The Manley Massive Passive EQ Powered Plug-In features include 2-channel, 4-band, passive, tube EQ emulation plug-in, both standard and mastering versions; and filter curves, band interdependencies, distortion and hysteretic behavior all represented in one plug-in.

Using validated sound-therapy techniques applied to dynamic tinnitus tracking, iTinnitus Solutions can improve the degree of perceived tinnitus.

This free app is specially designed for guitarists, singers, pianists and other musicians for managing, storing and sharing songs and musical accompaniments. Users can play, carry and share all of their music scores on their iPhone or iPod touch.

With Setlist Monkey, musicians and bands keep track of their repertoire. The app allows musicians and bands to build setlists from their songs.

Conceived and designed as a virtual embodiment of a Steinway CD 327 grand, Eighty Eight (PC/Mac)was recorded within the same acoustic confines as the company's Symphonic Collection, using the same recording philosophy of the simplest signal chain with the highest-quality A/D converters and mic pre?s.

This sample collection features more than 380 MB of content, including 330 samples, 300 loops and 30 ready-to-play patches for Reason NNXT, HaLion, Kontakt, EXS and SFZ samplers.

The KC-110 stereo keyboard amplifier that features AA battery-powered operation and stereo sound.

E-mu Systems is now shipping its LONGboard 61 (pictured) and SHORTboard 49. These new 61-note or 49-note USB/MIDI controller keyboards offer 128-voice polyphony and high-quality effects.?

This new vintage studio mic features the same original design as the V47 in a flask shape with built-in shock-mounting system and swivel mount. It has double-diaphragm capsule that is created using JZ-patented Golden Drops sputtering technology.

This new Kontakt Player?based instrument for movie, TV and game composers was developed with sound design house Heavyocity and powered by the Kontakt engine.

TC Electronic?s PolyTune polyphonic guitar tuner allows the user to tune all strings simultaneously. Simply strum and PolyTune will tell you which strings need tuning.

Developed with Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys, this new software re-creates her personal Yamaha "C3 Neo" grand piano and is based on Native Instruments' Kontakt 4 sampler platform. The instrument was meticulously recorded in Keys' personal studio by her engineer, Ann Mincieli, and sampling expert Thomas Scarbee during the course of two years, using vintage microphones and high-end outboard studio gear.

Now shipping, AmpliTube 3 features more than 160 gear models (with nearly 100 added models); 51 Stompbox effects, 31 amps, 46 cabinets, 15 studio mics and 17 rack effects; 30 brand-new models; 70 re-worked models from packages like AmpliTube Metal? and AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix?; a new collection of bass gear models; can be directly expanded with packages like AmpliTube Fender?, Ampeg® SVX? and future packages; and new preset-management and keyword system to organize and quickly recall the library of included and custom preset tones.

Peavey is offering a free Sanpera I MIDI foot controller for a limited time to U.S. customers who purchase a Vypyr 75 or Vypyr 10 modeling guitar amplifiers. Customers who purchase a new Peavey Vypyr 75 or Vypyr 100 combo amplifier from an authorized Peavey retailer between March 1 and June 30, 2010, can qualify to receive a free Sanpera I foot controller (a $129.99 value) by rebate.

Mixcraft 5 adds video scoring and numerous features, including an updated look and feel. Its performance has been optimized to ensure smooth playback with low-latency audio drivers. With Mixcraft 5?s new Video Scoring and Editing features, users can arrange and edit videos, and add music and new audio.

Version 1.2 features full 64-bit cross-platform support for these virtual instruments. The Omnisphere update features more than 200 new Omnisphere patches for more than 7,000 total sounds in the factory library. Version 1.2 includes new features and enhancements to the Spectrasonics STEAM Engine

This free iPhone app turns an Apple iPhone or iPod Touch into a wireless remote control of the "Live Mode" of Spectrasonics' software synthesizer Omnisphere. Omni Live uses the iPhone's touchscreen, allowing multi-touch, wireless remote sound selection of the Omnisphere plug-in on the user's computer. Users can download the free Omni Live app from Apple's App store directly from their iPhone or iPod Touch.

This virtual instrument gives total control of 16 physically modeled drums. Each drum can be routed to independent output for external effects processing. Drumaxx includes 130 drum kits, 900 drum patches, 200 drum patterns, and not a single sample in sight.

This new set of software instruments provides highly expressive and authentic renditions of the most legendary electric pianos for use in Kontakt 4 and the free Kontakt Player. Based on the Scarbee sample libraries, Scarbee Vintage Keys features electric pianos from the '60s and '70s, dubbed Mark I, A-200, Clavinet and Pianet, all based on carefully recorded 24-bit sample material.

The price for the MR816X and MR816CSX advanced intergration DSP studio FireWire interfaces has been lowered by $300 on each model. While the products have experienced remarkable success since their introduction in 2008, an increase in efficiency of production allows Steinberg now to adjust the pricing accordingly and pass the benefit on to its valued customers.

Read EM Interview With Emile Haynie About his Music Production and Projects

Registered SONAR 8.5 Producer, SONAR 8.5 Studio and V-Studio 700 (pictured) customers can download the SONAR 8.5.3 AudioSnap Update for free.

The Wi-Tune chromatic tuner uses Korg's Wireless Tuning System? for cable- and patch-free use during performance. The unit comprises a transmitter module and the tuner.

