Version 1.9 of the Serato Scratch Live software is on its way - as always, the upgrade is completely free. Major new features include SP-6 Sample Player, LiveFeed, native MEP-7000 support, Loop Roll, enhanced History, and support for Video-SL 1.1.

The new SP-6 Sample Player adds six extra audio players that can be triggered with the computer keyboard or a MIDI controller, turning compatible Rane hardware into a high performance sampler.

Brand new in Scratch Live 1.9 is a groundbreaking feature called LiveFeed, taking live external audio and placing it directly on a Scratch Live virtual deck, all in real time. The DJ has instant control of live external audio with Vinyl, CD or MIDI.

"LiveFeed gives DJs a live stream of audio to mess with, the creative possibilities are really endless", reports General Manager, Sam Gribben.

The Pioneer MEP-7000 gains plug-and-play native support, joining the popular Pioneer CDJ-400 as a Scratch Live control surface. Control CDs are not required, and song data is shown directly on the MEP-7000's displays.

Loop Roll adds an interesting new stutter effect, which can also be used in conjunction with the new LiveFeed feature.

The History function now keeps a comprehensive record of every track played, during every gig. This is a real time saver for professional DJs who need to log their sessions.

Album Art is also added to the virtual deck in Scratch Live, assisting with rapid song identification.

Scratch Live 1.9 also adds offline video playback, in conjunction with the Video-SL 1.1 plug-in, also being shown at NAMM 2009. This feature lets Serato Video-SL users manage effects, cue and loop points for their videos without hardware connected. Video-SL 1.1 adds support for the Rane SL 1 and Rane MP 4.

A public beta of Scratch Live version 1.9 is available now at :

This year Native Instruments has announced three new products at the Winter NAMM : Maschine, Audio 4 DJ and Guitar Rig Mobile.

Maschine combines a software sequencer and sampler with a performance controller. Audio 4 DJ is an USB 2.0 audio interface specifically designed for Traktor and other DJ software. Guitar Rig Mobile is a system which combnes an ultra-compact USB 2.0 audio interface with the Guitar Rig 3 LE software.

Maschine will be available in March 2009 for a suggested retail price of €599.Audio 4 DJ is available now for purchase in the NI Online Shop for a suggested retail price of €229. Guitar Rig Mobile will be available in April 2009 for a suggested retail price of €99.

Roland is pleased to announce the release of the latest system update for the V-Synth GT elastic audio synthesizer. Version 2.0 adds new enhancements to the V-Synth GT that include new effects and patches :

- New cutting-edge sounds
- 22 new multi-effects and 5 new reverbs
- Added chromatic-scale pitch bender function
- Improved File Import Function (Patch/Tone/Wave/Sample)
- Improved User Interface
- More USB storage functionality

SM Pro Audio releases the MC03 MK2 which offers the same functionality, warmth and detail engineers have come to expect from the original MC03 microphone with the addition of a secondary switchable vintage style circuit. The new circuit offers a smoother more classic vintage style sound typical from days gone by.

The alternative microphone circuit is engaged when phantom power is delivered to the external power supply. Engineers can simply toggle phantom power on and off from the mixing console in order to compare characteristics of the two individual circuits.

Features :

- Powered by a dedicated AC power supply
- 48-Volt ± 4 V Phantom powering
- Nine different selectable polar patterns
- Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB (A weighted)
- Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional, cardioid, figure 8
- Max SPL for 0.5% THD@1000Hz: 130dB
- Polar Patterns: 6 additional intermediate stages, all selectable
- Special multi-pin valve mic cable included
- Valve Model: 12AX7
- Size: F71mm x 183mm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
- Aluminium road case included
- Sensitivity: 12mV/Pa OR -38.5±2dB (0 dB=1V/Pa 1000Hz)
- Rugged Shock Mount included
- Impedance: = 200 ohms.

OTR88 is an electric piano physical emulation developped by Devine Machine. It aims to offer in a few drags and clicks what used to take hours with a screwdriver and lots of sweat with a real electric piano.

Unlike sample based instruments, OTR88 physical synthesis provides seamless dynamics and virtually unlimited electric piano sound models, for less than 10Mb hard drive space and moderate CPU usage.

OTR88 gives access to 17 physical parameters fully editable for each 88 key individually (Pickup positions, tine harmonic content, tine decay, oldness, tuning, pan amongst others) through a user-friendly interface. Scala microtonal file import feature has been implemented to complete sound flexibility. It also features 8 MIDI-Learnable FX pedals (Chorus, Delay, Distortion, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Tremolo, and Wah) set in an intuitive pedal board.

OTR88 will be available in February 2009 in VST, RTAS, AU and standalone versions for both Mac OS X and Windows.