IK Multimedia is proud to announce the sequels to the Total Bundle series: "Total Workstation 2" and "Total Studio 2" bundles.

Total Workstation 2 bundle offers the entire collection of all 5 of IK's virtual instrument and workstation plug-ins in one box (SampleTank 2.5 XL, Miroslav Philharmonik, Sonik Synth 2, SampleMoog and SampleTron) for a staggering 14,000 sounds and 28 GB of samples available in one convenient package, and at up to 72% off regular list prices.

Total Studio 2 bundle provides a collection of 12 plug-ins, including the 5 virtual instruments of the Total Workstation 2 bundle, plus 7 effects plug-in suites (AmpliTube 2, Ampeg SVX, AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix, AmpliTube Metal, AmpliTube X-GEAR, T-RackS and Classik Studio Reverb), and offered at one amazing price of up to 80% off regular list prices.

In addition, as exclusive bonus content never released before, these bundles include exclusively made "Artist Signature Presets" by renowned players and producers from all genres: Dark Child- Rodney Jerkins, Ken Lewis, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Bernie Worrell, Wolfgang Gartner, Scratch-D of Dynamix II, DJ George Acosta, Carmen Rizzo, LVM of the Nasty Beat Makers, MTV's Jamie Laboz, Happy Perez, Lenny Dee and many more to come as additional free downloads.

Total Workstation 2 bundle is priced at $699.99/€539.99 or $599.99/€449.99 for the crossgrade version while Total Studio 2 bundle retails at $1,099.99/€839.99 or $899.99/€689.99 for the crossgrade version. Note that for a limited time, users of the previous versions of both Total Workstation Bundle and Total Studio Bundle, who have registered their product prior to this announcement, will also be able to upgrade to the new version 2, through the IK online store. For more information, please visit the link below :

Audio Damage has just released Automaton which is a very special "glitchy" plug-in. With four separate effects (Stutter, Modulate, Bitcrush, and Replicate) driven by a cellular automata sequencer, Automaton is capable of adding subtle seemingly random fills and "humanizing" effects, but, if you like, you can crank the sequencer up to eleven and watch as your DAW becomes a petri dish while Automaton makes complete hay of the track you've inserted it to.

Features :

- Cellular automata sequencer with host tempo-sync, five different musically useful rulesets (including a step sequencer), extensive randomization features, and a life of its own.
- Four sequencer-driven effects, including Stutter (a buffer delay for extremely short loop slices), Modulate (a self-modulating ring modulator), Bitcrush (sample rate and bit depth reduction, and our own "Error" effect), and Replicate (a special version of our Replicant effect, tuned for use with the cellular automata sequencer).
- Master section allows extensive mixing capabilities, enabling Automaton to excel at either adding subtlety (like an occasional extra hi-hat) or complete self-generating IDM madness.
- MIDI Learn for hardware control of most parameters (VST only).

Automaton is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST and AU formats for $49.

Note : Discover this plug-in on 440tv !

Schwa and Stillwell Audio have announced the release of Schwa's TinMan and Stillwell Audio's The Rocket Compressor.

The Rocket is a character audio compressor, singular in its extraordinary speed, responding in mere microseconds to variations in program level. Being in the order of several thousand times faster than most ordinary compressors, Stillwell Audio respectfully submit that The Rocket "kicks like a mf".

TinMan is an auto-peaking resonant filter with multiple pitch detection and individually triggered attack/decay envelopes. In other words, it listens to your audio and makes matching spooky "wooo-eeee-oooo" effects.

TinMan and The Rocket Compressor are both available for Windows (VST) and Mac OS X (VST & AU) and cost $50 each ($25 for those using them only on the Reaper platform and only in a non-commercial use environment).

Korg unveils the M50, a new workstation declined in 3 models : the M50-61, M50-73 and M50-88 with 61, 73 and 88 key respectively.

Features :

- Same "EDS" (Enhanced Definition Synthesis) tone generator found on the M3
- 256 MB of PCM data, provides 608 programs and 384 combinations featuring Korg's voicing expertise.
- The 61-key M50-61 and 73-key M50-73 use a new semi-weighted Natural Touch keyboard, while the 88 key M50-88 features the top-of-the-line Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) graded action keyboard,
- The Drum Track gives you 671 patterns to stimulate and support your realtime performance and song production.
- The Polyphonic Arpeggiator delivers from simple phrases up to complex rhythmic gestures, and lets you use two patterns simultaneously in Combination mode or Se ...

RetroWare has released microAU, a free / donationware Audio Unit plug-in for Mac OS X that allows you to fully control and automate the Alesis Micron hardware synthesizer.

For more information, please visit their website.