ARTURIA

Cross-platform compatibility is not the only new feature in Arturia's Storm version 1.5 (Mac/Win, $199; upgrade from versions 1.0 and 1.1, free). The soft synth has improved performance and takes a smaller toll on the CPU.

Storm supports ASIO drivers and provides improved VST compatibility, and its redesigned user interface has a menu bar. Storm's 20 software synth modules have redesigned filters. Arturia; tel. 33-43-802-0555; Web www.arturia.com.

SOUND QUEST

AMIDI and digital-audio programming environment for Windows computers, Infinity 2.0 (Win, $499; upgrade, $149) lets you build your own virtual synthesizers. It supports DirectX Instruments (DXi), VST, DirectX 8.0, and MFX.

Synths designed with Infinity offer Panel, Patch, and Tree views. Panel view displays the synth's user interface. All panel controls send native VST, MFX, or DXi automation events. Alternatively, the controls can send your MIDI messages to external devices to automate them.

Patch view shows the synth's architecture so you can design an instrument or processor. You can include knob, fader, switch, envelope generator (EG), and oscilloscope controls, and also customize your instruments using bitmapped skins.

In Tree view, the signal flow of your device is organized in folders. Clicking on the filter folder, for example, opens up the filter and its associated modulation routings in the Patch View window.

The package includes a large assortment of ready-to-use soft synths, organs, drum kits, and audio processors. You also get more than 140 macros for common synth and processor components, such as EGs, compressors, and mixers. Infinity 2.0 bundles the new Infinity Player, a standalone freeware program for using Infinity-authored synths and effects without a host program. Infinity 2.0 requires a Pentium ll/200 MHz computer with 32 MB of RAM and Windows 95, 98, or ME. Windows NT 4.0 or 2000 users need 64 MB of RAM. Sound Quest Inc.; tel. (800) 667-3998 or (250) 478-4337; e-mail sales@squest.com; Web www.squest.com.

DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE

Simultaneous playback of a VST Instrument and AIFF files or real-time audio input are among the new features in VSTi Host 3.0 (Mac, $35; upgrade from version 2.0, $10). The program supports ASIO-compliant hardware, allows you to record audio output to AIFF files, and lets you route audio in real time through four VST effects. The redesigned user interface features a virtual MIDI keyboard and online help.

VSTi Host 3.0 requires a PPC/604e/180 MHz, Mac OS 8.1, and enough RAM to run plug-ins. Running a sequencer host application will increase RAM requirements. Defective Software; email dan@defectiverecords.com; Web www.defectiverecords.com.

IZ TECHNOLOGY

With the release of version 3.1 software, the Radar 24 hard-disk recorder can save files to UDF-formatted DVD-RAM media. You can choose Broadcast Wave or WAV file formats. The software is a free download from the iZ Technology Web site.

A Mac or Windows computer that is equipped with a DVD-RAM or DVD-ROM drive will let you drag and drop files authored on the Radar 24 into native digital-audio programs. The software upgrade includes support for Ethernet file transfers between Radar 24 units. iZ Technology; tel. (604) 430-5818; Web www.izcorp.com or www.recordingtheworld.com.

BIAS

Version 3.0 of Deck VST (Mac, $399) adds support for VST plug-ins, ASIO drivers, and Tascam's US-428 for automated mixing. The program has an updated user interface and offers 64 simultaneous tracks of recording and playback and as many as 999 virtual tracks.

Deck VST 3.0 ships with more than 25 VST plug-ins. One, Waves AudioTrack, gives you parametric/graphic EQ and dynamics processing. Upgrading from Deck 2.7 is free; from OSC Deck, it's $199 and from Macromedia Deck ll, $149. Deck VST 3.0 requires a PPC/604e/266 MHz, 32 MB of RAM, OS 8.0, QuickTime 3.0, and Sound Manager 3.2.1. BIAS; tel. (800) 775-BIAS or (707) 782-1866; e-mail sales@bias-inc.com; Web www.bias-inc.com.