KV331 Audio has updated SynthMaster to version 2.6.8 on both Windows and Mac OS X.

This update brings an important feature that has been requested by SynthMaster users: The ability to mark presets as 'Favorites'.

There are also critical fixes in this update:

- NEW: SynthMaster User Manual updated.
- FIX: Renaming a preset and then reloading again crashes SynthMaster.
- FIX: Loading partial presets dont cause a refresh of the GUI until it is closed and reopened.
- FIX: Waveform cache data is different between 32/64-bit versions, causing issues when both versions are used on the same computer.
- FIX: Pressing on 'Online' button to bring up online presets list crashes SynthMaster.
- FIX: SynthMaster reverts waveforms in presets to default Sine wave when the preset is loaded more than once.
- FIX: SynthMaster might crash the host application when the GUI is open and automated parameters are being updated by the host.
- FIX: When an instance of SynthMaster is destroyed and then recreated again by the VST host, the instance might not be initialized correctly and might crash the host.
- Changing discrete parameters values might not set the parameter value correctly when running under Ableton Live.
- FIX: SynthMaster doesn't set default preset folder correctly when user saves a preset.
- SynthMaster doesn't read WAV files correctly when format chunk size is not 16.
- Renaming presets don't rename the preset file.

All users of SynthMaster (demo or registered) are strongly urged to update SynthMaster to v2.6.8. Download links for registered users are:

Demo version of SynthMaster is updated to v2.6.8 as well.

Native Instruments today released the first of a series of videos showcasing respected Japanese producers, performers, and DJs. Five artists give detailed insights into their individual creative processes with MASCHINE – Native Instruments’ groove production system seamlessly integrating tactile hardware and advanced software. After a widely successful launch of Native Instruments' Japanese office in Tokyo earlier this year, the company is beginning a series of activities with skilled local artists to further expand its footprint in the Japanese music production and DJ equipment markets.

Five-time DMC world champion DJ team KIREEK uses MASCHINE to intuitively create beats on the fly, dragging them directly into TRAKTOR PRO for an instant transition from their studio setup to playing live. International touring artist KAITO from the Cologne-based Kompakt Records lineup constantly discovers new ways of working on dance music in a way which is only possible with MASCHINE. Tokyo's star performance duo HIFANA loves the comprehensive collection of sounds and use MASCHINE in their live setup on stage. Samplesmith DJ Baku uses MASCHINE as his main production tool to sample records from various genres and to find new musical inspiration. Fukuoka's beat specialist OLIVE OIL has discovered MASCHINE as his go to tool – not only for sampling old records but even for mixing and arranging entire tracks without any additional software.

Sample Logic breaks new ground with IMPAKT — A suite of over 850 breathtaking morphed concert percussion instruments and multis that will blow you away.

This diverse collection of instruments ranges from dramatically twisted marimbas and xylophones, blissful chimes and bells to massively transfigured timpani, gongs, bass drums, cymbals, and a variety of world percussion instruments. IMPAKT also includes a complimentary set of traditional concert percussion instruments. All sounds were recorded on the Scoring Stage at Skywalker Sound (a Lucasfilm Ltd. Company) under the direction of renowned percussionist Jim Wunderlich and System Blue, the result of which is a comprehensive library that contains both traditional instruments and an evocative collection of morphed cinematic instruments, transitions, atmospheres, leads, impacts, and tempo-synced rhythms.

From Thursday evening, October 24 through Saturday, October 26, 2013, PreSonus® will pull out all the stops for PreSonuSphere 2013, the company's third annual user conference. One- and two-day passes will be available at very low prices.

Held at the gorgeous Manship Theatre in historic downtown Baton Rouge, and featuring seminars by well-known experts, the conference will present in-depth tips and techniques for PreSonus' StudioLive™-series digital mixers, Studio One 2 DAW, StudioLive AI-series Active Integration™ PA speakers, and ADL-series preamps and channel strips. Top professionals will show you how they do their live-sound and recording magic using PreSonus products, and especially popular topics will be repeated so that one- and two-day attendees won't miss out.

EASTWEST has teamed up with legendary studio console maker Solid State Logic to present the SSL/EW FX Suite, a collection of professional audio processing tools for use inside the EASTWEST PLAY 4 software. The SSL audio processing tools provide the superior precision, advanced feature set and legendary tonal characteristics of SSL console products. These tools allow musicians to achieve professional compositions that sound like a record.

The foundations of the SSL collection are adaptations of two SSL console classics. The EQ & Dynamics Channel plug-in provides an EQ & Dynamics processing solution with all the power, precision, flexibility and signature tone of an SSL console channel strip. The legendary Stereo Compressor gives users the classic SSL stereo compressor that brings power and punch to the music without compromising clarity. The Transient Shaper is a 'task specific', carefully selected and crafted processing tool to get outstanding drum and percussion sounds quickly and easily.