Here are some news from SampleModeling :

"Dear friends,

We are proud to present the result of our collaboration with Stefano Lucato. Stefano was the developer, along with Dr. Giorgio Tommasini, of the Stradivari Violin and the Gofriller Cello.

Stefano Lucato & Samplemodeling created the next groundbreaking virtual instrument : the Tenor Saxophone ! It's extremely expressive, enjoyable, and intuitively playable - simply a real sample-modelled instrument !"

The Tenor Saxophone will be available "in a few weeks", till then you can download the video demo on their website. It was composed, performed and recorded in realtime by Stefano Lucato, using just the Expression Pedal (dynamics), the Modwheel (vibrato intensity), the Pitchbend, and the Sustain Pedal.

Native Instruments just released Massive Expansion Vol. 2, a new Kore Soundpack based on the Massive engine. The library features 200 synthesizer sounds for use in Kore 2 and the free Kore Player as well as the individual Massive synthesizer, providing producers with a practical creative resource for a wide range of electronic music styles.

Massive Expansion Vol. 2 covers the whole sonic spectrum from leads and basses to pads and sequenced sounds. All sounds are equipped with eight morphing-capable Sound Variations per preset, with crucial sound parameters also conveniently assigned to the unified Kore user interface.

Massive Expansion Vol. 2 is available for download purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of $59 / €49.

Behringer has launched the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey. By taking a few minutes to tell them about the style of performance and what mixer features are most important, DJ's can have a major say in the next generation of products available at their local dealers.

"No one knows more about the right mixer for their style of music than the DJ", stated Scott Garside, Behringer Corporate Communications Manager. "Any company eager to listen to their users is going to learn not only what is right about their mixers, but also where they have missed the mark. Our greatest hope is that DJs who use any brand of mixer will see this as an opportunity to get a design really right. In any case, the DJ wins."

With the "Design the Next DJ Mixer" survey, the DJ really can win. A completed survey is also an entry to win one of five Behringer DDM4000 digital DJ mixers. Winners will be announced on January 1st, 2009. To participate, just follow the link below :

Future Audio Workshop, a.k.a. FAW, has just released the second volume of their free sound packs for Circle, a great semi-modular software synthesizer by the way. Dajan Izzo designs over 30 for this Circle Sounds 2 which you can start using in your music straight away.

You can download the latest Circle Sounds and previous releases at :

I've always dreamt of a way to discover the sound of a specific mic on a specific source. Today my dream becomes reality...

Well almost 'cause Schoeps has open an online Showroom where you can listen to their beautiful microphones in different kind of situation. A very cool site and a great idea that should spread over the web for our greatest joy !