Almost seven years ago, Native Instruments combined the Synth program Generator with the Sampler playback program Transformator, to create Reaktor. And it has never looked back, going on to become a "Sound Monster". Some months ago version 5 was released and just recently, the version 5.1. It is a good occasion to take another look at Native Instrument's flagship product.

MacMusic is very happy to benchtest the well-known Reaktor v5.0 - 5.1 from Native Instruments. Translated from the original article of Roald Baudoux by Bruce Dunnet.

Digidesign has just updated its Pro Tools HD software to version 7.1cs5. This release fixes :

- Moving the Tempo Slider to Change Tempo Does Not Update the Play/Edit Selection (Item #70901);
- Some Third-Party Applications Could No Longer Copy Audio into the Pro Tools Region List (Item #73194);
- When using the Expansion|HD chassis, Launching Pro Tools Could Result in an 1150 Error (Item #73160);
- Bouncing to a QuickTime Movie Would Sometimes Leave Out the Video (Item #65203);
- Crash Occurs When a Plug-In Exceeds the CPU Limit for Extended Periods of Time (Item #72085);
- File Corruption Problems with MXF Audio Media (Item #72525).

An updater to version 1.0.1 for Digidesign Xpand! is now available. Xpand! 1.0.1 includes the following new or enhanced features:

- Improved audio and MIDI performance in general
- Drawing performance has been improved.
- Fixed a bug that caused the Xpand! Smart Display to turn gray.
- Fixed an issue where FX1 edit 2 control is not mapped correctly on the 002/command|8 pagetable.
- Fixed an issue where the UI sometimes freezes causing mouse clicks not being recognized correctly.

In order to use this updater, the full version of Xpand! v1.0 must already be installed from the Xpand! installation CD.

MOTU announces that the new PCIe (PCI Express) version of the PCI-424 card is now shipping, allowing users of MOTU's PCI-based recording system to take full advantage of today's fastest PCIe-equipped Macs. PCI Express is the latest high-speed expansion slot technology found in the latest generation Power Mac G5 towers from Apple. The new PCIe-424 card is now available for purchase as part of a 2408mk3, HD192 or 24I/O core system. Users who currently own a PCI-324 or 424 core system and wish to purchase a PCIe-424 card to run their core system on a PCIe-equipped computer can order the PCIe-424 card directly from the "Upgrades" tab at Motu web site. The earlier PCI-X (3.3 volt) version of the PCI-424 card is also still available.

Upgrade kit to PCIe costs $295.

MusicLab announces that Real Guitar 2.0 is now available for Mac OS X. This release, features a new pattern manager, allowing users to use the RG MIDI Pattern Library for creating guitar accompaniment parts and adds several features to the solo mode, to Chords, Bass&Chord, and Bass&Pick modes. Two versions are available : RealGuitar 2L version includes built-in Pattern Manager and complete RG Pattern Library, and RealGuitar 2 version doesn't include Pattern Manager and RG Pattern Library.