We already talked about the tiny weeny sweety MIDI control surfaces from Faderfox in 2004, Mr Fuchs just did it again. Here are the LV2, DJ2, DX2, and LX2 dedicated control surfaces. As the name can sugest, they are build to work with known live apps: Ableton Live (LV2, LX2) and NI Traktor DJ Studio (DJ2, DX2). Depending on the model you have buttons, faders, push-encoders, joystick aplenty and all in a 180x105x70 mm format for a weight of 450g. All module run either from an AC adapter (one per two surfaces), or on batteries so no adapter needed for live use! (They last about 100 hours).

The features added in comparison to the old range:

During February and March, Apple will host a new series of free seminars designed to demonstrate why the Mac is the perfect platform for creating and performing music with your guitar. It seems Apple have a special guest guitarist who will be coming along on the tour. Seminar will take place at :

- Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin - February 27th 18.30-21.30
- Jilly's Rockworld, Manchester - March 1st 18.30-21.30
- Cargo, Rivington St, London - March 6th 18.30-21.30

Places are limited so you are invited to register now for free on the Apple Web site.

Glaresoft announced the release of version 1.1 for iDrum which is now compatible with new Intel-based Macs and available as Universal Binary version. iDrum turns any Macintosh computer into a slamming beatbox ready to lay down your grooves, your way. From ambient downtempo to bangin' hip hop to frenetic drum and bass, iDrum has got your back. iDrum comes with hundreds of dope drum samples arranged into hundreds of iDrum files, each with several preset patterns programmed by some of the best beatmeisters working today.

CSound is not just only the very first and powerfull synthesis tool, it's also a monument, the very first "vintage" music computing tool, a memorial of computer music ! CSound is still alive, and is now available as version 5, which adds inter-operation support : hosting VST, working as VST or Audio Units, or communicate via OSC or Jack.

This new version is avaiable for free on the CSound web site.

My little finger, which is well acquainted, tolds me Moog Music is brewing something to be announced in March. As far as rumor goes it starts at a Taurus II medal bass synth, goes to a vocoder and end up with a full features analogue flying saucer…

It'll have LOT's of LEDs for the money and it will make sound…
Stay tuned! (drifting tolerated ;)