The long-awaited Finale NotePad 2004, the free version of MakeMusic's flagship music notation software Finale, is here. NotePad is the best free tool available for making simple scores, with a number of basic features borrowed from its sibling Finale. It's also critical to compatibility, since users who don't own Finale can open any file made with a Finale-family program in NotePad. Delays to an OS X version had crippled the usefulness of the free version and made it impossible to open Finale files downloaded on the web natively. The new version also boasts enhancements to playback, entry, layers, and lyrics. A must-have download if you need Finale compatibility or want a free, simple tool for printing scores.

Cycling '74 has released MODE plugins, which "combine classic synthesis and effects technique with state-of-the-art performance control. MODE features user-friendly arpeggiators, integrated synth effects and simplified control of complex systems." The suite, built using Pluggo technology, includes five primary plugins: POLY (polyphonic synthesizer), MONO (synth with a dual 2-op FM engine), BANG (FM and analog percussion voices), SPIN (time-synchronized effects) and WASH (delay-based effects processor) as well as 18 plug-in "modules". It is available for $200 for Mac OS X (and a host that supports VST, AU or RTAS plug-ins).

Ed: Cycling `74 has a reputation for plugin value thanks to their DIY development environment, Max/MSP. And look at the new, beautiful interfaces. Can't wait to try these out! -PK

IRecord Music the recording utility from Bitcarel has been updated to version 1.3. This version fixes some bugs, and allow to record in mp3, mp4-AAC format; to schedule your records with iCal; to record simultaneous audio flux; and supports the RealAudio and QuikTime applications. iRecord is listed at $20 and can be downloaded from the Bitcarel website.

It's a vocal synthesis double-header today! First Voxynth, which is designed more for synthetic sounds and formant filtering and morphing, was updated; now the wizards at VirSyn have released Cantor, a new vocal synth that can actually "sing" from text lyrics. That's right, with Cantor you can finally turn those lyrics into vocals without involving a human being, with a sonic effect ranging from weird to . . . weirder. Check out the details below from our team on MacMusic Soft.

MHC has released version 2.0 of its Voxynth AudioUnits plug-in (on Mac OSX). As the name implied, the plugin is designed for synthesizing vocal sounds. Central to Vocynth are lots of formant-based filtering and morphing options for creating wild, synthetic sounds. This update has a new graphic interface, 18 new additional filters and 192 new presets. Voxynth 2.0 belongs to the MHC studio bundle (price 99 euros). A 30-day demo is downloadable on the link below.