Sknote has released the HandSynth synthesizer for iPod/iPhone/iPad, described as a performance synthesizer with a simple interface and several complex oscillators and filters.
The developers tell us that a multitouch keyboard gives great control on the sound, not achievable with classic synths, while a "Theremin" mode adds realtime modulation possibilities.

Features

- Multiple oscillator algorithms (wavetables, discrete summation, FM, virtual analog)
- Multimode filters (lowpass and vowel filters) with "performance" modes
- Delay, chorus, overdrive
- "Theremin" mode (through accelerometers)
- "Keyboard" mode (through multitouch screen)
- 100 memories for presets
- Sound libraries

Pricing and Availability: 4,99 €

Studio Devil Virtual Bass Amp Pro is a Bass Amp Modeling Plug-In and Effects for Mac and Windows.

Some features:
- 2 Discrete Channels each with independent compressor, gain, tone, and limiter controls modeled using Studio Devil's patented digital vacuum tube modeling technology!
- A/B Switch and MIX Control to switch between channels or blend both channels together!
- Bi-Amp Mode with tunable crossover lets you send lows to one channel, highs to the other, and then process and mix them independently!
- Tube Preamp Controls: Dual tube preamps with Gain, Boost, Bass, Tunable Mids, and Treble controls that interact with your tone just like on real tube amps!
- Power Amp Limiters: Dual power amp limiters with Drive and Variable Clipping controls!
- Channel B Phase Switch lets you add or subtract harmonics and tone from your mix!
- 5 Cabinet Emulation Modes: 8x10, 4x10, 1x15, DI Emulator, and Bypass Modes featuring cabinet models from the Red Wire Impulses® collection!
- 12-Band Graphic EQ for precision tone sculpting!
- 2 Studio Quality Effects: Custom Bass Chorus and World-Class Reverb!
- Built-In Chromatic Tuner to stay in tune.
- Master Volume control.
- Import and Export Presets and Banks via XML files to share your tones with everyone.

The alleged news that Steve Jobs is said to have decided to move the opening date of the Mac App Store on December 13th gives us the opportunity to raise the question: is it good for us, as musicians? Surfing on the successful wave of the iTunes Music Store, Apple is trying to push its advantage. To what extent is it interesting for us, musicians, to turn to a Mac App Store, which is liable to be (as the numerous problems with the iPhone Apps testify) a mere censor? So far, as Apple is utterly involved in a fierce competition (with its own softwares as Logic, etc., but with the whole range of applications for Mac), we can really wonder whether they will propose all possible applications for music in the online catalog. On top of that, as the evolution of OS X runs as a tortoise rather than as a lion (!), is the market ready for this?

Ohm Force has announced the next pair of discounted plugins in its Christmas Sale, delay effect OhmBoyz and filter effect QuadFrohmage.

Christmas Sale promo codes

- FROHMAGE-PLEASURES (40% discount on the Quad Frohmage filter bank)
- OHMBOYZ-MUSKETEERS (40% discount on the OhmBoyz delay)
- FROHMAGE-OHMBOYZ-ADVENTURE (discount 40% on both)

The new version 1.1 software makes the PolyTune app fully compatible with iPhone 4 as well as the iOS 4 operating system. It also features full Retina display support for the ultimate viewing experience when tuning.

Further, a brand new Color Blind feature has been included, allowing users to switch out the green/red colors with yellow/blue.

Finally, the overall graphics has been improved, and the app now has a new, very appealing icon that will stand out on any iPhone home screen.

$0.99 for 3 days
Obviously, version 1.1 is a free update for existing PolyTune app users, but to celebrate this new version, TC Electronic will be lowering the price for new users to just $0.99 for 3 days, from December 16, 2010, to midnight December 19, 2010. Normally, the PolyTune app is priced at $9.99, but after the three-day special offer, the regular price will be dropped by 50% to $4.99.