Native Instruments has released Kontakt v2.1. This free update includes several improvements to compatibility, stability, performance, sound quality and usability as well as new functions : Shorter Loading Times, Less Memory Usage usage, Lower Processor usage, Load Better, Multi-Processor Support, and New sample Search. Kontakt 2.1 is now fully compatible to Bandstand, Akoustik Piano and Kontakt Player 2 and with ProTools 6.9 and 7 (7.0 and 7.1). This version also features a new Performance and Minimized View, a new High Quality Interpolation Mode and new effects : Limiter, Pro Compressor, and Pseudo Stereo.

Mutools announced Luna Free and Luna Unlimited. Luna Free is a light version of Luna Unlimited and is free to everyone. Luna is an alternative, ultra-light virtual music studio, designed to compose & perform music of different styles and flavors. It features : Audio Recording & Playback, MIDI Recording & Playback, Composition & Sequence Editing, Effect & Instrument VST Plugins, Powerful Audio Mixing Desk, Audio Engine using 32 bit floats, almost any samplerate, Sample accurate sequencing
Multi Undo/Redo, Running on OSX (Core Audio).

Luna Unlimited costs 29 euros and Luna Free is… free.

At NAB in Las Vegas, Digidesign announces two new updates for Pro Tools :

- Pro Tools HD 7.2 will feature : Edit video as easily as audio, Work with multiple video clips, tracks, and playlists, Play QuickTime video through AVoption|V10 or Avid Mojo, and Bounce edited audio and video to QuickTime. Pro Tools HD 7.2 will be available in the second half of 2006, and will retail for $199.

- Pro Tools LE and M-Powered version 7.1.1 compatible with Intel-Macs is expected later this month and will be free to registered users of version 7.

Sugar Bytes announced its new plugin Vogue, in VST and Audio Units formats for Mac OS X. Vogue is a voice pre-amp plugin with overdrive, 3-band Dynamic EQ and multi-effect section featuring Gate, Filter, Delay and Reverb.

Vogue will be available in June.

CharterOak Acoustic Devices announced today they would introduce their new E700 solid-state condenser microphone at the upcoming Paris AES show (AES Booth #1314).The CharterOak E700 is a dual diaphragm solid-state condenser microphone, which employs pure class A head amp electronics and CharterOak's S4 capsule type, consisting of two 1.22" gold sputtered Mylar diaphragms. While this microphone is excellent for universal recording applications, its rich sound and extremely low noise floor make it a particularly excellent choice in the broadcast and voice over environments.

The affordable E700 (street price $999) maintains the build quality and distinctive sound for which all CharterOak models are known. The E700 microphone ships in a flight case complete with shock mount and the standard CharterOak Lifetime Warranty.