Muse Research, Inc. announced the Version 1.2 software upgrade for Receptor, the ground-breaking hardware VST plug-in player. This software update for Receptor adds significant new features, including ADAT output support that increases the number of outputs to a total of ten. Also new in version 1.2 is Z-Load (patent-pending), which dramatically reduces the amount of time required to load a plug-in, as well as new MIDI mapping features with full support for keyboard zones and layers, improving Receptor's functionality as a synth, sampler, and sound module. Version 1.2 software for Receptor is slated to ship in the first quarter of this year.

Muse Research, also announced that it completed testing for compatibility with hundreds of freeware plug-ins. The company reports that Receptor customers are finding new plug-ins that work with Receptor almost daily and the list is growing fast. The web is full of compatible plug-ins and a Receptor customer can install them using the "Unsupported Plug-ins" installation feature.

MR also announced UniWire, a single cable solution for connecting Receptor to a computer (Mac or PC) using standard Ethernet protocol and standard, off-the-shelf network peripherals to carry all audio, midi, and control data over a single wire. UniWire technology makes it possible to seamlessly integrate Receptor into a VST host on a Mac or PC by simply installing the UniWire VST onto the host, and then connecting the Receptor to the computer over a standard Ethernet cable. The company has announced that it will create UniWire plug-ins in other formats as well.

FD: Please Muse, do a RTAS version to emancipate the large ProTools users community deprived of VST compatibility. I'm sure we would rather buy a Receptor than a windows PC to run VST plugins that we miss ;-)

Urs Heckmann has released the Filterscape AU plug-in bundle for MacOS X. Filterscape is a flexible sound bending plug-in, a parametric equalizer and a virtual analog filter. It comes with Filterscape VA (virtual analog synthesizer) and Filterscape Q6 (dynamic morphing 6-band equalizer).

The Filterscape bundle is available for Mac OS X (AU) for US$129.

During Namm, Korg released the KONTROL49 MIDI Studio Controller, which combines 49 full-size keys with a unique array of pads, encoders, sliders and multiple displays. An abundant 40 assignable performance elements include traditional Pitch and Mod wheels, a Vector Joystick for simultaneous control of two separate parameters, plus a pair of assignable switches. Eight pairs of assignable sliders and rotary encoders feature individual color-coded backlit LCD displays that show each controller's user-defined function name and parameter value.

EDIROL announced the newest addition to their line of audio interfaces, the FA-66. The FA-66 is a 6-channel version of the FA-101 FireWire interface. The EDIROL FA-66 allows simultaneous recording of up to 6 channels of audio at 24-bit, 96kHz, or up to 4 channels of audio at 24-bit/192kHz. Record two microphones directly into the FA-66 via the included phantom power mic preamps. These two XLR/TRS combo jacks can record from either microphone or line level devices directly into the computer – including Hi-Z capability for guitarists.

George Yohng aka, 4Front, has released W1 Limiter, a limiter that he claims to be a clone of the famous Waves L1-Ultramaximizer, with an "identical output". This result was obtained by tweaking the 4Front YLimiter. W1 Limiter is available as a free VST effect plug-in for MacOS X.

While we did not compare to the original L1, you VST compatible macmusicians should take an ear on it and submit your comments, specially for this price ;-)