Bismark has just released bs-0, a freeware software playback sampler which can load and play SoundFont 2 and DLS files.

Features :

- Loads 1 SoundFont / DLS file.
- 1 (mono) output.
- 4 voices :

* Oscillator/Amplifier/Filter.
* Modulation LFO (to Osc/Amp/Fil) and Vibrato LFO (to Osc) supported.
* Volume EG (to Amp) and Modulation EG (to Osc/Fil) supported.

- Supports MIDI note on/off, CC, Program Change, pitch bend , system exclusive (Universal realtime / non-realtime, Roland GS compatible).
- Internal Effects: Reverb and Chorus.

bs-0 is available now for Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary in VST 2.4 and Audio Units plug-in formats.

Note that Bismark has also released the final (i.e. non-beta) versions of bs-1 / bs-16 v4.0 and bs-spectrum v1.3.

Nine Volt Audio has released a 10-minute video which is a step-by-step tutorial showing Stylus RMX users how to combine a few simple techniques to create dramatic sounding affects, all of which can be controlled in real-time.

In this video you will learn how to use Stylus RMX's MIDI Learn function to control a multitude of effect parameters with a keyboard's mod wheel and also how to create and save custom "Morphing" effect presets for use in any project. At the conclusion of the video users are given a link to download the "Morphing" preset created in the tutorial, along with seven other "Morphing" presets. A link is also provided where users can download eight "Morphing" presets, including the main one demonstrated in the tutorial.

The tutorial can be viewed at the Nine Volt Audio web site and clicking on the "Tutorials" link. Note that Nine Volt Audio is not endorsed or affiliated with Spectrasonics.

Wave Arts is pleased to announce the 5.40 update for their Power Suite 5 product line, which features TrackPlug external sidechain improvements, including support for VST.

A new VST plug-in called TrackPlug 5 ExtSC allows external tracks to be routed to TrackPlug as sidechain signals in hosts such as Cubase 4 and Sonar 7. External sidechaining allows one track's dynamics to be controlled by the signal of another, for example, engaging a compressor on a bass track whenever a kick drum on other track occurs. External sidechain is now supported in Audio Unit, VST, RTAS and MAS formats.

The update is free for registered v5 users.

Rogue Amoeba has just released Audio Hijack Pro v2.8. With this update, all of Rogue Amoeba's applications are now 100% ready for Leopard, as well as Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

This update includes myriad minor bug fixes and improvements but also Instant Hijack 2, enabling the hijacking of audio from applications which are already running on Leopard, as well as Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). The System Audio Extra has also been updated with Soundflower 1.3, more ID3 tags are supported, and bookmarkable recordings have been made more reliable.

BBE announces its all-new D82 Sonic Maximizer plugin. Based upon BBE's 882i and 482i hardware Sonic Maximizer processors, this plug-in aims to restore the high frequency definition and detail while focusing bass frequencies for any sound source.

The D82 Sonic Maximizer is compatible with all VST, AU and RTAS hosts on Mac OS X, Windows XP and Vista. It will be available on February 2008 via download and March 2008 in retail boxed product at BBE dealers worldwide.