Feel free to check out all the exciting event and exhibit opportunities at the upcoming Macworld Conference & Expo this coming January in San Francisco, a unique spectrum of Macintosh technology buyers come together to explore and learn about the latest Mac innovations and coolest products.

Macworld Conference & Expo 2006 will take place from 10 to 13 January '06.

M-Audio unveils its new "Podcast Factory", a complete solution ti create podcasts with your Mac. This pack comes with a new 24-bit/48kHz mobile I/O audio interface called "Podcast Factory audio interface", with microphone preamp, two audio channels, a dedicated XLR input for the included dynamic microphone, a 1/4" input on the second channel with instrument and line levels, dual RCAs and 1/8" stereo headphone jack outputs. The Podcast Factory includes software that lets users record and edit program material such as speech, add music and sound effects, and post MP3s with RSS feeds to the Web.

The Podcast Factory will be available soon for $199.95

A week after the release of Pro Tools HD 7, Digidesign announces that Pro Tools LE 7 is now shipping. Pro Tools 7 LE works with MBox, MBox 2, Digi 002 and Digi 002 rack Digidesign interfaces. It runs on Mac G4 minimum processor, with Mac OS X 10.4.2 operating system. Update options are :

- Upgrade software download : $75
- Upgrade PLUS software download & 2 plug-in authorizations : $99
- Upgrade PLUS installation CDs, 2 plug-in authorizations, guide : $99
- Upgrading Guide and Installation CDs (without authorization) : $15

Digidesign announces the availability of Dynamics III, a free download and a new addition to the free collection of DigiRack plug-ins. Dynamics III is a professional plug-in suite that includes a Compressor/Limiter, Expander/Gate, and De-Esser, each in an easy-to-use interface. Dynamics III offers simple ways to apply dynamics processing in mono, stereo, or in a full range of surround formats. It also integrates easily with control surfaces and consoles, including the VENUE live sound environment and the ICON integrated console environment, giving you direct, hand-on control of functions. Best of all, Dynamics III is offered for free to all Pro Tools and Avid system users as part of the Digidesign DigiRack plug-in collection.

Unveiled at New-York AES, Bandstand by Native Instruments is now shipping. Bandstand is a software instrument designed for musicians, performers and producers that work with the General MIDI format. Bandstand includes a true studio-quality GM sound library, and is equipped with a host of powerful and easy-to-use General MIDI features that make working with GM-based arrangements efficient and convenient, both in the studio and on stage.

Bandstand costs 199 €.