Midas has announced details of the Offline Editor software suite for the PRO6 and the XL8 digital systems. The exclusively Mac-based application will shortly be available as a zero-cost download from Midas website, and allows a console showfile to be created on a compatible Mac computer.

An operational version of the console GUI (Graphical user Interface) will be displayed on the Mac, identical to the screen views on the console itself. The resulting showfile is saved to the Mac's hard drive, and can be manipulated, copied, emailed etc as a normal file and loaded into a Midas PRO6 or XL8 via removable USB drive, preparing the console for immediate operation. Shows created for PRO6 consoles will run on XL8 systems, and vice versa, subject to system capacity limitations.

The Offline Editor can also be used for operators to familiarise themselves with the features and functionality of the console, prior to operation.

"We're delighted with the early feedback we've had from our customers, regarding the Offline Editors' ease of use, and the way it replicates the consoles' user interface," says Midas and Klark Teknik brand development manager Richard Ferriday. "We anticipate this free software will introduce the Midas approach to digital mixing to all those engineers who haven't yet had a chance to get their hands on the hardware, as well as making it easy to pre-configure a console before a show."

VirSyn and audioMIDI.com have announced the release of iSyn Virtual Music Studio software for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch platforms.

Tremendous music creation features including two studio-quality, fully programmable virtual analog monophonic synthesizers and a fully-editable sample-based drum machine featuring eight drum "kits". iSyn lets users play music live with an onscreen piano keyboard and eight drum pads for live "jam" sessions or users can use the grid sequencer mode to easily and visually enter notes for automated playback of two synthesizer tracks and one drum track. iSyn can even play a beat and synth track while users play live over sequence tracks for a one-man "iPhone band". iSyn lets users subtly or wildly modulate sound parameters with its X/Y touch screen or by tilting front to back and left and right using iPhone's accelerometer motion-sensing technology.

Features :

• touch keyboard for live playing
• eight drum pads- tap for live beats
• three grid sequencer tracks- two monophonic synths and one drum trrack
• two fully-programmable three-oscillator virtual analog synths
• 32 song projects, each with 32 independent patterns
• incredible modulation effects using tilt and X/Y touch screen
• eight sample-playback drum machines- including 808, 909, synth drums and classic 80's drum machines
• effects generator with delay, chorus, flanger and phaser


iSyn is exclusively available through the Apple iTunes Online App Store for €3.99.

EastWest is pleased to announce the PLAY Edition sequel to its Complete Composers Collection which includes :

- Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Gold Complete
- Quantum Leap Pianos Gold Edition
- Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs
- Quantum Leap Goliath
- Quantum Leap Stormdrum 2
- Quantum Leap Voices of Passion
- Quantum Leap RA

The Complete Composers Collection - PLAY Edition is available now at a price of €1149.

EastWest unveils a lighter version of its Quantum Leap Pianos which includes 4 pianos : a Bechstein D-280, Steinway D, Bösendorfer 290, and Yamaha C7. Quantum Leap Pianos Gold Edition only offers the player-perspective mic position.

Quantum Leap Pianos Gold Edition is available now for a fee of €339 (excl. VAT). Note that you can upgrade to the full version at anytime for the difference in price.

The Modartt team is glad to offer to all Pianoteq customers a free add-on made of Easter bells coming directly from Roma! (following Easter tradition in some European countries)... Actually, it is a virtual copy of bells and carillons that were recorded at the European Bell Institute (and the birds are not physically modelled !

Modartt has also updated Pianoteq to version 3.0.2. This update includes some minor modifications to the C3 instrument sound: more punch in fortissimo, slightly longer notes and slightly longer harp resonance.