The newest version of Solid State Logic Duende -- version three -- adds more channels of Dunede processing power to your computer setup. . . maybe. See, you're computer's gotta be up to the challenge, says a taunting SSL press release. "Customers with computers utilizing older, or lower powered, processors will not be able to run Duende V3 software or the new generation of SSL plug-ins."

The reason for this seemingly cold statement is the change in Duende's processing architecture in version 3. Utilizing what they're calling Hybrid Core Processing, Duende V3 ups the maximum number of potential channels to 64 for Duende Mini and 128 for Duende PCIe by leaning on your computer's processor. Seems sorta counter-intuitive to the whole concept of outboard plugin processing, but just think of it as "sharing the burden." Besides, the upgrade is a free download, so if your CPU can hack it (Intel Mac or Intel Core2 or equivalent for PCs, minimum), that's a whole lot more processing power for no money. Well, ok, the upgrade to the V3 driver is free, but if you want the actual channels, that'll cost you; $119 and $229 to max out the Mini and PCIe, respectively.

The free driver upgrade also comes with a free demo of the new SSL X-Verb plugin, an effect that makes use of the new Hybrid Core processing, and is one of the new "four-slot" effect plugins from SSL. The X-Verb, says SSL, "is not a Convolution Reverb based on impulse responses, but a true Reverberation Generator based on unique SSL algorithms." These algorithms help X-Verb achieve performance closer to that of dedicated hardware reverbs, rather than a plugin, they claim. X-Verb features a cool little function called "Morph" that allows seamless, MIDI-controllable cross-fading from one reverb preset to another. Other features include:

• 4 Core Algorithms create a complete collection of processors
• Quick Controls Panel to easily alter the 200 superb Presets
• Stunning Graphical User Interface to access detailed parameter set
• Uses 4 Duende Slots per Stereo Instance

The full-version of X-Verb will be available next month for $375 US, exclusively from the Solid State Logic store.