Roland has rolled out a new Fantom series with some impressive specs. The FantomX
models are shipping with your choice of 61 keys (Fantom-X6), 76 keys (Fantom-X7) or 88 keys (Fantom-X8), and boast 128-note polyphony, 1 GB of sound data, and a sampling section with up to 544MB RAM. I/O includes USB and S/PDIF digital I/O as well as the usual analog audio and tradition MIDI in/out/thru. More details below, but to sum it up in one word: drool.

clouvel and ptilou contributed to this report

Zygoat Creative has announce a 1.1 version update to Doggiebox 1.1 , its easy rhythm sequencer. The update contains bug fixes, simplified preference options, and a better song editor and better undo options. Doggiebox is a EUR39 download, free for registered users.

IK Multimedia has annouced the release of the Sampletank 2.05, a major update for stability with Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. Here are the new fixes in this 2.05 version : crash in Pro Tools OSX while changing PT tracks midi channel, crash in latest Metro, occasional system crashes when loading sounds, click at the beginning of sequence playback on certain systems...and more !!

This update is strongly recommended by IK Multimedia and is available on free download for registered users.

There still are too many problems for some FW HD with Panther. Here are a few useful tips to prevent you from going nuts when seeing 120 Go of sessions or soundbanks disappearing just like this.

These tips were taken from Joe Kissell's article, "Revisiting Panther's FireWire Data Loss Problem", available on tidbits.com and they kindly accepted that we publish it on MM.

M-Audio has announced the immediate release of its new 8-channel Octane preamp. Unveiled at NAMM, the Octane is due to ship this month. The Octane is designed as a 2-rack space front-end to multitrack digital recording systems, and would seem an ideal counterpart to, for example, a MOTU 828. The box features two mic-instrument channels for guitar, bass, and other instruments, M-S matrix encoding on 7-8 for pro stereo miking technique, analog preamp direct outs for each channel, ADAT for multichannel digital out, and word clock for syncing up multiple units. Each channel has both XLR and 1/4" TRS I/O with 1/4" outs, balanced/unbalanced operation, phantom power with indicator by group (1-4, 4-8), and full 24-bit audio resolution throughout. Approximative price : 799 € TTC, US$749.95 MSRP. This should shape up to be one of the hottest pro boxes to ship this year.