcast WAV Format (BWF)
- 512MB SD memory card included
- Accommodates up to 4GB SD memory cards
- Auto Gain Control (AGC) for pristine recordings
- Auto Start function means you're always ready to record
- Low-cut filter eliminates wind noise
- On-board chromatic Guitar/Bass tuner

The H2 will be widely available for a street price of $199.99. For more information, please visit the link below :

Sibelius Software has released Sibelius 5, a major upgrade to their music notation software. This new version is packed with many new features, including :

- Ideas Hub, a powerful tool to capture, tag, find and bring together musical ideas
- Sibelius Sounds Essentials, a 2GB collection of sounds selected from top-name libraries by Garritan, SonicVox and Tapspace
- Full VST & Audio Units support
- Playback handled by Kontakt Player 2
- Panorama - instead of being chopped up into systems and pages, the music is shown in a single, infinitely-wide strip – far easier to read and navigate around
- Easy cues & instrument changes
- Complete and easy layout control
- Reprise, an elegant new music font which is offering a realistic simulation of hand-copying
- Over 80 plug-ins including t ...