M-Audio announces the version 2 firmware update for the Black Box. This new update increases the total number of guitar and bass amp emulations from 12 to 40. The unit now boasts modeled versions of the Fender Deluxe Reverb, Fender Champ, Marshall JCM-800, Vox AC-15, Roland Jazz Chorus, Mesa Boogie Mark IIc, Diezel VH4, ENGL Powerball, Peavey 5150 MkII, Bogner Ecstasy, Budda Twinmaster, Matchless Chieftain, Acoustic 360, Ampeg SVT, Gallien-Krueger 800RB, SWR SM-500 and more. Additionally, the effects section has been significantly revamped and now includes five different reverbs, compression and new modulation options as well as a host of new beat-synced effects. The unit now includes 121 total effects.

M-Audio Black Box owners can download the free firmware update from the M-Audio web site.

At NSCA show in Las Vegas, Lexicon announces an upcoming new desktop interface : the Alpha Studio. This USB powered audio interface will ship with Cubase LE and Lexicon Pantheon VST Reverb. It will feature one XLR micro input, two TRS line inputs, two TRS/RCA line outputs a 1/4 instrument input and a 1/8 powered headphone output. The Alpha Studio is a two tracks audio interface working at 44.1 or 48 kHz (16-or 24-bit).

Lexicon Alpha Studio will ship at $130,00.

Tape-Head by Massey is a new saturation plug-in for Pro Tools TDM and LE. Use it to make your drum tracks louder and fuller, add grit to vocals, or thicken your stereo mix. A fully usuable demo of Tape-Head is available that never expires and introduces no mutes or beeps in the audio.

A full version adds additional features and is available for $69.

IK Multimedia released a demo version of Classic Studio Rerverb in VST, Audio Units and RTAS formats for Mac OSX . This plugins suite offers 4 high-end reverb choices: Plate, Room, Hall and Inverse, designed to get the maximum musicality for easy integration into any mix situation. Classik Studio Reverb also comes with 140 high quality presets and smooth parameter morphing capabilities. Classic Studio Reverb costs $399,00. A TDM version is under development.

This demo is fully fully functional for 10 days (30 starts) and needs a Syncrosoft USB Key dongle.

MacMusic remind you that that Digidesign Hardware Exchange prices will increase May 23, 2006, so owners of legacy Digidesign Pro Tools systems can still take advantage of preferential pricing on their hardware exchange up to a Pro Tools|HD system. To make the deal even sweeter, Digidesign is introducing the ExchangePack plug-ins. For a limited time, you can select additional plug-ins, for free, when you exchange up to a Pro Tools|HD 2 Accel or Pro Tools|HD 3 Accel system. The ExchangePack plug-ins are yours in addition to the Pro Tools HD 7 software, HDpack plug-ins, and Pro Tools Ignition Pack collection of creative tools that are included with every new Pro Tools|HD system.

The ExchangePack promotion will end March 20 (tomorrow indeed !).