Modern music software, by and large, is fantastic. It lets musicians create sequences of staggering complexity at the drop of a hat, work simultaneously and easily with both MIDI and digital data, and instantly subject audio to the kind of torturous manipulation that would have taken hours, or even days, with a razorblade and tape.

But do you ever really covet software in the same way that you covet hardware? Do you regard your music program with the same affection as your Moog Rogue or Fender Strat? Can something which exists only in a computer's virtual environment inspire the same pride of ownership as, say, that small silver box called a TB303 Bassline? If it's called Rebirth, maybe it can...

For the uninitiated, Rebirth RB338 has been called "the ultimate techno software package" and was a considerable software success story of 1997. It could hardly fail, given that it was an accurate 16‑bit, 44.1kHz emulation of the sounds and many of the facilities of two vintage Roland TB303 bass sequencers and the classic Roland TR808 drum machine, with a beautiful, colourful graphic interface, all for a quid under £150. MIDI, naturally, came as standard (unlike the originals), sync with any OMS‑compatible sequencer was assured, sequences were immediately savable to hard drive, and built‑in Delay and Distortion effects were a nice bonus.

With all this fabulousness on offer, you'd think it would be churlish to complain that the super‑hip TR808 simulation was not an even hipper TR909 simulation — but some did. So a group of enterprising hackers set about figuring out how Rebirth was put together, discovered how to replace its source 808 samples with 909 samples, and even tinkered with the graphics. Instead of getting their knickers in a twist, Propellerhead took a friendly interest in the proceedings, even posting customised Rebirths on their web site, and providing DIY instructions! Indeed, v2.0 comes with the necessary bits for customising Rebirth. It's like putting shiny manufacturers' stickers on a flightcase (somebody we once knew dismembered Roland stickers to produce the unforgettable 'Ronald Poland'), or spray‑painting your keyboard day‑glo orange: modify it, and it becomes yours.

Propellerhead haven't stopped there: Rebirth v2.0 for the Mac (see 'Rebirth & the PC' box for PC situation) features that 909 as standard, a compressor, and Rewire, a link between Rebirth and Steinberg's Cubase VST MIDI + Audio sequencer, which allows VST to control or be controlled from Rebirth, as well as routing Rebirth audio through VST mixer channels. It's now also possible to tweak on‑screen knobs in real time in Song mode (whereas before you could only tweak them in Pattern mode, unless you were prepared to commit yourself and record the tweaks into a Song). There's a new Shuffle facility, to add a 'triplet' feel, slight refinements to a couple of editing functions, a new Shape parameter for the Distortion effect, and extra 'patterns' for the Pattern Controlled Filter (more later). Finally, sounds from the onscreen 808 can now be selected by clicking on the abbreviation above the step buttons, rather than by turning the instrument select knob with the mouse.

Includes Propellerhead Rebirth RB-338 2.0 2x dvd jewel case and protector sleeve as well as a Behringer U-Control Ultimate Software DVD in paper sleeve. With over 100vst ins. 50 plug ins

Both compatible with MAC WiN see photos.