Sinevibes is happy to announce Strobe, a new AudioUnit effect plugin for rhythmic audio gating. Its core is a sequencer that runs in perfectly precise sync with your DAW and lets you mute individual notes and sounds in a looped fashion.

Thanks to variable timing, swing and gate shape Strobe can easily match the feel of any melodic or rhythmic part. It’s a simple yet versatile effect that is essential in all styles of music – and it has an incredibly fun-to-use interface.

Some of the Strobe applications are:

• Add rhythmic gate effects onto synth, bass and pad sounds.
• Create classic effects like tremolo and pumping.
• Apply beat slicing onto rhythmic parts.

Strobe is immediately available as a 32/64-bit AU plug-in for OS X Leopard, Snow Leopard or Lion.

It normally costs $19 but can be purchased with a 30% holiday discount until January 1. Audio examples, the user manual and demo version are all available via download.

http://www.sinevibes.com/strobe/

Flux:: sound and picture development is proud to announce Elixir, a novel kind of program limiter designed to achieve a pure natural sound without altering the audio material and its timbre. Aimed at broadcast, post-production and the mastering industry, Elixir provides real True Peak output level in accordance with the ITU-R.BS 1770 and EBU R128 norms, and for surround/multichannel operation Elixir provides up to 8 channels of simultaneous processing.

Elixir’s straightforward interface makes it exceptionally easy to achieve great results, even under a tight deadline. Simply set the input level, adjust the Threshold according to the amount of limiting desired, and finally enable Make Up for gain compensation and loudness addition. That’s it! For truly delicate and fine processing tasks like mastering, Elixir presents a new innovative concept called Stages, providing the option to set the algorithm to perform limiting in multi-stages, in order to achieve even more precise and natural sounding results.

Example: If the threshold is set to -3 dB and the ‘Stages’ parameter set to 3, the first stage will limit at -1dB, the second stage will limit at -2dB and the third will limit at -3dB, with analyzing performed in each of the three stages.

The algorithm uses an oversampled representation of the audio sample as reference when defining the gain envelope, while the actual processing is applied only to the original non-oversampled data, in order to reduce artifacts (like aliasing) and to achieve the most precise and excellent sounding result presenting none, or effectively reduced, conventional limiting pumping effects even during heavy processing.

In addition to Stages, Elixir presents the option to run the algorithm in a higher resolution mode with even more detail put into the processing, obviously, at the cost of additional CPU-consumption.

On the Mac, Elixir requires OS X 10.5, 10.6, or 10.7, an Intel processor, a 32-bit VST or AU compatible host application, or Pro Tools 8 or later for 32-bit RTAS.

Elixir is available via direct download from Flux:: for $199. An introductory price of $139 is on tap for a limited time. Discounts are also available for current Flux:: customers and bundles.

http://www.fluxhome.com/products/plug_ins/elixir

Vertigo Sound, in close cooperation with Brainworx, has announced VSC-2, the first software plug-in based upon Vertigo’s “Big Impact Design”. The VSC-2 plug-in captures all the fine nuances of this $6,000 flagship VCA compressor in convenient a TDM, RTAS, AU and VST compatible download.

“We are amazed how accurate the plug-in simulates the real deal. We have compared it to the hardware several times now in a professional studio and cannot hear any difference at all. Is that good or bad?!?” says Andreas Eschenwecker, CEO of Vertigo Sound.

Although VSC-2 was developed as a Stereo Bus Compressor, each channel provides a complete set of controls which also makes VSC-2 a dual mono “must have” in recording and mix situations. Its precision makes VSC-2 a first choice for mastering applications and the stereo mix bus. A true mono version of the plug-in is available as well.

On the Mac, VSC-2 requires OS X 10.4 or higher, an Intel or PowerPC processor (2 GHz or faster recommended), 2 GB of available RAM, Pro Tools 7.0 or higher or a VST / AU compatible host, and an iLok USB dongle. 64 Bit & AAX versions will be free upgrades in January 2012.

VSC-2 is available as a direct download from Brainworx for $331. An introductory 20% discount price of $265 is in effect until November 30. Further discounts are available for current Brainworx customers. The same installer will also serve as fully functional trial version for 14 days, no iLok necessary.

http://www.brainworx-music.de/en/plugins/vertigo_vsc-2

iZotope, Inc. today announced the release of Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 5 is an update to iZotope’s critically acclaimed software mastering suite. Ozone 5 Advanced is a professional mastering suite that expands Ozone’s feature set with individual component plug-ins, extended features, and the brand-new Ozone Meter Bridge.

