After EasyJet and EasyHotel, Stelios - the EasyGroup leader - is taking on music on-line and wishes to launch before Christmas (in partnership with London Group Wippit) its music on-line service called EasyMusic.com. EasyMusic.com will consist of two sections, Copyleft which will feature music from unsigned artists, including music which can be downloaded for free, and Copyright which will offer current hits and back catalogue starting at 0.30 euros a track.

The New York Times wrote about it in an article last week : it looks as if retro style is fashionable in new technologies. In any case Verbatim seems to apply this principle to the letter since it proposes various packs of blank cds that look the same as the good old 45 r.p.m. records.

This is of some (little) comfort to those who feel nostalgic !

Native Instruments releases Electronic Instruments 2, a collection of eight new instruments for Reaktor 4 and Reaktor session. It contains three synthesizers, two drum machines and three highly versatile effect units. The collection offers a powerful toolkit specially designed for the Reaktor software.

Electronic Instruments 2 is available for a suggested retail price of $119 / 99 Euros from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

NotePad 2005 is here ! NotePad is the best free tool available for making simple scores, with a number of basic features borrowed from its sibling Finale. NotePad 2005 features engraver tuplets. Now you also can edit guitar and electric bass tablature.

Finale NotePad 2005 is a free download for Mac OS X.

Universal Audio today announced the release of the Cambridge EQ and the v1.3 TDM update for Digidesign TDM Systems. Cambridge is a high-end analog console-style which boasts five bands of switchable parametric or shelving EQ and two comprehensive high and low pass filters.

The update can be downloaded free to existing TDM customers, a 14-day fully functional demo is available, and the full version of Cambridge EQ TDM costs $495.