FXpansion Audio Releases DR-008 Drum Sampler/Synthesizer

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FXpansion Audio has announced the immediate availability of the DR-008 Modular Drum Sampler / Synthesizer for PC.

DR-008 is an modular drum machine compatible with VST2 and DXi-enabled host applications such as SONAR, Cubase VST, Logic Audio, Fruity Loops and Orion Pro. Its combination of sampling and synthesis in a single drum machine is entirely unique in the software world, and its powerful feature set makes it, quite literally, "the only drum machine your virtual studio will ever need".

DR-008 can be used either as a "drum sound module", or as a true drum machine with pattern sequencing sync'able to your host sequencer. 32-bit internal processing and support for sample rates to 96KHz and beyond result in excellent sound quality.

Features include:

• 96 Channels
• Modular architecture
• Four sampler modules
• Ten synthesizer algorithms
• Six MIDI-processing performance modules
• Pattern sequencing
• Multimode resonant filters
• Loop modulation
• 128-way Velocity Switching
• Multiple Outputs (in compatible host applications)
• Loads files in WAV, AIFF, LM-4, DR-005 format (up to 32-bit depth)
• Eight assignable exclusion groups
• Eight programmable macro-mutes
• Two aux sends per channel
• Full MIDI automation
• Third-party support from SmartElectronix, MDA and more

Because DR-008 is an open, modular design, the feature set can be extended by adding further modules from FXpansion or third parties. Planned modules include enhanced sequencers, "vintage-sound" samplers and much more. The SDK (software development kit) is a free download, and allows anyone with some prior knowledge of C++ to develop new sound generator modules, import filters, etc.

DR-008 costs $149.00, and comes with a collection of sounds, both sampled and modelled. A demo will be available in the next few weeks; the manual (Adobe PDF format) is also available for free download.

The DR-008 can be ordered online and delivered electronically within 24 hours.

For more information, visit their web site at www.fxpansion.com.