Bitshift Audio have announced the release of pHATfactory | 001, a new loop-oriented virtual instrument built on the award-winning pHATmatik PRO loop resynthesis engine and featuring hundreds of cutting-edge synth loops in the new standards-based loop file format, pHATfiles. pHATfactory | 001 will begin shipping next week.

pHATfactory | 001 is the first in a series of planned sample-based virtual instruments. Each pHATfactory comes with a substantial library of loops in pHATfile format, but unlike a standard loop library, pHATfactory loops can play back at any tempo perfectly synced to any VST 2.0 compliant host software. Musicians can also twist loops beyond recognition using the included DSP and synthesis tools, like delay, distortion, ADSR envelopes, a comprehensive mod matrix and more. "It's like getting a sampler and a rack of effects with your loop library, " said Art Gillespie, Director of Development at Bitshift Audio. "With pHATfactory, the loop library has definitely entered the virtual instrument age."

pHATfactory | 001 marks the first product to support the new Bitshift Audio loop file format, pHATfiles. Since pHATfiles are simply industry-standard wav files with additional meta-data containing information about the loop, they are compatible with any application that supports wav. "Proprietary, encrypted file formats are bad for musicians, that's why we felt it was important to base our loop technology on open standards." Said Gillespie.

pHATfactory | 001 is scheduled to begin shipping next week. It will be available worldwide at local music stores and direct from Bitshift Audio via their web site at www.bitshiftaudio.com with an SRP of $US149.00.