At NAMM, Roland introduces the new SP-404 sampler. Built on the SP-303 sampler, the new SP-404 offers more features, more voices, more pads, and more memory. It features battery-power compatibility, a CompactFlash slot, and a built-in microphone. The SP-404's onboard pattern sequencer allows up to 8,000 notes to be recorded. Up to 24 patterns, each 1--99 measures long, can be stored in the internal memory simultaneously.

Antares announces AVOX, an interesting new vocal processor. Antares has combined five vocal processing modules : THROAT Physical Modeling Vocal Designer, CHOIR Vocal Multiplier, PUNCH Vocal Impact Enhancer, DUO Vocal Modeling Auto-Doubler and SYBIL Variable Frequency De-Esser.

AVOX will be available this fall in RTAS, VST and Audio Units versions.

That's a good news if you're a M-Audio hardware user. Divers for Ozone, MobilePre USB, Omnistudio USB, Quattro USB and Sonica Theater audio interfaces are now compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.

These updates are free and are available in the MacMusic Software section.

At Summer NAMM, Tascam debuts DP-01FX/CD digital portastudio. This new portastudio features a built-in CD burner for under. Based on the best-selling DP-01 and DP-01FX, the new DP-01FX/CD makes CD recording simple. Like the DP-01FX, it features eight tracks, two XLR inputs with phantom power, a pair of digital effects processors, eight 45mm Faders plus a dedicated Master fader, S/PDIF Digital Optical output, USB 2.0 port for computer backup and a simple-to-use interface. It also adds a Built-in 40GB hard drive

The Tascam DP-01FX/CD ships at $799.

Digidesign has updated its Pro-Tools M-Powered, which now adds Mac OS X 10.4 "aka Tiger" compatibility. Qualification of Pro Tools M-Powered software on Mac OS X 10.4.x has taken much longer than anticipated due to unforeseen technical issues. Please note that this new 6.8r2 version is not "bug free". The fully qualified version of Pro Tools M-Powered is anticipated for release within a few weeks