Native Instruments announced that Traktor DJ Studio is updated to version 2.6. This new release of the DJ mixing software features : compatibility to FinalScratch 2, WMA and AAC compatibility, internet broadcasting, input recording, enhanced browser and playlist features, and much more.

Info and download in the MM softwares section.

Applied Acoustics Systems today announced the upcoming release of the String Studio synthesizer for Mac OSX. String Studio is scheduled for release at the end of the first quarter of 2005. The String Studio synthesizer swaps the traditional oscillator, filter, and envelope pattern for reallife string instrument components. At the core of String Studio lies a new, cutting edge physical model of strings interacting with picks, bows, hammers, fingers, frets, dampers, and soundboards. Through this direct approach, String Studio delivers stunning guitars, basses, harps, clavinets, bowed instruments, percussions as well as rich and animated tones that blend the warmth, naturalness, and density of real-life instruments.

The String Studio synthesizer will be available for Mac OS X and Windows systems at the end of the first quarter of 2005 at a suggested retail price of US$249.

AudioFinder by Iced Audio is a sample library manager. This new release v3.5 features : added Full AudioUnit Plugin support, added AudioUnit Presets menu, improved the Waveform Overview to allow vertical sizing, added searching with Regular Expressions to the Scanner, replaced the Scanner's Search ComboBox with the Mac OS X standard Search Field, added Search field Recent Searches menu, added "Suspend MIDI Input" to the Options menu, to temporally enable/disable the MIDI inputs, bugfices and more !

Info and download in the MacMusic software section.

Apple has updated Logic to v7.0.1. This update improves performance, stability and compatibility with several Audio Units plug-ins.

Logic v7.0.1 fixes : Channels Strip Setting error, Guitar Amp mic position setting problem, MIDI device names show up problem, Multi-Instrument Bank Messages won't change when importing a Song from Logic Pro 6.4.3., "Goto Position" window does not switch to current position, "Send to MIDI - Maximum Volume" sends to all channels and not just channel 1, Audio Suite plug-ins process now correctly regardless of whether there are open floating windows, both sides of a split stereo file are converted when performing a sample rate conversion within the Sample Editor.

This release also fixes : Apple Loops playback correctly in sessions with sample rates other than 44.1 kHz, Recycle files consistently import as expected, All Acid Loops transpose in Loop Browser as expected, TDM tracks are successfully bounced even when native bounce is set to "offline", and Ultrabeat several fixes.

This update also improves control surface support, and fixes : Logic Control no longer generates notes in Learn mode, plug-in parameter names are displayed correctly, Yamaha mixers problems fixed, assignments are now possible in the Controls View ans surround joysticks work properly.

An update to the Logic Node application is necessary to maintain compatibility with Logic 7.0.1. The Node update software is contained in the Logic Pro 7.0.1 Update package.

This update is avaiable only via Apple's software update utility

Alesis will unveil at NAMM its new Fusion synthesizer. The Fusion has a new synthesizer engine with seven DSPs for sample playback, analog modeling, FM and physical modeling. The Fusion features up to 180 voices of sample playback, 120 MB of waveforms, 800 programs of preset instruments, 64 Drumkits, 128 GM Programs plus 8 Drum Kits, 40GB free for user, 13 filters types, 20 Reverbs, 10 Chorus, 50 Insert Effects, 4 Band EQ, Pitch Bend Wheel, Modulation Wheel, Aftertouch, and much more !

More info on fusionsynth web site.