EarMaster ApS releases the Mac OS X-compatible version of its software EarMaster Pro 5 and EarMaster School 5, a software suite for Ear Training and Practical Music Theory available in 18 languages.

EarMaster Pro 5 features 651 progressive lessons including a set of Jazz lessons, 12 exercise areas to train with intervals, chords, scales, rhythms and melodies, interactive answering methods (MIDI instrument or microphone), switchable on-screen interfaces (staff, multiple-choice, piano, guitar, bass, violin, cello, etc.), detailed statistics, a customized mode to target specific elements of practice, etc.

EarMaster School 5 is the academic edition of the software. It offers additional features for music teachers and schools such as the creation of entire sets of lessons, class and student management, network compatibility and E-learning features for remote teaching.

Pricing :

- EarMaster Pro 5 : $59.99 / €69.95
- EarMaster School 5 : $129.99 / €119

To celebrate Christmas, Ableton has announced a 25% discount for anyone purchasing Live 7, Live 7 LE or Suite before the 31st December 2008.

The 25% off deal also applies to users who wish to upgrade to the full version from Lite or LE versions of the software.

Berkley Integrated Audio Software, a.k.a. BIAS, has released Peak Express 6. This new version adds significant features, including integration with the newly released BIAS iProRecorder — a general purpose recording application for iPhone and iPod touch.

Import, Record, Edit & Process
In addition to direct file transfer support from iProRecorder, Peak Express 6 offers essential audio importing, recording, editing and processing options for both the casual and more serious audiophile. Peak Express 6 opens most popular file formats, including AIFF, .WAV, SDII, MP3, MP2, QuickTime, AAC, and FLAC. Peak Express 6 can also import entire tracks, or selected portions, directly from CDs, making it easy to create custom mixes or sound collages from existing content. Editing features such a ...

Sonic Reality unveils a new expandable studio instrument plug-in : Infinite Player. Powered by Native Instruments' Kontakt Player, this new plug-in and stand-alone music software is made to be infinitely expandable with fresh new sample content from Sonic Reality including the Studio ProFiles series multi-track drum kit and groove collections.

Infinite Player features high resolution 24 bit fidelity, virtually unlimited polyphony, up to 64-part multi-timbrality, advanced surround capabilities and integrated effects including convolution and master effects. It also has the unique ability to read Sonic Reality's proprietary multi-channel Rex 2 files which are mapped across the keyboard in Kontakt's Beat Mode which offers for the first time real audio drum grooves with both the ability to lock to your host's tempo and also the ability to mix the discrete mics of the recorded drums. Users of Kontakt software can also read Infinite Player libraries inside full Kontakt and the individual rex grooves can also be read by any software that supports Rex 2 files such as ProTools, Cubase, Logic, Stylus RMX, Reason, Project 5 and more.

Infinite Player will be available world-wide as a download before the end of the month, it can be purchased in combination with Sonic Reality sound collections such as the Studio ProFiles Drum Masters Silver, Gold and Platinum packages and others at a variety of prices ranging from $199 to $995.

CME has announced latest version 2.0 firmware for their UF series MIDI keyboards. The major changes of the firmware are :

- Adds Pro Tools modes in U-CTRL function,
- Adjusts the MIDI Route.
- Optimises the keyboard's velocity sensitivity.
- Optimises the keyboard's operating and display manner
- Rectifies the bank number errorwhen sending the tone data
- Stabilises the pitch bend transferring data.
- Fixes known bugs and errors

The full update is free. Users can download it from CME website and select the relevant model to upgrade.