Yesterday morning without much fanfare, Apple updated its homepage to announce the new 8-core Xeon Mac Pro ! We're talking about two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors with up to 3TB of internal storage and up to 16GB of fully buffered ECC RAM... a dream... with a price, starting at about USD$2,499 and topping out at over USD$12,000.

If you can afford it, it's here.

IK Multimedia has announced SampleTank 2.5, a powerful upgrade for the sample workstation plug-in, SampleTank 2. It includes many new features such as an enhanced built-in effects system with auxiliary and master effects, the addition of a high-quality studio reverb, the ability to read all 'Powered by SampleTank' instruments and more.

New features:

- 5 AUX insert effects.
-5 Master insert effects.
-33 selectable effects, including a high-quality reverb derived from CSR.

SampleTank 2.5 is a free downloadable upgrade for all registered users of SampleTank L and XL and is expected to be available in May 2007.

Presonus has announced a new headphone amplification system called HP60. It features six ultra low-noise, high-output PreSonus headphone amplifiers. Audio inputs include two stereo main inputs (A and B), as well as external input for each channel allow the user to mix between three stereo audio streams (mix A, mix B, and external input "more me"). Stereo output is available on each channel to send line level channel mixes to additional headphone amplifiers or monitor systems. Channel controls feature headphone level, mix between inputs A and B, external input volume, mute and mono. The HP60 also features talkback via external XLR microphone.

For more information, please visit their web site.

Yellow Tools has announced the release of Independence version 1.5.0, a major update for the software sampler workstation. This new version contains new instrument Layers for the sophisticated MIDI file player engine "Arranger" with automatic chord recognition. Also new are three powerful modelers: The Mic Modeler, the Cabinet Modeler and the Preamp Modeler. Beside many more features, the performance of Independence's basic technology "A.I.T." (Advanced Instrument Technology) has been improved. In addition, the second Independence software extension - the Pro Surround Extension - is included in the update.

Independence v1.5.0 highlights :

* Universal Binary support for Intel-Macs.
* Pro Surround Environment: support all professional surround formats, like Pro Logi ...

MacMusic is proud to present the Avastor HDX professional FireWire, USB, Ethernet and SATA storage solution, proven to meet the performance demands of commercial and home studio users worldwide.

The entire HDX product line offers superior performance, unmatched reliability and the latest connectivity options. Preformatted and ready to go, Avastor external hard drives make it possible to add reliable, high-performance storage instantly to your Mac or PC. Using only 7200 RPM hard drives with 8 MB of cache and a high-speed bridge, this external hard drive provides maximum storage performance.

A must have if you care about your audio data...

Key Features :

- On-board 110/220V auto switching power supply, no external AC adapter
- Choose from storage capacities ranging from ...