LinPlug announced the anticipated Octopus 1.1 update and thanks all of you who helped with the public beta test. The update is available now at the download section of LinPlug web site, and features :

- Status of controller is kept when a new preset is loaded
- Optimized CPU on certain patches with long releases
- Octopus' Bank and Preset displays are now always updated
- Fixed Glide on transposed sounds
- Fixed crashes on a few AMD based systems
- Host Mixer track now named Octopus
- New Mastertune (fine tuning with 1 cent resolution)
- Transpose range bug fixed (AU only)
- French and German PDF manual available.

Apple today unveiled a new 1GB iPod nano for just $149, offering the same features as the 2GB and 4GB iPod nano models and holding up to 240 songs or 15,000 photos. The new 1GB iPod nano's ultra-portable design is thinner than a #2 pencil and features Apple's patent pending Click Wheel and the same color screen as the other iPod nano models.

In addition, Apple announced that the iPod Shuffle is now more affordable than ever with the 512MB and 1GB models priced at $69 and $99 respectively.

Waves just releases its new SSL 4000 version 1.0 plugins pack, available as VST-AU-RTAS and TDM versions. Developed under license from Solid State Logic, the Waves SSL 4000 Collection consists of three meticulously modeled plug-ins: the SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, the SSL G-Equalizer, and the SSL E-Channel. Now, the classic sound of the SSL 4000 Series can be your sound.

Native version ships at $800 and TDM version at $1600.

JBL announced that its LSR4300 Control Center Software is now available for Macintosh. This tool allows users to control system volume, input source selection, solo, mute and more from their Mac. The LSR4300 Studio Monitors serie is dedicated to project studios, post-production and broadcast facilities, with two models : LSR4326P (powered six-inch two-way system) and the LSR4328P (powered eight-inch two-way system) . They come with a dedicated system volume control, mute and solo functions and input switching that allows the user to monitor a range of analog and digital playback sources. Each model includes high-resolution 24-bit, 96kHz AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital inputs to interface with computer audio interfaces.

Announced during Winter NAMM, Steinberg Virtual Guitarist 2.0 is now shipping worldwide. Offering a full 6.8 GB of authentic, editable riffs, parts and licks in 88 musical styles, offering a staggering total of nearly 1100 different parts across 88 styles including pop, rock, metal, reggae and country to name but a few. Virtual Guitarist 2 offers a complete computer-based instrument that creates realistic electric and acoustic rhythm guitar parts from scratch. The new Part Editor allows full editing control over every single Virtual Guitarist 2 phrase. Each chord is broken up into slices, which the user can manipulate as desired.

Guitarist 2 is shipping for 239 euros. Existing Virtual Guitarist or Virtual guitarist Electric Edition customers can update to the new Virtual Guitarist 2 version for 79 euros.