A teaser on Flux website announces that they are about to launch a brand new plug-in called Syrah, the same name as the dark-skinned grape grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce powerful red wines.

Official details are not available for now but we've heard that it may be a new compressor plug-in with stereo enhancing functionality. Knowing the excellent quality of their other products, Syrah must be really musical and flexible.

Stay tuned for more info...

By the way, don't forget that DontCrac[k] has extended the -40% introductory price on all Flux products and bundles until May 31, 2009 !

Ableton has updated Live 8 and Suite 8 to v8.0.3.

For more details upon the several bugfixes and improvements, please follow the link below :

Roland announces that the VP-770 Vocal & Ensemble Keyboard is now shipping, featuring newly developed vocal designer effects and high-quality ensemble sounds powered by Roland's exclusive SuperNATURAL technology.

With a solid wood construction and metal chassis, the VP-770 features a newly enhanced interface, plus expressive onboard sounds applicable across a vast array of musical genres. A high-quality headset microphone comes standard and provides the best signal path possible in combination with the VP-770's pristine onboard microphone preamp.

Performers will especially love how inviting and inspiring the VP-770 is to use onstage. It's ideal for musicians who perform alone or in small groups, and for those who need an interactive, real-time backing chorus. Film and TV music composers who are challenged with time and budget can use the VP-770 to generate high-impact choral, string, and brass arrangements on the spot. Churches in need of a choir (or choir enhancer) will love the VP-770 as well.

The VP-770 is also equipped with high-resolution vocoder modeling, which can be used to generate signature vocal effects for the dance music, pop, R&B, and hip-hop genres without the hassle and expense of a separate vocoder or processor.

The VP-770 has an MSRP of $2199.

The Ugly VSTi Interface has been updated to fix an issue with ReWire routing. It also now features drag-and-drop plug-in and patch loading. And, as always, a new version of the Ugly brings a new ugly color scheme.

For the record, the Ugly VSTi Interface is a free host application for VSTi plug-ins. It loads one VSTi at a time, and no effects, but it's intuitive and stable.

The Impressor by Mutronics is a dual mono/ stereo switchable VCA compressor.

The Impressor uses two different operational modes : 'Feedforward' and 'Feedback'. 'Feedforward' mode gives a firm, punchy feel akin to compressors such as the Dbx 160, while 'Feedback' mode gives the user opportunity to take a softer vintage approach calling to mind compressors of yore.

It also features a unique Time Constant control which pertains to its RMS detector circuit. It enables the user to vary attack and release characteristics in a ballpark fashion, which can then be honed with the individual Attack and Release controls.

The Impressor is available at a price of £2000 + VAT.