While not many developments in the way of brand-spanking-new gear appeared on our radar this week, we still managed to discover a pair of free sample banks and an in-depth Ableton tutorial from Detroit pioneer Mike Huckaby to add to the few bits of news that came down the pipeline over the past seven days .

First, in the land of software:

– As of late, Berlin-based Native Insturments has not been shy when it comes to rolling out new products, both updating its Maschine controller and teasing a new mixer in the past month. This week brought along the announcent of NI’s latest endeavor: a high-end, hardware-emulating set of plug-ins complete with two EQ modules and a “boutique” compressor, called the Premium Tube Series. You can check out the introductory video below.

– Propellerhead’s Figure app for the iPhone and iPad recieved a welcome slew of updates earlier this week—including the addition of a grid to the app’s performance pads, an atonal/chromatic scale mode, and the ability to copy audio from Figure to iOS apps compatible with Audio Copy. Propellerhead also unveiled the incorporation of wireless sync-start techonology, making it possible to simultaneously start and sync Figure along with another iOS compatible device. Best yet, the app is still just $.99.

Two entirely free sample packs made their ways onto the web:

– To celebrate hitting 10,000 likes on his Facebook page, sound designer/DJ/producer Francis Préve offered up a free sample pack (optimized for use with Ableton’s Simpler) of different patches and tones taken from his very own Prophet-8 (a renowned analog synthesizer designed by Dave Smith Instruments). A download of the complete kit and a brief explanation of the various patches buried within can be found here.

– For better or worse, the folks over at the trade magazine/website Music Radar have put together a free sample library of what they’ve deemed as “jackin’ house samples.” While the publication may be far from a reputable authority on house music in general, there’s still bound to be something worthwhile in the pack’s 326 pieces of audio. Right? You can download the zip file of high-quality, WAV-formated drum loops, bass hits, synth stabs, and FX here.

And lastly, a bit of education:

The New York-based Dubspot production school has once again shared an informative tutorial from Detroit legend Mike Huckaby. This time around, Huckaby demonstrates how to create program/patch changes on Native Instruments’ Pro-53 and Massive soft-synths inside of Ableton Live. Let the lesson begin, below.