WaveArts announces the release of PowerSuite version 5.20. TrackPlug now includes a real time spectrum analyzer, support for external sidechain input and a user selectable EQ. This release also includes 192Kb support in Panorama, fixes a Panorama loading bug on MacIntel, fixes resource loading errors with TrackPlug, and improves compatibility with Mac 10.3.9. Power Suite 5 by WaveArts includes: TrackPlug, MultiDynamics, MasterVerb, FinalPlug and the new Panorama, a 3-D virtual acoustics processor with binaural HRTF technology.

Solid State Logic announces that Duende, its first entry in the DAW world, is shipping today. Duende is a DSP platform in a rack format, enabling you to have the SSL sound quality directly in your favorite audio software. It connects to your computer via Firewire 400 and the plug-ins are in AU, VST and RTAS so all DAWs are concerned. Each unit handles 32 channels at 96 KHz, and 2 can be daisy chained.

Duende ships at $1899.

Vienna Symphonic Library announces that five new elements in the Symphonic Cube are now available : Woodwinds II, Brass I, Brass II, Harps and Percussion. The "Cube" contains all of the samples that are included in the Pro Edition and the Horizon Series, plus much more, for example, Fast Interval Performances, Trill Performances (using the speed controller), gypsy and harsh styles, ponticello, sul tasto, ricochet, mordents, arpeggios, etc.

The Vienna Instruments is now available as Universal Binary on Mac.

Kenton unveils a couple of prototype controllers intended for use with Ableton Live or similar software. Neither unit has a final name at the moment and are temporarily being called AB Mini and AB DJ.

- The AB Mini communicates via USB, has 9 endless rotary encoders, 9 push buttons and a joystick. It is USB powered for convenience. The 9 encoder knobs can also be pushed to select MIDI channels to operate on - allowing up to 9 channels of operation. The joystick can send X and Y co-ordinates on the currently selected channel, and could be used for pitchbend and/or modulation control. The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium with matching knobs and is the same width as a 12" powerbook.

- The AB DJ (our photo), as its temporary name suggests, is aimed at the DJ market. Again this controller is mainly aimed at Ableton Live and Tractor users. The unit has three channel strips and a master section. Each channel strip has a Master Volume with six rotary knobs below that. Beneath that again are 6 buttons which illuminate when active, intended for mutes, AB selection and headphone monitor. Beneath that are two pads which can be used for firing off samples. The whole unit is finished in brushed aluminium, and has USB and MIDI ports.

Price and availability to be announced, but if you have suggestions for better names or for improvements to the designs, please fell free to contact Kenton.

Apple just announced a new version 6.0.5 for iTunes and several firmware updates for iPods :

- iTunes 6.0.5 allows you to preview, buy, and download music videos, short films, and hit TV programs on the iTunes Music Store, and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go, and allows you to sync your Nike + iPod workout data.

- iPod firmware update 1.1.2 : bugfix
- iPod Nano firmware update 1.2 : bugfix and adds sync and support for Nike + Ipod
- iPod Shuffle firmware update 1.1.4 : bugfix and adds volume limit. (iTunes 6.0.5 or later required to set a maximum volume limit for iPod Shuffle)