At NAMM, M-Audio announces the Fast Track Pro mobile audio/MIDI interface. This pro version of the Fast Track USB is USB bus powered and features :

- 24-bit/44.1kHz audio interface with dual mic/ instrument preamps
- 2 front panel mic/instrument preamp inputs (Neutrik XLR/ ¼" TRS)
- 2 balanced outputs (¼" TRS), 4 unbalanced outputs (RCA),
- S/PDIF and MIDI I/O
- ¼" headphone output with level control and A/B source switch
- Kensington lock port

Fast Track Pro is Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher compatible. it will be available in August at $299,00.

Ableton annouces at NAMM that Live 5 is now shipping worldwide today. In addition, an update to version 5.0.1 is also available. Live 5 features :

- clip freeze
- plug-in delay compensation
- launchable arrangement locators
- Mackie Control support
- mp3 and automatic tempo-matching
- new 'complex' warp mode
- new clip transport
- new 'live clip' format
- better browsing
- new preset management
- device groups
- new library
- new instruments and effects : beat repeat; phraser and flanger; auto pan; saturator; arpeggiator; simpler updated.

Live 5 is now available for 499 euros or USD. For customers who purchased Live 4 between May 1, 2005 and May 31, 2005, downloadable upgrades to Live 5 will be available for 49 euros or USD. All customers who unlock Live 4 for the first time from June 1, 2005 until the final release day of Live 5 will receive a version 5 serial number on release day at no charge.

Art Vista Productions has released the Art Vista Virtual Grand Piano. This virtual piano plug-in is based on Native Instruments' Kontakt Player recreating the 1960 Hamburg Steinway "B" Concert Grand Piano. It features 200 presets, including emulations of recording styles from the most famous piano recordings in all genres from the 1950's through 2005.

Virtual Grand Piano is available in VST, AU, RTAS and Stand Alone formats and costs $120 (introductory price of US$99 until 16th August).

Native Instruments announces at Summer NAMM its new Akoustik Piano, a sample-based software instrument. It includes three famous Grand pianos that have been at the heart of countless classical concerts and recordings for many decades - the powerful and dynamic Boesendorfer 290 Imperial, the crystal-clear and versatile Steinway D, and the gentle Bechstein D 280 with its subtle harmonic overtones.

Akoustik Piano will be available in September 2005 for for $349 /299 euros.

As MacMusic announced on july 15th, the new Oxford Limiter plugin is now shipping. The Oxford Limiter is a very high quality programme limiter, which employs logarithmic side chain processing, with innovative adaptive timing functionality, using look ahead techniques. Whether seeking general transparent level control, programme loudness maximisation or heavily applied artistic effects, the Oxford Limiter provides outstanding flexibility and world class performance.

Sony Oxford limiter is available as TDM and RTAS versions.