Steinberg has in the past offered a budget version of its flagship Cubase music production software, but hasn't kept pace with recent releases of Cubase SX -- until now. The company is now shipping newly-announced Cubase SE, with features borrowed from SX but customized for beginners and educational use at a lower price, EUR149 (even less for education). This version of Cubase SE shipped in Steinberg's Studio Case product but was unavailable as standalone.

The light version offers 48 audio tracks, unlimited MIDI tracks, 24-bit / 96 KHz audio, VST and ReWire 2 support. Nothing to sneeze at, and an excellent, competitive price, half of the budget version of Logic.

Plucked String by Synapse Audio is a physical modeling string VST plugin instrument. The type of sounds range from fuzzy, metallic guitar strings to smooth nylon strings. This new version 4.0 adds a fifth model - the "acoustic" model, which claims to be more lively and real sounding than any of the other models. A demo version is available; the full version costs USD 49.

A miracle occured at the end of the week, the official Waldorf URL and mailing list are back online. Don't ask me why and for how long, nobody knows at the moment.

The unofficial user site

FingaMIDI is a free, open source, replacement driver for the ADB trackpad found in the Titanium PowerBook G4. Currently still in beta, this version is available for testing compatibility with other Apple laptops, like the Snow iBook, iBook G4 and Aluminium PowerBooks. It allows the built-in trackpad to be used as a three-axis MIDI controller, sending x, y and z (pressure) data as parameter change messages. The software is available as a free download.

Ed: I'm anxious to try this, as I'm sure are you, so I've posted this before any testing -- hit comments, everyone, and let us know how compatibility is going on your machine (and be sure to forward feedback to the author. -PK

Free drum and percussion loops in Apple Loops format, for use in GarageBand, Soundtrack, and other loop software, are available from Chris Bell and Michael Blair's site, Directions in Music. Played by Michael Blair in the DiM Stockholm studio, who has performed with artists like Lou Reed, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams, and others, the loops feature a small kit with a loose and live feel. Ed: Snap `em up -- yet another free collection! -PK