PreSonus is shipping Notion 5, a major upgrade to its popular notation software. This new version makes it easier than ever to write your ideas quickly and includes a new video window, new effects from PreSonus Studio One, an enhanced chord library, a custom rules editor, and many notation and publishing improvements. Notion is the only notation editor that supports Mac, Windows, and iPad and the only one that can run 64-bit on both Mac and Windows.

studio furniture designer and manufacturer ZAOR is proud to introduce the MAREA media workstation — another addition to its flourishing family of CLASSIC Series media workstations, this time tailored to stylishly and comfortably accommodate a new generation of compact mixing consoles and associated accessories.

Mackie's DL Series Digital Live Sound Mixers with iPad Control have gained an amazing reputation in the world of live sound.  Proven at millions of gigs worldwide, DL Series mixers combine the power of a full-featured digital mixer with the unmatched ease-of-use of an iPad. Now, more people than ever can finally step into the amazing benefits of digital mixing. On July 1, the 8-channel DL806 got a significant price drop (25% less in the U.S. market, check with your local dealer for pricing details) making it the lowest-priced professional digital mixer on the market.

Fiedler Audio released update for the AD 480 family of reverbs with free feature testing mode New Version 1.3 of AD 480 Reverb offers new Audiobus support and unique 1 hour free feature testing mode.

Ploytec, the german makers of ultra small footprint synthesizers „they say the best things come in small packages“ releases a new firmware for the  for the Ploytec „πλ² Pi L Squared“ synth. The new "PL02.56 firmware", comes with a "Vocal Tract" model filter offering formant sounds and speech. It's a tribute to the General Instruments SP0256-AL2 chip from the early 80s, combined with the ability to play it as an instrument.

Kush Audio's Clariphonic DSP is a parallel high shelving eq, which in itself it's a quite unique proces. The DSP code behind this plugin is made by Studio Devil. It's an emulation of the hardware Clariphonic made by Kush Audio themselves. This is how I think about it:

PreSonus is excited to announce the USB 2.0 bus-powered AudioBox iOne audio interface and AudioBox for Windoes, Mac and iOS.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Dave Smith Instruments today introduced the DSM01 Curtis Filter module, their first offering for modular synthesizers.

Steinberg today have released an official statement by marketing director Frank Simmerlein addressing an issue when installing Steinberg software on the forthcoming operating system by Apple.

Novation release the ultimate mixer and device controller for Ableton Live. Designed to help Ableton users focus more on their music and less on their laptop screens, Novation's new Launch Control XL provides hands-on control over everything in Ableton Live.

Steinberg announced the immediate availability of the VST Connect Performer app for iPad through the App Store. The iPad version of VST Connect Performer offers online remote recording collaboration with producers and musicians in real time.

TASCAM has introduced three master clock generators for studio and broadcast applications. Each of the CG-series clock generators has a high-quality OCXO. 

Pioneer is marking 20 years in the DJ industry with the launch of a modern classic: the PLX-1000 professional turntable. 

Numark announces NV, an intelligent controller for Serato DJ. Featuring high-resolution color screens that provide extensive visualization of Serato’s flagship DJ platform and advanced interactive controls, NV opens all-new doors for the modern performing artist.

Universal Audio is pleased to announce the Thermionic Culture Vulture Plug-In for the UAD Powered Plug-Ins platform and Apollo audio interfaces.

The RHP-10 Mono is the latest member of the Reloop headphones family, and the first devoted to one-ear monitoring. The single ear-cup construction is designed for fast cueing of a track which, thanks to the large driver, is also possible when the ambient noise levels are high.

IK Multimedia is now shipping iRig MIDI 2, the first portable Lightning/USB MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch as well as Mac and PC.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Real knobs for your tablet to control your MIDI and DJ's apps - Why did't anyone think of these a few years ago... O wait, I did, buy I'm not a techician, just a blogger with G.A.S... Check out this nice Kickstart project from the Netherlands: Tuna Knobs. For me, this is the most usable gadget for tablets ever made!

