Ploytec unveils a ready-to-use USB2.0 full-speed USB-MIDI-solution that features up to 5 MIDI inputs and outputs in a single device. With this chip one can easily build a MIDI Interface or covert an existing MIDI keyboard into a USB keyboard.

The GM5 chip works with standard class-compliant drivers and is fully compatible with Windows Vista, XP and Mac OS X. Alternatively, customers can use the GM5 chip with Ploytec's special custom drivers, which feature greatly enhanced performance compared to standard drivers. GM5 Ics support an I2C EEPROM for vendor-specific data and start at €2.50 in quantity.

Ueberschall has just announced the availability of Reggae Fundamentals, a specialized sample compilation which includes 33 construction kits and 12 Drumkits sheltered in 2 GB of ready to work content offering authoritative most current Reggae environments.

The kits are jam packed with everything you need to give your production the finishing touch: bass-, synth-, drum- and padlines also vocals, FX and atmospheres. All patterns, shots, and riffs have been molded with state of the art techniques, tricks and tools. This set has a colossal variety of styles from different periods of reggae history: Roots, modern Roots, Rub-a-Dub, Dancehall, Modern Reggae, Caribbean and Dub.

Also included are hundreds of drum and percussion samples and loops. Providing a wide radius of reggae concentrated mix tools. All this material is supported by the elastik audio instrument, so you can expect organization and easy tweaking straight from the get go.

Reggae Fundamentals is available now for Mac OS X and Windows in VST, AU and RTAS formats at a retail price of $119/€99/£69. For more information, please visit the link below :

After the Kontakt 2 version, AudioWarrior today annouces the release of TRON 'Mello-Rack' for Halion 3.1 which is available now for download at a price of $49.

EKS has just announced that there will be another version of its DJ controller Otus called Otus RAW.

Otus RAW has a more traditional approach to controlling software. Described as "the perfect bridge between the CD players of today and digital possibilities of tomorrow", it will feature 7 1/2 inch jog wheel, high quality physical pitch slider, touchpad for effect/mouse control and 4 velocity pads for effect/sample/cuepoint launch.

Otus RAW will be added to the Otus product line during the autumn 2008.

SampleModeling, a company created by Dr. Giorgio Tommasini (Stradivari Violin, Gofriller Cello) and Peter Siedlaczek (Advanced Orchestra, Classical Choir, Smart Violins, Orchestral Colours, Classical Collection, String Essentials), is pleased to announce the release of its first product : "The Trumpet".

The Trumpet, a new 300 MB Kontakt 2 Player-based instrument, consists of seven instruments belonging to the same family: three different Bb trumpets, suitable for solo or sections, Cornet, Flügelhorn, German and Piccolo Trumpet. The three Bb trumpets may be played with several mutes, including Straight, Bucket, Cup, Harmon (with or without stem). Two different plungers are also available for wah-wah effects.

The Trumpet offers realism and expressiveness by incorporating SampleModeling's proprietary "Harmonic Alignment" and "Modal Resonances" technologies into an "Adaptive Model" based on the physical properties of the instrument, whose aim is to minimize the differences between the real phrases and those played by the virtual instrument. Innovative techniques for sample modulation, along with advanced Artificial Intelligence MIDI processing, are used for real time construction of all articulations and morphing across dynamics, vibrato, legato, portamento, falls.

The Trumpet is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, DX, RTAS and AU formats but also in standalone mode at a price of €149 + VAT (if applicable). Note that video and audio examples are available at :