New Gear Alert: Focusrite Scarlett Preamps with Compression, New Sounds by RZA and Steve Aoki, Vibey FET Compression and More

Focusrite announces Scarlett OctoPre and OctoPre Dynamic.

The sleek new look of the next generation of the Scarlett line by Focusrite.

The new Scarlett OctoPre provides eight Scarlett mic preamps with up to 192kHz conversion and ADAT connectivity; Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic adds analog compression and 8 channels of D-A conversion. Both OctoPres provide phantom power throughout and accurate 5-segment LED metering. The OctoPre offers a pad on every channel and front panel, high headroom instrument inputs. The OctoPre Dynamic comes with optimized headroom, capable of handling the same input levels as the standard OctoPre, plus analog, soft-knee compression on every channel.

PSP Audioware introduces the vintage-inspired FETpressor plug-in.

Get instant vintage vibes with the new FETpressor by PSP Audioware.

Designed to provide accurate, almost instant compression with lots of character, FETpressor is best suited for vocals, guitars, bass, drums, and whenever a classic 1970’s-style FET compressor is needed. The plug-in contains everything you’d expect from a FET compressor: an internal sidechain high pass filter to control the amount of low frequency pumping, a smoothly adjustable compression ratio, the ability to select which channel to process, and a link switch. This compressor also contains a dry signal blend for parallel compression. Additionally, PSP FETpressor contains a makeup amplifier and output transformer emulations to add subtle character even when set to a 1:1 ratio.

FETpressor is available at a special introductory price of $79 until January 8th ($99 reg).

Software developers XILS-lab announce the PolyKB III soft synth.

XILS-lab pays homage to the sought-after sounds of the RSF Polykobol II synth with the third incarnation of their PolyKB soft synth: The PolyKB III.

PolyKB III is the third software reincarnation of the ultra-rare RSF Polykobol II — an analog French programmable polysynth. The soft synth captures the sound and spirit of the original model, including its most revolutionary feature: aliasing-free, continuously morphing VCOs (Voltage-Controlled Oscillators). PolyKB III programmers have instant access to hundreds of different analog-modelled waveforms — from triangle to pulse, through to sawtooth — via its flexible, free-running (VCO1, VCO2, VCO3) oscillators.

PolyKB III is available for an introductory price of €119.00 until January 21st (€159.00 reg). Owners of the original PolyKB or PolyKB II can upgrade to PolyKB III for an introductory price of €25.00 until January 21st (€39.00 reg).

ROLI launches soundpacks from Steve Aoki, RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, and more.

Fans of RZA and Steve Aoki rejoice — now you can inject their signature sounds into your productions via ROLI’s forward-thinking music creation devices.

Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and EDM superstar Steve Aoki have distilled their signature sounds in custom-made soundpacks that are now available to anyone making music on BLOCKS and NOISE, ROLI’s award-winning music creation system. Music makers can now explore a huge range of sounds with the Neon Future by Steve Aoki soundpack, Spoonful of Grit by RZA soundpack, and seven other soundpacks that ROLI offers, including Giant Dubstep, World Colours, Video Games, and Expressive Electronic. The Soundpacks are collections of synth sounds, drum kits, and groove kits.

For those who don’t know, ROLI BLOCKS and NOISE is a new modular music creation system that lets anyone shape music through easy-to-learn gestures on powerful devices that connect together.

RZA’s Spoonful of Grit (3 Drum Kits, 13 presets) is available for $6.99, £4.99. Steve Aoki’s Neon Future (16 presets) is available for $6.99, £4.99.

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