Puremagnetik has just announced the release of a new Micropak for Ableton Live 7, Kontakt 3 and Logic 8 called Microtron Tape 1.

Microtron Tape 1 contains an expertly recorded Brass, 8 Voice Choir and String Section library. All of the original imperfections, vintage analog quality and performance nuances of the Mellotron M400 have been immaculately captured through a Neumann U47 Microphone and Reeves Custom 50 Amplifier.

The Ableton Live version contains 3 individual multisampled instruments and a full "tape" instrument that has similar sound blending functionality as found on the original M400. Microtron Tape 1 for Live also comes packed with 50 Live Clips complete with Macro and effects integration.

Microtron Tape 1 for Kontakt includes all 3 multisampled instruments complete with effects and a custom KSP user interface. Logic and Kontakt versions both include a collection of 50 Apple Loops in SIAL format.

Pricing : Basic Monthly Subscription: $5.75/Month Basic Yearly Subscription: $60/Year All Access Pass - $198/Year.

Ueberschall releases Dancehall Madness Vol. II, their latest Elastik Soundbank which features 34 Construction Kits, including vocals by three different singers (two male and one female). This library comes up with 628 smashing Dancehall loops and samples. Jam packed with club oriented drums, basses, percussions, synth sounds, vocals, chords and a massive effect section.

Dancehall Madness Vol. II has an MSRP of $119 / €99 / £69. The included Elastik Players is available for Mac OS X and Windows in AU, VST and RTAS plug-in formats.

Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) announces the upcoming release of Strum Electric GS-1, an electric guitar software synthesizer plug-in.

Based on the latest AAS physical modeling technology, Strum Electric provides simulation of the guitar itself, with modeling of different pickup types, the strings, and the pick, of the amplifier and speaker cabinet, and several popular guitar effects. It also includes and elaborate voicing module which automatically voices chords played on the keyboard as a guitar player would on the fretboard. Strumming, palm-muting, picking action, and different guitar techniques are reproduced by special strumming keys or MIDI loops.

Strum Electric GS-1 will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2009 at a retail price of $229. Strum Electric GS-1 runs on both Mac OS X and Windows, as a standalone application as well as in host sequencers supporting the VST, Audio Units, and RTAS plug-in formats.

In cooperation with the famous pianist Paul Badura-Skoda, Modartt has constructed a Walter pianoforte add-on for Pianoteq. This particular instrument was made around 1790 and has a powerful sound strengthened by its Viennese pianoforte action. Walter's instruments were frequently used by Mozart and were also praised by Beethoven.

The add-on can be downloaded freely by all customers at the following URL :

Eventide upgrades the OS of its Eclipse. What's on the menu? The Timefactor and Modfactor presets are added while using Eclipse presets. The update will be in beta starting before the end of january.