Native Instruments today introduced THE GIANT, a new instrument based on the world's biggest upright piano.

For use in KONTAKT 5 or the free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER, THE GIANT features the intense sound of the Klavins Piano Model 370i, a super-sized instrument delivering a colossal sonic spectrum equally well-suited to urban pop projects, soft piano ballads, driving rock riffs and jazz numbers, as well as providing a separate 'Cinematic' version of the piano for darker, atmospheric projects and sound design.

Produced by sampling expert Uli Baronowsky, the creator of the 'Galaxy' piano series, THE GIANT captures the sound of the original instrument in meticulous detail.

Vienna Symphonic Library announces the release of two new Collections for their entry-level orchestra packages, the Vienna Special Editions.

The Special Edition Volume 3 – "Appassionata & Muted Strings" and Volume 4 – "Special Winds & Choir" are now available for download. As an additional option to downloading, customers may order a 64 GB USB flash drive for a nominal fee. Coinciding with this announcement, the Austrian company introduces a new modular system to the Vienna Special Editions, based on Sections, Collections, and new Bundles, with lower prices and new upgrade paths. All of Vienna's previously existing Special Edition products remain available, with some minor naming adjustments.

Pianoteq STAGE (formerly known as Pianoteq PLAY) is based on the award winning physical model, offered in Pianoteq 4 Standard and PRO, praised by many musicians for its close intimacy and responsiveness.

Pianoteq STAGE includes the same instruments, sounds and playability. It is the choice of budget-minded musicians who do not need to modify the sound. The new stunning Grand Piano D4 is included as well as several new features such as convolution reverb and a set of new effects.

The popular iOS app is now on Mac OS X. Waviary is a new, interactive musical artwork that is part instrument, part generative ambient music machine, and part virtual wind chimes. Simple controls allow anyone to effortlessly create lush ambient soundscapes and environments, or simply listen as Waviary generates its own "forest-like" sonic environments. The generative player can run while you play as well, allowing for a randomized ambient jam session.

Pitch control and octave up/down controls allow for fast sound manipulation, creating varied textures and ambiences. Waviary is a wonderful tool for sound designers looking to create unique effects and environments for film and games. For those looking to simply listen to Waviary's randomized musical works, a sleep timer is included. Put on your headphones and let Waviary's weird, wonderful sounds lull you to sleep.

The main goal while designing DC8C was to get a very clean compressor action without unwanted and often almost unevitable artefacts/distortion. This way you can achieve almost invisible compression for your most demanding mastering sessions, when you want to avoid coloration.
If you aim for colour you can choose between two saturation models.
From opto style, peak compression, external sidechaining, RMS compression, Feedback, Feedforward compression (and everything inbetween) to negative ratios, zero latency brickwall limiting, from snappy transient treatment to smooth transient rounding - everything is possible.

New in V 1.2:

- VST3 support on OSX and WIN 32 & 64bit
- Zero latency switch removed
- Fixed: MIX knob in easy mode is working now as expected.
- External sidechaining in EASY mode.