Native Instruments just released Akoustik Piano, a free update for its piano software instrument. The new version offers significant improvements and additional features in almost every area, further extending its recognized strengths in sonic realism, playability, functionality and ease of use. Furthermore, Akoustik Piano 1.1 offers an enhanced user interface, an improved Recorder section with MIDI song import, MIDI automation for a wide range of sound parameters including volume and pan, an adjustable "bass boost" function, and an easy-to-use output limiter. The update also increases the number of maximum voices to 150, providing sufficient polyphony headroom for even the most demanding piano arrangements.

The 1.1 update is now available as a free download for all registered users. Mac Intel compatibility for Akoustik Piano will be introduced with a separate update, which will be released within the third quarter of 2006.

AudioEase has updated Altiverb to version 5.4.5 in order to fix several bugs : latency compensation problem in MAS, occassional crash with Digital Performer 5.1, better buffer size detector in Pro Tools, and buffer size checking also looks for M-Powered systems. Altiverb is a sampled acoustics processor that offers realistic one-, two- and four-channel sampled acoustics of real halls, cathedrals, bathrooms — and virtually any acoustic environment. Included in the release are dozens of presets ranging from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw to the back of a Ford Transit van.

This update is available for free.

Sonoma Wire Works, developers of RiffWorks recording software, have released RiffWorks Standard (version 2) offering increased compatibility, more features, integrated RiffCaster instant podcasting, and access to RiffLink online collaboration. RiffWorks Standard allows users to spontaneously record their musical ideas, create songs complete with drums and effects, jam online, and broadcast to an enthusiastic community. RiffWorks Standard installs easily on Mac OS Universal with any CoreAudio device

RiffWorks Standard is available for $129.99, which includes a 60-day free subscription to RiffLink.

Source Elements announces the release of Source-Live 1.1 VST plugin. Source-Live enables instant world-wide access to your studio. A complement to Source-Connect, Source-Live sits in your audio session and sends your mix directly to your clients. Email them your Live link, and they can log on to this Gateway - or open the stream directly in QuickTime - and listen immediately. No additional software required, no end user charges. And with direct management within the plug-in, you control who listens in. Source-Live is compatible with Pro Tools, from versions 6.4 and up.

Source-Live 1.1 is available now for Pro Tools and VST for $395.

Camel Audio unveils its new CamelCrusher plugin in VST and Audio Units formats. CamelCrusher is a versatile 'colouring' multi-effect plugin. It offers two characteristically different distortion sounds which can be blended together to create a wide variety of tones and textures. Great for guitars, drums and plenty more! There's also a warm, smooth analogue-style low-pass filter, with buckets of resonance. Assign a MIDI controller and start tweaking!

Best of all, CamelCrusher is available free of charge in our Software section.