2007 Winter NAMM Show: M-Audio announced the new Virtual String Machine software instrument developed by partner GForce. The new virtual instrument brings the sounds of over a dozen vintage string synthesizers to today’s Macs and PCs.

GForce could have called this the “G-String”…..but they must have thought that “Virtual String Machine” just sounded a lot more exciting.

The Virtual String Machine features emulations of the Freeman String Symphonizer, Eminent 310, ARP Omni II, ARP Quartet, Crumar Multiman, Polymoog, Elka Rhapsody, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody, Eminent Solina, Roland RS202, Yamaha SS30 and more. The original instruments have been used by the likes of Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, The Cure, Parliament, Herbie Hancock, Air, Joy Division, Jean Michel Jarre, Thomas Dolby, Genesis, Lonnie Liston Smith and others. More recently, these vintage sounds have seen resurgence with artists like Kasabian and Goldfrapp.

The Virtual String Machine does not stop at emulating string machines, though. It also allows users to layer any two Sample Sets and apply synthesizer parameters to each layer—creating different envelopes, filter settings, pitch LFO, pan positions, fine-tune amounts and more. The master output stage then provides a vintage-style phaser and/or ensemble to the final patch. While fully programmable, this exciting software instrument also ships with over 500 factory presets.

The Virtual String Machine can function as a stand-alone instrument in conjunction with a MIDI control keyboard. It is also a plug-in compatible with most popular host applications including Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools M-Powered, Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, SONAR, Digital Performer, and ACID. Compatible formats include VST 2.0 (Mac/PC including VSTi), RTAS (Mac/PC) and Audio Units (Mac).

The Virtual String Machine is expected to ship in early 2007 and carries an MSRP of $149.95 US.