IK Multimedia announces that SampleTank 2.1 is now shipping. This upgrade for the IK sample workstation plug-in comes complete with enhanced application features and an enlarged 2 DVD sound set. SampleTank 2.1 features more multi-sampled instruments, loops, phrases, percussion, traditional instruments, world percussion loops and a wider range of electronic and acoustic instruments in every category and style. Sampletank is available as as a stand-alone application, and in VST, RTAS, and Audio Units formats.

SampleTank 2.1 XL costs $499 and SampleTank 2.1 L is $299. All SampleTank LE/SE and previous SampleTank 1.0 customers can upgrade to the new SampleTank 2.1XL for $299 or the new SampleTank 2.1 L for $199.

Ohm Force announced a special Christmas offer. Until 13th January, 2006, you can purchase Ohm Force products at discounted prices :

- Symptohm:Melohman is currently 99 € instead of 199€
- Symptohm:Melohman Pack (all versions) is currently 129€ instead of 249€
- All Filters Bundle is currently 219€ instead of 299€
- All All Bundle is currently 469€ instead of 549€.

Synful has updated its orchestral string synth Synful Orchestra to version 2.3. This new release adds : solo instrument can now be turned into a natural sounding section in String, Wind and Brass Sections, Natural Divisi, virtual players can be positioned in the listening room, Bigger and Prettier User Interface, Better Performance, Better Note Transition Modeling, Enter Control Values By Typing, new MIDI example, Program Locking and several bufixes.

Synful Orchestra 2.3.0 AU & VST is a free beta update. Full version of Synful Orchestra costs $479.

FabFilter released Twin, a new "rich analog" virtual synth. Twin - Audio Units and VST - features :

- Two oscillators
- Two independent multimode filters provide low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass responses with 12/24 dB/octave slopes
- Different oscillator-filter routings
- Envelope generators and LFOs
- General modulation sources
- MIDI learn
- More than 500 factory presets.

Twin AU-VST costs $99 until January 31, 2006.

Ableton has updated Live to version 5.0.3 in order to fix several bugs. Live is an audio sequencer which you can play like an instrument. It allows you to bring together audio material from various sources. All the samples used are adjusted to the tempo of the song in real time without changing the pitch...

Details of bugs fixed available in the MacMusic software section.