Urs Heckmann, aka U-He, has just released Uhbik, a new bundle of high quality audio effect plug-ins.

The number of plug-ins included with Uhbik will increase over time, for no additional cost. The bundle currently consists of the following effects :

- Flanger: Uhbik-F does both tape-style and stomp-style flanging in "extraordinary quality". Chorus on top of that.
- Phaser: 14, 28 or 42 stages.
- Tremolo & Pan: If you think that tremolo is only a wobbly gain, Uhbik-T twists your audio around like nuts. Surround trance gate effects included.
- Frequency Shifter: Not just renowned for cruelty but also applicable in small & smooth doses.
- Ambience & Reverb: Modelled with the best in mind. This ambience processor provides the depth and the glue for your tracks.
- Multitap Delay: 5-tap tape-style delay with a clue or two.
- Equalizer: Transparent. Powerful. Flexible. Fast.
- Runciter - an evil filter: digital filter uhbik. Enough with emulations! Beyond!

All Uhbiks do surround processing, up to 8 channels, including typical formats like quadraphonic, 5.1 and 7.1. The idea therein is, the surround modes work without any complicated user interface clutter and without need for dedicated versions (apart from some hosts that require dedicated stereo versions, that is). So while the handling of Uhbiks is strictly stereo, you gain the advantage of fully surroundish sound and control, way superior to the "multi mono" workarounds that some hosts offer. Options are included to keep Lfe or Center/Lfe unprocessed - so you're flexible all along.

Uhbik is available now for Mac OS X (AU/VST) and Windows (VST) at the introductory price of $149 (+VAT where applicable).

Puremagnetik has just released a new Micropak for Ableton Live : RackPak 2. Space modulators, time machines and lo-fi filter banks all await your sonic experimentation in this advanced collection of sound processors for Ableton Live 7.

Programmed by Puremagnetik's expert team of sound designers and engineers, RackPak 2 comes packed with 4 categories of modulators, time manipulation tools and outlandish effects. RackPak 2 includes the following audio effects :

Weird Filters
A bank of 8 band split filters complete with time based effects and dynamic processing. Presets like "Deep Fried Burger" and "Weird Dentist" should keep you tweaking for a while!

Time Machines
Throw 4/4 out the window with this collection of 15 slapbacks, meter crunchers and echo filters. "Beat Infector" and "Underclock5" will instantly melt the space-time continuum around your studio.

Space Modulators
Includes 9 advanced audio racks to explore the sonic stereo spectrum. Widen your mixes or freak out your drums with racks like "Bugs in The Stew" or "Nasal Detuner".

LoFi and NoFi
Get down and dirty with this bank of 8 expertly programmed distortions, bit crunchers and sample massacring racks. Beware: "Phantom Dennis" and "Artifactory" are not for the faint of heart.


System Requirements : Ableton Live 7 and 500 MB of physical RAM
Pricing : Basic Monthly Subscription: $5.75/Month Basic Yearly Subscription: $60/Year All Access Pass - $198/Year.

Audio Damage has just released Rough Rider Pro which is a multi-band compressor plug-in. According to Audio Damage, "Rough Rider Pro is for those times when you want to know your signal is compressed. Other compressors are kittens, rainbows, and gumdrops. This one is a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing lizard".

Features :

- Isolator section for simple control of input frequencies.
- Multi-band mode, for a single Rough Rider compressor on each band.
- Series mode, for three Rough Riders in a row.
- Attack time goes as low as 0.1ms, for use as a distortion unit.
- Ratio of 1:1 to 1000:1 for complete control of signal dynamics.
- MIDI learn for hardware control of all parameters (VST only).

Rough Rider Pro is available now for Mac (AU/VST) and PC (VST) and is priced at $49.

Zoom is pleased to introduce the next generation in its line of portable handheld recorders, the H4n. With a focus on new features and improving the user experience at every level, the H4n is also Zoom's most sophisticated handheld recorder to date.

Zoom's H4n offers superior, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics that allow variable recording patterns at either 90° or 120°. Audio quality is improved through its new digitally controlled, high-quality mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. A large LCD screen, a more intuitive interface and onboard reference speaker will take the user's recording experience to the next level.

Additionally, Zoom has incorporated several of the most popular features from its H2 to the H4n such as Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp and track marker functions and its auto-record and pre-record features so you never miss a moment. Of course, the H4n records high-resolution audio at 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB and is USB 2.0.

The H4n is also the most robust recorder from Zoom, with a rubberized, shock resistant body for improved chassis protection, all-metal microphone design and a built-in mounting joint for tripod and microphone stand use.

For musicians and songwriters, the H4n has a more user-friendly multi-track recording capability along with Hi-Z Inputs for recording guitar and bass, variable speed playback capability for "phrase training", onboard studio effects, and over 50 guitar and bass amp modeling settings. In addition, a new stamina mode enables the H4n to operate for 10 hours continuously on a single set of AA batteries.

The H4n package includes a 1 GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, protective case and Cubase LE recording software. An optional remote control is also available.

Ambrosia Software has released WireTap Studio v1.0.7. This updated version features improved performance and more efficient memory usage, along with other enhancements and fixes.

Changes/enhancements :

- Improved performance and more efficient memory usage.
- Custom hot keys for starting and stopping recording.
- Option-clicking source pop-ups now show hidden applications.
- Can now record from Java apps and other applications that have improperly coded bundle identifiers.
- Improved recording session performance.
- Support for scroll wheel and and Multi-Touch trackpad.
- Enhanced drag-n-drop capabilities.