Operator by 9 Soundware is a collection of presets for the EFM1 synthesizer within Apple Logic Pro. These settings harness the noise making capabilities of FM synthesis, a synthesis method often associated with the ubiquitous bell-like sounds heard in music from the 1980s.

The sound set consists of 30 inharmonic sounds and 20 tonal sounds. Examples include settings for impacts (e.g., Breakdancrrrrrrrrr.pst, Creepy-crawly.pst, Hair Metal.pst, and Piñata.pst), noise (e.g., Chop Suey.pst and Fluff Assasin.pst), and backdrops (e.g., Chernobyl.pst, Crop Circle.pst, and Snarl.pst), as well as those which are designed to be played with heavy use of the mod wheel (e.g., Country And Western.pst). Also included are a few presets which are characteristic of quintessential FM sounds (e.g., Mullet.pst and Menthol.pst).

The 0.2 MB download includes 50 .pst files.

Operator is available now for $14.99.

The X1 by sE Electronics is a new large diaphragm condenser microphone which is hand built in sE's own facility in Shanghai like all their products. It features a 10dB pad and a bass cut.

The X1 will be available in December at a price of €120.

Abletoncourses.com is a new website which features two online Ableton live video courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced level students, which has been designed and delivered by Ableton certified trainer Rob Jones.

The concept of this new internet business is to allow students of all abilities and locations to login and study online whenever they choose, getting professional instruction and support as modules are delivered.

Each course is presented in a modular format with each lesson lasting around 20 minutes and in total 26 modules are available which cover everything from initial setup through to advanced racks and performance techniques. Each module comes with comprehensive notes and students also follow a series of live sessions with Rob which are included in the course ...

Lexicon has launched the Omega Studio Bundle.

The Omega Studio Bundle is a completely integrated computer recording package that combines Lexicon's Omega Studio USB recording interface with Steinberg Cubase LE 4 multitrack audio and MIDI recording software, the Lexicon Pantheon VST reverb plug-in, and an AKG D 88 S lead vocal microphone and mic cable. It contains all the necessary hardware and software components to transform a PC or Mac into a 24-bit recording studio and allows the user to start recording immediately.

The Omega Studio Bundle is available now at a list price of $279.95 (estimated street price : $199.95).

Ueberschall announces the availability of Planet Trance.

According to Ueberschall, Planet Trance grants you access to the full range of Trance music, from the mid 90s up to now. The 30 Construction Kits deliver everything which is needed to achieve modern club sounds. Planet Trance is packed with harmonies, catchy melodies and highly atmospheric sounds. Delving a little deeper the 3.3 GB of hefty content brings a sizable amount of specialized samples and sounds, like drums, percussion, deep basses, synth sounds, atmospheric pads, strings, pianos and sound effects—to name but a few.

Highlights :
• Genre: Trance
• Elastik Soundbank for Mac/PC/AU/VST/RTAS/StandAlone
• Elastik Player included - no sampler required

Available now for €99.