Apple Computer is expected to introduce a new audio interface for GarageBand users in the coming months. The analog FireWire audio device, the first product of its recently created iPod division, will allow users to directly record audio using any Mac and Apple's GarageBand music studio application. According to reputable sources, the company is on track to begin manufacturing the device overseas next month. According to sources, "Asteroid" (code name for this project) will include two XLR/ TRS audio input connectors, two RCA analog output jacks, and a standard headphone jack. The device will draw power through a single FireWire 400 port and include a phantom on/off power switch.

The device will retail for approximately $140 - $149 and will aggressively target similar products such as M-Audio's Mobile Pre and Edirol's UA-5 USB Digital Audio Capture device.

Digidesign posted an update to v6.7 cs 2 for Pro Tools TDM 6.7 and Pro Tools LE 6.7. This update fixes : Doing a "Save Session Copy In" with audio could result in an empty session (Item #55092), "Divide By Zero" Errors would result when Using "MIDI To Tap Tempo" (Item #55775), Selecting patch names would cause Pro Tools to unexpectedly quit (Item # 56161) and the left-surround output of a mixer could be 6 dB too hot in certain configurations (Item #56031) .

NI Guitar Rig v1.2 is available today. 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.

This 1.2 update is available as a free download for all registered Guitar Rig users.

ApulSoft has ported Big Tick Audio's free plugin Ticky Clav to OS X in VST and AudioUnits formats. This plugin emulates the ultra-funky sound of the Hohner Clavinet, forever associated with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". The synth engine is based on a physical modeling algorithm, faithfully reproducing the strings vibration and the 2 pickups of the Clavinet Model C.

Audio Damage has released two plug-ins modeled after vintage digital outboard effects. These two new plugins are : Discord - A model of the first mass-produced pitch-shifter, which was a studio standard found in control rooms the world over. Deverb is a dark digital reverberator which features twin filters for extreme shaping of the reverb tail, and unique MIDI controls allowing rhythmic "playing" of the effect.

Discord and Deverb are available as VST plug-ins for OS X and cost US$39 each or can be purchased together for US$68.