After nearly two years of research, Modartt is proud to finally present the long awaited and much improved version 3 of Pianoteq.

Version 3 includes two new beautiful piano instruments, Grand C3 and M3, which are based on a new acoustic model that simulates the sound radiation of the soundboard and cabinet. An advanced microphones setting lets you combine up to 5 microphones into 5 output channels to change the colour and perspective of the piano sound.

Using the newly extended model, Pianoteq 3 is now able to reproduce two new electric pianos with a gorgeous sound - the Rhody and Wurly add-ons.

Features :

- New acoustic model
- Mic position - up to 5 mics
- Multi channel - up to 5 channels
- New grand pianos C3 and M3
- New electric pianos: Rhody and Wurly
- New effects: Tremolo and Limiter
- New parameters: pickup position, sound speed, and more...
- New interface design
- Unlimited perspectives
- Advanced preset and parameter manager
- 64-bit version available for Vista x64


Priced at €249, Pianoteq 3 is available now in VST, AU, RTAS and Standalone versions for both Mac OS X and Windows. Note that this new version is a free upgrade to all registered customers. The Rhody and Wurly add-ons can be purchased for €49. Audio examples are available at :

Audio Damage is about to release bigseq2, a new version of its effect and gate sequencer.

"bigseq2 takes the concept of the gate sequencer to a whole new realm, with six effect and massive sequencing and randomization options."

bigseq2 will be available for both Mac and PC in VST and AU formats. Note that an audio example is available at :

Tone2 has released the second version of its virtual synth Gladiator.

Gladiator is a synthesizer based on the concept of Advanced Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM) Synthesis. It supports an extensive list of synthesis types : Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM3), Frequency Modulation (FM), Amplitude Modulation (AM), Phase Distortion (PD), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), Phase Modulation (PM), oscillator sync, wave shaping, supersaw, resynthesis sounds, vocoding, additive and sample playback modes.

Improvements and new features :

- Improved sound: "Ultra quality rendering".
- Many new patches.
- 6,657 additional waveforms.
- HCM3 synthesis engine.
- Phase modifier for analogue, warm, noisy and supersaw sounds.
- 9 new effects: Autopan, tremolo, ring modulator, phaser, flanger 2, super strings, pitch shifter, reverb trance, reverb real.
- 2nd filter (effect section): Lowpass, bandpass, highpass, talkbox.
- 6 new unison modes.
- Additional subosc (OSC5) with 21 new waveforms.
- 256 voices.
- Improved filters, additional Moog filter.
- Feedback-delay module.
- 2 additional envelopes.
- 4 additional envelope shapers.
- Additional LFO.
- Improved mod matrix with 12 slots and new routings.
- Improved random patch generation.
- Improved user interface.
- Pan for each OSC.

Gladiator 2 is available now for both Mac OS X and Windows in VST / AU formats and it costs €149 / $199.

Chameleon Labs has also announced the release of the 7602 MKII Mic Pre/EQ.

The 7602 MKII is the sequel to Chameleon Labs' popular 100% discrete, Class 'A', vintage inspired 7602 Mic Pre/EQ. The 7602 MKII employs a classic circuit design, polystyrene capacitors, a gold contact gain selector and custom wound transformers. New features include: selectable mic impedance, LED input metering, and sleek anodized aluminum knobs. A factory installed Carnhill® Mic and Output transformer modification ($249 MSRP) is now offered as an upgrade. The 7602 MKII now includes an inline transformer power supply. The rackmountable CPS-1 can still be ordered separately, but it is no longer required.

The 7602 MKII Mic Pre/EQ carries an MSRP of $739.

Chameleon Labs has announced that the 7802 Opto-Tube Compressor is now shipping.

In the spirit of classic opto compressors, the 7802 is a unique hybrid design of vacuum tube and transformer circuitry combined with modern, high performance components. The 7802 offers smooth, open, full bandwidth compression, while imparting a pleasant, subtle glow to your tracks. The silky attack is achieved via electro-optical circuitry, followed by a robust tube makeup gain stage. Final perfection is presented via the transformer balanced outputs. The 7802 can operate in dual mono or stereo linked mode, features a tube overdrive control, selectable compression (2:1 or 4:1), and a control path HPF for each channel.

The 7802 Opto-Tube Compressor carries an MSRP of $799.