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.

New article translated by vince-y.
In this third and last part of our series of articles Beyond Stereo, we deal with the high-end concept of "virtual acoustic" environments. Powerful computer tools are able simulate the behaviour of acoustic environments in real time; these tools will soon be available to the larger public. Enjoy.

The Akai MPC samplers, the reigning kings of hip-hop drum machines, now have a massive new product line of sound libraries available via a newly expanded MPCsounds.com website.

The new MPCsounds website offers several new product lines and features, including:
- New downloadable products for the MPC1000, MPC2000/XL, MPC3000/LE, and MPC4000. (Both Mac and PC supported)
- New sound libraries for the MPC1000 available on CD-ROM, Compact Flash, or as Downloadable sets.
- New massive MPC CD-ROM product line, now all MPC Zip disk products are available on CD-ROM.
- New MPC manuals section offering free downloadable MPC manuals for all MPC models.
-New downloadable free sounds for all MPC models.
- New "VIP Archive" offering more free sounds and loops for repeat customers.
- New MPC acc ...