Brainworx has announced that Public Beta versions of bx_control V2 are now available for Windows and Mac OS X in VST, AU, RTAS and TDM plug-in formats.

bx_control V2 contains an all new and improved M/S matrix, stereo enhancer with mono maker, and it is a great control listening tool. Chain any other stereo plug-in into the Brainworx M/S matrix, or use bx_control V2 to check your mixes and speakers.

New features include:

• Individual panning for M & S (pan vocals and guitars/keys in final mixes).
• New dynamic range metering within the LED section.
• Solo in place for all solo modes.

bx_control V2 will be €99 (native) and €149 (TDM incl. VENUE), plus VAT if applicable. Brainworx will have a 25% introductory discount in February. Sales start Feb 1st. The upgrades for existing V1 users will be €49 (Native or TDM). The 25% discount in February will also be valid for all upgrades. They will accept all DIGIDESIGN MASSIVE PACK 8 customers for upgrades.

ART has unveiled the TubeOpto 8, an eight channels Mic PreAmp with ADAT.

Features :

• Eight Fully Featured Class-A Tube Mic Preamps
• Eight Channels of ADAT lite-pipe Digital 24 Bit Audio I/O at 44.1 or 48kHz
• Input Gain and Output Level Controls on Every Channel
• Input Pad, Phase flip and Low Frequency Roll Off Switches on Every Channel
• Two Additional Front Mounted High Impedance Instrument Line Inputs
• Eight 1/4-inch TRS Balanced Outputs

Pricing and availability TBA.

MOTU has announced a major upgrade to Ethno Instrument, their popular world/ethnic virtual instrument software for Mac OS X and Windows 7/Vista. The Version 2 upgrade more than doubles the size of Ethno's included sound library of instruments, loops and phrases. Significant new features have also been added, including preset searching, microtonal scales, state-of-the-art time stretching, and much more.

EI 2 includes new sounds from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Balkans, the British Isles, Latin America, Australia, and many other locations around the globe. Featured sounds include taiko drums, large African drums, thirty new instruments from India, hundreds of urban India loops (in the style of Slumdog Millionaire), Balkanish voices, Arabic voices, Persian voices, an extensive new collection ...

Tascam has announced the US-800, a lightweight multichannel recording interface for laptop users. It offers eight inputs and four outputs for capturing dynamic multi-mic performances. Six XLR microphone inputs each have phantom power for attaching condenser microphones, and premium 192kHz/24-bit audio converters record every detail.

The US-800 includes S/PDIF digital audio in and out as well as MIDI in and out for linking up to your studio. The rugged, lightweight package is ideal for mobile or desktop recording.

Features :

• 8-in/4-out USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI interface
• Six XLR mic/line "combi" inputs with phantom power
• Up to 192kHz/24-bit audio resolution
• Lightweight design for mobile or desktop use
• S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output
• ...

Steinberg has announced the immediate availability of a fully functional trial version of its Cubase 5 Advanced Music Production System. All that's needed to use the full 30-day trial version is a USB eLicenser and a MySteinberg account at www.steinberg.net.

The Cubase 5 software can be downloaded from the Steinberg website or obtained on DVD from any authorized Steinberg dealer. Users of other DAW products who do not yet own a USB eLicenser receive a full refund on the price of the USB eLicenser in the Steinberg online shop when buying the full Cubase 5 version.

"The Cubase 5 Trial version is the ideal way for customers of older Cubase versions or any software that uses the USB eLicenser to try out Cubase 5 for 30 days," comments Helge Vogt, Steinberg's Product Marketing Manager for Cubase. "Importantly, this is not a functionally limited demo version but the full Cubase 5 installer with all features, sounds and instruments. We're sure that some musicians and producers out there trying Cubase 5 who currently use competing products will find features like the VariAudio vocal correction features, VST Expressions or the new beat production tools extremely attractive and won't want to miss them," Vogt adds.