Yamaha announces that the Motif synthesizer will be available in 1U rackmount format from spring 2005. The Motif Rack ES will feature 16 simultaneous parts and 128-note polyphony working off a 175MB wave ROM, with 768 preset and 384 user sounds. It also will have an effects section featuring 20 reverb types and 49 chorus & delay programs.

Waves have released version 2 of their convolution reverb IR1, and two new variants : the IRL, a simpler and less CPU-intensive 'light' version, and the IR360, which offers reverb convolution in 5.1 surround. IR1 v2 and IRL are compatible with Mac OS X in HTDM, RTAS, VST, MAS and Audio Units formats, and the IR360 is currently only compatible with Pro Tools HD systems.

More info on Waves web site.

Plogue announced a bugfix release v0.7003 for its virtual modular creation studio Bidule. This version fixes crash whith some plugins using CurrentPreset when changing presets, main window shows up with the titlebar under the menu bar, number of samples isn't set correctly for some buffer sizes, and more.

Details and download in the MM Softs section.

LinPlug announces an update to v2.2.2 for Alpha in both Audio Units and VST, featuring a new look and design for the GUI. The Alpha Synthesizer features an easy to learn subtractive design with special attention being paid to recreating the warmth and feel typically found in early-1980s analog synthesizers.

Info and download in the MacMusic softwares section.

Want a free distortion with a twist? Andrew Garber who did the infamous MD Machine Lab just released his Warp Drive AU (guess the plug-in format? ;) A freeware distortion with a little something, as said: "completely non-conventional" is the algorithm.