Ableton has just updated Live to version 4.0.4. This new version fixes a lot of bugs (select clip crash, some VST plug-ins are not VST conform, crash when dragging an audio file into the "empty" space in the arranger, and more..) and now features better performance with LinPlug RM IV when triggering a pad in the GUI and better support for MIDI files with invalid data.

Info and download on the Ableton web site.

AES is coming, and Digidesign will unveil two new versions of Pro Tools. Pro Tools TDM 6.6 software brings professional quality video playback via Avid Mojo to Pro Tools|HD on Mac OS X, providing a uniquely integrated post-production solution with Avid video. With Avid Mojo and the DigiTranslator option. Pro Tools TDM 6.6 can open OMF/AAF sequences created with Xpress Pro or Avid Media Composer, play back video via an external monitor, tab from cut to cut in the Pro Tools video track, and export finished audio for re-integration into the original Avid sequence.

The audio and MIDI feature set in Pro Tools 6.7 has been greatly expanded to deliver tempo-dependent audio and automation, improved drawing and management of tempo curves and meter changes, MIDI step input, enhanced support for instrument plug-ins, MIDI Detective and Beat Detective for Pro Tools LE.

IK Multimedia announces that new Piano, Organ and Guitar sounds are available for download along with the special Free version of the workstation plug-in SampleTank 2. SampleTank 2 Free is a fully working version of SampleTank 2 plug-in with certain limitations and a range of free instruments published monthly. This combination of sounds and software can be used in your music with no polyphony restrictions or any time limit.

Info and download from the SampleTank web site.

Synchronic is a new RTAS plug-in that enables you to easily manipulate audio. With Synchronic, you can easily create rhythmic modifications and in-tempo effects with individual beats and beat subdivisions within a loop. Synchronic's modular configuration forms the foundation through which you work; each module combination can be edited, stored, and recalled through presets accessible via the plug-in:

Greenoak updates its semi-modular synthesizer Crystal to version 2.4.9b, which is now compatible with Logic 7. Crystal is a semi-modular software synthesizer featuring both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. It offers abundant modulation control with over 60 parameters which may be modulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive tempo sync of envelopes/lforates/delay times, built-in effects for chorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effects processing by frequency band.

Info and download from our Softwares section.