Apple has refreshed its laptop line, faster processor, larger hard drive, etc... The most notable upgrade comes in the form of Intel Penryn processors now being used in the new MacBook Pros, which now clock in to a maximum of 2.5GHz. MBP now also features the same Multi-Touch Trackpad technology found on MacBook Air.

MacBook Pro 15" - 2.4 GHz ($1999)
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
- 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 4GB;
- 200GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
- Multi-Touch trackpad and illuminated keyboard

MacBook Pro 15" - 2.5 GHz ($2499)
- 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache;
- 2GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expand ...

Marantz introduces the PMD580 Solid State Recorder, the newest addition to its family of rackmount digital recorders.

The PMD580 brings many of the same features found in the PMD Series recorders but adds a crucial new dimension: network connectivity. Via its Ethernet port, this unit can be positioned as a network device, allowing users to set menu parameters, schedule recording events, and transfer and archive audio files, all by using a web-based GUI interface from any PC or Mac in the network.

The new unit also adds balanced XLR inputs and outputs, SPDIF as well as AES/EBU digital interfaces and RS232 control. It offers MP3 and WAV Recording formats, and users can select between 16-bit and 24-bit resolution.

Highlights :

- Choice of 24-bit or 16-bit Recording onto Compact Flash (CF) Card
- Ethernet Connectivity and Internal Web Browser
- Automatic Archiving of Recorded Files
- Easy Recording
- MP3 and WAV File Formats
- Menu-selectable Quality Settings
- Balanced XLR Inputs and Outputs
- AES/EBU and S/PDIF Digital Inputs and Outputs
- RS232 Control Port
- No Moving Parts
- FAT32 File Structure
- Contact Closures with Menu-driven Control

Finally it is done : Independence Pro is now shipping ! It includes Independence 2, Independence Live and Independence FX.

Independence 2

The "next level of software sampler workstations" including a premium 70GB sound library. The audio engine of Independence 2 was completely redesigned and improved. With the new "multi core support" you can now decide how many cores of your computer you want to reserve for Independence 2.
Another leap forward is the possibilty to load 3rd party VST effects and VST instruments directly in Independence 2, so you have immediate access not only to other sample libraries in Independence 2 but also all your other VST effects and/or instruments.
The completely new "Browser" page lets you search and import audio and MIDI files as easy as possibl ...

Electro Grime is the latest release from Sample Label, Inspiration Sounds. It has been created for producers looking for totally fresh electro synths, basslines, drums and synth fx for dirty electro house and minimal house production.

Created exclusively using analogue synthesizers and drum machines, all loops are at 128BPM. It includes Drum Loops (Tops), Drum Loops (Bottoms), Bass Loops, Synth & FX Loops, Musical Loops but also one-shot hits.

Specifications :

- 570MB Data
- ACIDized Wave Files
- Apple Loops
- REX2 files
- All loops sync to BPM
- PC/Mac Compatible

Electro Grime is available now for instant download at a retail price of £29.95 / €39.95 / $49.95.

Voxengo releases VariSaturator, an audio effect plug-in designed to apply saturation effects over audio material. It can be used both to boost the loudness of the audio tracks without increasing their peak levels proportionally, and to apply subtle harmonic coloration that makes tracks sound more pronounced and polished.

Features :

- Two-band processing
- Valve and digital saturation
- Multi-channel processing
- Internal channel routing
- Channel grouping
- Mid/side processing
- 64-bit floating point processing
- Preset manager
- Undo/redo history
- A/B comparisons
- Contextual hint messages

VariSaturator is available now for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU formats at an introductary price of $55.96 (regular price $69.95).