“Whether you’re a musician, engineer, or mastering pro, Ozone 5 lets you master music and other audio simply and efficiently,” says Nick Dika, iZotope Senior Product Manager. “Ozone 5 is the biggest update we’ve ever offered, with improvements that will appeal to Ozone experts and new users alike. Ozone 5 Advanced is designed to set a new industry standard for mastering tools. Advanced includes many exclusive features, and offers mixing and mastering engineers an even higher level of flexibility, precision and control.”

New in Ozone 5

• Pristine Sound and Enhanced DSP – Each module has been updated with refined signal processing algorithms to bring you a new level of mastering quality. The most complete mastering suite available has never sounded better.
• Optimized Workflow and Updated Interface – iZotope has redesigned Ozone’s user interface to allow for finer control while placing important features right at your fingertips. New users can jump in without a steep learning curve while experienced Ozone fans will feel right at home.
• Visual Feedback – Every module features updated metering to help guide you to the perfect-sounding master.

Ozone 5 Advanced builds on iZotope’s reputation for superior sound quality and industry-standard audio mastering tools. Each module in Ozone 5 Advanced is equipped with extended features made specifically for mixing and mastering professionals. For added flexibility, Ozone 5 Advanced allows customers to use each of the mastering modules as individual plug-ins. Combining essential visualization from Ozone’s modules with new metering tools, the all-new Meter Bridge provides a suite of audio analysis tools that help you visualize changes made during the mastering process, troubleshoot problematic mixes, and compare reference tracks.

Ozone 5 Advanced Includes

• Extended Features – Ozone 5 Advanced provides deeper control within every module in Ozone. Advanced exclusives include a variable-phase EQ, Loudness Maximizer modes with Transient Recovery and Stereo Link controls, mono-compatible stereo synthesis features and much more.
• Meter Bridge – The powerful Meter Bridge introduces a high resolution real-time 3D spectrogram with unique mix analysis features, BS.1770-2 compatible stereo loudness metering, resizable spectrum analyzer, and a vectorscope with stereo balance and correlation meters.
• Meter Taps – For mixing and stem mastering, multiple audio streams can be superimposed on a 2D or 3D plot using Ozone 5 Advanced’s Meter Tap plug-ins. Meter Taps enable unprecedented visualization of how a mix’s elements fit together.
• Component Plug-ins – Use Ozone 5 Advanced’s mastering modules as an integrated mastering system or as individual plug-ins. Move module presets between Ozone 5 Advanced and its components freely.

On the Mac, Ozone 5 requires OS X 10.5.8 or later, an Intel processor and a compatible AU or VST host application (or Pro Tools 7.4 or later for RTAS/AudioSuite). For use of the scrolling 3D Spectrogram, Ozone 5 Advanced requires a graphics card that supports Open GL 2.0.

Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced will be available for a suggested retail price of $249 and $999 respectively. Special discount pricing of $199 and $599 is available through 2 January 2012. Current Ozone customers may upgrade for $149 to Ozone 5 or $499 to Ozone 5 Advanced. Ozone 4 customers who purchased after October 1, 2011 will receive a free upgrade to Ozone 5 Standard upon release.

www.izotope.com/ozone5

Update November 11: Current Ozone 4 customers may upgrade for $99 and $399 respectively.

Update November 28: The introductory discount pricing has been extended an extra month to January 2.

Eventide has announced the Reverb 2016 Stereo Room and Omnipressor plug-ins for AU, VST, and the new Pro Tools native format, AAX, in the first installment of a major initiative to bring their world class effects to the native plug-in world.

The original Eventide Reverb 2016 is a hardware effects processor from the mid-1980′s that included several reverb algorithms that are still prized today: Stereo Room, Room Reverb, and High Density Plate.

The video above demonstrates the Pro Tools TDM-only version of the Eventide Reverb 2016, currently available from Princeton Digital. It is not currently known if the upcoming native plug-ins will sport the same functionality or features.

Dubbed the Omnipressor because of its unique ability to both compress and expand audio, this processor is capable of extreme compression, limiting, expanding, and dynamic reversal. One of Eventide’s first customers was a young Brian May, lead guitarist of Queen. With the Omnipressor in his rig, his sound was never the same again.

