When Solid State Logic issued the AWS 900, they had Pro Tools users in mind. Now the 900+ extends deeply the capabilities at last to Nuendo, Digital Performer and Logic. At last! Beside the Aluminium sides (perfect along the G5 quad I'd say ;), displays and meters have been revised, the new communication protocol permits the use of the faders and D-pots on plug-ins and virtual instruments, there's workstation master fader support. The maybe dream machine of controllers/interface gets even better.

It seems the time for the iBooks is coming near. Asustek won the market to manufacture the future macintel iBooks and shipping is supposed to be in June…

The AES Pro Audio Expo & Convention returns to Paris in 2006 and for the first time, will be held at Paris Expo, the leading French exhibition centre and the 4th biggest complex in Europe. AES says "France is considered as the figurehead of Europe for entertainment. The country is also a cultural melting pot, housing a vast number of theatrical and musical festivals, generating work for the contingent of light & sound companies located all over the country. Furthermore, France has always been a receptive field to innovation (the IRCAM and the "Grand Stade de France" being the perfect examples of impressive achievements for audio technologies."

The 120th AES will take place from May 20 to May 23, at Paris-Expo Porte de Versailles.

TerraTec Producer will unveil a unique keyboard - AREA 61. Based on an unprecedented design, AREA 61 is an expandable keyboard system for studio and gigging musicians. It is a genuine musical instrument with freely selectable, integrated sound generators (optionally available DSP soundboards) that may also serve as a central control unit for all software sequencers and virtual instruments in computer-based music studios. AREA 61 is the first keyboard to come with an integrated USB 2.0 High Speed Audio and MIDI Interface. Appointments such as an advanced low-latency architecture, 24-bit/ 96-kHz resolution and discrete power amps ensure high fidelity and assertive sound in the studio and on stage. In addition, keyboardists can equip AREA 61 with optionally available sound modules for use as a classic synthesizer, that is, without a computer. To this end, TerraTec Producer now offers KOMPLEXER, a synthesizer that runs as a VSTi plug-in and as a standalone DSP application.

The AREA 61 Controller Keyboard will be available in stores in Q 3/2006, retailing for 599.00 euros.

An update to Mac OS 10.4.6 Apple's operating system is now available, via Software update utility, and on the Apple Web site. This update includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies: login and authentication in a variety of network environments, file access and byte range locking with AFP file sharing, network access when using proxy server automatic configuration files, connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec, using Bluetooth wireless devices, searching iWork '06 and Microsoft Office documents with Spotlight, saving Word documents automatically when using a network home directory, creating Automator workflows for iPhoto 6, synchronizing contacts and calendars to .Mac and mobile phones, mounting and unmounting iDisk volumes, compatibility with third party applications and devices and previous standalone security updates.

The Mac OS X 10.4.6 Update (delta) updates Mac OS X 10.4.5 to version 10.4.6 on both Intel-based Macs and PowerPC-based Macs.