The Sound Guy has announced the release of SFX Machine Pro 1.0, an audio multi-effects plug-in for Mac. SFX Machine Pro is the latest entry in the SFX Machine family. It comes with over 300 effects, including more than 50 new effects. In addition, a Preset Editor provides access to the underlying modular synthesis engine, allowing users to create their own effects from scratch. The plug-in provides Tempo Sync, which matches LFO frequencies and delay times to the host sequencer's tempo, and it includes an output limiter, a new interface, and twice as much delay memory as SFX Machine RT. Automated parameter control is possible via a simple "MIDI Learn" interface, and a Randomize button allows quick experimentation.

Ardour is now available as version 0.99.3. This first Universal Binay release also fixes several bugs. Ardour is a digital audio workstation. You can use it to record, edit and mix multi-track audio. Ardour capabilities include: multichannel recording, non-linear, non-destructive region based editing with unlimited undo/redo, full automation support, a mixer whose capabilities rival high end hardware consoles, lots of plugins to warp, shift and shape your music, and controllable from hardware control surfaces at the same time as it syncs to timecode.

Native Instruments has released Kontakt v2.1. This free update includes several improvements to compatibility, stability, performance, sound quality and usability as well as new functions : Shorter Loading Times, Less Memory Usage usage, Lower Processor usage, Load Better, Multi-Processor Support, and New sample Search. Kontakt 2.1 is now fully compatible to Bandstand, Akoustik Piano and Kontakt Player 2 and with ProTools 6.9 and 7 (7.0 and 7.1). This version also features a new Performance and Minimized View, a new High Quality Interpolation Mode and new effects : Limiter, Pro Compressor, and Pseudo Stereo.

Mutools announced Luna Free and Luna Unlimited. Luna Free is a light version of Luna Unlimited and is free to everyone. Luna is an alternative, ultra-light virtual music studio, designed to compose & perform music of different styles and flavors. It features : Audio Recording & Playback, MIDI Recording & Playback, Composition & Sequence Editing, Effect & Instrument VST Plugins, Powerful Audio Mixing Desk, Audio Engine using 32 bit floats, almost any samplerate, Sample accurate sequencing
Multi Undo/Redo, Running on OSX (Core Audio).

Luna Unlimited costs 29 euros and Luna Free is… free.

At NAB in Las Vegas, Digidesign announces two new updates for Pro Tools :

- Pro Tools HD 7.2 will feature : Edit video as easily as audio, Work with multiple video clips, tracks, and playlists, Play QuickTime video through AVoption|V10 or Avid Mojo, and Bounce edited audio and video to QuickTime. Pro Tools HD 7.2 will be available in the second half of 2006, and will retail for $199.

- Pro Tools LE and M-Powered version 7.1.1 compatible with Intel-Macs is expected later this month and will be free to registered users of version 7.