Between 15 November and 31 December, enter to win one of three Spider III amps. The lucky grand-prize winner will receive a Spider III 150 2x12 combo, the second-prize winner will receive a Spider III 75 1x12 combo and the third-prize winner will receive a Spider III 30 1x12 combo !

Celemony has released new versions of Melodyne Studio and Melodyne cre8. With version 3.2.2 both programs are now compatible with Mac OS X 10.5.1 (Leopard). All problems related to the use of ReWire and the MelodyneBridge have been solved. Overall performance (176.4 kHz compatibility) and stability of Melodyne is improved and a solution to avoid problems when using the Spot-to-Pro-Tools feature with Pro Tools version 7.4 is included.

DDMF has released version 1.0 of its tracking equalizer IIEQPro as a Universal Binary Audio Unit for the Mac OS X platform. It features 10 bands with 12 filter types per band and is fully parametric.

At the same time the Windows version has been updated to 1.3, as the whole thing is now based on JUCE. Specifically the control behaviour has changed a bit; in most hosts it is possible to enter values directly, and you can switch into velocity-sensitive mode for fine tuning. A number of presets have been included and mouse wheel support has been added.

The price is still "whatever-you-feel-appropriate".

Algoriddim has released version 2.0 of djay for Mac OS X. A completely redesigned user interface makes it even more intuitive to use, and a new high-performance audio engine supports over 30 different audio and media formats.

New features :

- Full screen mode
- Automix: With Automix, djay will automatically mix live any iTunes playlist of your choice with amazing transitions.
- New Audio Effects : Reverse playback, Scratching, Backspin, Instant Echo and Reverb (without a single slider), Gain, Pitch-Bend, Voice Pitch-Shifter, Audio Unit Effects for the Microphone
- Undo/ Redo in Real-Time
- Live Microphone
- Fully automatic audio hardware detection and configuration
- Etc...

djay v2.0 is available now for Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 and costs $49.99 / €39.99.

Inspiration Sounds has released the Funked Up Guitars Sample Pack. Recorded at 96Khz and 24-Bit resolution using Pro Tools HD and mixed through a Control 24 mixing desk with Focusrite Class A Preamps, it includes 564 guitar loops and riffs played by "internationally renowned Guitarist", Cliff Moore. However, it has been dithered down in Pro Tools HD to 44.1Khz 16-Bit to ensure compatibility with the wide range of keyboards that don't offer 24-Bit file import.

Features :

- 195 MB Sample Pack (Compressed into a .ZIP File)
- Includes Clean and Distorted versions of each loop
- Keys are in C, D, E, F, G, A & B
- Total of 564 Loops, Riffs and Slides
- File names indicate key and tempo
- .WAV Format
- PC/Mac Compatible

The Funked Up Guitars Sample Pack is available now from the Inspiration Sounds website for £19.95 / US $41.24.