Eventide’s first native plug-ins, the Reverb 2016 Stereo Room and Omnipressor, will be available through Eventide software dealers, and on eventide.com beginning mid-November 2011 at a special introductory price of $149 and $99 respectively.

http://www.eventide.com/

eaReckon has updated its ANALOG87 series of 5 plug-ins, adding Mac AU and VST 32/64-bit compatibility. This collection of dynamics plug-ins and a visual EQ have been designed and fine tuned by human ears with this idea in mind: “Your ears deserve trust.”

“Not too long ago, we were listening to our mixes with our eyes closed, tyring to get the most information from our trained ears,” says eaReckon. “We were not afraid of digital artifacts. No lights were blinking telling us how bad our equalization was and we were talking about how warm, smooth, punchy was the music and not how red, blue, and yellow it could be. Of course as time progressed, our computers provided visual feedback, making it easier for us to find mistakes that would have previously taken 10 hours of repeated listening to detect. As musicians, we started to use both our eyes and ears to mix music, discovering how you interact with an effect can be almost as important as how it sounds.”

During the development of the ANALOG87 series of plug-ins, sound has been the top priority with the interface designed around the workflow of an old school engineer. eaReckon has applied some contemporary updates making them much easier to use and saving you the inconvenience of climbing behind a console to plug cables into the back of a sidechain compressor.

The ANALOG87 collection

• SD-COMP 87 — Sidechain Compressor
• SD-GATE 87 — Sidechain Gate and “Duck”
• BW-LIMIT 87 — Brickwall Limiter & Maximizer
• PR-EQUA 87 — 4-Band Parametric Equalizer
• CS-STRIP 87 — Channel Strip (double freq filter, compressor with parallel processing capabilities, gate, 4-Band parametric EQ and brickwall limiter)

On the Mac, the ANALOG87 collection requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (recommended) and 1 GB of available RAM (recommended).

The ANALOG87 series plug-ins are available via direct download from eaReckon for €29 each, €39 for CS-STRIP 87. An ANALOG87 bundle combines all plug-ins for €99. A special discounted bundle price of €69 is available through 12 November 2011.

If you want a taste of the sound produced by the ANALOG87 series, or if you are on a budget, eaReckon also offers the FREE87 series of four plug-ins that are based on the same engine.

www.eareckon.com

DontCrack is proud to announce the launch of the new V.I.P. Series plug-ins, the result of considerable experience working with major artists and producers around the world. The collection of twenty AU, VST and RTAS effects ranges from dynamics to coloring to reverbs.

This new series delivers the same professional sound you would come to expect from other major plug-in manufacturers, with a nod towards ease of use. Designed with an emphasis on quality and simplicity, each plug-in has a clean interface with only the most essential knobs and switches. With the V.I.P. Series, dialing in a great sound has never been easier: Simply load the plug-in and turn a knob for instant sonic satisfaction. Installing and authorizing DontCrack plug-ins has also been made incredibly easy for end users to move forward with what they have to do.

On the Mac, the V.I.P. Series plug-ins require OS X 10.5.8, 10.6 or 10.7 Lion, an Intel processor and a compatible AU, VST or RTAS (Pro Tools) host. 32-bit and 64-bit are supported. No iLok or eLicenser dongle are required.

Each V.I.P. Series plug-in is $49 individually, or $489* for the entire “V.I.P. Bundle” collection. Trial downloads are available. If you prefer purchasing plug-ins one at a time, DontCrack will upgrade you to the entire V.I.P. Bundle for free as soon as you accumulate 10 plug-ins. Once you have purchased or upgraded to V.I.P. Bundle status, all subsequent plug-ins released for the V.I.P. Series will be free of charge. The DontCrack V.I.P. bundle is expected to expand to over 40 plug-ins next year.

* To celebrate the release, DontCrack is making the V.I.P. bundle available for only $299 until Monday, 10 October 2011.

http://store.dontcrack.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=72

Voxengo is very happy to announce the release of Drumformer, a multiband drum and master track dynamics processing plug-in. Drumformer is designed to be a comprehensive solution for the broadest range of sound processing tasks, allowing you to easily implement almost any dynamics processing idea you may have.

Drumformer can operate in broadband, 2-band and 3-band modes, with each band having compressor-expander and saturation modules. The sound of the compressor can be defined as “gluey with a ping”, because it instantly creates a “tight and glued together” sound while masterfully emphasizing the transients. The saturation module offers you a choice between six saturation modes, each having a smooth sound and differing harmonic content.

