Virtual Instruments

This is a quick look at iZotope’s new iDrum (App Store link) drum machine app for the iPhone.
In addition to running on the iPhone, iDrum is available as a standalone application, or as a plug-in for use within VST, Audio Unit, MAS, and RTAS host applications.

SimpleSynth is exactly what you’d think it would be, a no-frills Mac software synth designed for when you just want to play without the hassle of firing up and configuring your favorite sequencing software.
It’s got a complete general MIDI instrument set built in, and it can load Soundfonts and DLS files.
Don’t plan on doing any [...]

DSK Music has released SaxophoneZ, a freeware sax virtual instrument for Windows PC.
Features:

3 types of saxophone: Soprano, Alto & Tenor.
Velocity response.
Amp. envelope and micro-detuner.
HP/LP Filter.
2 Fx (reverb & chorus).

Propellerhead has announced three new software bundles

Reason Premium Edition
Studio Combo
Rhythm Combo

The bundles will roll out in early August in Europe and later in the month in North America.
Reason Premium Edition
The Reason Premium Edition includes a full version of Reason, bundled together with the four complete Hypersampled ReFills—Reason Drum Kits, Reason Pianos, Abbey Road Keyboards and [...]

We ran an item earlier today about LinPlug SaxLab 2, and already the sax jokes are coming in.
Virtual instruments definitely have their place, though, and this demo by Geoff Levin, Lin’s Theme, gives you a taste of what SaxLab can do.
“I have been impressed with Linplug synths and their sample based plug-ins for years,” says [...]

LinPlug has released the SaxLab 2 Saxophone Synthesizer for Mac OSX. The PC version has been available since late June of this year.
SaxLab uses a mixture of various synthesis techniques to obtain create a realistic sax sound.
The main features of SaxLab 2 are:

High-Quality Soundsets for bass, baritone, tenor, alto and soprano saxophone.
Monophonic with real [...]

DSK has released a new free virtual instrument for Windows, DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ.
Features:

4 acoustic guitar type
Amp. envelope and fine tunning
Stereo spread and portamento
3 Fx (flanger, delay & chorus)
Velocity response

Ableton has announced that Ableton Live 7 is now available to use free for 14 days.
This is a nice opportunity to test drive Live 7, if you haven’t already, or to check out the new Ableton instruments.
To try out the demo, download the trial version, and submit your email via the online form. Ableton will [...]