Native Instruments has announced Traktor Kontrol X1, a MIDI DJ controller due in February 2010. NI has been rumored to be developing a MIDI DJ controller for the last couple of years, and the X1 appears to be the fruit of their labors.

Traktor Kontrol X1 allows DJs to control loop, cue, effect, track selection and transport functions of their system. The unit accommodates the two most common digital DJing paradigms, a DVS (Digital Vinyl System) consisting of a hardware mixer, turntables or CD decks, as well as a self-contained controller for DJs who play beat-gridded tracks with the Traktor software and mix externally. Two X1 units can also easily be combined into a four-deck setup that controls all decks and effect units of Traktor Pro.

The functionality and layout of Traktor Kontrol X1 was carefully engineered and fine-tuned based on extensive artist feedback and usability testing in order to combine a versatile feature set with maximum ease of use. The unit is equipped with precise and durable high-quality buttons, knobs and encoders, complemented by dynamic colored backlighting for additional visual feedback. NI claims the X1 integrates with the Traktor software through a dedicated high-resolution protocol, resulting in a level of precision and responsiveness beyond what regular MIDI-based controllers can provide, and allowing for true plug-and-play operation with no setup or specific configuration required.

Traktor Kontrol X1 has been specifically designed for heavy-duty usage in performance environments. Its compact casing is both robust and lightweight for high portability, and the special vertical form factor makes the unit fit seamlessly within a typical club setup. The optional high-quality carrying bag for the X1 doubles as a versatile stand that conveniently raises the controller surface to match the height of typical DJ mixers.

The Traktor Kontrol X1 can be used to efficiently control any MIDI-compatible DVS, DJ software or music performance application. The optional MIDI mode of the controller can be engaged on the fly via a dedicated button on the unit. The X1 also comes with a carefully designed set of parameter assignments for the Serato Scratch Live system, matching the relevant features of the software to the controller in an ideal way without any individual setup effort. A special Serato Scratch Live overlay for the X1 is also available.

Traktor Kontrol X1 also ships with Traktor LE, a basic version of the Traktor Pro software that provides two decks with essential looping, effects and mixing features, turning X1 into a complete entry-level solution for digital DJing.

The Future: The 800 lbs. Gorilla in the room — is this too little, too late? Based on this initial press release, one can’t help but ask “why did it take this long to develop this controller? There doesn’t seem to be anything truly groundbreaking here, even if it is rock solid, with excellent build-quality and a higher resolution protocol. Many industry watchers were expecting more…

Native Instruments’ Traktor Kontrol X1 will be available in February 2010 for $229 / €199. The carrying bag / stand for Traktor Kontrol X1 will be available for a substantial $49 / €39. More information on Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1.

Spectrasonics has released Trilian Total Bass Module, a new virtual instrument dedicated to all types of Bass sounds – Acoustic, Electric and Synth.

Spectrasonics claims Trilian has been designed from the ground up to be the most versatile bass virtual instrument available today with a new level of expressive, real-time performance for acoustic and electric basses – plus cutting-edge synth bass tones with powerful editing and extraordinary sound quality. Trilian is the successor to Spectrasonics’ award-winning Trilogy bass instrument, with the new instrument offering a deeper control of musical expression and much greater flexibility of sound shaping.

Trilian’s 34GB library is 10-times the size of Trilogy and features all new acoustic, electric and synth basses. With its comprehensive design, Trilian brings many different types of bass together into one extraordinary-sounding virtual instrument.

Powered by next generation STEAM Engine technology, Trilian is the first instrument to feature core library integration with Spectrasonics flagship Omnisphere(r) synthesizer – allowing Trilian’s sounds to be used within the Omnisphere environment for further sound design and keyboard/bass splits.

Spectrasonics’ Trilian costs $299 / €229 and is available now. More information on Spectrasonics Trillian.

Focusrite has announced Scarlett, a professional plug-in suite based on the famed “Red” line of dynamic processors. The collection claims to provide “the definitive collection of compression, gating, EQ, and reverb plug-ins for tracking and mixing.”

Each Focusrite plug-in has a host of fast and easy-to-use presets, providing a great starting point for processing everything from vocals and guitars to synth bass and percussion. In addition, every plug-in parameter can be finely tuned to achieve the desired sound. So for preset users and perfectionists alike, Scarlett is destined to become the new ‘go-to’ plug-in.

