MOTU is now shipping the UltraLite, a half rack-space, bus-powered FireWire audio interface that turns a laptop or desktop Power Mac, Intel Mac or PC into a mobile 24-bit, 96kHz recording studio with 10 inputs and 14 outputs. Housed in sturdy yet lightweight aluminum alloy, the UltraLite provides 2 mic/instrument inputs with preamps, 48V phantom power, unique three-way pad switch (-36, -18 and 0dB) and front-panel Digital Precision Trim knobs that provide 24dB of gain in 1dB increments for a total gain range of 60dB. It also features 6 balanced line-level quarter-inch (TRS) inputs (a total of 8 analog ins) and 10 analog TRS outputs. Also included are 96 kHz stereo S/PDIF digital I/O, a dedicated stereo headphone output and MIDI I/O.

Motu UltraLite is now shipping worldwide (MSRP $595).

Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 is now available and includes additional M-Audio Interface Support (M-Audio Fast Track Pro and JamLab ). Pro Tools LE 7.1 and Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 both include the following new or enhanced features:

- Default Track Timebase when Creating New Tracks
- Support for co-installation of Pro Tools LE and M-Powered on the same computer
Pro Tools LE 7.1 and Pro Tools M-Powered 7.1 can be installed on the same Digidesign-qualified computer. Co-installation is only supported when Pro Tools LE and M-Powered have the exact same version number.

Cycling '74 released a version 4.5.7 of Max/MSP. This new version contains various bug fixes, adds some new objects features, supports the hosting of the latest versions of Pluggo, Mode, and Hipno (3.5.4, 1.2.4, 1.0.4) using the vst~ object., and adds support for the upcoming Pluggo 3.5.4 update. Max is a graphical programming environment for MIDI. There are 400 objects which are the building blocks of a complete audio application. It can be a sequencer, a synthesizer..

Last week Native Instruments focussed on its new KoreSound format and the new KORE Sound Browser. Today, Native Instruments in the "Kore Chapter 3" unveils the new KORE hardware controller. This upcoming KORE controller delivers manual control for all your Audio Unit and VST plug-ins, and features touch-sensitive knobs, high-resolution protocol, bi-directional communication, and audio/MIDI interface. Kore controller will also features two inputs, four outputs (two line out and one stereo headphone out), MIDI in/out, inputs for two foot pedals and one expression pedal, and USB 2.0 interface.

Sagan Technology today announced the availability of version 6.3.5 of its Metro music/audio/video workstation. The new version includes a host of new features, as well as cosmetic changes that provide a refreshing new look to many screens. This pre-release also includes support for new Intel-based new Apple computers.

For a complete list of new features and bug fixes click the link below.