VST Buzz has launched a limited time sale on the Music Box by Bad Cat Media Group, a sample library capable of childlike nursery rhymes, eerie melodies, enchanting passages and much more.

We took 16 different music boxes and meticulously recorded each one note by note to create a highly expressive music box instrument with all the nuances and intricacy of the real thing. In an effort to make an instrument of the highest quality & detail, we made sure to include every subtly possible. Each crank, creek, scratch, buzz, ting and scrape was left in and the result is something quite organic and simply inspiring to play. The entire library was recorded using ribbon microphones at 24bit 48khz.

There is a minimum of 8 velocity layers per note. Due to the nature of the music box and the general range of such devices we ended up with quite a few velocity layers for some pitches (40+). Instead of using round robins we decided to use many velocity layers so that a performance could easily be altered but not be random. The Music Box requires the full version of Kontakt 4.2.4 or higher and is 388 MB (zipped)

The Music Box is available from VST Buzz for $12 USD until June 25th, 2013 (40% off regular $20 USD).

More information: VST Buzz

Sonivox has announced the release of Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0, the latest version of its flagship virtual piano instrument.

Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 includes an integrated patch browser, enhanced EQ and effects, plus current 64-bit VST and AU support.

Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 features an exceptional recreation of the Steinway 9-foot CD 327 grand piano. Meticulously sampled and expertly voiced, Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 provides every composer, pianist, and musician the opportunity to infuse their compositions, recordings, and performances with this truly world-class grand piano.

The SONiVOX recording philosophy relies on a simple signal chain, the finest A/D converters, and premium microphone preamps. Faithful to the original piano, Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 captures each note of this cherished instrument at 16 velocity levels for exceptional dynamic accuracy.

Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 features

• Steinway 9’ CD 327 grand piano sample source.
• Meticulously sampled and expertly voiced.
• Over 11 GB of premium content.
• 16 velocity levels per note; over 1500 samples.
• 52 Solo Piano presets.
• 35 Combination patches with layered pad sounds.
• 16 Key Split Combis with bass/and or solo instruments.
• Pedal and Release element controls.
• Adjustable Limiter.
• 4-band EQ.
• Variable Reverb.
• Fine tune and transpose controls.
• 7 Velocity curves.
• MIDI Learn controller mapping.
• Integrated Patch Browser stores by attribute.
• 32- and 64-bit VST and AU support.
• RTAS support.

The Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0 for Windows and Mac costs $149 USD.

More information: Sonivox / Eighty Eight Ensemble 2.0

Twisted Tools has announced the release of MSMAX, a Maximizer effect and Mid/Side Matrix plugin for Reaktor.

As a Maximizer, MSMAX can be used for anything from subtle to extreme loudness maximization to get individual tracks or mixes sounding loud and finalized. As a Mid/Side matrix, MSMAX can be used to encode, decode and process Mid/Side signals to add width or create stereo imaging effects. With near-zero latency and CPU efficient code, you can use it on any type of track and run multiple instances without bogging down your system.

MSMAX also features a flexible and easy to use insert effects path, that allows you to insert your own effects to be applied to either the Left/Right or Mid/Side signals. To get you started, MSMAX includes an example effect called Nanoverb, which allows you to apply EQ and/or Reverb to any channel.

Lastly, MSMAX has a Sidechain Ducker at the output stage for some classic volume ducking or pumping effects. There are several modes to choose from to achieve instant results. For example, setting the Sidechain Ducker to auto mode will produce a 1/4 note pumping effect. Set it to ‘Self’ mode and you can duck a delay on a vocal track using the vocal itself as the sidechain input.

Whether you use MSMAX to slam your drum bus, apply creative M/S techniques within Reaktor or squeeze some more volume out of your master, MSMAX is a versatile production tool with several tricks up its sleeve.

MSMAX comes with a Lemur template by Antonio Blanca to control MSMAX remotely using an iPad and Liine’s Lemur application.

MSMAX features

• Stereo Maximizer.
• Flexible Mid/Side Matrix (Encode/Decode Input and Output).
• Sidechain Volume Ducker (Sidechain using: Audio, MIDI, Auto, Self).
• Insert effects path (Pre/Post Maximizer).
• Use your own effects.
• Output Limiter.
• Mono Summing.
• Dry/Wet Mix with internal latency compensation.
• Near-zero Latency (1 sample).
• Low CPU.
• Phase flip (Standard or Pre-Decode M/S for 180 degree flip).
• Nanoverb Example Insert Effect (Reverb and EQ).
• Switchless switching for instant A/B’ing settings without clicks or pauses.
• Lemur template by Antonio Blanca.
• Free incremental updates.

MSMAX for Reaktor costs $39 USD. MSMAX comes with an additional 15% OFF coupon when you buy it before August 1st, 2013. All other Twisted Tools products are available at a 15% discount in the Summer Special Savings sale.

More information: Twisted Tools / MSMAX

Sunsine Audio has announced the release of Snowflake 2, a collection of 64 new presets for Arctic Keys by One Red Dog.

Snowflake 2 contains leads, basses, pads, and fx, as well as complex time locked patches utilizing the deep modulation possibilities of Arctic Key’s sequencer.

Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.

Snowflake 2 features

• 64 Arctic Keys presets.
• 1 .arcticbank file.
• 100% Royalty Free.
• Includes Easy Installation Instructions.

The soundset costs $2.49 USD.

More information: Sunsine Audio / Snowflake 2

After a series of soundsets for Native Instruments Absynth and Massive, Polish sound designer Artur from Eclipse Sound Design takes on the Zebra synthesizer by u-he with Zebra Botanica.

Ethno-tropical sound set with a gentle breeze of warm equatorial regions.

The soundset includes a total of 54 patches:

• 32 Abstract Instants.
• 4 Lead/Bass.
• 3 Sequence Patterns.
• 15 Texture Pads.

Most patches have all 4 macro XY pads assigned for maximum expression.
At 54 patches, this soundset is rather small. However, it is surprisingly versatile.

Check out a few of the patches included in this audio clip.

For a demonstration of the sounds in a musical context, Torben Hansen created this lovely track.

So what do I think?

Zebra Botanica is a really nice set of sounds. I don’t know if it’s the concept, patch titles and the cover art for the soundset, but the whole thing feels very organic to me. Almost like a collection of real instruments, found scattered around a tropical forest.

There is a lot of color in the instruments, they’re vibrant and alive. Interestingly enough, Artur has shared that he likes to start off with the artwork of a soundset, using a wallpaper of it as an inspiration while designing the sounds. I think this approach works really well, resulting in a cohesive collection of original sounds.

The patch count is kind of on the low side, but the soundbank is priced accordingly.

More information: Eclipse Sound / Zebra Botanica

ADSR Sounds has released Drum & Bass – Bass / Synth, a collection of 50 drum and bass prefers for Native Instruments FM8.

This pack is for producers looking to add to their sonic palette. Consisting of 28 heavy basses and 22 synth sounds – this collection of sounds is sure to feature in many DnB productions.

A sublime collection of FM8 presets worthy of any Drum & Bass producers productions.

Drum & Bass for FM8 features

• 28 heavy / snarling basses.
• 22 complimenting synth sounds.

The soundset costs $17 USD.

More information: ADSR Sounds / Drum & Bass for FM8