Modulus, a Bristol-based start-up that designs and manufactures musical instruments, has launched the Modulus.002, the world’s first analogue/digital music synthesizer de- signed for the Internet age. Designed and built in the UK by a team of passionate synthesizer experts, it creates the rich analogue sounds that have been at the heart of creative music since the 1960’s by using a mix of classic analogue techniques and the latest digital technology to give reliability and innovation.

The Dj controller hardware industry looks saturated and out of ideas lately. The first commercial Dj MIDI controller (KDJ-500) was released 11 years ago and things hasn't changed very much since then.  There is no doubt that nowadays we have an excellent variety of professional Dj controllers out there. Digital Dj movement has growth exponentially and it's a mature collective inside the Dj artists. 

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection.

Tracktion Software Corporation (TSC) has recently tapped Dan Moore for a key business development role involving its popular Tracktion Music Production Software brand. 

Positive Grid announces BIAS Desktop, a groundbreaking guitar-amp designer and modeler plug-in for both Mac OS X and Windows. Available in VST, Audio Units, RTAS and AAX formats, BIAS Desktop features the most realistic modeler engine, Amp Matching (a pioneering first for DAW plug-ins), BIAS Expansion Packs and the ToneCloud preset-sharing platform.

Egoist is a groove instrument. Load any audio file and squeeze the groove out of it. Try your mp3 library and use it a a sound source!.The additional onboard bass, beat and fx units make Egoist the perfect track sketch tool in the studio and on the road.

Working with electronic music can be a very static experience, whether you are a dj or a producer. During performances it can be very difficult for the spectator how tracks are created and what the performer is actually doing. With the Midi Fighter 3D a live performance dimension is possible, comparable of that of a guitar. Next to the live aspect, the MidiFighter 3D is also a valuable midi controller within your studio.

This year’s SAE Beats & Breaks Battles contenders are all starting on an even playing field thanks to the event organizers’ latest decision to make Stanton’s STR8.150s the exclusive turntables for the competition.

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection. You also might want to search for previous sample Saturdays since price reductions may still apply for most sites.

Music technology company Native Instruments is happy to announce a new series of events to showcase the diversity and excellence of its industry-leading Traktor DJ technology.

IK Multimedia announced it's shipping iKlip Xpand and iKlip Xpand Mini, the next generation of microphone stand mounts for tablets and smartphones.

Voxengo CurveEQ update version 3.3 is now available for download. Voxengo CurveEQ, available in AudioUnit, VST and VST3 plug-in formats (including native 64-bit support), for Mac OS X (v10.5 and later), and Windows computers, is a spline equalizer plugin for professional music and audio production applications.

With the NS2 Air Monitors by Nocs, you have three different options for streaming your music: Bluetooth, Spotify and AirPlay. Each technology provides its own unique benefits, but the one constant across all three is that the sound quality is spectacular. Enjoy music in your home anytime and any room, courtesy of these three world-renowned streaming services.

Apogee Electronics is pleased to announce a limited-time bundle featuring their legendary Duet audio interface and Breakout Box, is now available.

Detune and Korg introduce the KORG DSN-12 Analog Synthesizer, exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS.

Fiedler Audio launched the AD 480 Reverb Version 1.26, the latest professional reverb effect for iOS devices. Now that legendary, big machine, dense and warm reverb sound that makes great records and epic live sound is available for iPad and iPhone. The AD 480 Reverb algorithm is inspired by the sound of the sought after studio reverb units that were only available for the big budget recording studios and major touring acts.

Tone2 Audiosoftware is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Electra2, the successor of ElectraX.

The amount of near field monitors is vastly overwhelming for anyone who's looking for a set of monitors. Especially in the price range of these Turbo 5 there are various different brands and models out there. Lately there seems to be an up rise of the models that are esthetically pleasing to the eye. To that regard the Turbo 5 stands out by its not typical square shape and availability to have them in yellow, red or black colors. Somehow these red ones remind me of not standing out on the set of the Barbarella movie with their 70-ies look. The logo that lights up when powered on does look a bit odd though.

