RogueAmoeba has released major updates of their audio software. Audio Hijack Pro has been updated to version 1.3 with a number of bugfixes, including iTunes crossfade compatibility; its next version will arrive in the summer and the Lite version has been updated to 2.1.1. NiceCast has hit 1.5.1 with improved AppleScript support. RogueAmoeba has also released an improved version of its streaming audio server
(www.macstreams.com).

Updates are free for registered users, downloadable from the link below.

Wave Arts has announced FinalPlug, a peak limiter/volume maximizer plug-in that combines several of the company's major products, TrackPlug, MasterVerb and WaveSurround Pro. Final Plug can be used on individual tracks or an entire mix, operating in mono to mono or stereo to stereo modes, with up to 192 kHz sampling rate. Free 30-day demo download; full version is available immediately for US$149.95 for Mac OS X AU/MAS/VST/RTAS and Mac OS 9 MAS/VST/RTAS.

Version 2.0 of MHC's Space Synthesizer is now available as an AudioUnit plugin for Mac OS X (plus VST on Mac OS X). The AudioUnit version of 2.0 contains the same features as the VST version: 17 new waveforms, a new GUI, and 256 presets, including the old 128 presets and 128 new ones. Space Synth 2.0 is part of the Studio Setup plugin bundle which costs $89, and a 30 day trial version is available.

IDrum by Bitshiftaudio is a rhythmic sequencer for Mac OS X. The design of this virtual drum machine is based on a single axis: the simplicity of use. Useable as fully integrated plug-in for GarageBand, Soundtrack and Logic, Idrum is also available as a stand-alone version and is delivered with several hundreds of samples.