BuzZer, one of our favorite freeware synths, has just been updated. This simple synth emulates an analog VCO VCF VCA Synthesizer. New in this version: added linear to cubic curve control switch, added 2nd filter control panel, added a global octave switch, improved cpu performance. Make some noiZe. (Warning: not preset compatibile with previous releases, if you have some saved presets.)

OUTI, a realtime tool for live loops reording and manipulation, is now available in version 1.31. The new version fixes bugs and introduces a manual sync option. It also includes a manual in English. OUTI is a freeware so help yourselves.

Ed: Makes me want to switch my TiBook 400 to OS 9 to run this and Cosmo live, side by side with my 17" PB on OS X. -PK

WormHole 1.1 by Apulsoft is an Audio Unit that can transmit audio via TCP/IP between applications or to send audio between multiple computers. The new version 1.1 is AudioUnit and VST Mac OS X compatible and works with Ethernet, Firewire or Airport / Wi-Fi. A demo version of WormHole 1.1 is available on dowload and the full version costs 25 euros.

Ed: We'll give this a test. Granted Software's iMIDI had a similar mission but hasn't so far gotten beyond prerelease testing stages, because of the difficulty of developing this sort of software. Let's see how both work. -PK

Akai has (finally) announced the OS X version of ak.sys. ak.Sys for OSX allows you to completely control your Akai Z4/8 or MPC4000 from any OS X Mac computer via USB. Even the S5/6000 are supported in this new release. More informations and screenshots on the Akai website.

Ed: What's in the water this week? It's like all our OS X wishes are suddenly coming true -- perhaps because Panther convinced developers to push their efforts? Enjoy! -PK

Athena CL is interactive command-line environment for music analysis and algorithmic composition in Csound. Athena is modular and object-oriented. Scores are created in Csound as well as standard MIDI files. This software goes to version 1.2.0 for Mac OS X and is available for free download.