Yamaha has updated their 01V96V2 and 02R96V2 Digital Mixing Consoles by adding a host of pre-installed VCM effects.

Previously available as add-on effect packages for their digital consoles, Yamaha’s VCM Channel Strip processors and REV-X reverb are now standard features on the 01V96VCM. These effects are based on innovative Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology that actually models the original analog circuitry right down to the last resistor and capacitor.

The new 02R96VCM is the 02R96 Version 2 plus an array of processing technologies that provide all-new production power with no need to patch in external processors. Included are recreations of classic compression and EQ units from the 70’s, simulations of several legendary analog open-reel tape decks, a complete suite of REV-X reverb effects, a high-quality surround post-production package, and even a selection of vintage stomp boxes.

The new Yamaha 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM models are now available at select Yamaha dealers. Customers who purchased an 01V96V2 or 02R96V2 from January 1, 2008 are eligible to receive a free update CD. More information on the Yamaha 01V96VCM and 02R96VCM.

MoReVoX has released ELEKTROMORPH 2, a drum sample library. Divided into Massive Path Sounds and Creative Path Sounds, MoReVoX ELEKTROMORPH 2 has been recorded with unique top quality signal paths to create individual sound coloring, then hyper-edited in both analog and digital domains.

Developed by Sabino Cannone, Elektromoph 2 gives you several ways to create drums tracks: deep and punchy digital sounds, warm and dirty-valve analog sounds, dry impact drums, explosive roomy wide hits, massive pure natural sounds, classic MoReVoX creative sounds, and more, for a total of 820 samples and 118 Instruments (24bit).

Features:
» 30 Kicks
» 40 Snares
» 6 Toms Racks
» 6 Sidesticks
» 36 Cymbals

MoReVoX claims all of MoReVoX ELEKTROMORPH 2’s samples have been created with their own defined character, and are made to be simply dropped right into a project, no dynamic or EQ processing is needed. Formats Supported: DRUMAGOG, DRUMREHAB, BATTERY 3, and RAW WAV.

MoReVoX’s ELEKTROMORPH 2 is available now on DVD for $199 or via Digital Download for $189. More information on MoReVoX’s ELEKTROMORPH 2.

CODE, a new high-definition audio format developed by T-Bone Burnett and a team of audio engineers, will make its commercial debut on John Mellencamp’s upcoming album, “Life, Death, Love and Freedom.”

T Bone Burnett, who also produced the Mellencamp album, claims that the CODE technology creates high-definition audio files that are virtually indistinguishable from the original masters.

To address possible compatibility issues, “Life, Death, Love and Freedom” due July 15 via Hear Music, will be packaged as a two-disc set, with the standard edition of the album on CD and the CODE version of the album on DVD. The set will be priced as if it were a single-disc package. “Life” will be available at Starbucks locations in the U.S. and Canada as well as at traditional retail outlets.

Algoriddim, a German company, has updated their djay mixing software for Mac OS X to version 2.1. The new version claims to be the first DJing application to feature scratching and mixing using the trackpad built into Mac notebooks. With multi-finger trackpad gestures, users can scratch songs, apply effects, and crossfade just as you would on a real turntable and mixer.

“This is a big breakthrough,” says Karim Morsy, CEO of algoriddim. “Our technology recreates the feeling of vinyl records on any Mac notebook, without the requirement for additional hardware. For the first time, intuitive finger motions make it possible for anyone to mix and scratch their music.”

A variety of actions can be performed using multi-finger gestures. Sliding two fingers horizontally operates djay’s crossfader, perfectly matching the motion used to control traditional mixers. Moving two fingers up and down scratches the record just like on a turntable, perfectly in sync with the hand motion. Even advanced features like scrubbing, pitch-bend, and speed adjustment can be performed using finger gestures in combination with keystrokes.

