The charmingly simple M-Tron of yore was probably a more accurate representation of the tape-sampling keyboards it emulated: it sounded great, but had limited functionality and could be, at times, slightly testy and unreliable. Well no more, M-Audio and GForce have announced M-Tron Pro, which gets hip to the demands of modern music and adds synth-like functionality to a newly expanded sonic palette.

The new M-Tron Pro is supported by a library of over 3.5 GB of sounds. That means 45 tape banks not found in the original M-Tron. Pro also features over 700 new patches designed by recording profe4ssionals, touring artists and M-Tron enthusiasts worldwide.

The top-notch, Abbey Road mastered sound isn't the end-all-be-all of the M-Tron Pro, however. A whole new layer of sophistication has been added to this virtual instrument by adding synth-like control over the tape-based waveforms. Some of the upgraded sound manipulation features include:

• Dual layer and split keyboard operation.
• Programmable MIDI CC response via MIDI Learn.
• Controllable via MIDI controllers such as the M-Audio Axiom and Oxygen models.
• 29 parameters per layer including synth parameters:
  • Vintage-style ensemble and delay effects.
  • Low-pass, band-pass and high-pass resonant filter section.
  • Tape reverse.
  • Tape half speed.

M-Tron Pro will support multiple file formats on both Windows (standalone, RTAS and VST) and Mac OS X (standalone, RTAS, AU and VST). If you can't wait to get your hands on M-Tron Pro, well, you're just going to have to. . .until Monday! You will be able to order it via GForce's website for $199 US on October 27th.