A fortnight after Mac OS 10.3 Panther has been officially released and the first users feedbacks being done, it is time for a rumour to start spreading again. It says (quite unprecisely though) that a Panther 10.3.1 update could be available via software update or via a download on Apple's website from the end of this week or maybe from next week on.

This update would solve bad handling of FireWire HD, screen problems on certain types of iMacs and first generation iBooks, as well as Airport card and trackpad problems on some machines.

So watch your "software update" carefully.

Digi-users should note that they shouldn't rush on this possible update in case the "Panther Pro Tools to come" is not compatible with 10.3.1...you would (again) be three weeks ahead.

Apogee Electronics Corporation announced that its portable, 2-channel analog mic-pre, Mini-MP is now available worldwide through authorized dealers, and distributors.

Mini-MP is the third addition to the Apogee Mini-Series line. Mini-MP at a glance: two-channel microphone preamplifier with phantom power, Low distortion pre-amps with 75dB of gain and Ultra-linear gain control.

The CS-80V by Arturia is the reproduction of the polyphonic synthesizer Yamaha CS-80. It was popularised in the late 70's and early 80's by artists and groups like Toto, Jean-Michel Jarre, Keith Emerson or Stevie Wonder.

The CS-80V offers all the features of the original synth, plus a new generation of features : a modulation matrix, a multitimbral mode and an arpeggiator.

CS-80V needs a minimum requirement of Mac G3 500 MHz, 128 MB of RAM, MacOS 9.1 or higher, Mac OS X 10.2 or higher and works on any sound card compatible with DirectX, ASIO, SoundManager or CoreAudio.

the CS-80V is available on Arturia web shop and Erturia dealers with a public retail price of $249/249 euros.

The new AES16 audio card from Lynx Studio Technology is now available. The AES16 Multichannel AES/EBU Interface is a half-size PCI card that provides 16 channels of 24 bit AES/ EBU digital audio at a 192 kHz sample rate. The AES16 is controlled by its own software application and is compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.

Two models are currently available : the AES16-XLR (with XLR cables for a retail price of $795.00) and the AES16 (without cables for a retail price of $695.00).

PowerFX presents ProScore, two specially produced DVDs for use with Apples Soundtrack software. Each disc contains over 2200 pre-formatted Apple Loops that are organized into folders by category & genre. The material can be indexed & searched direct from the DVDs via Soundtracks Media Manager window which saves users valuable hard disk space. The titles are as follows:

DV Composer's Toolkit is a complete musical composition library with everything from urban & cinematic themes to Asian & Indian flavors. It features Soundtrack arrangements, ambiance textures, and hundreds of assorted instrument loops. This collection was created for scoring, audio vignettes, sound logos and general music composition.

Massive FX is designed to create authentic audio backdrops for film, video or docume ...