Studio Electronics unveils the Orion Galaxy Omega 8, a new all-analog 8-voice poly synth. In fact the synth isn't completely new, it's "just" an Omega 8 in a wonderful seventies flavoured design.

Here is the description found on their website :

"what is this? it is art. it is light. it is glorious design brought to life by Antoine Argentieres, the man, who sagely let his fondness for Stanley Kubrick's past century enigmatic odyssian vision of the future (and re-visioning of pivotal past events) inspire a house fit for the majestic voice and verve of the Omega8––a cathedral of transformation; the great work of the synth; a mind before matter mystical alignment of awareness: light and sound waves that reveal the ORION GALAXY, expanding and growing and luminous."

Price and availability TBA.

Today LinPlug has released SaxLab 2 for Mac OS X. The main concern in this upgrade was to prevent easy handling, improve the sound quality to obtain the best possible result and to support all types of saxophones.

Main Features :

- High-Quality Soundsets for bass, baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophone.
- Monophonic with real sax behaviour
- Adjustable mix of the Air layer, the Keys layer and the main tonal layer
- User-definable, velocity-sensitive amplitude envelope
- Tonal characteristics of the instruments overall sound are user definable
- Real-time control of amplitude, brightness and the roaring of the sound.
- Three modes of mono performance: Legato, Retrigger and Alternate
- Separate control of Up/Down PitchBend and Scoop
- Adjustable pitch, air and body frequency deviation per note
- Envelope, LFO and MIDI-controlled vibrato and tremolo
- Specialized Stereo Chorus and Stereo Reverb effects
- Full Micro Tuning capability (loads TUN files)
- MidiLearn available for every control
- Sample accurate timing, full automation and settings are saved with the song

SaxLab2 is available now for Mac OS X in VST and AU formats. The license fee is $199 / €149 including a comprehensive 38 page manual in English, French and German. Anyone who purchased SaxLab 1 on 1st December 2007 or later will be shipped a free SaxLab 2 upgrade license, for other users the upgrade from SaxLab 1 is $39 / €39. A demo version is available.

Koblo has released Centaurus, a new mini virtual synth "with a GREAT BIG sound".

Features :

- Frequency and Pulse width Modulation
- Key Sync
- Multi-waveform LFO
- Mod Envelope
- Filter from the Koblo's Vibra9000 developed by Max Gronlund

Centaurus is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and Standalone versions at a special price of $7.49 through Aug 31st.

SKB Corporation introduces the new 1SKB19-RSF4U "4U Studio Flyer" model as part of its expanding Studio Flyer line. Ideal for those looking to safely transport laptop computers, disk drives, audio interfaces or other rack-mount remote recording equipment, the 1SKB19-RSF4U is a larger version of the original 2U Studio Flyer, adding 2U of rack space and a larger surface that can hold a variety of laptops or flat screens.

The Studio Flyer 4U features a standard 4U rack mount space and a laptop compartment with convoluted foam interior in the lift-off lid for laptop protection. Cable pass through allows the laptop and interface to remain cabled up at all times. Convenient removable front and back doors offer easy access to rack gear. The interior rack depth to the back door has been expanded to 15-1/2".

Rotomolded for durability, the case features 8 adjustable cleats, four in-line wheels, a pull out handle and two cushioned rubber over-molded carry handles. The reinforced nylon trigger release latching system includes a TSA locking latch which enables the traveler to safely lock the case and still have it inspected by airline security.

The Studio Flyer 4U is available now with a U.S. estimated street price of $269.99.

After many requests, Soniccouture have released the Hang Drum in LOGIC EXS24 format. A Hang is a melodious percussive steel musical instrument created in Switzerland. It uses some of the same physical principles as a steel drum.

The product features 2 different drums, with over 1000 samples each, and up to 21 velocity layers. The Hang drums have been sampled in 6 different areas (Gu, Ding, Outer Ding, Tone-field Centre, Tone-Field Edge, and in-between the Tone-field). Each area was sampled being played with Finger, Slap and knuckle.

Features :

- 2.4 GB Library
- Multiple Articulations
- Up to 21 Velocity Layers
- Includes both Mk.1 + Mk. 2 Hang Drum Models
- Over 1000 24 bit Stereo 44.1 Samples per Drum

The Hang Drum is available now and is priced at £49 (download) / £52 (DVD). Audio examples are also available at the following address.