Apogee has just published a special message on its website regarding Ensemble, Duet and FireWire 800 compatibility with Apple's new MacBook Pro :

"With Apple's recent notebook announcements, Apogee would like to reassure its current and future customers of compatibility between new FireWire 800-equipped MacBook Pros and Apogee's Ensemble and Duet FireWire audio interfaces.

Connection between a "late-2008" MacBook Pro and Ensemble or Duet is made with a commonly available FW800 to FW400 adaptor or cable. The connection of Ensemble or Duet to a FW800 port is fully supported and in no way alters the performance of the interface."

Great... if you can afford a MacBook Pro and you don't have the use of any FireWire hard drive.

By the way, here's a little song I wrote for the little Steve J. :

"You are my FireWire, my only FireWire
You make me happy when skies are grey
You'll never know, Dear, how much I need you
Please don't take my FireWire away"

Waves Audio introduces the Dorrough Meter Collection, developed in association with Dorrough Electronics, Inc. According to Waves :

"For over a decade, Waves has been a leader in the digital audio revolution, modeling console components, vintage amplifiers, and rare outboard compressors and equalizers. Now, with the Waves Dorrough Meter Collection, they have modeled the world's finest hardware meters. These precision models of classic Dorrough Meters offer the same readability, musicality and accuracy of the original units. Clear and comprehensive, Dorrough Meters are renowned for their unique ability to paint a detailed picture of true loudness, which is why more Dorroughs are used in advanced production facilities than those of any other brand. Displaying both average and peak levels in a single readout, Waves Dorrough Meters are the only meters which actually let users see the density of the sound."

Features include:

- Super-fast peak response
- Left/right phase correlation
- Sum and difference energies for optimal stereo-to-mono compatibility
- Display number of "overs"
- Three selectable styles: horizontal (280-D/240-D), vertical (380-D/340-D) and arc (40AES/EBU)
- Three selectable sizes: extra large, large and small
- Switch between display sizes and styles with the click of a mouse
- 40dB scale in 1dB steps
- Mono and stereo components

The Waves Dorrough Meter Collection should be released next month at an estimated price of $500.

Check out the Dorrough Meter Collection on 440tv !

CME has announced latest version 2.0 firmware for their VX series MIDI keyboards.

Features :

- F1-F8 knobs can be used to store 8 different preset parameters. This makes live shows easier and slicker.
- User can rename the F1- F8 functions, making it easier to recall them.
- Adds User Bank automatic memory function.
- Adjusts the MIDI Route, making it easier to control external devices.
- Octave and transpose buttons can be used for automatic confirmation mode.
- Holding down the Dec/Inc button will continue the data change.
- Adds turn off function for program change (MSB/LSB/Program Change).
- Adds manually save User bank function (Shift＋Enter).
- Adds manually switch User bank function (Shift＋Page).
- 16 control knob lights can be selected individually.

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

Neutrik USA is helping keep the dust out of unused chassis connector inputs through its newest product accessory, dummyPLUG (NDL). Since dust can build up, especially with larger audio consoles with several inputs that are not all necessarily being used at the same time, the dummyPLUGs are designed to protect unmated Neutrik 2 and 4 pole speakON chassis and powerCON chassis connectors.

dummyPLUGs are rubber covers that fully protect the connector in the unmated condition. dummyPLUGs do not only serve as protection for Neutrik speakON and powerCON chassis connectors, but can also provide convenience and security in the studio or out on the road, as unused inputs can be covered, avoiding any confusion or miss wiring during setup.

For more information, please visit their website.

Well known in the PC world, the french company Blue Cat Audio has launched a public beta version for Mac OS X of its freeware VST audio plugins bundle, Blue Cat's Freeware Pack.

The bundle contains 11 free plugins : a spectrum analyzer, an EQ, gain utilities with unique multiple instances linking capabilities, and several modulation effects. All are universal binary VST plugins, with full Cocoa user interface. Audio Units versions are expected later this year.

Note that this is only the first step, Blue Cat Audio will soon be releasing Mac versions of all their plug-ins, including their entire range of fantastic audio analysis tools !

Blue Cat's Freeware Pack beta is available now at :