LinPlug announced the Mac OS X version of the RM IV. Built using LinPlug's enhanced high-quality audio engine, the RM IV features 18 velocity sensitive Drum Pads that can be used to trigger any of 11 different Audio Generator Modules.

The instrument features a modular design that currently includes 10 percussion synthesis algorithms, as well as a fully featured percussion sampler.
The Sampler module provides single-sample, multi-sample, velocity-layer and velocity-crossfade support, at up to 32-bit resolution.
The instrument also includes an AHDSR-controlled multi-mode filter, a fully-featured compressor designed specifically for percussion sounds, a flexible "Humanizer" and a 6 x 6 Modulation Matrix.

The RM IV comes with the renowned Manytone Acoustic Drums series, a set of 8 mult ...

The famous « Reason Adapted, Live Digidesign Edition, SampleTank SE, AmpliTube LE, et T-RackS EQ» bundle that is now being shipped with all the Pro Tools systems continues to stir jealousy amongst the other customers. Rumor has it, that Digidesign is considering offering the bundle to the already registered users either for free or, as someone has been informed by the American Digidesign support, for a fee of 99-144$.

It is worth pointing out that a free version will be shipped to all new Pro Tools customers, as well as those who are in the "002-002r" exchange program. One thing's for certain, and that is the Digidesign Forum administrator message saying, "Specifics of this offer and ordering info will be posted there within the next 48 hours". In clear language, that means – KEEP AN EYE ON THE DIGIDESIGN SITE!

PrimeSounds CD Division have just announced the release of their new sample CD - Session Strings. The Session Strings sample CD is multisampled pop strings (violin, viola, cello and contra bass) performed by Stockholm Session Strings.The material on Session Strings was performed by Stockholm Session Strings, a 12-piece String ensemble. All instruments were recorded using Neumann U87 microphones placed at a distance of approximately 1 meter/3 feet. The end result was created by blending the "dry" signal with room ambience picked up by two Bruel&Kjaer 4006 microphones. The formats on this CD: HALion, EXS24 and Kontakt.

Dan Brockett has written a free tutorial on Apple Soundtrack, the loop-based composition tool included with Final Cut Pro 4 and available now as standalone software. Dan's tutorial goes over instructions for beginners who are new to music-making and digital audio, but there's intermediate and advanced information, too, plus tips and downloadable finished projects and media. Brockett is a writer/director/producer.

This software working under OSX is a must: Combining the hardware modular sequencers with all the power and the ease of a software. For sequences and complex rythmn patterns, this soft is a real creativity tools to create sequences ala Steve Reich, Tangerine Dream (Chris Franke) and others...

This particular sequencer drives external MIDI instruments and sine the 1.2 version: the AUdio units (synths, effects...)
Surely a track to follow....