Features:
» Recording (compressed AAC, or CD-quality AIFF)
» Song History (export as playlist to iTunes or as PDF file)
» Automix
» Collaborative mixing over LAN (Bonjour) network
» Live Undo/Redo
» Over 50 keyboard shortcuts
» Multi-lingual: English, German, French, Japanese
» Built-in help tool
» Scriptable with AppleScript
» Supports all major audio formats: MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV, Audio-CD, and more
» Supports DRM protected songs from the iTunes Music Store
» Extracts audio from various video formats (DV, QuickTime, and more)
» Drag and Drop support for files stored on external hard drives or memory sticks
» Audio Effects:
— Speed Change (with adjustable slider range +-10% to +-75%)
— Pitch Shifting (+-1 octave)
— Time-Stretching
— Reverb
— Echo
— Reverse Playback
— Pitch-Bend
— Scratching
— Backspinning
— Seeking
— Scrubbing
— Adjustable start/stop latency of turntable (0 – 5 seconds)
» Audio Unit Effects:
— Multiband Compresser, Dynamics Processor, Bandwidth Filters, Low Pass, High Pass, Parametric EQ, and more
» Audio Tools
— Visual needle drop and scratching
— Automatic Transitions: Backspin, Echo, Reverse, Brake or Random
— Looping (savable loop region for each song)
— Cue points (savable for each song)
— Manual BPM tap (savable for each song) and Beat Sync

The two-finger gestures are supported on all Mac notebooks featuring two-finger scrolling, making the feature available to most users with iBook, PowerBook, MacBook or MacBook Pro computers. Users of the MacBook Air and the latest MacBook Pro can use additional three-finger gestures to backspin the record or perform djay’s built-in song transitions.

djay can integrates with a iTunes library, allowing the user to mix their digital music collection with its dual-turntable interface. In djay’s Automix mode, music can be automatically mixed using DJ-style transitions. Users can perform live, record their mixes, and even send them over the Bonjour network to other connected djays in real-time.

Algoriddim’s djay 2.1 is available now for $50 / €40. A demo version is available. More information on djay 2.1.

Gemini has announced the MM-4000, a new budget, rack-mounted DJ FX mixer. The unit comes equipped with four 1/4″ mic channel inputs (unbalanced), one balanced XLR master microphone input, plus a rotary control FX Selector with Dry/Wet rotary control that lets you choose between 16 built-in effect choices such as room reverbs, chorus, flange and delays.

In addition to the mic inputs and FX, the MM-4000 has an assignable user replaceable RailGlide cross fader, balanced XLR master output and master, zone and record RCA outputs.

No official pricing or availability has been announced, but it’s expected to sell for around $200. More information on the Gemini MM-4000.

sE Electronics International has announced that it is partnering with Rupert Neve to launch a Neve signature series microphone line.

The first of several mics being readied for production in the sE series will be an active ribbon mic featuring discrete circuits and purpose-designed transformers by Mr. Neve. The capsule and manufacturing are being controlled by sE, whilst Mr. Neve is handling the electronics and transformer. Following the release of the sE and Mr. Neve ribbon will be a large-diaphragm tube mic, and a solid-state condenser. The first three mics will share a common look which both gives a nod to ‘retro’ whilst moving forward with sE’s modernistic “industrial chic.”

“Recent developments in the way that humans perceive sound are demanding significant advances both in performance and the philosophy of audio processing,” says Neve. “That which was ‘good enough’ for light-hearted amusement fails to satisfy the thoughtful listener–in fact, deficient sound quality has been shown to result in frustration, even anger. The experienced listener is aware of incredibly small sound pressure levels that in many cases are beyond the conventional range of hearing.

“I have worked for some time on the designs for a new range of microphones–the concepts of which are actually already being implemented in our own Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Console–namely utilizing discrete single-sided circuits and my custom designed transformers,” Neve adds. “This new approach to analog sound processing needs extreme care in its manufacture and meticulous alignment of the embedded discrete op amps and the delicate microphone elements.”

More information on the Rupert Neve Series Microphones for sE Electronics.

