Metro, the MIDI, Audio and Video sequencer has been updated to 6.2.3. Among the many new features there is now a batch conversion utility allowing many kinds of audio conversion, including MP3, MP4, Apple Lossless, AIF, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, etc.

Metro LX and Metro SE have been similarly updated.

Crest Performance announces two new 4-BUS CPM 24-4 & CPM 32-4 Mixers. They both feature 32 (or 24) low noise XLR inputs, three-band EQ, six aux sends, two fully assignable stereo returns with low cut, four sub groups, separate mono bus, and seven XLR balanced outputs.

CPM 32-4 costs $2899.99 and CPM 24-4 costs $2299.99. They will be available second quarter 2005.

MOTU has unveiled Version 2.0 for its instrument plug-ins MX4 which now features more built-in effects, more factory presets, new pattern gate function, arpeggiator, envelope follower, new invert and transform functions.

MX4 v2.0 will be available first quarter 2005 for $295

And another symphonic plugin ! Motu unveis its Symphonic Instrument plugin that gives users access to an 8 GB library of orchestra sounds for composing, sequencing and rendering realistic orchestral performances. Instrument highlights include strings, brass, woodwinds, orchestral percussion, tutti (complete orchestra), choirs, pipe organ, piano and "historical instruments" (strange name for harpsichords and viole).

Symphonic Instrument will ship in first quarter 2005 at $295.

Tascam announces its new digital console DM-3200, which adds more busses, effects, auxes ans USB compatibility. Up to 6.1 surround panning is available and the DM-3200 features 48-channel digital mixing at resolutions of up to 96kHz / 24-bit, 32 channel inputs and 16 return inputs, 16 busses and 8 aux busses, 4-band full-parametric EQ and dynamics on each of the 32 channel, 4 stereo effects or two surround effects (8-in/8-out), 17 touch sensitive 100mm motorized faders, USB 1.1 connection to computer for data backup, companion software for Mac OS X, 16 XLR balanced mic/line inputs with phantom power, 2 XLR AES/EBU and 2 S/PDIF digital I/O.