Variety Of Sound has released version 2.1 of the Rescue MK2 free analog style modelled signal designer for Windows.

It is a sophisticated mid/side based transient processing device which not only allows detailed ’3D’ imaging control but also fancy transient compression and distortion with dynamics that remains vibrant and alive.

Changes in Rescue MK2 v2.1

• Better support for higher S/R (some minor bugfixes in the internal filter coefficient computations).
• Critical parts are running at an internal higher sample rate now.
• The default MIX LEVEL was changed to 0dBFS.

Rescue MK2 is available to download for Windows (VST).

More information: Variety Of Sound / Rescue MK2

Rob Papen has announced that the availability of the limited-edition EDM and Urban synth bundles has been extended to the end of June, 2013.

These two special bundle packs were created with Urban and Electronic Dance Music producers in mind.

The EDM Synth Bundle and the Urban Synth Bundle each include three Rob Papen synths, saving you around 45% off the combined price, but don’t wait around as there are only limited amounts available worldwide.

Limited-edition bundles

• The EDM Synth Bundle SRP: € 199.00 / $239 / GBP 169.00
  Comprising Rob Papen’s Predator virtual synth, Punch drum machine, and Blade virtual additive synthesizer plug-ins, the EDM Synth Bundle is a highly-flexible electronic monster, offering masses of diverse sounds for electronic dance producers.
• The Urban Synth Bundle SRP: € 199.00 / $239 / GBP 169.00
  Ideal for producers of Dubstep, Drum ’n’ Bass, Garage, and Grime, the Rob Papen Urban Synth Bundle includes the SubBoomBass ultra deep bass synth, Punch drum machine, and Predator virtual synth plug-ins, and will also seamlessly fit into Hip Hop, Rap and R&B music creation workflows.

Users that already own one or more Rob Papen products can get an upgrade offer at an authorised dealer or directly from robpapen.com.

Note: these bundles also include Predator 1.6.4, the latest version with over 450 new presets.

Rob Papen has also announced that his The 4 Element Synth book/DVD set is now available at student pricing for everyone.

After all, anyone who wants to know what all those knobs and sliders on their favourite analogue synth actually do is a student of subtractive synthesis!

Remember that when Rob started to play his first synth at the end of the ’70s he had to learn the hard way… reading (and rereading) the Korg MS-20 manual from cover to cover. Had a well-written book about synthesis existed at that time then it would have helped Rob enormously in his quest for new sounds! Of course, the Korg MS-20 had no presets so Rob had to create sounds from scratch each and every time he wanted to play.

Over time that became easier, but you can benefit from all his blood, sweat, and tears. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this well-written book that’s as easy on the eye as it is to understand, together with more than 10 hours of entertaining and educational DVD material.

As well as watching additional online video content to supplement the book, other good news is that readers can download the demonstrative Predator presets used by Rob on the DVDs.

The book/dvd set is now available to purchase for 55 EUR / $69 USD (available in the US through Sweetwater).

More information: Rob Papen

discoDSP has announced the release of the Tinga’s Gamelan sound library for the Corona software synthesizer for Windows and Mac.

Tinga’s Gamelan is a 115 MB bank including presets using custom tunings.

Tinga’s Gamelan features

• Set of samples from various sources, all have been re-tuned in C with Audacity 4 samples from http://freesound.org/people/Robinhood76/packs/3940/
• 2 birds SF2 files (place at Documents\discoDSP\Corona\Waves\User.dwb)
• Attack samples made with FuDrum 3 in Jeskola Buzz.
• Steel drum notes recorded with a Zoom H4.

The soundbank is a free download for all Corona users.

More information: discoDSP

xoxos has announced the release of Adze, a percussion resynthesizer instrument plug-in for Windows.

Adze VST resynthesizes percussion samples by performing a single frame FFT analysis for the length of the sample, availing spectral functions alongside an extensive featureset.

Adze features

• Spectral Features:
  • Enhance: emphasises the preexistent spectral content (2 modes).
  • Smear: changes the time (phase) information, for resynthesis or timestretching.
  • Frequency Shift.
  • Spectral Inversion.
  • FFT low and high shelf filtering.
  • Stereoisation / Restereoisation.
  • Monophonic Bass.
• Standard Features:
  • Downsampling to 32x.
  • 6 interpolation modes.
  • Bit reduction: 12, 8-1.
  • Preamp section with envelope assign.
  • 54 filter modes + bypass, 8 filter algorithms (4 zero delay feedback), lp, bp, hp, br, pk, punch, add harmonics.
• Modulation:
  • Morphing LFO (bias, shape, 2 rnd modes, host sync).
  • Curve adjustible pitch and filter envelopes.
  • Curve and shape ADSR amplifier.
  • -5 to +7 possible octave range.
  • Start Position/Reverse.
  • Wide Parameterisation.
  • Panning.
  • Channel swap.
  • Signal inversion.

