Native Instruments has announced Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition, a software-only version of its digital guitar studio based on the upcoming 2.2 version of the Guitar Rig software, which will offer three additional components and will also include support for Intel-based Macintosh computers. This version offers the full functionality of the software without any limitations, with only the Rig Kontrol pedal remaining exclusive to the standard Guitar Rig 2 package.
Guitar Rig 2 Software Edition will be available in November 2006 for a suggested retail price of $339 / €299 from authorized dealers and in the NI Online Shop.

Tascam has announced its first condenser microphone, the LD-74. Designed by MXL, the LD-74 features a 1" gold-sputtered diaphragm, FET preamp, brass construction and a heavy-duty mic clip for attaching to a stand. This microphone is going to be available separately, or as part of the new TNT Bundle (a package containing the US-122L audio/MIDI interface, the LD-74 microphone and 48-track Cubase LE software) for a street price under $200.

ReKon audio has released VST Virus A Editor v1.1, a VSTi plug-in that offers advanced control of the Access Virus A hardware synthesizer from directly within your VST host application, including patch management and automation of all parameters.
reKon audio will also be releasing versions for the Virus B and C models, which will also support the Virus Rack and Rack XL models.

VST Virus A Editor is available for Windows and Mac OS X and costs $49.95. Demo versions will be available soon.

Nomad Factory has quickly released it's new Liquid Bundle II package to version 2.1. As requested by users, GUI color has been changed from purple to skyblue.

Bug fixes :
• Fixed sample rate problem on the Liquid Delay II at 48K and higher.
• Fixed Square and Sawtooth waveforms introducing 'pops' to the output signal (Liquid Delays II, Liquid Mods II, Liquid Phase II)
• The save dialog option has been removed and replaced by a 'Save' menu options.

Liquid Bundle II is available at a discounted price at DontCrac[k].

Iced Audio has released version 4.0 of their sample library manager AudioFinder.
Key features :
* Add File System notifications so that currently viewed browser column updates when other applications make changes in the current folder.
* Change Gain settings are saved for the next time and now show the value in dB.
* Brand new Auto Crop signal processing feature that works with all bit depths.
* Added the ability to drop a folder on the AudioFinder application icon to play the contents.
* Dozens of User Interface enhancements.
* Fixed the organizer path display to show "..." in the middle when the name is too long.
* New timer views.
* New waveform preview.
* New icons in the Scanner.
* Folders can now be moved to the trash with the Browser.
* Added Escape shortcut to close the Meta Editor.
* Bug fixes.