The Vienna Symphonic Library team has released a sequel to their successful solo strings collection. The new Vienna Instruments Collection Solo Strings II, featuring the muted solo instruments, violin, viola, cello, and double bass, is now available from Vienna's worldwide network of distributors and dealers.

This new collection offers 46 GB of all-new articulations of the four solo string instruments. Solo Strings II contains many of the playing techniques that the first collection includes, but played "con sordino" (with mutes). It includes articulations such as muted short and long notes, crescendo and diminuendo variations, as well as Interval Performances such as legato, portamento, and trills. Furthermore, additional Legato Performances with very long notes have been recorded for use in slower parts. Thus, every single pitch and velocity is available in 24 variations.

Like all Vienna Instruments collections, Solo Strings II is a sample-based virtual instrument that ships in the formats VST (OS X, Win XP/Vista), RTAS (OS X) as well as AU (OS X) and also works stand-alone. Registered users are eligible to download the free mixing and host software Vienna Ensemble 2.

Pricing
Standard Library: $475, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $380 Extended Library: $355, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $284 Full Library: $830, less Holiday Discount through January 15, 2009 $664

BeesNeez unveils James, a new large diaphragm tube condensor microphone, hand built in Australia.

The James is built around the BeesNeez K47b capsule. This capsule is similar to the K47 capsules found in the Neumann U47's in that it is a single backplate 34mm capsule. It does though have a different hole configuration and depth helping to create the crystal clear and mid forward tones.

The James' tube is a hand selected European NOS. It has a very quiet noise floor and great frequency response. The mic circuit is point to point wired, paper in oil and film capacitors and is followed by a Cinemag Transformer.

Last but not least, it features a 10db pad, and a selectable SRO (Sibilance Roll Off).

The James is available now at an introductory price of $899. It ships with Suspension Mount, Power Supply, Lead and Flight Case.

Today we are glad to publish an article about Spectrasonics' Omnisphere. This epic 'Power Synth' breaks completely new sonic ground by combining a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of remarkable 'Psychoacoustic' sounds, and many innovative features that have never been seen before in any hardware or software synthesizer.

Another great deal at DontCrac[k] : until January 5th, 2009, buy the AAS Modeling Collection for only $319 ! (over 75% reduction on the separately purchased price of $1 235)

The AAS Modeling Collection includes five great instruments from Applied Acoustics Systems : Tassman 4, Lounge Lizard EP-3, Ultra Analog VA-1, String Studio VS-1, and Strum Acoustic GS-1.

Learn more about this crazy offer from :

Groovebox Music is giving Ableton users free access to a collection of high-quality Ableton Live tutorials running over three hours in length via the Ableton Web Pass.

This collection of tutorials covers topics such as how to record and edit, virtual instrument basics, warping, designing electronic drums and much more. The videos are hand-picked from the extensive Ableton Live tutorial collection available at grooveboxmusic.com.

This offer provides seven days of access from the day you sign up and enter your access code. Offer valid until December 31, 2008.