Unity Audio will be shipping the new Unity Audio Boulder MK II at the end of June. The active  3 way active monitor will retain all the great attributes of the original MK I, for example the same Baltic Birch sealed plywood cabinet, albeit larger to accommodate the two new 8" SEAS woofers, the original ELAC coaxial 5" midrange with 50kHz folded ribbon tweeter, and the same custom E.A.R Class A/B amplifiers and crossover

PreSonus is pleased to announce the acquisition of loudspeaker manufacturer WorxAudio Technologies, Inc., of Greensboro, North Carolina, founded in 1979 by CEO and Director of Engineering Hugh Sarvis.

Blue Cat Audio have released Blue Cat's PatchWork 1.3, a new version of their "universal plug-ins patch bay" available in multiple audio plug-in formats.

Busy mixing engineer Satoshi Mark Noguchi has been working up a storm around Hollywood. After just under a decade in Los Angeles, the Seattle native's list of credits suggest that he does more mixing than sleeping. Currently working on a number of film scores for the likes of Rob Simonsen, Nathan Whitehead, and Joe Trapanese, Noguchi relies on Manley Labs gear to inject life into the mix.

Last year, Novation released the Launch Series. In order to further expand their popular controller line they have now included a compact controller line. It consists out of two nifty small controllers which are aimed at the travelling artists or that home studio where space is not available in abundance. The controllers are called Launchcontrol and Launchpad Mini. Both are full functional controllers in a small package. How serious can we take these compact units? Read it here in our review:

Below are some of the new releases we have encountered this week on the Loops and Samples front. Just like the quality of the audio software we use these days the quality of the content we use (loops and samples) equally matches the high standards of this software. Below is this weeks selection. You may pay special attention to price reductions ranging from 25% up to 50%.

Waves Audio is showcasing at Infocomm its Dugan Automixer plugin. Developed in association with sound engineering legend Dan Dugan, the Waves Dugan Automixer is a software version of the popular Dugan Speech System Automatic Mixing Controllers used the world over. Available for every console, the Dugan Automixer is MultiRack SoundGrid- and MultiRack Native-compatible and works on 32 or 64 channels.

Dave Smith Instruments today introduced the Pro 2, an all-new, feature-rich monophonic synthesizer. “We really raised the bar with this one,” said Smith. “As synth geeks, we asked ourselves what our ultimate mono synth would be. Then we built it.”

Allen & Heath will be unveiling Qu-32 at Infocomm, a 32 fader, 38 in / 28 out digital mixer joining the rackmount Qu-16 and compact Qu-24. Qu-32 shares the Qu series key features, such as total recall of settings (including faders and digitally controlled preamps), Qu-Drive integrated multi-track recorder, dSNAKE for remote I/O and personal monitoring, multi-channel USB streaming, Qu-Pad control app, and the renowned iLive FX Library to deliver class-leading audio quality.

Waves Audio offers DiGiGrid, a collaboration between Waves and DiGiCo. Following implementation of Waves SoundGrid for the DiGiCo SD consoles, DiGiCo and Waves recognized the potential and created SoundGrid-based studio hardware including a full line of I/Os with world-class converters, award winning pre-amps, headphone amplification, built-in DSP Servers and network switches.

Coming soon to a Apple computer near you, the Polymer app. It lets you play your monophonic synths together, like they're all part of some giant mutant polysynth. And it operates via plain old MIDI, so it's compatible with almost anything — modulars, samplers, polysynths, even virtual instruments.

Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) is proud to announce availability of String Studio VS-2 an updated 64-bit version of its original String Studio VS-1 string modelling synthesizer plug-in released to critical acclaim almost a decade ago, dispensing with the traditional synthesizer audio pathway of oscillator, filter, and envelope elements in favour of real-life string instrument components.