Online retailer audioMIDI has begun a new sale I really love called the “No Brainer” series. They offer some carefully-selected instruments and effects for prices like $5, $15, or $20. These aren’t clearance bin deals, either; they’re some of the best plug-ins on the market, in either full versions or slightly stripped-down (but fully-functional) editions. audioMIDI has exclusively released details of the deals they’ll offer Monday to CDM, and among them is the wonderful XILS 3 – a virtual instrument with the matrix editing of the classic EMS synthesizers.

Expiring

First, you have until midnight 11/30 to grab AAS’ fantastic modeled virtual analog, Ultra Analog, for $15 (instead of around $200). Ableton has their own version of this instrument called Analog, but if you’re using other hosts (or you don’t have Live Suite and want to save some cash), this is a great option.

AAS Ultra Analog VA-1 for $15

In today’s over-saturated virtual instrument market there are plenty of powerful samplers out there vying for the attention (and green) of your average music software consumer. This is much more apparent on the PC end of things where there are dozens upon dozens of alternatives both in plug-in (Kontakt, HALion, DirectWave, etc) and standalone (Gigasampler, Reason’s NN-XT, etc.) forms. It’s tough for a small company to really stand out amongst such strong competition. One such company that has been trying to make a name for itself is Vember Audio, makers of the powerful Surge synthesizer and Shortcircuit sampler. Their design philosophy bucks the current market trends in virtual instruments by delivering quality products designed around the needs of sound designers rather than preset users in much the same way as Native Instruments circa 2001. Their interfaces are logical, but stripped of much of the flash that the big names have (no 3D rendered hardware-style “pots” here). Instead of focusing on huge libraries of sounds, they deliver great platforms for users to create their own sounds from scratch.

Now their sleeper hit sampler Shortcircuit is being released for FREE!

Details after the jump.

If you haven’t spent every last penny you own on the latest playourwiibox, your strength hasn’t been taken away from coma-inducing leftovers and you’re in the mood for some jaw-dropping music tech bargains, well just read on dear CDMers because we have the best sales to help you start your new year of music-making off right.

If you've been waiting to download a free copy of Mackie's incredible audio/MIDI application Tracktion discussed here on CDM,
do it now: Tracktion is available free only until 12/31. After that,
you're limited to downloading a demo version that introduces white
noise after 2 weeks of use. (The free version is fully functional
forever.) Mackie will show version 2.0 of Tracktion at the NAMM
conference late in January; we'll have more details of the new version
then.

Tracktion Free Offer Download (Mac/Win)

Many are disappointed by the announcement of Reason 3.0; it's an
evolutionary release that still lacks key features like audio recording
in an otherwise fantastic program. But on the upside, Propellerhead is
pricing Reason and upgrade low enough that it's a great time to pick up
the program or upgrade.

According to Propellerhead's 3.0 FAQ,
Reason 2.5's price has been reduced by the upgrade price difference — making it US$129 / EUR 99 cheaper. Not excited by what's
new in 3.0? Pick up 2.5 at a lower price and pocket the difference. Further evidence of the
value of this app for sample lovers: the long parade of free ReFill packs continues, with today's release of a free REX pack from Doctor Filter — Back Bone Beatz.

In other words, love it or hate it, don't expect this app to go away any time soon.

Related:

Reason 3 Announced: Full Details


Reason 3 Beta; First Device Revealed