Roland announced that the Fantom-Xa is now shipping. The fantom Xa is a sampling workstation with a 61-note keyboard, 128 voices and high-resolution sequencer. You can export your finalized mixes to a Mac via USB.

Info on Roland web site.

GB Midi Import facilitates the import of midi information from a standard midi file into GarageBand. It creates Apple Midi Loop information which GarageBand natively understand. This version 1.1 features : added checkboxes to filter volume and pan midi events.

Native Instruments announced that the Guitar Rig software 1.2 will be available soon. The free update adds four more stomp boxes to the guitarists arsenal, allpainstakingly modelled after popular real world units. It features : Fuzz Ace" (fuzz pedal based on Arbiter Fuzz Face), "Big Fuzz" (fuzz pedal based on Electro Harmonix Big Muff), "Cat" (distortion pedal based on ProCo Rat), "Demon Distortion" (distortion pedal based on MXR Dime Distortion), more than 40 additional presets which make use of the new components and various minor improvements, cosmetic changes and fixes.

The 1.2 update will be available as a free download for all registered GUITAR RIG users in the first half of November.

Digidesign released Protools 6.7 for both LE and TDM systems. The audio and MIDI feature set in Pro Tools 6.7 has been greatly expanded to deliver tempo-dependent audio placement, tempo-dependent automation, graphic tempo editing, precise control of meter changes, MIDI step input, enhanced support for instrument plug-ins, MIDI Detective, and Beat Detective LE.

New features in Pro Tools 6.7 software include:

Absynth 3 is coming ! The Native Instruments synthesizer is now fully surround-enabled, offering the most comprehensive and versatile multi-channel implementation. Powerful new oscillator functions and additional integrated effects further expand its sonic capabilities, while a versatile live input function turns Absynth 3 into a superlative real-time sound mangling tool. Flexible MIDI parameter control and a revised user interface further increase ABSYNTH's versatility and ease of use.

Absynth 3 will be available in December 2004 for a suggested retail price of $ 339 / 289 Euro.