Akai Professional announces that the MPK61, the fourth model in the company's unique line of keyboard/MPC performance controllers, is now shipping to retailers.

The MPK61 is a keyboard performance MIDI controller that expands the popular MPK line. Each MPK controller combines a piano-style keybed with a bank of genuine Akai Professional MPC pads, assignable Q-Link controllers and some of the technologies from the icon MPC. Producers, performers and DJs will appreciate the MPK61's mix of 61 semi-weighted keys with aftertouch, 16 MPC pads with velocity and pressure sensitivity, 72 assignable Q-Link, MPC Note Repeat, MPC Swing and an arpeggiator. The MPK61's size is ideal for performers who need a larger range than the original 49-key MPK49 offers, but also prefer the lighter weight and as ...

Applied Acoustics Systems releases the Tassman 4 v4.1.4 Update for Mac OS X and Windows.

Tassman is an extremly rich modular sound synthesis environment based on physical modeling. It is both an impressive collection of unique synths and effect processors, and a tightly integrated synthesis studio which lets you customize instruments in any way you wish or even create your own from scratch.

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 Edit MIDI dialog values glitch.

The Tassman v4.1.4 Update is available now, free of charge to all Tassman 4 registered users.

After more than three years of development, Vir2 Instruments presents Electri6ity, an epic electric guitar virtual instrument containing "the most advanced, detailed, and versatile collection of electric guitars ever made in a virtual instrument".

Waves Audio has announced the upcoming release of its groundbreaking SoundGrid technology. SoundGrid gives users the ability to run large numbers of Waves' plug-ins using standard PCs via Ethernet. SoundGrid offers super low latency performance, which means users can take advantage of even more audio processors and CPU-intensive processors than ever before.

SoundGrid Key Benefits:

• Provides low latency platform for running Waves plug-ins
• Uses standard, off-the-shelf components: computers, switches, servers, Ethernet cables, etc.
• Integration with analog and digital mixing consoles
• Provides a complete Redundancy & Recovery system
• Upcoming SoundGrid versions will implement recording capabilities

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.