Yamaha announces its rollout of six upgraded MG Series analog mixers, adding to the four models introduced earlier this year.

The new MG166C and MG206C mixers' deep feature sets include Neutrik XLR connectors, redesigned faders, an environmentally friendly finish and high-output LED metering that is legible even in daylight. They also include EQ, advanced circuit design and high-quality microphone preamplifiers.

The MG166CX and the MG166CX-USB mixers incorporate Yamaha's digital SPX multi-effect processor. As the USB suffixes on their model numbers imply, the MG16/6CX-USB, MG166C-USB and MG206C-USB include USB ports and are specifically included to simplify and enhance live recording. The three USB models come with Steinberg Cubase AI4.

The MG Series Mixers are shipping now. Prices are as follows : the MG166C at $449, the MG166CX at $499, the MG166C-USB at $529, the MG166CX-USB at $599, the MG206C at $729 and the MG206C-USB at $799. For more information, please visit their web site.

Waves announce the GTR Solo, the latest addition to their GTR Series of guitar and bass processing solutions. Featuring a number of "realistically modeled" amps, cabinets and stomp boxes, GTR Solo offers the GTR family's studio-quality sounds in an intuitive, highly affordable software package.

GTR Solo includes 10 amp models from Fender®, Marshall®, Vox® and more. It also features 10 cabinet models and 13 stomp boxes (OverDrive, Distortion, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Delay, Wah Wah, Spring, Pitcher, Vibrolo, GateComp, EQ and Volume).

GTR Solo is available now for Mac OS X and Windows XP / Vista in VST, AU, RTAS and standalone versions at a price of $140.

Apple has just released Plugin Manager 1.7.3. This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and related SDKs.

Brauner has announced the Phanthera V microphone which looks like the Phanthera microphone released in the past year but with more features.

As common for all Brauner microphones, all components are of highest available quality and all microphones are entirely manufactured in Germany. The Phanthera V not only provides cardioid directivity but it also is capable of recording in omni or bidirectional mode with a simple switch and thus adapting it to different recording situations. An additional switchable attenuator reduces the output level of the microphone by 10 dB, providing further valuable dynamic range where necessary.

For more information, please visit their web site.

112dB has announced that its virtual vintage sampler Morgana has been updated to version 1.2. This version introduces VST and Audio Units versions for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard).

The update includes both the retail and demo versions of Morgana and is available immediately. Of course this is a free update for all registered users. Note that an RTAS version for both Windows and Mac OS X is scheduled for Q1 2008 and will be made available free to all registered users.