Audjoo has released Helix, a Wave-Table-Shaping, Phase modulation, Virtual Analog, Physical Modelling Hybrid Synthesizer with high sound quality, massive modulation, creative audio-routing and many built-in effects.

Features :

- CPU-friendly.
- 800+ Presets from BigTone and others.
- up to 64x Unison per voice.
- Wave-table-shaping oscillators.
- 17 filter types.
- 10 distortion types.
- All stereo signal path.
- Deep Modulation.
- Arpeggiator.
- Built in effects.

Priced at $149, Helix is now available as a VST instrument for Windows and Mac OS X Universal Binary.

Applied Acoustics Systems has released Strum Acoustic Session.

Based on the physical modeling synthesis engine of the Strum Acoustic GS-1, Strum Acoustic Session is a simple and straightforward instrument reproducing nylon and steel acoustic guitars. It includes an elaborate voicing module which automatically voices chords played on the keyboard as a guitar player would on the fretboard. Strumming and picking actions are reproduced by an auto-strum function, special strumming keys or MIDI loops. An EQ and a reverb module complete the package.

Strum Acoustic Session is available now in VST, AU and RTAS formats for Mac OS X and Windows for a fee of $99.

Also, in celebration of their 10th anniversary, AAS is offering some very special offers :

- Strum Acoustic Session FREE : All of registered users of AAS products will receive Strum Acoustic Session free of charge. If you are a registered user, you should have received a message containing download links for the Strum Acoustic Session installers as well as a serial number. Didn't receive the email? Check your junk mail folder first, else contact AAS support.

- The Modeling Collection at $349 : For the price of Tassman 4 alone, you get five instruments. The Modeling Collection comprising Tassman 4, Lounge Lizard EP-3, Ultra Analog VA-1, String Studio VS-1, and Strum Acoustic GS-1 is $349 until January 5th, 2009.

- 30% Off the Modeling Collection upgrades : Owners of Professional and Session Series instruments can now upgrade and own the whole Professional Series for a low price.

Vienna Symphonic Library (VSL) has announced the release its new effects bundle - Vienna Suite.

The Vienna Suite includes :

- Equalizer for smooth highs and deep and powerful lows – includes an integrated 120 band spectrum analyzer. Extremely low CPU usage.
- Master Equalizer provides 3 filter types on 5 bands and additional high and low shelf filters with 2 filter types. The use of 4x oversampling makes internal calculations even more precise. Ideal for delicate sonic mastering tasks.
- Limiter with real-time input/output waveform display and auto-mode for transparent maximization.
- Compressor – featuring modern and vintage algorithms and a real-time input/output waveform display.
- Multiband Limiter – offering 4 bands with transparent crossover filters and an additional full-range brickwall limiter at the final output stage.
- PowerPan for powerful stage positioning of instruments, featuring real-time audio angular analysis.
- Exciter – offering 4x oversampling, tone-color sliders for mixing odd and even harmonics, and a high frequency FFT spectrum analyzer.
- Analyzer – featuring a 120 band analog modeled spectrum analyzer, fast and accurate display of bass frequencies, auto mode for automatic range management, and loudest frequency note display.

Priced at €395, the Vienna Suite is available now for Windows XP/Vista 32 and 64 bit versions and Mac OS X 10.4 or higher in VST (OS X, Win), AU (OS X) and RTAS (OS X) plug-in formats. Note that if you buy Vienna Suite through January 15th, 2009 you can download the limited-edition Vienna Instrument Jazz Drums for free.

Overloud has just released TH1, their Custom Guitar Effects Suite.

Features :

- 4th generation analog emulation technology
- 3D, gapless positioning of microphones
- SLR technology allows morphing between two amplifiers
- Advanced cabinet emulations with ReSPiRe technology
- Realistic and easy-to-get rendition of the signal path
- Easy to build or modify your own signal path
- 8 Amplifiers with 15 total Channels and 21 operating Modes
- 21 Cabinets
- 18 Microphones: choice of Dynamic, Ribbon and Condenser
- Two microphones for each Cabinet
- Studio Ambience reverb optionally added proportionally to the distance of the microphone from the speakers
- 50 stomp boxes, pedals and rack effects
- Per-parameter BPM sync switch
- Revolutionary GUI, host or MIDI real-time control via Smart Controls
- RTAS, AU, VST, Standalone for Mac (Universal) and RTAS, VST and Standalone for PC

Overloud TH1 is available now at an introductory price of €209 + VAT (this offer
will expire on November 30th, 2008). Note that demo versions as well as audio examples are also available.

Akai unveils the EWI USB, a new plug-and-play USB wind controller.

Features :

- Electronic wind instrument controller
- Easy to play, easy to use, and easy to own
- Powerful, flexible, and reliable
- Plug-and-play USB connection to Mac or PC
- Custom Garritan Aria Player software, contains wind instrument sounds
- Multiple fingering modes: sax, traditional EWI, flute, oboe, and EVI brass
- Expandable sound palette
- Removable, dishwasher-safe mouthpiece

Includes :

- EWI USB wind instrument
- Neck strap
- Cleaning cloth
- USB cable
- Software DVD
- Quick start guide
- Safety instructions

The EWI USB is available now for $499 MSRP.