API (www.apiaudio.com)
A recognized leader in the world of analog consoles and outboard gear, API has been building classic, time-tested signal processors for more than 40 years. With this new partnership, UA will be able to bring software emulations of coveted API products to UAD-2 platform users on Mac and PC.

Thermionic Culture (www.thermionicculture.com)
Manufactured and designed in the UK, Thermionic Culture is squarely focused on providing meticulously crafted, all-tube audio gear. With this new partnership, UA will be able to bring Thermionic Culture’s analog philosophy and distinctive sound to more engineers and producers worldwide.

"We're thrilled to welcome our new partners to the UA family," says Matt Ward, President of Universal Audio. "The legendary API signal processors and high-quality boutique products of Thermionic Culture both have something unique to offer UAD customers. We're looking forward to the products that develop from these partnerships."

UNIVERSAL AUDIO PARTNERS WITH MANLEY LABS TO UNLEASH MASSIVE PASSIVE EQ PLUG-INS FOR UAD-2 IN Q1 2010

— Emulations of Coveted Manley Labs Massive Passive EQs Coming Soon
to UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins Platform on Mac or PC —

Universal Audio, a manufacturer of high-quality audio hardware and award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-ins for Mac and PC, today announced the impending release of the highly anticipated Manley Labs Massive Passive EQ plug-ins in Q1 2010.

Working with Manley Labs, Universal Audio’s Massive Passive EQ plug-ins represent the most ambitious EQ modeling project to date, bringing UAD-2 users both the standard and mastering versions of this world-renowned hardware EQ. Specifically, the two-channel, four-band Manley Massive Passive EQ utilizes design strengths from choice console, graphic, parametric and Pultec EQs — delivering a fundamentally different type of EQ that’s beyond compare. The Massive Passive’s natural treatment of a signal lends itself to both radical tonal shaping as well as delicate vocal shading or subtle mastering enhancement.

“The Massive Passive is truly the ultimate in mastering grade EQs. It sounds warm without ever being dull; it stays precise while remaining highly musical,” offered UAD Powered Plug-Ins Product Manager, Will Shanks.

The Manley Massive Passive EQ plug-ins will be available for download directly from Universal Audio’s online store.

Fusing vintage and modern, complexity and ease of use, Echo Trip presents new standards in the echo domain! Whether you are after the perfect emulation of vintage tape-echo machines, or you need new exciting audio spices- take a ride with Echo Trip and you just might fall in love!

Accurate emulation of classic echo units
Whenever you wish to capture the magic of a vintage tape-echo unit, imperfection is the name of the game! Echo Trip reproduces the sonic qualities and artifacts generated by tapes, tubes, and mechanics for the most accurate emulation of any echo machine that has ever been created!

Among the classic echo units that were investigated during the development process, you can find Space Echo, Echoplex, Oil Can, Memory Man and many others. Each nuance of these enchanting machines was carefully learned and implemented, and even the distinct noise that each unit produces, was integrated within Echo Trip for the most authentic analog sound and feel!

Features:
-Choose from 50 echo sounds, including space echo, echoplex, oil can, and others
-Accurate emulation of vintage classic echo units
-Produces a wide variety of cutting-edge innovative effects
-Independent control over the echo timing and echo sound
-Set your echo groove by adjusting shuffle and accent
-Ultra mode for an easy creation of complex echo patterns
-Countless sound shaping options and modulation paths
-Reversed and slowed down delays
-Echo ducking effect helps your echoes blend with your mix
-Midi learn for manipulating parameters in real-time
-Superb sound quality
-Support for sampling rates of up to 192 kHz

http://www.v-plugs.com/echo_trip_vst_effect.htm

from the McDSP site:

McDSP has turned up the notch of dynamic range processing once again. Building on the entire award winning McDSP compression algorithm code base, the 6030 Ultimate Compressor adds new sonic capabilities, stunning new user interfaces and a collection of new designs mixed with unique twists on vintage emulations. The 6030 Ultimate Compressor will be available in May of 2010 (pricing TBD). The 6030 Ultimate Compressor will also be added to the Emerald Pack bundle, available to Emerald Pack 4 customers as an upgrade (pricing TBD).

2010 Winter NAMM Show at booth #6405

Universal Audio's UAD DSP Manley Massive Passive plug-in nearing completion!
Just though you guys wanted a little update about this topic. We will begin beta testing the new Massive Passive plug-in soon. Target release date is 1st QTR 2010.

The sound of ME80 will remind you of an acoustic instument. It sounds synthetic, but has the expression of a real instrument. You can shape the tone with aftertouch like you would do on a brass instrument. The velocity feels very alive with a seperate velocity-envelope that took 1 year to develop. Different velocities will have totally different envelope shape. If you want arpeggiators on this synth you do not deserve to play it. The instrument takes practice to master, like a real instrument. Polyphonic aftertouch is supported, but you can select "last played" mode for the aftertouch, and you will have fake polyphonic response from your mono aftertouch keyboard.

Price is 40 dollar.

http://memorymoon.com/me80.htm