MOTU's hybrid synthesis virtual instrument MX4, is now shipping for Digital Performer (MAS), Pro Tools (RTAS), Logic Pro and other Mac OS X audio hosts (Audio Units). The release includes several additional features not previously announced, such as built-in effects, more LFOs, external audio input, a unison multiplier and parameter randomization options for creative programming.

Info on Motu web site.

As usual, IRCAM's forum workshops take place twice a year. The october session will take place from 13th to 15th october '04 at Ircam Paris. The 3-day programme si :

- 13th October : presentation of Ircam softwares (Audiosculpt, Modalys, ...).
- 14th October : day about softwares companies, with a special evening about Melodyne software, with Peter Neubäcker, Celemony founder.
- 15 October : from studio to stage.

Inscription costs 150 euros (for non-member). You can reach IRCAM for inscription by phone (0-1 44 78 49 62), by mail (admin-forum@ircam.fr) or by Ircam forum web site.

SoundHack, the famous soundfile processing program which performs many utility and esoteric sound processing functions available nowhere else, is now growing to version 0.893. This update adds support for SDIF spectral files.

Prehaps a good day to read again our Tom Erbe interview in the MacMusic articles section....

The Mac OS 10.3.5 update is now available on download via "Softwares update" utility in the Mac system prefs menu. These are some of the enhancements included with the Mac OS X 10.3.5 Update :

- Bluetooth enhancements
- Networking, Internet enhancements
- Image Capture can now import MPEG-4 movies (.MP4) from compatible digital cameras.
- Resolves a potential data loss issue after renaming a Mail mailbox file.
- Mail and image transfert utility updates;
- Corrects an issue in which analog speakers connected to a PowerBook or iBook during sleep sometimes didn't produce sound after waking the computer.
- Resolves an issue with Mac OS X 10.3.4 in which the internal microphones of some iBook (Dual USB) computers would not be available to applications or Sound preferences.
- Includes recent Security Updates.

This update is also available on the Apple web site.

Rogue Amoeba has announced two small updates , with the release of Nicecast 1.6 and Audio Hijack 2.1.4. Both of these updates allow for full compatibilitiy with the forthcoming OS X 10.3.5, along with several other improvements. Nicecast 1.6 also features the new Instant Hijack method of grabbing audio first seen in Audio Hijack Pro, making the use of Unsanity's Application Enhancers (APE) optional. It also includes a new Recent Tracks Log preference and new Archiving formats for saving your broadcasts. The update to Audio Hijack includes several key bug fixes and bulletproof AIFF recording, which protects recordings against corruption caused by crashes.

These updates are available on free download.