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.

Waves today announced Universal versions of its complete line of plug-in products for Intel-based Macs. With the creation of the new Universal Plug-Ins and the proliferation of new applications being developed for the Intel-based Mac systems, "Waves is fully behind the new Intel-based Mac platform and transitioning to Universal applications using Apple tools was easier than we had expected," said Waves CEO Gilad Keren. "We will continue our commitment to the greatest possible compatibility by offering Universal versions of all our products while continuing to develop next generation plug-ins for use with all industry standard platforms."

If you are serious about creating truly realistic sounding guitar for your songs, RealGuitar is just what you need. RealGuitar is a sample-based virtual instrument with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar part performing on a keyboard. RealGuitar is now equipped with a powerful multi-functional built-in Pattern Manager letting you use the RG MIDI Pattern Library for creating guitar accompaniment parts in the whole new and convenient way :

- Pattern Tree view, allowing to find/select rhythm patterns right from RealGuitar.- Pattern view, graphically presenting guitar 'Strokes' contained in the current rhythm pattern (differently colored 'Piano Roll' type bars allow to easily visualize Up/Down, Up/Down Muted, Slow Strums, individual string Strokes, etc.).
- Auditioning selected pattern by simply pressing chord on the external keyboard without starting your host sequencer, even with RealGuitar standalone run. Total synchronization with host's tempo, start/stop, beats, loop, time signature, etc.
- Drag'n'Drop selected pattern from Pattern window right to your host's MIDI track (pattern is automatically multiplied by the assigned number of measures).
- Real time pattern arranging (dramatic changing pattern performance on the fly).

The RealGuitar 2L upgrade will be available as a free download for all customers registered with MusicLab after October 3 2005.