Adze for Windows (VST) is available to purchase for $13.37 USD. Existing xoxos customers pay $4.20 USD. The free/demo Stoooner VST version is limited to two voices instead of six.

More information: xoxos

Keith McMillen Instruments has announced the shipping of its QuNexus Smart Sensor Keyboard Controller to customers around the world.

The QuNexus is a playable, portable, and powerful keyboard controller.

Featuring huge performance capabilities in a tiny footprint, QuNexus gives unprecedented expressive control with KMI’s patented Smart Sensor technology that transmits pressure, tilt, polyphonic aftertouch, and velocity. QuNexus unites four generations of synthesis–CV, MIDI, USB, and OSC–for maximum flexibility.

“QuNexus is the most important evolution in keyboards since the Erard Escapement was introduced to pianos in 1821,” said KMI founder, Keith McMillen. “QuNexus gives keyboardists forms of expression that were only available to string and horn players. Although playful in appearance, it performs and feels like a serious instrument.”

QuNexus re-imagines the portable MIDI keyboard with 25 vividly illuminated, Smart Sensor keys that are uniquely interactive and fun to play. QuNexus is designed to talk to analog synthesizers with Control Voltage (CV), USB, 5-pin MIDI hardware, and networked OSC applications.

“We are very excited about the arrival of QuNexus,” said John Grabowski, Senior Director of Merchandising at Sweetwater Sound. “Its innovative design and unique capabilities have already translated into strong pre-order demand.”

QuNexus features

• 25 Smart Sensor keys detect velocity, pressure, and tilt.
• Polyphonic pitch bend and aftertouch.
• 2 CV/Gate inputs; Gate and 3 CV Outputs (16-bit).
• Pitch bend pad.
• Octave up/down buttons provide a 7 octave range.
• USB powered, receives power directly from iOS device or Mac/PC.
• Class compliant for iOS, Android, Mac OS, Windows and Linux, no drivers required.
• Portable: 3.3″ (84 mm) x 12.8″ (325 mm) x 0.43″ (11 mm), 0.76 lb (345 g).

The QuNexus is now available to purchase for $149 USD.

More information: Keith McMillen Instruments / QuNexus

Native Instruments has announced the release of Abbey Road 50s Drummer, a new Kontakt 5 Player-powered instrument featuring the sound of two classic drum kits from the 1950s.

The kits provide the distinctive drum sound of the era, which was necessary to compete with the electrified instruments gaining popularity at the time. Recorded with both state-of-the-art and period equipment at Abbey Road Studios in London, 50s DRUMMER also includes a groove library, mixer presets, and a new set of brush articulations, delivering the authentic feel of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, and jazz from the 1950s.

ABBEY ROAD 50s DRUMMER features rare instruments from the very earliest years of popular music. The first kit is an early 1950s Gretsch Cadillac Green Nitron with a 20″ bass drum, 12″ rack tom and 14″ floor tom. Its toms are tuned low, providing a smooth, open sound that still allows excellent placement in a mix full of amplified instruments. The second drum kit is a late-1950s WFL kit. The WFL provides 20″ kick drum, 12″ and 13″ rack toms, and a 16″ floor tom. The WFL kit’s toms are tuned high, offering a brighter tone that perfectly complements the Gretsch. Each kit features three different snare drums from the same period, offering a wide tonal variety and added degree of customization. The kits are outfitted with a selection of 1950s Zildjian A and K cymbals to round out their authentic vintage tone.

50s DRUMMER was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios in the legendary Studio Two. Alongside traditional microphone techniques, vintage RCA 44-BX and AKG D12 microphones, a REDD.17 valve mixing console and valve tape machine were used for 50s DRUMMER’s vintage channels. Users can dial in these ‘vintage channels alongside the modern state-of-the-art equipment for a seamless tone spectrum, ranging from completely modern to period-accurate vintage and anywhere in between.

New brush articulations were also recorded especially for 50s DRUMMER to reflect the playing techniques of the decade. Its extensive groove library encompasses early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, and jazz, as well as a wealth of contemporary rhythms, affording users an effortless way to begin sketching out complete drum recordings. Regardless of genre, producers looking to add original 50s flavor to their productions will relish the recording quality, ease of use, and attention to detail in ABBEY ROAD 50s DRUMMER.

The Abbey Road 50s Drummer library is available to purchase for $99 USD / 99 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Abbey Road 50s Drummer