Modartt has updated Pianoteq to v2.0.1. This update offers multi-core rendering, which vastly improves CPU performance on dual-core and hyper threaded Pentium 4, and Receptor compatibility.

Complete list of changes :

- Multi-core rendering.
- Receptor compatibility.
- Fixed parameter automation.
- Stand-alone: output channel selection for ASIO sound cards.
- Stand-alone: fixed wav export bug.
- Stand-alone: added 'clear menu' entry in the recent files menus.
- Stand-alone: metronome volume now adjustable.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Do you remember MultiInspectorFree ? This little free plug-in which was a multitrack spectral analyzer ? It was pretty cool but limited to 4 instances at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz... not enough for professional use. So today VertexDSP releases MultiInspector v1.0, the commercial version of MultiInspectorFree and guess what, it rocks !

Features :

* 31 band third octave frequency analyzer showing the spectral analysis of other plug-in instances in the same window.
* Independent editor windows for different views of the same content.
* Level bar width automatically adapts to the number of signals currently viewed.
* Adjustable attack and release time for smooth level bar display.
* Adjustable slope with a default of 3 dB per octave for flat display of pink noise.
* Peak optio ...

Thermionic Culture has released the new Earlybird 1.2 two channel valve pre-amp which was shown for the first time at the Frankfurt Music Messe. Basically it's a simplified version of the Earlybird 2.2 in that it doesn't have any EQ except for a three position low filter, nor does it have the Thermionic Culture Pullet EQ inputs.

The Earlybird 1.2 is available now at a retail price of £1825.00 ex VAT (€ 2650).

RME has announced the DMC-842 which is the first multi channel interface for digital microphones. This interface is comparable with conventional preamp/converter units such as RME's Micstasy but it also acts as a power supply and control device for digital microphones, supporting the worldwide AES 42 standard.

The DMC-842 is expected to be available during the 3rd quarter of 2007 priced at €3050,- excl. VAT.

Magma is pleased to announce the availability of ExpressBox1, the first external PCI Express expansion product for laptop computers. ExpressBox1 provides a fast and easy solution for attaching a PCI Express card to laptop computers through the ExpressCard slot appearing on MacBook Pro.

Magma ExpressBox1 (Model EB1H) supports a half-length card up to 6.60 inches long and costs $729.00 while the ExpressBox1 Pro (Model EB1F) is made for a full-length card up to 12.283 inches long and costs $749.00.