At AES, Yamaha Commercial Audio announced Version II (V2) software along with five available add-on effects packages for the DM2000 and 02R96 digital mixing consoles.

Available in January 2004 and compatible for both Macintosh OS X and Windows 2000/XP platforms, V2 represents a significant upgrade for each product's preconfigured internal software and Studio Manager Software with the addition of almost 50 new features, the capability to run the new add-on effects, expanded DAW control, and features designed specifically for the broadcast and sound reinforcement markets.

TC Electronic has announced 3 new significant plug-ins for PowerCore at the AES convention in New York:

Voltronics will be a part of the free 1.8 software update coming later this year. It is a guitar amp simulator plug-in, that includes three tube stages and a speaker simulator for truly convincing amp modeling.

Dynamic EQ is a new EQ tool that offers up to four definable bands, which can work in static or dynamic mode, or even a combination of both. Each of the bands can be configured as a parametric EQ or hi/low shelving filter.

Filtroid: With its dual filters and extensive modulation capabilities, Filtroid brings the sound of analog filter banks to the PowerCore Platform.

And not really a new product, but a good new for mac users, the TC Website is now fully compatible with Safari.

Now solely disbributed by MacMusic, The Wild Bits released Ask The DJ version 1.4. This new version includes a new track browser, works with Unicode (Japanese script support) and includes a French version.

Ask The DJ is a $29 shareware which analyses beats to perform truly seamless transitions between tracks. Like a real DJ, it matches beats and adapts tempos whenever needed so the music always flows, even when cross-fading between tracks with different bpms. Ask The DJ also cuts unrhythmical intros and outros, and levels volume. Better yet, all this is done automatically. You just need to click Play and dance. You can also export Ask The DJ's mix art to audio files, suitable for burning audio CDs. AskTheDJ produces perfect transitions, even when mixing tracks with different tempos.

Filter is a multi-format plug-in that gives you everything you need to harmonically sculpt your tracks with surgical precision or animate them with a limitless variety of tempo-synced timbral variations.

Filter starts with four true stereo multimode filters that provide all the warmth and smoothness you'd expect from a meticulous model of classic analog filters. Add four individual delay lines, flexible routing options, powerful modulation capabilities, full MIDI control, two programmable rhythm generators and the ability to lock every time-based parameter to Filter's master tempo or external MIDI clock, and you have a tool that will allow you to create tracks (or entire mixes) that pulse with life and character.

Filter will be available around mid October for Mac RTAS (OS 9 and OS X), Mac VST (OS 9 and OS X), and MAS (OS 9 and OS X).

• Pultec Bundle : The Pultec EQH-2 and Pultec MEQ-5 join Bomb Factory's Pultec EQP-1A in the new Pultec Bundle ($599/$399 MSRP). Existing owners of the Pultec EQP-1A may download the two new Pultecs at no charge.

• Fairchild Bundle : Bomb Factory's sweat-and-blood re-creation of the legendary Fairchild TM 670 joins Bomb Factory's Fairchild TM 660 replica in the new Fairchild TM Bundle ($599/$399 MSRP). Existing owners of the Fairchild 660 may download the Fairchild 670 at no charge.

• Slightly Rude Compressor : The Slightly Rude Compressor TM ($399/$249 MSRP) is Bomb Factory's first custom compressor design. Used conservatively, it sounds beautiful on vocals, drums, guitars and piano. Pushed hard, it's unique and aggressive. The stereo version is s ...