Features:
» Unmatched Sonic Quality:
From the team behind the Forté Suite and the famous Focusrite hardware line. Focusrite has provided that final polish and shine to thousands of hit records over the last two decades.
» Faithful Recreation Of Classic Compressors & Gates:
Modeled on original ear-tuned hardware optical compressors, exclusive to Focusrite, Scarlett’s dynamics modules deliver that authentic 1960s Opto sound.
» Multi-modes Enable Creative Gating Techniques:
The Gate can operate in stereo mode and, in different dual mono configurations, one signal can be used to trigger the gate of another. Ideal for tightening up a bass line, for example.
» Classic Focusrite EQ Curves & Controls:
Scarlett uses the same Focusrite six-band EQ approach as the Red 2 and ISA EQs, with filters, parametric mids and shelving, all modeled to offer an authentic response across the entire audible frequency spectrum.
» Professional Reverb With Concise Controls:
Based on classic algorithmic studio reverb designs, this reverb delivers a remarkable level of sonic quality for your recording projects. Easy to use controls get you to the ideal reverb sound in seconds.
» Stunning GUI With Life-like Port-hole VU Meters:
Scarlett features a red anodized aluminum look, extremely detailed metering and other visual elements from Focusrite’s illustrious recording history, making Scarlett look as good as it sounds.

The Scarlett from Focusrite plug-in suite is now available for $99 and comes in the VST, AU and RTAS flavors for both Mac and PC. More information on theFocusrite Scarlett plug-in suite.

Syntheway has released Virtual Sitar, a new VST instrument for Windows designed to emulate an Indian Sitar.

Features:
» Mastered sitar samples recorded with special equipment in a low noise environment. Full length sustain, no loops (natural decay).
» Includes 18 predefined sounds.
» Optimized CPU and memory usage.
» ADSR envelope generator with Attack, Sustain, Decay and Release parameters and several modulation targets.
» Multiple-Mode Filter: The values are automatically computed when you select any of the filter types. Filter switch includes: LP (Low pass), BP (Band pass), HP (High pass), notch, peak, low pass and high pass shelving filter with adjustable cutoff and bandwidth.
» Variable room simulation – Reverb effect can control the “room ambience”
» MIDI Automation: Added complete MIDI CC#. The following MIDI Continuous Controllers (MIDI CC) messages are recognized and affect the described parameters:

Syntheway’s Virtual Sitar for Windows is available now for $25.90. More information on the Syntheway Virtual Sitar.

Elysia has announced the mpressor plug-in, an emulation of their creative compressor. Elysia enlisted the engineers from brainworx to model the mpressor’s discrete circuitry and its special character for their first plug-in. The result is a universal compressor, as well as a dynamics effect machine, which will reportedly enhance the potentials of your sequencer.

The plugin has all the great functions of the hardware which can be combined in many ways: Auto Fast for attack makes life easy even on longer attack settings. The Anti Log function offers an alternative release curve that can be engaged for instant pumping effects. In addition to standard ratios, the mpressor also provides negative values. Combine this with its extremely fast attack times, and you will be able to create completely new signal envelopes.

Features:
» True Emulation: The compression behavior and the sound character of the hardware have been recreated in a complex process to match the hardware as close as possible.
» Oversampling: In order to achieve the best results also on lower sample rates, the mpressor plugin uses an increased internal resolution in these cases.
» Mousewheel Support: Setting parameters with the mouse can be pretty annoying – for this reason the controllers of the mpressor can be easily moved with the mouse wheel.
» Auto Fast: Originally developed for the alpha compressor, this switchable semi automation ensures a perfect attack on the basis of the value set by the user.
» Anti Log: This alternative characteristic of the release curve follows an antilogarithmic course instead of the linear one and produces a much more audible result.
» Negative Ratios: The characteristic curve bends and goes back down! Heavy pumping, backward sounds, etc. – perfect for very cool compression effects.
» Audio Filter: The mpressor plugin of course also features another popular function of the hardware version: the easy yet very flexible Niveau Filter.
» External Sidechain: You want to create frequency dependent compression or have it accented by the groove? The sidechain function makes it all possible!
» Gain Reduction Limiter: This novel limiter is not placed in the audio path as usually, but restricts the virtual control voltage of the plug-in instead.

The Gain Reduction Limiter regulates the virtual control voltage and keeps even the most extreme settings under control – completely independent from the threshold and ratio settings. The additional filter is a perfect fit for changing the compressed signal in its sound character. The possibility to control the mpressor by an external sidechain to get things grooving makes for further flexibility.

The mpressor will be released in November in the RTAS, VST and AU formats with a TDM version following in December. No pricing has been announced. More information on the Elysia mpressor plug-in.

Thermionic Culture has released Little Bustard, their second valve-summing-mixer which has been designed to complement the Fat Bustard by increasing the number of inputs channels. However, the new 19″ 2u Little Bustard can be used independently by itself as a stand alone mixer.

Features include 16 input channels arranged as 6x stereo pairs with fixed gain at unity level with on/off switches, 4x mono inputs with mute switches and pan pots which can be defeated by another switch adding an extra 6dB of gain. The master output section has independent left right 31 position output indented pots with a gain range from 17db to +2db.

The valve stages use a pair of ECC83/12AX7 on the gain stage, and a pair of PC86s for the output stage. The master section will also have a simple output level indicator. To create a monster-summing mixer, The Little Bustard’s outputs can be plugged into the Fat Bustard’s AUX inputs increasing the number of channels to 28.

More information on the Thermionic Culture Little Bustard.