Edirol has released Version 2.0.1 of Mac OS X drivers for 10 audio interfaces. These new drivers offer improved performance under high CPU loads as well as a further reduction in the already-minimal latency factors. In addition, Edirol has also added an uninstaller for easy removal.

Edirol audio devices with version 2.0.1 OS X drivers include the M-100FX 10 Channel Mixer with Integrated USB Audio Interface; PCR-1 S.L.I.M. 25-key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller and Audio Interface; PCR-A30 32-Key USB MIDI Keyboard Controller and Audio Interface; SD-90 USB Sound Module, FX Processor, and Audio Interface; UA-20 USB-Powered Audio & MIDI Interface; UA-25 USB-Powered Audio & MIDI Interface with Phantom Power and a built-in limiter; UA-3FX USB Audio Interface with Effects; UA-5 USB Audio Interface with Phantom Power; UA-700 USB Audio & MIDI Interface with Microphone & Guitar Amp Modeling; and the UR-80 USB Control Surface and Audio & MIDI Interface.

Steinberg has announced Virtual Bassist, an addition to its virtual player range of virtual musicians. Utilizing a huge array of samples and phrases in 25 styles, Virtual Bassist covers any possible music genres, giving lots of samples of rock, pop, reggae, metal and hip hop among others.

Available from 1st quarter 2005 as VST and Audio Units formats, Virtual Bassist also runs as a standalone mode and will cost $250.

Panic announced that the company has decided to officially retire Audion, its popular Mac MP3 player/encoder. The good news is that Audion is now free of charge but is no longer being actively developed, and is provided as-is without support.

Audion X 3.0.2 is available in MM softwares section.

Make Music just updated its music notation software Finale to version 2005a. This latest update now features a new System Spacing Options, repeat "Show On" settings in Document Options, human Playback improvements include enhanced Incorporate MIDI Data, batch processing FPA files is now possible with FinaleScript and many bugs fixed.

As usual this free update is available in MacMusic softwares section.

Digidesign just posted an update to version 6.7 for its Core Audio manager. This new driver features : fix for large TDM systems where the driver would timeout waiting for the Manager app to auto-launch and fixed a problem where older versions of Avid Xpress DV and Avid Xpress Pro would produce noise out of outputs 5-8.