Devine Machine has developed OTR88, an electric piano physical emulation which offers in a few drags and clicks what used to take hours with a screwdriver on a real electric piano.

Unlike sample based instruments, OTR88 physical synthesis provides seamless dynamics and virtually unlimited electric piano models sounds, for less than 10Mb hard drive space and moderate CPU usage. OTR88 gives access to 17 physical parameters fully editable for each 88 key individually (Pickup position, tine harmonic content, tine decay, oldness, tuning, pan among others) through a user-friendly interface. Scala microtonal file import feature has been implemented to complete sound flexibility. It also features 8 MIDI-Learnable FX pedals (Chorus, Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Tremolo, and Wah) set in an intuitive pedal board.

Near 100 piano presets and 80 global presets have been carefully set by hand to let you access a large variety of lively sounds out of the box. In early development stages Devine Machine received advices from Herbie Handcock himself !

OTR88 costs €229 and is available in VST, RTAS, AU and standalone versions for both Mac and PC. A fully functional demo is also available.

Learn more...

TC Electronic is giving away two plug-ins for the PowerCore platform to anyone who owns both a PowerCore and one of the company's Konnekt audio interfaces. So if you are the proud owner of either a Desktop Konnekt 6, Studio Konnekt 48, Digital Konnekt x32, Konnekt Live, Konnekt 24D or Konnekt 8 and a PowerCore, you can receive both plug-ins – the Fabrik R reverb and Fabrik C compressor – absolutely free !

Fabrik R combines four great sounding TC algorithms in one single plug-in and utilizes Meta Intuitive Navigation Technology (MINT ) to make selecting and adjusting the on-board Live, Club, Plate and Hall Reverbs a breeze.

Fabrik C has all the qualities of a great channel strip, containing as it does is a full-blown EQ, de-esser and 3-band/full band compressor in one single plug-in. Again, with MINT you have total control of all the parameters using only a few dedicated knobs.

If you own a Konnekt product and a PowerCore simply follow the link below to get in touch with TC Electronic. Your PowerCore will need to be registered in order to take advantage of this incredible offer and you will need a TC Account ID. All you then need to do is fill in the form, provide the 7-digit serial number of your Konnekt interface and TC Electronic will do the rest. So what are you waiting for?!

Wacom unveils Nextbeat, a fully integrated professional DJ system, incorporating intuitive touch sensor controls and innovative live performance functions. This wireless portable control unit enables performers to move free from the main device, resulting in more dynamic and energetic live performances, contrasting to the traditional style of DJs performing inside booths.

Wacom is approaching the music industry using its extensive experience of introducing award-winning products to creative professionals in the design and digital imaging areas. Nextbeat is the first product developed by Wacom that is based on its understanding of these creative customers, and the company is using its expertise in interface technology to diversify into a new sector.

Features :

- Nextbeat supports digital formats such as MP3, WAV and AIFF, AAC-LC.
- Nextbeat is a stand-alone DJ device.
- Transfer your favorite sounds - by track or by music folder - into a Compact Flash card by a simple drag and drop.
- One single nextbeat is offering you the performing features of two digital turntables, one mixer, one effector and one sampler.
- It is a 30cm X 30cm record jacket size and weighs approximately 2.7kg.

Nextbeat will be available at the end of summer 2009 with pricing TBA.

Antelope Audio will unveil 3 new products at the upcoming MusikMesse : the Zodiac DA series and the Rubicon Atomic clock.

Follow the link bellow to find out more about the specs of these new units :

Brainworx has just released just released bx_dynEQ, a set of 3 plugins containing of bx_dynEQ mono, bx_dynEQ stereo and bx_boom! The concept of the bx_dynEQ is described as a truely new approach to dynamic EQ-ing, using innovative M/S features to allow for results not possible with any other EQ.

bx_dynEQ is not only an EQ, not even only a dynamic EQ, but it also is a true dynamics processor and an EQ system – at the same time. The stereo version introduces Brainworx unique "cross-feed" M/S feature, which allows M & S signals to actually "trigger" each other. An impressive selection of filter types including their new band-pass filters and their trademark Bass-Shift and Presence Shift filters make this EQ an engineers swiss knife. Preset knobs in the GUI enable the engineer to find good starting points fast and easy despite of the complexity of this new monster...

bx_boom! is actually the one bx_dynEQ preset demonstrating the superior M/S features of this EQ best. Stripped down to only 2 parameters and an intuitive graphic design this tools enables you to attenuate or boost the impact of your bass drum sound - in a final mix (!) or a complete stereo drum-loop. bx_boom! is only availble as a true stereo plug-in due to the M/S nature of the beast.

bx_dynEQ & bx_boom! can be used to help you in many different situations :

- De-Essing (individual tracks, subgroups and master channel)
- dynamic EQing of mono-, stereo- and M/S signals
- bass-drum tuning in final mixes(!) and drum groups
- dynamic stereo-widening using the internal M/S features
- M/S compression and limiting
- Sound-Design

Priced at €349, this bundle is available now for both Mac and PC in VST, AU and RTAS formats. Note that a 14-days trial version is alaos available (ilok required).