Steinberg's Cubase SX is up to version 2.2. It now offers: Mackie Control Extender support, a new "Use System Timestamp" option, two new virtual instruments: Monologue and Embracer, a new VST plug-in: Tonic (analog modelling multimode filter) plus a few little new things.

Rogue Amoeba announced Audio Hijack Pro 2, slated for release in July of 2004. Just like the original Audio Hijack Pro, version two will allow users to record and enhance any audio played by their Mac. Audio can now be recorded to the AAC and Apple Lossless audio formats, in addition to MP3 and AIFF. Using the all-new Output Bin allows for quick and easy organizing, previewing, burning, and exporting of recorded files. And the already-powerful effects processing has been enhanced with parallel effects processing and support for VSTi and AudioUnit synths.

Hello everyone. With some regret, I wish to thank the readership of MacMusic for the past year and announce I will no longer be acting as Editor-in-Chief. I've enjoyed working with the talented team here at MacMusic and the unique experience of bridging cultures and languages at the only truly multi-national / multi-lingual Mac site on the Web. However, balancing my life as a composer, teacher, graduate student and technology instructor - consultant has become too much for the daily job of editing, so I will leave to devote more time to other activities. One of those activities I am very excited about -- a book on computer music -- and once I can I'll send details of that to the community here. I've missed the opportunity to write more in-depth, personal takes on the Mac music world, so I will spend more time on that. Be assured I'll stay in touch during this endeavor.

With my departure, of course, the MacMusic team is looking for a new English Editor-in-Chief. If you're interested, please contact the webmaster, Francois Dechery. I wish the entire team best of luck and will keep my MacMusic family informed!

Propellerhead Software anounces a special offer for registered users of Reason Adapted. From May 21st to June 31st they can update to the full version of Reason 2.5 for 289 euros.

This offer is available in retail stores and on the Propellerhead website.

Antares annouced that version 4 of its Autotune plugin is now available on TDM, RTAS, VST and MAS platforms for OS 9 & X. The Full TDM version costs $750 and the VST/MAS/RTAS versions cost $500.

More technical details are available on the Antares web site.