Native Instruments announces that the new version of its drawbar organ, the B4 II, is now available in strores. The bass pedal section of the B4 II has been extended with a Pedal Bass Legato function, and now even includes a special "String Bass" option. Th new B4 II comes equipped with a new selection of models, ranging from a number of B3 organs of different age and condition to Vox Continental, Farfisa and Harmonium models. The rotary speaker section, the crucial element in achieving the signature Hammond sound, has also received a complete overhaul that brings both its authenticity and versatility to a new level.

B4 II is available for $229/199 Euro and an update for existing B4 owners is available for $99/79 Euro.

Nagra announces from Switzerland an upcoming Nagra digital portable recorder. The Nagra "Ares-M" will feature 1 GB internal memory, a USB port, .wav recording (20 Bit A/D & D/A conversion at 8 to 48 kHz PCM) or .mpeg recording (64 to 384 kb/s), mini jack microphone input, mini jack line input, jack 3.5 mm stereo line output, and headphone output. It will come with an integrated microphone, and a USB cable. The Ares-M is powered by 2 x "AA" cells with a 10 hours atonomy.

It will cost 1,200 CHF (USD$ not available yet).

AudioRealism has announced Bass Line Pro, an enhanced version of its Bass Line virtual instrument. Bass Line Pro features a full range oscillators with no aliasing, 32-voice polyphonic mode, non-linear filter with self oscillation and VCF tracking, stereo Delay unit with modulatable delay time, patch cable system that allows additional CV routing, and more than 500 preset patches and sequences.

Bass Line Pro will be available soon in VST Mac OS X with an Audio Units version to follow

Announced on October 6, the new Project Mix I/O, a FireWire audio interface and motorized mixing surface, is now shipping. This new M-Audio product features 8 powered micro/line inputs (1/4, XLR, peak led), 8 ADAT inputs and outputs, one S/PDIF in/out, one high level instrument input, 4 outputs (1/4), MIDI In/Out, 2 headphones outputs with level control, Word Clock In/Out, 8 motorized faders, 8 assignable encoders, 1 master fader, a Jog Wheel, LED screen, locators, support for Mackie Control-Logic Control-HUI protocols. This interface is total compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered, Live, Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer and SONAR.

M-Audio Project Mix I/O ships at $1,299.95.

TC Electronic introduces two new PowerCore plug-ins, Fabrik R and Fabrik C, which feature user interface called MINT, Meta Intuitive Navigation Technology. MINTTM allows the user to respond intuitively to any audio material with just a few simple knobs. The first two MINT-flavored plug-ins are Fabrik R, a swiss-knife reverb tool with four high-quality TC reverbs, and Fabrik C, a high-resolution channel EQ, de-esser, and 3-band/full band compressor in one single plug-in.

Fabrik R and Fabrik C are expected to ship in December, 2005 at 299€ (ex. VAT).