Synful has just updated Synful Orchestra to version 2.5.1. This new release includes a new French Horn.

The new Synful Orchestra 2.5 French Horn is an important step in the evolution of Synful's RPM technology. For most playing just set the Expression Brassiness control to a desired level and play in a normal style. Synful produces natural slurs, attacks, and varying note shapes automatically. Solo horn or sections from 2 to 16 players are easy - just turn the number of players knob. Like all Synful Orchestra instruments, when you play harmony in a section the players distribute themselves over the notes of the chord - automatic divisi. You can change continuously from a very dark sound to an extremely brassy sound. Realistic slurs, glisses, rips, trills, dramatic crescendi and dimuendi are simple and intuitive. The new French Horn is the first fully expressive instrument to use our second generation RPM Synful synthesis engine. The new French horn does not use Delay for Expression. Everything you play live is the final product. It is based on new 24 bit recordings which have been translated to a new generation additive synthesis format.

For more information and sound examples, please follow the ink below :

Leoné has released a Mac OS X version of MusicReader, an innovative software that makes reading music easy and convenient. The software offers solutions for all kinds of problems musicians have with (paper) sheet music, both individually and in orchestras and ensembles. This includes easy page turning, a convenient music library and flexible annotation making. It also anticipates on the developments of sheet music offered online. Digital sheet music can easily be converted to MusicReader and paper sheet music can also be digitized by using an easy to use scanning and conversion program.

There are two versions of MusicReader available, Solo Basic ($59) and Solo Pro ($99). MusicReader Solo Basic version contains the annotations, navigation and music conversion features. In Solo Pro also full screen and two page display, measure detection and tuner/metronome/music player are present. Note that an evaluation version is also available.

Alesis has launched a video competition called the "Alesis Show Your Rig Video Competition".

Just visit the following link and upload a video of a performance (solo or group) or demonstration of you using your Alesis gear to YouTube between now and January 11, 2008 to enter the contest. Videos must cover current (not legacy) Alesis products to win, preferably from the new products page.

The lucky winner will receive an Alesis DM5 Pro Kit with SURGE Cymbals for their entry!

OnyX, the multifunction utility for Mac OS X, has been updated to version 2.0. OnyX allows you to verify the Startup Disk and the structure of its System files, run miscellaneous tasks of system maintenance, configure some hidden parameters of the Finder, Dock, Dashboard, Exposé, Safari, Login window and some of Apple's own applications, it deletes caches, removes a certain number of files and folders that may become cumbersome and more.

For more information, please visit the link below :

Ueberschall has just released Ambient Works, their latest Elastik Player-based library.

Ambient Works has far reaching current and new media project applications and can be meshed to many genres. Enclosed is an epic resource of diverse sustained textures compiled into construction kit loop format. You can also redefine the feel of any of the 24 construction kits included by adjusting the individual layers of a kit. All sounds are logically organized and ready for immediate use. Each kit has the ability to :

- Tweak each layer's pitch and tempo in realtime
- Adjust each note within a sample
- Import layers from different kits and adapt where desired
- Lock tempos to host sequencer

Of course you can also assemble your own ambient creations by mixing and matching material from any of the kits — over 780 samples to choose from. Ambient Works has the binary sounding evolution and underscore rings / shrills of today, as well as classic fluid and shimmering essentials of the past.

- Analog enriched Pads,
- Stringed Timbres,
- Organic Atmospheres,
- Bells,
- Nature,
- Percussion and more...

Ambient Works is available now and has an MSRP of $119 / €99. To hear a demo go to :