Drumformer features a precise gate module with a round sound and multifaceted controls that is useful when you are processing a multi-tracked drum kit. The built-in parametric equalizer with its spectrum analyzer will also come in handy. The “Clipper” module which is a part of the plug-in allows you to get artistic master output clipping effects.

Drumformer features:

• Broadband, 2- and 3-band operation
• 3-band compressor/expander
• 3-band saturation module with 6 modes
• Broadband gate module
• Parametric equalizer
• Output clipper module
• External side-chain capability
• Real-time FFT spectrum analyzer
• Stereo and multi-channel processing
• Internal channel routing
• Channel grouping
• Mid/side processing
• Up to 8x oversampling
• 64-bit floating point processing
• Preset manager
• Undo/redo history
• A/B comparisons
• Contextual hint messages
• All sample rates support
• 16 ms compensated processing latency

Drumformer is available in Audio Unit and VST plug-in formats (including native 64-bit support). The Mac version requires OS X 10.5 or later, an Intel 2 GHz dual-core or faster processor and at least 1 GB of available RAM.

An introductory price of $79.95 will be effective until September 28, which is 20% off the regular price of $99.95.

http://www.voxengo.com/product/drumformer/

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ is an award-winning mastering EQ, named as the “Gear of the Decade” by Future Music magazine. The bx_digital V2 EQ offers three modes — M/S Mastering, M/S Recording, and L/R Stereo — with a unique “SixPack” Master Section, 11-band EQ with Shifter EQs to 22 kHz, and built-in M/S De-Esser, Dynamic EQ, and extensive metering options. An included bx_digital V2 Mono plug-in provides the same Mastering EQ-quality sound for mixing applications. For many engineers, this incredibly smooth-sounding processor is simply the ultimate software equalizer.

The SPL Vitalizer MK2-T is an authentic emulation of the popular tube-based Vitalizer hardware unit, a longtime staple of top mixing and post-production engineers. Offering a patented technology for greater perceived loudness and clarity without unnatural artifacts, the Vitalizer provides independent Bass and Mid-Hi processing that works in both the time and frequency domains to effectively unmask overlapping sounds. As both a fixative and an enhancement tool, the Vitalizer MK2-T is a mixing must-have.

These new UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins are noteworthy both in their unique sonic capabilities, as well as their being developed in their entirety for the UAD-2 platform by the software engineers at SPL and Brainworx — two of the audio industry’s most respected brands — as part of a new UAD-2 SDK (software development kit).

“With the opening of the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform to select Direct Developers, we wanted to start with partners that would deliver exceptional results. That meant turning to our friends at SPL and Brainworx,” commented Matt Ward, president of Universal Audio. “The SPL Vitalizer and the Brainworx bx_digital V2 have already proven themselves as standout mixing tools on Mac and PC. Now they are available to UAD-2 DSP Accelerator owners, offering a way to offload processing power for running more tracks and virtual instruments on the host computer.”

“We’re extremely pleased to see the new UAD software version being released and featuring our first SPL & BX plug-ins for the UAD-2 community,” says Dirk Ulrich, CEO of Brainworx and head of SPL Software. “We spent many months developing the SDK with UA, and it´s been a lot of work and a lot of fun at the same time. Now it´s time for UAD-2 users to rock the new SPL & BX tools UA is offering them with this new release. Enjoy!”

The Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ and SPL Vitalizer MK2-T plug-ins are now available as part of the new UAD Software v6.0 release, which includes the new Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In, as well as significant improvements to Pro Tools and support for Mac OS X Lion.

Available for purchase via UA’s Online Store, the Brainworx bx_digital V2 EQ sells for $329.00, and the SPL Vitalizer MK2-T sells for $249.00.

http://www.uaudio.com/store/equalizers/brainworx-bx-digital.html

http://www.uaudio.com/spl-vitalizer-mk2-t.html

Native Instruments has released two new products that expand its recently established range of GUITAR RIG-based studio effects. The new SOLID MIX SERIES emulates the distinctive EQ and dynamics sections of one of the most revered mixing consoles of all time, while TRANSIENT MASTER recreates a popular hardware processor that provides highly efficient transient processing.

