Blue Cat Audio has released a new version of its Phaser and Stereo Phaser directX and VST plug-ins, with a new user interface and MIDI control capabilities. These plug-ins reproduce the typical analog phasing effect and have been modeled after vintage analog circuits. New in these 2.0 versions:

-Brand new skinnable graphic user interface using Blue Cat's skinning language v1.2.2.
-Advanced MIDI control with customizable parameters curve response and MIDI learn.
-All parameters can now be fine tuned thanks to a text-edit popup window that appears when double clicking on user interface widgets.
-User Manual accessible from plug-in UI.

Stereo Phaser: special introduction price is 17 EUR (instead of 19 EUR) or $20.5(instead of $22). Upgrade is free for registered users.

Steinberg announces a new generation of its Cubase music production software range, Cubase 4 and its streamlined sister product, Cubase Studio 4. New features in Cubase 4 include:

- SoundFrame universal sound manager
- Control Room seamlessly integrates Cubase 4 within analogue monitoring environments
- Brand new VST3 plug-in set with over 30 new plug-ins including StudioEQ, Cloner, ModMachine, AmpSimulator and guitar tuner, new Multiband Compressor and many more, - New VST instruments: 3 new synthesizers: Prologue, Spector and Mystic as well as HALion One sample player with hundreds of new instruments based on Yamaha Motif waveforms
- New redesigned user interface with enhanced navigability
- Enhanced Score and Notation features
- New Instrument Track class
- support for Mac OSX Universal Binary

Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 will ship in October 2006. Cubase 4 will retail for
€879.00, Cubase Studio 4 will retail for €399.00.

To celebrate the release of RiffWorks (v2) guitar recording software, Sonoma Wire Works is pleased to present the RiffRumble IV song contest. RiffRumble contestants have until September 27th to submit an original song created with RiffWorks. September 28th thru October 5th the public and judges will vote for their favorite songs. There is no entry fee or application process for this contest. There are 3 categories, so three people can win hundreds of dollars in prizes.

More information on the contest, prizes, and judges can be found on :

Rax has been updated to version 2.0.2 and now features :

- GUIs for Apple AUs don't stop updating anymore if a menu is open
- MIDI automation now works as intended
- Can now change Record Location
- MacBook iSight now works in OnStage
- MIDI file tempo in Rack mode improved
- Master volume with no sound after a drag'n'drop midi file is now fixed
- Module "view" button now makes Audio Unit's GUI visible
- Tassman now doesn't crash when its view component is closed
- Guitar Rig's (an effects plugin for RAX) "Open File" dialog box now displays correctly

Linplug announces an update to version 1.0.3 for Saxlab, which adds Universal Binary support, VST 2.4 compatibility and various bugfixes. The SaxLab is a flexible and easy-to-use saxophone synthesizer that combines samples and synthesizing techniques to an instrument full of expression capabilities. SaxLabs key features include an easy-to-use interface, a wide range of high-quality preset waveforms, an effects section that includes chorus and reverb, as well as extensive real-time modulation options. Special attention has been paid to making the performance controls as rich and responsive as possible, so that the instrument can be realistically played.