Edirol Corporation announced the PCR-80 keyboard, it offers 61 full-sized velocity sensitive keys. The PCR-80 can be powered over USB & offers 27 assignable controls which can control any MIDI message. This keyboard offers 16 onboard memory locations to store different control arrangements & also comes with a powerful software editor for creating your own control maps.

Features of the PCR-80 include:
• 34 controls of various types (knobs, sliders, buttons, wheel) of which 27 are fully assignable
• 8 rotary knobs, 8 sliders, 9 buttons, 2 pedal inputs
• High Quality key action and Velocity sensitivity
• Multi MIDI functions through note keys
• MIDI Interface (in/out), USB Interface
• USB Bus powered
• V-Link enabled
• Memory presets for Cubase, Digital Performer, Pro Tools LE, Sonar...
• General MIDI 2 and blank cut-out template for overlaying over controls
• Powerful software editor

Price: $395

Edirol Corporation has announced a free update, available online, for the Super Quartet & Hyper Canvas that bring additional features to these high quality software synthesizers.

New features include:
• Multi-output support
• MIDI Automation
• MIDI Learning
• Light Load Mode for better performance on older computers
• New preview phrases to hear the instrument musically before selecting it
• Load/Save user performances

The Super Quartet is a high quality software synth designed to accurately emulate real instruments. It is primarily designed to offer a rhythm section comprised of pianos, guitars, basses, & drum kits. The highly-playable samples are arranged for ease & excellent sound quality.

The Hyper Canvas is a high quality GM2 software synth designed to offer superior GM2 tones. It offers 256 instruments & 9 drum kits along with a large selection of user patches, conforms to the GM2 standard.

MOTU announced Digital Performer 4.1, a free update for Version 4.0 users that supports the Digidesign Audio Engine (DAE) and runs Audio Units plug-ins and virtual instruments. The update will also include numerous other enhancements such as new virtual instrument tracks.

Features :
- Pro Tools DAE support
- OMF file import/export enhancements
- Support for Audio Units plug-ins
- Virtual instrument tracks

Digital Performer 4.1 will be provided as a free download to all registered Version 4.0 users.

These updates are available from the Digidesign web site :

• AVoption|XL for Pro Tools 6.1 : www.digidesign.com/download/ptav
• DAE 6.1cs1 : www.digidesign.com/download/daedsi
• Virus Indigo 2.2 : www.digidesign.com/download/indigo

Apple announced the august availability of Soundtrack, a standalone audio tool for adding an audio soundtrack to video.

Soundtrack brings the art of music composing to everyone. With minimal cost and effort, you can produce custom music to your video, DVD or Web project. You won't need to license a song or hire a composer with Soundtrack at your fingertips. Now you can make your own royalty-free music perfectly matched to the mood you're after. Whether you've never written a piece of music before or you're a seasoned composer, Soundtrack lets you lay down tracks and cut a mix in no time.

Produce original music for your video, DVD and web projects Soundtrack's easy-to-use interface makes it easy for you to create your own original music, even if you don't have a background in music o ...