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For computer-based musicians on a budget seeking portability and power without sacrificing keyboard feel and function, the microKEY is an ideal way to create a compact and customized MIDI command center.

Unlike its competitors, the microKEY features a built-in two-port hub to connect other controllers, computer peripherals or Korg nanoSERIES controllers for added flexibility and control of all the users’ software. Free editing software and a number of included software bundle licenses and discount coupons make the microKEY even more cost effective.

microKEY features

• USB MIDI keyboard – thin, lightweight, and USB-powered.
• 37 velocity-sensitive mini keys.
• Comfortable and easy-to-play Natural Touch keyboard.
• Octave Shift and Key Transpose features access the full MIDI note range.
• Pitch Bend and Modulation wheels add expression to your performance.
• Dual USB ports are ideal for adding Korg’s nanoPAD or nanoKONTROL (or other USB devices) to your setup.

Price: The microKEY will be available in November 2010.

Visit: Korg

SyS Audioresearch has announced the release of n0t0mizor, a free MIDI Note Randomizer VST instrument plug-in for Windows.

n0t0mizor provides a stable and reliable solution to receive MIDI data inside a VST compatible host/wrapper; processes (randomize) the pitch of the notes inside the MIDI data stream according to user defined parameters, and then passes the MIDI data stream, including the processed note information, on to a MIDI-out channel for further usage, in- or outside the VST host. All other parameters are unaffected by n0t0miz0r (timing, velocity, note length, aftertouch etc. will be passed through untouched).

Usage
n0t0miz0r was created to provide a simple and fast solution for generating infinitely randomized output,
regarding the pitch of a given note. This is quite handy if you do not have a faulty sequencer or an analog
modular synthesizer with a sequencer option at hand. For ’80s-style electronic dance basslines for example,
unpredictable randomness is mandatory. If you press a key on your MIDI keyboard or program a sequence
and send a note to n0t0miz0r, you are ready to start the randomizing.

n0t0miz0r is available as a free VST plug-in for Windows PC.

Visit: SyS Audioresearch

The Focusrite Saffire PRO 14 is an 8 in / 6 out FireWire audio interface designed for the modern home studio environment. An unparalleled preamp legacy forms the foundation, with two award-winning Focusrite preamps.

Legendary sonic performance and both digital and analogue I/O combine with Focusrite’s established MixControl software to deliver seamless integration, excellent routing flexibility and rock-solid driver stability.

Saffire PRO 14 key features

• Two high-quality award-winning Focusrite preamps — The best sounding interface in its class. Focusrite’s 25-year legacy forms the foundation of this new interface, with two award-winning preamps.
• High-quality 24-bit/96kHz FireWire interface — Features professional conversion and JetPLL™ jitter elimination technology, guaranteeing pristine audio quality and reliable synchronization.
• Total I/O count of 8 inputs and 6 outputs — A host of I/O options are provided, including a unique Loopback facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire MixControl.
• Saffire MixControl ultra-low-latency DSP mixer/router — Provides an 18 x 6 DSP mixer with excellent routing flexibility, intuitive one-click configurations, and lower than 1.4ms latency (less than the time it takes sound to travel two feet through air!).
• Focusrite VST/AU Plug-in Suite, for use in the mix — Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.
• Xcite+ Software Bundle — Featuring a host of royalty-free loops and samples, a full-fledged soft-synth and Ableton Live Lite 8, providing an affordable upgrade path to Ableton Live.

Price: USD 299.99 MSRP (249.99 street)

Visit: Focusrite

MeldaProduction has released version 3.02 of MDrummer, a virtual drum instrument for Windows and Mac.

New version adds many effects to the MDrummer engine, improves several features and much more.

Changes in MDrummer v3.02

• Added 6 new effects – MTransient, MChorus, MDistortion, MHarmonizer, MConvolution, MUtility.
• MDrummer is now VST3 compatible.
• 12 new MSynthesizer 4NN templates for various drums and percussion.
• Advanced processing for every signal shape editor.
• Added ping-pong mode, offset, input/feedback filter for MDelay.
• Added 3 processing modes for MWaveShaper.
• Random component selection in drumset designer.
• Added hand-clap drum type.
• All envelope points can now be locked.
• Filled help on equalizer band editor.
• Added tap feature for tempo.
• Click protection for frequency modulation in MSynthesizer 4NN.
• Added single output version.
• Added input MIDI transpose.
• Added output MIDI channel by drum channel feature.
• Added preliminary MIDI out for AU.
• Fix: Synchronization with songs with changing signature.
• Fix: Compatibility with Digital performer.
• Fix: Installer wasn’t working on some Mac OS X and Windows 7 systems.
• Fix: GUI updating on Mac.
• Fix: Effect 1 drum type didn’t have any assigned MIDI key.
• Fix: Help windows occasionally failed to detect size properly.
• Fix: Envelopes had invalid dB units.
• Fix: SF2 and NKI import wasn’t working correctly.
• Fix: Pitch-bend processing range.
• Fix: Mac OS X implementation ignored spacebar key.
• Fix: Color window copy & paste.
• Fix: Import of MIDI files with aftertouch.
• Fix: Triggering of long breaks for certain rhythms processed through double-tempo feature.
• Fix: Multiple outputs were crashing on some hosts.

Price: MDrummer Large is available to purchase for PC and Mac (VST/AU) for 119 EUR. A free Small version can be downloaded from the MeldaProduction website.

Visit: MeldaProduction

Artifact comes packed with things you would normally want to avoid in the studio: digital aliasing, clock glitches, control ‘voltage’ waveshaping, sysex errors and mis-quantized samples.

The sound designers at Puremagnetik have harnessed these anomalies in a controlled environment and reprogrammed them in a more musical context for Ableton Live 8, Kontakt 3 and Logic 8/9.

Artifact is organized into 6 playable kits complete with macro controls for Ableton Live and a custom Kontakt GUI. In addition, Artifact includes a generous collection of looped MIDI clips (the Kontakt version uses Apple Loops).

Artifact features

• 6 kits packed with digital malfunctions
• Multi-sampled library with advanced DAW integration
• A collection of expertly programmed clips
• High quality 24 bit 96khz audio samples
• Custom Ableton Racks, Kontakt KSP GUI and Logic Channel Strips

Price: Artifact is available to Puremagnetik subscribers for Ableton Live 8.1.3, Kontakt 3.5 or Logic 8 (subscriptions start at $5.75/month).

Visit: Puremagnetik

Anvil Studio is a multi-track program for recording, composing, editing, and mixing of music using MIDI, digital audio, and sampled percussions.

With the free version, you can create an unlimited number of MIDI tracks, and a one-minute audio track.

Visit: anvilstudio.com