Focal Professional CMS 65 Studio Monitors reviewed by EM author Rob Shrock in EM March 2010 issue

Metric Halo 2d and MIO Console 5 Audio Interface and Card reviewed by EM writer Eli Crews in EM March 2010 issue

Vir2 Instruments World Impact: Global Percussion Sound Library reviewed by EM author Marty Cutler in EM March 2010 issue

Nathaniel Kunkel Writes About Why The Music Business is Financially Challenged

Alan Parsons? Art and Science of Sound Recording now offers a series of new sections, available for streaming and digital download.  

Jupiter-8, includes such improvements as a preset navigation system called SoundMap; the bility to use NRPN MIDI messages for automation; presets now respond to modulation wheel; a fresh batch of presets made by a selection of top sound designers; MIDI RPN "pitch bend range" message is now recognized; increase of overall volume; new e-licenser (old Syncrosoft) copy protection; and numerous bug fixes.

Developed with legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer, Waves has re-created two essential elements of the recording chain at London?s acclaimed Olympic Studios?the vintage Helios console channel and Pye compressor.

All current users of Synthogy products will be able to upgrade to the Ivory II versions at the following prices: Ivory Grand Pianos Upgrade, $89; Ivory Italian Grand Upgrade, $45; and Ivory Upright Pianos Upgrade, $79. All Ivory II products are scheduled for release in May 2010.

It all starts with a love for music?and John Kusiak, owner of Kusiak Music is no exception. He began his foray into the music world as a performer, playing in rock and jazz bands. Gradually, he transitioned to being on the other side of the glass as a recording engineer.

Based on the release of Pro Tools 8, which contains six new virtual instruments and 20 new effects, this Berkleemusic course, taught by David Franz, will teach students how to play these new instruments: what each parameter in each instrument and effect can do, how they work in concert with each other, how to design sounds based on those parameters, how to be more creative with the effects and instruments in Pro Tools, and how to improve the overall sound of your musical productions.

The Clavinet add-on is modeled after the well-known D6 electric clavichord. Thanks to the powerful technology provided by physical modelling, it offers a sustain pedal, an extended range from C0 to C6 (original range F0 to E5), a variable mute bar, continuous pick-up mixing, and Pianoteq?s possibilities to adjust the timbre such as hammer hardness, overtones and resonator. There is also a wah-wah feature and customized equalizer presets.

Rain Computers' LiveBook series of mobile audio workstations are now on display at more than 200 Best Buy locations as part of the retailer's new DJ experience. The LiveBook and LiveBook Zephyr, combined with DJ software and hardware from Native Instruments, Numark and Stanton, represent the needs of the modern DJ. Also connected to LiveBook is the new generation of digital DJ mixers and turntables by Stanton and Numark. Pricing starts at $1,199.

With 1,373 exhibitors and a respectable 87,569 registrants, the Winter NAMM show clearly indicated a surge in market enthusiasm?both M.I. and pro. The overall vibe at the show was gratitude that 2009 is over, and with everyone ready to move forward with new ideas, new technologies and new optimism, there were plenty of interesting new products. Here, listed alphabetically, are the Certified Hits?the Top-20 products at NAMM, selected by the editors of Mix.

The Nord Classics addition to the Nord Sample Library contains more than 370 samples with classic Nord sounds, from the original Nord Lead 2X, Nord Lead 3 and Nord Modular G2X. All the samples in the library are available for free to Nord users.

Overloud's product range is now available as native 64-bit plug-ins and stand-alone applications for Windows PC. The upgrade is available for Breverb (pictured), TH1 and TH1 Triode, and is free for all registered users.

CD Review of BT These Hopeful Machines Album

The Horizon plug-in bundle gathers more than 50 of Waves? plug-ins.

The battery-powered, self-contained Sound on Sound (SOS) unlimited track recorder contains a high-quality stereo microphone and a built-in speaker for all-in-one recording and monitoring.

Big Al was developed using the latest Vocaloid 2 software from Yamaha. Users can type in words or lyrics, select a melody and hear the results "sung" back. Included tools and effects allow for improvement or manipulation of the results. Big Al can sing up to 16 times simultaneously.

With the release of new drivers for the FireBox, FP10, FirePod, and Inspire 1394 recording interfaces, all currently available PreSonus recording interfaces are now fully compatible with Windows 7. (These devices are class-compliant with Mac OS X so they work on a Mac without a driver.)

The String Studio VS-1 Version 1.1.2 update for Mac OS X and Windows is a maintenance update containing the following changes: authorization now works with non-admin user accounts; fixed browser focus crash on Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard; fixed drag-and-drop in Logic 9 but now have a separate Edit window

Notion SLE is a special version of the company's Notion 3 scoring software that is customized for Vienna Symphonic Library?s orchestral collections the Vienna Special Edition and the Special Edition Plus. NOTION SLE features presets created for Vienna Instruments, Vienna Ensemble and Vienna Ensemble PRO that automatically handle all articulation changes in the background.

Now available, Traktor Kontrol X1 is a performance controller that gives DJs hands-on control over vital aspects of their performance. It can control any other MIDI-compatible DJ software on the market, as well as providing control over loop, cue, effect, track selection and transport functions.

Vampire Weekend interviewed by EM Editor Mike Levine About Audio Production for Contra 2010 Album

Sound libraries buyers guide in EM February 2010 issue

If you saw Mike and Jared Bell at a party, you could easily tell them apart. Mike has shaggy hair and is the techno whiz. He's an Ableton master, raised on Radiohead and Boards of Canada, who records spoons clanking on metal bowls just for fun. Jared is the creative master and songwriter with close-cropped hair who devises the song structures. Together they form Lymbyc Systym, an instrumental rock

Avant Electronics Avantone BV-1 Microphone reviewed by EM author Eli Crews in EM February 2010 issue