Muse Research, Inc. has announced that they have reached an agreement with Univers Sons / Ultimate Sound Bank of Paris, France to include their USB Plugsound Box collection of six virtual instruments with their new Receptor 2 Hardware Plug-in Player.

The Plugsound Box collection features 6 superb virtual instruments covering a wide range of sounds and styles, including fretted instruments, keyboards, synthesizers, General MIDI instruments, drums and percussion, and Hip Hop sound sets. The collection, which originally sold for hundreds of dollars, is now free with each standard Receptor 2 PRO and Receptor 2 Pro Max.

Shure has also announced the X2u, a XLR-to-USB microphone adaptater which lets you use your most trusted microphones for all your digital recordings.

Features :

- Connect

. Plug and Play USB Connectivity allows the convenience of digital recording
anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or later)
. Provides +48V Phantom power for use with condenser microphones
. Includes Padded, zippered pouch and USB cable (3m / 9.8ft)

- Record

. Monitor Mix Control for blending microphone and playback audio
. 1/8" Headphone Jack with volume control for monitoring
. Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control allows control of input signal strength

- Playback

- Zero Latency Monitoring for real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation
- 16-bit, up to 48 KHz sample rate for better-than-CD audio quality

The X2u will be available to consumers in spring 2009 at a retail price of $129 ($154.00 MSRP).

Clavia DMI AB is very pleased to appoint AM&S as the exclusive distributor of Nord products in the United States effective January 12, 2009. AM&S plans to commence operations on or around April 1st 2009.

"We are very pleased to announce American Music & Sound as our new exclusive distributor in USA," states Nord's Manager of International Sales, Tomas Enochsson. "They have a long history and exceptional performance in Pro Audio and MI product distribution and are in a perfect position to market our products through their existing channels as well as opening up new avenues for Nord."

"Nord brings an amazing legacy of incredible sounding keyboards and has always been known as a player's instrument," says Lynn Martin, President of American Music & Sound. "We are excited to have them on board."

Shure unveils two new condenser micorphones which are their first USB mic : the PG27USB and the PG42USB.

Designed with a flat frequency response and high SPL handling, the PG27USB naturally reproduces a wide variety of acoustic, amplified and vocal sound sources - with professional clarity and guaranteed "Plug and Play" Shure quality.

The PG42USB features a large, cardioid diaphragm tailored with high sensitivity to clearly reproduce refined performances. The voice-tailored frequency response has been specifically engineered to capture the subtle nuances of lead vocal performances. Also included on the PG42USB Microphone is a high-pass filter for additional control of unwanted low-end signal.

Both the PG27USB and PG42USB Recording Microphones feature :

- Large diaphragm capsule: Provides wider dynamic range, clear highs and strong lows.
- USB "Plug and Play": Connectivity: Allows the convenience of digital recording, anywhere your computer goes.
- Integrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control: Allows control of input signal strength.
- Zero Latency Monitoring: For real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation.
- Headphone Jack: For monitoring with 1/8" connectivity.
- Monitor Mix Control: For blending microphone and playback audio.
- 16-bit, up to 48 kHz sample rate: For better-than-CD-quality audio
- Zippered Pouch and 3m (9.8ft) USB Cable included
- Stand Adapter included with PG27USB Microphone
- Shock Mount and Carrying Case included with PG42USB Microphone

Pricing and Availability :

• PG27USB: $199.00 retail [$238.00 MSRP]
• PG42USB: $249.00 retail [$298.00 MSRP]

The PG27USB and the PG42USB Side Address Condenser Microphones will be available to consumers in spring 2009 and will carry a two-year limited warranty.

Loomer has also announced the release of a third plug-in called Manifold.

Manifold is a harmonizer audio effect that works by splitting an input signal into as many as 20 individual voices, each of which are detuned and scattered around the stereo panorama. Manifold is capable of producing a wide range of effects; from subtle modulations that add interest to lifeless sounds, to extreme detuning that fattens the weakest of input sources.

Features :

- Input audio signal is split into 4 to 20 individual tuned voices
- Process only a specific frequency range by using the highpass and lowpass filters
- Flexible panning allows the effect to produce sounds that can be tightly focussed in the centre of the stereo image, spread between the extreme stereo edges, or anywhere in-between.
- MIDI Learn mode for easy integration with any MIDI hardware controller.

Manifold is available for Mac OS X v 10.4 and above (Audio Unit, VST and Standalone application), Windows XP and above (VST and Standalone application), and Linux (VST, and Standalone application using JACK or ALSA).