BBE Sound Inc. and Nomad Factory have released a plug-in version of the BBE D82 Sonic Maximizer. Both concerns collaborated in the development and design, the high-resolution Plug-in, which features revised code to support more platforms including Mac OS X, PC, VST, AU and RTAS.

The D82 Sonic Maximizer Plug-In allows unlimited user-definable presets andrealtime preset changes. It’s like having a rack full of the 882i units at your command for processing multiple tracks. The D82 Sonic Maximzeer Plug-In can add brilliance, depth, detail, and definition to your music in audio software applications that accept AU, VST and/or RTAS plug-ins, from multi-track recording to sampling to remixing. The D82 Sonic Maximizer plugin is identical to the physical unit it terms of utility and processing.

Features:
» High quality signal processing algorithms
» Stereo Low Contour control (0 to 10)
» Stereo Process control (0 to 10)
» Output Level control variable from -12dB to +12dB
» Bypass control (BBE Process)
» Full Automation for all parameters PC and Mac OS X
» Easy-to-use modern interface.
» Windows XP / Vista32 and Mac OS X (Intel & PPC) supported
» VST, AU and RTAS supported
» 24 bit / 192 kHz supported

Nomad Factory’s BBE D82 Sonic Maximizer costs $129 and is available now. More information on the BBE D82 Sonic Maximizer plug-in.

Brian Eno and David Byrne are hard at work on a new album. The new endeavor is their first collaboration since “My Life In The Bush of Ghosts” in 1981, and are said to have a gospel meets electronic vibe.

Abdolhadi Mirhejazi, a Dubai-based inventor, understands horsepower - one horsepower to be exact. Mirhejazi developed a vehicle that’s basically an enclosed horse treadmill. With an intricate gearing system, the vehicle can meander along averaging 12 mph with a claimed top speed of 50 mph.

As fuel efficient as this vehicle may be, Mirhejazi unfortunately, can’t claim “zero emissions.”

More information on One Horsepower.

If MicroMusic is your thing, then you may be interested in bLO-FIsh, a lo-fi synth from Opulent Audio. bLO-FIsh, a VST instrument plug-in for Windows, models an 8 bit sound chip and utilizes traditional analog synth controls for modulation. The three-oscillator bLO-FIsh’s gritty sonic signature is well-suited for producers who want an 8-bit sound on the darker side.

Breakdown:
Generators:
» 3 Wave Oscillators with Sine, Saw, Ramp, Triangle, Square and two different widths of Pulse waves
» Audio rate is switchable between standard 16 bit/44 kHz and 8 bit/22 kHz LO-FI mode
» Graphic amplitude ADSRs and volume controls
» Output routing to one filter, both filters, or no filter
» Hard sync feedback loop

Filters:
» 2 Parallel SV Filters with Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass and Band Reject modes
» Graphic ADSRs routable to cutoff, resonance, or both. Knobs to control amount of envelope applied
» Pan and volume controls

Effects section:
» Basic distortion
» Reverb with normal, gated and freeze modes

Modulation devices:
» 2 Tempo-synced LFOs with wave mod options (shaping, folding)
» 1 Free-tempo LFO, 2 Graphic ADSRs (modulation also from velocity, aftertouch and mod wheel)
» 16 step tempo sync gate that mixes independently with all 3 oscillators
» 6 slot modulation matrix with 8 sources and 63 targets

Additional Features:
» Designed to be quick and easy to use
» Incredibly ugly, too big, color-by-numbers interface
» Most parameters are controllable via MIDI
» Monophonic or 8 voice polyphonic operation with retrigger and portamento/glide
» Small to medium CPU hit, depending on system and patch used
» PDF manual

If you’re a graphic designer, and like what Opulent has to offer, then you might want to offer your services to the concern, since bLO-FIsh is graphically-challenged.

Opulent Audio’s bLO-FIsh will set you back only $8 bucks and is available now. The price includes all future updates, as well as preset banks. A 14-day fully-functioning free trial is available for download. More information on Opulent Audio bLO-FIsh.