Akai has just released Vintage Beat Machines, a sample library for MPCs containing all kinds of classic drums and percussion sounds. You'll find some of the most common sounds, and some sounds you've likely never heard before. These sounds are from drum machines, beat and rhythm generators, and other synthesizers dating from the 1980s all the way back into the 1960s ! This sample pack works with all MPC models and contains samples and analog synthesis-based sounds from more than 55 different beat machines.

Vintage Beat Machines is available now at an introductory of $19.99 (instead of $29.99) through March 12 only.

Markbass has announced the release of the 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").

Mark Studio 1 is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions with a retail price around $200.

Image Line Software, the developer of FL Studio, has announced the upcoming release of Sawer, its latest virtual synthesizer.

Described as "a powerful vintage modeling synthesizer that cuts through the mix with precise articulation and a punchy sound", Sawer pays homage to the envelopes and filters of a rare 1980's Soviet analog synthesizer, Polivoks. Maxx has devoted meticulous attention to the detail of Sawer's filter and envelope designs, ensuring Sawer delivers a unique sonic character reminiscent of the Polivoks hardware. But Polivoks, like all analog synthesizers, wasn't without its problems. Keeping the oscillators stable and in tune has been likened to 'moving a pile of live frogs, by wheelbarrow', impossible! As Sawer is algorithmic, this solves the problems of tuning and stability, however, in the same way electrical component instability makes analog gear unique (if not cranky), Sawer benefits from the 21st century equivalent, a coding error.

While programming the SAW oscillator, Maxx accidentally set some incorrect variables and immediately the sound gained bass, acquired some light but pleasing noise on the attack and an overall richer sonic spectra. Maxx realized this was no mistake but a discovery and built on this, adding some frequency modulation to give it a touch of analog authenticity and so 'Sawer' was born.

Key features :

- Main oscillator for subtractive synthesis: SAW shape with Sync frequency.
- Sub oscillator (-2 to +2 octaves) with level, phase & detune controls.
- 1 Noise Oscillator.
- Variable polyphony (1 to 24 voices).
- 8 voice Unison with user-adjustable stereo panning, detune and 'Octaver'.
- Sync & Ring frequency modulation.
- 2 ADSR envelope generators (one user-assignable to modulation parameters).
- 4 Filter modes - low pass (24 & 12 dB/Oct), band pass and high pass.
- Chorus, Phaser, Delay & Reverb effects.
- Multi-mode Arpeggiator.

Sawer is currently available for pre-order for $79 (instead of $99) until the end of March 2009. It will be available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, FL and stand-alone formats. Pre-release demo versions are already available for download.

London-based 2twenty2 may be the newest sales agency on the block, but with 25 years industry experience between them they're bringing a wealth of expertise to their clients…

2twenty2 are proud to announce the launch of the newest sales and brand management agency for the Music Technology sector. The 2twenty2 team, headed up by Stephen Parker, Greg Prendergast and Cedric Coudyser, will be combining a range of skills gleaned over the last 10 years to deliver unparalleled service to their roster of A-List clients.

Amongst the companies confidently entrusting 2twenty2 with their sales and brand management are Native Instruments, Celemony, Arturia and EKS – undoubtedly some of the biggest hitters in the industry. Having previously managed these brands in the UK for Arbiter, Stephen, Greg and Cedric are already vastly experienced at helping great brands realise their full potential, something they're keen to build upon within the framework of their new venture.

Stephen Parker, Managing Director, said: "Here at 2twenty2 we're very excited to be continuing our work with these companies – without doubt some of the most respected brands in the industry. Having already spent a number of years developing Native Instruments, Arturia, Celemony and EKS in the UK we're looking forward to seeing continued innovation and momentum through a raft of new products for the year ahead. We know that 2009 will be a great year for them, and also any dealer who invests in their products !"

MiMo Music unveils Synare, a multi-sample library which aims to put the beauty and warmth of a true analog classic into the hands of the modern music producer. Venturing well beyond the ubiquitous synth-tom sounds used on countless disco and progressive rock hits of the 70's, Synare offers multi-velocity drum kits and menus (kicks, snares, toms, fx, etc…), as well as basses, chromatic percussion and other synth sounds. Each sound was recorded with up to 8 velocity levels and triggered with absolute consistency via an external input that was retrofitted to the Synare.

Features :

- Over 1GB of sample data recorded at 24-bit / 44.1kHz.
- Hundreds of unique sounds are available, most recorded with 8 velocity layers — over 7500 total samples.
- Included are a wide variety of Drum, Perc ...