Bootsy has released the “Nasty” signal coloring fx series, a collection of three freeware VST effect plug-ins for Windows PC.

Nasty FX Series

• NastyLF, a specific and tuned combination of lowend EQ and output stage.
  The low frequency EQ in classic boost/cut design offers both: broad ‘oldschool’ as well as rather narrow ‘modern’ curves (switchable) altogether with a variation of that special sounding curve designs when using boost and cut in combination. A new developed output stage offers tasty lowend saturation which can virtually be driven up to 24dB with internal automatic gain compensation.
• NastyHF, a specific and tuned combination of highend EQ (peak and shelve) and oversampled output stage.
  The high frequency EQ offers both: broad ‘old school’ as well as rather narrow ‘modern’ curves (switchable). HF peaking is applied on fixed frequencies and the 10kHz filter performs as a shelve. Both designs feature special musical sounding curves. A new developed and oversampled output stage offers fancy and almost artefact free HF saturation prominently featuring K2 and K3 harmonics with attenuated higher harmonics.
• NASTYtableTop, a low-mid frequency booster which increases perception in this frequency range by saturation.
  In subtle amounts this is perceived as a kind of ‘phatness’ while in extreme settings this is going to be perceived as ‘muddy’ and/or ‘distorted’.

The previously released NastyLF plug-in included in this package is an updated version with some bugfixes.

Download the “Nasty” fx series here.

M-Audio has announced the ProFire 610, a FireWire audio interface with Octane Preamp Technology.

The M-Audio® FireWire 410 audio interface helped ignite the mobile music revolution by delivering power and flexibility in a travel-friendly form factor. Musicians and producers tapped into a new level of creative freedom, using the FireWire 410 to make music in the field and on the go. ProFire 610 continues this legacy by introducing new features like Octane™ preamp technology, DSP mixing and high-definition, 24-bit/192kHz audio quality. By combining these professional, studio-grade tools in a half-rack-space unit, ProFire 610 delivers the most powerful mobile recording experience.

M-Audio ProFire 610 half-rack-space unit

M-Audio ProFire 610 key features

• 6 x 10 simultaneous analog/digital I/O, ideal for mobile recording.
• 2 preamps with award-winning Octane™ technology, pristine sound quality.
• flexible onboard DSP mixer, create multiple unique cue mixes.
• up to 24-bit/192kHz, high-definition digital audio.
• user-assignable master volume knob, customize your setup.
• functions as 2-channel mic pre/2-channel A/D-D/A converter, standalone operation.
• JetPLL technology, critically acclaimed jitter elimination.
• compatible with most major audio software, use your DAW of choice.

The ProFire 610 will be available in the fall and has an MSRP of $499.95 USD (Pre-order $399 USD).

Visit M-Audio for more information.

Realsamples has released a free light version of their English Harpsichord “Edition Beurmann” library.

English Harpsichord Light features

• Recorded in the great sounding rooms of the Hasselburg estate with vintage Neumann™ TLM-170® microphones in conjunction with Crane Song™ Flamingo® preamps and Universal Audio™ 2192® digital converters to do the instrument justice.
• Recorded in 192 khz/24 bits, downsampled to 44.1 khz/16 bits.
• 2 x 8“-Register, ranging over two octaves with three velocity layers (the full version has 8 velocity layers and 6 different register combinations).
• GigaStudio3®-Format.

You can download the free English Harpsichord Light version from Musician’s Life until September 30, 2008.

Visit Realsamples for more information.

Evan Merz wrote in to let us know about some updates on Wii Play The Drums, a .NET application written in visual basic that gives the user the experience of playing drums using the Nintendo Wii Wiimotes.

Wii Play The Drums allows users to map any .wav sound to any of the provided Wiimote gesture/button combinations provided, create their own presets, record their sessions and play them back.

Evan writes:

After a long incubation, the instrument that launched this blog is finally taking the next step.

The project has been moved to CodePlex, to allow more collaborative development, and to get more developers involved with the code. If you want to download the latest version of Wii Play the Drums, or check out the source code, then you will have to head over to the Wii Play the Drums site on CodePlex.

Evan has found a partner in Andre Knight, who will also moderate the development process on the CodePlex site.

Latest additions from Andre

• Added support for use of two Wiimotes, thanks to Brian Peek for updating the WiimoteLib to support multiple Wiimotes.
• Re-designed and more intuitive GUI.
• Added better support to find wiimotes connected via bluetooth.
• Added more sounds to sound library.
• Added functionality to be able to record your “Wii Play The Drums” drum session and play it back.(Vista users will need to enable their recording devices for this to work. By default, Vista has recording devices disabled and hidden.).
• Added more Wiimote gesture + buttons combinations.
• Added a basic metronome.

Evan wants to encourage you to get involved:

If you have wanted to contribute code to this project, or just tell us how you think it should work, hit the Wii Play the Drums site on CodePlex, and leave us a message in the forums.

Check ThisIsNotALabel.com and CodePlex for more information.