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Panda Audio has introduced the Future Impact V4, an updated version of their bass/guitar synth pedal.

The Future Impact is an example of Internet forums actually being a force for good.

The Future Impact began life back in late 2014, when enthusiastic members of the Talkbass.com forum tracked down Andras Szalay to ask him if he’d be able to reissue the discontinued Deep Impact, which he had designed for Akai in the 1990s. Szalay agreed, but with more ambitious plans: the Future Impact was developed not as a reissue, but as an entirely new and vastly-improved synthesizer and effects pedal.

The Future Impact V4 features a completely new hardware and software platform.

Here’s what’s new:

• Latest 32-bit ultra-high quality A/D and D/A converters;
• New, app-based loading system expands the digital hardware with new apps;
• Vastly advanced pitch tracking, based on 30+ years of experience;
• CV/Gate output to drive analog synthesizers with guitars;
• Hard Sync between oscillators to open new sonic worlds;
• Sturdier knobs from metal provides longer life cycle;
• On-pedal edits can be saved into program memories;
• Total compatibility with all previous Future Impact patches.

Panda says that the Future Impact has been used by Bootsy Collins, Chris Wolstenholme (Muse), Doug Wimbish (Living Colour), Mohini Dey and others.

Future Impact V4 is available now, with an intro price of €299 price (normally €359).

Audio plugin developer Spectral Devices has announced that they has ceased operations and made its three plugins available as free to download:

“After careful consideration and deliberation, we have made the difficult decision to cease our company operations. This decision was not made lightly, but we believe it is the best course of action for the future of our organization.

However, we are pleased to announce that we will be making our software available for free downloading to our loyal clients and users. We understand the impact that our tools and products have had on your operations, and we want to ensure that you continue to have access to them even after our closure.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our clients for your support, feedback, and loyalty over the years. It has been an honor serving you, and we are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together.”

The three plugins available as free downloads at their website:

• Spacer – a modular creative effects station. Spacer has five effects modules which can be linked in any order, but are also designed to work as independent processing stations in their own right. S
• Pancz – an audio plugin equipped with a powerful multiband transient shaper, clipping tool, precise waveform analyzer and additional tone manipulation effects.
• OCS-45 – Simulate real life cassette tapes and add a lo-fi, vintage feel to your sound.

The first (now free) plugin is Spacer, which is a multi-effect with five modules – Reverb, Convolution, Grain Reverb, Delay and Grain Delay – which you can place in any order. You can use them independently or in combination and the plugin is, Spectral says, especially good for creating “dreamlike overtones, shifting soundscapes or contemporary ambiences”.

It was the most expensive plugin in Spectral’s range, originally retailing for $119.

Pancz is a multiband transient shaper with a UI that displays your audio and lets you shape its impact. It includes a limiter, and other controls allow you to add presence and air. This one originally sold for $75.

Finally, Spectral OCS-45 is a cassette emulation plugin that lets you choose from four tape types (Ferric, Chromium, Ferrichrome, Metal). You also get four Noise models, five distortion types and 80 presets in a very decent plugin that originally retailed for just $15.

All three plugins (worth over $200) can be downloaded after you sign up for the Spectral Plugins newsletter here. We wish the developers well and thank them for their generosity.

Audiotonix has announced the STEAM powered DJ mixer kit, as part of a new educational initiative.

Designed to engage the next generation of engineers, the self-assembly mixer provides students with new engineering and technology skills and provides schools and education groups with a practical project based on real world audio technology.

“The idea behind STEAM is simple,” states James Gordon, CEO of Audiotonix. “Our brands, and many of our partners and customers too, are struggling to bring new talent into our industry. If we want continued success then it’s our collective responsibility to help develop the next generation of engineers, starting whilst they are at school. To build more interest in engineering and help develop these core STEM skills, we have created a kit-based, USB powered, 2-channel DJ audio mixer that students can build and assemble themselves or as a team”.

The STEAM mixer itself is comprised of three printed circuit boards (PCB’s), with individual through-hole components that need to be soldered in place. The mixer can be assembled with the supplied metalwork to make the finished, professional grade, DJ mixer.

As its USB 2.0 (USB B) powered, STEAM is safe to build and easy to use in any location and jurisdiction. With dedicated instructions and video content on how to build and use, students will gain an understanding of how the different technical elements work together to create a product they can use to develop their creative skills too.

STEAM DJ mixer kits are available at £299.95 plus local tax.