Frederik Olofsson offers a small utility that allows to turn the Mac's keyboard (Qwerty) into a virtual MIDI keyboard. The "letter keys" stand for the black and white keys of the keyboard, octave shifting is done via < and > keys and chromatic transposition via the keyboard's left and right arrows. This small software is especially useful to "traveling" musicians and is available as a freeware for Mac OS 8, 9 and 10.

MHC continues updating its Studio Setup Plugins Bundle to AU format. Version 2.0 of Vox FX contains the same new features as its VST counterpart, including a new interface, Morphing filter settings, and 64 new presets). Version 2.1 of Space Synth adds bugfixes of the 2.0 AU release. List price is US$89 for the bundle with a downloadable 30-day demo.

Emagic just release a new 6.4.2. update for Logic Pro. This new version improves the XSKey authorisation support, the OMF export and fixes several bugs.

This update is available as download for Mac OS and OSX on Emagic website.

Apple and Digidesign have kicked off their "Motivated by Music" tour, an international road show to highlight solutions from both companies from GarageBand to Logic, the MBox to Pro Tools HD. MacMusic Media Partner Scott Shepard of OSXFAQ has exclusive photos of the event in California. There's still time to book a seat at the ongoing tour throught the US and onto Brazil, Mexico, and Italy. (Future dates are planned; we'll keep you posted.)

Anyone who thought Apple's acquisition of Emagic was bad news for their relationship with Digidesign, think again: thanks to the fact that Logic users can run Digidesign hardware, or Pro Tools software lovers can buy up Apple's flagship Power Mac G5, the two companies are happy bedfellows.

Native Instruments has announced version 2.0.5 for Mac OS X of their virtual synthesizer Absynth. This new version is compatible with AU and MOTU Digital Performer and includes numerous improvements, including an integrated keyboard and various bug fixes. Absynth 2.0.5 Update is free for registered users and is immediately available for download.