Based on sophisticated component modeling, the SOLID MIX SERIES recreates the essential components of a classic mixing desk whose sonic signature has shaped popular music. The series consists of three individual modules that provide the tools to create a polished and professional-sounding mix. “Solid EQ” emulates the legendary equalizer section of the console with its 4 parametric bands as well as the adjustable low-cut and high-cut filters, which allows for especially musical and transparent sound shaping of all signal types. Switchable EQ types also offer the selection between two distinctive generations of the original hardware with their specific sound characteristics.

“Solid Bus Comp” is an authentic emulation of the sought-after bus compressor, renowned for the way that it “glues” mixes together and singlehandedly creates a “finished” studio production sound. Taking advantage of the new features of the GUITAR RIG 5 generation, it also provides a sidechain input as well as a dry/wet control for parallel compression. As the third component, “Solid Dynamics” provides a combined dynamics section with stereo compressor, expander and gate that lends itself to the precise dynamics processing of individual tracks.

TRANSIENT MASTER is inspired by a highly popular modern studio processor, and provides a unique and especially efficient method to treat drums and percussive instrument sounds by directly reshaping the envelope of the signal. Through the “Attack” and “Sustain” parameters of the software, TRANSIENT MASTER can both add natural punch and definition, or blend individual instruments further back into the mix, without any of the sonic artifacts associated with regular compression methods.

Both products can used be used with the free GUITAR RIG PLAYER software, or expand the arsenal of the upcoming new GUITAR RIG 5. On the Mac, GUITAR RIG PLAYER requires OS X 10.6 (latest update), an Intel Core Duo processor and 2 GB of RAM. It can run stand-alone or as an AU, VST or RTAS plug-in.

The SOLID MIX SERIES is available for $229 / €199, with the individual components available for $119 / €99 each. TRANSIENT MASTER is $119 / €99. Both products are also included in the new KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE, with TRANSIENT MASTER also being included in the new KOMPLETE 8.

www.native-instruments.com/solidmixseries

www.native-instruments.com/transientmaster

Kuassa, Inc. has introduced Kratos Maximizer, a new mastering grade look-ahead brickwall limiter and loudness maximizer AU/VST plug-in. Kratos Maximizer on your master channel promises to summon that loud, commercial-quality release sound out of your mix without squashing or artifacts.

Kratos Maximizer offers easy control over the loudness level via the main Maximize knob. Demanding users can go deeper, tweaking Texture, Release, Knee, and Ceiling for greater loudness while retaining the original color and dynamics of your mix.

Features

• 5 available parameters: Maximize, Texture, Release, Knee, and Ceiling
• Preset Management with 12 preset slots
• Mono and Stereo applicable
• Supports up to 96 kHz sample rate
• Compact and straightforward user interface

On the Mac, Kratos Maximizer requires OS X 10.4 or later, a PowerPC or Intel processor and a compatible VST or AU host.

Kratos Maximizer is available via direct download from Kuassa for $69.95. During the month of August, Kuassa is offering a 20% discount on all purchases, bringing the price down to $54.95. A free demo download is also available.

www.kuassa.com/products/kratos-maximizer

“At Yamaha and K’s LAB, we apply very strict circuitry modeling if required. This way we can choose how to emulate the sound and tonality of each hardware unit accordingly,” comments Toshifumi Kunimoto, general manager of the Corporate Research & Development Center at Yamaha Corp. “We invest lengths of time to obtain the right sound.”

The RND Portico 5033 is a five-band equalizer with three full parametric filters and one band each of high and low-shelving filters. Whether applied to a single instrument track, the drum bus or the entire mix, the Portico 5033 plug-in will add sonic finesse to your recordings.

The RND Portico 5043 plug-in is a high-end compressor featuring two entirely different characteristics, feed-forward and feed-back. By incorporating the punch, warmth and clarity of its hardware counterpart, this plug-in provides uncompromising compression quality for various applications.

On the Mac, the RND Portico plug-ins require OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6 (32-bit or 64-bit), an Intel Core processor (Intel Core Duo recommended), 1 GB of available RAM, 50 MB of free hard-disk space, a compatible VST 3 or AU host application, a USB-eLicenser (not included), USB port for USB-eLicenser, and an Internet connection for license activation and registration.

The RND Portico 5033/5043 bundle is available at retailers worldwide, and via direct download from Steinberg online for $799.99. RND Portico 5033 and RND Portico 5043 may also be purchased individually for $499.99 each. Free trial versions come with the same range of functionality as the full versions and may be used without limitations for 30 days.

www.steinberg.net/en/products/vst/rnd_portico_plug_ins/rnd_portico_plugins_start.html