Audio Damage has just released Rough Rider Pro which is a multi-band compressor plug-in. According to Audio Damage, "Rough Rider Pro is for those times when you want to know your signal is compressed. Other compressors are kittens, rainbows, and gumdrops. This one is a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing lizard".

Features :

- Isolator section for simple control of input frequencies.
- Multi-band mode, for a single Rough Rider compressor on each band.
- Series mode, for three Rough Riders in a row.
- Attack time goes as low as 0.1ms, for use as a distortion unit.
- Ratio of 1:1 to 1000:1 for complete control of signal dynamics.
- MIDI learn for hardware control of all parameters (VST only).

Rough Rider Pro is available now for Mac (AU/VST) and PC (VST) and is priced at $49.

Zoom is pleased to introduce the next generation in its line of portable handheld recorders, the H4n. With a focus on new features and improving the user experience at every level, the H4n is also Zoom's most sophisticated handheld recorder to date.

Zoom's H4n offers superior, built-in X/Y stereo condenser mics that allow variable recording patterns at either 90° or 120°. Audio quality is improved through its new digitally controlled, high-quality mic preamp and the ability to use internal and external mics simultaneously for 4-channel recording. A large LCD screen, a more intuitive interface and onboard reference speaker will take the user's recording experience to the next level.

Additionally, Zoom has incorporated several of the most popular features from its H2 to the H4n such as Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) compatible time stamp and track marker functions and its auto-record and pre-record features so you never miss a moment. Of course, the H4n records high-resolution audio at 24bit/96kHz on SD/SDHC media of up to 32GB and is USB 2.0.

The H4n is also the most robust recorder from Zoom, with a rubberized, shock resistant body for improved chassis protection, all-metal microphone design and a built-in mounting joint for tripod and microphone stand use.

For musicians and songwriters, the H4n has a more user-friendly multi-track recording capability along with Hi-Z Inputs for recording guitar and bass, variable speed playback capability for "phrase training", onboard studio effects, and over 50 guitar and bass amp modeling settings. In addition, a new stamina mode enables the H4n to operate for 10 hours continuously on a single set of AA batteries.

The H4n package includes a 1 GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, protective case and Cubase LE recording software. An optional remote control is also available.

Ambrosia Software has released WireTap Studio v1.0.7. This updated version features improved performance and more efficient memory usage, along with other enhancements and fixes.

Changes/enhancements :

- Improved performance and more efficient memory usage.
- Custom hot keys for starting and stopping recording.
- Option-clicking source pop-ups now show hidden applications.
- Can now record from Java apps and other applications that have improperly coded bundle identifiers.
- Improved recording session performance.
- Support for scroll wheel and and Multi-Touch trackpad.
- Enhanced drag-n-drop capabilities.

CharterOak Acoustic Devices will make their NAMM debut next week and will demonstrate the new SCL1 discrete stereo compressor/limiter. (NAMM booth 1861, hall E) Generating quite a buzz at the AES Show in San Francisco, the unit began shipping in November and is currently in back ordered status.

The SCL-1 Solid State Compressor/Limiter employs all discreet electronics and is capable of providing a constant output level regardless of input level or frequency, without the familiar pumping inherent in most compressor/limiters. The unit delivers extremely fast attack times without overcompensation, and a release characteristic, which is a function of dynamic range and average program level. Designed to fit any standard 19" rack, the SCL-1 may be used as a stereo unit, or as two independent limiters in the dual mode. This feature enables the end user to employ the device in one or two track production applications.

Like all CharterOak products, the SCL-1 comes with the CharterOak Lifetime Warranty.

Antares Audio Technologies has announced that Auto-Tune EFX - Real-Time Auto-Tune Vocal Effect and Pitch Correction Plug-in will now be available at authorized Antares dealers around the world.

Initially introduced in a limited rollout in November 2008, Auto-Tune EFX is an affordable and easy-to-use tool for real-time pitch correction and for creating the Auto-Tune Vocal Effect (i.e., the T-Pain/ Cher-style effect). Powered by the same Evo Voice Processing Technology as Antares' Auto-Tune Evo, Auto-Tune EFX makes Antares-quality pitch processing accessible to anyone engaged in computer-based audio recording.

Auto-Tune EFX is available for RTAS (Mac OS X and PC), VST (Mac OS X and PC) and Audio Units (Mac OS X) at a U.S. MSRP of $129.00. All Macintosh versions are universal binaries.