Synapse Audio has introduced EKS-9, unique VST/AU plugin dedicated to creating vintage-style electronic bass drum sounds – and has served up a sexy 3d ad for a virtual instrument to boot.

Description:

Its virtual analog engine is not only capable of authentic recreations of the sounds from such machines, but can synthesize new kick sounds with lots of punch, too.

The EKS-9 is available for Windows and Mac OS X. A free demo version is also available. It is fully functional, except that patches cannot be recalled and white noise is introduced every minute.

System requirements:

Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Mac OS X: OS X 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
A host software which supports VST or AudioUnits

Image Line Software has released a beta version of Drumaxx – a new percussion modeling instrument that gives you control over physically modeled drums that can be routed to independent outputs for external effects processing.

Key features:

16 Physically modeled drum pads
Multi-output for individual effects processing on each pad
Huge range of modeling possibilities covering sounds from cymbals to kettle-drums
Velocity modulation matrix for detailed expressiveness
Integrated Stepsequencer with trigger-key playback
Integrated effects
Single-pad version ‘Drumpad’ available for tight integration with FL Studio Stepsequencer

HG Sounds has released Soundscaper 2 – a free effect plugin for Mac & Windows:

“SoundScaper is versatile and great for comb effects, reverbs and endless delays. It is has been included in most of my synths over the last couple of years.

There are only a few presets at the moment, please feel free to send me some if you come up with any good ones. There are lots of randomizers as usual to make using SoundScaper a fun and creative experience! It is not advisable to use the plug in any active projects yet as it may change before official release, but I’d love to hear some feedback especially from Mac users”.

The Kyma International Sound Symposium is looking for proposals for presentations at the 2nd annual Symposium, being held in Vienna, Austria Sept 26-26, 2010:
Deadline for submission of proposals is April 11, 2010. Details at the KISS site.

Interested in using the Percussa AudioCubes with Ableton Live?

Mark Mosher has published an in-depth tutorial, looking at the AudioCubes, installation, mapping in Ableton Live and his personal setup:

Back in November I purchased a set of four Percussa AudioCubes. I’ve spent quite a bit of time working with them as a an interface to Ableton Live. In this hands-on review I’ll explain what they are, how they work, how I’m using them with Live and also offer some tips along the way.

This is a welcome tutorial – because Live is probably the app that people are most likely interested in using with the AudioCubes.

Numark introduced its new $59.95 Laptop Stand at NAMM.

Key Features:

* Solid, easy-to-assemble laptop stand for DJs
* Secure construction, yet portable, and collapsible with low-weight design
* Fast to assemble or disassemble
* Comes with a zippered, protective case for convenience in transport

Teenage Engineering was demoing their OP-1 Synthesizer, which is very impressive and powerful – but expensive at the expected $700 retail price. They expect the release date to be about a year off, and they are working on finishing the software and looking for ways to make the synth more efficiently.

Imposcar 2 Features:

• PWM on both oscillators.
• Aux Mod Section with comprehensive routing (destinations include: OSc2 pitch, PW1, PW2, PW1&2, Filter Separation, Filter Q, Osc Mix, Noise Mix).
• Additional LFO.
• Improved LFO sync options.
• New Modulation & Controller Routing options.
• Pink noise.
• Vastly Improved Arpeggiator.
• Chord Hold & Retrigger from a single key.
• Controller Section Featuring Channel & Poly Aftertouch.
• Mod Wheel Controls now switchable between Aftertouch, Expression and Mod Wheel.
• Pan Spread Modes (left to right, Random etc) and Spread Amount Control.
• Mono & Poly Unison Modes (up to 8 voice poly unison).
• Unison Voice Spread
• Portamento Spread on Unison glides.
• New Chorus Modes.
• Ring Modulation.
• External Audio Input with the new FX version.
• Release Velocity Response.
• Small, Medium & Large GUI sizes.

“Most recommended for use for lead parts, especially in Drum’n’Bass, Breakbeat, Dubstep, Jungle music.”

Zombie Killah 2 Features:

* 2 detuned oscillators.
* 1 sub bass oscillator
* Easy and quick modulators:
o One-Knob Adjustable Frequency Modulation.
o One-Knob Amplitude Modulation.
o Double-Knob Pulse Width Modulation.
o Vibrato and Tremolo.
o 3-way filtering.
o Host-synced BPM LFO Speeds.
* All parameters automatable, but an assignable MIDI CC for LFO Speed is available if needed.
* Chorus effect for stereo widening.
* 10 Factory Presets to get you started.

Zombie Killah 2 is a free VSTi plugin for Windows. Mac users will have to find their own “ultimate badass synth.”

2010 NAMM Show: EKS has announced the debut of their latest DJ Controller – Otus RAW.

Features:

* Otus RAW is equipped with two long and sturdy SL-turntable-style pitch sliders, one for each virtual deck.
* The Otus RAW also features large velocity pads and buttons allowing for fast and easy operation .
* A layer switch immediately multiplies the layers of controls available on the Otus RAW, resulting in nearly an unlimited number of control possibilities.