Synapse Audio introduces a new software synth to its product line. The EKS-9 is a VST/AU plug-in, dedicated to creating powerful electronic bass drum sounds, reminiscent of vintage hardware.

According to Synapse Audio, the virtual analog engine is not only capable of authentic recreations of the sounds from such machines, but can synthesize new kick sounds with lots of punch too.

The EKS-9 is available in VST and AudioUnit format for both Windows and Mac OS X. As an introductory promotional offer, it can be purchased for $39 during the first month (regular price is $49).

Applied Acoustics Systems releases the Ultra Analog VA-1 v1.1.3 Update for Mac OS X and Windows. This is a maintenance update containing the following changes:

• Authorization now works with non-admin user accounts;
• Fixed browser focus crash on Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard;
• Fixed drag-and-drop in Logic 9 but now have a separate edit window;
• Fixed MIDI Links behavior on On/Off buttons;
• Fixed random crash on preset change;
• Fixed loading plug-in parameters glitch in projects saved with v1.0.0 of Ultra Analog VA-1.

The Ultra Analog VA-1 v1.1.3 Update is available now, free of charge to all Ultra Analog VA-1 registered users.

SoundsDivine has announced the release of 'Joy Of Sound' for U-he's ACE synthesizer. This new bank contains 130 new sounds for U-He's ACE, featuring punchy basses, overdriven analogue style sequences, modular mayhem, oriental instruments and deep rich pads. Most patches use modwheel and velocity assignments to make the sounds as expressive as possible.

Price : $25

Mellodrama, a documentary by Dianna Dilworth, explores the rising and falling fortunes of the Mellotron - the first musical keyboard to "sample" the sounds of other instruments - from its birth in a California garage in the 1950s, through its dominance on concert stages in the 1970s, through its almost religious cult of followers in the 2000s.

From the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" to Black Sabbath to Kanye West, Mellodrama is a 50-year odyssey of musical invention, revolution, betrayal, and rediscovery.

The Mellodrama DVD is available at a price of $24.95.

Here is a great news found via GearSlutz : people who don't want to get the standard Waves bundles will soon have three new ways to buy Waves plug-ins :

"Ever wonder which plug-ins were used on your favorite recordings? Or which plug-ins a particular producer or engineer uses to get his sound? Now, you can make the artists' faves your Waves.

Artist Choice
Audio heavyweights Andrew Scheps, Gil Norton, Thom Russo, Ross Hogarth, and Scott Martin Gershin have each hand-picked a selection of the Waves plug-ins they just can't live without. And this is just the beginning, with many more artists to come.

Quick Choice
Now, choose any 5 plug-ins from selected groups to get the most bang for your budget. Know exactly how much you intend to spend? Quick Choice has the plug-ins for you.

Custom Choice
For the very first time, you can compile personalized collections of Waves plug-ins! Tailor your selections to suit your production needs—the exact plug-ins you want, no more, no less."

These offers should be available on Monday, February 8th.