M-Audio Unveils The GForce Virtual String Machine

Virtual String Machine (Click for a close-up)

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M-Audio, a leading manufacturer of creative tools for computer-centric musicians, is proud to announce the new Virtual String Machine software instrument developed by partner GForce. This virtual instrument brings the evocative tones of over a dozen of the finest vintage string synthesizers to today's Macs and PCs.

The Virtual String Machine brings back string synthesizers both ubiquitous and rare, including emulations of the Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30 and more. These are the same instruments that changed the face of music in the hands of Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, The Cure, Parliament, Herbie Hancock, Air, Joy Division, Jean Michel Jarre, Thomas Dolby, Genesis, Lonnie Liston Smith and many others. More recently, these vintage sounds have seen resurgence with artists like Kasabian and Goldfrapp.

M-Audio development partner GForce created the Virtual String Machine using techniques that have garnered critical acclaim from reviewers, artists and even the original instrument inventors. As such, it follows in the footsteps of GForce's popular Minimonsta:Melohman, The Oddity, impOSCar and M-Tron. Users of the Virtual String Machine will find the same attention to detail and accuracy in every aspect of this incredible creative instrument. For example, the software manifests in over 60 different Sample Sets spanning the many different settings of these venerable instruments—over 3,200 meticulous samples in all.

Far more than a preset device, the Virtual String Machine does not stop at simply emulating the best string machines of all time. It allows users to layer any two Sample Sets and apply synthesizer parameters to each layer—creating different envelopes, filter settings, pitch LFO, pan positions, fine-tune amounts and more. The master output stage then provides a vintage-style phaser and/or ensemble to the final patch. While fully programmable, this exciting software instrument also ships with over 500 factory presets.

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The Virtual String Machine can function as a stand-alone instrument in conjunction with a MIDI control. It is also a plug-in compatible with most popular host applications including Pro Tools LE™, Pro Tools|HD®, Pro Tools M-Powered™, Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, SONAR, Digital Performer, and ACID. Compatible formats include VST 2.0 (Mac/PC including VSTi), RTAS (Mac/PC) and Audio Units (Mac).

The Virtual String Machine is expected to ship in early 2007 and carries an MSRP of $149.95 US.

For more information, visit their web site at www.m-audio.com.