SM Pro Audio has just announced that its V-Machine VST player is now shipping.

Features :

- External hardware host for Windows plugins (VST instruments and effects)
- Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software
- Create synth layers and chain them with effects
- Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine
- Multiple VSTi's can be combined
- MIDI learn functions included
- All effect and synth chains can be switched latency free
- USB-Ports for copy protection dongles
- Use software samplers and stream its content from any USB drive
- sensor to adjust the display's contrast automatically
- control configuration software compatible with Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (future support)

The V-Machine is available now for $599 / €489.

Sample Logic is proud to introduce "The Elements EXP", an entirely redesigned product that gives you not only all of the instruments from the original Elements, but with a completely new user interface, and an additional 350 patches bringing you a total of 2000+ instruments and multi.

Powered by Native Instruments Kontakt Player plugin, the Elements EXP is based on the 6 Elements of music; Ambience, Bass, Harmony, Impacts, Melody, Rhythm. This Expansion brings new functionality to the table, with performance ready arpeggiators and gators, as well as a host of new on-screen automation-ready effects such as: Chorus, Pulser, Delay, Reverb, EQ, and Portamento.

The Elements EXP is available now and is priced at $359. Current users can purchase the EXP as a $40 expansion download, which will update your current 1700 Elements instruments and multis to the newly created interface as well as unlocking an additional 350+ instruments and multis.

Sontronics has just announced the release of Sonora, a dual-channel preamp / DI-box with two discrete solid-state channels.

Featuring a proprietary vintage circuit design engineered to recreate a classic sonic character while using modern manufacturing techniques, Sonora provides a very linear response with a variance of just ±0.1dB from 20 Hz to 40 kHz. Both channels are identical, each with a 12-step 'click' level control which makes a simple task of matching levels in stereo applications. Each channel has its own 75Hz high-pass filter, -20dB attenuation and +48 Volt phantom power switches, plus independent Signal & Clip LEDs.

The electronically-balanced inputs will match seamlessly with your favourite mics, guitars and synths while the electronically-balanced outputs ensure that your signal is delivered to your recording or PA system with perfect integrity.

An external mains power supply ensures that the integrity of your audio signal stays free from electrical inductance, plus it is voltage-switchable for use around the world.

Sonora is 100% made in Europe, having been conceived and designed in the UK, and developed and manufactured in Portugal. It costs £399 including VAT in the UK and $699 in the USA.

The d16 Group unveils the Classic Boxes Collection, a software bundle which contains the emulations of the famous classic boxes :

- Phoscyon, an emulation of the classic analogue sound of the legendary 303 silver box.
- Drumazon which emulates the famous 909 drum machine.
- Nepheton, a virtual 808 drum machine.

The Classic Boxes Collection is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST format at a retail price of €255. Note that a Group Buy is also available until 10.12.2008.

Markbass, an Italian bass amp manufacturer, introduces Mark Studio 1 plug-in.

Based on three Markbass amp heads and six Markbass cabinets, this plug-in incorporates six different microphone choices, plus control over compression, mic position, tweeter level, room ambience, and more. The amps featured are the all-tube Classic 300, the tube-preamp R 500, and the solid state (with tube compressor) TA 501. The cabinets modeled in the plugin are the Standard 151HR (rear-ported 1x15"), Standard 152HR (rear-ported 2x15"), Standard 104HR (rear-ported 4x10"), Standard 104HF (front-ported 4x10"), Standard 106HF (front-ported 6x10") and Classic 108 (sealed 8x10").

Pricing and Availability : TBA.